5-Member Council OKs Majority Rule

Majority rule has prevailed in Oak Park.

The community’s five-member Municipal Advisory Council decided unanimously Tuesday night to declare a vote of 3 to 0 as the minimum required to pass any item being considered by the board.

The action was taken to ensure that decisions made by a three-member quorum of the council represent the will of most residents and to prevent special interests from putting through projects when some council members are not present.

During occasional instances when two council members were absent from a monthly meeting, 2-1 votes on matters have raised eyebrows in the small, suburban community. Some residents have alleged the decisions would have been different had all council members been present for the vote.

Council member George Anterasian said the declaration keeps the board’s decisions “clean” and inspires residents’ confidence that their concerns are being fairly addressed by elected officials.

The declaration is subject to approval by the county Board of Supervisors.

Council members also voted unanimously to formally adopt a World Wide Web home page intended to keep residents abreast of community issues.

The home page includes meeting agendas and can be expanded to allow community business and communication to be conducted over the Internet.

Residents may log on at https://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/7741