Naperville’s Mount Trashmore

For well over 10 years now (if not 20), the first impression of Naperville for many is the mass mountain of junk ever increasing in scale along the Naper Blvd/Ogden intersection.

The pile of tents and debris keeps getting bigger and bigger.

The occupant who is buried amongst the refuse does not pretend to be homeless. Many charities have offered him shelter. He claims to be a “protestor” raising awareness to poor zoning decisions made by Naperville as well as other broader political concerns and complaints.

He has no permit to protest there.

DuPage County and the City point fingers at one another as to who has jurisdiction over this junk pile.

Even if he is on private property, private property owners don’t get to turn their lots into junkyards.

Simply put, this eye sore needs to be dealt with. Naperville officials will claim that no one is complaining about the junk heap. This is a curious excuse as Naperville regularly comes down on businesses and enforce code infractions that no one is complaining about.

This debris field is a terrible look for our City. The jurisdictional issues sound like cop outs. The City should get this mess removed even if it has to get a court order to do it.

The first impression one gets when coming into a top American suburb should not be a pile of junk. Council do your jobs and deal with this.

 

Show 16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Bill McCormick

    Gotta disagree with you on this one. At minimum, let’s wait until the Supreme Court decides on the limits of “urban camping” so whatever action Council takes can be well-advised. Action now could be more expensive than it has to be.

    Personally, I find vacant and poorly maintained commercial properties to be worse because they suggest economic weakness as opposed to one man’s unique perspective. Just proceed West on Ogden a couple blocks (corner of N. Charles) for one example.

    • Lauren Finaldi-Green

      Finally!
      I’ve been saying the same for years…
      It appears to grow larger every time I see it.
      It’s unsightly.
      Something needs to be done.

  2. Jim Haselhorst

    It takes about a 5 second property search on the DuPage County website to see this property is in unincorporated Naperville, which mean the city has no jurisdiction over this property.

    So, yes it is a DuPage County issue (i.e. DuPage County Sheriff) or possible Lisle Township issue, but not a City of Naperville issue. Basically the city passed several ordinances a few years back that made it impossible for this person to continue to occupy public land in Naperville (he use to be setup outside the parking Garage on Chicago Ave where he could use the downtown WiFi).

    If you are so concerned you need to bring the matter up during the Public Speaking Agenda item at the next DuPage County Commissioners Meeting.

    • Watchdog Admin

      County says it’s in city right of way and not their jurisdiction.

      • Sam Nelson

        Haselhorst gets schooled again.

  3. Jerry Mendoza

    I like how they mention the first impression one gets when coming into a top American suburb shouldn’t be a junk pile .
    But they want to flood this town with immigrants from the city that will bring junk piles with them as well but they want to do it for money .
    And as one mentioned they let poorly maintained commercial lots go and make a top American suburb look like a poor economic area .

  4. A Napervillian

    Doesn’t the council have bigger issues? Just let the guy protest. The Naperville council is “liberal” enough to hear out fringe causes.

    But I guess he brought the wrong flag (?? /??/??)…

  5. Michele

    Scott Huber has been protesting for way longer than 20 years. Those of us who have lived here for 40+ years have watched as they’ve relocated Scott from the downtown area all the way to the edge of town. He’s not in everyone’s face or business. And, quite honestly, residents are not bothered by him. If the owner of the gas station wants to allow him a place to camp, then so be it. Clearly his protesting isn’t working. But he’s not disturbing anyone. Let him be.

    • Benet

      Not disturbing anyone? What if you were the property owner and that was your gas station? I know I wouldn’t be too happy. What message is he getting across all these years?

      • Joan Murray

        The property owner and gas station owner has not complained. Doesn’t matter if they are happy or unhappy, who cares about their feelings?! Their feelings have no legal precedence here. Scott is a wise person to pick the spot he did…and y’all are still talking about him so I think his protest os working.

  6. Naperville's Northern Liberation Front

    Hey Now!!! Let’s check ourselves here Naperville… Ambassador Huber is the single most important economic engine driving the renaissance of Little Wisconsin in North Naperville. Before his unexpected arrival, with his mountain of pre-owned tarpage, this was a morass of empty buildings, closed restaurants and health code violations. Since Scotty’s smiling face arrived on the scene- a New Costco!! Rotating Sushi!! Breakfast Dining in 5 locations that haven’t burned down!! And the fairest prices on gasoline in the ‘Ville. Don’t look for problems where we have none up here in the Northern Latitudes, focus on your own depravity in the center of downtown.

  7. Bill McCormick

    Hilarious!! And true.

    To build on this theme, Ambassador Huber’s remit is only with Northeast Naperville. Lest you think he’s past his prime, he recently enticed Chik-fil-A to locate within his zone of influence.

    Northwest Naperville, without the benefit of Ambassador Huber, has not fared nearly as well.

  8. Sam Nelson

    Waste of time as this has already been addressed by council. Next topic.

  9. Naperville's Northern Liberation Front

    In fairness- it would be a challenge to include the vast wasteland that is the North Of North Aurora Metro Economic (NO-NAME) Co-Prosperity Sphere without engaging an army of neighborhood activists to spread the doctrine of Ambassador Scott. That’s a lot of tarpage to move around town, and somebody stole his wagon last year. Naperville knows what it has done to their Favorite Red-Headed Step-Son Huber. In denying his First Amendment right to protest directly on the doorstep of power, they have forced this humble servant of growth in our community to abandon the gentle care that supported the many bars in town where everybody knew the owner, (Jimmy & Louie) the ONLY multi-story bookstore in the western suburbs and a Starbucks with adult drinks. Wanna know where Peet’s is now? Find Ambassador Huber, get a coffee. Jimmy & Louie? Can’t see them for all the glare from the Corporate Lightshow that has overtaken our once-genuine and charming downtown. We call for all True Napervillians to support the good Ambassador. Watch for the announcement coming soon for the Habitats Against Humanity initiative starting in Morrison’s Addition.

  10. Bill McCormick

    I delight in being outdone, oh wise and witty NNLF!

  11. Steve Chirico

    I agree with an earlier post about waiting until the SCOTUS makes a decision on this; however, this is not about homelessness, it’s a first amendment issue that will not likely be decided by SCOTUS in this upcoming ruling. That said, the ruling may provide some guidance on how municipalities can control encampments that clearly violate city codes established for the health and safety of residents.

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