Stroger's obstinance keeps forest preserves in squalid state Stroger has consistently been an impediment to reform.

It's a disgrace. The Cook County Forest Preserves have beenlooted and vandalized on John Stroger's watch as Cook County Boardpresident.

Gov. Blagojevich has just vetoed a bill that would have provided$100 million in bonding authority to the forest preserve becauseStroger is part of the problem.

Stroger, in his fourth decade as a member of the county board, hasconsistently been an impediment to reform and still won't admit thatthe forest preserves are in chaos.

County Commissioners Forrest Claypool (D-Chicago) and LarrySuffredin (D-Evanston), both of whom ousted longtime board members inlast year's election, are attempting to clean up the mess at …