Parkour Ridge?

If we build it, they may come!

Have an interesting weekend!

RIF - Reading Is Fundamental!

"As Mayor Howard Frimark's car went past along Cumberland Avenue, Park Ridge resident Adrienne Dimopoulos (right) and her aunt, Pauline Zane of Chicago held up signs protesting the proposed study to detemine whether Cumberland Avenue can be extended across the Union Pacific line to Busse Highway." (Eric Davis/for Pioneer Press)

In today's Herald-Advocate, we find the above photo and caption (emphasis added) from this past Monday's Memorial Day parade.

There were other signs on display by residents also opposed to the idea of extending Cumberland Ave. under the train tracks to Busse Hwy.

We can't say for certain, but we're pretty sure those residents weren't protesting "the study." We're pretty sure those residents don't care what "the study" concludes. We're pretty sure those residents were protesting the proposal to extend Cumberland Ave. under the train tracks.

But we understand the desire of some in the local press to give Mayor Howard a helping hand when they can.

But we must say today's Herald-Advocate editorial about extending Cumberland Ave. may be one of the best efforts at discussion we've ever seen from that paper. PRUdos!

Freewheeling - May 28, 2008

Last Friday, we put up a YouTube video that discussed funding shortages at the Veteran's Administration that have given rise to troublesome outcomes for our veterans seeking services they are rightfully due.

Discussion under the topic included asking what the Park Ridge community could be doing for veterans in need.

One commenter, Jayne Reardon, posted a suggestion for what the talented attorney population of Park Ridge could offer to veterans in need of assistance with benefits claims, and suggested people check out the Veterans Legal Support Center at the John Marshall Law School.

This past Monday, the Pub-dogs had a very informative piece on a Park Ridge group called the Wounded Heroes Foundation. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, please do.

And finally, this week the burbcopschicago blog directed readers to check out a song titled "If I Die Before You Wake," and we thank them for that suggestion.

Java Man!

Maybe you've been one of the lucky ones. Maybe you've been one of the people chosen to meet for a cuppa java with Park Ridge's own Java Man, Mayor Howard Frimark.

We hear Mayor Java Man has been downing the java like an SUV guzzles gas; meeting with some of the St. Mary's neighbors who are troubled by the fact that many of their concerns and questions about the proposed homeless shelter remain unaddressed and unanswered.

We also hear that Mayor Howard continues to repeat himself incessantly, even when faced with facts that contradict his statements, and questions from those lucky St. Mary's neighbors who've been granted special access to observe Java Man in action.

One concern residents have had is what will happen when the homeless shelter "guests" are shagged from the St. Mary's basement. Will those homeless "guests" begin hanging out in the Park Ridge Public Library or the new Uptown redevelopment? We are told Mayor Java Man is unconcerned and does not directly address the questions during those Java Man sessions he's been conducting.

So today we decided to offer some ideas for merchants and residents, the property-owning taxpayers in the Uptown TIF district, to combat the potential problem of an imported number of homeless "guests" making Uptown their new hangout.

And we know Benedict Alderman Ryan (5th ward) will welcome these ideas. After all, they are what some other communities have done to address the issue of homeless people hanging around urban developments.

From a website called "Transfer; nyc & hudson chronicler of architecture, bad, good & otherwise" we find the following architectural elements, characterized as "anti-sit":

Anti-sit storefront.


Anti-sit standpipe.


Anti-sit planter.


Anti-sit railing.


Anti-sit business interior.


Anti-sleep public bench.


None of those additions to the landscape of an urbanized setting look very inviting. But then again, that's the idea. Too bad such elements are likely to have the same uninviting effect on homeless "guests" and shoppers, alike.

But we thought Mayor Java Man and Benedict Alderman Ryan would want to know what other communities are doing to combat the problem of homeless "guests" loitering in residential and shopping districts, when they aren't being housed in an overnight homeless shelter.

Memorial Day, 2008.

"America will only be the land of the free so long as it is the home of the Brave"

Enjoy your hard-won freedom this weekend.

Two-steppin' Blue-footed Boobie!

John Sill - freelance artist and bird illustrator

From the Journal & Topics online, we read an unattributed article titled "Committee To Review Caudill Agreement." What caught the PRU Crews attention were a few lines in the piece indicating what can only be described as a lack of transparency and cooperation on the part of city government; specifically, acting City Manager, Julianna Maller. The article states:

1) "The revised agreement was not provided to the media."

2) "The Journal & Topics Newspapers was told to file a Freedom of Information Act request for access."

3) "Maller would not speak to a Journal & Topics Newspapers reporter regarding the issue; choosing to respond only to written questions."

4) "...but she did not indicate if that was at Caudill's original rate of pay or at the increased rate."

5) "She also did not answer a question asking if the three additional months of settlement would be adjusted to reflect only the first 4% increase."

The Illinois Attorney General's website says, “…it is declared to be the public policy of the State of Illinois that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government […] Such access is necessary to enable the people to fulfill their duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments and monitoring government to ensure that it is being conducted in the public interest.” (5 ILCS 140/1)".

And, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) "...is intended to open the government to all citizens by guaranteeing access to governmental records in whatever form they are maintained. The Act maintains a clear preference for access to public documents while still protecting legitimate governmental interests and the privacy rights of individual citizens."

Before PRU readers jump to any conclusions about their right to access public information -- a task the press often undertakes on the public's behalf -- the PRU Crew feels the need to translate the above into what government officials understand the FOIA to mean; that is, "As government officials, we can delay and deter access to information by requiring anyone seeking information to jump through hoops."

So while you may think that FOIA is for the purpose of ensuring that "access is necessary to enable the people to fulfill their duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments and monitoring government to ensure that it is being conducted in the public interest”, what you really should understand is that, before completing your duties as citizens in an open and free democracy, government officials will expect nothing less than an Olga Korbut performance on paper from you.

And, even when government officials snootily demand that all questions must be submitted in writing, you shouldn't expect those written questions to be answered either.

Happy Anniversary!

One year ago today, the current members of the Park Ridge City Council were sworn into office.

To commemorate this momentous occasion, the PRU Crew has put together a slide show of the pictures of the Mayor and City Council that we've posted since beginning our blog.

Enjoy!

Mayor Howard Frimark's statement from the
May 21, 2007 City Council minutes:

Mayor Frimark stated this evening would start a new era in the City of Park Ridge with the reduction in size of the City Council from 14 to 7 Aldermen, one per Ward. He took the opportunity to voice his visions of ideas and goals for the new City Council. He included completion of the Strategic Plan 2007-08, a business plan for the City; planning, financing and locating a site for the new Police Station facility; ensure traffic and parking studies are brought to closure; moving forward with the development of Executive Plaza; determination of the City’s role in the Napleton Cadillac site; City action on Napleton’s request for financial incentives/sales tax rebate program; addressing the Greenwood Avenue traffic issue (and obtaining a grant); broadcast of City Council meetings; development of a committee to further explore the future of the City - as with the Vision 2000 Committee; encourage the development of Target Area 4 and Higgins Avenue corridor, South Park, Dee Road, Cross Road and Dempster areas; increase the number of volunteers within the City and develop a volunteer preservation committee to retain those who are involved; and continue to provide the community with high quality City services.

A Quickie Council Recap!

Unlike James Patterson's 384 pages of 'The Quickie', ours is going to be much shorter.

In yesterday's post, Busy Bees!, we highlighted six items of interest on the City Council agenda that we hoped would get attention from the Park Ridge populace. We hear some items drew a lot of attention, while other items were referred to committees or ignored entirely.

Below is our quickie recap of those six agenda items:

1) A City Council discussion of off street parking (.pdf) for a property at 14 Main St. -- this item is on the agenda at the request of Benedict Alderman Robert Ryan (5th Ward); it seems Ald. Ryan is always eager to see to it the Real Estate company of his campaign treasurer, Owen Hayes, gets plenty of special attention.

While Benedict Alderman Robert Ryan (5th Ward) attempted, weakly, to speak in general terms about the zoning code requirements and process for requesting a zoning code variance for properties that remain vacant for 180 days or more, it was fairly clear to those present and familiar with Ald. Ryan's nonsense that his goal was to provide assistance to a particular property, 14 Main Street, that just happens to be a commercial property listing out of the McClennan Real Estate office; the same real estate office from which Ald. Ryan's campaign manager, Owen Hayes, operates. Mr. Hayes also has a listing, 104 Main Street, which is said to have off street parking issues as well.

The issue of the City's zoning code requirements for off street parking was referred to committee for review.

2) Under the City Manager's report, a discussion of the proposed extension of Cumberland Ave. (.pdf) under the train tracks; this isn't the worst idea we've heard come out of City government, but couple it further with a proposal to close Greenwood at the train tracks, and it becomes perhaps the most boneheaded proposal we've heard come out of City government.

Alderman Dave Schmidt (1st Ward) offered that he could immediately save the City the cost of consulting fees by letting everyone know that the idea of extending Cumberland Ave. under the train tracks and then closing Greenwood at the tracks was considered insanity by everyone he's heard from on this issue. Several residents also addressed the Council and expressed their displeasure with this idea.

However, our sources tell us this item provided the highlight of the evening when those in attendance were given a glimpse into the void, otherwise known as the mind of Mayor Howard Frimark. Mayor Howard let everyone know that the money spent to study the extension of Cumberland Ave. is not "our money" but rather it is "Federal money". The PRU Crew isn't sure about Mayor Howard, but Crew members recall recently reviewing some very large amounts of "our money" going into the Federal coffers.

Mayor Howard's mindset reminded us of the District 64 School Board thinking on money matters related to the City's offer to buy their district headquarters building.

Mayor Howard also let everyone know that he is unfamiliar with the area North of the train tracks because during the 30 years he's lived in Park Ridge he "doesn't go that way".

3) Also under the City Manager's report we see that an amendment to the separation agreement with former Chief of Police, Jeff Caudill, is up for discussion. We're going to bet this has something to do with the Pension Board's denial of a portion of the compensation package Caudill received.

A motion was made to set aside this issue until Ekl Williams could confirm for the City that former Chief Caudill had cooperated with the internal investigation of the police department. Ald. Ryan offered that doing such a thing seemed like "negotiating after the fact." Ald. Schmidt offered his agreement and this matter was referred to the Finance and Budget committee for number crunching.

4) Under Planning and Zoning is a first reading of the rather extensive changes to the year-old zoning ordinance that includes language we believe allows for more development of R-5 projects (.pdf); the densest and tallest residential projects that can be built. We're also wondering how much the City has paid out in consulting fees on the zoning re-write and why these changes weren't recommended or corrected by the consultant during the re-write process.

This item was referred to committee for discussion of language concerning the B-4 area of the central business district; the hope is to determine language that would define the B-4 business district as a geographic area, then assign the R-5 zoning code to that area.

This item was also referred to committee to determine whether it is the City Council or the Planning and Zoning commission that has the authority to determine procedures and policies. The PRU Crew feels elected officials on the City Council should determine procedures and policies, but we know there are commissions out there that would prefer to operate freely and not be subject to the scrutiny of elected officials.

5) Under the Procedures and Regulations Committee report, the City Council is set to give a first reading to a new ordinance (.pdf) allowing Mayor Howard to control all appointments of the City Council.

To the PRU Crew's surprise, this item was referred back to the Procedures and Regulations committee for further discussion. It is our hope that committee and council members choose democracy over dictatorship, but we're not holding our breath.

6) Finally, under the Finance and Budget Committee report, we read that the City Council plans to authorize Mayor Howard to sign a lease agreement (.pdf) for parking spaces at 20 S. Fairview Ave. We are pleased to see that the City will pass through all parking space rental costs to those leasing the spaces, but we do wonder why the City will be providing bookkeeping and secretarial services to SCH Real Estate LLC, free of charge. We also wonder why the City's required disclosure of ownership (.pdf) documents have not been provided by SCH Real Estate LLC in accordance with the City's ordinance.

Finally, the City Council adopted the lease agreement for the parking spaces at 20 S. Fairview, and will now be providing SCH Real Estate LLC with free bookkeeping and secretarial services.

A member of the audience asked Mayor Howard if the long rumored participation of his wife, Nancy Frimark, as a beneficiary in the trust and/or SCH Real Estate LLC that holds title to this property is true. Mayor Howard stated that the rumor is "absolutely false." Certainly, Mayor Howard wouldn't lie about such a thing.

We look forward to seeing the required disclosure of ownership documents for this agreement; the City law is very clear -- disclosure of ownership interest is required.

There you go folks! A quickie recap of 1,137 words for your reading enjoyment!

Busy Bees!

Tonight's City Council agenda (.pdf) is pretty full. The PRU Crew is wondering how badly the taxpayers and citizens of Park Ridge will get stung.

A few items have caught our attention:

1) A City Council discussion of off street parking (.pdf) for a property at 14 Main St. -- this item is on the agenda at the request of Benedict Alderman Robert Ryan (5th Ward); it seems Ald. Ryan is always eager to see to it the Real Estate company of his campaign treasurer, Owen Hayes, gets plenty of special attention.

2) Under the City Manager's report, a discussion of the proposed extension of Cumberland Ave. (.pdf) under the train tracks; this isn't the worst idea we've heard come out of City government, but couple it further with a proposal to close Greenwood at the train tracks, and it becomes perhaps the most boneheaded proposal we've heard come out of City government.

3) Also under the City Manager's report we see that an amendment to the separation agreement with former Chief of Police, Jeff Caudill, is up for discussion. We're going to bet this has something to do with the Pension Board's denial of a portion of the compensation package Caudill received.

4) Under Planning and Zoning is a first reading of the rather extensive changes to the year-old zoning ordinance that includes language we believe allows for more development of R-5 projects (.pdf); the densest and tallest residential projects that can be built. We're also wondering how much the City has paid out in consulting fees on the zoning re-write and why these changes weren't recommended or corrected by the consultant during the re-write process.

5) Under the Procedures and Regulations Committee report, the City Council is set to give a first reading to a new ordinance (.pdf) allowing Mayor Howard to control all appointments of the City Council.

6) Finally, under the Finance and Budget Committee report, we read that the City Council plans to authorize Mayor Howard to sign a lease agreement (.pdf) for parking spaces at 20 S. Fairview Ave. We are pleased to see that the City will pass through all parking space rental costs to those leasing the spaces, but we do wonder why the City will be providing bookkeeping and secretarial services to SCH Real Estate LLC, free of charge. We also wonder why the City's required disclosure of ownership (.pdf) documents have not been provided by SCH Real Estate LLC in accordance with the City's ordinance.

Those are just a few of the items we hope residents will be paying attention to, but we admit we haven't checked tonight's t.v. listings; though we all know that the City Council meeting won't be among those t.v. listings.

Armed Forces Day -- May 17, 2008.

Thank you to those who serve our country in the common defense of the principles of our Constitution.

The Howardly Lion!

We hear today that Mayor Frimark is telling people in town that the City of Park Ridge will not require a special use permit for the opening of a homeless shelter.

The reason? Apparently Mayor Frimark is telling people the City of Park Ridge will get sued by the Park Ridge Ministerial Association (PRMA) if there is any attempt made by the city to enforce its zoning code ordinance in relation to a proposed homeless shelter.

If what Mayor Frimark is telling people is true, it seems clear to us that the PRMA is willing to engage in acts of intimidation, if servile and abject agreement isn't forthcoming. And Mayor Frimark is willing to bow to that intimidation.

The PRU Crew can't claim any legal expertise in the area of zoning laws, and we know there are Federal and State laws governing the fair and neutral application of zoning codes. But we also know that a municipality has a compelling government interest in the enforcement of its fair and neutral zoning codes. We also know that churches are subject to the application of those laws no matter how much they whine about their "ministry" and their desire to engage a not-for-profit business to conduct that "ministry" on their behalf.

We also hear that Mayor Frimark and the City Council are receiving some very strong feedback from residents in opposition to the Mayor's remarks.

It remains to be seen whether or not Mayor Frimark and the City Council choose to represent the interests of the PRMA or the city's residents.

Stay tuned!

Mr. Television Wants You to Know!

From the book cover: Old Jewish Comedians by Drew Friedman

The PRU Crew wanted to get to this issue last February, but we forgot! And other matters caught our attention at the time.

As many of you may be aware, there is less than a year left before television broadcasters switch from analog to digital signals -- February 17, 2009. Most of us will not have to do a thing to prepare for the change. But some of us may not be prepared.

Here are two links to some excellent discussion and resources on the impending switch:

1. Digital Confusion

2. The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

When we say there is a need to be prepared for the signal switch, we don't mean that we need to be prepared so that we don't miss the voting on the next 'American Idol' winner. We mean this in the sense that broadcast communications are a public safety issue.

Local cable providers have begun advertising the coming change. But if you know of a neighbor or friend who may be caught unawares or for whom the costs of the switch may be prohibitive, please check out the links provided above and see if you can lend a hand. We also hope that the City Council Public Safety committee has paid some attention to this matter; the Park Ridge Police Department has a program that checks on "seniors" -- that may be a good place to start.

Neighbors helping neighbors. One of the great traditions in Park Ridge.

Freewheeling - May 13, 2008

The city of Park Ridge has posted the results of a citizen survey on its website.

Respondents were asked to answer the following open-ended question:

The City of Park Ridge Police Facilities have been determined to be inadequate to meet the needs of the department and the community. Given that something must be done, please tell us what top 3 issues or concerns are most important to address in considering how to change the Police Facilities.

The PRU Crew thought the verbatim responses (.pdf) were very interesting.

The Pub-dog's posted a commentary on the results that we thought was pretty good.

If you weren't one of the lucky few chosen to give your response you can take the opportunity to do so here.

The Park District's Own Mr. Haney!

Guest Essay

Submitted by: "Disappointed"


PRPD Board President Dick Barton as Mr. Haney - Green Acres


Over the course of the past several weeks new Park Ridge Park District (PRPD) board president Dick Barton has been busy using his new position to inform the public that he intends to focus on the "environment" during the term of his presidency.

He has touted the PRPD's Environmental Task Force, a 9-person volunteer body that Barton helped form in 2007 and that includes Barton's son, Alex, among its members. And in a letter to the editor in the May 1, 2008 issue of the Herald-Advocate praising a successful Electronics Recycling Day even on April 19, he high-lighted Green Transportation Solutions (GTS) as "a Park Ridge-based consulting firm specializing in environmental issues."


Screen shot Herald-Advocate Letter to the Editor
Click picture for larger view

What Mr. Barton failed to mention is that he and his son, Alex, run GTS as part of their Park Ridge-based consulting business, Barton & Barton, Ltd. -http://www.greentransportationsolutions.com. We like the environment and believe that "going green" is laudable and politically correct, but there's something just a little too convenient about the new PRPD board president's "mission" being the environment when he just happens to own a business that specializes in helping its clients "go green."


Screen shot Barton & Barton/GTS Client List
Click picture for larger view

Several questions come to mind. Does the PRPD have a conflict of interest policy regulating related party transactions? Does the partnering of the PRPD with a business which is owned by an elected official on the PRPD Board comply with that policy? Has any PRPD money been paid to GTS for its consulting – because the Barton & Barton website identifies the "Park Ridge Park District" as one of its "clients"? And isn't there a conflict of interest when an elected official uses his public position to promote his personal business?

But most importantly, we have to question why it is that Mr. Barton never disclosed that GTS is a division of Barton & Barton, Ltd. to the taxpaying and voting public. It sure conveys the impression that Barton was trying to conceal that fact.

According to the PRPD's 2006 audited financial statement, 44.7% of revenue is collected from property taxes; another 48.5% of revenue is collected from program fees. All of that is our money which Mr. Barton and the other PRPD commissioners are obligated to use solely for the benefit of the residents of the Park District.

It is not clear if any taxpayer money actually has been paid by the PRPD to GTS, but it is clear that GTS may have benefited in other ways by partnering with the PRPD, such as through free publicity and easier contacts with other governmental agencies that are likely to open the door for GTS to gain profitable work.

We thought that such lapses in judgment, questionable ethics, and self-promotion were confined to some of the elected officials at 505 Butler Place, but apparently we were wrong. Mr. Barton, remember that as a Park District Commissioner – and now the Park Board president – your first duty is to the Park District and its residents, not to your own pocketbook. That is what we demand, and that is what we deserve.

Straight In!

Diddle for the middle and enjoy the weekend!

PRUdos to the Wsolman!

In a piece of City Council action that received little fanfare or attention, the 7th Ward's Alderman Frank Wsoooool man managed to get his ubiquitously ass-covering Council peers to agree to place a referendum question on the November election ballot asking voters to decide whether or not they want to stagger the election terms for Park Ridge aldermen.

Journal & Topics: Referendum to Decide On Staggered Terms

However, we do suspect that the unanimous support of the Council was given in part because it may be that some of these Aldermen believe they are guaranteed to serve the full 4-year terms to which they were elected.

It seems to us that Ald. Wsol understands not only the importance of Council experience, but also the greater importance of ensuring the election process allows the citizens of Park Ridge to benefit from that experience.

We hope that any opinion received from the State's Attorney General will allow for the staggered elections to begin in 2009. But even if that doesn't happen, we offer our PRUdos to the 7th Ward's Wsoooool man for taking the long view on the best interests of Park Ridge voters.

And we hope the voters of Park Ridge take advantage of this opportunity.

A PRU Two-fer!

Today we read in the Journal & Topics that Mayor Howard is upset about "the blog" again. Excellent!





Mayor Howard, you may file a formal complaint with the PRU Crew Complaint Department. Please take a number and the next available representative will be with you shortly.



In the future, Mayor Howard, remember to consult your oath of office and refrain from any attempt to use the conventional press to promulgate your lies; for your convenience, we've added a link to the Merriam-Webster definition that also includes a pronunciation key for the word 'promulgate'.

We understand that you like to appear to be in control of everything; it helps your stature among your generous contributors. But Howard, we just aren't willing to sit idly by while you try to dupe the public, our friends and neighbors, by using the dupes in the press as your unwitting mouth pieces.

The times they are a-changin'.

-----------------------------------------------------

At last night's Procedures and Regulations committee meeting the topic of whether or not St. Mary's Episcopal Church and the Journeys from PADS to Hope organization will have to seek a special use permit before opening a homeless shelter was discussed.

Sources tell us that the committee, chaired by 4th ward Alderman Allspaghetti, serving with 1st ward Ald. Schmidtzkrieg and the Unfriendly Ghost of the 6th ward, Ald. Tom Carey, are likely to recommend that a special use permit be sought before a shelter is allowed to open.

Ald. Schmidtzkrieg offered compelling evidence from a Seventh Circuit Court decision that he said clearly lays out the framework allowing that a "neutral zoning ordinance is applicable to churches".

We expect that at a future meeting the Procedures and Regulations committee will recommend for approval to the full City Council that any entity seeking to open a homeless shelter anywhere in Park Ridge will be required to seek a special use permit.

We hope the full City Council adopts that recommendation.

In The Spotlight!

anony-mouse said...

This is soooooo classic Howie (from today's online Herald-Advocate): "Frimark stated that Hock was not his first choice for city manager, claiming that his preferred candidate withdrew his name from consideration "upon realization that the political atmosphere was so toxic that [his] vision of Park Ridge would not be realized."

TOXIC?!! Howie, you CREATED that!!!
May 6, 2008 8:41 AM


Herald-Advocate: Updated 5/5: Park Ridge OKs James Hock as city manager

The PRU Crew would like to extend our welcome to the new Park Ridge City Manager, Mr. James Hock. We hope that, unlike Mayor Howard's first choice for city manager, you work to realize a vision of Park Ridge that is the residents' and not just your own.

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

One of the City Council's committees is the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Boards and Commissions. It is comprised of the four chairmen of the council's four standing committees; Public Works, Finance and Budget, Procedures and Regulations, and Public Safety. The four Aldermen making up the current Mayor's Advisory Committee are Ald. Don DreadBach (3rd ward), the Lord of the Manor, Ald. Rich DiPietro (2nd ward), Ald. James Allspaghetti (4th ward), and Ald. Frank Wsoooool man (7th ward), respectively. Ald. James Allspaghetti, in his role as chairman of Procedures and Regulations, is supposed to automatically become the chairman of the Mayor's Advisory Committee, though Ald. DiPietro is serving in that role currently.

The Mayor's Advisory committee's job is to interview prospective candidates for appointment to the city's various boards and commissions, then make recommendations for appointment to the Mayor. During the candidate interview process, which is by law an open meeting, the Advisory committee usually opens each interview with a statement that includes reminding each candidate of the "importance of attending at least 75% of meetings."

The PRU Crew decided to take a look and see if the Aldermen were practicing what they have been preaching to the prospective appointees for boards and commissions.

We took a look at the various meeting minutes available on the city's website to determine aldermanic attendance to council meetings (including workshops and special meetings), as well as the four standing committees (including any special meetings) on which each of the aldermen is serving. We've made every attempt to double and triple check our findings, but if you've ever tried to search the city's website, then you know what an abysmal site it is to surf.

For the City Council, there are minutes available for 32 meetings; from 5-21-07 up to 4-21-08. Four "special meetings" held in April do not seem to have minutes available online.

For the Finance and Budget committee, there are minutes available for 12 meetings; from 6-12-07 up to 2-12-08, but we have also counted the 2-16-08 Budget workshop into our count, as that meeting was referenced during a recent city council meeting, making the meeting count we are using, 13. The Finance and Budget committee does not appear to have met in March, and despite the fact that the 4-7-08 meeting minutes were scheduled for approval on the 4-8-08 meeting agenda, they are not available online (not during our last check, anyway) and neither are the minutes of the 4-8-08 meeting, 4-14-08 C.O.W. meeting, nor the 4-21-08 Budget Hearing.

The Public Works committee has meeting minutes available online from 6-6-07 up to 4-16-08 for a total meeting count of 20.

The Procedures and Regulations committee has a meeting count of 10, based on available minutes; from 6-5-07 up to 4-15-08.

Finally, the Public Safety committee's available online minutes, from 5-30-07 up to 4-3-08, allows a total meeting count of 12 to be used for attendance-taking purposes.

And here we go!

First Ward, Alderman Dave Schmidt; is serving on the Procedures and Regulations committee, and serves as an alternate to the Public Works committee.

-- has missed 2 out of 32 city council meetings -- 94% attendance.
-- has missed 0 out of 10 Procedures and Regulations committee meetings -- 100% attendance.
-- has attended 5 Public Works meetings in his role as a committee alternate.

Second Ward, Alderman Rich DiPietro; is chairman of the Finance and Budget committee and serves as an alternate to the Procedures and Regulations committee.

-- has missed 1 out of 32 city council meetings -- 97% attendance.
-- has missed 0 out of 13 Finance and Budget committee meetings -- 100% attendance.
-- has attended 1 Procedures and Regulations meeting in his role as a committee alternate.

Third Ward, Alderman Don Bach; is chairman of the Public Works committee and serves on the Public Safety committee; he does not serve as an alternate to any of the council's standing committees.

-- has missed 1 out of 32 city council meetings -- 97% attendance.
-- has missed 1 out of 20 Public Works committee meetings -- 95% attendance.
-- has missed 1 out of 12 Public Safety committee meetings -- 92% attendance.

Fourth Ward, Alderman James Allegretti; is chairman of the Procedures and Regulations committee, and serves on the Public Safety committee; he does not serve as an alternate to any of the council's standing committees.

-- has missed 3 out of 32 city council meetings -- 91% attendance.
-- has missed 0 out of 10 Procedures and Regulations committee meetings -- 100% attendance.
-- has missed 2 out of 12 Public Safety committee meetings -- 83% attendance.

Fifth Ward, Alderman Robert Ryan; is serving on the Public Works committee and the Finance and Budget committee; he does not serve as an alternate to any of the council's standing committees.

-- has missed 2 out of 32 city council meetings -- 94% attendance.
-- has missed 8 out of 20 Public Works committee meetings -- 60% attendance.
-- has missed 4 out of 13 Finance and Budget committee meetings -- 69% attendance.

Sixth Ward, Alderman Thomas Carey; is serving on the Finance and Budget committee and the Procedures and Regulations committee; he serves as an alternate to the Public Safety committee.

-- has missed 1 out of 32 city council meetings -- 97% attendance.
-- has missed 1 out of 13 Finance and Budget committee meetings -- 92% attendance.
-- has missed 2 out of 10 Procedures and Regulations committee meetings -- 80% attendance.
-- has attended 1 Public Safety meeting in his role as a committee alternate.

Seventh Ward, Alderman Frank Wsol; is chairman of the Public Safety committee and serves on the Public Works committee; he serves as an alternate to the Finance and Budget committee.

-- has missed 1 out of 32 city council meetings -- 97% attendance.
-- has missed 0 out of 20 Public Works committee meetings -- 100% attendance.
-- has missed 0 out of 12 Public Safety committee meetings -- 100% attendance.
-- has attended 2 Finance and Budget meetings in his role as a committee alternate.

Pretty darn good, for the most part. As for the "reminder" about the "importance of attending at least 75% of meetings", maybe it's time somebody had a little chat with a certain 5th Ward alderman.

And while we're on the topic of attendance, try to make time this evening to attend both the 6:30 PM City Council PADS Workshop as well as the 7:30 PM City Council meeting; both are at Park Ridge City Hall.

Recognize this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcKurvm_0oE

If not, ask the nearest kid to tell you what it is.

Have a "Super" weekend!

Benedict Alderman Ryan, Illustrated!

Benedict Alderman Robert Ryan (5th ward) has penned a letter in today's edition of the Park Ridge Herald-Advocate. We decided to illustrate his missive here.

Finding right solution that all can embrace

I would to thank the Ministerial Association and St. Mary's for holding a public open house Monday, April 28 about the proposed PADS site suggested at St. Mary's, and for all the work that St Mary's has put into the proposed PADS program.

I believe that almost everyone would like to help the homeless -- help give them a better chance in life, help them while they are down, and give them courage. Such generosity and compassion have long been the cornerstones of this community.

However, it is critical that we as a community find a location that all can embrace. Such a positive outcome requires dialogue in the context of a process that explores all options available. To that end, I encourage the Ministerial Association to:

• Form a subcommittee to consider other sites in Park Ridge; this committee should include residents as well as PADS representatives.



• Agree upfront on a set of 4 to 5 key criteria for an optimum location.

• Hold another public meeting in three months or so to share their findings, including a comparison of sites using the St. Mary's site as the "base condition" for comparison purposes.

Perhaps this dialogue will prove that St. Mary's is the best site, but this dialogue is critical and should take place to ensure the final site is the optimum location.

I would rather delay the opening of a PADS site for six months than select a site that has been identified without exploring other options and before the concerns of neighbors and community members have been addressed.

Robert Ryan, Alderman, 5th Ward