Again, we thank our PRU readers for being patient while we organize our sources.
At last night's City Council meeting, our illustrious representatives again voted to go into closed session to discuss the acquisition of property for a new police station. Our sources tell us Alderman Dave Schmidtzkrieg (1st Ward) reminded the Council that they had not yet decided the key issues of size and expense for such a project. Ald. Schmidtzkrieg further stated that they cannot discuss the acquisition of property without deciding those issues, in open session.
The 4th Ward's representative, Alderman Allspaghetti, then asked Schmidtzkrieg if he would "respect" the vote of the Council to go into closed session or if he would disclose what was discussed. Schmidtzkrieg responded that he "didn't know what [he] would do", but he would abide by the rules of the Illinois Open Meetings Act and that he was prepared to be "condemned" again for his actions.
Then Alderman Frank Wsooooolman (7th Ward) offered that his intention in asking for this closed session was in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act which allows public bodies to discuss "strategy for obtaining real estate", and that this was a protection of the taxpayers from those who may try to "manipulate" the market. What Ald. Wsooooolman doesn't seem to realize is that public bodies have the right to condemn property and pay fair market value for it, should anyone attempt to "manipulate" the market. What Ald. Wsooooolman also doesn't seem to realize is that the issues of size and expense for a police station should be determined before the Council engages in their "strategery" on land acquisition.
And the entire PRU Crew is willing to bet their briefs that the property discussed in closed session last night was the now shuttered Napleton Cadillac dealership, a prime piece of private commercial property on two main drags. Mr. Bill Napleton, a very special Friend of Frimark, is no doubt grinning from ear to ear about this real estate flip. Why work selling cars when you can "manipulate" local government into a deal that may provide you with a windfall of as much as $5 million? The PRU Crew has suspected for a while now that Bill Napleton never had any intention of maintaining a Cadillac dealership in Park Ridge, and the more we watch this deal evolve, the more convinced we become.
Also at the City Council meeting last night, Adrienne Timm of St. Paul of the Cross read a statement saying that the Park Ridge Ministerial Association and St. Paul of the Cross "continue to be sensitive" to the concerns of the community and will now seek to open a PADS homeless shelter at St. Paul of the Cross this coming October, instead of at St. Mary's Episcopal church. Ms. Timm was standing in for Father Carl Morello, who was presiding over SPC's eighth grade graduation festivities and waxing pastor-al about taking the "higher road" in life.
Apparently Father Morello's "higher road" doesn't include telling his congregation about things like the proposed PADS shelter coming to St. Paul of the Cross even while waxing pastor-al about the PADS program this past Sunday. While leaving out details from one's discussion of a topic isn't the same thing as telling a lie, and while telling a lie isn't one of the "Seven Deadly Sins", failing to mention key details probably is considered bad behavior.
But maybe Father Morello was so proud of his sermon last Sunday that he simply forgot to mention the new location of the proposed PADS homeless shelter. By the way, Padre, pride is one of the "Seven Deadlies." But you already know that, right?
After the PRMA--St. Paul of the Cross announcement, Cumberland Avenue resident Mr. Chris Harris addressed the Council to ask about the funds requested from Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's office. Mr. Harris also asked "who will benefit" from the "Cumberland Avenue Connector Project". Mr. Harris noted that the request for funds also included that the project "proposes to increase speed" in order to move traffic through Park Ridge faster. He went on to say that Park Ridge is primarily a residential community that already gets more than its fair share of truck and cut-through traffic. Mr. Harris concluded his remarks by asking, "How does this (the proposed Cumberland extension) benefit residents and businesses in Park Ridge?" The PRU Crew feels that is an excellent question, Mr. Harris. We can't wait to hear what the pols' answer is.
Finally, Mayor Howard's rubber stamps on the Council took the opportunity to stick it to former Chief of Police, Jeff Caudill. As we told you yesterday, the Council was supposed to "approve payment to former Police Chief Caudill." Instead, in a vote of 4 to 2 (Bach, Allegretti, Carey and Wsol to Schmidt and DiPietro -- Ryan missed another meeting) the Council chose to hold the payment over the head of the former Chief of Police to ensure his "full cooperation" in the Ekl Williams investigation of the Park Ridge police department; even though the original separation agreement calls for Mr. Caudill to do exactly that. We're not sure about PRU readers, but the Crew feels that this dangling carrot bears the faint aroma of a bribe. More bluntly stated, it now appears as if Caudill's "cooperation" will be measured by the pleasure or displeasure of Council members and the Mayor in reaction to whatever information Caudill gives to Ekl Williams. And the delayed consideration of agreeing to the payment may reflect that pleasure or displeasure.
And we can't get past the Council's double-dealing on the terms of the agreement. If waiting until after the investigation to agree to a complete severance package for Caudill, to ensure his cooperation, is now so important, why wasn't it important before? Before the investigation began? Before "progress" reports had been received?
And finally, how the hell do you screw over a 30+ year employee like this? By nearly all accounts, Caudill served this community well. And we have yet to hear any substantive grounds for why the Mayor and his rubber stamps pushed for Caudill to resign.
We guess this is what passes for "doing business" in Park Ridge.
Buckle up, Park Ridgians! Remember to keep your hands and feet inside the hand basket, and try to enjoy the ride.
June 3, 2008
Council Capers Recap!
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53 comments:
I feel overwhelmed. My God, these idiots have all got to go.
I was at the Council meeting last night. Most of the Council do strike me as being so stupid sometimes.
Here's a bunch that will give away almost two and a half million dollars of our tax money to a private business friend of the Mayor, but withhold $31,000 from a former employee they agreed to give a retirement package to in the first place. Now the Mayor wants to spend even more millions and millions for extending Cumberland for what benefit nobody is saying.
Alderman Bach last night asked what's the difference between approving it now or in a couple months? O.k. Alderman Bach, if you are going to approve it in a couple months then why not approve it now?
If I got it right, this new payment to the former Chief would be less in the end than what the pension costs would have been. Now also, Caudill could sue the City. I hope he doesn't, but I wouldn't blame him if he did. If the Council had agreed to the payment last night, then Caudill wouldn't be able to sue the City because I think I remember hearing the City attorney say that was in the new part of the agreement.
This is plain stupid.
I do so hope people aren't suprised by Fr. M's conduct. If you have ever had to deal with the man, he is very arrogant. He is so used to telling people what to do it never occurs to him to ask people what they think. I can't stand him. I can't wait until he leaves next year.
So they are moving the PADS shelter to a "less residential" area. I think I will just sit back and wait for the warm embrace of the community on this annuoncement.
Call me a skeptic but it does not change the direction this whole thing is headed. I have heard objections from many about the a PADS site in PR that are not going to alerted by a change in location. They will simply move their furvor to one of the many objections.
Keep the lawyers on speed-dial!
I am so glad that Barney retired but I am so angry he had to be paid off to do it. It was a sweet deal laid out by the other retiree and the Mayor of Mayberry agreed to it. I can hardly wait to see whose head rolls first after the "investigation"....if any.
Hello, Napleton Auto Werks. Finding everything o.k.?
Lying may not have made the Big Seven Sins list, but Greed certainly did.
I'm all for inserting Lying, re-evaluating Lust and letting Sloth slide for few days.
All in favor...?
Can I get back to you on that sloth thing?? ;)
hey PRU---so the Napleton folks are watching, huh? EXCELLENT!!
And these are the Days of Our Lives....
by the way, since I wasn't there, does anyone know what the response of the aldermonkeys was when the resident asked the purpose of extending Cumberland?
We're NOT a cut-though community. That is what River Road or Harlem Ave are for.
I would like to hear the answer to Ms. Manchesters question as well. While I am not an urban planner or traffic flow expert by trade, I cannot see how on earth this Cumberland thing makes any sense.
I tend to have this nasty habit of being able to the other side of the argument but there is none to see in this case. Spend all this money so that people can turn left to get back to Greenwood, where the traffic is flowing now anyway,or right to get to Uptown, where Touhy will take them anyway.
Where is the benefit?
I wasn't there last night but it's interesting the homeless shelter was discussed because it wasn't mentioned in the text on the PR site.
I see there's another meeting tonight I think I'll attend that one which did say something about the homeless shelter.
Wsol has been a new police station slut since he was challenged by former cop and Frimrak pawn Bob Kristie last year. ANd he claims to be this conservative Republican but wants to spend boodles for the new station and the property to put it on. Mr. Wsol, time to realize that being a "conservative" Republican means more than opposing abortion and gay marriage. Maybe that's why the Republicans in Illinois can't sell a t-bone to a starving man.
Anonymous at 225,
You don't know what the hell you are talking about. What is your beef with the former Chief? Wouldn't fix some ticket for you?
The reason Howie wanted a new Chief is because the one we had told Howie to take a flyer when Howie tried to stick his nose into police department business all the time. The old Chief told Howie where to stick it.
The old Chief wasn't perfect but he wasn't a Howie toady either. For that they are still putting the screws on him.
Anon 1:37-I hope you have stopped going to SPC if you are so disapproving of Father Carl. It would be very hypocritical of you to sit in Mass and think such horrible thoughts about the priest all the while praying for God's blessing. However, I hope you have found another church to attend because with your attitude you are in need of much praying and soul searching. I hope God and Father Carl will forgive you for your intolerance and hypocrisy.
Thinking ill of an arrogant priest, a flawed human being and sinner like ever other flawed human being and sinner, makes one a hypocrit who should leave their church? Wow Anon@7:22, is your thinking ever screwed up. Brings to mind that old saying, "When god was passing out brains, you thought he said trains and you decided to wait on the platform."
Gotta say, anyone who thinks Caudill did nothing but serve the community well for 30 years never worked for him. Jeff, by the accounts of many in the PD served HIMSELF and his buddies well... and that was it.
PRU...why say someone is screwed up? I agree with you that someone can sit in church and not agree with the leader of that church. I think that is what makes us all thinking people - the ability to form an opinion. By why slam the person who simply says they don't understand someone who comes to church with these opinions of the leader? I wish we could be more respectful with our disagreements.
Are you saying we shouldn't take the Mayor and Council at their word? If it makes you feel better, we don't.
All the more reason to release the results of the Ekl Williams investigation, "warts and all." Then we can all see whether or not Mayor Howard and his lapdogs on the Council paid Caudill hush money, or they were so weak they didn't have the fortitude to fire him outright for his misdeeds.
Anon@7:42 --
Try reading the comment again more slowly -- your reading comprehension may improve.
Much more than merely "not understanding" was stated. And it was further "hoped" that the poster had left their assumed to be home church, SPC, because it is "hypocritical" to think ill of a parish pastor.
In other words, if you form a negative opinion about the person who is a priest and church leader, and disagree with that person who is a church leader, you should leave your church.
That's screwed up thinking, no matter how much you try and soft peddle the idea.
And again, this site is not for the faint of heart, the dainty of sentiment, nor the childish in consideration of issues. Don't forget to return your Doc Martens and take your tassled loafers with you as you exit.
What benefit can one get out of going to church if they sit in Mass and they "can't stand the messenger"? Can you even hear or understand the Word? Have they not missed the entire point of what it means to be a Christian? Are they just going to Mass to be seen? The PRUs approach of attacking people instead of their ideas is so republican-so Rush-so Hannity. By the way, I would never even buy a pair of Doc Martens so no need to return anything and there are no tassles on my loafers.
I comprehend very well when reading quickly or at the pace you suggest. And to affirm my position, I actually agreed with you regarding the fact that you can be in church without supporting the leader...so no, don't think the person commenting against the priest should leave his/her chosen place of worship. Not faint of heart, not childish nor do I opt to avoid a opportunity to share my thoughts with respect. If respect is considered to be a negative in your mind than I respectfully disagree. It's unfortunate when a debate leaves the issues table and moves on to personal attacks - it loses some validity in translation.
Wow, we thought people went to church to dwell in the house of the Lord and keep holy His day.
But you sure have set our "so Republicn-so Rush-so Hannity" asses straight on that count.
We do attack people's stupid ideas. We just don't do it in a mealy-mouth way. We figure everybody gets enough of that from the local politicians and press.
You would never buy a pair of Doc Martens? Nothing even close? Guess you've never needed the gear for doing an honest day's real labor in your life then, huh? Lucky untassled, unhassled you.
Anon@8:51 --
Come on, who are you trying to bullshit here. We know a fronter when we read one. Yours is a classic approach, but better luck next time though.
"fronter" please elaborate if you will.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fronter
Copy the link into your browser.
Funny...understand the word - just not the application.
So be it, or Amen, as the Christians like to say.
COMPLETELY OFF TOPIC (yet still entertaining) - did anyone get a midnight telephone call from the City of Park Ridge last night?
Woo hoo! That was the topper to my day, after sitting on the Metra train for 3 hours because someone decided to meet his maker in front of the engine of my train.
WTF? Is the SKY FALLING Park Ridge? No, no, no phone calls at midnight to tell us of a technical difficulty that Comcast is having.
Your lack of good judgment is ASTOUNDING!!!!!!
Newspapers fade into the sunset.
TV news becomes more like entertainment every day.
Fortunately, PRU is here to help inform those who wish to be informed.
Rough at times? Yes. Unfair at times? Yes. Imperfect? Yes.
The best we've got? Yes.
Once again, this former public servant says hooray for the First Amendment and hooray for PRU, warts and all.
Concerning the Police Station, anyone who has ever had a "tour" of the station, would have to be an idiot if they did not feel afterwards that a new Police Station is not a want, but a need. With that said, we have had various studies expressing what the size of the new Station should be. Every day that goes by, real estate and construction costs go up. To be blunt, lets shit and get off this pot already. Purchase the property and fill the need.
I think we should do more studies first before purchasing a spot for the station.
ahahahahahahahaha
oh my gosh, I crack myself up.
Anonymous June 4, 2008 9:11 AM:
I have taken the tour of the Police Station and have seen firsthand that it's a 9,000 square foot jumble of poorly laid out, cluttered and poorly-maintained space...out of which the City of Park Ridge operates an award-winning police force.
So every day that goes by without that 39,000 square foot Taj Mahal that the tell-us-what-you-want-and-we'll-recommend-it consultants have recommended saves us not only real estate and construction costs but also all the bond interest, underwriting and legal fees we'd otherwise be spending.
To be blunt: the City should pave our streets; fix our curbs and sidewalks; stop the flooding; renovate the current cop shop; give the cops (who admittedly have been doing more with less) more training, better equipment and even better pay. But don't waste our taxes on another big pile of brick and mortar just so some politicians can get their name on a bronze plaque.
To anon at 9:11AM,
I too believe that the police need better facilities, but I don't believe that they "need" everything that they have requested. Why do they need indoor parking, a shooting range, an exercise room, etc.? All of these things add to the price that the taxpayers have to pay. I'd like to see our elected officials add some critical judgement to the analysis of what is truly needed.
By the way, in today's economy, real estate prices are falling, not rising. Architects and contractors have little work, so they're willing to lower their bids as well.
Has anyone ever asked why after 46 years at 505 Bulter Place they now need a new station?
How long have they've been having space problems?
There are more officers now. And 46 years ago, there were no female officers (their "locker room" is a converted bathroom).
Now they need room to run a breatherizer and maintain evidence.
46 years ago, Action Ridge was a dry town; and there was no such thing as a DUI. Drugs? Thats what you got at Scharringhausen Pharmacy.
Now you have drunks driving cars, kids doing drugs and nuts with guns.
There are more police and more adminstrative staff. THey need more room to do their jobs. They do not need gold plated toilets, just a modern, adequate facility.
Just like roads and bridges that wear out, buildings do too.
To anon at 10:48PM,
To suggest that more officers on the street automatically means that the police need a bigger facility is naive at best. This is the party line that they want us to swallow without generating any probing questions.
As for female officers requiring a locker room - why not have all officers go to work in their work clothes like the rest of us? That way we can take the existing mens locker room and use it for other purposes like the ones you suggested. Providing equal facilities does not have to mean that everyone gets a locker room, perhaps it should mean that no one gets one.
Buildings do wear out, but that has not been the reason given for a new police facility, nor is that particular building worn out. Plenty of citizens in Park Ridge live in houses that are older than the police station, and we make due because of financial constraints. Perhaps the police should determine how to update the station within a budget like we all do at home.
To patrol my post from flank to flank and take no crap from any rank!!~
Go get'em PRU.
Thank you.
Hey Anonymous June 3 5:08 -
I do know "what the hell" I'm talking about. Been there and done that. Jeffrey is looking out for Jeffrey as Jeffrey always does while he looks out for his friends. Sorry to disappoint but I don't have any parking tickets or otherwise. The only thing I see that needs to be fixed is your defending this slug.
To anon 9:07:
You obviously have no clue about police work...police officers have lots of equipment, extra uniforms and other items that need to be stored in lockers. It takes a lot longer to get "geared up" in a police uniform than it does to throw on a shirt and tie. And in your line of work, I doubt you ever stood in the rain for hours directing traffic after a crash and then maybe wanted to change into dry clothes...think about it!
And to compare a home to a police station? You don't have a clue. You aren't bringing prisoners into your home to house and process. Your home isn't a work facility that needs to handle 24/7 law enforcement operations, is it? Most home remodeling is done for esthetic value. For the police department, it is an OFFICER and PUBLIC SAFETY issue!
And for that other poster who asked why the police need indoor parking...well, aside from the fact that criminals can tell exactly how many cops are on the street by a quick glance at the open parking spaces, they can also quickly figure out which are the undercover cars and which are the personal cars of the officers (more officer safety issues). Think
about it!!!!
And a shooting range is not a need for a police department? Um..hello? Police need to be proficient with their weapons..I thought that was rather obvious.
They've done well without indoor parking probably ever since the city established a PD why do we even need that now?
Who says they have done well? Police vehicles have been damaged right there in the lot! And that, among other things (exposure to severe weather) is a good enough reason to have parking that is not accessible to the public.
Whatever.
As long as the taxpayers foot the bill, the police want a Taj Mahal. I bet their request would change if it was their money being spent.
Hey, good comeback!
Mike , you're an idiot! "Whatever" How many jack-ass's does it take to recommend a Cumberland passing? Are you F'ING kidding me? Who are you people asking for this? How long have you lived in Park Ridge? Okay, how long have you worked in Park Ridge? Ive lived and worked (and still work) in Park Ridge for 33 years and there is nothing you can do! |Anyone knows if you have to travel through Park Ridge to get to your job, you're f'd. With the train, there's nothing you can do. Ask the employees who drive your streets and fix your various problems around town. See what they say about a Cumberland Underpass. STUPID!!!!
I said nothing about the Cumberland extention.
So whose the idiot?
Wow....talk about the PADS effort.
Looks like ST.Paul will take the lead
here.
Why not....you have the commies over at MSW ( Lefties) there - you might as well have the Dems here.
Too bad for Hillary....I know the mean faced short hair cuts wanted he so bad!
Thanks again
B.O.H.I.C.A.
To Anonymous PRPDer (or PRPD groupie) June 5, 2008 3:44 PM:
Okay, it takes coppers longer to "gear up" than it takes a banker to put on a pinstripe suit.
Fine, each one of you gets a 4'x4'x3' locker to keep your change of dry clothes in.
Okay, a cop shop has to have more and different security features than a home. But how many security breaches have there been in the current cop shop in the past 30 years? None, unless the PRPD hierarchy has concealed them, so that's a b.s. argument.
You don't "need" indoor parking, which is why you haven't ever had it. And if the criminals were so sharp at reading the parking lot to figure out deployment, why no crime waves over the past 30 years? And the same goes for your undercover and personal cars.
Um..hello? You guys haven't had your own shooting range for about 10 years now, so is this another b.s "need" or have each of you turned into Barney Fifes who should keep their one bullet buttoned up in their pockets?
Before I read your comment, I kind of agreed with Kovic that you guys have done a good job with a facility that needs renovating and probably deserve more money, equipment and training. But if you're a typical PR cop, then no amount of money, equipment, training or even a taj mahal cop shop can give you a clue.
I agree with Anonymous (June 8 @ 11:30). None of the cop shop supporters are interested in a rational discussion; they are only interested in providing sound bites and telling everyone who disagrees that they don't understand.
The fact is that most of do understand. We understand that this proposal for a new cop shop is self-serving and fiscally irresponsible. I have heard (although I don't have the statistics) that most of our police officers don't live in Park Ridge so they don't pay taxes here. Obviously, they're not concerned about the cost.
I'd like to see some debate about where this major expense fits within the priorities of the citizens, not within the priorities of the politicians or police officers and supervisors. Would we rather have smooth roads, sewers that work, salt for the roads in winter, highly trained police and fire personnel with the latest public safety equipment, or would we rather have a nice cop shop?
My belief is that our police department has "cop shop envy". Niles and Glenview, among others, have imposing new facilities so our police believe that they deserve one too. This should not be the impetus for a $25MM project. We should base our community expenditures on better rationale.
Let's see some real answers to the questions and challenges. "You don't understand" is an argument presented by someone who has no real answers.
I find it astounding that anyone who truly knows Fr. Carl Morello could describe him as arrogant. He is the antithesis of your statement. He is a very caring individual and an inspiration to almost all who know him. He spends long hours working diligently for the members of his church and the community. It is simple to make derogatory statements under the guise of anonymous. Anyone who will not sign as the author of their statements should be dismissed out of hand.
And here you are responding to an anonymous comment you advise should be dismissed out of hand. Guess it's easier to give advice than to take it, even if it's your own.
I hear alot of talk about being fiscally responsible. The new city manager receives a $350,000 0% loan, plus a couple grand a month. Not a bad deal. Maybe more cops would live in town with that deal. In addition, JC could walk away with 100 grand, not to mention his buddy ex-city manager TS and what he left with. We throw money around here like water. A enclosed section for squads would keep them safe and maintenance costs down. And Park Ridge pays Des Plaines for use of their Range, our own would be nice. The Police of 40 years ago, when Park Ridge lived in a bubble is gone. Criminals are advancing and so should the Police. As far as the locker room, has anybody heard that a mold outbreak closed the male locker room for a week? No, probably not. Police are a necessary evil. When I was growing up I was taught to respect authority, and Police Officers even more. The times have changed. Kids are being raised differently today. Watching their parents bad-mouth cops who are only trying to make the City a better place. Its sad....very sad.
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