The Question -- Should we televise Council meetings?
The Question -- What effect will the casino have on the citizens of Park Ridge?
The Question -- Now that it looks like the casino is in place, do you think there is a way to make it a benefit to Park Ridge?
The Question -- What is your position on taking campaign contributions from businesses that do business with the city?
The Question -- Explain your position on the need for a new police station.
The Question -- Explain why Park Ridge Taxi can't have competition.
Addendum: By request.
The Question -- How do you feel about Red Light cameras?
To view all the video segments of the last debate go to Melidosian's Videos
April 2, 2009
Cecil B. DeMelidosian!
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62 comments:
Honestly, if I wasn't there to see it live I'd think this was a hoax.
But for those of you who couldn't attend.... IT"S REAL!!!!! I'm still trying to figure out when I moved from Park Ridge to Chicago. Or did they move the city limits while I slept?!
Geeze. Howard says he's 100% against taking $$ from businesses that do business with the city. The Howard says he takes money from businesses that do business with the city because they're his friends. What an idiot.
Frimark takes money from any and everybody...and that's how he measures "friendship".
Frimark is also a complete and total liar. The owner of Park Ride Taxi not only HAS AN INTEREST in business PENDING before the City...they also DO BUSINESS with the City, through getting reimbursements for Senior ride discounts.
Frimark SOLICITED a $1,000.00 dollar contribution from Park Ridge Taxi DURING the time Park Ridge Taxi has PENDING BUSINESS before the City, and the public body on which Frimark sits as Mayor...
Maybe an ethics complaint IS in order...
Develop South Park for casino business - I'm sure that includes the hotel with traffic to and fro, through the sw side streets to Peterson/Western.
Anonymous 12:01,
Maybe we can all take up a collection and buy a map of Park Ridge for you.
Maybe you will even look at that map.
Maybe you will notice that Western does not go through to Higgins.
Maybe you should pull your head out of your arse.
Have any developers approached the city about building a hotel anywhere on Higgins, or is 12:01 just being hysterical?
Anon@12:01 is being hysterical.
that's the troublemaker again, who finished spreading rumours about Schmidt and got bored and needs to create more drama. Poor baby. GET SOME MEDS.
How can you tell Howard Frimark is LYING? Uh, his lips are moving...
Does he really believe all the b.s. he speaks, or is he SO FAR GONE that he can sell it and not understand it?
The land on Higgins to date is NOT EVEN FOR SALE...yet. When the Higgins study was before the city last year, they idea of this particualr piece of property was referenced in a future tense, in fact it was 5 years into the future. For Frimark to be talking about this thing as if there is actually someting on the table is one of two things.
1. Has nothing else to run his campaign on and would use a plan that isn't even in the conception stage yet. Or...
2. Has closed door insight on something secret that he'd rather not share with the residents yet.
Not unlike, I'm sure, target area 4. Mums the word.
Either way he's full of bunk. Smoke up the butt is what he likes to blow.
Move onward and upward... Vote Schmidt.
The hotel development has been in the paper and is supported by Dave. He's not denying it. It's not a personal dig.
They (hotel) will need access to west./peter. for safety and evac. A dirve through already exists but Mr. K. doesn't really use it and they keep the gate closed and locked.
So I do know what I am talking about, regardless of how many times I am told that I do not.
Anon@12:36 --
Would you be kind enough to find a link to the article that says there is a hotel development planned for the Higgins corridoor in Park Ridge?
Would you be kind enough to find a link to the article that says Alderman Dave supports that planned development for a hotel for the Higgins corridoor in Park Ridge?
Thank you.
12:36...liar liar, pants on fire!
Who gives a crap about some stupid maybe never going to happen 2 or 3 story hotel idea when we have Howard Frimark already on record wanting to spend millions and millions on building a new police station.
I'm voting no on both of those referendums!
I finally figured out what the P in Howard P. Frimark stands for!
Howard Pay-to-Play Frimark!
It all makes sense to me now.
Hello Mr. Hill. Finding everything you need?
If you have any reason to wonder why Frimark and his minions oppose televising City Council meetings, Cecil B's videos (taken with a little hand-held camera, I'm told) should explain it.
Oh yeah, and also Frimark's command performance before the Gaming Board.
Ohhhhh, Mr. Hill? Buzz?
Just doing research, following up to the AG's investigation?
hmmm?
Maybe Mr. Hill is just doing his job. Howard violated the City's ethics ordinance by soliciting a contribution from Park Ridge Taxi while it was petitioning the Council to maintain it's city-sanctioned monopoly on cab service. One can only hope that he is gathering evidence to file a formal complaint against the soon-to-be-former mayor.
Anonymous grumbler --
Do as you were asked and then we will post your comments. But hollow bullshit and unsubstantiated cites won't be posted until you back up your statements.
SMACKDOWN!
I wonder if Linda Ski is going to need a good attorney very soon.
isn't that what they have Allegretti for?
Based on what I hear and know, there are a few people in town who may be consulting attorneys for their actions in this election, ie, Alderman Foamy, Aldermen Redface, Mr. Bag o'donuts, some lawyer named after a local university, a certain former Seventh Ward alderman who threw a party for Howard to which nobody came (except one Schmidt supporter) and of course, the candidate himself.
FYI, Ethics ordinance reads as such
ACCSEPTANCE OF GIFTS, FAVORS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION, PRHIBITAED STATE GIFT BAN ACT.
1. Accept any gift, favor or other consideration of value that may tend to influence the official in the discharge of his/her duty.
2. Grant in the discharge of his/her duties any improper favor, service or thing of value.
GIFT BAN ACT.
The SOLICITATION or acceptance of gifts as set forth is prohibited by any elected official or appointed official or any employee of the city.
Ethics officer- the MAYOR with advice and concent of the council shall DESIGNATE an individual to serve as the ethics officer.
Oh so many things so little time.
PRU, I have viewed the videos you posted here and I cannot say thanks enough.
The first quesiton about televising meetings is important to me. I have obligations that keep me away from most of what goes on during the meetings. I agree with Schmidt that it is arrogant to think everyone should just drop everything to get to a meeting or poopoo on you. I laughed at what Frimark said abotu Schmidt liking to be on television. If my memory is any good at all, the one I have seen on television is Frimark standing in flood water and smiling at the television camera. What a noncompoop. I do remember going to a meeting and the noncompoop Frimark had everyone sit through a tape of when he was on some television interview. I felt going to that meeting was a waste of my time.
there is NO "ethics officer." I checked already.
Anonymous at 2:30...
I agree with you...and if the Park Board can set up a single, stationary camera to video tape meetings...and host the video on their web site...then so too can the City Council.
Maybe Howard's ol' buddy o' pal, Tricky Dickie Barton, can give ol' Howard a tip or two on how it's done...
...or better yet, vote for Schmidt...dump Howard...and let's get on with the real public business of the people...and we'll likely have access to video taped council meetings inside a year...
Anon 2:30
I was at that meeting also. In that clip do you recall hearing the Mayor address things such as O'Hare, flooding, infrastucture, street repair, com-ed, or any of the other plagues we've had to endure the past few years and how he was going to handle all of these things?
Cause I- don't- think- I- heard- any - of -that.
I am sorry to say that I don't remember what was said on the clip. I sort of tuned it out until the regular meeting started up again.
PRU,
I think the anonymous grumbler is very confused, and is confusing the Chicago Plan Commission's talks about a hotel on Higgins with the mere mention of the idea for Park Ridge.
Anon@3:46 --
Yes, we know.
I disagree. I think the Grumbler is a trouble maker and someone who requires a LOT of attention.
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/parkridge/news/1487733,009-pr-chamber-032009-s1.article
I have been forced to defend myself, but not to be unmasked.
I am not a trouble maker. I am an undecided and concerned sw Park Ridge dude. If you are nice, I will invite over to the ranch for some whakamole and ritas.
As you will see, most of the article favors Schmidt, but my concerns are evident.
blech.
he's like a gnat at a picnic.
go away.
Thank you, grumbler --
Now, would you please point out the quote(s) in that article that supports your claims that --
1 -- The hotel development has been in the paper and is supported by Dave.
"the" hotel development?
2 -- They (hotel) will need access to west./peter. for safety and evac.
"will need"?
Also, would you be kind enough to point out the quote(s) in that article that support your claim that Alderman Dave is more concerned with taxis than children?
Thank you.
And for your personal files, we don't give a shit who you are or who you know.
One freakin' clueless crybaby whiner gumbler.
get the net! we got us a crazy!
Grumbler --
Try again. This time pay attention to what you said, then find the quotes that support what you said.
I just watched the video about the candidates top 3 issues for Park Ridge.
Frimark does not appear to have 3 top issues. He only wants to make excuses about why we continue to have flooding and ignores the fact that my basement keeps backing up.
Schmidt will get my vote, if only because he listend to the question and actually answered the question. He understands that we do need the sewers fixed and that power outages continue to plague us.
I'm quite aware of the fact that there is no ethics officer. That was the point of my posting. Why on earth would a Mayor who continuoualy stand with his toes on the edge of anything even remotly resembling moral or ethical deignate someone who would be able to point out his misdoings? Perhaps that should be looked into. Are we to assume that in the world of "perfect" P.R. that NO_ONE has EVER crossed the line by even a hair and that there is absolutly NO NEED for an ethic officer? I have faith in people as much as the next guy but let's get real here.
Can anyone explain to me why the police need a workout facility when one exists a few blocks away. I have heard Frimark and now Schmidt talk about this. Am I missing something. can't we just give them a membership to the community center? I am sure it isn't all that much money in the grand scheme but why spend it when they probably won't use it anyway.
ooooh! Is that they Mayor I see pictured in the spokesman with Park Ridge Taxi's own Dean Dinev. They should get the monopoly after all they are environmentally friendly by abiding the no idling ordinance.
4:53,
There's also a workout room in the Public Works building. Why can't the police use it? For free?
Park Ridge Taxi should be renamed to Oakbrook Terrace Taxi, since that is where the owner lives and where the business is based out of.
I could not attend the last debate. So thank you to the person who took the time to make these videos and post them for all of us.
That said, my stomach hurts. I can't believe Howard Frimark is so dopey. I think Dave Schmidt's kind of a goof, but he comes across to me as being real and sincere. Howard Frimark comes across to me like a phony.
Thanks again.
"Freemarks" does business like Daley, smells like Daley and his face is starting to even look like Daley. Good luck PR........hope the election goes to Dave.
Howeee says he accepted the contribution from Carpenter (PR Cab) 5 years ago because he was friends. And now he accepts $1000 from the new owner who also just happens to be his friend ??????? I guess money makes friends easily............
From this weeks Park Ridge Journal...Hotel quote below.
"I'm working on economic development and helping businesses," Frimark said, later explaining that talks have been underway in recent months with a developer to build a three-story office building on Higgins Road. He added that Schmidt wants to build high-rise buildings in that area.
"The mayor has flat out lied and I'm tired of it," responded Schmidt. "I've always proposed a low-rise hotel there. I'm fed up with these lies." Schmidt added that Frimark spends too much time at his Florida home in winter, an accusation the mayor has repeatedly denied.
Sounds good. If we're going to have something built to three stories, let's make it a hotel that brings in alot more tax revenue than just an office building.
Who wants to bet that the developer of the three story office building is another Friend of Frimark?
I didn't know there was a workout facility in the public works facility. Why on earth did they spend the money? I wonder how much it's used? Can't the city employees get free passes to the community center?
uh, why doesn't the city start selling passes to the workout facility at the PW Building, or was Howie just planning on the homeless getting to use it?
Vote for Schmidt...the voice of sanity!
In answer to some repeated inquiries --
I'm a tad befuddled by your constant barage, as our regular readers know our general set of extensive guidelines.
No bullshit. No libel.
Our regular readers don't always understand where the line is, but we don't often have too many issues.
However, you seem to require an explanation with more words. And here it is --
We do not publish anything having to do with innocent family members or private matters between family members.
I hope that is clear. If you spend time with each of those words, you may come to understand their meaning and our intention.
Carry on.
Looking the H-A Leeters To The Editor I noticed a couple of Frimark supporters claiming some good thing he's done in the 38 years he's lived here.
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/parkridge/news/forum/1506691,pr-letters-040209-s1.article
Including Mr. Szkwarek's piece.
If he did all those good things in the past too bad he's done so bad as mayor.
This guy seems to know what he is talking about:
I observed Howard Frimark's performance both as alderman and mayor. Based on my first-hand observations, it's hard to imagine anyone as ill-suited for the job of mayor as Frimark is during these troubled times.
Four years ago, Howard played the partisan card to raise fear in the Republican faithful. Without being able to again instill partisan fears, Howard's latest tactic involves resurrecting the issues surrounding homeless shelter regulations. Howard, with a twinkle in his eye, talked to me about the "haters" who opposed unregulated homeless shelters. "Haters" is a harsh word for parents who have concerns for their children.
Truth is, with his stable of handpicked aldermen, Howard could have approved the shelter with the 4 votes needed. No one alderman is responsible for the reasonable regulations that were ultimately passed. But Howard seeks to "kill the messenger." In the end, it was Howard's failure of leadership that exacerbated the strife surrounding the issue.
Frimark has a record of unfulfilled promises; flooding remains a problem despite being listed as a top priority by Howard four years ago. My neighbor is pumping out his basement as I write this letter. I do not need to ask him if Howard has kept his promise on this issue.
Howard's sponsorship of cutting council representation has neither saved money nor improved accountability. Rather, the city is facing a massive budget deficit. If anyone should be held accountable, it is Howard. Undoubtedly, Howard will explain his failure to ensure our fiscal health by shifting the blame to someone else. Howard might even say, "If we had only given Napleton the money sooner, they would still be in town." Giving handouts to his friends and campaign contributors is Howard's idea of creating a "pro-business environment" in Park Ridge.
Howard's ability to take credit for the work of others is unparalleled. For example, the sound wall at Park Ridge Pointe was secured through the efforts of Senator Dan Kotowski. Howard had as much to do with obtaining funding for that project as a peanut vendor has in influencing the outcome of a Cubs game.
The issues facing Park Ridge are great. We have a budget deficit, big ticket items like infrastructure, a police station, and impacts from O'Hare and the planned casino.
Howard simply does not have the bandwidth to deal effectively with these issues. We need a strong leader to advocate within the city, with our neighboring municipalities, our leaders in Springfield, and in Washington D.C. We can ill-afford to waste another four years, watching our taxes rise and our quality of life diminish.
I was proud to serve my friends and neighbors as their alderman. I hope that they will join me in electing Dave Schmidt. As an attorney, Dave has the skills we need to address the problems facing the city. In Dave, I see hope for a better Park Ridge. The other option simply is not viable.
This blog does for free what Frimark has to buy advertising in the papers to get.
Great letter from a former Alderman.
Bean,
I agree. I am curious about all the 'former aldermen' that Frimark claims are supporting him.
Yes, the former alderman who do support Howie!
They were an interesting crew all by themselves.
Let's move on and have a clean election on Apr 7th.
We can look forward to new leadership too.
We understand that the early voter turn out has been low....not good.
Vote early.....vote often!
his website says 25 former aldermen support him, his flyers filling our mailboxes say 35 former aldermen.
Just a tip...when you LIE, tell the same lie every time! Otherwise, you are just a bad liar.
I'm having a hard time envisioning a hotel built on the Mr. K's property if one should ever be built.
I live in the neighborhood though I close to the imediate area and at that point Higgins and Peterson are quite close to each other so it's kind of a tight area.
Also there was a time WEstern went to Higgins and they later closed it off probably because theere was too much through traffic.
I apologize for my speeling error.
It's of course invision.
The fact that the "interesting crew" of former aldermen (and alderwomen -- remember them? --) mostly now support Schmidt is a testament to his integrity -- and theirs. Every day, more Former Friends of Frimark sheepishly (or not so sheep-ishly now) come forward and tell those former alderpeople that they now understand and wish they had not blindly supported the wolf, aka Howard. Those aldermen -- yes, mostly Democrats -- told you Bedford Falls would become Pottersville under Howard, and voila! Dave is a Republican, but the old-school kind that you can put your back to. He hasn't always gotten it right, and he won't be a perfect Mayor (yes, that's an Obama quote; deal with it) but at least he will always have Park Ridge's best interests at heart, and he's intelligent enough to be able to read and digest information we need. Corruption and integrity are not partisan issues.
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