#1 -- shell gaming it out!
It was reported to us by our sources that at last Monday's Council meeting a member of the audience, while addressing the Council on the issue of contributions to community groups, made mention of a "social service agency" which receives funds from the City and is sponsoring the Taste of Park Ridge.
And in an online article from the Herald-Advocate, we see that the "social service agency" is none other than Rainbow Hospice.
The PRU Crew supports the mission of Rainbow Hospice and believes the services they provide are of tremendous value. But -- and dear PRU readers you knew that was coming -- according to their most currently published 2008 annual report (.pdf), Rainbow Hospice's net assets for 2008 totaled $635,130, out of a budget that totals more than $15.9 million.
While the City Council is in deficit spending mode, costs are rising, many city employees have agreed to wage freezes, and it is unlikely the City Hall chiller unit will be the last unbudgeted "emergency" to come along, the City Council voted to give $5000 in taxpayer money to Rainbow Hospice.
In terms of the total budget and deficit for the City of Park Ridge, $5000 is peanuts -- and the Council's inflated giving of $700 more to Rainbow Hospice than the originally approved 2009/2010 budget is a speck on a peanut's ass, if peanut's can be said to have asses that is.
It appears to us that Rainbow Hospice, while doing angel's work, has managed to raise plenty of money for themselves -- a payroll of more than $7.9 million is nothing to sneeze at -- and their cause, and so they've felt generous enough to shift at least some money toward a sponsorship for the Taste of Park Ridge.
The PRU Crew likes and appreciates both Rainbow Hospice and the Taste of Park Ridge. But we can't help getting the feeling this kind of shell game of taxpayer money movement is wrong, especially in light of the City's financial condition.
#2 -- Boxed in!
The PRU Crew hasn't managed to track down the original source of the email message posted below. Nor have we been able to obtain 2 other unrelated sources for confirmation of what is contained in the message. So, we're publishing what has been forwarded to us and we're going to let PRU readers confirm, deny, and-or have their say about it --
The city of Park Ridge is in negotiations for a deal that could result in the closing off the passageway (Framer’s Alley) behind the Starbuck's/Hill's Hallmark courtyard. The plan, as I understand it, is to build a retail space facing the courtyard that completely fills the walk-through space and eliminates pedestrian passage. The open space immediately behind the passageway leading to Pickwick’s rear theatres would become more parking lot.This is one of my absolute favorite spots in Park Ridge. It is unique, charming, and a little taste of Europe. It links a main parking lot with the uptown shops, making Park Ridge’s uptown extremely pedestrian-friendly. It also very conveniently links the front and back theatres of the Pickwick. I believe the city will be making a huge mistake by eliminating this space. We already have many retail spaces, both empty and full, but only one space that lends such character and pedestrian accessibility to the heart of uptown.
Anyone care to speak up and claim authorship?
18 comments:
The framer's alley pass through was a retail shop, the original Hill's, until Chris Parson and the city made the cut through for the "Plaza" along the alley that is there now but I believe the pass through is still owned by Gillick. I guess the lease to the city must be up and he wants the parking spaces he had to give up back.
I live in the Hills/Starbucks building, and I've heard whisperings of this too. My understanding is similar to Anon 6:13's. The Framer's Alley property is owned by Gillick and leased to the city. What I heard was that the city didn't want to pay the rent anymore.
sorry for the off-topic post--does anyone know why the Metra train is stopped at Dee Rd with PR police all over it?
Rainbow's got some 'splainin to do!
Transparency is not just a matter of a public right - it is smart business! Rainbow now finds itself in a position where people can connect the dots in what ever way they want. People will assume the worst. As an aside, this is not a new revelation. Rainbow and the person on the Taste board have been listed for quite some time.
Related to the city giving money to Rainbow or any other organization, I would hope that the city makes informed decisions with our tax dollars. If an organization is doing well financially through private donations etc and the city has a budget issue perhaps stopping the donation for a period of time is the best decision - even if it is only 5 K.
Related to Rainbow giving money to the Taste, it is possible that this was not a shell game with qiid pro quo. We do not know how much rainbow gave. The sponser levels go from 10K down to 1K. There is also a rainbow employee on the Taste board. Rainbow will also get a booth on Cortland. If they pay 1K and get visibility and a few donations it could be a great investment in terms of raising funds.
Again, without all these questions answered, people will come to their own conclusion, right or wrong.
I don't think Rainbow has any explaining to do. I think the city council has the explaining to do. And Wsol did, on Monday night. He read this long winded speech about "helping those most in need", all of which was a crock.
The finance director stated that under the "old way" they used to have all the community groups come out a Saturday and talk about what they do with the money, their finances, benefits to Park Ridge, etc...but it, "took a whole saturday", so now they just get the money after filling out a form.
Part of me understands why they don't want or need to sit through the same dog and pony show every year. I wouldn't either. What they should have done was cut the PR, (public relations), and just ask the community groups the real questions. Ya know...like "gee I see you have a million dollars you're saving here. Why can't you use that money?" "How much fundraising have you done?"
Someone help me here! Doesn't the city of Park Ridge block off our streets, provide Public works support, police support, etc.. for the Taste of Park Ridge? If money is being made at the Taste by private organizations, shouldn't the Taste of Park Ridge be billed by the city for that support? Shouldn't the city participate in revenue sharing from the taste?
organizations like Rainbow should be REQUIRED to show us (the taxpayers) where their need is. I do not argue that they do great work, but is there really a "need" for an additional $5k?
It wasn't a big deal when the economy was good but the City (HELLO MR MAYOR? MR HOCK? MR HILL?!!!!) needs to do more research.
I am sure that the Taste pays the City for funding the public works. The Taste is a private LLC and they are using public services.
The city should take a lesson from the township. Organizations that want money from the township need to fill out forms requesting the money and answer a whole series of questions including disclosing salary levels of the employees that run the agency. They also look at the number of Township residents that are serviced by the organization, duplication of services already provided by the township etc....
What does Park Ridge do?
The township in the past has turned down organizations that have high salaries.
Gypsy,
Why are you so sure that the Taste pays back the city? Have you seen something the rest of us have not seen?
I'm sorry, 1130. I was using common sense. I forgot that I was talking about our City's government.
What do you mean "taxes" gypsy. You are such a windbag. I bet you are one of those people that pays practically nothing and complains constantly. Your stupid too. Dumb people usually don't have money. Do you have a job? Doubt it.
Another thing about dumb people, they usually don't know which version of your/you're to use in sentences either.
Gypsy:
You stated the following,"Organizations like Rainbow should be REQUIRED to show us (the taxpayers) where their need is". That is not the way it works. We delegate authority, including authority to spend our tax dollars, whether you like it or not. It is called a representative democracy. They have to show need to our elected officials and hopefully our elected officials keep an eye on where the money is going. If you do not like it you have two choices.
1. Vote against those elected officials who gave the money to Rainbow et al.
2. Work to get a referendum on the next ballot. This would be non-binding.
5:11--you have NO IDEA
4:40--while you are not worth my time, I will respond to your idiocy in stating that I never said ANYTHING about "taxes" and your cricism only makes me laugh as you are showing your stupidity in your commentary.
I can only assume you are a Sox fan.
Gypsy:
You are probably right. I have no idea about many things so please educate me. Our elected officials have the authority to give our tax dollars to Rainbow, or the teen center or COC etc. I my Alderman should know why he voted to give them money and what exactly we are getting for it. If I disagree with his decision I vote against him but he has that authority.
The city spent like 400 K on new trucks. That does not mean the International Harvester dealer had to review his invoice and pricing with the taxpayer.
Anon 824PM
A tree fell onto the tracks during the storm, causing the train to stop while the debris was cleared.
The PD was there because the gates weren't functioning properly after a lightning strike.
All was returned to normal after about 35 minutes.
Sounds like the perfect storm(s)!!@
Wow........enough already.
And how about those cubbies!!!
Take your meds and stay tuned!
Post a Comment