April 13, 2010

We'll Loan You A Pair!



Gentlemen of the City Council of Park Ridge, your attention please!

Take which ever hand you may favor -- reach down the front of your pants -- feel around for a while. Notice anything missing?

That's right.

So the PRU Crew is willing to loan each of you a pair.

Each of you apparently needs a pair in order to be able to tell certain special interest groups something they may not be willing to hear -- "No."

"No" -- to the Park Ridge O'Hare Airport Commission whose membership is so delusional they seem to truly believe some lobbyist, no matter what level of funding provided, can succeed where history should have taught us more expensive legal arguments have failed.

"No" -- to the Park Ridge Teen Center because it's not the taxpayer's responsibility to entertain other people's ennui-riddled offspring. Ask the Teen Center to dip into
their own reserves (.pdf).

"No" -- to the Park Ridge Fine Arts Society because it's not the taxpayer's responsibility to entertain anybody and because, again, they too can dip into their own reserves (.pdf).

"No" -- to the Brickton Art Center who should not only be required to stay within the parameters of their own budget (.pdf), but should also consider charging entrance fees for their bi-monthly art exhibits, among other things.

"No" -- to the Park Ridge Historical Society for whom the most recent Federal Tax form 990 (.pdf) we can find is from 2004! WTF?

"No" -- to the Park Ridge Cultural Arts Council who seems to have bested the Park Ridge Historical Society on the Federal Tax form 990 front! Their most recent filing available for public review dates back to 2000! (.pdf).

"No" -- to Park Ridge Senior Services, a.k.a. the Park Ridge Senior Center, for the same reasons we cited above for the Park Ridge Teen Center! Taxpayers do not owe Senior citizens an entertainment center for their exclusive use simply because they've become citizens of a certain age -- Park Ridge Senior Services can dip into their own reserves (.pdf) if they choose not to up their program and membership fees. And do not for one minute suggest the funding of the Meals on Wheels program at the Senior Center comes close to what the general public believes it to be -- this is a local program which should be run exclusively through Lutheran General Hospital, as the law demands not-for-profit hospitals "dispense enough charity care" in order to maintain their tax exempt status.

"No" -- to the Kalo Foundation because until the City can get its own financial house in order, taxpayers should not be asked to fund still another art-history-hobby group whose own fund raising efforts (.pdf) appear to need much more dedicated effort.

"No" -- to Rainbow Hospice whose funding from the City of Park Ridge is largely symbolic, and who then reportedly uses some portion of that taxpayer provided funding for a sponsorship berth at the Taste of Park Ridge, Inc. for whom, incidentally, there are no published Federal Tax form 990s that we could find. And again we suggest Rainbow Hospice be asked to dip into their reserves (.pdf), while the City of Park Ridge is bleeding red ink.

So gentlemen of the Park Ridge City Council, hoist 'em up and just say "No!" until you can manage to get this city back on some kind of healthy financial footing. Grab your pair on loan and make the decision that contributions to community groups, which do not provide essential services to either the general public or individuals in need, are not the luxuries on which we can afford to spend seriously limited taxpayer dollars in the coming year.

But because the PRU Crew are not a pack of heartless bastards, contrary to what people may have heard, we are willing to carve out two exceptions during the coming fiscal year for two community groups engaged in charitable endeavors -- the Center of Concern (.pdf) and the Maine Center for mental health (.pdf).

However, we're as willing to tell the Center of Concern and the Maine Center to go take a flying leap along with every other privately operated, non-profit group if neither of them, along with every other privately operated community group, doesn't have enough respect for the taxpayers to publish their most recent Federal Tax form 990s or annual reports on their websites for public review, at a minimum! Nobody should have to search and dig for any of this information -- it should be offered freely and willingly to the general public who is providing some measure of funding for each of these efforts.

And the gentlemen on the Park Ridge City Council should demand nothing less on behalf of the taxpayers whom they are supposed to represent.

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hear, hear. The city raises sticker prices to help offset the cost of $165,000 to O'hare and wants to give $185,000 (or something in the neighborhood) to all these groups..

All in the while terminating public safety personnel and public works personnel...

That $165K will do wonders against $410 million eh?

PublicWatchdog said...

Bravo, PRU Crew!

Although we have said it differently, we haven't said it any better...notwithstanding a minor disagreement as to what constitutes "essential" services, and how those services might be provided in the most fiscally responsible, transparent and accountable manner.

That is why we believe the City should be contracting for specific services from the Center of Concern and the Maine Center for Mental Health instead of giving those two organizations no-strings-attached donations of tax dollars unrelated to the cost of the benefits actually received by Park Ridge residents.

While these kinds of expenditures are especially galling when, as you point out, the City is bleeding red ink, the bottom line is that they are questionable-to-bad public policy under even the best of economic circumstances.

If these organizations can't inspire or cajole the public into making enough direct voluntary donations to keep themselves going, they don't deserve to pick the taxpayers' pockets indirectly with the assistance of our City government.

Anonymous said...

PRU you ROCK!

Anonymous said...

I second the motion. The spending is out of control and we should not be getting rid of public safety and funding all kinds of parties for art lovers and lobbyists!

Anonymous said...

You have no idea what great value the Senior Center provides the the greatest generation in this town.

They are a wonderful organization and it is the very least that the town can to, provide a wonderful environment for Seniors to socialize and work towards the greater good of town---meals on wheels, blankets for babies, etc.

You have no sense of the reach of the center.

I am very sure that all of our property values are increased because we have such a jewel in town.

How dare you!

ParkRidgeUnderground said...

Anon@4:52 --

We dare because of self-entitled assholes who seem to think the more oxygen they consume, the more they should be gifted with.

That's how we dare.

We have plenty of sense of the reach of the center -- we can feel the fingers wiggling around in our taxpayer pockets year after year.

We dare because just as we don't believe our local government should be demanded to provide funds for entertaining teens, we hold the same sentiments at the aged end of the human spectrum.

But we are more than willing to read any legitimate cite you may be able to offer in support of your statement that you are very sure that all of our property values are increased because we have such a jewel in town.

We'll be waiting.

Bean said...

I never have appreciated that moniker... "the greatest generation."

...says who?...and does being of that generation automatically make each and every individual of/in it "great?"

Maybe the Senior Center could hold a few less card games per week...or a bake sale?...they too, being so great an' all, should have to pitch-in and forego some bennies while Park Ridge gets its budget under control.

The city isn't their only funding source either...the PRRPD floats them too...it strikes me as "double-dipping" into the pockets of taxpayers...

Anonymous said...

While we are on the subject of seniors sponging off of our tax dollars, lets wack Medicare and Social Security!!! I bet that would put more money on our pockets!!!!

Anonymous said...

LOL. Park Ridge is sure full of fiscal conservatives, until someone's own piece of the pie might get rationed. Too funny.

Bean said...

Anonymous @ 5:21,

You seriously don't see the difference between funding SS and Medicare...vs....the following from the Senior Center website...?

Mondays
9:00am - 10:00am Exercise Class $2.00/class
10:30am-11:30am Exercise Class $2.00/class
9:30am - Noon Ceramics $6.00/class
Anytime Pool/Cards Free
Tuesdays
9:00am Walking Club Free
9:30am - Noon Ceramics $6.00/class
12:30pm - 2:15pm Tap Dancing - Intermediate & Advanced $10/8 weeks
1:00pm Chess/Table Tennis Free
1:00pm - 5:00pm Pool/Cards Free
Wednesdays
9:00am - 10:00am Exercise Class $2.00/class
9:00am - Noon Social Worker Free
10:00am Discussion Group Free
10:30am-11:30am Exercise Class $2.00/class
Thursdays
9:00am Woodcarving Free
9:00am Computer Club Free
9:00am Walking Club Free
9:00am Diet Club $3/one-time fee
10:15am Humanities Free
11:00am Yoga $32/8 weeks
1:00pm Chess/Table Tennis Free
Anytime Pool/Cards Free
Fridays
9:00am-10:00am Exercise Class $2.00/class
10:00am - 2:00pm Bazaar Workshop Free
10:30am - 11:30am Exercise Class $2.00/class
1:00pm - 3:00pm Sr. Center Chorus Free
Anytime Pool/Cards Free
Saturdays
9:00am Walking Club Free
1:00pm Pinochle $1.00
Anytime Pool/Cards Free
Sundays
1:00pm Bridge Mixer $1.00

Anonymous said...

Bean:

Says who?? Tom Browkaw. He authored the book and coined that phrase. I would strongly urge you to read it. Great book.

Bean said...

Anonymous @ 5:37,

I was asking more "rhetorically" than anything else...

I'm well aware of Mr. Brokaw's authorship and coinage...I hope neither of you (Mr. Brokaw, in spirit...) mind very much if I 1, decline to read the book and 2, don't necessarily agree with conferring the moniker upon the group in its entirety...

I'll stick with what's offered by HBO's "Band of Brothers" and those particular men (Dick Winters is a personal hero of mine), whom I personally believe may exemplify the "greatest" of their generation...

...but you'll have to forgive my refusal to "look the other way" on "other issues" practiced and perpetuated by [that] generation, because some things just weren't all that "great"...

Wondering said...

Very nice piece PRU...

Anonymous said...

In this economy things that our town doen't have to have to function should be cut.

We are already getting a property tax increase and other expenses added to our cost of living here.

Please Aldermen, listen to the people and the PRU.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

4:52 PM:

The Senior Center is just another special interest entitlement. $30 a year in "dues" to belong to a publicly-funded, semi-private club for about 1,000 seniors, many of whom don't even live in Park Ridge.

If you think you're entitled to special treatment just because you're old, get over to Denny's before 5:00 p.m. Otherwise, it's time to start paying what it costs to make the Senior Center a self-supporting facility.

JT said...

I add my BRAVO to every single item on the PRU's "NO" list. As a homeowner and taxpayer for 20+ years here I can't see spending money on what are projects affecting very few people.

When the money was flowing we could afford to spend freely. It is a new day. Check your watch. And understand that we cannot spend money on programs that can't sustain themselves.

Finally, why in the WORLD are we talking about spending 165k on an already failed attempt to block O'Hare expansion?? Save the money and keep the public safety employees.

Anonymous said...

Add me too. Thank God somebody finally said what needed saying.

Anonymous said...

I have been thinking about the premise of todays post and, of course, I know what you meant.

Having said that, I do not think they need to take you up on your offer of a loan. If fact, I think they have a HUGE brass pair. Think about the general political climate in this country. Is it just me or is there a pretty large focus on taxes and spending in this country (local, state and Fed)? If you look at most states they are flat out getting killed as are many cities such as ares. People are generally pissed and I am not just talking about the wack jobs (anyone for a tea party??).

I think the same is true right here in PR. I think if it comes out that there is a tax increase, or the budget continues to be just a tad unbalanced, there will be a political price to pay, that is if anyone else runs!!! Of course you can't give them credit for risking much at $100.00 per month.

So back to your original post, if they really think supporting the community groups is right, then I give them credit for having some balls. You talk about saying no. Well they are saying no - to what is probably a majority of the voting public that would like funding to these groups to be cut off. Now that is balls.

Father McKenzie said...

7 men in the aldermen's chairs and not a nut among them.

It's hard to say no. Takes guts. Our current council couldn't summon the balls to fight its way out of a north side massage parlor.

And I'm afraid that seems to be the case for Hizzoner, too.

PRU.ADMIN said...

Anon@8:33 --

You've made an admirable attempt at spin. However, your consideration of the parameters of the issue lack depth and--or understanding in your treatment of the topic.

The current elected officials don't have balls -- they have the same penchant for behaving in the tradition of politicians the world over -- they are not willing to make value judgements and risk pissing people off. And in a climate such as Park Ridge, pissing people off may mean being uninvited to the next round of cocktail parties. This town has long traded on what is known as "social currency," and everyone would do well to remember that.

This crop of elected officials is unwilling to tell certain segments of the population with certain special interests -- Sorry, our ability to provide taxpayer funds is currently and severely limited. We have made the judgement that group A provides something we believe to be more valuable to the community, collectively and individually, than what group B would like to provide.

Neither the Crew nor myself believe even this crop of current Aldermorons could, with a straight face, attempt to tell the community that providing public funds to paint rain barrels carries the same return and value to the community as does providing public funds for substance abuse counseling and well-being checks. Not even these dopes would appear capable of saying something quite that ridiculous to the community at large, so they have avoided the discussion entirely and hung their hats on the hook of across the board cuts in the hope that if everyone is unhappy then somehow they've achieved something akin to statesmanship in the budgetary arena.

And all of the above blatantly ignores the fact this current crop of Alderdopes has been willing to raise fees for a likely hopeless cause agains the OMP, while sacrificing our current level of public safety and personnel to the pink slip pile.

Balls? No.

Pandering political pussies? Yes.

Anonymous said...

I know I should take all of this seriously, but PRU, I can't stop laughing at the picture in my head of the aldermen all with their hands down their pants, feeling around. I might die laughing!

ParkRidgeUnderground said...

Anon@9:58 --

We're happy to have given you something to laugh about.

Enjoy the show!

Anonymous said...

PRU:

I guess a big part of this is guess work and, based on your experience and my lack of experience with the workings of PR, I have to take a hard look at what you present. You are right about small town America. The do often trade on social contact. There is often a great deal more communication and agendas than meets the eye and I am sure that is true with the Aldermen. I am also sure that it is true with the Mayor and those who support him (insiders).

So, as always, your post has provided me with information and made me think. I am still scratching my head about the value judgement comment. I mean are they not making value judgements? As an example, they are saying it is worth the city helping to fund the Senior Center or Teen Center. I would look at that as a value judgement - just a different one than yours. Kind of like how in your "value judgement", COC warrants tax dollar assistance, while with the folks who run the other Blog, they would throw COC to the curb as well.....different value judgements.

Anonymous said...

From the HA online site…..

“Dorner (A representative of the Park Ridge Police Department's labor union) expressed frustration that the City Council has tentatively agreed to provide the O'Hare Airport Commission with $165,000 for political lobbying efforts and $185,000 to community organizations, but has given nothing to police to help save officers.”

I absolutely agree with the O’hare thing. It’s just plain crazy. I partially agree with the community group argument. Some of them can go. However, our surrounding communities are funding human need services through their budget with paid staff. Park Ridge has for years relied on a few of the so-called community groups to provide those same human need services at a fraction of the cost of our neighboring communities. I view human needs as much a department as important anything else. Just because you are spared calling an employee in doesn’t make any less necessary.

Next…….

“Dorner said the Police Department has been asked to cut $283,768 from its budget in order for four police officers, who have the lowest seniority with the department, to be retained. That equates to an annual pay reduction of about $6,500 per officer, Dorner said, but the union is unwilling to agree to this. "It's a quality-of-life issue," he said. "You're putting a huge burden on the livelihood of your workers." “

WTF? So the police are above the rest of us in terms of pay or benefit reductions? What about our quality of life? The biggest problem here, at the school district or anywhere there are unions involved is the union itself. They served a purpose at one time and this country owes a debt to them for establishing many of the workplace standards we all have today, but this “winner take all” attitude they have makes them obsolete and a detriment to us all.

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of faceless, nameless cowards; taking shots at the Senior Center and all the other groups in this town that provide a substantial return on the money that the City invests in them.

I am just glad that we have seven aldermen and a mayor who can stand up to such small people as those who frequent this board.

The Senior Center is the single most deserving organization we have in this town. They provide the most benefit through the services they provide, and the health and wellness they promote.

Why are singling you them out?

Why not the organizations that suck tax dollars and resources like little league baseball, football, soccer?

Is it all right to attack seniors and not kids (agism perhaps)?

The Senior Center breathes life into this Community, and even if you want to throw stones here, it will continue to thrive and there is nothing any of you cowards can do about it.

I am on the Senior Senate and will make sure of that!

Let such small people like yourselves congregate here!

The Senior Center Lives!

ParkRidgeUnderground said...

Anon@9:22 --

Are you functionally illiterate or just stupid and self absorbed?

The Crew is tending toward the latter.

Anonymous said...

OOh, you are a real tough talker there ANONYMOUS 9:22. You are also a big moron. Watch out PR! The Blue Hair Ball Busters are coming for you!

ParkRidgeUnderground said...

Anon@10:36 --

Thanks for the warning. We've barb-wired our walkers, honed the tips of our canes to fine points, and laid down a moat of deep pile shag carpet. We trust this with fend off any attacks from the shufflers.

Anonymous said...

So I was out to get coffee this morning in this wonderful weather. I saw a bunch of Arrow constriction trucks driving around town. There are at least 5 blocks I saw that are about to be paved. Can the Aldermen or Mayor tell me how much we are paying them? How bad are the roads? Can we afford it? If we delay this another year can we save sore police or fire?

It would appear that the budget includes 5 miles of "street rehabilitation" at a cost of $982,000. that is about 200K per mile. If we tighten our definition of what requires paving we could save signigicant cash in these econimic times. As previously stated, they paved about 3 blocks in my neighborhood last year and it was not that bad. It would appear that was about 50K they could have deferred for a year or two.

PublicWatchdog said...

April 14, 2010 7:08 AM:

You are wrong: The "folks who run the other Blog" don't want to "throw [Center of Concern] to the curb."

We might even be willing to give them MORE MONEY than what they have asked the City Council for. We just don't want the Council indiscriminately throwing tax dollars at COC (and all those other private community groups) in amounts unrelated to the specific services COC (and the others) provides to Park Ridge residents.

Which is why we suggested that the City and COC determine what specific services the City wants COC to provide to Park Ridge residents and then actually contract with COC for either the full or some fractional share of the cost/value of those services.

But guess what? Neither the City Council nor the COC folks want to do that. Why?

Because we're the suspicious types, we suspect it's because: (a) COC is blowing smoke about how many Park Ridge residents it serves, and the cost/value of those services; (b) COC's City Council puppets (like Ald. Robert Ryan) are blowing smoke about that same thing; (c) the COC board members who trade in "social currency" (as PRU Admin called it) - like former Alds. John Kerin, Dawn Disher, Sue Beaumont and James Radermacher - are blowing the same smoke; and/or (d) a majority of the City Council doesn't really care but is content to throw tax dollars around to keep the squeaky-wheel special interests like COC happy.

That would explain why COC would rather have the City Council pick the taxpayers' pockets than work to convince those same taxpayers to contribute voluntarily to COC.

To paraphrase former city mgr. Tim Schuenke's argument against referendums: "I'd rather have to convince 14 aldermen than 14,000 voters." COC's made that part of its playbook.

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:52….
I hate to disagree with you, but I have to because you are an idiot. Do you not realize that other things happen when roads get repaved besides eliminating your bumpy ride? Why do think the flooding situation continues to worsen every year. Because morons like you want to keep putting of infrastructure maintenance. So now the City is supposed to stop any expenditure that will impede city employees from feeling the same pain as everyone else in the real world? What Union are you with?

Anonymous said...

PD:

Forgive me if I read too much into what you have said.

I saw the part about bad public policy and "If these organizations can't inspire or cajole the public into making enough direct voluntary donations to keep themselves going, they don't deserve to pick the taxpayers' pockets indirectly with the assistance of our City government" and took that to mean the entire list. Apparently you too make an exception for COC. Thanks for clearing that up and, again, sorry for misstating your position.

Anonymous said...

Pub Dog

Fuck you.

Anonymous said...

11:35:

I am not nor have I ever been a member of a union. Actually, unless there is some distant relative in a corner of the world I am unaware of, that applies to my entire family. So not having a background in paving, please explain to me exactly how delaying the paving of my street last year would have caused the flooding situation to worsen. What exactly are these "other things" you refer to??? Keep in mind, I am not suggesting ignoring sink holes or broken pipes etc. I am simply asking if some of the paving could not be put off a bit.

Everyone screams like a pig about the dire financial situation the city is in. I would hope you think ALL expenditures should be fair game, not just those you are against.

Anonymous said...

11:47

Because brainiac the "putting off for bit" year after year, which is what was done in the past, is why we are where we are now.

Anonymous said...

Look, I am not an engineer and, on this topic, I am far from a "brainiac", but you completely failed to answer my question. I am in no way saying you are wrong but please help me understand. How on earth would taking a hard look at paving and seeing if there are some roads that are not in that bad of shape and can be delayed contribute to flooding??? You are looking at almost a million bucks. If 20% of those roads are delayed until next year what the hell does that have to do with increased flooding????

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of nasty people. Do any of you approve of any not for profit charities??????? How cold and lonely all your hearts must be.

Anonymous said...

12:30 PM

I do. I donate to a number of them, and support others by buying stuff I don't need (e.g., Girl Scout cookies, magazine subscriptions, etc.) or going to their events.

But I don't pay taxes so that my alderman can decide what other charitable contributions I should be making.

PRU.ADMIN said...

Anon@12:30 --

We thought we'd made clear we aren't a pack of cold hearted bastards -- maybe you were reading too fast and missed it.

In answer to your question, there are examples of foundations we heartily approve of, while we've given the owner of those a very hard time here on our blog regarding public policy matters.

We believe it is more than fair to offer PRUdos to Mr. Bruce Adreani, the owner of Norwood Builders, for the work his charitable foundations contribute to.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you are all complaining here and calling me all sorts of names.

That is fine and I am hopeful that it will give you all some solace.

The Senior Center and all of these organizations that contribute to our high property values will get the funding they deserve.

I know the comments that follow mine will be nasty and bitter. That's ok because I am on the winning side, and will end up with my funding.

Why don't those of you that qualify think about joining the Senior Center to see what a great place we have and how the funding is put to use?

See you on Thursday.

Anonymous said...

I think its wrong to ask an employee to take a $6500 pay cut to balance a budget. Union or not, that's ridiculous. And what are these pay cuts being used for? FUNDING THE FIGHT AGAINST O"HARE!!!! This is an outrage. Why not place it on a referendum ballot? Gauge the support that way. Is it not the responsibility of the elected officials to act on the behalf of residents within their ward?
I'm just curious, I keep hearing about how the union members need to take pay cuts, but last I checked, this city has several levels of NON-UNION management staff. How many deputies and assistants to the assistants does one department need. And I'm sure these high levels of management make up a large portion of the salary budget. I haven't heard anything about them taking pay cuts. Is our city manager taking a pay cut? Hmmm... Its safe to say that these higher paid managers might have a little more wiggle room under their belts then the lesser paid workers, regardless of union or not.
And for all the people commenting on pensions, just remember, these individuals who receive a pension, don't get to collect social security like we do, and pay into their pension funds at a much greater rate then we do to social security. I don't know many people that would voluntarily dodge bullets and run into burning buildings if there wasn't some defined benefit at the end of the tunnel. I'll deal with my 401k and SS behind my desk. These guys deserve those pensions and the pay they receive.

Anonymous said...

1:57:

I don't have anything against Seniors, but people like you are pure leeches. You are a disgrace and disgusting. Enjoy your unearned welfare handouts you pathetic sponging welfare queen.

Bean said...

...heh...way to represent the "greatest generation" there, Anonymous @ 1:57.

Anonymous said...

2:28:

So just to clarify, any person who participates in a program that is in any way supported by tax dollars, and that does not charge an appropriate fee so as to completely support itself, is a disgrace, disgusting, sponging welfare queen? Are you sure you want to live with that? Is it just for old people or children on sports teams as well? How about people who choose to go to playgrounds, or parades or July 4th fireworks shows??

Anonymous said...

2:37:

Of course not but maybe thinking things through is too complicated for you and pathitic entitled leeches like 1:57.

Anonymous said...

OK, so why are those who use the senior center leeches but the others are not?

Anonymous said...

Perhaps a class action lawsuit should be filed to challenge the constitutional rights that a city government has to use tax payers dollars to be spent on groups and services that the entire tax paying body can't participate in. Any tax payer can go to the park, watch fireworks, go to the library, etc. However, not everybody can use the senior facilities etc. These programs need to be self supportive. Cutting public service to pay for them is not the proper use of MY TAX DOLLARS. What about the senior exemption for school taxes. For years seniors argued that they should not have to pay school district taxes because they are past child bearing years. Well since I have kids in school, can't I be exempt from paying taxes that support senior services since I'm not a senior yet?

Anonymous said...

Seniors in PR who pay taxes have the same percentage go to schools as you or I do, as do those who send their kids to private schools and those who have no children. Good lord there are all kinds of things that our tax dollars go to that some of us do not use. There are alos things that your or I might use that others do not. Your attitude seems to be that as long as it is something you find of value it is OK to use tax dollars but god forbid you do not.

MIKE said...

I agree with whoever it was that said to stop funding various groups and use the money to keep the police and fire depts intact.

Anonymous said...

Sticks and stones, sticks and stones. Those who don't like my thoughts about the value of the community groups and my Senior Center, I feel for you.

You don't understand what is the true fabric of this town. I've been here for over 40 years. I know.

You are all selfish, unhappy and small people. I guess that's a little name calling of my own.

ParkRidgeUnderground said...

Anon@3:58 --

Keep on breathing. We hear after 45 years you get to vote twice in every election and after 50 years the taxpayers buy you a new Cadillac.

Let us know if there's anything else you believe your longevity entitles you to and we'll get right on it.

By the by, when you go to sell your home at some point in the future, will you restrict the sale to only senior buyers? We believe you should do all you can, in your own small way, to ensure the true fabric of this town.

Anonymous said...

3:58:

You are a sad example of why it's sometimes called a second childhood. We try to teach children not to be selfish. I guess when you get old enough though it's okay to be like you are. You are pathetic.

Anonymous said...

Ssssssh.....You might wake up a senior citizen....
BINGO....oh yeah their still playing..
Wheels on my free bus go round and round, round and round

I think the earlier poster was mentioning that tax dollars shouldn't be used for organizations that limit its users, not ones that you choose not to use. Pay attention and try and keep up.

Anonymous said...

To the poster from the Senior Center,

You are a very smug, nasty, bitter person in your way. I am embarrassed for you. If you are representative of the people who join up at the Senior Center then I vow I will never join. I would be ashamed to be associated with you.

Bean said...

Anonymous @ 8:18,

You're in "good company" then...as (and if my recall for numbers is serving me well...) there are only about 1000 members at the Sr. Ctr., of which *only about 800* are actual Sr. residents of Park Ridge...out of a *potential* Park Ridge Sr. membership pool of about...oh maybe around 8000..?...if I've calculated the % correctly, based on the last census figures...

I wonder why it seems the vast, overwhelming majority of Park Ridge Seniors don't seem to patronize the Sr. Ctr. through a membership?

Father McKenzie said...

Anonymous is such a jerk.