February 25, 2009

True Confessions?



Back on January 21, 2009, the Journal and Topics published an article titled, Frimark Sets 'Shopping List'. In that article we learn that of the $27million total costs on Mayor Howard's shopping list, Mayor Howard's plan to make good on his first mayoral campaign promise, to bring his vision of a "flood-free Park Ridge" to reality, is to seek, all in, $7million for infrastructure improvements that may help mitigate some of the sewer problems that contribute to flooding in Park Ridge. Not all of that $7million is dedicated solely to flood relief efforts -- it includes alley paving and $1million in repairs to existing sewers in danger of collapse, as well as "$100,000 to put a watertight coating on the Riverside Drive floodwall."

The rest of Mayor Howard's shopping list, $20million, is dedicated to the purpose of building a new police station -- the police station that 7th ward Alderman Wsooooolman's referendum, the referendum being supported by Mayor Howard, assures us won't cost taxpayers a nickel more than $16.5million, not including debt payments on the borrowed money.

The article concludes by telling us "Frimark plans to send the list to Illinois State Senators Dick Durbin and Roland Burris as well as U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky." Yeah, that should work.

We haven't seen a shopping list from Mayor Howard's mayoral campaign opponent, 1st ward Alderman Dave. But we are looking forward to his ideas on how to spend our dwindling taxpayer dollars -- and we were pleased to read a discussion of Alderman Dave's support for limiting the level of City debt in the Pub-dog's post today.

Finally, PRU readers, the Crew would like to hear what's on your municipal shopping list?

Go ahead, "genius", take another bite at the apple. :-P All in fun.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

PRU, of course Howie has to send his shopping list to our Federal reps. because as everyone knows Howie in person is an ineffective disaster.

Anonymous said...

anon11:53,

I agree. I'm stilling wincing when thinking about that Casino board video. What a shmoe.

Anonymous said...

What's on my shopping list?

1. A new mayor in 2009.
2. A new City Council in 2011, unless some of these yahoos can be convinced to do the right thing and quit before then.

Anonymous said...

When I make out my shopping list I usually use coupons. Is there a place to get coupons for city services? Is there a coupon available to get my street salted when it gets iced over? Is there a coupon I could apply toward the cost of fixing some of the potholes I have to drive over every day?

Like I said, I don't go shopping these days without coupons.

Anonymous said...

To the PRU Crew, I have to say I'm not a big fan of Jan S., Dick D., or Roland B.

However, looking back at the previous Jan story you posted it comes to mind that you reep what you sew.

Our Mayor was ungracious the last time he went to a member of our Illinois delegation seeking funds. He also didn't make any contact with Durbin and Obama, and now that Obama is President and doling out his huge stimulus package, here is Park Ridge with ungracious egg on our face.

You reep what you sew. That is all I can say.

Anonymous said...

I want new pools in town.

President Barton can you make that happen?

Anonymous said...

Sorry...this is totally OT...
I see on my calendar that the election is about 6 weeks away.
WHEN are these debates we've been hearing about? Did Frimark blow them off?

ParkRidgeUnderground said...

anony-mouse and anyone interested --

Here is the schedule for the Mayoral debates, copied from the electdaveschmidt.com website

3/12/2009 - League of Women Voters Debate
When: 7:00 PM
Where: City Hall (505 Butler Pl, Park Ridge)


3/18/2009 - Chamber of Commerce Debate
When: 12:00 PM
Where: Park Ridge Country Club (636 N. Prospect)


3/19/2009 - Republican Women Debate
When: 7:00 PM
Where: Park Ridge Park District - South Park (833 W. Talcott, Park Ridge)


3/26/2009 - Journal-Topics Debate
When: 7:00 PM
Where: City Hall (505 Butler Pl, Park Ridge)

Anonymous said...

Schmidt will also be conducting two town hall forums at Park District facilities the last two Wednesdays in March. Details to follow.

These will be a scaled down version of the ward debates which Schmidt proposed to Frimark but that Frimark rejected. He will still be invited. It will be interesting to see if he attends, since there is every possibility that actual residents might "jump up and ask questions."

Anonymous said...

Let's not pick on Frimark when .he clearly has some sort of disability related to people 'jumping'...like when the cameraman jumped him at the beginning of his stellar 3 minute speech before the IGC.

Anonymous said...

you canNOT film him.
then you would have the ability to quote him on anything he says.

Anonymous said...

What was Howard doing yesterday at the law offices of DiFranco on Devon?

Then he drives around back and goes back in - thru the back door ???

The shadows knows.............

Anonymous said...

No mystery Shadow. Alspagetti leases space from his cousin DeFranco.

Howie was strateegizin . ..

Anonymous said...

He was probably going to see Jim Allegretti who works there.

Anonymous said...

I bet he had his hand out looking for more campaign money!

Anonymous said...

Howard's last election cycle might have gained support from the dem's too...$$$$$$$$

Just goes to show you - he'll take any money from any group(s) for any cause !!

The back door deal with Rep. Jan and the 500K - was a scam too!

Better hurry Howie - you plane from 9L/27R just flew in !!

Anonymous said...

As said in the past, the people of PR have come to a cross road, they have the ability to change there own destiny, or better put, to contribute to the way their local municipal officials govern the city. There have been few that want to push their agenda, via city officials, to satisfy a single person that couldn’t give a damn what the results would be to the majority.

The most important thing to remember is that these officials answer to you, that you don’t ever answer to them. They answer to you, they don’t dictate to you, that is a fact that is slowly forgotten through abuse of power.

You are the folks that say whether you feel that the city has been governed fairly and with the majorities concerns always addressed, or you’re the ones who say, no thanks, I don’t believe that you have cared about the concerns of us first. It is time to look back to see if they have abused the power that you bestowed upon them.

Now is also the time to get smart, what I mean is remember not what is said this last couple months right before an election, but look at the whole term and grade them by that.

Remember it’s the dog that wags the tail, not the other way around.