'Lure' by kev at pixdaus.com
The PRU Crew is taking a break -- we'll be checking in and possibly even posting very lightly over the next month.
Feel free to enjoy some freewheeling!
Have a great weekend!
June 25, 2010
Gone Fishing!
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67 comments:
Pru, I hope the fish are biting! Have a good break.
How everyone been doing this week with all this rain?
Matter of fact they want more rain this weekend.
A little off topic.
What is it with some people who go out when it's 70 or even 80 degrees and are wearing these sweat jackets?
I know they seem to be big in fashion but for goodness sakes!
Once it's 70 or over, there's no need for jackets, or even long sleeves.
We'll miss you. For some light vacation reading, here's an article on how the mayor is negotiating Hock's contract. It's surprisingly good and surprisingly recent considering it comes from the Journal's usually stale website. Other than a couple of big mistakes (misspelling "principle" and referring to "City Manager Hill"), it's worth a few minutes.
http://www.journal-topics.com/pr/10/pr100623.2.html
Ok, I understand that there are varying opinions of Hock in this town but come on!!!
“I was preoccupied with many other things and I did not pay any attention to this city manager’s contract renewal,” he admitted. The contract appeared on a council agenda last fall but was pulled as negotiations continued".
Glad you got started on this one Mayor. After all, his not agreed upon and unsigned contract expires in less than 3 weeks!!! The idea that the City Manager could work without a contract for almost a year (it will probably be over a year before it is done) is completely bush league!! What the hell kind of message does this send to the entire city staff, not to mention anyone the city might consider hiring in the future?
Mr. Hock, I would check the back of your shirts for targets!!!
I'm sorry Mr. Mayor but I'm getting tired of hearing you say you're sorry you screwed up.
7:03;
What I find so funny is the rabid supporters can find anything to give him credit for (see the recent PD post) and yet they cannot see what are obviously dropped balls. How about the City Manager contract? How about my favorite. TOPR is coming up in 10 days. If you are someone who screams about the city financially supporting TOPR (I am not), what exactly has the Mayor done about that? So if this is a hot button for you we are about to have another year with zero progress on this issue. You can mention it to the Mayor as I am sure he will be working the beer tent.
9:25. PD didn't tell the Mayor what to do so he hasn,t done anything about it.
PD gets more mileage from conspiracy theories.
In my business I have dealings with the city staff of other towns. Right now there is a feeling out there that Park Ridge is not a "stable" place to work. The political infighting in the reason.
This is probably the one of the worst issues facing the town. We all know that the staff is the group who actually runs the town's business. If we can't find good people to do that because our pols are so flakey, then we are shooting ourselves in the foot.
Miss you already,PRU.
This is the only place for an honest exchange to happen.
Looks like some local students are getting a front row seat for Park Ridge government. I wonder if someone will explain where the money comes from?
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/parkridge/news/2421046,park-ridge-govtclass-062410-s1.article
7:21,
Hear hear!
We hire and pay these people to do the job then the "flakey pols" do everything they can think of to throw monkey wrenches into the works.
It's the worst I've ever seen in this town. I could blame the last Mayor but the current one isn't showing any leadership either.
June 29, 2010 7:50 PM...
You ARE kidding, right?
8:01 AM:
How about their parents???
Maybe the council should take that class!!!
Anon 7:21: what does it matter? The are letting people go, not hiring new ones.
I am not kidding, Wondering.
6:59:
Wonderful attitide!! So it is OK for them to behave like idiots and foster a culture that does not attract the best people because we are letting people go.
What difference does it make?? It makes a great deal of difference. If you have ever worked for a terrible boss or terrible management team you should already know the answer to that question.
How about the fact that their ability to manage and develope relationships with the city staff is a reflection on how they do their job. I suppose in your mind it is not problem that the city manager has worked the entire year without a contract. The Mayor could not even get to an agreement in an entire freakin' year. No problem because we are letting people go, right??
July 1, 2010 11:41 AM
Then can I have some of whatever it is you are smoking?
Wondering,
Trying to make a "connection" here because you're meeting up with the Mayor later, or have you run out of Scotch?
contracts are nice, but people who are really passionate about doing a superlative job don't screw up, lie and fall down on said job because they don't have a contract. Most of what matters -- that is, everything beyond just showing up physically -- is beyond a contract to control, convey or command. As long as you are getting a good paycheck with benefits and a pension, why in God's name would you not do a day's work for a day's pay? In this community, we have one -- and I'm afraid only one -- totally committed, creative, responsive, responsible and businesslike public employee in charge -- and he's also working without a contract. Just like Hock -- only he puts Hock, Tim Skanky and district 207 and 64 to shame. It is possible to hire people of superlative work ethic and people skills without a contract. I won't tell you who this person is to protect their privacy, but I will tell you it's possible -- even in government. It's just not typical. And not having a contract is no excuse for Hock.
It's bourbon and I have no meeting with the Mayor. Today.
And, not looking to make any "connection" here, that's a long gone issue, but I would like to point out the folly of your other poster's comment. PRU is no better or any worse than it's cross town rival when it comes to "honesty". IMHO.
Whatever the problem is between the blogs is I don't know but I do know the PRU doesn't close off comments because they criticize the Mayor.
I also know the PRU told us the truth about a certain business in town that the other blog never tlaked about.
Both blogs are good at talking about subjects and I appreciate the analysis but I do get a feeling one blog is more for a politician or an agenda.
You ARE kidding, right, Wondering?
July 2, 2010 12:11 PM...
> I have no idea why the other blog closed off comments for less than current day posts. If you know why I suppose it's because you asked?
> I frankly don't know what "truth" you are referring to but I'd personally take it with a grain of salt.
> Are you telling me that one of the blogs has no "agenda"?? If so, now I want some of what you are smoking!
And July 2, 2010 12:23 PM...
Nope, I am not kidding.
Have a great 4th...
LOL. Be true to your school!
I happen to agree with the Pru school of thought.
Wondering,
We chose to tell our readers that
1 -- Americaneagle.com is rated F by the BBB.
2 -- Americaneagle.com's fireworks "donation" ultimately goes to the extended family of one of the owners.
Those two pieces of information are facts and hence truths about the Mayor's biggest campaign contributor and one of his closest advisors.
Perhaps instead of a grain of salt you need a spoon full of sugar in order to swallow that medicine of truths -- truths your pack mates never mentioned though having ample opportunity to do so.
As for the PRU agenda -- we can tell you it doesn't include gaming the system, political arm-twisting, or articles written by our editor for the purpose of promoting the personal interests of insiders.
Your mileage may vary.
Did you go to the fireworks last night? It was a nice event and well done. Why, if American Eagle is doing this out of community spirit, do they need to have their name mentioned a dozen times (3 by the mayor) and have the guy who runs the fireworks wearing an American Eagle T-Shirt? It just felt kind of "bought" to me.
wondering:
So much of this discussion is just a "feeling". People tend to let politicians or blogs get away with things so long as it is a position they agree with. A great example is FOX and the slogan "fair and balance". That is the last thing they are but they twist things in a way that generally matches the opinions of their viewers.
When I read the other blog I get the feeling that they let things pass with Schmidt that they would be all over with Frimark. Let me give you just one example. Below is a quote from PD.
"Taste Inc., however, never delivered; and City staff under Mayor Howard “Let’s Make A Deal” Frimark never followed up. But new Mayor Dave Schmidt has expressed an interest in getting that information for the taxpayers who support Taste (the event) with their taxes, their volunteerism, and their patronage. And Taste Inc. has once again stated that it will provide a report".
Now while I do not have the same concerns about TOPR that they do, the certainly have every right to question then Mayor Frimark. Notice how they say "city staff under Frimark". Frimark is directly connected with this issue. Of course this is all true but there are several things that have to be asked. Has the city staff (under Mayor Schmidt)done a better job with this issue recently? Does PD now have the information they want? Are they comfortable with the job the Mayor has done in trying to resolve this issue that is important to them? Why is it that a similiar statement is not made about the performance of the city staff under Mayor Schmidt? The truth is that nothing has changed related to this issue except who is now Mayor. Mayor Frimark got huge criticism and Schmidt is given a pass.
By the way, the whole American eagle deal is a similiar example. If one is prone to seeing conspiracy and has issues with "connections" why would they not point out the relationships involved here?
Blue Fin:
The fireworks show felt bought because it was bought by American eagle. They bought the right to plaster their company name everywhere including in the mayor's mouth. The community spirit line is just spin to make it sound better than a advertising gig. I liked the show and so did my kids but I wasn't fooled into thinking it was some community spirit that inspired the sponsor.
LOL. AmEagle is now a D- by the BBB. Maybe the BBB upgraded them for showing community spirit!
July 5, 2010 1:33 PM:
You're very right. Listening to a litany of advertising is the price we pay for business sponsorships.
It's a slight irritation but not all that bad.
July 5, 2010 4:36 PM:
A D- isn't anything to brag about.
Funny that some are worried about the "bought" nature of the fireworks -- your kids are using computers in public school donated or partly donated by private vendors to get them habituated to certain brands; junk food companies' industries are government-subsidized up the ying-yang (that kind of Gub-Mint Subsidy is OK, right?), and everything contributed by business comes with a price, not necessarily in cash but in a public relations tradeout and a concurrent tax write-off. It's How We Do It Here. It's only a problem when the line gets too blurry - i.e. the Disneyfication of Everything. It was very nice of American Eagle to make the fireworks happen, folks; if they hadn't stepped up, we would not have had any. Of course, you could always drive the fam to another nearby suburb for your fireworks fix -- and your library, waterpark, retail, etc. fix. And take your post-tax dollars with you to those communities. PR-seeking private-sector donations are the only way a lot is going to get done in these Prop 13-riddled times. Get used to it. We asked for it.
1:04: Gee, what did PR do for the 4th of July before American eagle came along to give us a fireworks show? Would the Mayor have talked about cutting the fireworks show and the costs if American eagle didn't come along to give us the fireworks show? Don't get me wrong, it was nice of American eagle to donate money but they aren't the reason we had a show last year or this year.
1:01:
I for one am not worried about the fireworks. I am just sick of the political games that take place in this "bedroom community". My god the rampant hypocracy is just hysterical!! It has nothing to do with policy or principle but rather who likes whom and who wants to win in 2011 and beyond.
1:04
You are right up to a point. I'm not too troubled with AE putting there logo on display, when they paid for thing. And it's still ok if the guy who runs the event gives them kudos on the public address system. Where it goes bad is when the Mayor, the representative of the people, does a commericial for them that goes way just beyond thanking them. especially given the history.
6:16:
I would add and especially when what appears to be a group of supporters is attacking many other orgainzations and events in town for a variety of reasons that might well equally apply to the fireworks event.
1:44, I could not have said it better. The hypocracy going on makes me sick.
Why are all you people complaining? You're getting nowhere. This is business as usual. If you want politicians to be responsive, you have to investigate their finances and whom they associate with. All politicians are either bought off, blackmailed, or part of the criminal Joo network. Maybe all three.
This may be too big a job for some "bloggers." So call in the cavalry. Get the military to start investigating the traitors right under your noses. Wouldn't be difficult for them. PR is a lot more corrupt than people realize. But it does border Chicago, so should you be surprised?
And while you're at it, look into the criminal connections of police officers and bureaucrats. There are many little piggies in PR. That's not even including more than a few criminal citizens.
"Get the military to start investigating the traitors right under your noses".
Hmmmmmmm..........I am not sure where to go with this one. Maybe I will just say I was not aware Michele Bachmann followed this blog.
You can go back to watching Glenn Beck now!!
9:59:
Watching the Beckerhead is great! Best comedy show on the boob tube!
Hey Pru, the guy from American Eagle was over on the other blog trying to explain away the BBB rating his company got and the deal for his relatives! Too funny!
One comment pointed out if you add up all the money in the contract for American Eagle this year the sum is over $20K. Shouldn't that mean the web contract should have gone out for bid?
At least Anon. 5:54 is providing some comic relief.
9:16:
Saw that and got a good laugh. Then the numbers the guy reported seemed a little off to me.
Five years ago AE got a contract to do the city web site. That was probably along the same web design fee lines as this newest one. So that would be roughly $40,000 in web design fees? Hell, let's low ball it to $30,000 which is $10,500 for the last design and a reported $19,500 for the new one.
The real coin is in the licensing and monthly fees which add up to about $4000 a year.
Five years of monthly fees alone add up to $20,000, plus this year will add another $4000.
Looks to me as if AE is into the city for $54,000 by the end of this year. A low ball estimated $30,000 for the web design contracts and $24,000 for the annual license and monthly.
I did like the fireworks shows though. Two years and $36,000 of total donations and the company is still ahead $18,000, they get the mayor to blow them in front of a big crowd, and I'm sure the in-laws are thankful as well.
PRU is right! Everybody wins!
We'll see if the generosity holds for another year or more.
I can't answer your bid question. If they split the contracts to keep the amounts to the $20,000 bid level you stated then I guess they can do that.
The pattern on the other blog doesn't change. When the criticisms of Mayor Schmidt get too close for comfort the other blog closes off comments like they did again today.
I'm all for transparency with the groups taking our money as I'm sure most of us taxpayers are, so why won't anyone ask Mayor Schmidt why he hasn't tried to do anything about it?
LOL, it looks like PUBDOG took their ball and went home.
For some of us it's anything but "LOL" funny to watch.
It's painful to watch; an "intellectual death spiral" in agonizingly slow motion.
Alpha!!! How goes it?? Even though you often hammered me a bit, I always enjoyed our discussions. You are missed!
A4:09,
It goes well and thank you for the compliments.
In defense of a principle I tend to be rather hammer-y, no matter the source of opposition.
I'm glad you seem to have taken it well. Thanks again.
Transparency = I don't like what you are saying so stop talking.
I just wish I knew more about what is going on here "politically". I feel there is clearly something behind the scenes I am missing. This is about something more than the 23K. If that was all they were interested in they would be willing to apply it to other events supported by taxpayer money.
The other thing that I really don't get is if you look at this years rants, they don't even go after the aldermen. I mean I knew they would give the Mayor a pass but they did not even go after the aldermen.
Just to clarify, the real out of pocket cost for the city's extra services for the Taste, according to the city itself, is $11,000. The $23K figure includes costs the city would have spent elsewhere if the Taste weren't run, people on the payroll that are just at the Taste becuase it's there, instead of at the firehouse or in thier squad cars. I am glad they are there, but take a look on the SW side of Summit and Prospect, those civil servents in tents shaking hands, showing off trucks, and handing out flyers are part of the $23K figure bandied about, maybe even part of the $11K.
It looks like they see the value in public relations the Taste provides. . . .as does the Mayor, pouring beer 'til 11pm last night.
"Politically", you have a current Mayor who is more interested in making people look bad than acting. He and his PubDog personal friend, rip on the Taste anonymously because they can't stand the fact that the group was set up by the previous Mayor, and because they see political bogey men everywhere. Maybe they would rather people from their camp, like Tony S and/or the woman who ran the new Polish Fest last year, ran the Taste.
Honestly, there is plenty of common ground here, and not much disagreement on the value and responsibilities associated with the event. But because the two groups are locked in a political battle, exacerbated by the Mayor and his circle, nothing is being done to solve the issues.
Edited by PRU.ADMIN. If you have questions about why, ask.
Anonymous @ 8:03 "the real out of pocket cost for the city's extra services for the Taste, according to the city itself, is $11,000. The $23K figure includes costs the city would have spent elsewhere if the Taste weren't run, people on the payroll that are just at the Taste becuase it's there, instead of at the firehouse or in thier squad cars."
Oh.
My.
God!
...and duh!!!
That factoid has been COMPLETELY lost in all the hashing and gnashing on the subject!...the "REASSIGNMENT" of city personnel...
I never even considered what that really meant.
THANK YOU for pointing out what is a rather significant little factoid.
Now...howsabout the ToPR, Inc. consider reimbursement to the City for the "out of pocket costs" and future publishing of their 990s on their website?
...as those are...or at least, used to be...the two issues...
OK PRU. I'll bite!! Why did you edit that post??
By the way, that post relflects pretty much what I think is going on here. It ain't about the money. It is about power and control and ego and small town political crap.
I voted for the Mayor (along with being served a beer by him lat night) and I have to say the more issues like this drag out the more negatively it reflects on him, at least for me. He never comes out and takes this TOPR issue head on. He taps around and lets the blog do all the attacking. Beyond that, I feel pretty confident that there is dialogue between that group. That is the blogs on which the Mayor posts. So they beat the shit out of TOPR every year and say nothing about the Mayor doing little about the whole thing. The Mayor goes and serves a few beers - Wonderful!!!! Now that is progress!!!
Anon@12:12 --
I chose to edit the comment because it attributed anonymous comments to one particular private person by name though that person has not chosen to comment under their name. I removed the name from the comment.
As I've read through the latest offering at Public Watchdog, my opinion is there have been at least 5 or 6 anonymous commenters -- to single out one private person by name is an insupportable and unfair attribution.
9:03: I edited your comment too.
"Politically", you have a current Mayor xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and his PubDog personal friend, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx would rather people from their camp, xxxx Tony S xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ran the Taste.
LOL. The guy with the company rated D- by the BBB they want to run the Taste? LOL!
In spite of the controversey a few miserable jerks tried to create around this wonderful summer time event, our family had a great time all three days.
We could spend as much or as little as we wanted and still enjoy meeting up with neighbors and listening to music. We also did a little shopping along Main St.
I don't get why there are people who do nothing but tear down excellent volunteers that bring so much good to our community. Maybe the people trying to ruin this wonderful time for all of us should stop complaining and pitch in to help instead.
I don't know if you've read this blog in the past, or the other one, but I think the problem is many people here, including the blog owners are troubled by the fact that it's only the people who run the TOPR may be profitting from it and the city isn't.
And with all that's going on these days, with cutback and high property taxes, wich is nothing new to PR, many here are concerned about this. So am I.
Now if I'm parshally or completly wrong about this then maybe I need to look over past wrtings but I think I'm close and don't think anyone's wrong for pointing out anything that is or might be wrong.
MIKE
Who has said they are concerned about this? I haven't heard anyone say that except the Public Watchdog. I had a great time at the Taste and I don't care if they make money from running it. I don't care that the street is closed or that some paltry sum of my tax dollars are going to it.
If anyone thinks that the profits from Taste will keep taxes down they are crazy. I would say it is more likely if the city ran it then more of our taxes would go to it then are going to it now! It reminds me of the charities debate that went on not long ago. As if getting rid of those donations would balance the budget.
Question: Is Morningfield's in South Park in trouble? It seems like the place is a shadow of it's former self. Has changed hands a few times and now is starting to look a little "bare". Just my observations.
Ummm the reason AmericanEagle.com has a D rating from the BBB is that they did not respond to the one complaint filed with the BBB in the past several months. I don't see how that makes them a bad outfit. Link is here:
http://chicago.app.bbb.org/complaint_details/5000899?clean
Anon@4:29 --
Americaneagle.com now has a D- rating from the BBB because of one complaint regarding a contract issue they have not responded to in the last 36 months, the reporting period for the BBB.
As recently as June 22, 2010, Americaneagle.com was rated F by the BBB because they had two complaints on file to which Americaneagle.com did not respond.
We do not know if Americaneagle.com finally responded to the complaint about a service issue and the BBB upgraded Americaneagle.com's rating or if the service complaint became older than 36 months and was removed from the file, garning an upgrade to a D- rating for Americaneagle.com by the BBB.
Morningfield's never did have a great bakery but it had a nice range of gourmet and health foods plus a chic range of party goods, floral and gift items. It had a POV (point of view)which in retail is everything. OK, almost everything. Since the prior owner sold it to concentrate on the once-time Morningfield's annex called Across the Street (behind Boston Market), Morningfield's has been a shortcut-taking, inventory-skimping, distinctly un-chic operation set up just to make a few bucks, and it shows. "Make a few bucks" is not an enticing POV, especially to a target audience of young middle-aged, mostly upper- middle-class (and currently frugalista) female homeowners. If Morningfield's owners wanted to do business, they'd do well to hire the former owner as a consultant or at least check out her current operation, and the operations of Amphora, Raffia, Trader Joe's, Yvonne Estelle, Houlihan's and Kiko's Florist to name a few retail ops in Park Ridge that are meeting customers where they live. Retail 101 says if you're not delivering a primo experience at a price we PR frugalistas feel is a value, then you better be very fast and cheap and have a comprehensive inventory. Otherwise, you're toast.
3:01:
Have to partially disagree. Morningfield's always had a GREAT bakery and still does, WHEN THEY HAVE ITEMS IN THE SHELF!
Same with the deli. After years of great salads and new meat/entree items, it's now hit or miss every time I visit. Most people in Park Ridge still have money to spend and are willing to pay more for quality products, but they have to be in stock and of good quality.
The problem they face is that their shoppers are not consistent. They buy tons of items one week, and then don't shop for a month. The new owners are operating on a slim profit margin, and end up losing money when they have to throw stuff out that is not sold.
As a result, if you want certain bakery items, you either have to order in advance or take a chance it will be there. More times than not lately, whatever we go to buy on the spur of the moment for that night's dinner is out of stock. Have discussed it with the manager and it was apparent I'm not the only one speaking to him about it and shopping there even less. Especially told them they needed longer hours in the summer.
Sad part is that Devon Meats (the butcher shop in the store) is also taking a hit, and may be the only thing keeping the store afloat. It would be sad to see Morningfied's close, as it is truly a Park Ridge treasure.
By the way, I did talk to the former owner "Across The Street," and they are having the same problem with sales because of the economy. She did say that she left Morningfield's for pretty much the same reason it's having problems now: the ability to control waste and predict what will sell that month.
Meat: Devon Ave. still tops.
Deli: Happy Foods just fine.
Bakery: House of Cakes.
I'd never miss Morningfield's so long as Devon Ave. Meats found a new home.
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