tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50209953119236575642024-02-18T20:44:25.973-06:00Park Ridge UndergroundIrreverent and Unrepentant Satire and IronyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger717125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-44537436524885204502011-01-01T00:00:00.001-06:002011-01-01T00:00:06.764-06:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/MoonshadowfromDigitalBlasphemy.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/MoonshadowfromDigitalBlasphemy.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">New Beginnings<br /></span>by Gertrude B. McClain<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It's only the beginning now<br />...a pathway yet unknown<br />At times the sound of other steps<br />...sometimes we walk alone<br /><br />The best beginnings of our lives<br />May sometimes end in sorrow<br />But even on our darkest days<br />The sun will shine tomorrow.<br /><br />So we must do our very best<br />Whatever life may bring<br />And look beyond the winter chill<br />To smell the breath of spring.<br /><br />Into each life will always come<br />A time to start anew<br />A new beginning for each heart<br />As fresh as morning dew.<br /><br />Although the cares of life are great<br />And hands are bowed so low<br />The storms of life will leave behind<br />The wonder of a rainbow.<br /><br />The years will never take away<br />Our chance to start anew<br />It's only the beginning now<br />So dreams can still come true.<br /><br />Happy New Year from the Crew.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-60135160527083893852010-12-23T00:00:00.002-06:002010-12-23T10:55:14.104-06:00Have A Very Merry Christmas!<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/CharlieBrownChristmasTree.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/CharlieBrownChristmasTree.jpg" /></a><br /><object width="401" height="40"><param name="movie" value="http://listen.grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf"><param name="wmode" value="window"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=23314448&style=water&p=0"><br /> <embed src="http://listen.grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="401" height="40" flashvars="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=23314448&style=water&p=0" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="window"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.<br /></em>-Roy L. Smith<br /><br />To our faithful PRU readers and other drop-ins, we wish you all a joyful holiday!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">PS To our kind and gracious Santa at last Monday night's meeting -- thank you very much for the generous gesture. We hope you and yours have a great Christmas.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-30532748496668653822010-12-22T11:06:00.006-06:002010-12-23T12:33:01.580-06:00City Council 12-20-2010 Video!<object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xk_gNVGHou0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xk_gNVGHou0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And a jolly good time was had by all, if you're a fan of clusterf#%&$!<br /><br />The PRU Crew would like to point out that we <em>strongly believe</em>, on the issue of voting to appeal from the decision of the chair regarding his ruling on the motion to reconsider being out of order, the Council is in violation of the law.<br /><br />In support of our belief, we offer --<br /><br /></span><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><u>Appeals that cannot be entertained</u></strong><br /><br />Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised states that "when the chair rules on a question about which there cannot possibly be two reasonable opinions, an appeal would be dilatory and is not allowed." Demeter's Manual recommends using the mnemonic devices F, T, R, L and J, O, D to remember that <u>no appeals can be taken from the Chair's rulings which arise out of known Facts, evident Truths, established Rules or operative Laws</u>, but can be taken only from rulings which are based on his personal Judgment, Opinion or Discretion.</span></blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">The City's Zoning law, an <em>established operative law</em>, providing <em>fact</em>, <em>truth</em> and <em>rule</em> is unequivocally clear -<br /><br /></span><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">H. Limitations on denials<br /><br />"No application for a variance which has been denied by the City Council or Zoning Board of Appeals shall be reconsidered for a period of one (1) year from that date of denial."</span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size:130%;">And we note the City Attorney's opinion on the matter. We also note the City Council's lack of understanding the necessary fine point of the language denying <em>an application</em> versus preventing <em>applicants</em> from coming before the public body more than once in a given year. It is reasonable to <em>deny repetition of specific applications</em> while allowing <em>applicants</em> to submit as many <em>different applications</em> before the public body as he or she can possibly muster.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">So gentlemen of the City Council, if you are going to cite and follow the rules provided for by Robert's Rules of Order and the City's laws, then it appears you've once again screwed the legal pooch.</span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-89151080435558263112010-12-20T14:02:00.002-06:002011-03-22T20:39:07.246-05:00Hey Baby, What's Your Sign?<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/NoStupidPeople.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 314px; HEIGHT: 477px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/NoStupidPeople.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For our faithful PRU readers, who've had the <em>dubious privilege</em> of attending a meeting in the City Council chamber at City Hall, you may have noticed there are signs on either side of the Council horseshoe -- No Citizens Beyond This Point.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The PRU Crew feels very strongly, we need new signs. See above.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The practical effect of the new signs may be reducing the number of Alderdunces allowed to sit at the Council horseshoe, but the voters of Park Ridge have already shown their approval for reducing their representation. What could possibly go wrong?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For those interested in watching the smaller, more efficient Council in action -- there's another City Council meeting tonight, set to begin at 7:30 pm. If you're interested, you can review </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/12202010ccagendaRevised.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">the <em>revised</em> agenda (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> and then send Ald. Allspaghetti and <em>possibly</em> Ald. assWsol a <em>thank you</em> note -- so much for Allspaghetti's continual harping on <em>talking issues to death</em>! The Council is reportedly set to entertain a motion to reconsider the </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/PZFirstReading%20PD10011963-1975WestTouhyAve.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hoffman Homes project (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> proposed for Touhy Avenue. Because as we are all learning, "no" <em>does not mean</em> "no."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The meeting will also include </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/MayoralVetoPCSalary.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">another veto (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> from Mayor Schmidtzkrieg -- this time, of the Police Chiefski's salary. Approval of the </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/CMAgreementanddraftminutes.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">proposed City Manager's contract (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, is also up for discussion and a vote, and we look forward to more <em>unsubstantiated claims</em> by those expected to whine their way through discussion of suspending the City's </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/FacadeImprovementInfoPacket.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">Facade Improvement Program (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">B.O.H.I.C.A. humbug.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-77428451025039682852010-12-17T19:00:00.003-06:002010-12-17T19:04:27.536-06:00COW 12-13-10 Video!<p><object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w7mZXaJgKVM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w7mZXaJgKVM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The City managed to get last Monday's COW meeting video posted by this morning -- damn thing's been up all day but has only gotten 20 views. Come on, people! Take the weekend to relax and give your local government some of your time and attention!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">There's more fun yet to come at the next City Council meeting on Monday night!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-23440356971527567172010-12-16T10:39:00.009-06:002010-12-16T11:56:40.232-06:00Bah Humbug Grab Bag!<span style="font-size:130%;">The PRU Crew is in a bad mood. Sorry. Not really.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/BahHumbugChristmasLightsCardatzazzledotcom.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/BahHumbugChristmasLightsCardatzazzledotcom.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For our faithful PRU readers who look forward to viewing the City Council meeting videos, it appears you may have to wait longer than usual. The City did manage, after 48 hours, to post a 3 minute video of the <em>Special City Council meeting</em> -- <em>aren't they all?</em> -- from Monday night, but hasn't managed to post the video of the regular City Council meeting as of 10:00 AM this morning. We may have thought <em>somebody</em> would get a clue and realize that 3 video views in 24 hours means people aren't very interested in what's been made available, and are instead waiting for something more substantive than the Council rubber stamping approval of the tax levy. Apparently not.<br /><br />The PRU Crew is wondering if <em>any of the people posing as our representatives</em> in local government have bothered to inquire about the delay.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/BahHumbugChristmasLightsCardatzazzledotcom.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/BahHumbugChristmasLightsCardatzazzledotcom.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For our faithful PRU readers who thought there was any hope of city officials <em>getting the message </em>through your majority votes on referendums, guess again. As covered in </span><a href="http://www.pioneerlocal.com/parkridge/news/2969676,pr-policestation-122310-s1.article"><span style="font-size:130%;">an online article</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> by one of the local rags, we learn "no" does not mean "no." Just ask the O'Hare Airport Commission people -- they'll explain it!<br /><br />And remember, </span><a href="http://parkridgeunderground.blogspot.com/2007/08/fall-gal.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">way back when</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, we explained why Police Dept. brass was willing to keep on keepin' on with "the golden fleece boy, who answered the siren's call - hi there, Hoopty Lou, how's it going in traffic? - [who] can be kept safe <em>for future use as a PRPD pitchman; there are not too many coppers with the ability to speak and write impressive sounding bullshit as well as Hoopty Lou can</em>."<br /><br />A new proposal for renovation and expansion of the Park Ridge Police Dept. was offered for review at the City Council's budget workshop on Tuesday night. And the PRU Crew now understands very well why no supporting documents were included on the City website for review prior to the meeting.<br /><br />The PRU Crew is again wondering if <em>any of the people posing as our representatives</em> in local government have bothered to inquire about the lack of supporting documents being made available for public review -- and the limited demands of the law should not be an acceptable excuse.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/BahHumbugChristmasLightsCardatzazzledotcom.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/BahHumbugChristmasLightsCardatzazzledotcom.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Covered in </span><a href="http://www.pioneerlocal.com/parkridge/news/2966194,park-ridge-reimburse-121610-s1.article"><span style="font-size:130%;">another online article</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> in one of the local rags is the anatomy of a travesty. While the PRU Crew more than understands the legal questions, as well as the risk of precedence, we cannot get past how <em>thoroughly and completely the City process screwed the Vine Ave. residents.</em><br /><br />We don't know what the answer is, but we know we haven't heard it yet. And we strongly encourage the City Council and staff to find a way to make those residents whole. What has happened to them, throughout this saga, is unacceptable and should never be allowed to happen again.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/BahHumbugChristmasLightsCardatzazzledotcom.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/BahHumbugChristmasLightsCardatzazzledotcom.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Finally, the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District Board will be </span><a href="http://www.prparks.org/Minutes/2010%20Agendas/Dec-16-10-Agenda.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">meeting tonight (agenda .pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. They are scheduled to go into closed session, which is expected to last a very very very long time. We hope the discussion includes talking really really really bad about </span><a href="http://www.stcparks.org/Park-Board/parkboard.asp"><span style="font-size:130%;">these people</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">!!!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In all seriousness, we wish calm heads and reasoned consideration for the Park Board as they contend with the task ahead -- it's certainly a loss, but not the end of the PRRPD world as we know it.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Good luck.<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-84279323836173898542010-12-13T08:47:00.009-06:002010-12-13T13:00:35.704-06:00Have Some! And a Welcome Note!<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/Cowpie.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 264px; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/Cowpie.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Have Some Cow pie!</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For our faithful PRU readers who may want to take a break from the holiday madness, may we suggest some madness of a different sort? How about a COW meeting!<br /><br />If you're up for some <em>assorted madness</em>, you can attend tonight's </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/committee_of_the_whole__all_standing_commitees/?F_d=12%2f13%2f2010"><span style="font-size:130%;">City Council COW meeting</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> -- the </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/12132010pspwprfbcowagenda1.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">agenda (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> offers topics for discussion and action on subjects for every City Council committee!<br /><br />The PRU Crew is <em>very interested</em> in hearing the discussions on a number of issues. We feel the pending agreement with Lutheran General Hospital, on the issue of the parking garage tax, should be of <em>extreme interest</em> to the people of Park Ridge. And we look forward to learning precisely what <em>community health care services</em> the City has been providing, in addition to ambulance and paramedic services, since the community groups listed on exhibit A (last page) of </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/FBApprovalLGHPkgAgreement.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">the supporting documents (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> are <em>not City-provided community health services</em>. But the PRU Crew is mighty intrigued by the idea of being able to contract for the rescinding of tax ordinances and then<em> earmarking payments to government</em> for preferred program support!<br /><br />We're also wondering about Lutheran General Hospital's ability to use the proposed agreement to help satisfy legal requirements for providing charity care.<br /><br />The PRU Crew expects the Mayor and City Council will support the addition of "advice and consent of the City Council" when reviewing department head hiring, and express approval of the City Council, by vote, of severance payments. And we feel this is a cluster f%$# waiting to happen. If history provides any instruction and-or insight, it is likely this Mayor and City Council would have approved the extra severance payment made to the former Director of Economic Development, while voting against any extra severance payment to the former Director of Community Development. And their doing so would have been <em>highly subjective </em>and rife with <em>personal sentiments</em>. But hey, discrimination lawsuits are always interesting!<br /><br />Finally, we expect the residents on Vine Ave., </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/FBReimbursementVineEngineeringStudy20101213.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">seeking reimbursement for engineering costs (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, may want to be prepared to bend over and grab their ankles. But some of the residents on Bonita Drive may have better luck with the City Council, right after explaining what they are really after is <em>enforcement of the current truck parking ordinance --</em> versus the <em>inexplicably stupid</em> </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/cover%20memo%20truck%20pkg%20121310.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">cover memo (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> which states, "There seems to be two groups of thought – one believes the restrictions on truck parking should be stronger and the other group believes they aren’t strong enough." Just more of the same nonsense of the continuing saga of <a href="http://parkridgeunderground.blogspot.com/2008/07/freewheeing-pads-free-zone-july-16-2008.html?showComment=1216304100000#c2916116903158307370">Meatgate</a> and <em>one family's</em> adventures in local government!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Welcome Note!</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Today was the first day candidates for local office could submit their petitions for inclusion on the ballot for the upcoming spring elections.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We're told, as of noon today, current Aldermen Joseph Sweeney (1st ward) and Rich DiPietro (2nd ward) have submitted their petitions to the City Clerk for inclusion on the ballot.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We're also told <em>relative</em> newcomers to the fun that is local City of Park Ridge government, Franklin Ramirez (7th ward), Sal Raspanti (4th ward), and Dan Knight (5th ward), have also submitted their petitions to the City Clerk for inclusion on the ballot in the same aforementioned elections.</span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Welcome! The PRU Crew is <em>very much looking forward</em> to your campaigns!</p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-70150973225266232602010-12-10T17:00:00.003-06:002010-12-11T18:44:48.460-06:00Let The Friday Fun Begin!<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/TheCocktailHour-JosephCatanzaro-atChicagoContemporaryArt.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/TheCocktailHour-JosephCatanzaro-atChicagoContemporaryArt.jpg" /></a><br />'The Cocktail Hour' by Joseph Catanzaro<br /><a href="http://www.chicagocontemporaryart.com/painting.php?category_id=2&product_id=583">at chicagocontemporaryart.com</a><br /><br /><object width="401" height="40"> <param name="movie" value="http://listen.grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /> <param name="wmode" value="window" /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /> <param name="flashvars" value="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=23307684&style=grass&p=0" /> <embed src="http://listen.grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="401" height="40" flashvars="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=23307684&style=grass&p=0" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="window" /></object><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">with your contemporaries!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-40588760091838772042010-12-09T13:05:00.001-06:002010-12-09T13:29:56.871-06:00Mayor Schmidt -- Email -- Budget Hearings<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/MoneyHorn.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 256px; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/MoneyHorn.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">From: Dave Schmidt<br />To: supporters@electdaveschmidt.com<br />Subject: Budget hearings<br /><br />I wanted to let you all know that we will be starting budget discussions much earlier this year. The first session will take place this coming Tuesday, December 14, beginning at 7pm at City Hall. The first session will involve a capital budget review, an overview of goals and priorities and a review of revenue projections. The next scheduled meeting is January 31 when the actual budget booklet will be distributed to the Council. However, it is entirely possible, perhaps likely, that there will be one or more additional meetings between those dates.<br /><br />Last year's budget hearings we by far the best-attended in any one's memory. Although I obviously was not satisfied with the final product, I was pleased that there was so much resident involvement. I strongly believe that it has an impact, and I encourage residents to participate again this year. I hope to see you Tuesday.<br /></span>(sic)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-77208964506559242602010-12-08T14:11:00.001-06:002010-12-08T15:10:30.960-06:00City Council 12-6-2010 Video!<p><object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/14H1JAXXTGc?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/14H1JAXXTGc?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For the viewing displeasure of our faithful PRU readers!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">We suggest viewers pay special attention to the discussion of the vote to override the Mayor's veto of the <em>amended and suspended</em> Facade Improvement Program, which begins @ the 0:23:13 mark of the video. It would seem Mayor Schmidtzkrieg may have made a new <em>frenemy</em>!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Residents Mr. Declan Stapleton and Mr. Ed Berry, of O'Reilly's Public House fame, address the Council beginning @ 0:24:00 mark of the video. And the PRU Crew feels it's very sad how little understanding Mr. Stapleton has not only for general municipal accounting practices, but also that Mr. Stapleton has <em>less than zero understanding</em> of TIF district financing in general, or the Uptown Redevelopment TIF district, <em>specifically</em>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">And despite the PRU Crew's <em>strong suspicions</em> that the Council doesn't understand either municipal accounting or TIF district financing much better than Mr. Stapleton, they somehow managed to vote to sustain the Mayor's veto of the amended and suspended Facade Improvement Program -- which they plan to discuss and amend <em>again</em> at the December 20th Council meeting.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Under Citizens Wishing to Address the Council on Non-agenda items, we hope people will give consideration to the remarks offered by resident and local builder, Mr. Rob Lohens, begining @ 1:14:02 mark of the video. Unfortunately, while Mr. Lohens' comments on public employee salaries and pensions have much merit, his grasp of the Crook County property assessments and the property tax system is lacking.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">For others who may not quite <em>get</em> how the whole mess currently works -- as simply as we can state the matter -- property value assessments are created for the purpose of <em>apportioning shares of the property tax burden</em>, within any given taxing district. You can have your property tax assessment reduced and you <em>still may end up paying as much or more</em> in actual property tax dollars. Why? Because until the local taxing bodies <em>actually reduce the tax levies --</em> <em>the actual total dollars they ask for from the taxpayer pool</em> -- taxes will <em>generally</em> continue to remain the same or rise. Place your bets, people!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Thus concludes our PRU civics lesson for today.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The discussion of the proposed Hoffman Homes project, as recommended to the City Council by the Planning and Zoning Commission, begins @ 1:20:51 mark of the video. And we found the discussion of affordable...er...no...make that, <em>attainable housing</em> very entertaining.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The Aldermen voted 3-yes (Sweeney, Bach and Allegretti) to 3-no (DiPietro, Ryan and Wsol) on the matter. Mayor Schmidtzkrieg attempted to break the tie by voting "no," but the City Attorney advised him his vote was not necessary as a tie vote means the request for approval of the special use dies for lack of receiving a majority.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The project developer, Mr. Hassinger, then took the opportunity to let the Council know he would not be back with a new application. So there!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Enjoy the rest of the show!</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-77086302718689611792010-12-07T13:17:00.002-06:002010-12-07T13:31:18.787-06:00Comments In the Spotlight<span style="font-size:130%;">Under our post yesterday, one </span><a href="http://parkridgeunderground.blogspot.com/2010/12/are-you-paying-attention.html?showComment=1291674089420#c5285453375381577899"><span style="font-size:130%;">Ken Hubbs remarked</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> --<br /></span><br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">"Did anyone see the Spokesman? Is the Mayoral opinion piece a message to the community or a campaign 2011 mail piece? He goes way beyond discussing the issues at hand and lays direct blame at the feet of the Council. He cites three separate issues and then goes on to heap blame directly on “The Council”. I’ve seen previous Mayors use the Spokesman before as a tool to disseminate information on issues. I’ve even seen the prior Mayor use it as a tool to pursue his political spin on various issues. However not even he ever used this publically funded mail piece to directly attack other elected officials."(sic)</span></blockquote><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For those who may have missed the latest issue of the Spokesman, and the particular Mayoral message being discussed, here you go --</span><br /><br /><a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/DSSpksmn12-10.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/DSSpksmn12-10.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A further exchange took place later -- </span><br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">Anonymous said...<br /><br />"Hubbs,<br /><br />You can call it "blame," but each thing Schmidt said the Council did is what the Council did. That would make it fact. Do you have something against facts?"<br /><br />December 7, 2010 9:03 AM</span></blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">Ken Hubbs said...<br /><br />"No I have something with people using taxpayer funded resources for political purposes. What happened may be fact, but the implied reason is opinion."<br /><br />December 7, 2010 11:25 AM</span></blockquote><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The PRU Crew felt our faithful PRU readers may wish to review what Mayor Schmidtzkrieg had to say about the use of taxpayer dollars and resources for the promotion of political agendas, in a discussion regarding Veterans, PBS, and Bill Moyers, back </span><a href="http://parkridgeunderground.blogspot.com/2008/05/memorial-day-2008.html?showComment=1212080160000#c7723878542145939851"><span style="font-size:130%;">when Mayor Schmidtzkrieg was still just a lowly Alderdunce</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> -- </span><br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">"I do not relish the thought of my tax money going to fund someone like Moyers so that he can despouse his agenda on my dime. And that, my friend, is my fair and balanced view."(sic)</span></blockquote><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">As for the PRU Crew, we're wondering if Mayor Schmidtzkrieg still believes "The Spokesman provides a service which is a cost-effective way of distributing information to the citizens," given his statements about the City of Park Ridge being on the "brink of financial disaster" and his repeated professions of his preference for "fiscal conservatism" and only spending on "essential City services."</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Is the Spokesman an <em>essential</em> City service? </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-73064441563885914932010-12-06T13:01:00.006-06:002010-12-06T13:43:12.963-06:00Are You Paying Attention?<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/PayAttention.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 319px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/PayAttention.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The PRU Crew and all our faithful PRU readers should, by now, have come out of our Thanksgiving turkey comas. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">If you have been paying attention, then you know there's a <a href="http://www.parkridge.us/city_council/update-12-6-2010/?F_d=12%2f06%2f2010">City Council meeting tonight</a>, at City Hall, beginning at 7:30 pm.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And if you have <em>really really really </em>been paying attention, then you also know the City's Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended to the City Council that the residents of Park Ridge be spared the blight of non-conforming signs. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">However, P&Z Commissioners Arrigoni, Piche, Wells and Rifkind believe it is in the best interest of the Park Ridge community to allow a <em>70% increase in density</em> (8 additional units <em>over the zoning code limit</em> of 12 units for this "high density" district) for the <a href="http://parkridgeunderground.blogspot.com/2009/09/to-gills.html">proposed Hoffman Homes condominium development</a> at 1963-1975 W. Touhy Ave., and have recommended the City Council grant a<em> special use</em> for the 3-story, 20-unit condominium development. Did we also mention the allowances for additional lot coverage and decreased set-backs? Flooding, schmudding.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The PRU Crew takes particular note of Commissioner Rifkind's observation of the economics involved -- we must have missed the part of the Planning & Zoning Commission's mandate to ensure economic benefit to developers who ask for <em>lots of extras</em>.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Of course, when developers come asking for <em>extras</em>, they offer amenities to the community from which they are asking for those <em>extras</em>. What will Park Ridge be getting? <em>Affordable housing</em> units.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Be still our beating, bleeding hearts!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Nobody</em> saw this one coming, right? Oh. That's right. <a href="http://parkridgeunderground.blogspot.com/2008/04/huddled-masses-and-more.html">We did.</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The rest of tonight's City Council agenda should be entertaining, as well -- included under the action items for the Finance & Budget Committee is a "First reading for approval of December 2010 Property Tax Levy – For the Budget Beginning May 1, 2010 and Ending April 30, 2011." B.O.H.I.C.A.!!!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-37353223894972905702010-11-25T00:00:00.003-06:002010-11-25T00:41:55.429-06:00Have A Happy Thanksgiving!<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/ThanksgivingbyVitaminka3ddigitialwallpapers.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/ThanksgivingbyVitaminka3ddigitialwallpapers.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">-- </span><span style="font-size:100%;">John Fitzgerald Kennedy<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-87917115644555719752010-11-23T23:00:00.000-06:002010-11-23T23:38:14.070-06:00COW 11-22-2010 Video!<p><object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YoOGmbdyUE8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YoOGmbdyUE8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Another <em>fine</em> performance for your viewing <em>dis</em>pleasure!</span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-8558785728409799742010-11-22T13:08:00.003-06:002011-01-30T15:10:02.742-06:00They'll Be Discussing Our Mooney Again!<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/LaughingCowThrowingMoney.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/LaughingCowThrowingMoney.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The City Council will be holding another COW (committee of the whole) meeting tonight, after a </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/AgendaCoverMemoandCV.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">special 10 minute Council meeting (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> to discuss the appointment of the City's new Director of Finance!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">As usual, the COW </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/11222010cowprfbagenda.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">agenda (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> includes some items of interest -- the PRU Crew is looking forward to the discussion of the </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Documents/FBFinancialReport.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">Financial Report (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. Over all, it doesn't look too bad, and the Mayor's concerns for some of the revenue streams appear to not be as nearly doomy and gloomy as he feared. However, we would like to hear an explanation for the increased legal counsel expenses -- we're wondering if the increase has anything to do with the City appearing to have lost the case against the Napleton rezoning, a change initiated by the City Council and supported by the Mayor, which you can get a flavor for </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/PZPacketMA1003.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">here (.pdf - page 2)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The Procedures and Regulations portion of the meeting will cover topics ranging from </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/PR1ModificationsYouthCommission.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">expanding the "occupancy limit" (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> for the Youth Commission to consideration of </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Documents/PR5OccupancyLimits.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">restrictions on occupancy limits for residences (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. The PRU Crew is very interested in hearing the discussion about who gets the honor of </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Documents/PR2DeptHeadAppointments1.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>hiring</em> City Department Heads (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. So far it looks as if the City of Park Ridge will continue to operate under a City Manager form of government. <em>So far</em>.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-30842669995964326562010-11-19T15:15:00.002-06:002010-11-19T15:21:15.978-06:00Today's Post Possibly NSFW ---- depending on how <em>nannified</em> your IT department is.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The PRU Crew feels the recent news over the brouhaha surrounding the <em>enhanced screening procedures</em> instituted by the TSA just prior to the holiday travel season could be quelled with an <em>enhanced marketing campaign</em>.<br /><br />Of course, any successful marketing campaign requires a popular celebrity spokesperson.<br /><br />We would like to suggest musical artist Janet Jackson.<br /><br />As you can see, Ms. Jackson is already familiar with <em>enhanced pat-down procedures </em>-- and she would be an excellent spokesperson for a new TSA marketing campaign. The TSA could contract with Ms. Jackson to use her 'Janet' album cover for posters placed in airport terminals, which would demonstrate for airline passengers what lies ahead for them as they snake their way through the security lines.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCV8l7iWyT80Qt_8eqkTaBIApCpSzrmXEqPEhARbXY0NtR3CEMkrrbSjDjCE_DgFM0JAOo3_yJTMx8JMBWrymElDgENMW6IuxjJYeHnDnv5iesohiBscF1y1XVXlWWjbBkdaHW3KKpIw/s1600/album_Janet-Jackson-Janet.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 224px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541370517429628210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCV8l7iWyT80Qt_8eqkTaBIApCpSzrmXEqPEhARbXY0NtR3CEMkrrbSjDjCE_DgFM0JAOo3_yJTMx8JMBWrymElDgENMW6IuxjJYeHnDnv5iesohiBscF1y1XVXlWWjbBkdaHW3KKpIw/s400/album_Janet-Jackson-Janet.jpg" /></a><br /><object width="224" height="40"><param name="movie" value="http://listen.grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf"><param name="wmode" value="window"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=23280472&style=water&p=0"><br /><br /> <embed src="http://listen.grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="224" height="40" flashvars="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=23280472&style=water&p=0" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="window"></embed></object><br /><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Enjoy your own escapade this weekend!</span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-42619427420300582882010-11-17T12:29:00.001-06:002010-11-17T12:48:27.493-06:00City Council 11-15-2010 Video!<p><object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ahEPlcYJ30s?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ahEPlcYJ30s?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For our faithful PRU readers who've got a couple hours to kill.<br /><br />The PRU Crew believes the Mayor's <em>pre-ramble</em>, before his remarks about his veto of the <em>amended and then suspended facade improvement program</em>, was a disclosure of some kind. We get the impression the Mayor found the matter pesky. However, we were pleased to hear the Mayor treat the veto subject as he did, though we are wondering why the Mayor chose <em>not</em> to issue his <em>traditional</em> email blast to supporters explaining his reasons for exercising his veto authority. We hope the City Council will choose to <em>moooooves forward</em> accordingly -- allow for the completion of the last remaining facade reimbursement agreement and reject any further applications, then fully suspend the program. We also hope that should any future Council choose to reinstate the program, they also demand a financial accounting to support the claims on which the program is predicated.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">As for the discussion of the PROAC recommendations to retain the Taber Law Group for <em>consulting</em> on fighting O'Hare expansion, the PRU Crew found Commission Chairman Sue Perschke's offerings very entertaining. Where the former chairman had nearly perfected the <em>damsel in distress</em> approach, we find Ms. Perschke's <em>baffle them with bullshit</em> approach rather refreshing! </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Two PRUdos are due!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The first goes out to City Manager Jim Hock for his ~~THUD!!!~~HOLY WOW!!!~~ inducing comments opposing a request, by Uptown developer PRC Partners, to grant a zoning text amendment and special use to <em>again</em> allow the developer to lease space to a non-retail, non-sales tax generating business. <a href="http://www.midamericagrp.com/">Mid-America Real Estate Group</a>, the partner in the PRC Partnership which is responsible for retail leasing, may want to read their own rather up-lifting Retail Review – Fall 2010 Newsletter, then study their own 2010 Retailer Demand Study, and get to work.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Our second PRUdo of the day goes to resident Ms. Pat Livensparger for so clearly pointing out that an appeals process of any kind, in this instance the Tree Preservation on Private Property ordinance, must include criteria on which an appeal may be based. Spot on, Ms. Livensparger!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Enjoy the show, people!</p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-28675080632715448042010-11-16T00:30:00.000-06:002010-11-16T00:59:20.934-06:00Ready! Fire! Aim!<span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Hey Chiefski, are you running for office? A little more circumspection in consideration for the judicial process may have been better for all concerned.</span><br /><br /><a title="View PressRlseLeavittNov2010 on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/42734544/PressRlseLeavittNov2010" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">PressRlseLeavittNov2010</a> <object id="doc_736677998474735" name="doc_736677998474735" height="600" width="100%" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" style="outline:none;" > <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="FlashVars" value="document_id=42734544&access_key=key-1ogmgiruvcjwv9mbfag&page=1&viewMode=list"> <embed id="doc_736677998474735" name="doc_736677998474735" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=42734544&access_key=key-1ogmgiruvcjwv9mbfag&page=1&viewMode=list" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="600" width="100%" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff"></embed> </object><br /> <br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For our faithful PRU readers who may have missed the conventional press coverage of this story, the Herald-Advocate has an <a href="http://www.pioneerlocal.com/parkridge/news/2895066,pr-leavitt3-111810-s1.article">online article</a> for your reading <em>dis</em>pleasure.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In the article, the following is reported -- "Following the settlement of the lawsuit the State's Attorney's Office, assisted by the FBI, began investigating the Police Department" -- things that make us go <em>hhhmmmmm.</em> We aren't experts on such matters, but we're pretty sure the State's Attorney's Office doesn't make a habit of opening investigations into settled lawsuits. We wonder what their source of investigative <em>inspiration</em> may have been?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-24282554169519568082010-11-15T11:45:00.005-06:002010-11-15T12:20:21.097-06:00Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls!<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/Circus.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/Circus.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">c1899. Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The circus we've come to know as our Park Ridge City Council will be meeting tonight at City Hall. For our faithful PRU readers, interested in live entertainment, the show is set to begin at 7:30 PM.<br /><br />Tonight's </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/11152010ccagenda.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">program (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> features two acts which hold promise for providing <em>special excitement</em>!<br /><br />First, Ringmaster Schmidt will attempt to amaze the audience with another veto! This time Ringmaster Schmidt will attempt to make the City's <em>amended and then suspended facade improvement program</em> disappear! The PRU Crew has serious reservations about how this vanishing act will be conducted. And we are again <em>hoping</em> discerning consideration will win out over ham-fisted treatment of this budgetary issue, but we have our doubts.<br /><br />The second act we are looking forward to is the discussion of the O’Hare Airport Commission's </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/OACRecommendationsTaber.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">Recommendations regarding the Taber Law Group (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. A <em>friendly correspondent</em> worded concerns surrounding this issue as --<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">First we will get, and I quote, "a strongly worded letter with this presentation to the FAA," which it is anticipated will not work.<br /><br />Then we will get Mr. Taber to, and I quote, "select these experts [for "air quality and noise impacts" studies] based on his substantial experience with EIS law and science and Mr. Taber's firm would also outline the scope of work." And presumably, since Mr. Taber will be researching various avenues for funding these studies, Mr. Taber's fee does not include the costs of these experts and these studies. What is the ballpark/range of such experts and studies and why, exactly, do we need Mr. Taber to select these experts, why shouldn't the members of the OAC be doing this research? After all, they were able to dig up Mr. Taber.<br /><br />Then finally we will again have Mr. Taber, and I quote, "submit another letter to the FAA, again requesting a supplemental EIS based on "significant" new information." I presume this letter too will be "strongly worded."<br /><br />So, for the nice tidy sum of $8,987.50 the <em>actual work product </em>Mr. Taber, himself, will be producing for the city of Park Ridge is two letters to the FAA requesting a supplemental EIS study; $4,493.75 per "strongly worded" letter, the first of which it is presumed will fail in its' goal.<br /><br />Though <em>there is</em> cold comfort in knowing that, for $8,987.50, the city will get two "strongly worded" letters to the FAA, which is a better return on investment than we got from "investing" $650K for a Peotone study.</span></blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">There you have it ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls -- enjoy the circus!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-81968107233966716952010-11-12T14:02:00.003-06:002010-11-12T14:37:50.654-06:00Ponder the Possibilities!<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/MilkyWaybyLarryLandolfiatpixdausbyloziotazio.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 700px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/MilkyWaybyLarryLandolfiatpixdausbyloziotazio.jpg" /></a><br /><object width="400" height="25"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Qrve72C70o?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Qrve72C70o?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="25"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Give yourself time to think, relax and enjoy the weekend!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-16357198291227878702010-11-11T00:00:00.002-06:002010-11-11T00:12:31.252-06:00Veteran's Day 2010 -- Observance<span style="font-size:130%;">In observance of Veterans Day - Again today we will set aside any discussion of politics, government, elected leaders, and policy concerns in order to offer our deepest gratitude to those soldiers who have served our country to protect our freedoms, so that tomorrow, and every tomorrow to come, we may again freely discuss politics, government, elected leaders, and policy concerns.<br /><br />To all our veterans near and far, thank you.<br />May God bless you all.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/VetsDay10poster.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 624px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/VetsDay10poster.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-92065026723436519002010-11-10T11:05:00.000-06:002010-11-10T11:07:19.824-06:00COW 11-8-2010 Video!<object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_NuWcJXzEK0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_NuWcJXzEK0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The Committee of the Whole meeting was again very long, and we again encourage people to make the time to watch the making of municipal sausage.<br /><br />The Aldermen managed to talk the Tree Preservation On Private Property ordinance to death, <em>for over an hour and a half</em>, without actually doing too much damage to it.<br /><br />The PRU Crew was pleased to hear Alderman Carey ask City staff <em>exactly</em> what we were wondering about -- explain <em>exactly</em> what sections and which "language in various sections of the Municipal Code related to parkway maintenance responsibilities" the Public Works Department is proposing "to consolidate and clarify." The PRU Crew also got a chuckle out of Alderman DiPietro's having asked if the issue of parkway maintenance was related in any way to the infamous </span><a href="http://parkridgeunderground.blogspot.com/2008/07/freewheeing-pads-free-zone-july-16-2008.html?showComment=1216247940000#c6236882638731677023"><span style="font-size:130%;">"meatgate"</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> incident. We're hoping everyone in the room took special note of the City Manager's remarks on the subject, despite the Director of Public Works' denial of any relationship between parkway trees and the proposed <em>housekeeping</em> of the municipal code as it relates to parkway maintenance.<br /><br />And for those who manage to make it through to the end of the COW video, you may find it <em>interesting</em> to hear Police Commander Keller talk about how our Police Chiefski has been "meeting with parties" concerned about <em>more and less enforcement</em> of the truck parking ordinance in the City's zoning code. Some of our faithful PRU readers may be aware that the issue of truck parking arose from the frustration of some of the neighbors surrounding the residents on Bonita Drive directly involved in the "meatgate" incident. The PRU Crew is unaware of a precedent by which the Chief of Police <em>consults residents on their preference for enforcement</em> of any of the City's codes, but we understand there's a first time for everything. And we're finding the <em>dynamic taking place</em> between City staff and the Bonita Drive "meatgate" people very very very...<em>interesting</em>.<br /><br />Enjoy the show!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-58551853614470803562010-11-08T12:43:00.009-06:002010-11-08T18:39:35.835-06:00Monday PRU Grab Bag!<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/GrabBag.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 315px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/GrabBag.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>#1 --</strong></span> For our faithful PRU readers interested in more City <em>circuses</em>, you're in luck! There's a </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/committee_of_the_whole_public_works__public_safety-11-8-2010/?F_d=11%2f08%2f2010"><span style="font-size:130%;">COW meeting tonight (.pdf - supporting documents)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, beginning at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The PRU Crew is looking forward to hearing all about the Public Works Department's plans for </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/Parkway%20Maintenance%20memo2.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">Amending Article 9 to include Parkway Maintenance Responsibilities (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, as neither the cover memo, nor the </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/DRAFT%20Parkway%20Maint%20Ord2.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">draft ordinance (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, explains exactly what sections and which "language in various sections of the Municipal Code related to parkway maintenance responsibilities" the Public Works Department is proposing "to consolidate and clarify."<br /><br />The tree huggers among our faithful PRU readership may also want to take note of the Tree Preservation Task Force's recommended ordinance for </span><a href="http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Events/DRAFT%20new%20%20Article%2015%20182.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">TREE PRESERVATION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY(.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> -- it turned out better than we expected it to. But we have every reason to believe our Alderdopes will try their very best to screw it up.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>#2 --</strong></span> For our faithful PRU readers interested in looking deeper into the recent press coverage on School District 64's recent ISAT test results, you can do so </span><a href="http://www.d64.org/site/files/bd_rep_10_25_10.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">here (.pdf)</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, starting at page 89 -- from the supporting documents for the D64 School Board meeting held on October 25, 2010. The PRU Crew also found these results better than we expected, and we <em>appreciate</em> what appears to be continual growth in the number of D64 students who <em>exceed</em> State testing standards. However, we would like to hear somebody explain how this growth in the exceeds category of testing <em>does or does not correspond</em> to the issues raised in an October 18, 2010 report by the Chicago Tibune -- </span><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/ct-met-isat-answers-20101018,0,308277.story"><span style="font-size:130%;">New ISAT lets kids pass with more wrong answers</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. Think of it this way, we're just asking <em>for the chiiiiildren</em>! </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We've also heard some people grumbling about the <em>announced changes</em> to the middle school lunch program -- specifically, the <em>memorandum of information </em>from the District's Purchasing Manager, Betty Lattanzio<em> </em>(page 144 of the supporting documents), letting the Board know the middle school lunch program will no longer be accepting cash payments for lunches beginning January 4, 2010. In other words, <em>chaaaaarge it</em>! </span><a href="http://www.revtrak.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">RevTrak</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, the company so graciously offering this </span><a href="http://www.revtrak.com/company/about-us/news/school-meal-accounting"><span style="font-size:130%;">new school meal accounting</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> software interface to the District, has got to love the idea of having likely modest but multiple deposits on account!<br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So there you go, faithful PRU readers -- pick your public policy poison!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-74972285924881712222010-11-05T12:38:00.003-05:002010-11-05T13:01:09.740-05:00Froize! Fantastic!<a href="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/baconpancakes.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc76/PRUnderground/baconpancakes.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">via </span><a href="http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/08/the-great-bacon-odyssey-extreme-bacon-pancakes/"><span style="font-size:85%;">GEEKDAD on wired.com</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Have a great weekend!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020995311923657564.post-24284876606980072812010-11-04T16:25:00.005-05:002010-11-04T17:05:15.615-05:00City Council 11-3-10 video!<object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W32Oau_QOmo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W32Oau_QOmo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Some <em>hair of the dog</em> for your viewing <em>dis</em>pleasure!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com32