It's Getting Crowded In There!

For most people who find themselves in the position of experiencing something from a different point of view, that experience is often idiomatically referred to as "the shoe being on the other foot."

For 4th ward Alderman Jim Allspaghetti, it appears the other shoe is in his mouth -- as evidenced by a report in today's Journal and Topics.

The report notes, as we recapped for you yesterday, "Ald. Allspaghetti complained about the candidates [for replacement of the 1st ward alderman] appearing before Schmidt's committee instead of the council. "We had no input and as Mayor Schmidt has said, he selected this candidate from input he had from four members of some commission he selected."

The Lord of the Manor, Ald. Rich DiPietro diplomatically corrected Allspaghetti's recall -- or lack thereof -- and urged that the Council minutes for the meeting, at which Allspaghetti was appointed, be furnished to current Council members.

We think you should get to see those minutes too --

Council Min 6605

It looks to us as if Allspaghetti has trouble remembering the things he does and the events he participates in. That must be why Allspaghetti, along with former Mayor Howard, forgot to mention the pre-appointment $300 campaign contribution Allspaghetti made to Frimark's mayoral effort.

The PRU Crew doesn't believe a campaign contribution of $300 would have been a good enough reason to keep Allspaghetti off the Council. But we do feel the failure to disclose the contribution during the appointment process sure does raise some red flags and reveal the characters of those involved.

We sure are glad that particular bit of history isn't repeating itself.

Crack that whip! Whip it! Whip it good!

The City of Park Ridge will be 100 years old next year. The first City Council meeting was held on July 7, 1910. The PRU Crew is wondering if in all that time any Mayor has ever exercised the legal power of his veto.

Well people, there is a first time for everything -- and we may have on tonight's City Council agenda (.pdf) what could possibly be the first Mayoral veto of a City Council action in the history of Park Ridge.

Crack that whip! Give the past the slip!

Mayor Schmidtzkrieg has issued a memo to the City Council detailing his reasons for issuing a spending veto -- a spending veto! -- of the Council's decision to approve "contributions to various community groups over and above the amounts specified in the budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year adopted by the City Council on April 20, 2009." (emphasis added)


When somethings going wrong, you must whip it!


We can hardly wait to hear the reports of the Alderspenders tortured justifications for insisting on going over and above the budgeted amount they originally approved, and why it is necessary to override Mayor Schmidtzkrieg's veto, as we expect they will.


It's not too late to whip it, whip it good!


Also available on the City website is another memo from Mayor Schmidtzkrieg naming Mr. Joseph Sweeney as the Mayor's choice to fill the remainder of the term for 1st ward Alderman.

The PRU Crew was very happy to see that Mayor Schmidtzkrieg did the right and honorable thing by disclosing to the Council that Mr. Sweeney was a generous $150 contributor to his campaign. We noticed that campaign disclosure statements weren't due for a few weeks -- you know we try to keep track of those things -- but we were hoping this wouldn't be deja vu all over again! We're very glad it's not.


Get straight! Go forward! Move ahead!


The PRU Crew is looking forward to throwing back a few and coming up with possible monikers for the new Council member -- after we've had a chance to see him in action, and assuming the Council approves this appointment.


No one gets away until they whip it!


Once again people, we hope to have a recap for our faithful PRU readers tomorrow!


Whip it good!

Freewheeling PRU Briefs!

#1 -- The more efficient council of 7!

As our regular PRU readers know, the PRU Crew has a good time keeping up with the City calendar and reading through meeting minutes.

We noticed yesterday that a City Council COW Special Meeting (Closed Session) had been cancelled. The single agenda item (.pdf) listed was "III. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATING MATTERS, 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (2)"

That sounds important, doesn't it? Does anyone think that agenda item may have had something to do with the on-going discussions between the City and employees regarding wages and budget issues? If you said "yes" to both those questions, you are correct.

So why was the meeting cancelled? To get an answer, the PRU Crew did what it always does and we asked our sources.

The answer? Three of the Aldermen couldn't make it to the meeting; therefore, there would not be a quorum.

The reduced City Council of 7 -- the millions of dollars deficit gift that keeps on giving!


#2 -- An exercise in power?

One of our sources reports that Mayor Schmidtzkrieg has been reading up on what a Mayor and leadership is all about. The PRU Crew has been told to look forward to Mayor Schmidtzkrieg exercising his Mayoral powers -- the proper execution of which Mayor Schmidtzkrieg's predecessor never seemed to grasp.

The PRU Crew has gone back and forth with our source on this very cryptic tip, but our source won't budge and provide any further detailed information.

We're looking forward to the big reveal!


#3 -- Outside the lines with a hometown bent!

Most of our faithful PRU readers probably remember the discussion that took place a little more than 1 1/2 years ago to consider the adoption of a local recall ordinance. Our illustrious box of rocks, a.k.a. our City Council, thought a recall ordinance was a bad idea. At that time, 4th ward Alderman Jim Allspaghetti lead the charge against adoption of a recall ordinance -- with all manner of support from former Mayor Howard.

There were those who contended that without a State amendment providing for recall of elected officials, the City of Park Ridge couldn't adopt such an ordinance.

Yesterday's Chicago Tribune editorial about the actions of the Illinois House's Rules Committee makes it clear that those opposed to a local recall ordinance here in Park Ridge have a lot of support down in Springfield and elsewhere.

Here are the list of "supporters" opposed to a State recall amendment, as listed in the Tribune's editorial --

Speaker Michael Madigan (Chicago), Edward Acevedo (Chicago), Luis Arroyo (Chicago), Daniel Beiser (Alton), Maria Berrios (Chicago), Mike Boland (Moline), John Bradley (Marion), Daniel Burke (Chicago), Will Burns (Chicago), Linda Chapa LaVia, (Aurora), Marlow Colvin (Chicago), Barbara Flynn Currie (Chicago), John D'Amico (Chicago), Monique Davis, (Chicago), William Davis (Hazel Crest), Anthony DeLuca (Crete), Lisa Dugan (Bradley), Keith Farnham (Elgin), Sara Feigenholtz (Chicago), Robert Flider (Mt. Zion), Mary Flowers (Chicago), LaShawn Ford (Chicago), John Fritchey (Chicago), Esther Golar (Chicago), Careen Gordon (Coal City), Jehan Gordon (Peoria), Julie Hamos (Evanston), Betsy Hannig (Litchfield), Gregory Harris (Chicago), Elizabeth Hernandez (Cicero), Jay Hoffman (Collinsville), Thomas Holbrook (Belleville), Constance Howard (Chicago), Eddie Jackson Sr. (East St. Louis), Naomi Jakobsson (Urbana), Charles Jefferson (Rockford), Lou Lang (Skokie), Joseph Lyons (Chicago), Frank Mautino (Spring Valley), Karen May (Highland Park), Emily McAsey (Lockport), Kevin McCarthy (Orland Park), John McGuire (Joliet), Deborah Mell (Chicago), Susana Mendoza (Chicago), David Miller (Dolton), Elaine Nekritz (Northbrook), Harry Osterman, (Chicago), Brandon Phelps (Norris City), Dan Reitz (Steeleville), Al Riley (Olympia Fields), Kathleen Ryg (Vernon Hills), Michael Smith (Canton), Cynthia Soto (Chicago), Andre Thapedi (Chicago), Art Turner (Chicago), Patrick Verschoore (Milan), Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) Eddie Washington (Waukegan), Karen Yarbrough (Maywood), Michael Zalewski (Chicago).

Asshats all!

COW Recap!

In mathematics, Pi is what is known as a mathematical constant. In Park Ridge city government, a mathematical constant seems to be the City Council's insistence on growing our budget deficit.

Our sources report that at last night's City Council COW, our Aldermoorons again voted to grow the City's budget deficit by increasing funding to community groups over the already budgeted amount. The Lord of the Manor, 2nd ward Ald. Rich DiPietro, attempted to recommend an alternative budget amount that would have brought funding for community groups into line with what the original City budget had called for by moving to adopt a total funding level of $232,100.00. But the Aldermoorons would have none of that!

Aldermooron Frank Wsooooolman (7th ward) mooved to amend the amount of funding to the "same level as last year" -- $271,000.00 -- which is not the "same as last year" since the City Council added a new program for the coming year.

The new program added to the list of community group funding is being called "Noise Abatement", and funding for this will be $25,000.00 You didn't really think this City O'Hare Airport Commission would be established but not funded with tax payer dollars, did you?

All in, the City Council Aldermoorons added about $64,000.00 over the recommended budget amount -- $38,900.00 for previously funded community groups and $25,000.00 for the new "Noise Abatement" for the City's O'Hare Airport Commission.

Hell, it's just money. And who cares if the evidence suggests the noise monitors being contracted for from Bensenville won't be worth the time it takes to set them up in Park Ridge. The pols have to appear to be doing something!

During the discussion portion of the meeting, we are told the Aldermoorons could not seem to tell the difference between human needs services, such as the Center of Concern, Rainbow Hospice, Meals on Wheels, and "services" provided by various arts and recreation groups, such as the Fine Arts Society, Civic Orchestra, Teen Center and Senior Center. Aldermoorons Wsooooolman, Don Bachtard (3rd ward) and Benedict Ald. Robert Ryan (5th ward) took the time to again regale the assembly with their belief that giving away tax dollars to all these groups will produce a "return" to the community beyond the dollar amounts being doled out.

Mayor Schmidtzkrieg did take the opportunity to express his concern that the Council should understand the City budget is still $2 million in the hole and that they are "adding to the budget money we don't have." If they are going to recommend additional expenditures, they "should also be recommending commensurate cuts to cover those expenditures."

The PRU Crew gets the feeling that the "return" on these "investments" will produce barely more for the community of Park Ridge than did our "investment" in pursuit of a Peotone airport.

After voting unanimously to give tax dollars to these various community groups, the Council COW pies mooved on to other agenda items, but we'll leave coverage of all that for the local rags.

Finally, after going through the public agenda items and giving away public dollars to various private not-for-profit groups, the City Council again adjourned to closed session to discuss "collective negotiating matters". We're sure that went real well. You never can do enough to demonstrate to City staff how serious you are about containing expenses.

B.O.H.I.C.A.!

Mayor Schmidtzkrieg!

At last night's City Council meeting, 1st ward Alderman Dave Schmidtzkrieg took the oath of office and became Mayor Schmidtzkrieg of the City of Park Ridge!

Welcome to gavel management, Mayor Dave!

The PRU Crew saw that Cecil B. DeMelidosian had his trusty video camera at hand last night, and we hope to be able to embed another YouTube offering here on our blog.

After the swearing in of the City Cluck, Betty Henneman, and our new Mayor, the Council did discuss some matters of actual city business.

Mayor Dave was tasked with breaking a couple of tie votes, and under the Mayor's report portion of the agenda, Mayor Dave told the Council he believes they must again review and amend the city budget -- passing an unbalanced budget is not a responsible action.

The future is looking brighter already!

Peaceful Revolution!

'Spirit of 76' -- by Archibald MacNeal Willard


Good day PRU readers!

President John F. Kennedy once said, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable." And the PRU Crew remains grateful to our Founding Fathers for undertaking violent revolution to secure our nation's independence and then installing a system by which posterity can partake of peaceful revolution, according to various election cycles.

Tonight, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall (.pdf), you may wish to witness what peaceful revolution looks like -- the peaceful transfer of power --

6. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE BY JUDGE JORGE ALONSO

a. Betty W. Henneman, City Clerk

b. David F. Schmidt. Mayor

c. Presentation of Badge of Office to Mayor David F. Schmidt

(RECESS FOR REFRESHMENTS)

Mayor-elect Dave Schmidtzkrieg will take the oath of office and become Mayor Schmidtzkrieg, here on PRU anyway. We expect the conventional press and most others to call him Mayor Schmidt.

How sweet it is!

A Letter from Mayor-elect Dave Schmidtzkrieg!

The PRU Crew has been told Mayor-elect Dave is heading out of town for a tropical vacation. We hope he enjoys the rest and takes some time to clear his head.

On Monday, we received a copy of the following letter from our Mayor-elect, and it is published here for your review.


April 7 was a tremendous day for ordinary citizens who have felt left out of the political process. Although some have mentioned that voter turnout was low, there were actually more votes cast in this mayoral election than there were four years ago. And the results of the referenda on the police station sent an unmistakable message to the aldermen which they have received and appear willing to respect.

More importantly, many people became involved who had never done so before. That bodes well for our city. The more people who participate in the political process, the better off we will all be.

I want to thank all of the residents who came out to vote for me. I was touched that nearly 5000 people were willing to put their trust in me. I will do my best to earn that trust. I will also do my best to earn the trust of those who did not vote for me or who did not vote at all. I will be your mayor as well. There is much work to be done and problems to solve. I will need the entire community's support as the City Council, the City staff and I address those problems.

I have already taken the first steps in fulfilling a major campaign promise: that is making flood relief and the sewer system our city government's highest priority. My Flood Relief Task Force is already taking shape and will be getting to work as soon as possible. I am also heartened by what appears to be a commitment from a majority of the aldermen to shift their focus away from building a new police facility at this time so that we can address the flooding issue.

I am not a perfect person and will no doubt make many mistakes along the way. However, I promise that my mistakes will be honest ones and that I will own up to them and try to learn from them. I ask the residents to be patient as the aldermen and I search for solutions to the many problems we face. Most of all, I ask the citizens to stay involved. The solutions to many of our problems lie in your ideas which you should feel free to share. I will listen to you and I will learn from you. Thank you again.

Quickie Council Recap!

Good afternoon, PRU readers!

Last night the City Council met and our sources report a lot of tired faces, especially the face on the man who will soon be vacating the big chair. We're also told there was a small and polite smattering of applause as Mayor-elect Dave Schmidt entered the council chamber.

The council meeting began with the usual niceties and then moved on to passage of the consent agenda, which included the final reading of the approval of an ordinance for a special use to allow stadium lights at Maine South High School.

As our regular PRU readers may recall, anything on the consent agenda is not subject to discussion unless an Alderman pulls it off the consent agenda. We're told there were some unhappy campers in the audience who didn't quite understand how that works.

The council then passed some proclamations. Among the proclamations were honors for the Main South Hawkettes Varsity and Junior Varsity squads. We're told parking around City Hall was at a premium.

The council also passed a resolution proclaiming April to be Fair Housing month. Ms. Nan Parson, of the Fair Housing commission, said a few words and wished Mayor Howard well for the future. Our sources tell us Mayor Howard looked as if he wasn't paying attention. This does not come as a surprise to the PRU Crew.

The council then moved on to the first reading of an ordinance creating an O'Hare Airport Commission. Alderman Frank Wsooooolman (7th ward) amended the ordinance to include the requirement that the commission make recommendations to the City Council regarding action to be taken in the area of health issues related to O'Hare airport.

After the amendment to the ordinance was unanimously passed by the council, the 6th ward's Unfriendly Ghost, Ald. Tom Carey, decided it was time to ask about the amendment. He inquired as to Ald. Wsooooolman's intent, which Ald. Wsooooolman explained as being in recognition of health related issues, as opposed to simply recommendations about how to deal with noise issues. With the explanation having been given, the council unanimously passed the first reading of the ordinance creating the city's O'Hare Airport Commission.

The PRU Crew is wondering how much will be budgeted from the City's dwindling coffers for the operation of this commission.

Under new business, Mayor-elect Dave Schmidt recognized Mrs. Gerry Butler who was also in attendance at the meeting. For those who may not know, Mrs. Butler is the wife of former Park Ridge Mayor Marty Butler. Mrs. Butler was one of those who urged Ald. Dave to run for mayor, and she served as his campaign chairman. Mrs. Butler received a standing ovation from those in attendance, with the exception of Mayor Howard.

Also under new business, Mayor-elect Dave Schmidt said he would be creating a Flood Control Task Force and asked that those interested in serving on such a task force submit their names to the City.

The PRU Crew feels most task forces are window dressing for problems the city doesn't know quite how to manage. However, if this task force should demand that the city's entire sewer system be video taped, and that the video tapes currently being made of the city's sewer system are thoroughly examined and explained, they may just produce something useful in the way of information. The City Council lacks any real depth of understanding of the current state of the City's inner-structure and sewer system.

With that the City Council adjourned to closed session to review and approve other closed session minutes, and to discuss pending litigation.

We are told Mayor Howard couldn't clear the room fast enough -- hollering for everyone to vacate the chamber so they could get started on their closed session, even while some Aldermen had left the room to take a bathroom break.

And there you have it people! A quickie council recap!

Let's Close the Curtain.

As our regular readers know, the PRU Crew supports Dave Schmidt in his run for Mayor. At the risk of not having any more corruption to tell you about on an almost daily basis, we urge everyone else to do the same.

We are grateful to Dave for taking this long-shot chance, and running against someone he was warned would pull every dirty trick in the book -- someone whose perversion and depravity knows no bounds.

We've watched as Dave has endured the grinding of his character, his reputation, and the use and abuse of his innocent family members. But Dave has stayed the course and stayed out of the gutter.

In Dave Schmidt we see the opportunity for Park Ridge government to again become an institution of, by, and for the people. Dave Schmidt's record as an Alderman is replete with highlights of his being the voice of the people as important issues have come before the council.

Tomorrow is election day. The polls open at 6 a.m.* and close at 7 p.m. We hope all of you will find time to cast your vote. This election hinges on your turning out and refusing to let the local power brokers and their uninformed sheep control the game.

For all the reasons we've ever written about on this blog -- for all the lies, secretive dealings, incompetence, and failings we've observed in the Frimark administration, isn't it time we put an end to the Cocky Howard Horror Show?



* voterinfonet.com correction! Thanks to a PRU reader.

Cecil B. DeMelidosian!

The Question -- Should we televise Council meetings?




The Question -- What effect will the casino have on the citizens of Park Ridge?




The Question -- Now that it looks like the casino is in place, do you think there is a way to make it a benefit to Park Ridge?




The Question -- What is your position on taking campaign contributions from businesses that do business with the city?




The Question -- Explain your position on the need for a new police station.




The Question -- Explain why Park Ridge Taxi can't have competition.




Addendum: By request.
The Question -- How do you feel about Red Light cameras?




To view all the video segments of the last debate go to Melidosian's Videos

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

In limerick style --

Howard Frimark is now Park Ridge Mayor
He fancies himself quite the player
Despite many folk's squeals
He keeps making his deals
For his pals, Howard's quite the purveyor!

The city budget is bleeding red ink
And taxpayers are making a stink
DiPietro is wary
He thinks Schmidt is quite scary
If Schmidt wins, DiPietro may need a shrink!

Benedict Ryan, Allspaghetti and Bachtard
Have all kept up their guard
If a new Mayor's in place
They'll have egg on their face
And their egos could become highly scarred!

What can we say about Carey
His mind seems a bit more than airy
He's playing his part
And tries hard to sound smart
But shows himself quite the contrary!

Then there is Alderman Wsol
Who we think is really quite droll
We have the impression
He loves a closed session
And he can't tell his head from a hole!

Now comes one candidate Schmidt
Whose brow is often quite knit
As he runs for election
He's met with affection
As folks learn Howard's quite full of shit!

Election day is coming up quick
There are two candidates from which you can pick
Four more years in the dark
Is what you'll get from Frimark
So please, please don't vote for that...guy!

All Things AWOL!

#1. -- Petty theft politics

The PRU Crew continues to read comments and receive emails about Schmidt campaign signs going awol during the night. What surprises us is that anyone is surprised by this turn of events.

Remember people, Mayor Howard is the guy who personally imposed himself into an effort by private citizens to collect petition signatures for their referendum effort -- free speech and the democratic process be damned. Never mind that Mayor Howard does not practice what he preaches.

Is anyone really surprised that suspected Frimark supporters may be channelling the mind-set of their leader by denying free speech to fellow citizens through acts of petty theft of campaign yard signs?

We've got news for you, the petty political tricks will get worse before all is said and done.


#2. -- Petty cash?

Some PRU readers may remember that back in April 2008 we discussed the Shrinkage in spending on street resurfacing. The PRU Crew was crabbing about cut backs on infrastructure maintenance, the burgeoning city budget which is funded primarily through property taxes, and stupid spending decisions for "space needs studies" and "vision" plans.

According to a document forwarded to us -- we guess it's too much to ask that these documents appear on the City website -- we can see that street resurfacing isn't the only item where cut backs have taken place, or where over-spending a budget line item has become an issue.

2007-2008 Capital Project Summary

Our discussion last April was intended to get PRU readers to begin paying attention to the City budget process. And we included a link to a Herald-Advocate article that invited citizens to comment on the proposed City budget.

Well once again it's that time of year people! Pay attention and speak up now!


#3. -- Petit agenda

Tonight's City Council meeting agenda (.pdf) is again serving up a menu of items on the consent agenda -- 5 out of 7 items, to be precise, along with one closed session to discuss the discipline, performance, dismissal or employment of specific employee(s) pursuant to Chapter 5, Act 120, Section 2(c)(1) of the ILCS (review appointment of a Department Director).

One of the probable reasons for the City Council agendas being short on items for public discussion is likely because many people understand that the closer the election comes, the less they want the mumbler in the big chair and his Alderlapdogs yapping for the official record! Not that any of the City's official records ever quite accurately capture the discussions that take place during meetings, and that is why the PRU Crew will again try to post a council recap tomorrow.

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.

Benedict Alderman Ryan, Illustrated Again!

For your reading pleasure, we've copied and posted 5th Ward Benedict Alderman Ryan's latest communication to constituents.

We feel strongly that if Benedict Alderman Ryan believes 1st Ward Alderman Dave Schmidt has done something illegal then Benedict Alderman Ryan should file a complaint with the proper authorities. Enforcement of the law is one of the responsibilities of elected officials.



As for the rest of Benedict Alderman Ryan's letter -- we'll leave it to PRU readers to comment.

February Freewheeling!

From: visualparadox.com -- free wallpapers

1. -- A slice of COW pie!

As we reported yesterday, at last night's COW meeting the City Council intended to discuss hiring a consultant to assist them in hiring a consultant to assist them in consulting on building a new police station.

Our sources tell us, instead the City Council voted unanimously to defer any action on the issue of hiring a consultant and the police station until after the April election.

Today we've also received a press release from Alderman Dave detailing his request to have city staff look into the possibility of using the city-owned vacant house at 229 S. Courtland as a means of easing the crowded conditions in the current police station.

Stay tuned!

2. -- Place your bets!

PRU readers have posted comments directing us to an online update in the Herald-Advocate. It seems the Pioneer local may have decided to really take advantage of this new fangled thang called the internet!

In the update we read that Mayor Howard "said he plans to tell the board that the proposed casino site west of River Road and north of Devon Avenue will only aggravate traffic congestion in Park Ridge and could result in an increase in crime as well." Which sounds a lot different from Mayor Howard's original statement in the press -- "Frimark acknowledged the casino "will probably increase traffic flow through town," but added, "I don't see it having a real negative effect."

The article goes on to report, "This will be the first time a representative from Park Ridge will address the Gaming Board regarding the Des Plaines casino site."

Good old Mayor Howard! Always fashionably late to the party -- or make that, just late to the party in his usual fashion.

3. -- Doo da! Doo da!

Another Herald-Advocate online update mentioned in a comment from a PRU reader lets us know that at least one Park Ridge Park Board hopeful, Walter Mizialko, may have his hat caved in and a pocket full of tin! Doo da! Doo da!

The report says, "Walter Mizialko, 62, turned himself in at the Park Ridge Police Station on Feb. 3 after a Lake County warrant was issued for his arrest. Park Ridge police did not release that Mizialko had been arrested until today, and details of the charge were not immediately available from Park Ridge or the Lake County State's Attorney's Office."

"Mizialko, who is running for the Park Ridge Park Board on a four-member slate backed by the Service Employees International Union, said he will continue his campaign."

As we told one of our friendly correspondents, "Putting this guy in a position to manage other people's money is one of the worst ideas we've ever heard!"

Mr. Mizialko, unless you are running to be first in line for the glue factory, we think you may want to give serious consideration to putting your campaign out to pasture.

Squawk Squawk!

Back in late December of 2008, Alderman Dave issued a press release challenging Mayor Howard to eight debates -- one to be held in each ward, and then a city-wide forum for the benefit of the general public.

Mayor Howard sure wasn't interested in that idea.

And now it appears that Mayor Howard isn't even interested in attending the traditional public forums for debate which he has attended in the past.

In an online update for one of the local rags, we read Frimark kicks debate to the 'CURRB'. The article quotes Mayor Howard as saying, "I've selected more professionally structured debates with organizations that actually do debates on a regular basis," Frimark said. "I think we'll cover whatever we need to cover in those three debates." Translation -- debates where members of the general public aren't, in Mayor Howard's words, "jumping up and asking questions," a reference to the more informal structure of the CURRB forums." Translation of the translation and twisting a phrase -- Mayor Howard don't want nobody's questions nobody pre-screened.

The article goes on to quote CURRB forum organizer Judy Barclay saying, "Barclay argued that the CURRB forum is a "credible" event that audiences and candidates alike have enjoyed. While she would not say definitively that it will be scrapped, she questioned how a forum could be conducted with only one mayoral candidate."

The PRU Crew seems to recall several aldermanic candidates being invited to past forums despite their having no opposition. It is our opinion that CURRB should proceed with their forum and if Mayor Howard is a debate pooper that's his loss.

We feel the opportunity provided by CURRB's forum, for questions to candidates from the general public, is a service to the voters of Park Ridge and a fundamental foundation of a healthy, participatory democracy.

They May Try This Next!

By: Gary Larson, The Far Side


As regular PRU readers know, we usually post a city council recap the day after city council meetings. But yesterday we decided to bite the bullet and post about the O'Hare expansion issue -- we felt we had sat on the topic without comment for long enough. We had been looking to find something, anything, to offer PRU readers on the O'Hare issue as a beacon of possibility, so we took our sweet time researching the issue. We are grateful we didn't get a beating.

So thank you for your patience! And once again today we have a quickie council recap for you, plus a snippet.

Today's recap has been written and submitted by a guest reporter -- Naomi de Plume! We are grateful for the opportunity to publish this guest perspective.

We've got a sneaking feeling that the next move Mayor Howard and his Aldermorons may try, to get people to stop paying attention, is to feign death! We say everybody should hold out for the real McCoy!

O.k. -- we're just kidding about that...mostly.

Enjoy!

Council Recap!

Howard Frimark’s handpicked City Council started off the new year the way it spent all of 2008, thumbing its noses at the residents of Park Ridge. In a precursor of things to come, almost every matter on the agenda was designated as a “consent” item, meaning there was no discussion at all before they were approved. Get used to it.

Most of the evening’s festivities centered on the Council’s ill-conceived plan to go to a Committee-of-the-Whole process. Incredibly, Fourth Ward Alderman Jim All-spaghetti even admitted, proudly in fact, that now the Council will be able to put almost every issue on a consent agenda and forego public debate at Council meetings, because all of the discussions will already have taken place at the COW meetings!

Rubber stamps will be in short supply in 2009, because the Council will be using them all. So if you happen to be a resident who chooses to attend Council meetings to find out what the Council is up to, well you’re out of luck. When Alderman Dave Schmidtzkrieg warned that the COW process was inherently flawed because the public will have even less opportunity to follow what the Council is up to, he was told that any alderman who wants to can pull an item off the consent agenda. Right. We can see it now: an alderman will do just that, say his piece, and the others will sit there in stony silence or criticize the offending alderman for wasting their time since the discussion has already occurred. Dollars to donuts that All-spags himself will be the first guy to say just that. And what if a citizen wants to pull an item off the consent agenda? Well, tough luck. You don’t count.

Once that fiasco was through, Alderman Schmidt updated the Council on the citizens’ efforts to get a police facility referendum on the April ballot. He reported that Joe Egan & Co. have obtained over 1000 signatures despite the fact that Park Ridge experienced its most inhospitable December weather in years. Schmidt implored the Council to do the right thing and listen to the residents who want to have a voice in this matter by doing in 5 minutes what it has taken these valiant citizens weeks of braving snow and cold and rain to accomplish. The reaction from the other aldermen? Stony silence. Better get used to that as well.

Naomi de Plume
Cub reporter for the Underground


Snippet!

We've been wondering what the Journal & Topics has been up to because we hadn't seen anything come over the wires from them in a while -- now we know! They're upgrading their web site; welcome to a brave new world, Journalites!

And here's a sample of the JOURNALonline to come, along with an explanation of something we've been scratching our heads about too!

Council Recap -- SSSHHHHH!

Our sources report that last night's City Council meeting was business as usual for the forces of darkness.

After the usual beginning niceties, including congratulations for our Maine South Football Champions, Mayor Howard let everyone know he's a day late and a dollar short on chasing the O'Hare noise problem. While Mayor Howard was doing his Rip Van Winkle impression, when he wasn't voting to pull out of the Suburban O'Hare Commission, the problem of noise and the new runway configuration at O'Hare was creeping up on the citizens of Park Ridge. But now Mayor Howard, and one of his more drooling alderdogs, Don Bachtard (3rd ward), are "challenging the FAA" to provide answers to questions about the jet noise. If either of these idiots had bothered to pay attention to this issue over the last several years, they would find all the answers they're now looking for in the meeting minutes of the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission. Or they could have spent an afternoon in the park on the North end of Park Ridge for a taste of things that were to come.

"Challenging the FAA" -- that is very funny stuff!

Next on the council agenda was 1st ward Alderman Dave Schmidt's report and resolution request to put the issue of building a new police station to a referendum vote. In stark contrast to the treatment of every other single resolution undertaken by the council, our sources report that Mayor Howard would not allow Ald. Dave to read an opening statement to begin his report and then offer a motion to adopt the resolution. When Ald. Dave began speaking, Mayor Howard cut him off asking for a motion. Ald. Dave then read the shorter text of the referendum question and motioned the item up for discussion and debate. Mayor Howard then asked for a second to the motion, as required by Roberts Rules of Order, so that discussion and debate could begin. Our sources report that for the first time, Mayor Howard proceeded very slowly through the process of asking for a second -- asking three times if there was anyone to second the motion. All the other aldermen on the council remained silent, and the motion died -- along with the possibility of a public discussion and debate -- for lack of a second.

The PRU Crew feels that, no matter where anyone falls on the issue of building a new police station, everyone should have the guts to discuss, debate and defend their position publicly. And if you are an elected representative of the people, you are obligated to grab hold of your fortitude and tell the people of Park Ridge, in an open forum, why you don't feel they should have a direct and explicit say on the issue through a referendum vote.

We're told two members of the audience rose to address the council after bearing witness to the shenanigans, calling the council's action -- or lack of action -- "appalling" and "sorely disappointing."

The City Council then moved on to other business which included debate and discussion, in great detail, of whether or not to allow businesses to advertise that they have televisions in their establishment, and whether or not minors can play arcade games in an establishment "when accompanied by a person twenty-one years of age." We are told the discussion of keeping our local youth safe from the ills of arcade games took about 30 minutes, and the ordinance passed on a final vote of 5 (Schmidt, Bach, Allegretti, Ryan, and Carey) to 2 (DiPietro and Wsol).

We bet our readers may be wondering why the council was willing to spend a half hour on the minutia of the liquor ordinance, while foregoing any discussion on the potential expenditure of an estimated $20million dollars and a referendum vote. The PRU Crew feels anyone wondering about that should contact their alderman and the Mayor, and ask.

The final highlight in the council's actions last night was to tell PRC Partners, the development entity for Target Area 2 (Uptown), they would have to wait another two weeks before the council would again consider their request to lease space to service provider, Coldwell Banker, instead of a sales tax generating business.

We're told the discussion between the council and two of the partners for PRC began very cordially, but as it became clear the council wasn't in a mood to again give a concession to PRC, the partners became somewhat testy and said the city wasn't likely to ever see the originally promised profit sharing, and that the city should take this deal now. The partners also let it be known that every payment made to the city now, in return for the city's concessions to PRC, is included as an expense that is added to the project. What this means, people, is that PRC is adding expenses to the ledger which will almost guaranty that the city never sees a dime of profit from the project, because if the 11% target return for PRC partners isn't met, then the city is left out of the calculation for profit taking. So, is there anybody out there who would be willing to settle for an 8% return on an investment? We're betting the PRC partners will be just fine with that.

Alderman James Allspaghetti (4th ward) asked what would happen with the potential tenant if the council didn't approve the deal in a timely manner? The partners for PRC said they weren't sure what the potential tenant would do, but that it was important to approve the concession. We are told Allspaghetti then launched into one of his long winded and circular ramblings about approving the concession because the empty spaces in the new development are bad!

We are also told that a member of the audience then rose to address the council and, citing "the interest of full disclosure", said that Coldwell Banker is already leasing space in town and that if they were to move into the new development another, larger space would become vacant.

The PRU Crew has long heard that PRC Partners has spent a great deal of time trying to "canibalize" other local businesses in their efforts to fill up their development.

We give big PRUdos to the council for deferring action on this item until the costs to the city can be more fully understood. However, we're not foolish enough to believe the council will see this one through, and we think PRC will eventually get exactly what they're asking for again.

Back in the Saddle!

We hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving with lots of leftovers!

Tonight's City Council agenda (.pdf) is full of fun! The items of particular interest to the Crew are 1st Ward Alderman Dave Schmidt's resolution for a referendum on the question of building a new police station, the agreement to let PRC Partners lease space to another service business that doesn't generate retail sales tax revenue, and an agreement that will allow Red Speed, the red light camera company, to line their pockets at taxpayer expense.

We hope to be able to publish a recap tomorrow!

Sunshine Superman! -- Updated!

By: daniellefave

Many of you may remember that back in March Alderman Dave Schmidtzkrieg got into trouble with Mayor Howard and his council lapdogs for daring to disclose public business to the public.

The PRU Crew decided to nominate Ald. Dave for a Sunshine Troublemaker of the Week award, and Ald. Dave won!

The Open Records blog wrote, "Alderman Schmidt’s response to a “resolution of condemnation” signed by the Mayor and several other alderman is that it is an: …illegal resolution [which] will have absolutely no effect on how I conduct myself as an alderman, so the mayor’s behind-the-scenes machinations were a complete waste of time.”

As with most things, time is the test. So we are very pleased to see that Ald. Dave is making good on his promise to continue to be open and honest with the public. And we are very pleased to see Ald. Dave has made that promise part of his campaign platform.

Addendum -- The fine folks over at the Open Records blog have taken notice!