Yeah, that should work.

Mayor Howard Frimark described his recent Road Trip! to Washington, D.C. as a "success". We feel he must have been talking about the miracle of flight and his plane landing safely at O'Hare. Other than that, we're not sure what about the trip could be described as a "success".

Having allowed requests for Federal grant funds to languish for two years, Mayor Frimark finally decided to "follow-up" on Park Ridge's grant requests by hitting the road to D.C., along with City Manager Tim Schuenke, and Director of Economic Development Kim Uhlig; insisting that they must talk with Federal legislators on "their turf"."

After Frimark's having spent time and effort smearing Schakowsky locally, of the three Federal legislators Frimark promised to meet with, it was only Schakowsky who made herself available to Frimark and his team. Mayor Frimark was un-successful in arranging meetings with either Durbin or Obama, on any turf.

Upon the Mayor's "successful" return, he acknowledged that Schakowsky told him "all the appropriation money for this year is already gone." Nothing like checking and planning ahead there Mr. Mayor!

Of course the Mayor would never pass up an opportunity to be gracious himself and, as reported in last week's Journal & Topics, he told a reporter of his meeting with Schakowsky, "Unfortunately, we haven't gotten anything at all from her."

So let's see now, the only Federal legislator who made time to meet with the Mayor, instead of passing him off to staffers, gets a sour grapefruit in the face upon his "successful" return.

Yeah, that should work as a step in the right direction to "position the city" for a portion of that "large appropriations bill" in 2009.

D'oh!

Every other month, the residents of Park Ridge receive a copy of the city's newsletter: the Spokesman, and the October issues have arrived!

As usual, this month's Spokesman includes a message from the Mayor. You must know how much we love that!

As usual, this mayoral installment is a gem! Should you be one of the tortured few who has been paying attention to the history and background of all that is contained in the Mayor's address, you should be particularly amused!

Back in September we told you about the Mayor's Road Trip! In this month's issue of the Spokesman, the mayor explains that he, along with the City Manager (Tim Schuenke) and Director of Economic Development (Kim Uhlig) are traveling to Washington, D.C. so they can "confer with our Federal Legislators on their turf". That sounds so tough and romantic, doesn't it? Like three young and idealistic friends off to the big city to try to get into show business - hoping for their big break!

Except "the turf" of those Federal Legislators is right back here in Illinois, where all three of those legislators have offices, and one of those legislators, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, has an office right here in Park Ridge.

You see, Federal Legislators go to Washington, D.C. to conduct the business (we use the term loosely) of government. They go to Washington, D.C. to work, and spar, and jockey and joust, and debate issues with each other on behalf of our nation, but also and often more importantly on behalf of their constituents back home living on their turf...on their home turf. If there is one thing Federal Legislators understand, it's where they come from.

Instead of just telling our Federal Legislators there in Washington, D.C. about what is wanted back here in Park Ridge, the Mayor, City Manager, and Economic Development Director could have asked all of our Federal Legislators to actually spend some time here when they were in town, hearing and seeing for themselves what is wanted here, for the the people of Park Ridge. The Mayor, City Manager and Economic Development Director could have taken our Federal Legislators on a guided tour of Park Ridge to see and be seen, here, in Park Ridge. Federal Legislators live for those kinds of "I feel your pain" photo ops! Just like the one Mayor Tony Arredia of Des Plaines conducted for Dick Durbin when he was in town a couple of weeks ago.

And let's not forget that Federal Legislator, Barack Obama, is conducting a presidential primary campaign. Surely he would "feel our pain" if he were to be invited back to his home turf to do so.

The Mayor could also have asked another of those Federal Legislators, Jan Schakowsky, to stop by his home for a quick cup of coffee last weekend; Schakowsky was literally up the block from the Mayor's home, here, in Park Ridge on Saturday working on behalf of two local Park Ridge residents who are candidates for office. And here's another free clue just for Mayor Frimark; he could have looked like a confident, bridge-building, 'I can work with anyone to advocate for the good of Park Ridge' kind of Mayor.

But then, there's not much that is tough and romantic in a story about coffee and conversation. You won't get any press coverage out of that either.

Still, we hope the Mayor's trip brings home more than just the bills to Park Ridge taxpayers for the costs of hotel accommodations, transportation, and meals.

Road Trip!

Frimark Will Lead Team To D.C. In Search Of Cash

Mayor Howard Frimark will lead a team on a trip to Washington, D.C., in October seeking federal money for several projects.

"We're following up on a list we've submitted over the last two years," he explained. He, Director of Economic Development Kim Uhlig, and City Manager Tim Schuenke plan the trip for Oct. 2-3.

The team hopes to meet with U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-9th) as well as U.S. senators Barack Obama and Dick Durbin.

We've heard that the wheels of government turn slowly, and now we know why - "following up" takes two years.

We could have loaned the mayor our map of Chicago so he could have found these three elected officials' local offices some time during the last two years, but...

You see folks, it's like this...

A headline that reads "Frimark Will Lead Team to Chicago In Search of Cash" just doesn't have that same adventurous ring! Particularly when a significant portion of the Park Ridge population makes the same trip every day of the work week.

Hey Howard, you might want to go low key when you ask Schakowsky for money for Park Ridge. She may remember you used her to smear your opponent during your mayoral campaign, because your opponent received a modest campaign contribution from her - the same amount you received this past March from Jack Owens, Norwood's former variance czar. You wouldn't want Schakowsky to think you are some kind of ass, since now it is you who is asking her for money.