Billboards And Bullshit, Baby!

Some of our faithful PRU readers may remember the shock, SHOCK, former Mayor Howard offered about local businesses becoming involved in local political matters -- we discussed the topic here.

We noted in the linked piece above that former Mayor Howard launched his 2009 mayoral campaign inside Morningfields Market on Devon Avenue in Park Ridge. We've also noted the first mention of billboards was on former Mayor Howard's campaign website -- in our post here, we said, "And we hope Mayor Howard isn't serious about licensing billboards in town!" Looks like former Mayor Howard was very serious.

And now it looks like close associates of former Mayor Howard are still very serious about billboards in Park Ridge.

As some of you may be aware, the owner of Morningfields Market, where former Mayor Howard launched his 2009 campaign, is none other than local attorney, Frank DiFranco --



Our faithful PRU readers may also have taken note of Mr. DiFranco's recent public interest in the topic of billboards. In an article posted on the Herald-Advocate website, it is noted -- "Other residents, including Park Ridge attorneys who share a law office with Allegretti, expressed support for the billboards, saying the city needs the revenue at this time.

"$600,000 is a substantial amount of money," said attorney Frank DiFranco. "I think the city needs to find more ways to get revenue other than through property tax."

Aw Frankie, you are a real good guy to show up and support your pal, 4th ward Alderman Jim Allspaghetti in his fervent quest to see to it the City of Park Ridge gets back on its financial feet!

And the PRU Crew thinks the fliers being distributed at your Morningfields Market are positively priceless!
Morning Fields Billboard Flier

Absolutely priceless! Absolutely bullshit, too!

But Frankie, we do have to confess -- we sure hope you didn't write up that flier! Do your briefs read like that? Shocking!

You are right, Frankie, Park Ridge residents should care about the City of Park Ridge running multiple year budget deficits in multiple millions. Hey Frankie, where you been for the last 5 years, buddy?

Frankie, we hate to break it to you but...the $400,000 offered up front won't make a dent in the budget deficit and because of the very fact that there is a budget deficit, that $400,000 won't do a thing to cap property taxes, even if the City of Park Ridge can find some way around the court ruling that impact fees for billboards are unconstitutional.

We've got some other bad news for you, Frankie. The $200,000 over the next 20 years of living with billboards would barely go beyond the costs of covering city staff efforts for inspections.

On the Pub-dog's blog, somebody commented, "It’s interesting that guys who would never be caught dead at a PR Council meeting were there; Frank DiFranco, Dave Nelli, Jim Debruzzi. Now I get that there are many family relationships in place but still, why would they all show up for this particular issue if they didn't have skin in the game?"

Hey Frankie, you're working your attorney tail off on this one, buddy, though we have to confess, we aren't impressed with the effort.

Hey Frankie, you got some skin in the game?

PRCC Videos 11-02-09!

Something the PRU Crew would appreciate our readers keep in mind --

Article 2 of the Municipal Code -- Corporate Seals, Emblems And Policies

Chapter 5 -- Ethics Provisions

Subsection 2 -- Disclosure Statement

Item D. -- Policy

Says...

Disclosure of Economic Relationship

1. Policy Statement

One of the primary duties of a City Official is to Act on Matters where a Petitioner is seeking Consideration from the City. From time to time, a City Official may be required to Act on a Matter in circumstances where the City Official is involved in an Economic Relationship with a Petitioner.

It is the intent of this section that it be construed broadly for the purpose of granting to the citizens of Park Ridge full knowledge of the dealings of City Officials as those dealings may relate to City business.

2. Disclosure Required

When a City Official is called upon to Act on a Matter in the course of his or her official duties, the City Official shall publicly disclose any Economic Relationship the City Official has with a Petitioner prior to Acting on the Matter, where either: (1) the City Official has a current Economic Relationship with a Petitioner; or (2) the City Official has had a previous Economic Relationship with a Petitioner while the City Official knew that the Petitioner was seeking Consideration from the City; or, (3) the City Official is actively pursuing an opportunity to establish an Economic Relationship with the Petitioner. If disclosure pursuant to this policy would violate a confidential relationship between the City Official and the Petitioner, (such as an Attorney/Client privilege or HIPAA), then the City Official shall abstain from Acting on the Matter and when abstaining, need state only that the abstention is done pursuant to this policy.

In the case of Disclosure of campaign contributions, the actual amount of the contributions shall be disclosed. The Disclosure statement shall be filed prior to the time of Acting on the Matter. The City Attorney shall read the Disclosure into the record at the next regular meeting of the City Council. However, should the matter require discussion prior to such meeting, then the City Attorney shall give notice of the Disclosure to the City Manager; the City Clerk and each member of the City Council within twenty-four hours of its filing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the City Official be required or expected to disclose any matter of which the City Official does not have actual knowledge.

And now for your viewing (dis)pleasure are all 5 videos from last night's City Council theater of the absurd! We aren't going to index them today -- watch all of them.

Video #00002.MTS -- PRCC 11/2/09


Video #00003.MTS -- PRCC 11/2/09


Video #00004.MTS -- PRCC 11/2/09


Video #00005.MTS -- PRCC 11/2/09


Video #00006.MTS -- PRCC 11/2/09

Your City Council Triple Feature!

Park Ridge City Hall is going to be a busy place this evening!

The festivities will begin with a quickie meeting of the Liquor License Review Board, beginning at 6:15 pm. The City Council will then hold a Workshop on the Flood Study Report, set to start at 6:30 pm.

The most entertaining portion of tonight's gathering promises to be the regular City Council meeting scheduled to start at 7:30 pm. The agenda includes the usual niceties and consent items. However, tonight's City Council agenda also includes two items we hope people will pay close attention to.

The first item is the City Attorney's report on the ethics violation issue concerning former Mayor Howard Frimark. The City Council will first decide whether to hold their discussion in closed or open session -- of course, the PRU Crew thinks it should be held in open session since there is hardly a soul that doesn't know the issue involves the former Mayor, and it is no secret there are Aldermen with whom the former Mayor has personal and economic relationships.

The Aldermen, with whom Frimark has shared personal and economic relationships, will have a choice to make before deciding what to do with the report from the City Attorney. Those Aldermen can choose to disclose their economic relationships with former Mayor Howard Frimark, and then they can freely engage in discussion and debate and a vote on the issue. Or...those Aldermen can choose to recuse themselves from discussion and debate and a vote on the issue. Recusal allows elected officials to avoid full disclosure, as recently demonstrated by Mayor Schmidtzkrieg here (.pdf), but recusal also demands elected officials not engage in discussion, debate or a vote on an issue. We believe the choice of either disclosure or recusal is required whether or not the City Council holds the discussion in closed or open session.

It should all be terribly interesting to watch!

The second item on tonight's City Council agenda which we hope people will pay close attention to is item b. Approve first reading of Ordinance for proposed text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Zoning Case Number TA-09-02, under the Planning & Zoning Commission report.

The PRU Crew has discussed the issue both here and here. And our opinion on the matter still hasn't changed. This is a very important issue moooooving forward.

And we look forward to the videos for tomorrow!

Pronunciation: \kə-ˈrəp-shən\

From: Artist Miron Abramovici --'Let's Shake Hands'

Main Entry: cor·rup·tion

Function: noun

Date: 14th century

1 a : impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle

b : decay, decomposition

c : inducement to wrong by improper or unlawful means (as bribery)

d : a departure from the original or from what is pure or correct


The Crew thought it was worthwhile to post the definition of the word 'corruption' above. Nearly everyone uses the word almost exclusively based on its' third listed meaning. We wanted to be sure our readers understand that money need not change hands under the table for corruption to occur.

Sometimes corruption is simply the impairment of integrity. Sometimes corruption is simply a departure from what is correct.

And sometimes simply friendships can be the inducement to do something improper.

Which brings us to a recent issue reported in the news -- here and in the more conventional press.

Today's Journal & Topics front page features a story written by reporter Craig Adams -- 'Possible Ethics Violation Reviewed'

As PRU readers know, the City Council received an interim report from City Attorney Buzz Hill regarding the City's Ethics Ordinance. The City Attorney's report isn't available for public review, but all signs point to the City Attorney's opinion being that an ethics violation is likely to have occurred with the sale of insurance by former Mayor Howard Frimark to the Uptown redevelopment partners, PRC, and the Uptown Condo Homeowners Association, which allegedly solicited Frimark Insurance to bid on providing a policy.

At Monday night's City Council meeting, Frimark's attorney Jack Owens said former Mayor Frimark did not know the City would be party to the insurance coverage and did not intend to violate the ethics ordinance.

The Crew hasn't heard it offered yet, but we believe denial of knowledge of the City's Ethics Ordinance by PRC and the Condo owners association can't be far behind.

In the first comment under the PRU post from yesterday, it was noted --

"...wasn't HOward an Alderman for two years, during which time the PARTNERSHIP contract between PRC AND the City was negotiated and inked? Wasn't HOward the Mayor for four years, during which time there was much back and forth about the PARTNERSHIP contract between PRC AND the City?...and HOward didn't know the City would have a part in premium payments for any insurance policy? Really? REALLY?"

In the Journal report, the Crew noted the following quote from local attorney Jack Owens, "Owens added that the city's portion of the premium would generate a commission of $360 for Frimark's company."

News flash for Attorney Owens, et.al. -- ignorance of the law is no excuse and neither is the dollar amount involved. It's the principle of the thing!

Which brings us to the current Aldermen. Any PRU readers out there feel as we do -- that the Aldermen's ability to act with integrity just may be impaired by not only their economic relationships with former Mayor Howard Frimark, but also by their personal friendships?

Any PRU readers out there think there's another opportunity coming down the pipe for friendships or beyond to possibly induce a departure from what is correct?

Think Planning and Zoning...and beyond.

House Of Cards!

Just about everywhere one reads the news, the talk of the day is the economy. And foreclosures. And people losing their homes. The PRU Crew doesn't know anyone who hasn't felt the pinch.

In last week's Pioneer Local there was a story about Foreclosures rising fastest in northern suburbs. On the same day as the Pioneer article appeared, we published a piece about vacant homes and the necessity for enforcement of the City's property maintenance code. Also, at last Monday's City Council meeting, City Manager Jim Hock reminded the Council of the City's property maintenance code, and City staff and the Council discussed the problems of neglected properties.

However, failing to make mortgage payments isn't the only way someone can lose their home. Failing to pay property taxes is another way a homeowner can lose their property.

On July 16, 2009 beginning at 8:30 a.m. the 2007 Annual Tax Sale for delinquent property tax liens will take place. The annual tax sale is the County's attempt to move delinquent properties back onto the property tax generating rolls and collect past due payments.

When people fail to pay their taxes, we all suffer and have to pick up the slack.

Of course nobody is immune to the problems in the economy and, according to the Cook County Treasurer's records, there are a number of Maine Township properties set to be sold for delinquent taxes -- properties like the one below --



Property PIN number 09-27-414-018-0000

According to the Cook County Treasurer, former Mayor Howard P. Frimark failed to pay his 2007 2nd installment property tax bill, and it looks like he's failed to pay his 2008 1st installment property tax bill too.

After over-seeing two consecutive years of millions of dollars in deficit spending by the City of Park Ridge we find former Mayor Howard hasn't managed to keep his personal accounts in order either.

Somehow, we aren't surprised.

Budget BOHICA Recap!

As always, we thank PRU readers for their patience as the Crew gets its reports and act together -- our source reports indicate last night's meeting was even more than the usual cluster fudge, so it has taken us a bit of time to sort through things.

Our sources report that once again, in keeping with the hallmarks of the Frimark administration, the City Council approved the fiscal 2009/10 budget which, by all accounts, remains unbalanced -- there is still a $1.8 million deficit in the overall budget.

Despite the looming budget deficit, Benedict Alderman Robert Ryan (5th ward) recommended restoring full funding to various community groups, along with restoring funding for weekend cleaning of Uptown. In reference to community groups, we are told Ryan said "every dollar spent on volunteer community groups returns 20% in value." We're going to let that stand as it's own punchline.

However, we do agree with Ryan's preference for continuing to fund weekend cleaning of Uptown. We mean this in the nicest way -- people are slobs -- maintaining some level of tidiness in one of our core business districts would seem to be an imperative.

In reaction to Benedict Ald. Ryan's comments, some member(s) of the audience engaged in muffled laughter, at which time Benedict Ald. Ryan complained to outgoing Mayor Howard of "audience noise." Outgoing Mayor Howard, never one to miss a chance to be petty, punitive and unprofessional, seized his last council meeting opportunity to prove the city budget isn't the only thing in city government that could be considered undeniably unbalanced. We are told outgoing Mayor Howard commanded that audience members refrain from "smirking or smiling", and they may not raise their hands. Outgoing Mayor Howard also threatened that he would demand acting Chief of Police Tom Swoboda physically remove anyone "smirking or smiling or raising their hands." We are told that these directives were issued in general terms but meant for those who have consistently opposed outgoing Mayor Howard's public policies and political positions.

The PRU Crew is wondering if after May 4th, we'll have anything fun like this to report to readers once outgoing Mayor Howard's powers are truly and finally taken away.

After the fun died down, our sources tell us Alderman Frank Wsooooolman (7th ward) made a motion to amend the budget and eliminate the 5% water rate increase, based in large part on the idea that the water fund is showing a $3 million dollar surplus. The motion was seconded by Mayor-elect Dave Schmidtzkrieg (1st ward) for the purpose of discussion.

As we understand it, Ald. Wsooooolman believes the water fund surplus should be drawn down in order to ease the fee burden on residents during this recession period. And Ald. Wsooooolman suggested that a new fund be created to combine the water and sewer fees which will then be used for various water and sewer related expenses, such as flood mitigation efforts.

On the surface, Ald. Wsooooolman's suggestion sounds reasonable. However, what the PRU Crew understands about municipal finance, funding, and fund accounting, reveals Ald. Wsooooolman's lack of understanding -- not in suggesting a combined water and sewer enterprise fund, but rather in suggesting that a $3 million water fund balance should be drawn down.

Without going into too much detail, we would like to point out that the general fund and nearly every other city fund is in deficit with projected deficits for the coming year. If you draw down one of the few city funds that have a surplus, you are likely to spend your way into bankruptcy.

We are told that Benedict Alderman Robert Ryan (5th ward) stated his understanding of the water fund is that it is used to fund other city projects -- revealing that Ryan does not understand the nature of municipal accounting and what is meant by "restricted funds." When Ryan made this statement, he then looked to Diane Lembesis the Director of Finance for confirmation of his statement, by saying, "Isn't that true?" Ms. Lembesis succinctly answered, "No."

Our sources report that, at this point, audience members tried to stuff their feet in their mouths to keep from "smirking, smiling, or raising their hands", and they tried hard not to laugh either.

The discussion of Ald. Wsooooolman's amendment also included a lengthy critique from Alderman James Allspaghetti (4th ward), which included Allspaghetti criticizing Ald. Schmidtzkrieg for seconding Ald. Wsooooolman's amendment, as Allspaghetti thought Schmidtzkrieg was in support of the 5% water rate increase.

When it was Mayor-elect Schmidtzkrieg's turn to speak, he explained to Ald. Allspaghetti that he believes when an alderman brings a motion to the council it should be "a courtesy to second a motion for discussion." PRUdos to Mayor-elect Schmidtzkrieg. And the PRU Crew finds it ironic but honorable in the extreme that Mayor-elect Schmidtzkrieg extended this courtesy to Ald. Wsooooolman, when Ald. Wsooooolman has previously failed to do the same.

When the council was finally ready to vote on Ald. Wsooooolman's amendment, it was defeated by a 2 to 4 show of hands, because Robert's Rules of Order are just so much stuffiness.

After more nonsensical and circular back and forth among the council, a final vote on the city budget was taken.

The unbalanced city budget was approved 4 (Schmidt, DiPietro, Allegretti, and Carey) to 2 (Wsol and Ryan).

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

We've also received reports that outgoing Mayor Howard requested a police escort to his car after the meeting. We assume this is because Mayor Howard believes someone or anyone may want to physically do harm to him. We do not believe this for a moment. Mayor Howard is soon to become an unfortunate footnote in Park Ridge's history. He lost. He's almost gone -- literally and figuratively.

To outgoing Mayor Howard, the PRU Crew would like to offer the following thoughts on the subject -- we think the unkindest cut of all is leaving you perfectly intact to have to feel, be fully aware of, and live through each dying moment of your mayoral reign. And we believe everyone else understands that too. So don't worry yourself about it. Nobody wants you to miss a thing in the days to come.

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

Name One!

In today's edition of the Journal and Topics we read that Mayor Howard thinks it was the Mighty Schmidt who, and we quote, "...chased PADS out of town." It seems clear to us that Mayor Howard finds math so hard he can't even count -- or he would be able to add up all the votes on the City Council that were cast in favor of the ordinance regulating homeless shelters. Here's a hint for you Mayor Howard -- it takes more than one vote to pass an ordinance.

But what the PRU Crew really enjoyed was Mayor Howard's discussion of the blogs, saying, "They continually, on a daily basis, put out false information and false innuendo about my candidacy."

It seems clear to us that Mayor Howard's ego causes him to believe everything is about him, as anyone interested in reading through our tags will find that of the 379 posts we have written, only 76 -- 20% -- have been dedicated to the shenanigans of Mayor Howard. But again, we all have to recognize Mayor Howard's difficulty with numbers, which may well explain the current city budget mess.

Mayor Howard, we invite you to name one piece of false information Park Ridge Underground has published about either your conduct as Mayor or your candidacy.

Name one.

We'll be waiting.

In the meantime, we will continue to publish our unadorned opinion on the bullshit that takes place in Park Ridge under your watch.

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!

Gear Up!

By now many PRU readers have visited Mayor Howard's election website and read the Q & A with Mayor Frimark talking points. We hope readers have taken the necessary precautions, such as donning hip waders while slogging through the muck that passes for Mayor Howard's talking points.

The PRU Crew has gotten a kick out of the disparity between Mayor Howard's survey questions to residents and the Q & A responses from Mayor Howard.

We also laughed about Mayor Howard's discussion of Park Ridge Commons, which is an apartment complex outside the city limits of Park Ridge, and whose owners were seeking annexation into Park Ridge a few years ago. We think Mayor Howard may have meant to discuss either the Library City Commons, which was a streetscape project (.pdf) completed a year ago and over budget, or the PRC Uptown redevelopment itself, which is where retail tenants are needed. We understand that there is a partnership agreement in place between the City of Park Ridge and PRC partners, but we also feel Mayor Howard will be as effective as a screen door on a submarine in trying to tell PRC partners, specifically the Mid-America Real Estate Group, how to go about attracting retail tenants.

The PRU Crew is pleased to note some of the critical thinking we see in the comments people have offered on our blog. We too noted the ridiculous spin required to draw a line between promoting the Taste of Park Ridge and generating sales tax revenue. And we hope Mayor Howard isn't serious about licensing billboards in town!

So people, if you haven't had a chance to read Mayor Howard's website muck, we think you should take the time to do so. Just make sure you properly gear up for the task first.

You're Soaking In It!

A front page article in today's Journal & Topics reports that State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan's effort to get a bill out of committee has failed -- due in large measure to party line votes cast by the members of the Environmental Health Committee.


Journal & Topics reporter Craig Adams writes that --


"State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan (R-65th) introduced the bill on Jan. 23 in response to concerns about debris falling onto homes and neighborhoods from planes flying into O'Hare Airport. She expressed concerns about debris, jet fuel, and noise causing problems with the environmental and the health of residents."


Apparently Rosemary did not have these concerns, or she failed to express these concerns, prior to the opening of the new 9L/27R runway at O'Hare.


As we reported to you yesterday, Mayor Howard mumbled through a reading of a press release from Rep. Mulligan on the subject of HB322 at Monday night's Council meeting -- along with detailing all his other busy-as-a-bumbler-bee activities regarding the issue of O'Hare expansion. However, the report in the Herald-Advocate article does not include Mayor Howard's reading of Rep. Mulligan's press release.


The PRU Crew was drawn to Rep. Mulligan's statement about debris falling on homes. We recalled reading an article about "yellow goo" being found on and around a home after the opening of the new 9L/27R runway at O'Hare.


So we did what we usually do, we started digging around and asking questions of some of our usual sources about whether or not debris has been reported as falling on homes in and around Park Ridge after the opening of the new runway.


We're told the only reports of "debris" falling have been the yellow goo, as reported in the Herald-Advocate.


However, we were also told that City Manager Jim Hock did report at a staff meeting on February 9, 2009, and later to our elected officials, that the FAA had determined the source of the yellow goo.


As old Palmolive Madge would say --



"We'll give you a hint -- you're soaking in it."


Setting aside Rep. Rosemary Mulligan's belated but legitimate concerns about environmental effects of jet fuel and noise, we're wondering why Mayor Howard didn't address the issue of falling debris in his comments about O'Hare, and at least set one skeptical resident's fears to rest? Does anybody think maybe Mayor Howard didn't want to make himself or Rosemary look silly?

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.

Another PRU Pot Luck!

1. -- Another COW cattle call!


The City Council has another committee of the whole (COW) meeting scheduled for this evening. On the agenda (.pdf) are a few intriguing items such as discussion of May 2008 - January 2009 Financial Results, debt limitation, formation of an O'Hare Commission, granting additional taxi licenses, and an appeals process for denials of text amendments by the Planning and Zoning board.


The PRU Crew would like to have seen some supporting documents in relation to the council's discussion of financial results, but alas, there aren't any listed for public review on the City's website. And we aren't willing to count City Manager Jim Hock's memo (.pdf) to the council as a supporting document.


It will be interesting to see if this cabal of self-professed Republicans actually act like traditional Republicans and grant additional taxi licenses to American Taxi, ensuring business competition and expanded service options for consumers in Park Ridge. Last time the subject came up (see pg. 4 of the .pdf file), Mayor Howard was just a lowly Aldermoron on February 1, 2005 and was in his first mayoral campaign for Mayor. At that time the pro-business candidate didn't seem to think expanding the business base and competition in Park Ridge was a good idea, at least where taxi service was concerned. And then two days later, Mrs. Patricia Carpenter, wife of Lee Carpenter the then-owner of Park Ridge Taxi, made sure to express her...agreement.



Finally, we can hardly wait to hear the genius justifications for why the risk of politicizing the Planning and Zoning process is a good and necessary public policy change.



2. -- Sir Walter fails to rally!


As we discussed last week in our post Rules Are Made To Be Broken, challenges to several Park Board candidate hopefuls had been filed. One of those hopeful candidates was Mr. Walter Mizialko.


Sources tell us that after Mr. Mizialko failed to appear at not one but two hearings on the matter, the Election Board has finally seen fit to remove Mr. Mizialko from the April 2009 ballot.


The challenge against the candidacy of Mr. Brandt will continue with an appeal of the Election Board's decision to the Circuit Court of Cook County.



3. -- Give the Pub-dogs another bone!


A most excellent piece -- Put Up Or Shut Up, Mr. Ryan! The PRU Crew enjoyed it!

It's Getting Embarrassing!

As we promised PRU Readers yesterday --



What a drama queen.

Don't Quote Him On Anything He Says!

As we mentioned yesterday, a Park Ridge Herald-Advocate online update reported that Mayor Howard will attend his first meeting of the Illinois Gaming Board today. The Illinois Gaming Board's open session begins at 1 p.m. "in the fifth floor auditorium at the Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St. in Chicago."

Readers are told that Mayor Howard will "tell members of the Illinois Gaming Board that the proposed Des Plaines casino will have a negative impact on his city."

In our post from yesterday, we pointed out that what Mayor Howard is saying now sounds a lot different from Mayor Howard's original statement in the press --



But now the pro-business Mayor will tell the Illinois Gaming Board "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."

Jeez! Mayor Howard is sounding almost as if he's pro-resident! Almost.

But as we've all been told, don't quote Mayor Howard on anything he says...or doesn't say...or doesn't mean...

One PRU reader seems to envision Mayor Howard's address to the Illinois Gaming Board, set to begin a short two hours from now, may go something like this --


Submitted for our amusement by a talented PRU reader.

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.

Thanks for the Memories!

Courtesy of a packrat PRU reader, today we get to take a trip down memory lane.

The first stop on our trip takes us back to a Herald-Advocate article published back in March, 2003. In it we read that Howard Frimark, when campaigning to become the Alderman for the 4th ward, showed himself to be fully aware of the issues with O'Hare expansion and the actions the City of Park Ridge should take. Frimark is reported as having said, "-- now is the time for the City of Park Ridge to negotiate what is best for the community in terms of the airport."



Unfortunately for all of us, once Howard Frimark became the Mayor, he failed to take advantage of his position of leadership, and completely ignored his own stated belief on what the City of Park Ridge should have been doing "in terms of the airport."

The next stop on our trip brings us to an article from the Journal and Topics published in March, 2005. In the article then-Mayoral candidate Howard Frimark promised that "a big priority of his work as mayor" would be his "vision" for a "flood-free Park Ridge."



The WGN Radio video below shows us that Mayor Howard either needs new glasses or a new "vision" for Park Ridge.



The PRU Crew is sure Park Ridge needs new leadership.

Thanks for the memories, Mayor Howard!