Last night the City Council, in a vote of 4 (Sweeney, DiPietro, Carey and Wsol) to 3 (Bach, Allegretti and Ryan), upheld the Mayor's veto of City Manager Hock's contract. We can't account for the apparent change of heart in Alderman Carey, but the PRU Crew approves. As we previously stated, the original contract offer was more than generous. We also believe it is in the City's best interest to make sure all payments to employees are contracted for properly. What we do not approve of is the foot-dragging irresponsibility of having let this issue languish for so long. Like it or not, that kind of irresponsibility creates instability throughout the internal workings of the City. And if controversy is added to the matter, undertaken in public discussions, multiply that instability by 100.
Also last night, despite the issue being, in our opinion, improperly listed under the Mayor's report -- because it is the City Manager's responsibility -- the issue of the vacant Finance and Budget Director position report and discussion was handled by the City Manager. We understand information about potential candidates to fill the vacancy will be given to the Mayor and City Council in the coming days. The PRU Crew is wondering if the City Manager, in hopes of cajoling our elected officials, is bringing them into the process to obtain their approval prior to his hiring a new Director of Finance -- perhaps particularly in relation to an employment contract. Otherwise, the PRU Crew is at a loss to explain what role the Mayor and Aldermen have in this process -- other than micromanagement of personnel issues by elected officials.
The O'Hare airport Resolution – Request for Supplemental Environmental Impact Study passed the Council with...we can't resist...flying colors. We're pleased this action didn't cost anything.
The above report comes on the heels of another Chicago Tribune article -- School days shrinking in Illinois.
The PRU Crew would be mighty pleased to hear the current School Board and candidate hopefuls discuss these issues and share their opinions.
Of course, the PRU Crew has opinions on both of these matters but we want to hear what the school district whizzes have to say about them first.
October 19, 2010
Tuesday Quick Hits!
March 8, 2010
Another Monday Two-fer!
#1 -- For those of you who can't get enough of municipal meetings, you're in luck! Once again this evening, there is a City Council COW -- the agenda (.pdf) is set to cover Public Safety and Public Works.
#2 -- If you didn't have a chance to attend the City Council Budget Workshop this past Saturday, you're in luck! Below are the videos with minimal indexing!
video #00000.MTS Budget Discussion 3/6/10
@ 2:00 mark -- Ald. DiPietro reiterates current budget deficit is at $227,600
@ 2:50 mark -- City Manager Hock begins review of revenue projections
@ 6:50 mark -- City Manager Hock notes the request for 5% property tax increase
@ 7:58 mark -- City Manager Hock comments, "Home values in Park Ridge seem to be holding"
@ 10:00 mark -- City Manager Hock notes the Uptown TIF is not generating enough income to cover the bond this year
video #00001.MTS Budget Discussion 3/6/10
Begins with continuing discussion of revenue projections
@ 17:15 mark -- Residents comments begin
@ 31:33 mark -- Police Dept. presentation begins
video #00002.MTS Budget Discussion 3/6/10
Begins with continuation of Police Dept. presentation
@ 12:30 mark -- Aldermanic Q & A begins
@ 25:15 mark -- Ald. Wsol makes sure the record reflects suggested cuts are not Council ideas
@ 39:50 mark -- Resident comments begin
video #00003-2.MTS Budget Discussion 3/6/10
-- replaces previous video
Begins with continuation of resident comments
@ 11:55 mark -- Ald. DiPietro calls for a short recess before Fire Dept. presentation
video #00004.MTS Budget Discussion 3/6/10
Begins with Fire Dept. presentation
@ 33:15 mark -- Review of "staffing matrix" begins
@ 42:50 mark -- Aldermanic Q & A begins
video #00005.MTS Budget Discussion 3/6/10
Begins with continuation of Aldermanic Q & A
@ 8:58 mark -- Fire Dept. presentation concludes
@ 10:11 mark -- Resident comments begin
@ 37:58 mark -- Mayor Schmidt comments
@ 38:51 mark -- Ald. Wsol comments
@ 40:19 mark -- Ald. Ryan comments
@41:11 mark -- Motion to adjourn
October 30, 2008
City Council Recap!
A quickie!
At last night's City Council meeting Mayor Howard read a statement saying, "Journeys from PADS to HOPE will not be expanding their service area to include the city of Park Ridge." Mayor Howard then said that in light of this development he was withdrawing his recommendation to the City Council for consideration of his homeless shelter contract scheme to provide the Public Works Center as a PADS site.
Mayor Howard went on to remind those in attendance that the City Council still has "difficult decisions to make" and will be discussing the remaining text amendment and licensing ordinances at their next meeting on November 17, 2008.
The work isn't over, but a big hunk of what we feel was a disaster waiting to happen has been removed. We hope our City Council will address this issue in a way that places the concerns and interests of residents and taxpayers ahead of any other special interests.
The City Council then moved on to consideration of whether or not the city's liquor ordinances should be amended to allow for arcade games and other entertainment to be allowed in establishments that serve alcohol. That action was referred back to the Procedures and Regulations Committee for further discussion.
Finally, we hear PRUdos may be in order for a certain city employee's promotion! The PRU Crew wanted to light some sparklers to celebrate, but we understand that's illegal!
Short but sweet!
September 15, 2008
How Long Can You Tread Water? - Freewheeling!
A record amount of rainfall again soaked all of us this past weekend. We hear things got a little dicey at places like Home Depot as residents were again making quick trips to purchase items such as shop-vacs. And residents are again dragging warped furniture and sodden rugs out to the curb for pick-up.
If this weren't such a regular occurrence, we'd be smacking our foreheads and downing V8 juice. Unfortunately, it's an all to frequent happening. It seems that if ComEd doesn't get us, the sewer system will.
Our Public Works, Police, and Fire personnel are to be given a hearty round of applause. We feel they did as good a job as they could, under the circumstances. Many volunteers and even our aldermen pitched in knocking on doors and sandbagging, while Mayor Howard kept Park Ridge safe from media crews by sacrificing himself to interviews.
All in all, it was a rough weekend. But as we've seen time and time again, the more demanding the task, the tougher the people of Park Ridge prove themselves to be. And many manage to stay in good humor too.
Remember folks, it could always be worse. Don't forget, ultimately it's just stuff. And to those with family down in Texas -- glad to hear everybody came through okay.
August 12, 2008
Another one bites the dust
The turnover of senior City of Park Ridge Staff moved closer to completion last Thursday (August 7) when Fire Chief Ed Dubowski announced that he will retire from the Department on Sept. 2 after 30 years of service.
Chief Dubowski worked his way up the ranks of the Department and distinguished himself in every position he held. He has won a number of awards and commendations.
No doubt he has earned his right to retire, but we still find his departure disturbing because it follows on the heels of the early retirements Police Chief Jeff Caudill, City Manager Tim Schuenke, and Community Development Director Randy Derifield, along with the resignations of Public Works Director Joe Saccomanno and Human Resources director Mike Crotty. That's the largest exodus of senior people from the City in memory.
The table was set for these departures by the previous city council's early-retirement incentive (ERI) program, which actually made it attractive for Caudill, Schuenke and Derifield to leave city employment earlier than expected. We don't like ERIs because they tend to strip local governments of their most experienced employees on the promise - usually a false one - of cost reductions resulting by the hiring of less-experienced replacements at lower compensation.
We haven't seen any of those savings yet. In fact, from what we've heard and read on the topic, new City Mgr. Jim Hock will be costing the city a lot more than his predecessor, Schuenke - although we can't imagine Hock not being worth it compared to a guy (Schuenke) who seemed to cause more problems than he solved.
June 18, 2008
I Don't Like Sparklers and Snakes!
An article in last week's Journal & Topics was brought to our attention by a PRU reader -- Firework Crackdown Includes Common Items.
In the article, Park Ridge Fire Department Lt. Jeff Sorensen is quoted as saying, "My whole thing is just life safety." We appreciate your thing, sir, but sparklers and snakes?
The piece offers the following: "The ordinance bans anything that produces "a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion or deflagration or detonation." That includes items like sparklers or snakes that are legal under state law."
The article goes on to explain, "There have also been reports of injuries from fireworks, including the sparklers that parents often give to their children.
He said a parent once told him her 2-year-old was too smart to be burned from the 1800-degree rod in his hand."
Our PRU reader submitted the following remarks on the topic:Open letter to Lt. Jeff Sorensen:
What is next for regulation in this town? My stove? In your explanation regarding the new ordinance, you are quoted as saying "anything that could hurt people or start fires." I am left thinking that since it has a flame, and you have jumped to conclusions that we are incapable of parenting our children, that perhaps that is next.
Or maybe it will be the hot water heater. Again, since the assumption is that we cannot control our children, then we can't be trusted to monitor the gauge so as to keep them from being hurt. Snakes and Sparklers are no longer available for purchase or to be used in Park Ridge? Good grief!
This used to be a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Now it is a constant wonder of big brother and lousy government. Give us a little credit. Any parent that would hand a sparkler to a two-year old and say they are too smart to get burned will need a lot more coaching than your just banning sparklers.
Crack down on the criminals who are transporting illegal fireworks over the state lines; who keep us up at night with their illegal activity; who raise the potential of burning branches or property damage and who risk personal injury. Leave us alone with our simple display of independence and let us have our sparklers and snakes back. I will read with great interest the time a tree is burned down by a snake!It seems to the reader, and to the PRU Crew too, that the new ordinance and Lt. Sorensen may be a bit over-zealous in attempts to keep the children of Park Ridge out of harms way.
We get the feeling that the next child-protective ordinance the City will pass is that all children under the age of eighteen will be required to wear bubble wrap!
And the whole sparklers and snakes ban reminded the PRU Crew of another item we recently read in the local press -- Decorative blue stones have downsides for library leaders.
In that article readers learn that Library Director, Ms. Janet "Van De Carr said members of the board are unhappy with the look of the bluestone and the fact that it is often kicked outside the area and tracked into the library. The board has also expressed concern about small children putting the stones in their mouths and about larger rocks around the tree being thrown." (emphasis added)
The PRU Crew knew about kids eating bugs and boogers, but we have to admit we had no idea about them eating rocks. Throwing rocks, yes. Eating rocks, no. We learn something new every day. Whether we like it or not.
Still, we can't help but feel that either somebody got children and chickens confused, or some parents may need to consult a nutrition expert about what may be missing from their kid's diet. Barring that, we'd like to suggest an old standby...
A little strip over the little kid pie hole and you're good to go for a trip to the Library!
Silence is golden! Duct tape is silver!
And while we're on the subject, we'd also like to suggest...
...for dumbass parents who would give anything combustible to a two year old!
