Bah Humbug Grab Bag!

The PRU Crew is in a bad mood. Sorry. Not really.


For our faithful PRU readers who look forward to viewing the City Council meeting videos, it appears you may have to wait longer than usual. The City did manage, after 48 hours, to post a 3 minute video of the Special City Council meeting -- aren't they all? -- from Monday night, but hasn't managed to post the video of the regular City Council meeting as of 10:00 AM this morning. We may have thought somebody would get a clue and realize that 3 video views in 24 hours means people aren't very interested in what's been made available, and are instead waiting for something more substantive than the Council rubber stamping approval of the tax levy. Apparently not.

The PRU Crew is wondering if any of the people posing as our representatives in local government have bothered to inquire about the delay.


For our faithful PRU readers who thought there was any hope of city officials getting the message through your majority votes on referendums, guess again. As covered in an online article by one of the local rags, we learn "no" does not mean "no." Just ask the O'Hare Airport Commission people -- they'll explain it!

And remember, way back when, we explained why Police Dept. brass was willing to keep on keepin' on with "the golden fleece boy, who answered the siren's call - hi there, Hoopty Lou, how's it going in traffic? - [who] can be kept safe for future use as a PRPD pitchman; there are not too many coppers with the ability to speak and write impressive sounding bullshit as well as Hoopty Lou can."

A new proposal for renovation and expansion of the Park Ridge Police Dept. was offered for review at the City Council's budget workshop on Tuesday night. And the PRU Crew now understands very well why no supporting documents were included on the City website for review prior to the meeting.

The PRU Crew is again wondering if any of the people posing as our representatives in local government have bothered to inquire about the lack of supporting documents being made available for public review -- and the limited demands of the law should not be an acceptable excuse.


Covered in another online article in one of the local rags is the anatomy of a travesty. While the PRU Crew more than understands the legal questions, as well as the risk of precedence, we cannot get past how thoroughly and completely the City process screwed the Vine Ave. residents.

We don't know what the answer is, but we know we haven't heard it yet. And we strongly encourage the City Council and staff to find a way to make those residents whole. What has happened to them, throughout this saga, is unacceptable and should never be allowed to happen again.


Finally, the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District Board will be meeting tonight (agenda .pdf). They are scheduled to go into closed session, which is expected to last a very very very long time. We hope the discussion includes talking really really really bad about these people!!!

In all seriousness, we wish calm heads and reasoned consideration for the Park Board as they contend with the task ahead -- it's certainly a loss, but not the end of the PRRPD world as we know it.

Good luck.

Tuesday Quick Hits!

For those interested in a quick hit update on the doings at last night's City Council meeting, this one's for you!

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.



Also at last night's Council meeting, it was reported that there are a number of 1st ward residents concerned with a proposal by the Park Ridge Park District for the installation of cell towers at Northeast Park -- which we first discussed here. As we told one of our recent correspondents -- We fully understand the concerns expressed and strongly encourage people to make those concerns known to the PRRPD Board of Commissioners. We also understand that, while the Park District's budget is in reasonable financial shape, there are always spending pressures and unavoidable cost increases on units of local government, and we are open to ideas for ways in which those units of local government can generate revenue for the benefit of residents without attempting to increase property taxes. We hope people will keep an open mind on the subject of alternative revenue generation.



After last night's open meeting, the Council adjourned to closed session to to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employee(s), pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 ( c ) ( 1 ) -- but as we understand it, Park Ridge now has a new Chiefski! This time for the Park Ridge Fire Department. Our sources tell us congratulations go to Mr. Michael Zywanski, who will be leaving his current position as Deputy Fire Chief in Naperville, IL.




For our faithful PRU readers who take an interest in local school issues, and for any of you School Board hopefuls, the PRU Crew thinks you may find a recent report by the Chicago Tribune very interesting -- New ISAT lets kids pass with more wrong answers.

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.

Quick Hits and Questions!

In an online Journal & Topics article -- "Arts Funding Dries Up; Now What?", readers learn of plans by the "arts community" to hold a ""Collaborative Funding Forum" on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at the Non-Profit Center, 720 Garden Street, at 7 p.m."

The PRU Crew feels that's an excellent start to efforts long over-due.

The article goes on to report, "Perry Fisher, president of the Cultural Arts Council, said in a flyer circulated to fine arts members recently. “We are all interested in preserving, maintaining and enriching the arts in Park Ridge. Let’s put our nose to the grindstone, dissolve or hide our respective organizational hats, and work together to foster and nurture all the arts for our town."

The PRU Crew feels that middle phrase, "dissolve or hide our respective organizational hats," is more than a little odd. Have there been instances of artistic ego conflicts and infighting?

The article also reports, "The [cultural arts] council has served as an informal umbrella group and grant coordinator for such groups as the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra, the Fine Arts Society, the Brickton Art Center, and the Historical Society."

Huh.

So in addition to the City's previous contributions to each of those individual organizations, the City also made contributions to the Park Ridge Cultural Arts Council, which then also made "grants" to those individual organizations?

Huh. Double dipping for your pleasure and double dipping for your fun. Emphasis on fun.


In an online Herald-Advocate article -- Funding woes: Teen Center's future hangs in the balance, news readers again learn about further troubles on the fun front.

The article begins with, "The Board of Directors of the Park Ridge Teen Center will meet next week to discuss how -- or if -- the facility will continue to operate without financial support from the city of Park Ridge."

Bummer.

The PRU Crew hopes the Board of Directors of the Park Ridge Teen Center will be able to come up with a way to fund the facility so they can keep it open. After all, we would hate to see 7 out of 8 of the kids pictured in the article, who are reported as being residents of Chicago, not have a place to hang out and play video games.

As the article notes, "Charging teens a fee to use the center may also play into the discussion, she said. Use of the center is now free and teens do not need to be Park Ridge residents to drop in."


The Herald-Advocate provided another online article -- "Park district ponders name changes for buildings" -- full of fun!

The PRU Crew has no opinion on whether or not the Park Ridge Park District chooses to change the names of its' buildings in an effort to better brand themselves.

However, we were pleased to read, "As for the Senior Center, [Executive Director Ray] Ochromowicz is hoping to encourage other uses of the building when the seniors are not there.

"If we want to expand the use of the building, perhaps the name of the building should be addressed as well," he said."

Hey there Big O, we may know of some Chicago teenagers looking for a place to hang out and play video games in the near future! Unless the Seniors take their Wii console and go home.


In our final quick hit at the Herald-Advocate, the PRU Crew read the following article -- "City personnel: Unemployment filing violates ex-director's separation pact".

For our faithful PRU readers who have been paying attention, you know the article is about former Director of Community Preservation and Development, Ms. Carrie Davis.

And if you've been paying close attention, you know the article headline is not quite true. Because if you read the whole article, then you know, "As she was laid off the past summer Davis was paid $25,000 and agreed not to collect unemployment benefits, according to the separation agreement she entered into with City Manager Jim Hock.

Last month Mayor David Schmidt pointed out that the City Council should have voted on the $25,000 expenditure because it exceeded the $20,000 discretionary spending authority the city manager has. The council then rejected a motion to approve $5,000 of the total payment, rendering the separation agreement void, according to City Attorney Kathie Henn."

Is it possible to violate a separation agreement that has been voided by Council action?

Good old Action Ridge, where not all the action is all that good.

Dumbasses. We can't wait to see the legal bills for this stupidity.

Listening Politely!

Sorry people -- this post was supposed to be scheduled for publishing this morning but PRU.ADMIN, not to name any names, somebody forgot!



For our faithful PRU readers interested in the City's efforts to mitigate neighborhood flooding problems, by proposing use of Park District property as we mentioned here a few weeks ago, some of the news does not appear very promising.

As many of you may be aware, the City of Park Ridge has approached the Park Ridge Park District, armed with the recommendations from Burke Engineering -- the City Flooding consultant, about the idea of using park property for storm water retention ponds. The location currently under consideration for discussion are a significant portion of the fields at Northwest Park.

At last week's Park District Board COW meeting, Park District Commissioners were treated to a 90 minute presentation and discussion of the subject with two of the consultants from Burke Engineering, the Park Ridge City Manager Jim Hock, Director of Public Works Wayne Zingsheim, City Engineer Sarah Mitchell, and 2nd ward Alderman Rich DiPietro. City officials attempted to persuade the Park Board of the necessary wisdom of allowing the City to spend $1.9 million for the project, which could probably reduce flooding for 145 homes in the area, but would have the effect of also reducing the availability of the playing fields.

According to the Park Board minutes (.pdf) page 7 of the meeting, in addition to the reduced availability of the fields, Park District Commissioners also expressed concern about field damage and water safety issues.

Park District Executive Director Ray, The Big O, Ochromowicz did offer an alternative option to City officials -- turfing and lighting fields at Centennial Park so they are playable and available for night games. Some preliminary estimates we've heard are that the alternative plan could cost as much as $2 million in additional dollars to the City. Ironically, if the alternative plan were accepted, the total cost would be approximately $4 million -- equal to the amount Burke Engineering has estimated it would cost for underground work at Northwest Park.

The Park Ridge Park District Board has not formally discussed the alternative plan and City officials are said to be requesting the Mayor's involvement in the discussions, moving forward.

Why the Mayor hasn't already been involved in the discussions we can't explain.

In other Park Ridge Park District news, according to their meeting minutes --

"Executive Director Ochromowicz expressed his concern with the [Senior Services] agreement and said the District needs to stop the increasing subsidy. He said subsidy has to be decreased and he believes the senior building is used 99% of the time for Senior Services so the Senior Services should pay 100% of the full-time employees' salaries. Still under negotiations are that all programs that are planned and organized by Park District staff are open to all Park Ridge residents with no penalty." (sic)

~~THUD!!!~~ We're in love!!!

Hump Day Quickies!

For our faithful PRU readers who can't get enough of governmental budget discussions, you can now look forward to School District 64's budget review!

As reported in an online article by the Herald-Advocate, the District 64 deadline for adoption of their budget is Sept. 30th. The School Board's Finance Committee of the Whole will be reviewing a final draft of the District's 2010/11 budget at their September 13th meeting! Time to pay attention, people!

What will also be occurring at the Board's regular meeting on September 13th is administration of the oath of office to whomever is selected to fill the current Board vacancy! How exciting!


At last week's meeting of the Park Ridge Park Board, The Big O -- that's Parks Director Ray Ochromowicz -- let it be known that the City of Park Ridge again intends to pitch a proposal to the District for use of one or more parks as water retention locations in the hopes of alleviating residential flooding in certain areas.

Previous attempts to persuade the Park Board Commissioners of the wisdom and necessity of this plan were met with little, if any, interest by Board members.

And we don't blame them.

Should the discussion of the City's proposal go beyond a polite "thanks, but no thanks," we fully expect the Park District Commissioners to ask lots and lots of questions before agreeing to allow the use of park land for water retention and flood mitigation .


OOH! Park Ridge could get all spruced up! An article in the Chicago Tribune Local -- Park Ridge wants to improve its southern exposure -- discusses all the wonderment of possibilities for what is known 'round these parts as the Higgins Corridor.

The article notes, "Traveling the corridor today, one can see why Park Ridge wants to spruce things up. Looking north, the first a visitor sees of the city is a gas station, a grocery store and a sea of parking spaces. Elsewhere is a mishmash of commercial and residential buildings of different styles, sizes and uses."

Because if you're going to have a spruced up "gateway" then it better not be "a gas station, a grocery store and a sea of parking spaces!" Commercial and sales tax revenues shmevenues! Future visitors, probably on their merry way to lose their paycheck at the new Des Plaines casino, must be given something spruced up to look at! Like a shiny glass, multi-story office building! There's a real head turner!

The biggest laugh the PRU Crew got from the whole article was what was missing! There are quotes from Mr. Jacques Gourguechon, principal consultant with Camiros, the urban planning firm hired by Park Ridge -- quotes from the City of Chicago's 41st ward Alderman Brian Doherty -- quotes from Ms. Gail Haller, of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, in which she notably states, "the organization has not discussed the plan other than to note its preliminary approval." which may explain why the article says, "Business owners along the corridor who could be reached said they didn't know much about the plan." -- and finally, there are quotes from Ms. Carrie Davis. Remember her? She used to be employed by the City of Park Ridge as the Director of Community Preservation & Development.

So what is missing from the article? Not a single word from any City of Park Ridge elected official! Though we can't blame the reporter if he didn't want to talk to any of them. As we all know, that bunch can be very annoying. Or maybe the reporter tried to get their statements but they all deferred his calls.


Finally for the consideration of our faithful and patient PRU readers, another Trib Local article -- With longtime ex-mayor in prison, Niles debates term limits.

The PRU Crew must admit, we aren't big fans of term limits since we believe limiting terms, or not, is the purpose of elections. And those who tend to support term limits usually do so because they want to limit the terms of, what they perceive to be, the opposition.

Instead of term limits, we would really really really like to see a local recall ordinance. Just a suggestion!

Quick Hits!

For our faithful PRU readers who are interested -- At last night's City Council meeting, consideration of payments to Community Groups was again deferred -- due to the absence of the Sixth Ward's Unfriendly Ghost, Ald. Tom Carey.
The issue has been rescheduled for consideration by the City Council at a Special City Council meeting on August 23 at 9p.m.

The PRU Crew really enjoys our smaller, more efficient Council. We all owe former Mayor Howard P. Frimark, and his cut-the-council helpmates, Steve Huening, John Kerin and Amy Sullivan, our undying gratitude!



In case any public service-minded individuals in our reading audience missed it -- the Schoold District 64 Board of Education is accepting applications to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of board member, Mr. Russ Gentile.

According to a District 64 announcement, "Interested candidates should submit an application no later than Monday, August 23 at 4:30 p.m." Applications are available here (.pdf)

The PRU Crew feels those anonymous souls who dedicated such tremendous effort circulating flyers opposing the last District 64 referendum should apply!



We almost forgot! For those who keep up with the doings of the Park Ridge Park District and -- or use their website, you may be pleased with their new look and upgraded navigation!

Nicely done, PRRPD, and long overdue! Drop-down menues would have been nice, but we'll overlook their omission since you've spared us those annoying pop-ups!

The PRU Crew is also looking forward to the time the PRRPD decides on a new method of video hosting and sharing! Just a suggestion!



In case any of our faithful PRU readers should be mislead -- the "Editor's Notes" added to the most recent round of comments on the Public Watchdog have falsely been attributed to the owner of our blog. The false statement of fact does seem to rise to the level of the Public Watchdog Editor's having willfully cast our blog and the PRU owner in a false light, which is defamatory.

PRU.ADMIN did attempt to submit comments pointing out the error and requesting a correction. An email was also sent, last Friday morning, to both the Public Watchdog editor and their blog host, Mr. Dave Kaufman at dkworldwide.com. However, our PRU.ADMIN's comments were deleted, we have not received a response to the email, and neither a correction nor retraction seem to have been undertaken by either the Public Watchdog editor nor their blog hosting company, as of this writing, and despite the apparent completion of the site's upgrade.

So much for information being the currency of democracy -- maybe we were wrong to assume Jefferson's quote implied accuracy!

Again! -- Pool Of Money!

Yes, we are aware the comment count is wrong -- to read comments, click on the post title above or the comment link below the post. And thank you for your patience -- the Blogger gods are aware of the problem.



Back on October 18, 2007 we put up a blog post we titled "Pool of Money!" Back then the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District was discussing what to do with Oakton Pool -- whether or not to sink more money into costly repairs for a money-losing, outdoor pool or close it down.

Once again at tonight's meeting (agenda.pdf), a mere two and a half years later, the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District will be discussing and likely voting on what to do with Oakton Pool -- whether or not to sink more money into costly repairs for a money-losing, outdoor pool or close it down.

What may make the difference in the Park Board's discussion, vote and follow-through action this time around is the fact that the new Park District Director -- we refer to him as the "Big O", Mr. Ray Ochromowicz -- has been very clear about what he feels the correct and responsible decision should be, and he has recommended to the Park Board that the Oakton Pool be shut down at the end of this season. Considering both Oakton Pool's records of attendance and revenue losses, we can't argue with the "Big O's" recommendation to the Park Board.

So anyone who may be interested in this subject should get themselves over to the Maine Park Leisure Center at 2701 Sibley Avenue for the regular Park Board meeting set to begin tonight at 7:30 p.m.

A Thursday Two-fer!

#1 -- Water works!

For those of you disinclined to building or buying your own ark, the Park Ridge Park District will be meeting as a Committee of the Whole tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Maine Park Leisure Center to discuss two issues concerning water. The agenda (.pdf) includes the following --

Buildings and Grounds Committee – Commissioners Vile/Maloney

A. Northwest Park – City Flood Issue/Future Plans (Executive Director Ochromowicz)

B. Future of Oakton Pool (Executive Director Ochromowicz)

On a related soggy note, the Park Ridge Park District website contains the following notice --

Notice from Park Ridge Park District:

In the interest of safety, South Park Pool will be closed from June 1 to mid-June for maintenance. To accommodate South Park's pre-season hours, the Centennial Wading Pool will be open at 10am during this maintenance. Thank you for your patience.


#2 -- Wet your whistle!

For those of you disinclined to attend meetings, you may want to consider attending a benefit party tonight!



1900 - 2300 hours is 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for those of you disinclined to military time.

Monday PRU Briefs!

#1 -- Listen up!

For those of you interested in hearing the discussion and debate from this past Saturday's 9:00 a.m. Special City Council Meeting, you can do so here.


#2 -- Pony up!

There's another City Council meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda (.pdf) is chock full of fun! And Park Ridge residents and taxpayers should expect to pony up more funds to the City by way of a Gasoline Tax Increase, Livery Vehicle Sticker Increase, Sewer Rate Increase, and Vehicle Sticker Increase.


#3 -- Belly up!

For those PRU readers who have expressed their interest through blog comments and emails, tonight's City Council meeting includes a first reading of a modification to the liquor ordinance (.pdf). This is another opportunity for interested residents to speak up and let their elected officials know their feelings on the issue of the proposed Irish Pub.


#4 -- Batter up!

For those who may have missed it, last week the District 64 School Board announced the name of their preferred candidate, set to step in and take his turn at bat in becoming the new Superintendent for District 64. The name and the news was finally reported in both a Journal & Topics article as well as an atrociously formatted online article in the Herald-Advocate.

The PRU Crew is looking forward to the likelihood of making jokes, in the future, about District 64 being on a Bender.


#5 -- Screwed up! ***

The following appears on the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District web site --

April 19 Notice: Park Ridge Park District is currently experiencing difficulties with our phone system. We apologize if you are trying to contact us today, and hope to have our phones working soon.

***the notice is gone, so it appears the problem has been fixed.


Keep your shiny side up and have a good day!

PRU Potluck! *Addendum*

For our faithful PRU readers who appreciate a little ADHD --


From the Humpty Dumpty file of municipal management comes the following story -- Arlington Heights development falls into foreclosure. The article opens with "(Crain’s) — A foreclosure suit seeking nearly $20 million has hit Arlington Town Square, a publicly subsidized mixed-use project that sparked a revival of the northwest suburb’s downtown."

And what's another way of saying "publicly subsidized mixed-use project?" If you said "TIF district" you would be right!

The article goes on to point out the investment group for the Arlington Town Square has been accused of fraud. However, it doesn't take accusations of fraud to cause a foreclosure filing -- missing mortgage payments is what it takes.

And as somebody once pointed out, TIF districts are no gurantee of redevelopment success -- TIF districts are as subject to economic forces and their own special problems as the rest of the real estate market.

Watch your pocketbooks and wallets, ladies and gentlemen!



Will the Park Ridge Park District Board agree to the proposed T-Mobile erection of two cell towers?

At the last Park Ridge Park District Board COW meeting, the Executive Director's discussion included a proposal for "T-Mobile Cell Towers at Northeast and South Park."

The PRU Crew has been told T-Mobile may be willing to pay a hefty sum per month to the Park District for the privilege -- perhaps as much as $20,000.00 per month year.

Cell towers aren't pretty, but considering the revenue constraints on the Park District and the fact that cell towers aren't all that different from utility poles, the Crew feels this is a revenue generating idea worth serious consideration.

We also feel cell towers don't suck as much as billboards!

The Park Ridge Park District Board will probably be discussing this issue at their next regular meeting Thursday, March 18th, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Maine Park Leisure Center, 2701 Sibley.

*Addendum* -- Anonymous said...

Cell towers do not have to be unsightly. I was fortunate to be in Colorado a few weeks ago and noticed that the cell towers were disguised as evergreen trees. They blended in quite well, and it was a local who pointed it out to me. Seems like a workable solution in our parks that we require that as well.
March 10, 2010 1:53 PM



Anon@1:53 -- You weren't joking!

We found the photo at left on the website Destination Knowlton.com

Gotta love those crazy Canucks!







In an online article published by the Herald-Advocate, we learn "a majority of the Maine Teachers Association membership voted "no" today (March 9) on a board request that the teachers open their contract, a district news release stated.

The Board and Administration had proposed salary adjustments that would have facilitated the recall of some or all of the 75 teachers laid off in response to a current and projected structural budget deficit, the release stated. "

"Salary adjustments" translated means less of a pay raise than originally contracted.

And again to the MTA rank and file we say, WTF?!?!

For those interested in an editorial analysis of the subject, check out the Pub-dog's post today -- Teachers Union Betting District 207 Blinks First.

Spelunking with the Park Ridge Park District!

In today's Herald-Advocate online we read the following notice -- Park District seeks task force members for the Park Ridge Park District's Environmental Impact Task Force.

Cool!

Anyone interested is told to "contact Maryanne Lucarz at mlucarz@prparks.org or call (847) 692-3482 for more information."

The PRU Crew thought, "The Environmental Impact Task Force sounds like a very interesting advisory body -- wonder what they've been talking about. Let's check the Park District web site and see."

And so we did. And we found...

Absolutely nothing of value. No minutes for the task force meetings are posted anywhere that we could find, which means anyone wanting to know what subjects the Environmental Impact Task Force has already discussed would have to keep digging.

And as our faithful PRU readers know, the Crew is willing to dig around some and see what can be found. So we thought we would read meeting minutes from the Park Ridge Park District Board meetings to see what has been discussed relating to the Environmental Impact Task Force.

And so we did. And we found...

Absolutely nothing of real value. There is one pitiful set of Board minutes from the December 17, 2009 meeting (.pdf) along with one lone video (.wmv) from the January 21, 2010 meeting for review on the Park District web site.

So anyone interested in doing any homework before stepping forward to volunteer for the Environmental Impact Task Force may have to personally contact Maryanne Lucarz for information. Though we have reason to be skeptical of a positive result -- Ms. Lucarz, you see, is also in charge of posting information on the Park District web site.

The Weather Isn't All That's Frightful! Updated!

The Park Ridge Recreation and Park District Board isn't frightful either -- still not a bad looking bunch with the addition of the new guy, top row, third from the left, Mr. David Herman. We first told you about Mr. Herman here.

The Park Ridge Park Board likes to brag about being the first local government body to post their board packets and videos online. And we thank them for that. Take a bow Park Board. Make it quick.

However, being first doesn't mean being best. Being first doesn't mean being very good either.

What the PRU Crew is finding quite frightful is the fact that there have been five meetings of the Park Board since October 1st -- Oct. 15th, Nov. 5th, Nov. 19th and Dec. 3rd. -- but the most recent Park Board minutes available online are from Oct. 1st, and the most recent videos available online are from Oct. 15th.

This is now the month of December, right? Did the Park Board fail to approve the minutes from their November meetings? Is there some sort of law which requires the posting of approved minutes within a certain amount of time? We aren't sure about that, but we think it's quite frightful when certain employees at the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District aren't making use of available technology in a timely manner.

O.k. Park Board, the City pols -- and certain community volunteers -- are kicking your ass in terms of performance in getting information out into the public arena. But take heart. You guys don't suck quite as much as the School districts do.

Update 12-11-09 -- Somebody did their job! Two additional sets of minutes have been added to the Park District website, Oct. 15th and Nov. 5th. To whomever goes the thanks, thanks! We look forward to the video additions too.

Two-fer Monday!

1. -- Wannabe to Gonnabe!

Our PRU sources report the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District has selected Mr. David Herman to fill the vacancy on the Park District Board. Mr. Herman will bring his financial background to the position. We're told Mr. Herman holds a CPA and MBA in finance, and is employed in the health care arena at a Chicago hospital.

Congratulations, Mr. Herman. Welcome to the machine!


2. -- Public Works and Public Safety COW Tonight!

The brain trust -- we use the phrase loosely -- comprising the representative body for the City of Park Ridge will be meeting tonight at the usual time, in the usual place. Tonight's COW agenda(.pdf) appears to offer a lot of talk and virtually no action -- you know, the usual.

Videos tomorrow!

Another Comment In The Spotlight!

The following comment was submitted and posted to PRU --

October 28, 2009 8:31 AM

Anonymous said...

Can anyone on this blog explain to me why Park Ridge Baseball, which enjoys "Affiliate" status of the Park Ridge Park District pays no federal taxes and perhaps more interestingly does not file Tax Form 990 (which is typically filed for non-profit organizations). They utilize our parks and facilities at no cost (from what I can tell from the Park Ridge Park District budget). Shouldn't one of the requirements of being an "Affiliate" of the Park District be that we understand their economics? PRU can you help get to the bottom of this?

Ask, and ye shall receive, if time and resources allow.

Here is the information we have been able to gather --

Former Park Board Commissioner, Steve Hunst, began looking into the issue of the Big 4 Affiliates -- Baseball, Football, Hockey and Soccer -- and whether the Park District had obtained their financial information.

When Mr. Hunst delved into the mess, he found out that while Soccer and Hockey had been dutifully filing their tax returns on an annual basis, Football had failed to do so for nearly 40 years and Baseball had failed to file for the better part of 55 years.

As the commenter correctly stated, 501(c)(3) organizations are required by law to file tax returns. Some form of tax return is required for all non-profit organizations.

Apparently, the Park District had a policy in place whereby they requested the annual tax returns of any affiliate who actually filed a tax return. Thus, for years, they had the Hockey and Soccer returns, but nothing for Baseball or Football -- and no one on the staff questioned this because the policy only sought to obtain those that had actually been filed.

A huge stink was raised with the Baseball people and they begrudgingly filed their first tax return last year, as did the folks from Football.

We understand these affiliate programs bring in well in excess of $500,000.00 per year, each. However, the commenter was incorrect in stating that the affiliates pay nothing to the PRRPD. Each of the Big 4 pays $5.00 per kid to the PRRPD -- for each kid who registers in a given session -- to offset the costs of maintaining the fields, etc. that the Park District incurs. Additionally, Hockey pays more than the $5.00 per kid fee; Hocky pays thousands of dollars in ice time fees.

Generally speaking, we have heard nothing but good things about the affiliates and the programs they run. A few months back, Park Ridge Youth Soccer wrote a check for $400,000.00 to the PRRPD which was to go towards improvements in the soccer fields at Northeast Park.

We also understand both Soccer and Hockey have both written big checks to the Park District over the years to improve and maintain facilities they use.

Unfortunately, it does look as if Baseball and Football have never once opened their checkbooks to the Park District to provide anything beyond the mandatory $5.00 per kid fee.

So there you have it, Anonymous. We hope this information is useful to you.

Our Briefs Runneth Over!

#1 -- Come on, feel the noise! -- PROAC

For any PRU readers looking for some free entertainment this evening, you may want to check out what's going on at the meeting of the Park Ridge O'Hare Airport Commission. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm in the Mayor's Conference room on the 2nd floor at City Hall.


#2 -- Better late than never! -- Park District Videos

Once again, attention Park Board Wannabes! The Park Ridge Recreation and Park District has finally managed to post the most recently available videos of their meetings. The next scheduled special meeting for the Park Board will be on Thursday, November 5th in the Board Room of the Maine Park Leisure Center -- the meeting begins at 7:30 pm.


#3 -- B.O.H.I.C.A! -- Property Taxes

A report in yesterday's Chicago Tribune warns of 'Double-digit property tax increases in city, Cook County suburbs' The article also provides a link to a map (.pdf) showing the median increases in property taxes for municipalities -- Park Ridge's median increase over last year is only 6.2%! Doesn't everyone feel just great about that?

The median property tax for Park Ridge is $7,176 -- and the PRU Crew is very pleased not to be living in Winnetka!


#4 -- Down on their luck! -- Knights of Columbus Fish Fry

Last Friday, the Knights of Columbus hosted a Fish Fry at St. Paul of the Cross. All proceeds raised will go to the St. Paul of the Cross Sunday Suppers, a joint venture of the members of the PRMA (Park Ridge Ministerial Association).

As some of you may recall, the PRMA was also the chief sponsor for the effort to open a PADS Homeless shelter in Park Ridge. When the PADS organization took their shelter idea back and went home to Palatine, the PRMA responded to the christian call by beginning the Sunday Suppers program at St. Paul of the Cross.

For the Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, in support of the PRMA/St. Paul of the Cross Sunday Suppers, all of the churches involved in the PRMA, as well as Adrienne Timm and the rest of the "Social Concerns Ministry" at St. Paul of the Cross, were invited to attend.

But clearly the Knights of Columbus were down on their luck, since not a single invited member showed up to support the Knight's efforts.


#5 -- Speaking of pretending to care! -- Faux Cardboard Duvet

Our PRU.Tech found the following item online. The Crew feels this is in really really bad taste, which is of course why we love it!


The above item comes courtesy of dutchbydesign.com and is being marketed as "The Home Duvet lets you sleep under a cardboard box so a homeless person doesn't have to!" and "30% of the gross profits go to Centrepoint, the UK charity for homeless young people aged 16-25."

Everyone got that? You can pretend to care about the homeless and pretend to experience sleeping under a cardboard box! That's even more convenient than giving up your time one whole night a week or showing up to eat Knights of Columbus Fish on Fry-day!

Fruit of the Crew! -- Park Board update!

1. -- Opportunity!

As we suggested in our post Introductions All Around, certain task force members may want to get to know certain commission members. And as luck would have it, there's an opportunity for certain task force members to get to know certain commission members tonight!

The Mayor's Flood Control Task Force will be meeting tonight at City Hall in the Council chamber beginning at 6:00 pm, and the Park Ridge O'Hare Airport Commission will be meeting tonight at City Hall in the Mayor's conference room on the 2nd floor beginning at 7:00 pm!

Say 'hello' everybody!

2. -- HA HA HA!

In an October 13, 2009 online article in the Herald-Advocate, our favorite local reporter reports the stuffed to the gills! development project proposed for the southeast corner of Touhy and Rose avenues by developer Norman Hassinger of Hoffman Homes is "welcome news for Nan Parson, chairperson of the city's Fair Housing Commission and a proponent of making more lower-cost housing available to senior citizens, young adults, city employees, teachers, hospital workers and others who want to live in Park Ridge but cannot afford homes with starting prices of $500,000 or more."

Truth be told, because that's what reporting is all about, Ms. Nan Parson took her affordable housing marbles and resigned from the Fair Housing Commission back in May. Ms. Parson said as much at the Human Needs Task Force meeting (.pdf) back in June. The minutes of that meeting also let everyone know that despite the City website description of the Human Needs Task Force --

Human Needs Task Force - A group of citizens appointed by the Mayor to concern themselves with the needs of the citizens of Park Ridge and surrounding communities. The Task Force coordinates such activities as food drives, a clothes closet, medical supply closet, job clearinghouse and other related matters. Meets second Friday of the month.

-- Ms. Parson "will continue to help bring affordable housing to this City and will continue to try to educate this community and City Hall about this issue. Nan is hoping to get involved with the Ministerial Association here in town, as well as other communities, and continue to move forward with her goal of having affordable housing in this town. Nan will now be a community volunteer on this Task Force."

Oh joy! Be still our beating, bleeding hearts!

3. -- What the hell has the Park District and Board been up to?

If PRU readers and Park Board wannabes are looking for something to do tomorrow night, there's a Regular Board Meeting, October 15, 7:30 pm in the Board Room at the Maine Park Leisure Center, 2701 Sibley.

But if PRU readers and Park Board wannabes were hoping to preview a Board packet for tomorrow's meeting, you're shit out of luck. You'll have to content yourselves with the board packets of meetings past or guessing the details of the items on the meeting agenda (.pdf).

Addendum! -- Looks as if somebody got somebody's rear in gear!

The Park Board packet for tonight's meeting is here (.pdf)

Attention Park Board Wannabes!

As we told you on Monday, there is an opening on the Park Ridge Park District Board due to the resignation of Mr. Scott Duerkop.

According to the Tuesday report in the online Herald-Advocate, "Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest to the Park Ridge Park District, c/o Board President Jim O'Brien, 2701 Sibley Ave., Park Ridge IL 60068. Letters are due by noon Oct. 15. Candidates will be asked to attend a Q-and-A session at the Nov. 5 board meeting, which will begin at 7:30 p.m."

The PRU Crew thinks aspiring Park Board wannabes may also wannabe attending tonight's Park Board Committee of the Whole. The agenda (.pdf) for tonight's Park Board COW includes discussion of the 2009 Proposed Tax Levy Options and 2010 Capital Projects. The more detailed Park Board information packet for tonight's meeting can be viewed here (.pdf).

The PRU Crew feels anyone wishing to serve the taxpayers of the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District by serving on the Park Board just may wannabe familiar with these particular topics, as levying taxes and planning expenditures may be said to be the meat and potatoes of what a representative body is all about.

Another Set of PRU Briefs!

#1. One up!

The Park Ridge Park District Board has selected a new Executive Director to fill the position being vacated by the retiring Mr. Jim Lange. At their September 24th meeting, the Park Board unanimously voted to hire Mr. Ray Ochromowicz, the former Director of the Bolingbrook Park District for over 20 years.

According to our PRU sources, Mr. Ochromowicz has undergone a thorough vetting and the unanimous vote of the Park Board reflects their belief in the promise Mr. Ochromowicz brings to the position.

Welcome to the machine, Mr. Ochromowicz!


#2. One down!

We've also learned that the Park Ridge Park District Board will need to appoint still another replacement to its ranks -- Mr. Scott Duerkop, one of the “4 The Parks,” candidates has resigned from the Board for personal reasons.

Anyone out there in PRU reader land who may be interested in filling the newly opened position on the Park Board should get their rear in gear and contact the Park District office for information. We're told a press release on the process will be forthcoming.

We wish Mr. Duerkop all the best for his future.


#3. No Tape Measure Blast!

The City Council will be meeting again tonight as a Committee of the Whole to discuss topics related to Procedures and Regulations and Finance and Budget. The odds that any one of these clowns will find a sweet spot and hit a tape measure blast, on any of the issues before them (.pdf), is slim and none. But the PRU Crew will be following the plays just the same.

What's The Park Board Been Up To?

L to R top row = Jim O'Brien, Marty Maloney, Scott Duerkop, Rick Biagi
L to R bottom = Richard Brandt, Mary Wynn Ryan, Stephen Vile

-- not a bad looking bunch --


Our techy guru attempted to find a way to download then upload the most recent video from the Park Ridge Park District meeting on August 20, 2009 -- but as our PRU.Tech phrased it...

...on second thought, we shall leave out how PRU.Tech phrased it.

For those who may be interested in what the Park Board's been up to, we encourage PRU readers to click on the video link below.

Video PRRPD 8-20-2009 Mtg.

And for those so inclined, you can view agendas, packets, notices and other documentation along with Park Board minutes here.

Smile for the Camera!

With one very notable exception, the PRU Crew hasn't found much to complain about regarding the Park Ridge Park District. In fact, we feel it's one of the more well-run local governing bodies that we've seen.

Our expectation is that, with most of the new crop of Park Board members, the Park Ridge Park District will continue to function pretty well.

So today the PRU Crew wanted to offer PRUdos to the Park Ridge Park District for making the effort to provide taxpayers with the opportunity to view Park Board meetings on video. Nothing fancy. Simply some straight up and unedited recordings of their meetings. We're betting this doesn't cost anywhere near the costs that were quoted to the City Council for taping meetings.

We understand that such recordings may not always "make our elected officials look their best," as we've been told our City Cluck Betty Henneman has been known to say, but not looking your best is part of the human condition on occasion.

We are also aware the local press doesn't like the idea of video taping meetings -- residents and taxpayers, able to see what actually took place at a meeting, may come to understand the shortcomings of our local press...and the dwindling subscriptions may dwindle even more.

Still, the PRU Crew feels that with the technology available there is nothing preventing either the Park Ridge City Council, the Niles-Park Ridge Community Consolidated School District 64, or Maine Township High School District 207 from video taping meetings, and uploading those videos to their respective web sites.

Maybe some nice Park Board member could let our three other local governing bodies know how it can be done.