A number of city officials last week and this week gave depositions in the sexual harassment case involving Ald. Tom Becker (6th) and a former city employee who worked in the city attorney's office.

Mayor Tony Arredia confirmed this week that he testified Monday under oath about what he knew about the case. The meeting, he said took place in City Hall and lasted about 15 minutes. Ald. Becker said he gave his deposition about two months ago in downtown Chicago with his personal attorney and a lawyer representing the city present.

What we've also been told is that several other city employees who may have knowledge about the alleged sexual harassment incident also gave depositions recently.

In February 2004, former city attorney secretary Debra Lathom filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Becker and the City of Des Plaines. In her complaint, Lathom, who now resides in Florida, charged that on Dec. 16, 2002, "while waiting for an elevator in the lobby of the Des Plaines City Hall, Alderman Becker, who was dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, approached Mr. Lathom. Aldermen Becker forced Ms. Lathom against a wall and pressed his body against her. Becker then pulled Ms. Lathom away from the wall, wrapped his leg around her body, and held her face in both his hands, and kissed her on the lips. After kissing Ms. Lathom, Becker then asked if she wished to sit on his 'jingle bells."

The lawsuit is asking that Lathom be awarded damages against the city.

Ald. Becker has denied Ms. Lathom's charges and has expressed confidence that in the end he will be exonerated.

However, in a Feb. 11, 2003 confidential letter written by Jason Bajor, then assistant director of Human Resources for the city, he said, "...it was determined that Alderman Becker has violated the city's sexual harassment policy and appropriate action is being taken to stop any further similar behavior from occurring."

Congratulations to Des Plaines resident Linda Forman for being named "Citizen of the Year" by the Des Plaines Elks Club. Linda is one of those rare individuals who gives much of her personal time to her community. She is a leader on the Des Plaines Special Events Commission and has been heavily responsible in recent years for the success of the Taste of Des Plaines held in downtown Des Plaines in June and St. Zachary Church's Augustfest held in early August...

Kudos also go to Rodney Yourist, a longtime member of the Des Plaines Zoning Board of Appeals who recently moved to Park Ridge. We met Rodney at least 15 years ago when he ran unsuccessfully for 6th ward alderman. He's a good guy and a dedicated public servant who justly received recognition from the city at Monday night's City Council meeting...

A lengthy dispute over ownership of Trailside Lane, a narrow street on Des Plaines' far east side, appears to have been resolved. However, according to Ald. Pat Beauvais (1st), who represents that part of the community, angry homeowners may appeal a Cook County Circuit Court decision made last week.

City Attorney Dave Wiltse said yesterday (Tuesday) that the court ruled in favor of the city's contention that Trailside has been and continues to be a public street. Homeowners who live along the road have claimed for years that they own Trailside, have maintained it, and have even paid taxes on it for decades.

Up until 2001, ownership of the road was not an issue. At that time, said Wiltse, city Public Works crews plowing the street noticed that speed bumps had been put in place on Trailside. Later it was discovered that the speed bumps were placed there by local residents without the prior knowledge or permission of the city. That propelled the matter into court.

The effect of the court's decision is more far reaching that just determining ownership. Now that the city legally owns Trailside, a plan to link the road with a residential development to the north can proceed. Ald. Beauvais and residents are opposed to the link citing concerns that it will greatly increase traffic on the quiet, narrow street. City officials assert that the connection will be only to allow emergency vehicles traveling from the south off of Ballard Road to reach the new subdivision where 25 expensive single family homes are in the process of being built.