Major changes in leadership. Bitter political battles. Hope for the future.

These are just a few descriptions of what the year 2003 was like for many Des Plaines residents. For some, 2003 was a good year...a 12-month period worth remembering. For others, good riddance.

Every year at this time, the Journal publishes its Top 10 list of stories. It's a fun way of looking back to see where we've come as a community. It also sets the stage for what could be a monumental year of growth, prosperity and hope.

Here are the Journal's Top 10 stories for 2003 with a few Honorable Mentions thrown in:

No. 1--COMMUNITY-WIDE REDEVELOPMENT

The year 2003 may well be remembered in Des Plaines history books as the time when the long sought-after rebirth of not only downtown but sections throughout the city began to take shape. Earlier in the year, the Journal decided to put together a list of all redevelopment programs underway and planned. The list of about a dozen projects worth tens of millions of dollars was impressive. At the top was the central business district project that calls for redeveloping nine acres of prime real estate on property where long established businesses once stood. The year 2004 promises not only to see construction begin on that $65 million project, but other major efforts such as changing the area of Mannheim and Higgins roads and Rand and River roads.

NO. 2--MAJOR CHANGES AT MARYVILLE ACADEMY

For 40 years, Maryville Academy's spiritual and day-to-day leader, Fr. John Smyth, ran the institution for wards of the state with a firm hand and resolve. That all changed in 2003 as state inspectors put together reports for Gov. Blagojevich's new administration in Springfield that told of major problems and concerns at Maryville. Friends and supporters of Smyth rushed to his side defending his method of helping children through love and attention rather than just clinical approaches. Despite a number of high profile demonstrations and rallies in favor of Smyth and Maryville, the executive director was forced to assume a different role at Maryville.

NO. 3--DES PLAINES THEATER

What to do with the Des Plaines Theater building? That's a question Des Plaines residents, leaders and business people have been asking themselves and each other for the last three or four years.

That issue reached a different level in early January when an organization of local citizens was formed to try to save the property for use as a performing arts center. For the next 12 months the battle between preservationists and those people who believe the facility has outlived its usefulness went back and forth. The year 2004 promises more of the same.

During 2003, a new local bank tried to garner enough community and city support to have the building demolished and replaced with a new banking facility. That effort failed with the bank opting to set up shop at a different downtown location, selling the bank to an individual who is open to the idea of an arts center there.

NO. 4--SCHOOL FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

2003 was not only a year of uncertainty for many local businesses, it was a period of worry and concern for local elementary school districts. Des Plaines Elementary Dist. 62 and East Maine School Dist. 63 became particularly challenged when it was learned that they were facing multi-million deficits that needed quick attention. Staff layoffs, more children in classrooms and elimination of long revered programs loom as distinct possibilities.

NO. 5---NEW CITY MANAGER HIRED

As 2002 came to a close, then City Manager Scott Miller announced that he was returning to Georgia, leaving his Des Plaines job that he had held for little more than a year. One of the major reasons Miller left, as we later learned, was that he felt handcuffed by city leaders who failed to let him perform the job he thought he was hired to do.

Miller's departure left a gap in the most significant staff job in the city until mid-summer. That's when Dave Niemeyer, city manager from Homewood, agreed to take the Des Plaines job. Mayor Tony Arredia, who had been performing many of the city manager's duties, was among the happiest of all city employees when Niemeyer was hired. Niemeyer's hiring, said Arredia, allowed the mayor to do those things the mayor is supposed to do such as help set policy, represent the city at a multitude of functions and lead city meetings.

NO. 6--PLAN TO BUILD ASPHALT PLANT

Of all the issues, city leaders faced during 2003, the one involving a proposal to build and operate an asphalt processing plant at 320 W. Touhy Ave. stirred up the most emotions. The proposal was and still is the most irritating to residents of the Touhy Mobile Home Park, located next door to where the plant will be built. City Council members eventually approved by a 6 to 2 vote a height variation to permit the plant. But during the weeks before that approval was given, several public meetings pitted residents of the mobile home park against aldermen in favor of the plan. At one meeting, a man was arrested for disorderly conduct and battery. Picketing against the proposal took place, and threats of a lawsuit to stop the plant loom.

NO 7---PARK DISTRICT DIRECTOR MARKWORTH RETIRES

For more than 25 years, Dave Markworth was at the helm of the Des Plaines Park Dist. serving as its top administrator. During those years, the normally quiet local government took on a new shape offering services that a half century ago were unthinkable. It was primarily through Markworth's leadership that a new Rand Park Aquatic Center, Prairie Lakes Park and the Golf Center were built. John Hecker, an experienced park district director from the Quad Cities area, replaced Markworth in June. It was an orderly, well-thought out transition that was reflective of the way Markworth ran the park district for so many years.

NO. 8--NEW MAINE TWP. COMMITTEEMAN

In early December, reports surfaced that many within the Maine Township Democratic Party ranks wanted 11-year Committeeman Andy Przybylo replaced. They said Przybylo, a Niles businessman who also had a full-time job with the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals, and his wife a job with the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk's office, had done little to move the party ahead. Democrats on the local scene felt the time was ripe for party candidates to win races that for years have been in the Republican fold. When the Journal first reported an interest in replacing Przybylo, the committeeman denounced the reports as did others closely aligned with Przybylo. A few months later, however, Przybylo stepped down and was replaced by Laura Murphy, a Des Plaines alderman.

NO. 9--CASINO POSSIBILITY LOOMS

As the legal stalemate over the state's 10th casino license slowly loosens, city leaders supportive of a plan for Des Plaines to serve as host community to the gambling operation are expressing hope.

Chicago real estate millionaire Neil Bluhm has purchased a contract to buy the Xerox building property on River Road north of Devon Avenue. It is his and partner Steve Wynn's hope to build a new casino on that spot, along with parking and possibly a hotel, should the state agree that Des Plaines is the best site. Whichever community is chosen, it will be empowered to implement a 5% tax on all adjusted gross revenues generated at the site. That could mean $25 to $30 million a year in extra cash for Des Plaines...something many city leaders are licking their chops over.

NO. 10--NEW POLICE CHIEF

In July, Des Plaines Police Chief Jim Ryan, a member of the local force for many years, announced that he was leaving his job here to become chief in Forest Park. Ryan's stint of just a few years had its share of ups and downs. Ryan's relationship with some of his officers was often contentious. On a positive side, he continued to embrace former Chief Bob Sturlini's belief in community policing where officers remained visible in neighborhoods. Under Ryan's leadership two satellite police stations opened.

Jim Prandini, the leader of the department's Detective Bureau, was named to replace Ryan.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

* City's continuing efforts to curb flooding. Mayor Tony Arredia continues to push ahead with plans to alleviate flooding along Prairie-Farmer's Creek and establish a new countywide position of stormwater commissioner who would make sure anti-flood regulations are implemented.

* The filing of a complaint against Ald. Carla Brookman by a city staff member. Acting City Manager Bill Schneider sent a letter to the Cook County State's Attorney's office charging that Brookman may have violated the city's Ethics Ordinance. The complaint involved a building project of a relative of Brookman's. That complaint has not been acted on as of the end of this year.

* Fisherman's Dude Ranch condominium project. In mid-February, City Council approved a proposal of a Lake Forest developer to redevelop the dude ranch property on Golf Road into high-rise condominiums. Ground has yet to be broken.

* City agrees to sell developer street to make way for the Riviera project. Local businessman Nick Mitchell continued his push for city approval to construct a 134-ft.-tall senior residential building on Oakton Street west of Lee Street. Aldermen voted to vacate Times Drive which would enable Mitchell to put together the property needed for the project. Neighbors continued their fight to defeat the proposal.

NOTABLE CITY LEADERS WHO PASSED AWAY:

* Richard C. Wessell, 81, longtime editor & publisher of the Journal & Topics Newspapers, June 27

* Mason Aldrich, 80, longtime principal at West School in Des Plaines, May 21

* Jean Sherwood, 79, wife of former Des Plaines Mayor Ted Sherwood, Apr. 4

* Ed McCaskey, 83, patriarch of the family that owns the Chicago Bears and longtime Des Plaines resident, Apr. 8

* G. Rex Wilson, 85, retired president of Des Plaines National Bank who was active in many areas, Nov. 28

* Charles Bolek, 80, former acting mayor of Des Plaines, ex-president of the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, grand exalted ruler of the Des Plaines Elks Lodge and local businessman, Dec. 5.