Who Else Is Out?

Park Ridge Ald. Don Bach (3d) last week announced his intention to give up his seat after his current term on city council expires. Of the other six aldermen, one is joining Bach on the sidelines, two are undecided, and one is definitely running again in the next city election on Apr. 5, 2011.

Backyard Chefs Duel It Out At 3rd Annual Rib Cook-Off

This past weekend, a group of nearly 50 neighbors, friends and family gathered in the 700 block of Greenwood Avenue in Park Ridge to attend a special end of summer celebration.

Bonita Drive Cools

A week after confrontations and threats over tree removal plagued a neighborhood, all is quiet while officials continue to sort out what occurred.

Hospice Eyes 3 Sites Here

The Park Ridge mayor and deputy city manager met with three representatives of Rainbow Hospice on Aug. 17, but there is no decision yet regarding a possible move.

‘Meatgate’

In what Park Ridge Mayor Dave Schmidt called “an example of poor communication,” two parkway trees came down last week at 1200 Bonita Drive. The controversy over the trees has brought to light charges of bribery and discord pitting neighbor against neighbor. Some neighbors are even calling the matter “Meatgate.”

Dist. 207 Outlines Verification Process

Residency issues occasionally arise in Maine Township High School District 207, and suspected cases of illegal out-of-district attendance are investigated and resolved promptly.

Closer Look At 5 Fire Chief Candidates

Only five applicants remain for the position of Park Ridge Fire Chief.

Council Passes Funding To Community Groups

By votes of 4–2 and 5–1, the Park Ridge City Council on Monday approved this year’s contributions to community groups, approvals that Mayor Dave Schmidt promised to veto.

Little To Bark About At Animal Meeting

Do Park Ridge dog owners know about the new animal commission or what its decisions can mean?

Pub, 7-Eleven On Appearance Agenda

The Park Ridge Appearance Commission plans to examine pre-applications for a new Irish pub and a remodeling of a 7-Eleven at its meeting on Thursday, Aug. 19.

Wiggle Room Limited In Battle Against O’Hare

A presentation by an aviation lawyer left Park Ridge Mayor Dave Schmidt with a confirmed opinion and a new plan for action.

District 64 Enrollment Steady Into New Year

Enrollment in Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 remains very stable as the district prepares to open school doors for classes on Monday, Aug. 23.

Air Flood Response Concerns

How much responsibility should the city take to communicate to people during a rainstorm and how much responsibility should residents take to arm themselves with knowledge?

Possible Rainbow Hospice Move ‘High Priority’

“No municipality wants to see jobs and shoppers leave town, especially not 200 plus,” said Park Ridge Mayor Dave Schmidt in response to the news that Rainbow Hospice is looking for a new location and might leave the city.

Maine South Student Aces ACT Twice Within A Few Weeks

Getting a perfect score of 36 on an ACT test is impressive enough for any high school student. But doing it twice in the span of a few weeks? That’s extraordinary.

City Off Hook On Local Cell Phone Driving Ban

With two tie votes, the Park Ridge Committee of the Whole decided again Monday night to do nothing regarding the use of cellular telephones by drivers in the city.

Jewish Center Closes Doors

“Friendships dated back almost 50 years were forged within the synagogue through social and religious activities,” said Rabbi Edmund Winter, who worked with the congregation for 20 years. “Many will continue, but the central location is no longer there.”

Zero In On Sticker Scofflaws?

While Park Ridge does not use records from the secretary of state to find vehicle sticker scofflaws, at least one alderman thinks it would be a good idea.

Another New Way To Notify Police

In conjunction with National Night Out last night (Tuesday), Park Ridge and Des Plaines police began a new text tip service.

Owner Cites Health Reasons For Closing Michelle Gabrielle

After 45 years, Michelle Gabrielle, a Park Ridge specialty clothing store, closed its doors on July 31.

Taking On Water

Despite having between five and six inches of rain dumped on the city Saturday, as of Monday, only three Park Ridge residents reported flooding due to sewer backups.

Doomed Home May Have Historic Past

Even though Park Ridge is celebrating its 100th year as a city and this year marked the beginning of the Historic Preservation Commission, some of the city’s history is still passing into oblivion.

Parent Patrol Returns This Fall; Afterwards?

If Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski can find the volunteers, the Park Ridge Parent Patrol could become a regular program.

City Stays Dry

A liquor store in Park Ridge? The city’s Liquor License Review Board discussed a proposal from a Chicago resident to open such a store in town.

High Schools To Stick With Healthier Choices

Healthier beverages in Maine Township High School District 207 mean much lower revenues for district coffers.

Contract Time...Finally?

After a lengthy discussion, Park Ridge aldermen on Monday, July 19 gave indications of what they would like to see in a compensation contract with City Manager Jim Hock.

Pickwick Restoration, Designation Planned

A restoration project is planned for the Pickwick Theater and the building will likely be the first historic site approved by the new Historic Preservation Commission.

High Schools Mull Expanding Ad Opportunities

You want a vivid example of a sign of our times? How about advertising in and around athletic facilities at Maine West, East, and South high schools in Park Ridge and Des Plaines?

Contractors Agree To Get Job Done At Roosevelt

Becky Allard and Park Ridge-Niles Elementary School District 64 were not about to let striking union workers jeopardize the Roosevelt School renovation project.

Family: Where Was Warning?

When she turned eight, Mara Evert Domingue started carrying a backpack and followed her dad around while he collected spore samples from ferns near her family’s cabin.

Mayor Hopes For Return To ‘Original’ COW Plan

Although still not pleased with the Committee of the Whole structure of the Park Ridge City Council, Mayor Dave Schmidt seems amenable to tweaking the plan rather than abandoning it.

Name New Fire Chief Within 30 Days?

At least 17 applicants will vie for the position of Park Ridge fire chief.

OK O’Hare Referendum

After tweaking the language, the Park Ridge City Council on Monday, June 21 agreed to place a referendum about O’Hare on the November ballot.

Why City Is Stuck On Manager’s Contract

Park Ridge City Manager Jim Hock has worked without a contract since last July and will continue to do so as the city council deferred discussion about it until after the unsigned contract expires.

Storm Cleanup Could Take 2 Weeks

With more than 100 trees taking damage in Friday night’s storm, Park Ridge may take a fortnight to recover.

PR Mulls Parking In Public

The Park Ridge City Council rejected an option to go into closed session on Monday, June 21, to discuss the possible purchase of a parking lot in Target Area 4 of Uptown and will discuss it in open session on Monday, July 12.

Alderman Wants Referendum For $50 Million Flood Plan

After a special city council meeting regarding the Flood Control Task Force and the approval of a referendum about O’Hare, one Park Ridge alderman hopes to create a flooding referendum.

City Won’t Pay To Hear Plan To Fight O’Hare Expansion

Several members of the Park Ridge City Council on Monday, June 21 reported on recent unimpressive interactions with Chevalier Allen & Lichman LLP from Costa Mesa, Calif., the law firm that offered to try to fight O’Hare expansion through litigation.

Chief Confident Parent Patrol Sent Message

Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski considered the recent Parent Patrol successful.

Talk Of Phone Ban Is Back

By a vote of 5–2, the Park Ridge Committee of the Whole on Monday, June 14 agreed to reopen the discussion about banning handheld cellular telephones by drivers in the city.

‘Party Patrol’ Ride-Along Revealing Nonetheless

Besides breaking up two amorous couples and responding to a loud, but adult, party, the Park Ridge Parent Patrol had a quiet night on Saturday, June 12.