Journal Reporter

A changed political landscape...Uptown redevelopment staggered out of the starting blocks despite legal challenges...mayor-council wars over appointments...park district sets referendum for new facilities.

It was a lively year in Park Ridge, from city hall to the Maine South football field, plus the beginning of a new era in economic development as Kim Uhlig launched a new city department.

With no respect to David Letterman, the Journal here does not list the "top 10" events or personalities that made headlines in 2005. Rather, we list about a dozen developments that had a significant impact on the city and its citizens during the year.

And, we will try to explain what those impacts were. All of this means that the items that follow are in no particular order or rank.

* The complete transformation of the city council was completed in April with the election of seven new aldermen and a new mayor, finishing a process that began in 2003. It put an entirely new group of independents into aldermanic seats.

* In the first non-incumbent mayoral election in the city in more than two decades, two aldermen squared off in a campaign tainted by personal attacks and highlighted by promises to serve "all of the people of Park Ridge." Local businessman Howard Frimark used his grass-roots populism to defeat attorney Michael Tinaglia.

* Many outraged residents called it a "coup" when a majority of aldermen defied Frimark and set up new rules for the appointment of aldermen to city council committees, and for the filling of vacancies on many city volunteer boards and commissions. The dispute, which was brief but spirited, gave new meaning to the time-honored phrase, "with the advice and consent of the city council."

Sharp dialog among aldermen, volunteers, and residents about appointments continued through the year, particularly focusing on appointments to an ad hoc committee coordinating the rewrite of the city's zoning ordinance.

* After nearly a decade of discussion and planning, not to mention a myriad of public meetings and controversial debate, the $120 million Uptown redevelopment project got underway. At the end of the year, townhomes were rising on Meacham Avenue, excavation was beginning for the first condo-commercial building, four businesses had signed leases, and a lawsuit largely generated by traffic and safety concerns was filed by Summit Square Retirement Home.

* At year-end, redevelopment of several other areas of the city, including the Higgins corridor and Executive Plaza at the east end of Uptown, were being discussed, as were plans to explore options for an upgrade of police department facilities.

* The Recreation and Park District culminated nearly two years of public debate by scheduling a March, 2006 referendum to seek voter approval of funding for new facilities at several parks - the biggest pieces being a new multi-purpose recreation field house at Oakton Park and demolition of that park's swimming complex, and improvements to pools at Centennial and Hinkley Parks.

* Fund-raising for the renovation of the Iannelli memorial fountain in Hodges Park reached the $85,000 level late in the year, and actual construction could begin in the early part of 2006 in a project led by Howard Sersen and Milton Nelson.

The park district already has contributed nearly $50,000 to this project and plans to handle the landscaping.

* School districts 64 and 207 both experienced daunting financial pressures from declining or flat revenues, with Elementary District 64 issuing $5 million in working cash bonds to relieve a cash flow crunch in the fall, and High School District 207 launching an effort to cut up to $2 million out of its 2006-07 budget, if teachers and other constituent groups approve.

* The 15-year-long Economic Development Corporation era officially ended when Kim Uhlig joined the city's staff as Park Ridge's first municipal economic development director. She immediately began a get-acquainted survey of city businesses.

* Also in District 207, Superintendent C. Steven Snider announced his plans to retire in June, 2006 after a decade of innovative and aggressive leadership on behalf of the district's nearly 7,000 students.

* Significant progress was made on construction of a new Metra station and adjoining parking lot in Dee Park, slated for total completion in the first part of 2006. City officials hope this project will spark upgrades in nearby areas of the Crossroads/Dee Park area.

* In mid-year, a special committee of aldermen acknowledged that the previous investment of $650,000 in the Peotone third regional airport project was a "big mistake," and said that recovery of the money is unlikely. The bottom-line message: learn lessons and move on.

* During the year, Park Ridge completed the process of changing from fierce opponents of O'Hare Airport expansion to monitors of the project and a new focus on soundproofing homes, business, and schools from airplane noise.

* Maine South again highlighted the fall with still another banner football season - a 12-2 record, a third straight appearance in the state Class 8A championship game in Champaign, and a fifth straight Central Suburban-South conference championship.