THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007
For Frimark, Visit To D.C. Step In Right Direction
By CRAIG ADAMS
Journal Reporter
Park Ridge Mayor Howard Frimark called the recent trip to Washington, D.C., "very successful" during an interview on Tuesday, Oct. 9.
"I received a lot of good comments from citizens, telling me this is the direct way to go: talk to our federal legislators on their turf," he said. "(It tells) them that you're serious."
He led a city team consisting of Director of Economic Development Kim Uhlig and City Manager Tim Schuenke on Oct. 2-3. The three planned to meet U.S. Congressman Jan Schakowsky (9th), and U.S. Senators Barack Obama and Dick Durbin.
"On Tuesday, we met with Representative Schakowsky," he said. "We talked about ways that we could get assistance from the federal government to handle our request of funds." The city has sent several requests for funding on three primary projects: traffic preemption devices, a study for a separated railroad crossing at Cumberland Avenue, and relief sewers. "Unfortunately, we haven't gotten anything at all from her," Frimark said. He added Schakowsky told him all the appropriation money for this year is already gone.
The team felt they had much better results at the senators' offices on Wednesday, even if they did not meet with the senators themselves. At Dick Durbin's office, they spoke to his grant coordinator.
"He was really helpful in getting us some ideas," Frimark said. He also praised two people in the office of Senator Barack Obama. "They really went out of their way to give us ideas and sources," he said. "They were probably the most successful group that we talked to."
That afternoon, the team went to the Dept. of Transportation where they spoke to the heads of the Federal Highway Authority and the Federal Transit Authority. "There we talked to the number one person. You can't ask for anything more," he remarked.
The team also learned of new regional agencies to help the quest. One is Chicago Metropolitan Area Planning.
"That organization oversees the planning and the transportation regional issues," explained Uhlig. "They receive federal dollars to provide transportation dollars to various communities," she added. "That was identified as a source for the city."
"Overall, I think we went there with a message that we need some assistance," Frimark said. He explained the underpass at Cumberland is a federal issue because it helps the flow of traffic in the area that will likely increase with the expansion project at O'Hare. "A lot of people are going to be using our north and south routes," he said. The traffic preemption devices allow stoplights to change ahead of an emergency vehicle, stopping other traffic while allowing the vehicle to proceed. The relief sewers are an ongoing need to help prevent basement and property flooding.
He explained Congress plans a large appropriations bill for 2009. "That's why we're doing our homework now," he said. "A lot of times you come too late, and the horse is out of the barn already." Demonstrating the city's need for money helps position it for those funds well in advance.
The total cost of the trip was under $2,000, Frimark added.
"That included the airfare, transportation, cabs, one dinner, and two lunches." The money comes from the city's general budget, he explained. "We've been talking about this for a year," he added. "I think it was very successful."