Posted Friday, January 9, 2009
If noise continues, assess fines
It may be worth exploring the legality of passing an ordinance regarding excessive noise and then documenting the levels and then issuing citations for the older aircraft/ louder violators, then issuing the citations. Hey, if the folks in the new flight pattern have to put up with it at least the fines could offset the tax burdens. Kind of like if you want to play you have to pay.
Will city leaders change their budget strategies?
Now that Des Plaines' budget is strapped due to the economy, will our city officials change their revenue generating strategies? Are TIFs and casinos really the best way to manage the current fiscal health of a city? As we enter a new election period, people of Des Plaines need to look for leaders with creative, yet realistic, plans for revenue growth that do not simply add tax burdens on the citizens. We need to hold our officials accountable to their actions by staying informed and involved in the election process and beyond.
Squishable something people really like
Everybody should buy a Squishable! According to the workers there, they're a blast. So fun to play with. Not like I'm a worker encouraging you to buy it, just a commentary.
City leaders need to take a hard look at their service
Tell the truth. Here we are again with snow on the ground and Des Plaines Public Works can't plow a street curb to curb. Managers, department heads and city government need to take off their blinders and take a good hard look at the quality of work that is done before talking about what a great job they do if that is the best they can do. The entire lot should be replaced. In the real world they would not get paid for that kind of work so why should the taxpayers of Des Plaines have to pay for poor quality work?
Thanks officials for helping senior citizens
Thank you to all the aldermen and a special thank you to Argus, Murphy, Beauvais, Walsten who decided to recognize the need to fund the Des Plaines Senior Center to ensure our Des Plaines seniors have a place to go. To the mayor and City Manager Bajor, thank you for working for the seniors. Just want to make sure that the previous message is heard that moderate increases each year are better then no increases.
Postal employees deserve special recognition
A special thank you to Geeda and Glenn at the downtown Des Plaines Post Office for the great service they provide. All who come there are served with a smile and treated as valued customers. A real rarity in today's world. Nice work.
Wants to rein in school spending, too
Congratulations to our City Council for reigning in the spending in our 2009 budget. Now if we property owners could be as effective in reigning in the overzealous spending in Des Plaines Elementary School Dist. 62 we would be in good shape. Unfortunately District 62 has a mighty big wish list. Despite a huge surplus, they wish to raise an additional 6%+ from us next year to finance non-essential things. It is the local school funding which comprises the largest share of our property tax bills. Over 60% of an average bill goes to the school districts. You know that those who don't pay property taxes will simply want more and more programs since they won't be paying for them. It is up to us, we who pay for the schools even if we don't have children, to counteract those who wish us to pay to educate their children. Since we have to live within our means, perhaps we should teach them that they must as well. Rise up property owners.
Keep religion out of the education picture
Catholic schools help more? Are you kidding? I can't believe someone would come out and say something like that. First of all, this is a country where I am free to choose my religion, so I don't need you to tell me my kids need to go to a Catholic school to become a CEO. Borrowing from MLK a little and expanding---I hope we live in a world where one day a human being will not be judged by the color of his skin or his/her religion, but by the content of his/her character. If you keep beating into your kids' heads that only being a certain religion will make them successful in life, then you may be raising children who will not be open to other human beings and choices they make in life. Remember, only you can answer for your own soul. Let me worry about mine.
People need to stop their whining
All this political whining is a waste of space and ink. Please stop. All you want is for people to hear you whine. Stop, wha, wha, wha.
Henry wishes everyone a wonderful Christmas
Henry the Rooster and I would like to wish all the Journal & Topics Newspapers readers a wonderful Merry Christmas. Oh, and the guy who whines all the time, you also, have a wonderful Christmas.
Marriage is between a man and a woman
Equality in marriage needed: What part of marriage is between and man and a woman don't you understand? I have a bad feeling about you. Don't corrupt our town with your wrong decisions.
Seniors drive older cars because they take care of them
Old people are driving tanks: You are a goof writing in and complaining about elderly folks. Who in the world put you high up on a donkey? The reason they drive older cars is because they are on a budget, and the cars are well taken cared for. And for your outrageous comment about putting them in a Mini Cooper and then a coffin, it was very sad on your behalf.
He keeps complaining about Riverwalk
Upset with Riverwalk wall: This is the same guy who constantly writes in about this Riverwalk, and complains constantly. Maybe part of the Riverwalk will collapse and some aldermen will be driving by and have to save you. But I don't think they should throw you any life raft. Just swim fast.
Who is making sure kids are safe?
In this day and age of school districts trying to save money with larger class sizes and teacher unions stressing higher salaries and better medical benefits for themselves, who is responsible for making sure that our kids are safe? Aren't there laws to ensure that there are not too many kids in a science lab, in a shop class, or in the cafeteria? Who is making sure that the laws are being enforced? Ask your school board members and school officials if they are adhering to all state laws.
Start with implementing pay cuts
The Des Plaines City Council has repeatedly asked if there are any ideas to further cut spending and increasing or sustaining revenue levels without cutting jobs or raising property taxes. The city manager has repeatedly replied he has no further ideas and the council has been directed by the mayor to review and try to find some. Well I have an idea. Let's start with every staff member and administrator taking a five percent (5%) pay reduction and proceed from there. I mean everyone should participate, from the mayor and city manager on down. Make it a permanent reduction pending review in two years to avoid the bandage approach. If five percent doesn't add up to enough, then go up one percentage point at a time, not to exceed 10 percent. Since salary discussions are in private "executive sessions" I have no idea how much this would be, but a five percent cut seems a reasonable enough place to start. Better this than 12 people losing their jobs. Any employee who does not agree can be replaced in this tough employment situation. Even the lobbyist was willing to lower his bid to keep his job, so I think our staff, administrators and employees might also be agreeable. Since the council will be undergoing a major turnover in April, this would also be an optimum time to review the costs for salary, benefits and perquisites of the part-time leadership roles. Frankly I am surprised that this wasn't one of the first things considered and implemented. During these difficult economic times, residents are being required to pay more for less, so everyone, staff, leaders and city employees should be required to do more for a little less. This isn't perfect or easy, but residents seeing that staff and city officials are sharing these hardships with those they serve might make this a somewhat less bitter pill to swallow not to mention the additional revenue.
Write in Bajor's name for mayor
"Bakers dozen for Des Plaines mayor candidates". Jason Bajor for mayor. Everyone needs to write his name in on the ballot this spring for mayor. What a wonderful surprise it would be for him to win and have the chance to resign
Thanks for reporting the truth
Thank you Journal for your reporting the truth and your fairness with observations. I see you neither on the left or right, but do think you care about Des Plaines and are ready to call a spade a spade. You print all the Speak Outs and even from the silly rooster. With the new year approaching, keep up the good work, keep the residents informed, and God help us all with the economy. We really need you now to keep our leaders on their toes and not their faces in their mirrors, as many have in the past. We need good leaders now to erase the mistakes from the past ones. Thanks to you and your staff.
Rally around the Choo Choo
The Choo Choo must go on. What else is left? The Old Bowl, Kinders, 31 Flavors is even gone. The Des Plaines Theater is useless. Why can't we have a nice Saturday afternoon movie and then go over to the Choo Choo?
Would have had more compassion if
I would have more compassion for that boy if he stopped, if he didn't wait an hour to call the police, and most importantly, if he had not lied about how his car was damaged. The accident was an accident, but leaving the scene and lying about it was deliberate. Thank goodness the girl wasn't alone and left dying in the street while he sat thinking up an alibi.
Kids are more protected in a Catholic school
Do you remember when you went to Disneyland for the fourth time? Do you remember when you first learned how to multiply? Now answer this: which lasted longer? A: the plastic Cinderella wand, or B: the ability to figure out 3x4? If you answered A, go see a doctor. If you answered B, good job. If you have one vacation a year instead of 20, and stop having weekly shopping sprees because your 5-day-old wardrobe is out of style, you will be able to afford to send your kids to a Catholic school for a year or two. So what if you're not Catholic? Your kids would still get a better education. Besides, your kids are more protected in a Catholic school. I know mine are.
Commission's role has gotten over blown
Just to clear a few things up about the Special Events Commission. The commission's increase of money was given around the same time past Alderman Tom Christiansen left office. Before that, the commission always operated on a low budget. The commission originally was meant to honor the volunteers for the time they give to Des Plaines by our past mayor and never meant to be what it is today. Our present mayor and his flamboyant ideas have turned the commission into a three-ring circus act. Way too much attention to that group and not enough to all the other great volunteers we have. Is it a commission or another city hall clique?
One person's thought on community
For sale: Lovely home in Northwest suburban Des Plaines. Seasonal flooding. Airport traffic, noise and pollution. Frequent freight train traffic delays. Increasing property taxes to go along with decreasing real estate prices. Heavy truck traffic provides plenty of potholes and auto repair bills. Vacant strip malls with plenty of banking opportunities. Limited snow removal and salting, but great sledding. Hurry to see this fine example of Northwest suburban living bliss. Plenty of foreclosure properties to choose from. (Yes, Mr. Editor, I do mean terrible. Ok, maybe unpleasant. Is that better?)
Now very happy living in Iowa
I've lived in Des Plaines for 20 years. Knew the airport was expanding. Knew it would lead to more noise, pollution, and Illness. Higher taxes and more trains. Solved the problem. No more planes, no more trains. No more. Des Plaines. Happy in Iowa.
Community needs to rally around the Choo Choo
The Choo Choo must go on. What else is left? The Old Bowl, Kinders, 31 Flavors is even gone. The Des Plaines Theater is useless. Why can't we have a nice Saturday afternoon movie and then go over to the Choo Choo? What happened to the good old days?
There are procedures concerning trash collection
Here we go again. Garbage is not to be brought to the curbside unless it is placed in the correct bin. If there is extra garbage it can be placed along side the bin. If the bin is not at curbside but garbage is present the collector shall not pick up the garbage manually, but for some reason does. Why?
Need strong laws concerning leashing dogs
There should be an enforced ordinance that all pets when being walked should be leashed no longer than six feet, and the owner should carry and have visible a scooper or plastic bag for pick up. No more 20 ft. retractable reel leashes so the dog can roam to its desire and do its duty where it wishes while the owner willingly neglects to pick it up.
People need to get away form gossip magazines
I'm getting sick of seeing empty racks that once held celebrity gossip magazines. People are getting obsessed with those things. It's really starting to get ridiculous. Get over yourselves and get a life. Now. Yes now. Throw that magazine out right now. Get your butt off that chair. I mean it.
Litterbugs, babies throw trash on ground
People, seriously. Throwing your trash on the ground doesn't only make you a litterbug, it also makes you look like a lazy three-year-old.
Glad she is running for city clerk
I'm glad to hear that Jennifer Tsalapatanis is running for city clerk. I finally can watch the council meeting. I met her at National Night Out and she seems smart.
Town needs someone else to run in 5th ward
Carla Brookman will finally be off City Council thanks to term limits. Now husband Jim is seeking her seat and daughter Jennifer is taking a close look at the City Clerk's post. Let us hope that someone else in the 5th ward decides to run against Jim, because he probably has Carla's playbook to fall back on which means more short-sighted decisions, more blocking progress, keeping Des Plaines in the 60s while surrounding communities thrive. We need to move into the future and look beyond the Brookmans.
Thanks mayor for tie-breaking vote
Mayor breaks 4-4 tie in favor of 1% property tax levy for 2009. Congratulations to Mayor Tony Arredia for breaking this most contested vote in the city council in all these weeks of discussion. I'm sure he was under a lot of pressure to do otherwise. My hat goes off to you mayor for siding with all of the taxpaying citizens of Des Plaines. Frank from Des Plaines.
Liquor store does not shovel sidewalk
Foremost Liquors ignores the fact that there's a sidewalk on their property. I haven't seen them once shovel it in the five years I've lived in Des Plaines. Could you tell me what alderman presides over this ward and if there is a fine for not clearing your sidewalk?
People need help with sandbagging
It was nice to read about those who helped residents sandbag their homes during the flood. How come we never have any help with sandbagging? There are elderly people and people who cannot lift sandbags who do not get any help especially those who live on the river. How do we get that help for our homes? We need to have the city start with us and help put the sandbags around our homes first because these are the homes that are most in danger. Why has this never happened? Again, many residents are not capable of filling bags or lifting bags. Are we just out of luck? Is there no help for those who cannot do for themselves? Where are you city officials when we need you? Devastated flood victim.
A warning would have gotten the message across
Another fundraiser for Des Plaines. I wonder how many others had this experience. The day before Thanksgiving after the potatoes were done and veggies ready for the holiday, my husband and I looked over our budget, since he no longer has a job, and decided we could get one more Christmas gift for our granddaughter. So we got in the car to go to Kmart. There was a roadblock for checking seat belts and I, as a passenger, did not have mine on and received a $25 ticket. I don't understand why passengers could not get a warning. Needless to say there will be one less gift under the tree. When I dropped off my check the box was overflowing. Des Plaines comes through for the holiday, but not for the residents.
What are plans to reduce flooding?
What is going on? Has the city of Des Plaines forgotten that there still is a serious issue about the flood? What are they doing now to avoid this happening again and again? There has not been any updated information in the paper, so does this mean that flooding is not a serious concern for their community? Well, the residents are still trying to put their homes back together and live in fear every day now so flooding is a serious issue to them. So city officials, is this issue out of sight out of mind? Apparently, your residents are not as important as your Riverwalk. So what plans are in the works to save your residents from another disaster? Well? Des Plaines resident.
My child agrees: Save restaurant
Save the Choo Choo. That's what my 5 year old says. I agree.
Not bad for making a mess
Congressional Pay Raise Again: Our lawmakers, who have the lowest public rating, will receive a $4,700 raise next year. The average lawmaker presently is paid $169,300 a year. House Speaker Pelosi's salary is $217,400 and the other minority and majority leaders in the Senate and House receive $188,000. Not bad for making a mess of our country. Watch your wallet fellow citizens. Frank from Des Plaines.