Posted Friday, January 16, 2009
He will be first biracial president ever
It's my understanding that Barack Obama will be the first biracial president. He is 1/2 white and 1/2 black.
Don't want to hear about increasing taxes
City manager: You want to increase taxes because you don't live in Des Plaines. I dare you to move to Des Plaines so we don't have to pay for your car expenses and we don't have to hear your voice talking about increasing taxes. You really have the nerve. In regards to this comment, sometimes it's better not to say anything and be considered a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt.
(Ed. Note: Des Plaines City Manager Jason Bajor does live in Des Plaines.)
Democrats have a double standard
Funny how all the Democrats are supporting Caroline Kennedy when she has absolutely no political experience whatsoever. She's not even an attorney. Yet, Sarah Palin, being in government for several years, i.e. major and governor, she was not qualified to be vice president. The Democrats sure have a double standard. It's OK for them to do what they want but it's not ok for others.
Government seems to be the enemy
The government is destroying America faster then any outside enemy can. For shame.
Are there some hidden mayoral benefits?
Gee. Twelve people running for mayor in Des Plaines. Must be some hidden benefits, unknown to us taxpayers that come with the job.
Compare manager's salary with others
Stop knocking Jason Bajor. He's doing a good job. You want to complain about salaries, check out the salary of the secretary to the city manager of Rolling Meadows...$110,000 a year and guess what? She'll work for four days for $78,000 dollars a year. How's that for a part time job. Look at all the cut backs in Rolling Meadows and guess what? They're still cutting.
Enjoy other places then return to DP
This is for the person in Arlington Heights: I, too, enjoy downtown Arlington Heights, and guess what, I don't have to pay your exorbitant taxes. I enjoy a little glass of wine and go home to my affordable house in Des Plaines. Oh, I forgot, Mt. Prospect looks good too, but if you walk around their downtown instead of driving you'll find that a lot of those condos and townhomes are empty. People can't afford the taxes, and again, I enjoy the ice cream shop and go home to my affordable home in Des Plaines.
Something be said about experience
This is for the person who said we wouldn't miss the seasoned aldermen: How long have you been at your job? It takes time to be proficient.
Look what happened to them
Did you know that the cities of Sodom and Gomorra approved of gay marriage and look what happened to them.
(Ed. Note: What's your point?)
Littelfuse still the best possible site
With the coming of the casino I think its time to stop the stupid fighting and choices being made at council meetings. Leave the Choo Choo alone. To move it would cost more money than it's worth and the location is far from great for a police station or really anything else. The Littelfuse site offers buildings and more than ample parking. The money saved by putting it there would be more than worth it and could be used for more important improvements. Metropolitan Square is a bust. Don't make another mistake. Think before the people of Des Plaines get stuck with another poor design and useless building. In the economic times we are going through don't be stupid with our money.
Lots of comments, but no action
OK, this is getting ridiculous. I see many Speak Outs about the townhomes along Mannheim Road but I see no action by the alderperson. Get with it.
Wonder if he will support Thompson for mayor
From what I read in the Journal, Thompson got the "short end of the stick" in reuniting with the Provenzano group. All he got was the committeeman post and they got to keep all but one of the township offices. The pro-Thompson committeewoman had to cede her position to a Provenzano ally. Wonder, if in a display of unity, Provenzano will support Thompson for mayor.
Lots of rude people around
Yes, there is a reason to learn English. It is for communication. The nation was founded and fought for the slogan "One Nation, One Flag, One Language." I for one am tired of seeing and hearing other languages. My parents taught me it was rude to speak another language in public. It is apparent that we have a lot of new rude people in my country.
Clamp down on those who take out trash early
Why doesn't the city clamp down on those residents who take out their trash 3 to 4 days before trash time or a week before? Why isn't the city or community officer citing them?
Mr. President, you won't be missed
Bye bye George, we won't miss you.
Give us an update on those townhomes
Please, please Ald. Brookman, clean up those townhomes. Why is this taking so long? Why don't you update us on the progress. Seriously, what do the community service officers do? Seriously, what do they do? Why do we have them? Are they paid or all volunteer?
Not interested in the plight of the rooster
Stop printing nonsense about the rooster. Who cares?
Oakwood Avenue has worst potholes
Worst potholes in Des Plaines: My vote goes to Oakwood Avenue from Center to White.
Now we can get rid of all those taxes
No more. Luxury taxes, property taxes, local sales taxes, fuel taxes, property sales transfer taxes, water rate increases, storm and sanitary sewer rate increases, no more vehicle city stickers, no more pet licenses, you. Can take them from my share of our casino proceeds. I want a big fat zero (0!) for all the burdensome taxes you have placed on all of us over all of these years. Who is with me? Hands? Thank you.
Businesses must clear sidewalks of snow
I agree that the city did an outstanding job in 2007 and 2008 snow plowing the streets. At the same time the city is falling down on the job insuring that the businesses on Oakton, West of Lee are clearing their sidewalks. The tire store, the Italian restaurant; K-Mart and Jewel are continuing to ignore the snow shoveling regulations. They have ignored the regulations for every snowfall so far this year. In addition, snow cleared from their parking lots has been dumped on the sidewalks rendering them impassable. Then again, why should they worry? The $25 fine is less than they would have to pay to have their walks shoveled. Why are they getting away with this? People cannot get to the Pace bustops. It is disgraceful.
Kids should worry only about grades
To parents who have kids going to Des Plaines Elementary School Dist. 62: When I was a kid going to school my parents did not have to worry about selling candy and Christmas paper. Why should parents who have jobs and work have to help kids? What for? Don't the teachers or the schools make enough money? Kids and parents should not have to worry about that. Kids should only be worried about their grades not about helping teachers make more money.
Could be many reasons why money is tight
Maybe someone can explain how Prospect Heights is tight on money (Wednesday 01-07-09 Journal)? Maybe it is the $800,000 they went over budget on the City Hall. Maybe it's the raises that the administrators just received? Maybe it is the take home cars (the bosses) all drive? Maybe there are other options that needed to be looked at before you start talking about belt tightening. That all should of happened long before now. Pay freezes need to start at the top.
Many off-duty cops go to watering hole
Seems they would have security cameras all over the place at a place like Durty Nellie's in Palatine. May be a good place to have them. But then you would find the off duty Palatine police officers there with friends.
They snow plow when there's little snow
Was wondering if anyone else has experienced the public works department of Wauconda. If the forecast calls for 1 to 2 inches of snow, why is it the plows are out almost all night dragging their plows with little or no snow? Then we will hear about how much money they overspent due to a horrendous winter. In these tough economic times we need to watch how government spends our money and voice it to our mayor. I understand the need to keep the streets clear but this is way overboard.
Some strong concerns about casino
Park Ridge Mayor Frimark might be interested to know that Devon Avenue as well as Cumberland and Canfield are residential neighborhoods in this part of town. Canfield and Cumberland are the two streets that have exit/entrance ramps for traffic coming from the east. These streets are not designed to accommodate increased traffic flow. But, more importantly, as this is a residential part of town, these streets also have Roosevelt Elementary, Lincoln Middle School and Maine South High School students traveling on foot bicycle and bus. This will expose our children to a 24-hour influx of drunk drivers. And to suggest that the concerns of increased crimes and traffic congestion are outweighed by restaurant and casino employment sounds like a man out of touch. Not to mention the decrease in property value. I also suggested he do his homework, check with mayors of other towns adjacent to casinos. Try driving around Elgin and Joliet. These towns remain depressed. The patrons of casinos have one destination only and that is the casino. And very often after losing everything they spill out on to the neighborhood streets to pilfer what they can find from parked cars and open garages.
Very interested in Blase sentencing
I will be watching very closely the sentencing of former Niles Mayor Nick Blase on Jan. 29.
No good reason why she shouldn't run for mayor
Kim Biederman for mayor, hmmmmmm? If you need a change Kim would be the ultimate pick. Why? Simply: Women in Niles government have never been held in high regards. That's the raw truth. The Village of Niles now resembles the United Nations with a multi-ethnic citizen base. Why not Kim Biederman for mayor? The first woman to break the status quo.
Why would anyone vote for him?
Acting Niles Mayor Robert Callero has only been in office a couple months and there have already been two instances of misuse of village services. Why would anyone vote to re-elect this man? No Blagojevich. No Callero.
Hypocritical to patronize that establishment
In response to: "Park Ridge: Don't mess with liquor ordinance". It is very hypocritical of you to patronize the very establishment you don't want in Park Ridge. Stay on your side of the river if that's the way you behave.
Hope Kim runs for mayor of Niles
I hope Kim Biederman runs for Mayor of Niles. We need a break from the past and some honest, new leadership for our village. Go Kim.
Park Ridge put big condo in middle of town
Oh yes, Park Ridge is improving its downtown. They put this great big condo building right down the middle of their downtown. It reminds me of the days when Des Plaines had that big ugly garage in downtown Des Plaines. How many of Mayor Daley's pals moved to Park Ridge and got on the city council and persuaded the council not to fight O'Hare's expansion? Think about it people.
A Niles firefighter was indeed injured
It should be noted that a Niles firefighter was injured during the fire on Nordica. His injuries are not life threatening, but to say nobody was injured is incorrect.
Think about effects of O'Hare Airport
To all you complainers about O'Hare noise, I grew up in Elk Grove Village, 1961 thru 1998, when jets were so loud that if a conversation was taking place when a plane went over you just stopped waited and continued after it passed. It really confused outsiders who never had to adapt to the noise. Better yet, when at 3 a.m. those clowns at O'Hare decided to test engines in the so-called "hush boxes". Ha, hushed for whom? But think of this: What would you be now be if the elder mayor Daley hadn't built O'Hare and simply expanded Midway? Just go to Ford Heights, Dolton or Harvey and you have might have a sense.
Unfortunately some people are like that
To the woman who had the incident in the parking lot at Trader Joe's in Park Ridge: Unfortunately this is a common occurrence in public, dear. I work for a major food store and this is a regular occurrence in and out of the store. People have become ignorant, rude and inconsiderate and are teaching their children just those values. It's very sad to see, but true. Sorry this has happened to you. Don't let it make you be afraid. There are still quite a few good people out there. Have a happy new year and raise your child to think the way you do.
His candidacy means more of the same
You reported that the Village of Niles cleared themselves of any wrongdoing when former Mayor Blase used taxpayer resources for the political gain of mayoral candidate Bob Callero. Isn't it funny that the ones who did this cleared themselves? This would be like Blagojevich's own lawyer declaring him innocent. Bob Callero as mayor only means more of the same for Niles.
Can keep snow from blocking driveways
In regards to snow removal and pushing the snow onto driveways, it is not true that nothing can be done. In Minneapolis the plows have a gate on them that when the plow reaches the driveway it drops and holds the snow until it passes. The snow that is pushed onto our driveways is too heavy to move with a shovel. Even a single stage snow blower can't move it. The only choice is to leave it.
Need to remove overnight street parking
I wish there was some way that the city could post some signs on Cedar Street to remove the street parking. We use to have a sign on one side of the street that said, "No Parking On This Side of the Street", but once we had the street resurfaced a number of years ago, the sign was never replaced. The neighbors had made comments to our alderman, Mr. Becker, at that time but nothing happened. We now have people parking on both sides of the street (across from each other) on many days. And when they closed River Road in September and December because of the rising river the traffic was then rerouted down Cedar and the traffic jams began. Does anyone in this town (our government officials) ever use the space between their ears to check things out and listen to the citizens of Des Plaines? I think not from past experiences. We should have some law that after a certain time in the evening, cars should be removed from the streets and into people's driveways. We have a neighbor who has four cars and they all sit out on the street. When we had our two children and had four cars, we did what we called "shift the cars" - not a biggie. But I guess it's just too much for some people. Goodness, if they got off their bottoms to move, they might expend a few calories. We are becoming a bunch of jellybums. When it snows the city plows have a heck of time plowing the street.
Hope future here is much better
Happy New Year, Des Plaines. I hope 2009 is a better year than 2008. We could sure use it in this town.
During visit my sinuses went ballistic
Why doesn't someone get smart and remove all the old buildings (that have been through numerous floods) from the Methodist Campground. Every time the Des Plaines River overflows its banks they get flooded out. Have you even been in any of those houses? Well, a few years ago I went to a craft fair that they had in the summer. We went into the large round building that they were showing quilts in. I walked in and pretty much walked out. My sinuses went ballistic. They need to move to higher and more sanitary ground. Then if the river wants to move into that area it's not hurting anyone.
Daughter got outstanding education
This is in response to the article of Catholic schools. I disagree with you as I have a daughter who went to St. Stephens from 4th grade on, Divine Savior in Norridge before we moved to Des Plaines. She got an outstanding education in Catholic school, which also teaches them a lot of other morals that they need to grow up to be a great adult. She went to Maine West after St. Stephens and also skipped a year of math at Maine West because it was too easy for her. She also graduated from college and is now a high school math teacher and varsity cheerleading coach. Besides having a BA, she also has a Masters in math, and also is going for her second Masters in business/math. The Catholic education made the foundation for her to succeed to this level besides being a caring and loving young adult.
What do they have against mobile homes?
In Speak Out you had a person write on the conditions of the townhouses on Mannheim and in the same breath stated that the Des Plaines should eliminate the "trailer parks" because other suburbs that at one time had them don't have them any more. My husband and I live in a mobile home - not a trailer - and probably have more money and education than the person who wrote that letter. In the same vein maybe Des Plaines should get rid of all the small houses, apartments, and townhouses where most of the lower class persons like the letter writer (I presume he of the lower class) live. Gee, the people of Des Plaines are really nice. What exactly does Des Plaines have against mobile homes?
School district needs to save like the rest of us
Once again, the school board of Dist. 34 takes the easy road and votes to raise our property taxes. While every other business and household in America is cutting back because of difficult economic times, our local school districts decide to spend more money. When is it going to stop? School District 34 is not suffering from a shortage of anything. All you have to do is walk through these schools and you will see the overflow of supplies and technology available. Why does District 34 have eight psychiatrists and 12 social workers on the payroll? Classrooms are already very small (15-20 students w/a teachers aide) and now a panel has recommended smaller class sizes. Homeowners in Glenview are already paying high property taxes...we are at the breaking point already. Find a way to save money...it's there; just look a little harder for it.
Raising our rates because they can
I am shocked, but not surprised that the Village of Glenview has once again voted to raise the water and sewer rate for North Maine Utilities customers (ie., unincorporated Maine Township residents). We pay the highest rate for water than anyone in the surrounding area. However, Glenview has continued to raise the charge for using their water. I happen to know why the unincorporated area is being exploited by Glenview. Because they can. They can charge us anything they want because we in the unincorporated Maine Township area do not elect the officials in Glenview.
He's a good, honest public servant
Glenview Trustee Scott Britton is a man with integrity and values. He could not see profiting from people who did not elect him. That's right, when his constituents in Glenview elected him, Mr. Britton didn't realize the relationship of the Glenview Public Works Department over the unincorporated Maine Township residents. He is now seeing it first hand. It is not pretty.
Plenty of ways to save money
Do the politicians ever read these letters? I think one or two from Des Plaines do but not our state representatives, state senators or our Cook County representative. I hope more are in these times when wage earners are being asked to cut back and learn to do without. So I cut back on my driving to save money and clean the air a bit. Because so many of us have done this, the politicians are now going to raise gasoline taxes because tax revenue on gasoline is down. Why do the politicians not have to try to cut back and learn to do without? All they need to do is look around at small ways to save our taxes. Little by little money can be saved when the intent to save is there.
People should learn to speak English
Speaking out about "no reason to force people to speak English". I feel people should speak English if they live in America. This is becoming a problem for people to get a job due to the fact that if you can't speak Spanish you aren't "qualified" for the job, which I think is ridiculous. I have no problem with people speaking different languages...as long as they can still speak English.
We need to come to her defense
I am tired of reading the constant attacks on Des Plaines Ald. Carla Brookman. These Speak Outs are obviously from people with a political agenda in trying to harm her reputation. If you have watched the council meetings over the years as I have, you know that Carla is the only alderman who consistently fights for the people. It is time for her friends to start speaking up and come to her defense. We need more public officials with the courage to do the right thing and cast the right vote.
Alderman is always visible in the ward
I am a resident of the 2nd ward and I would like to thank Alderman Moylan for all the hard work he has done for us especially on behalf of the seniors. The 2nd ward has never looked better, he is always available, we see him riding his bike and walking his dog in the summer and again, he is always available to us and we really appreciate that. Alderman Moylan was right to scrutinize those in charge of Special Events. They received $100,000 of the taxpayers' money, but they haven't even budgeted it. I have to prepare a budget for my household and in these hard times every penny has to be accounted for.
Would like to have seen better decorations
I wanted to congratulate the wonderful communities of Park Ridge, Mt. Prospect, Arlington Hts. They had wonderful Christmas decorations. It was disappointing to drive on Northwest Highway into downtown Des Plaines. It is depressing to think about our wonderful community and how it has so much potential, but they couldn't have done any decorating around the train station, etc. It really is depressing to think of how wonderful of a community Des Plaines was at one time, with so many volunteers including Pesche's, Murray's, etc.
Wants to see more help from alderman
I am calling about the new 6th ward alderman. He is not doing what he should be for the people. At least when Becker was here he would help the people.
(Ed. Note: Isn't Ald. Walsten helping? From what we can see, he is.)
Need better planning for downtown
This is for the planning committee of Des Plaines – what were you thinking? All of the other suburbs have improved their flow of traffic in their downtown areas. What has Des Plaines done? They put up another stoplight, about ½ a mile, which is about four blocks, between Northwest Highway and Rand Road. Way to go.
Cars blocking snowplows should be ticketed
Anyone who parks on the street during a snowfall should be ticketed. There is a car across the street from me, blocking the snowplow. And they are having one heck of a time trying to get into my complex because that car blocks my driveway from across the street. I hope it is important to park on the street during a snowstorm.
Maine West never in top 50
I had a good laugh from Speak Out. Maine West has never been in the top 50 schools.
Veterans should not be charged for glasses
I am calling about the VA hospital. They have been charging $79 for eyeglasses. I went in there to get a new pair of free eyeglasses like I normally do every two years and when I go down to the eye clinic to check out the eyeglasses this girl tells me that they're now $79 and that is the lowest you can get a pair of glasses for these days. So then I went over to the west side to see if they still have the free glasses, and by the way this just happened about a year ago, before this so called recession they're talking about. Something is wrong about this. We can't get our free vitamins anymore, either. They're now charging us for that when it should be free. We gotta do something about this, Speak Out.
Wants same memorial in DP
You brought up a wonderful suggestion about the area in downtown Palatine near the train station concerning the memorial to the fireman and policeman who have served Palatine so well. We totally support the idea of trying to establish the same sort of recognition in Des Plaines.
They say clothes make the man
I have lived in Des Plaines for 50 years and I have heard one thing: In Des Plaines, the clothes make the man.