What's on your mind? Speak Out messages are edited first before appearing in print and online.
So, how do we know if it's legitimate?
If people are claiming to be Des Plaines police officers on the telephone and are not Des Plaines police officers, and they are telling residents they were collecting money for the Des Plaines Police Dept., is that not impersonating a Des Plaines police officer? Chief Prandini recently that no Des Plaines officers solicit money over the telephone and do not pick up donations from residents, homes or businesses. Well, someone at the Des Plaines Police Dept. needs to check out what impersonating a police officer is. How do we as residents know if the person on the telephone is a police officer or not? When you call the Des Plaines police station you get a person that answers the telephone who tells you that they can do nothing to help and if someone comes to your house, call 911. Who will they send to help you when you call 911, the fire department, or public works?
Took a long time for Public Works to get raise
How about the Des Plaines City Council signing the public works contract? These guys have been without a contract for over a year. That means they'll finally get the 3-1/2% raise they should have been getting all last year. But now, after giving police and city staff a 3-1/2 % raise, they want public works to cut down their raise. Hope you all think of this next time it snows or the river floods and these guys work 18 days for 4-5 weeks to clean up the flood mess or work for 36 hours straight plowing your streets in a major snow storm.
Believes money is the real reason
Our chief of police wants red light cameras for safety reasons not as a revenue stream (yeah, right). When asked how many accidents were caused by red light running, he answered, "I don't know". If you think we need red light cameras for safety, you would know how many accidents are caused by cars running red lights (information easy to get by just looking at the tickets Des Plaines has written). Come on, we are not dopes. The red light cameras are being looked at for one reason: money. Also, if no additional staff is needed, who is going to review each and every violation? The chief says someone on staff, but we know that these reviews will be quickly done, if done at all. Remember, the goal is to get money.
Make prohibition last five years
So Marty Moylan thinks that officials should be prohibited from working for the casino for at least a year. How about five years Marty? That's what Obama is suggesting for the D.C. people. We don't even have the casino yet and already the politicians are divvying up the pie.
Parade has been lacking last few years anyway
I just read that Des Plaines is cutting back on its parade. The parade in Des Plaines the last couple of years has been pathetic anyway. How much more can you cut back? Does not even compare to other surrounding suburbs. I am sure Des Plaines residents will just go to Mt. Prospect or Arlington for their parades. Get a life Des Plaines.
Communication is reason to learn, practice English
Yes, there is a reason to learn English. It is for communication. Many have fought for the slogan "One Nation, One Flag, One Language." 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.
Must make strong effort to support local business
We have seen, heard and read a great deal about so many businesses coming to Des Plaines and then closing and I wondered why. It's not because of the economy. I had occasion to visit a fairly new business in Des Plaines. They beautified the location, the products are of a superior quality and competitively priced, it's clean, the staff is service oriented and friendly and never fails to say thank you. But they are contemplating leaving Des Plaines. When I asked why, I learned they are "disappointed" with Des Plaines. It's not just that business is slow, but why it's slow. They don't feel welcome here. The people of Des Plaines don't support the community businesses and I they say "even the city" has not made them feel welcome. Isn't it sad that a business that isn't another bank is trying so hard to make it here and serve the community and they have been made to feel like outsiders? If you are looking for a particular type of business, check online, the Journal & Topics Newspapers, in the phone directory or even call the Chamber of Commerce. Let's make an effort to support our Des Plaines community businesses so they will stay in Des Plaines and other businesses will want to come here. If we don't we'll have to travel further and further for something other than a bank.
He's a star and he's not coming back
Henry is a star now. I've seen him on TV doing commercials. He made it to Hollywood and he said he was not coming back to Des Plaines. He said he might come back to show off his new Mercedes.
Clear the streets by calling police
Another snow day in Des Plaines and the streets are not completely cleared because of cars parked on the street. Why don't you get the plow drivers, who I am sure have cell phones, call the police if they are going down the street and say, "Come to North Warrington and pick up these cars that are on the street." Thank you.
We could have a united community
With the Des Plaines mayoral race quickly approaching I had a few things that I am greatly concerned about. I am concerned about the kind of behavior that has gone on for years in the city government. I hope for a more positive year. The city could be great. It could be a place without a pre-set agenda, a place that can grow and grow together, united, not divided.
Congratulations to Tom
I am looking at the Journal, January 7 page 2B. Tom, congratulations.
Should be no time for whining
The people who call Speak Out with political whining do so because they lack a good Catholic education. A Catholic education has taught us to use our limited and valuable time around here to do constructive things with our lives. There is no time for whining.
Nice to get downtown theater going again
What a wonderful sight in front of the old Sugar Bowl Restaurant. There is a beautiful white lantern. Why not have several of those spread out down Main Street, also known as Miner Street, in downtown Des Plaines? We desperately need to get downtown Des Plaines movie theatre back in business to have any continuity.
Need to stay in touch with the people
Joe, say it ain't so. Joe's got a temper that we need to watch out for. The first thing you need to do Joe if you want to run is that you need to be in touch with the people. Please say it's not so Joe, say it's not so.
Happy with newer, larger, trash bins
I am a 30-year resident of Des Plaines and I would like to thank the Des Plaines administration that agreed to change our garbage service to the large garbage and recycling bins. My family now recycles about two to three times as much now with the new bins. I know that Des Plaines gets a lot of grief for the large cans, but it is good for the environment.
Forget about casino being a bad thing for city
I am calling in regards to the casino in Des Plaines. I wish Todd Wessell and Mr. Blue would quit mocking it. It is over and done with. Let it go. It is going to be good for the city. We are going to make a lot of money for the city because of it. Mr. Blue is all bad news about it saying how bad it is going to be for the town and all of that. Forget about it. It is all done now. It will help out the city. Let's be positive about it.
City should leave Choo Choo alone
I am a subscriber to the Journal & Topics and I have been reading about the Choo Choo Restaurant and how the city wants to buy it and tear it down. Let's ruin everything we touch in Des Plaines. It's the most undeveloped town in the Northwest suburbs. Come on city government, let's get this job done right. First fix the things you've already ruined and let the Choo Choo stay. It's a landmark. It's an anchor.
(Ed. Note: No decision has been made about the future of the Choo Choo property).
Alderman helped us with our flat tire
We would like to express our most sincere gratitude to Ald. Marty Moylan of Des Plaines for all the help given to us on Monday morning. We were waiting for a tow truck to fix our flat tire and he went out of his way to offer us his help and assistance. Thank you so much. Tom and Alexandra.
No problem moving the Choo Choo building
Why is everyone making a big deal out of the Choo Choo? That building is nothing. That building should be moved to another spot. It could be put up anywhere else.
$79 cheap for a new pair of glasses
About the person who called about glasses costing $79 as being too expensive. Unless you are a veteran who is disabled, glasses are not free. If you have diabetes, then you are entitled to free glasses. Everyone else has to buy his or her glasses. $79 is cheap. Please don't be annoyed with the Veteran's administration. They are doing the best with their limited budget.
Would like to see some recipes
I am from Prospect Hts. and I am not happy about the leadership in the city. I hope that in the next election the people will be more represented than they have been in the past six years. What I am calling mostly about though is the recipes in the latest Journal & Topics. I haven't seen recipes in the Journal in a really, really long time and it's nice to see that people are sharing foods that are comfort foods that make you smile in our economy. Thank you for publishing the recipes and hopefully you will find more people who will share their recipes.
Great that Prospect Hts. has deep pockets
Seems like an awfully nice contract. Can be suspended with full pay? I bet that would hurt. I don't know anyone who has insurance with no deductibles. Thank goodness Prospect Hts. has deep pockets.
Candidate needs to lead, not just talk
Candidate Lasse. OK, 15% reduction in all non-police and fire spending in Mt. Prospect. $100 million budget, minus police fire =$75M ($25 million reduction). What services will you cut, Mr. Lasse? You brought it up. Put your economic recovery plan for public review. Leading is showing not just telling department heads to cut 15%.
Fill up empty spots before building
Just what we need, another vacant strip mall. Fill the one at Kensington and Wheeling roads first before putting up more vacant retail shops. Mt Prospect resident + 20 years.
Hopes Callero party doesn't attend
The headline in this week's paper, and Mr. Wessell's disparaging comments about Mayor Callero and his running mates are about as unprofessional as anything I have ever seen in a newspaper. It is truly unfortunate that the Journal & Topics has decided its mission is to make news, rather than report it. A political debate should be conducted under the auspices of a neutral third party organization like The League of Women Voters, not by a newspaper with a clear editorial slant against one of the candidates. I hope the Continuing Economic Stability Party stays home from your sham debate, and that a respectable organization steps forward and sponsors a real debate.
(Ed. Note: Sorry, the slate has decided that it will participate in the Journal & Topics debate on Mar. 18 at the Niles Library. The citizens of Niles are the ones who will win with a lively, open discussion of local issues.)
Why hasn't he said that he will debate?
I think it's very interesting that Bob Callero and his Economic Stability Party has not yet committed to the debate in March. A direct quote from Callero, "debates don't generally favor incumbent". What does that mean? That tells me Callero is not the right person to be elected mayor. Another question I have is why do Callero and the party not understand the format of this debate? It seems pretty straightforward. My vote is for Kim Biederman for mayor.
(Ed. Note: Mr. Callero's political slate said this week that it will participate in the debate.)
Accomplishments most important in making a choice
In a recent article relating to the upcoming election for commissioner of the Niles Park Dist., Dennis O'Donovan criticized commissioners Terpinas and Barbaglia for not having kids in the park programs and being too old to be effective? How ridiculous and insulting to all seniors. Is O'Donovan the type of person we want making decisions on behalf of the entire community? Does this mean seniors cannot serve their community? How old is too old, Mr. O'Donovan, 50?, 60? 70? 80? Accomplishments should be the criterion to judge candidates, not their age.
Be smart and elect these guys
If Dennis O'Donovan cannot even follow rules as to how to enter an election, how can he be trusted to help run a park district? Be smart, re-elect Barbaglia, Terpinas and Hynes.
He participated via speakerphone
A couple of issues ago in the "Speak Out" section I read about how one of Niles Park District trustees leaves to go to his Palm Springs condo for the winter. I didn't want to believe it so I attended last week's meeting and found that C.B. was not in attendance. However, he was on speakerphone.
What improvements were made?
Does Supervisor candidate Carol Teschky have 18 years experience or just one year's experience repeated 18 times? What improvements did she initiate in the past 2 decades? She's no Bob Dudycz. Pete Ryan has already exhibited more leadership and vision. And shame on the writer who asked, "What the heck is a hairdresser qualified to do?" Newsflash: America is all about the fact that "regular" people have the commonsense judgment to govern themselves. What a concept. Carmen Valerio is very qualified to "trim" the waste and help "shape" a better township government.
Obama came here to endorse Democrats
It's true: Dan Kotowski supports the Maine Township Democrats, but then, I seem to recall Barack Obama came here to endorse Pete Ryan, Gail Vierniesel, Jim Wozny and the rest of the slate in 2005. So Dan's in good company. You don't have to be a Democrat to know it's time for change.
Glenview employees were cut at knees
More layoffs possible. Employees are told they have a job, not to worry. Days later the ax doesn't fall. It cuts them off at the knees. I think we, as residents should be concerned how our money is being handled. Who turns over a finance department in under a year? Think about it.
Many questions about job losses
Dear President Cummings: We just sat through Village Manager Hileman's informational meetings about the economy and the latest firings. Since we are unable to ask honest questions without concerns for repercussions, maybe you could answer a few questions for us. Is there a reason why Hileman has annihilated every department? Public works has been ripped to shreds, finance has been all but eliminated, Development has lost many, even capital projects. But the fire department with five stations village-wide (and two of them only housing three firefighters) is left completely untouched.
'Mistake' happened under his watch
How unusual that a mistake of this magnitude would happen under the watchful eye of new Finance Director Rick Kisner. Todd Hileman, Glenview village manager, took a jaunt at taxpayer expense to interview Kisner in Florida. Kisner's finance department was being investigated at the time we hired him. Now a problem in Glenview and the accounting supervisor and accountant have been laid off.
(Ed. Note: The Journal confirmed that Hileman made at least one trip to interview Kisner in Daytona Beach at the village's expense before Kisner was hired. As reported in the Journal last June, Daytona Beach Community Redevelopment areas (CRA's – similar to Illinois' Tax Increment Financing districts) were investigated by the state before and during Kisner's tenure as Daytona Beach finance director. Another department head equal to Kisner was in charge of CRA's. Kisner was not charged with wrongdoing and said he called for the state investigation.)
Applaud those who are fighting O'Hare expansion
I/we applaud the city of Bensenville and the members of the SOC for their continued fight against Mayor Daley's air force and his machine-like political approach to this O'Hare expansion project. The backdrop again is the 2016 Olympic Games and those who support Daley's agenda.
Seemed like I was standing on a runway
Monday, Feb. 9 I stepped out of my house for the morning dog walk when I heard the loudest sound. I had the impression that there was going to be a plane crash. I kept looking up at what was going on. I have been living in the same house since 1975 and grew up under a flight path, but this was like being on the runway. I walked all the way around the block and it was still going on. Thanks to Mayor Daley and his cronies. We have got major problems if this continues. How do you sell a house like that?
Questions why employees allowed to collect signatures
How can the Republicans of Maine Township use township employees to get signatures to place their candidates on the ballot? Is that legal? That reeks to me of if you want your job go get me elected. Whatever happened to an honest day's work? I thought things like this only happened in Chicago.
(Ed. Note: We asked a local Republican leader about this and the response was that those who obtained signatures did so on their own time. As Americans they have a right to do that, we were told.)
Maybe Daley's guys moved in to Park Ridge
Hey Park Ridge, did you ever think Mayor Daley may have moved some of his cronies into Park Ridge to get on your City Council? Park Ridge caved and you got the noise from the airport. How many people were either asleep at the wheel or very, very naive? Think about it.
Finally, a leader who reaches out
The article about Alderman Schmidt meeting with Des Plaines mayoral candidates is exactly why I will be casting my Park Ridge vote for Schmidt. Finally, a guy who tries to reach out before the mud hits the fan.
Shouldn't turn away from job opportunities
I am the letter writer who feels that Park Ridge complains too much. To the person who responded to my letter, yes it does matter what city we live in. Unlike Park Ridge, Des Plaines does not have a thriving downtown with movie theaters and restaurants. We also have one of the highest number of foreclosed homes in the area. Good families are losing their houses because they need jobs. A casino will bring jobs. It will also bring needed money to our city, some of which can be used to help our city. This will be good for our families - our children - and will help maintain the quality of life here. We need the jobs and the money this will provide. We need money for our downtown. It will give us some place we can go. We need the jobs. I don't want to see any more friends lose their homes. I don't live far from this and I hope not only to see the casino, but hotels and other businesses too. This is how we can provide the most we can for our children. These are some hard economic times. The wealthier white collar people are able to weather these better. Des Plaines is mostly made up of blue collar folks. Why would we turn down an opportunity to give us jobs and help our city financially?
Treatment of homeless not fair to others
The homeless should be banned from the Arlington Hts. Library. They act like they own the place. They drink beer and smoke there all the time. Library security seems to be blind to what happens. They know who the drinkers are and they still do nothing. When a resident gets upset with the homeless people, the resident is yelled at. We as taxpayers are supporting the homeless by having PADS open in Arlington Hts. and by giving them SSI checks. This is not fair to the hard working people of Arlington Hts.
Write-in is a very good candidate
I think it's wonderful that a resident would come up with an idea of a write in candidate for Arlington Hts. mayor. John Glueckert, we couldn't find a better man.
(Ed. Note: Mr. Glueckert told the Journal this week that he is not running for mayor as a write-in candidate).
Believes PADS not working in Arlington Hts.
PADS is a pure nightmare. The program is not working. We as residents of Arlington Hts. have to say enough is enough. The drinking in church parking lots and showing up on their property is crazy. As a resident for 40 years, it's gotten out of hand. We can't use the library. It looks like a huge campground.
They don't seem to care at library
The library security never wants to hear about homeless people at the Arlington Hts. Library. When someone reports it to them, they tell the patron that it is here to stay.
City needs to cut out any waste
Animal control, community service...stop wasting our money. Do we need all the aldermen? Start downsizing more with less. Wake up and look around. This is what all the Fortune 500 companies are doing. Why do plow trucks drive around with their plows up when there is snow on the street?
Casino will do nothing to enhance families
The casino will bring "good" to Des Plaines? Mom can wait for dad to bring the rest of his paycheck home because he stopped there for "entertainment" and to relax. Brother can deal cards and bus tables while sister gets a job being "nice" to men who want to buy her drinks and stuff. Then mom can get a job cleaning up after the "high rollers" to just make ends meet. Casinos do not help family values. In the end it is all about the money. Good people of Des Plaines will stay away from there and will teach their children to do so as well. The old ways are better because family was first. Chief Thundersky.
Someone needs to improve lane striping
Seriously, can we please get someone to take care of the lane striping at the River and Dempster bridge since post construction? They did a cheap job on it when they opened up all the lanes. They didn't remove the old yellow merge lane striping on the bridge itself nor the merge stripes on the eastbound lanes of Dempster east of the intersection. It screws everyone up and constantly causes swerving by drivers. Just go sit out there and watch for 10 minutes. It's a joke. Someone is going to get hurt and I am tired of having to swerve out of the way of vehicles just because someone is too lazy (or cheap) to go out there and remove the old lines and re-stripe with clear bright new lines to distinguish the lanes properly so we can safely drive our vehicles. Thanks City of DP for hopefully getting it cleaned up.
It was slogan of KKK
To the man who thinks more "rude" people are around speaking their own language in public, "One Nation, One Flag, One Language" is a KKK slogan, an organization founded a hundred years after our Founding Fathers were long gone.
Could put food store on old lumber company site
There has been a lot of talk about a grocery or convenient store in downtown Mt. Prospect. Has any grocery chain considered the closed Hines Lumber building on Central Road, near Northwest Highway? It is not that far away from the downtown area. The size is big enough for a grocery store with plenty of parking. It would also keep congestion away from the downtown area. It's easy to get from Central, Northwest Highway and Prospect Avenue. I hope they don't knock it down and put up more condos (just what we need). Thanks, Bill.
Hard for businesses to fill certain jobs
A comment to the person about the McDonalds employees speaking English: Have you taken a look at the younger generation or any Americans lately? How many of them are willing to flip burgers, etc. for $7 per hour. I work at a major food retail store. We can't find people to bag groceries or throw stock and every night all we see is the unemployment figures on the rise. Americans are way too good for any of these jobs.
New candidate will be good for community
This is concerning that we finally have somebody confident enough to run for 5th ward alderman against the Brookmans. I have asked other people if they have heard of Dan Winiecki and all the information that I have heard is nothing but good. I have not talked to one person to say anything negative about him. He has lived in the ward for a great many years. He is enthusiastic, open-mined and he will not make promises that he can't keep. He wants to improve Des Plaines for the future. I think we need a change in the 5th ward with new ideas.
Money saved will now go to others
Wow, we lay off all these city workers with the pretense of saving money and now we're going to turn around and give the money to other city employees who work under City Manager Jason Bajor. Looks like shades of Washington, D.C., Wall Street. We laid those people off to change titles and increase salaries of the new directors coming in. So much for saving $400,000. Wonder if the same thing is going on in Rolling Meadows. People of Des Plaines wake up and keep a sharp eye on your politicians. It's sounds like shades of Chicago.
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