Journal & Topics Media Group

Speak Out!


The local chatter is up this week over guns, public officials, the upcoming election, snow removal and lots more in Speak Out!

Time for new city officials

Why can’t these guys at city hall (DP) cleanup their act? Who’s ever running the show needs to go. I moved here four years ago and there has been nothing but trouble in management. Can’t we replace them and start over? Maybe we need help from Rosemont?

More recognition needed

Just reading about other cities and towns recognizing volunteers and people that do good in the city. We haven’t had that mentioned since Mayor Bogusz came to “lead” the city. It’s too bad, because we need to do that. It is a good thing to know what good is going on in the city, instead of all the bad news. Oh, nevermind I know why: Bogusz likes to take credit for all the good things, so of course there is no one else that does anything. Recognizing people that actually do things would show just how little the mayor does.

Nope

Some things I just don’t do anymore: Eat encased meats (unless I do my own grinding)…Think millennials are adorable…Buy stamps…Consider the possibility of a nose job…Watch political or pharmaceutical ads on television…Read poetry…Look at the night sky (there’s rarely anything you can see in this neck of the woods)…Make snow angels…Sit in a movie theater with a box of popcorn…Argue over which beer is best…Fantasize about space travel (thanks, Elon)…Enjoy seeing animals at the zoo…Binge watch anything…Download apps…Enter rooms that contain things I don’t want to see anymore…Skimp on shaving cream…Agonize over the clothes in my closet…Imagine having super powers would be any fun…Crave bacon…Believe that it’s all going to somehow work out for everyone…Skip to my Lou, my darling…or wang chung at night.

(Ed. Note: Too bad for you.)

America can do better

Children are still being murdered in their schools. The “good guys with guns” are nowhere to save them. It’s a failed policy. Yet, “leaders” like Paul Ryan say now is not the time to discuss the issue. He said that last time as well. And the time before that. And the NRA keeps sending him checks. And he has a nice day. We can do better, so much better America. Heaven help us.

Heads up on scammers

Hi from Des Plaines. It appears the IRS scammers are back with a robotic female voice. The return phone number (585-582-5974) is a reported source of scam “IRS” messages. Just hang up. Just delete from your voicemail.

Noticed logo

Did anyone else notice that the official seal of the Rosemont Public Safety division features both an AR-15 assault rifle as well as a handgun. For good measure, there is also a fireman’s axe. Guess that should make us all feel good.

How will Maine handle?

Read your story about Maine trustees’ plan to make pay increases based on “merit.” It’s always interesting when people throw around empty jargon: in this case, “merit”=good and “mediocrity”=bad. How will they determine this merit? Either by letting supervisors make personal judgments about who has merit and trusting them to not abuse this new power, or by devising a system to define what merit is: as we all know, adding more bureaucracy always makes everything better. Why couldn’t “mediocrity” just mean doing a job consistently and well? I assume that this new system will encourage employees to “show merit” by making unnecessary changes every year, in order to look more meritorious.

Cameras ensure safety

As a concerned resident of Des Plaines, in response to “Put up more red light cameras” in one of the recent Speak Out sections, I want to offer my opinion. Many dislike red light cameras, associating them with tickets that they have received, but red light cameras have several benefits. People who dislike red light cameras and seem to be against them have often received tickets because of the cameras. But, if one receives a ticket, they obviously have violated a traffic law. Red light cameras actually benefit residents of DP, for they further ensure our safety, in hopes that if a person violates a traffic law and receives a red light camera ticket, they will not repeat the offense and will be a more careful driver. Brookman as well as all of our residents should be considering this, as almost everyday children/students use the crosswalks before and after school at busy traffic intersections at exceptionally busy times of the day with cars rushing to and from school/work. Those of us in favor hope that drivers will take notice of the lights, reducing the risk of accidents with the frequent city pedestrians. Also, as mentioned in the original comment regarding this, red light cameras end up saving DP residents money in that they do not have to pay as high of taxes as they would without the cameras. Often, it will be non-residents who end up paying the fees. The cameras will quickly and easily generate revenue. I hope that Brookman considers these factors when making a decision.

Great news

We have renewed our subscription to the Journal because of your balanced presentation regarding local news. Thanks, Journal. Hats off to you. Keep up the good work.

(Ed. Note: Thank you for the kind words and for subscribing!)

Show Hawks games

Maybe Des Plaines can make good use out of the closed theater. Back in the ‘70s the Pickwick in Park Ridge showed the Blackhawk playoff games because the Chicago Stadium was sold out. How bout showing the Hawk games this year (maybe) during the playoffs. I bet the place would be packed and the city could make some $$$$ doing it.

Appreciates effort

Just like to thank everyone who made the effort to clean the sidewalks. I appreciate it.

We’re walkin’ here

Dear Des Plaines Public Works: Sometimes you get an A+ for your snow clearing efforts…not this time. Why does the block of 1200 E. Washington Street only get one pass with a plow? Also…do you not realize that people walk in Des Plaines? Why must you always plow the snow into the street corners and pile it up, so that no one can walk across the street? Oh that’s right…no one is supposed to walk around this town?

Glad two aldermen stood up

Missing rifles. Vulgar cartoons on the walls. Watching porno on city computers on city time. Sending four cops to arrest a 75-year-old man. Hiding records from the press. Now, a boozed up police department outing with golf course damage, public inebriation, skinny dipping, hot tub hijinks and possible sexual abuse. I have a few questions. Chief Kushner are you running a police department or a fraternity house? Mayor Bogusz, Don Smith, Mike Charewicz how would you feel if it was your daughter who was sexually assaulted? Mike Bartholomew thanks for giving us Kushner and yet another black eye. Give Kushner a box and tell him to start packing. Denise Rodd and Carla Brookman you are two female aldermen yet you sit there silently and do nothing while our cops act like Trump, Bill Clinton, Weinstein, Lauer, Rose, Roy Moore, etc. Malcolm Chester and Dick Sayad I did not vote for you but thanks for your courage in bringing these disgusting alleged antics to light and holding people accountable. Sayad, do not let this get swept under the carpet. Add to this Maine West’s sexual abuse of minors a few years back and this past summer’s alleged sexual harassment involving the Dist. 62 superintendent. And our mayor wonders why Des Plaines is an embarrassment and why nobody wants to come here. Pathetic. Absolutely, positively pathetic.

Got two free rides

Before Metra claims they require additional funding and raise rates, they should collect the funds due to them. I was on two crowded Metra commuter trains last week that did not collect tickets, which means the monthly ticket holders are subsidizing others and Metra is losing thousands of dollars. I guess with Metra there is such thing as a free ride.

At least it’s not Chicago

I have lived in Des Plaines for over 29 years and have been very happy with the plowing and snow removal on our street. But today, Feb. 9, was not one of those days. This was the largest snowfall we have had this year, and our street was plowed at 6 a.m. We waited all day long for our street to be plowed again as there was a lot of snow in the middle of the street, and no public works trucks in sight. I called public works in the afternoon with my concerns as did a few other neighbors and still no trucks. Also called my alderman and more calls were made by residents to public works. Finally, around 6 p.m., our street was plowed again. By this time, it was dark and colder out, but we still had to go out then and shovel the end of our driveway where the trucks had pushed the extra snow. Would rather have been doing that during the day when it was lighter out and warmer. Our whole neighborhood was bypassed for additional plowing today as was Windy Point. Why? Makes no sense that we had to call before the plow trucks came out. I guess though, that I should be grateful that I don’t live in Chicago where I would have to put “dibs” on my parking space.

Wanted better warning

Here it is Thursday, snowstorm warning, 8 to 9 inches by 6 in the morning and Dist. 62 has not called off school yet. Not letting parents know what to do when they get the early morning phone call. By 4:15 Chicago Public Schools called off school for the safety of staff and students. Why does it take our district so long so parents can make arrangements? We still don’t know and it is 5:30 p.m. Are they more worried about closing for safety or money?

Check out new store

This is Don, from Rosemont. I have a comment to make. I recently read in the Speak Out about a grocery shopper that was very dissatisfied with the service that was received at whatever grocery store that he or she was at. Check out Sam’s Farmer’s Market in Des Plaines on Oakton Street, right next to the Dollar Tree. It’s a smaller store. It has everything that you can possibly need. The service is great. I don’t think you’ll have a problem like you have in a larger store. The people in Sam’s really care. Thank you very much.

Nobody obeys sign

Help. I’m writing in total frustration. The corner of Maryland & Loras has a stop sign. Nobody obeys it. Niles Free buses, Niles Public Works. I mean nobody. Please install an electronic camera that can take pictures of all culprits. Maryland is a shortcut to Milwaukee Avenue. Traffic between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. is out of hand. Please please control this situation.

Wants better leadership

Jan Schakowsky should be ashamed of herself. She should be representing her constituents and not sulking because she disagrees with the issue of the day. She also boycotted the PM of Israel (yes, one of our biggest allies) when he spoke in front of Congress so this is part of who she is. I understand that for even a Democrat she is so far left that she can get nothing enacted, but stand up, be present, and attempt to serve your district. Stop pouting and exemplify leadership.

Really that friendly?

Who says in Mount Prospect friendliness is a way of life? The village’s mayor will not provide residents with a steak dinner, and the school districts are intent on taking away Christmas and vacations as well. Not sure if one should be proud that one school district is suing the residents for their TIF money, while another is trying to panic them into giving their last dime to support educators’ irresponsible spending. Friendliness…a way of life, indeed.

Says follow mayor

We were excited to read that Mount Prospect Mayor Arlene Juracek took a public position in support of the Mount Prospect Dist. 57 “Preservation Referendum”. Mayor Juracek is a fiscal conservative. But she understands the catastrophic impact the referendum’s failure would have on Mount Prospect’s property values. She knows there is only one reasonable choice, and that’s to vote “yes” in the March 20 Preservation Referendum. Every voter in Mount Prospect, especially seniors such as us, need to follow their mayor’s lead and vote “yes” to protect Mount Prospect property values. We hope other politicians also step up to the plate and publicly back the referendum. That’s the type of leadership we need from our elected officials. Vee and Sammy S., Mount Prospect.

Keeping track

Some facts that District 57 seems to have forgotten. Fact – In 2011, District 57 let 37 staff members go but a top administrator kept their $163,500 salary plus $27,000 district paid pension payments. Fact – District 57 had a 50% increase on the mobile classroom installation ($200,000 to $300,000) because they didn’t know that the State of Illinois had requirements for such an installation. Anyone watching the store on that one? Fact – District 57 changed their 2 million-dollar Westbrook parking lot installation plan without telling the village of such changes. Fact – The District 57 referendum committee was loaded with people who were not District 57 residents but who directly benefit from money the referendum provides. Stacking the deck perhaps? Fact – District 57’s referendum pushers are accepting money from school PTAs. Have District 57’s staff also contributed? Remember, they directly benefit from the money that this referendum would provide. Fact – District 57 handed out 5% raises to its instructional staff who also have all of their pension payments made by the district. Fact – District 57 severely underbuilt Lions Park and Fairview and now wants to have the taxpayers pay for their mistake (one of many and based on a “poor projection” as admitted by a former board member). How much more do the District 57 taxpayers have to pay for a district that seems unable to handle tax money properly?

Keep art and music in D57

Dear Editor, I strongly believe that the Art teacher and the Music teacher should stay at Lions Park Elementary School, Fairview Elementary School, Westbrook School, and Lincoln Middle School. The first reason the Art teacher and the Music teacher should stay is Art gives children a chance to be creative. In Math and reading you can’t really be creative and make something new. My second reason, the Art teacher and Music teacher should stay is in Music children can learn about people and their culture. In Art you can also learn about people and their culture. Learning about different cultures is important, it can help us get along better with different kinds of people. My third reason is Music involves a lot of math so if you keep the Music teacher kids will be learning more Math too. My last reason is Music and Art gives children a break from all the learning and sitting in their classrooms, if there is no Art and Music Children will not like school as much. You probably do not want children to not like school, I know I would not like school if there was not Art and Music. In conclusion, I strongly believe the Art teacher and Music teacher should stay. Please keep the Art and Music teachers in District 57. Sincerely, Annabelle, 3rd Grader, D57.

Vote “yes” on referendum

Residents of Mount Prospect 57, we must vote “yes” to pass the referendum. We moved from Chicago to Mount Prospect solely because of the schools. My children have been in the district for seven years and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the teachers, principals and other staff. They are great educators who genuinely care about their students. My son started in the district’s Circle of Friends preschool program at 3-years-old as a non-typical student. The work of the teachers and speech/OT therapists was phenomenal and my son now excels in school. Additionally, I am constantly amazed at the concerts organized by Fairview music teacher Lisa Loeffler. What a shame it will be if future generations of children don’t get to experience art and music in schools. And what a blow it will be to future Prospect Marching Knights programs. The district is not using “scare tactics.” The district’s financial situation is bleak. If the referendum doesn’t pass, all residents will suffer as we watch currently strong home values go down. Young families will no longer look to move to Mount Prospect and instead they will choose to buy in neighboring districts instead of District 57. Please vote “yes”.

Invest in schools

As a long term resident of Mount Prospect with children who attended D57 schools, it is beyond me how people could vote against the referendum, designed to enhance the education we are providing to our future. It also scares me that some people are using Facebook, including private groups designed to force one viewpoint, deleting any messages that don’t agree with their negative perspective, as their only source of information. And while I know nobody wants to see their taxes raised, it appears they fail to realize the trickle effect of this not passing. Schools are a key reason people choose a community. Mount Prospect is known for the outstanding schools. Prospect’s academics rank top in the state. PHS’s marching band, theatre and athletes often put us on the map and in the papers. Taking away the arts, increasing classroom sizes will negatively impact all of the above, not to mention home values. It is scary to think of how people frivolously spend an extra $30 a month on a coffee, meal out or worse yet, not knowing where it went, but don’t see the value in investing in the education of our future. It is sad to think that people think the solution is to lower teachers’ salaries, take away benefits and cut jobs as “the” solution. People complain about how the administration is spending and hiding the facts, all of which are public record.

‘Taxed to the bone’

Torn on D57: Most people understand the benefits of good schools. Not only for teaching our youth but the connection to higher property values. But, please tell me that the D57 is aware how we have all been taxed to the bone. And not just those on fixed incomes. Our property values have still not come back from six years ago yet our property taxes still rise. I understand that “all politics are local,” but where were the signs being posted fighting the state income tax hike, the now rescinded soda tax, the incredibly out of touch salaries of the district administrators, and so on. I agree with a recent Speak Out entry who said in 10 years we won’t be able to sell our homes. The reason will be that no buyer will be able to afford the taxes.

Excellent education

I turned 65 last year, and retirement and a fixed income is closer than it was when my son was a student at Lions Park, District 57. As a single parent, I worked three jobs to keep us afloat while my son was a student at Lions Park. The teachers, and my neighbors, could not have been more supportive during those arduous years. Today, my son is a graduate of Harvard University, cum laude, with both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in physics. He also has a Master’s in Education from National Louis. He graduated Harvard with no student debt because he was able to get scholarships and to earn money as a pianist for special events at Harvard and MIT. I believe this is as a result of the excellent education and music training he had at Lions Park and Lincoln schools in District 57. I want the children in my community, in Mount Prospect, to have the very best education and all the opportunities that an excellent education affords, and I am very willing to financially support that education with my “yes” vote.

Protect home values

Say “yes” to D57. Why do families move to Mount Prospect? The schools. Why was Mount Prospect voted a top place to live? The schools. What sells homes? The schools. What helps property values? The schools. Do you see a theme here? As a Fine Arts major myself, art and music are a vital part of a child’s education. Not everyone is good at Math or Science. Class sizes are important so children can excel and the children that need help can receive it. The best investment you can make is to a child’s education. The best investment you can make to protect your home value is to support D57 and the upcoming referendum on March 20.

Wants true tax reform

With the approaching D57 referendum, we, the taxpayers, need to really take the time and get the elected officials to really revisit how schools are funded and address the property tax in the state. While D57 referendum gets my vote of “yes,” what do we do about the overall tax bill? We need true reform. As for my house in Mount Prospect, we are payIng close to $9,000 a year in taxes. Compare that to neighboring states and other midwest states. Do we need three schools districts in Mount Prospect, two townships, two college system? We need to consolidate the levels of government and schools in order to find savings.

Wants to stay, but…

My family and I moved from Chicago Public Schools at the end of the school year to Dist. 57 because of how highly rated the district is. We decided to leave CPS because there were 36-38 kids per class with four classrooms for both of my kids grades. The teachers were overworked, the support staff was overworked and it showed in my kids work. We moved to give my kids a better education and I have been extremely pleased with District 57. My kids have flourished since moving here last April and the thought of them going back to overworked teachers and support staff with more kids per class is disheartening. I want to stay in District 57 but I know what the consequences will do to my kids education and I won’t stay to watch them suffer again. If people don’t vote “yes” to the referendum the area will lose good families like ours and property values will drop. My hope is that neighbors and parents will vote “yes” and help keep our kids excelling in this fabulous district and keep good families that bring in high property values.

Schools are cornerstone

I’m voting “yes” for the D57 referendum. I moved to Mount Prospect for the schools. I paid $330,000 for a 1,200 sq. foot home because of the excellent reputation of the schools. I could spend half that, or get a house twice the size for the same cost on a home in a school district that is not as well rated as our amazing schools. Schools are the cornerstone of a thriving community.

Figure it out, school board

This is for the Speak Out column in the Journal. Word is out on the street that the Mount Prospect Park District will want to raise taxes for a new pool or waterpark. That news was in the Journal awhile back. Then there is a referendum to raise taxes for Dist. 57. They need to be accountable for the money. Instead of only counting on the taxpayers, the school board and village need to figure this out. The school needs the village and the village needs the school. We do live in a great community, but it won’t make any difference if we are all taxed out.

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One response to “Speak Out!”

  1. Markski says:

    I was extremely disappointed in this years Olympics. I am so glad they are over. I am not sorry the United States didn’t win with more metals, that’s just the way it goes on any given day. I was so disappointed in the negative attitudes in the commentators and the “don’t you know who I am” attitudes in the athletes. The final straw was when Gus Kenworthy questioned why Ivanka Trump was there. The United States is a free country and we can do what we wish and go where we want to go. She was there to support the United States spoiled little brats!! This stuck up attitude is something very new to me, being in my 50’s, I have seen a few Olympics in my life. I remember humility and the awe of having a chance to compete in the games, winning and losing with dignity. Very few are chosen and should treat it as an honor and not an entitlement. Maybe some shouldn’t worry so much about what others are doing and take care of their own business. These few should be representing people like me and not your political views, just the average Joe who could only dream of being in that position. When I hear statements like these, you are only representing your selfish opinions. I was thoroughly disgusted with the attitudes and pompous rights that a few think they have. Mark S.

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