Berwyn's Arts Blog
Sunday, May 21, 2006
 
City Council Meeting, May 9, 2006
Two deferrals concerning Mayoral Appointments and how to appoint(reducing the Mayor's appointment power) were once again deferred: to the Administration Committee.
An Ad Hoc Committee was formed to study the Cook County Smoking Ban Ordinance. It will consist of the 2nd, 4th and 7th Ward Alderpeople.
There will be less meetings due to the passage of an Ordinance by the Alderpeople. I voted against it. Apparently, the Alderpeople only want to go to meetings when they want to go to meetings. Regressive.
An amended Noise Ordinance concerning cars/noise from cars, was sent back to the Ordinance Committee simply so it could be drafted. It will be up for vote at the next meeting, May 23, 2006. It should pass. As a penalty, a person's car will be impounded until $500.00 is paid to get the car back.
The 8th Ward Alderman took another jab at me on the floor concerning the use of Gas by Alderpeople. Coincidentally, at the Open Forum, Ms. Weiner gave a very eloquent speech against the free use of gas by the Alderpeople and against the free health insurance given to the Alderpeople. All her idea. I do not have the City health plan. I use my regular day job's health insurance.
The 8th Ward Alderman had a clever communication concerning "Unity". Rather, it is another attempt to strip the powers from the Mayor. This of course was referred to the Administration Committee, headed by none other than the 8th Ward Alderman.
The firefighter's union contract was approved by a vote of 7-1. The one was the 2nd Ward Alderman.
3 new probationary police officers were hired.
Although there were 43 items on the Agenda, the above were the important items. For the record, 43 is somewhat on the skimpy side.

Public Service Announcements

I am participating in the Walk For Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society. On the first Friday in June, I will be joining the Indpendent Voters of Berwyn team to raise money for the American Cancer Society; a worthy cause. It takes place at Morton College and begins at 6:30 pm and ends at 6:30 Saturday morning. The more money raised, the better obviously. Please send the money to 3132 Wenonah, Berwyn, IL 60402-my address, or drop it off. Check out the event at http://www.acsevents.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=136747&lis=1&kntae136747=8FA3710060474E90BA6CF1A4EFFAFCB3
Thank you.I hate to ask for money, but hey, it is a good cause. My grandfather passed away from cancer.

On Sunday June 4, 2006, is the first annual Berwyn Bungalow House Tour. My wife and I are Captains at a house on Riverside Drive. There are five houses total, plus a church. You must register at Proksa Park to begin. Tickets ahead of time are $20.00, $25.00 the day of. Tickets are available at four places in Berwyn. The one place I do know is Serendipity Antiques on Stanley, just east of Oak Park. Three of the five houses are in the 3rd Ward, beginning on the 31oo block of Maple, up Maple, turning onto Riverside Dr. to the end past Oak Park. Check out the houses. Should be very cool. Go easy. This is the first house tour in Berwyn.

On Saturday June 24, 2006, there are two events. First, Cartopia, which will take place at Cermak Plaza and is free. This is an event that will showcase "art" cars. Check it out.

Second, will the the 3rd Ward's Second Annual Picnic held at Proksa Park on June 24, 2006 from noon to 3 pm. Once again,the best kosher franks you can imagine, with a great dessert of cheesecake, chips and soda. Come meet others from the 3rd Ward.

MarkWeiner1@Hotmail.Com
708-484-7512

Friday, May 05, 2006
 
City Council Meeting, April 25, 2006
The IHDA affordable housing program is going to be established in Berwyn. It should be a very positive program.
The proposed ordinance to limit time and frequency of meetings has been referred to the Committee of the Whole, as well as, the Goal Setting Seminar.
The Mayoral appointments of all Department Heads, as well as, an ordinance concerning the appointment procedure, was referred to the Committee of the Whole.
The City will be getting a 2 million dollar check from Chicago since Chicago over-charged the City for water use. Additionally, another 2.7 million will be credited over four bills. No resident was over-charged for water. The citizens pay the City of Berwyn and the City of Berwyn pays the City of Chicago. The City was ripped off, but not the citizens.
If anyone has any ideas on garbage collection, please share them with me. The Waste Management contract is up at the end of the year, and the City will be soliciting a better deal with a waste company and will be advertising for such.
The big brouhaha concerned the Library Director, who had been fired by the Mayor. The Director, by an 8-0 vote, was voted to stay as Director.
"Integrity of City Government", as placed on the floor by the 1st Ward Alderwoman, was referred to the Administration Committee.
The Administration Committee has a couple things on the floor, but all went back for more study. The gas key issue, which is mine(I would like no Alderperson to use City gas for free), was sent to the Fleet Manager for a gas usage report. Very frustrating.
Another communication, sent out of the Admin. Committee for a minute, concerned a smoke free workplace. A no-brainer to some, apparently difficult for others.
The Fire Union contract will be voted on at the May 9, 2006 meeting. It has been passed by the Fire Union, and is fair to the Union and to the residents.
A parade, for Cartopia, to be held the same day as the 3rd Ward Picnic, June 24, 2006, was okayed by the City Council.

That is all for now. I always strive to remain objective, since this meeting and the one before it, was quite contentious.

Things are progressing in the City.

Monday, May 01, 2006
 
Berwyn Arts Council/Cartopia
Calling all artsy Berwyn folk!!

Do you feel a need to help out the new and exciting Berwyn Arts Council but you haven’t had a chance? Well, now’s the time people. Get your creativity gloves on and grab a paint brush because we need your flare!!

What: Cartopia Car Parts Painting Party!!
A “Who’s Who” of cool art folk. What is Cartopia? Cartopia is an event scheduled for June 23-24th in Cermak Plaza. We will be decorating the empty Coconuts store to serve as the Cartopia headquarters and cabaret event Friday night, June 23rd.
Definition: Cartopia Art Cars: Vehicles that have been creatively painted, sculpted, or decorated into mobile, public folk art. You may not be familiar with the "Art of the Art Car", but since the late 80's art car events have been springing up across the nation. Shows take place annually in towns such as Minneapolis, Baltimore, San Francisco and Houston, Texas where typical turnout is over 300 vehicles and estimated crowds of 200,000!
Learn more by visiting: www.berwyncartopia.com
Where’s the painting party? SWF Products: 7003 Ogden, Berwyn
When: Wednesday night, May 3rd 7-10pm
Saturday, May 6th 9a-12p
Wednesday, May 10th 7-10p
Saturday, May 20th, 9-12

Please let me know when you’re available and I’ll sign you up. You don’t need to be at all the dates or even the entire allotted time. Stop by for twenty minutes, pick up a brush (we provide the paint supplies) and add your artistic signature to the Carbaret décor. The “Carbaret Teur”, get it? carburetor?
If you have a creative idea and you’re not a painter, for example, maybe you want to mosaic cotton balls on a car bumper. We’ll provide the bumper but please bring supplies for your ideas.
Meet the Arts Council, meet new people, get involved.


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