Berwyn's Arts Blog
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
 
Main Street Meeting tonight, August 30, 2006
Come to City Hall tonight to check out the Main Street Presentation. There should be officials from the State of Illinois and the President/Mayor from Forest Park.

Berwyn is attempting to establish Cermak Road as a Main Street. If elected, the State would give the City monies to help develop Cermak Road.

Madison Street/Avenue in Forest Park is a Main Street.

8 pm. City Hall.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006
 
City Council Meeting, August 22, 2006
There were supposed to be 3 different bids for work on the Library. Unfortunately, only the roof was bid on.
The Berwyn Development Corporation will be looking into the City parking ordinances, signs and enforcement issues.
The BDC also sent a communication on diagonal parking in residential areas, which will be discussed at a later date. The BDC feels that if a resident or owner of a building wants diagonal parking put in in a parkway, then that resident or owner should hire a professional parking engineering examiner to decide.
A letter of intent will be signed engaging Redspeed to begin looking into the automatic tickets/cameras.
The City has also hired a company to help the City obtain electricity. A new process is about to begin in the state of Illinois wherein there will be many electric companies able to supply electricity. This company will attempt to secure the best price for Berwyn; not for the residents, but for the City.
The City is now looking into establishing a Housing Authority. I will be actively involved in this pursuit. Long overdue.
A proclomation was approved, which will enable us to submit our application to be considered a "Main Street" by the State, wherein if allowed, we are elgible for State monies. This is for the Cermak corridor only.
The budget committee was given the go-ahead to interview Financial Advisors. I am happy to say we interviewd 3 companies on Monday, the 28th, and we selected a company, which will help us re-finance, get us through the depot garage, and get our City a good bond rating.
We also approved hiring 3 more lateral police officers. We will have hired 9 new officers this year.
We also gave approval for the demolition of buildings at Roosevelt and East for the condo project. Finally.

Sunday, August 13, 2006
 
Bar Hours, The Life
There is a blurb in this weekend's(August 11, 12, 13) Life about Bar Hours.

It attributes everything to Ald. Lovero, who is deadset against opening bars at 11 am, as opposed to the current 6 am.

All the Alderpeople, except the 4th, are happy to let bars open at 6 am.

I am simply trying to change our public image and make it a little more positive. When people stop at the Oak Park Avenue Metra stop and see drunks staggering out of a Bar at 7 or 8 am, this is an image I would rather not have.
When children are walking to school in the morning, I prefer that the bars not be open that early. If people want to drink at 6 am, they should do it in their own homes, or in the surrounding communities.

So, the article by the Life should be about me and no one else. Everything mentioned are from statements I made; not anyone else.

I am not seeking the publicity, but it would be nice if the paper got the facts straight instead of 100% dead wrong.

Now you may understand a little more why I do not like to speak to the media.

If you would like the bars to open at 11 am, rather than 6 am please feel free to call or write to the other Alderpeople. I want to move the City forward, not have it stay in the past.

 
City Council Meeting, August 8, 2006
We received bids for the new waste disposal contract. This will take some time to sort through, since every entity offers something a little different.

Due to personnel shortage at the Fire Department, the City has promoted a Lieutenant to Deputy Fire Chief for an interim period.

Berwyn is thinking about making a Planning Commission. This matter was referred to the Building and Zoning Committee for further investigation and discussion.

The Finance Director is resigning after 6 months on the job to join his old Village Manager. Although the council did not like how he recieved the job and was appointed, I believe most council members were sorry to see him go. He did a great job.

The mayor Veto'd the property at 1517 Grove. Translation: the Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended that a house not be allowed to go from a three flat to a two flat. The Council had voted against this and was content to become a three flat(I voted against and for the 2 flat). Bottom line, it will be a two flat.

The City will be entering a letter of intent to contract with Redspeed, the company selected by the Police Chief to do the automated tickets sent to the people after going through red lights or around railroad gates.

Waste Management, as of September 1, 2006, will be increasing its rates 2%. As previously posted, we will have a new waste contract with someone as of January 1, 2007.

Washington Mutual Bank had wanted to demolish an old funeral home on Cermak. This was denied.

Various things will be done to help City Hall stay in good shape. Unfortunately, the Council decided against modernizing the inside of City Hall, which would have made it user friendly. Too expensive was the reason given. I voted to modernize City Hall and make it easier for the citizens and residents to navigate.

We are getting closer to paving the lot across the street from the library.

The Police Chief has organized a bunch of different law enforcement communities to get rid of gangs from Berwyn.

The Police Chief also sought to add another 3 officers, but was denied by Council. I voted to add the officers. The matter was sent to budget, where hopefully, it will come out with a recommendation for new officers.

Again, I heartily recommend everyone to sign up for the Citizen's Police Academy. Check it out here: http://www.berwyn-il.gov/misc_info/Citizens%20Police%20Academy%2006-002.pdf

Tuesday, August 08, 2006
 
Citizens Police Academy
I urge everyone to enroll in the Citizens Police Academy. It is a 12 week course to educate you on the Police Department. You get to witness the dispatch center and ride in a squad car.

It meets once a week and begins in September. Please call the police department at 795-5600 to find out how to enroll. Or, simply go to the police department and ask for an application.

Criminal background checks will be conducted. You can have a misdemeanor on your record, just not in the past 12 months. No convicted felons allowed.

You will have a new appreciation of our police department.

Highly recommended.


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