Duane from Oak Park

Posted: Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 9:29 AM

I like the project but I do want to see some images of it in context with it's neighbors. This building looks upscale compared to some of it's close neighbor apartment towers that tend to look like the projects.

Oakparker from Oak Park

Posted: Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 7:45 PM

Oak Park has gone downhill when it wants to build a building that takes away the sunshine of nearby residents, while adding noise and air pollution. Taxes don't seem to cover village services regardless of how many projects are approved; they only happen with constant complaining over a period of years. I know this from first-hand experience.

Laughing at Silly, Ding Ding Ding

Posted: Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 5:55 PM

Silly, Silly, and more Silly, Laughing, Ding, Ding, and more Ding, ZZZZZZZzzzzzzZZzzzzzZZZZzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZzzzzZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz dizzying patter, meaningless gabble...endless banter...on and on and on... ZZZZZzzzzzZZZzzzzz

Kelly

Posted: Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 5:41 PM

Silly asked if OP is better today than yesterday. Well, the OPPD just posted crime statistics for December 2011. In dec 2010, 9 houses in OP were burglarized. In dec 2011, 18 houses in OP were burglarized.

Silly is silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 5:41 PM

I personally am pretty curious about how long the village is going to pay Mr. Heise consultant rates . Are they hiring the position? Is that why they need him? Is it that hard to hire someone? Wasn't there advance notice that Mr. Heise was retiring? If this is a long term arrangement, shouldn't they entertain competing proposals and rates to ensure the village is getting the best deal possible?

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 11:44 PM

I think you make up problems that most dont see. Frankly what's the problem you have. You are for higher and more taxes and now you want the board to talk more?!?!? Strange.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 9:09 PM

There is an interesting resolution on the January 18, 2012 board consent agenda (the consent agenda is the collection of items on the planned agenda that all board members have agreed that there is no need for board discussion.) The resolution is an amendment to continue Mr. Ray Heise non-employee contract to perform legal duties for the village. Mr. Heise retired from the village in June, 2011. OVERVIEW : On July 17, 2011, the Village Board executed a contract with Mr. Heise for outside legal council services. That contract was for a maximum of 300 hours at $145 per hour for projects listed in the "agreement" listed in the July 17. The project's in the agreement are: Lake and Forest Redevelopment Agreement and prep of the planned development ordinance, advise the board on TIF redevelopment project including The Morningside and Clark planning developments, participate in and monitor D200 TIF litigations, advise the board of any proposed hand gun ordinance changes, finalize liquor ordinance changes, and completion of liquor license ordinance changes. The strange thing about the resolution is: (1) Why is there no limitation on hours for Mr. Heise's services as there was in the 2011 contract, 2) Why was there no attachment in the Jan. 18, 2011 agenda describing Mr. Heise's 2012 assignments? 3) Is this resolution part of the already announced possibility that legal work could be outsourced? 4) Is Mr. Heise a candidate for the outsource contract? 5) How much additional more village funds are going to be spent on the Sertus project? 6) Why does the board believe no discussion of the Heise resolution is needed?

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 3:49 PM

There were 3 other candidates I should add that accounted for the remaining 21.13 % Actually Mary Shiffer came in 6th not Jim Balanaoff, with 2,214 9.35%. Most loosing almost 2-1.

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 3:44 PM

The ship was righted in 2007.Mislstein lost his bid for re-election as Trustee. Perennial candidate ex VMA'r Gary Schwab ran for Truste this time and lost.Robert Milstein 1,957 8.27%, Gary Schwab 1,670 7.06%, James Balanoff 1,743 7.36%. The winners crushed them. Ray Johnson 4,815 20.34%, Jan Pate 4,031 17.03%, Jon Hale 4,448 18.79%.

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 3:37 PM

Martha Brock, Geoff Baker and Greg Marsey were elected to Village Trustee in 2005. Talk about incompetent, 2 out of 3 didnt even stay until their terms were up. Clearly they were in way over their heads. I dont even think 2 of them live in Oak Park any longer. Bob Milstein and Diana Carpenter both unsuccessfully ran against David Pope for Village President that year.

Ding, Ding, Ding

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:49 PM

Milstein's NLP crew or whatever they were called.

Ding, Ding, Ding

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:48 PM

Silly, the fact is I am looking at what I get for my taxes, and, while I do not see "corruption", I do see incompetence or indifference in the services local government provides. Would be nice if we plowed the streets as effectively as Chicago, Forest Park, etc. before giving $ out to developers to build on Madison/Grove or Lake/Forest. Is that too much to ask? I actually wish Rahm would annex South Oak Park into Chicago....

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:45 PM

Who was in office?

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:44 PM

Death and taxes are the only 2 things certain in all of our lives. Look at what you get for your taxes.

Ding, Ding, Ding

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:43 PM

I am not here because of the VMA. Were not in office when I got here. If I could get out, I would. Moving here was a big mistake (that I hold over the spouse's head on a daily basis)....

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:40 PM

Ding Ding, Your here right? For good or bad you can thank the VMA for why you're here. Just imagine the Village if the people I list where elected. Scary, I tell ya. ALl good people I'm sure. Not sure they were the right ones to lead this Village though.

Ding, Ding, Ding,

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:39 PM

Silly, that does not respond to the point. Has the VMA lowered VOP taxes or not? Also, adding high density buildings only adds more people, including kids, that require more tax $ all around for schools, libraries, etc etc.

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:36 PM

Good schools lead to family's coming and staying in Oak Park which leads to good library system which leads to strong real estate values(relative)which leads to good retail shops which leads to good newspapers which leads to good restaurants which leads to good banks which leads to good entertainment venues which leads to good Park District which leads to good green spaces which leads to good youth sports which leads to good architecture which leads to good tourism which leads to me being here.

Ding, Ding, Ding

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:36 PM

3. Silly actually nails how I feel with the 2:18 post: Not been around long enough to recognize all names Silly listed, but know some of them and most of our governing choices in recent elections seem to be VMA members who waste $ while failing to recognize and provide basic services to the community or Doopers who want to run this place like it was 1962. Between Schwab's last slate, Milstein et al.'s Colt buffonery & the VMA, "death" would have been a better option in those elections...

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:30 PM

The Village doesnt get most of you taxes. Your children are the recipients of the Taxes in this community.( if they go to public school)

Ding, Ding, Ding

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:27 PM

1. Would be nice if the light at Oak Park and Harvard stopped flashing red after 2 days and if the snow was actually cleared off Oak Park Ave. Would be nice if the village seemed to care about SOP as it feels like I live in North Berwyn. 2. Despite all those wonderful business Silly lists that we should be thankful to the VMA for, how come taxes are not going down around here? (cont)

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:18 PM

Are Lynn Kessen and Lewis Carmichael the people with the business experience you refer to? Or is it Gary Schwab? Or Bob Milstein? Or Barbabra Mullarkey? Or Julie Samuels? Or Kathryn Jonas? Or John Franklin? Or Daniel Fore? Or Jim Balanoff? Or Barbara Dolan? Or Harvey Lyon? Or Mary Shiffer? Or Rose Meyer? Or Annabel Abraham? Not sure who you are talking about?

OP Resident

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:02 PM

I didn't follow this particular development closely, but in those that I have engaged on they DON'T hire the professional experts. Or they do fund the studies but then blatently ignore the recommendations made.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 2:01 PM

The definition used below were found in the Merriam Webster Dictionary Home and Office Edition - 1998. The definition might not be suitable for some WJ posters.

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 1:55 PM

The current Village Board as in ALL Village Boards are part of the community. To expect that we elect people that are experts in every field that they vote on is delusional! That's why they hire professional experts. People then complain that we dont do enough "in house" and we spend too much money on consultants. What gives? I am waiting for the connection of Sertus Partners and ANYONE in Oak Park's top level administration before they came to Oak Park?

Silly

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 1:48 PM

Time for murtagh to go back to school. Corruption is NOT used to mean "improper conduct" Where? When? Are you kidding me? All the TIF dollars are spent somewhere. If your trying to imply(wrongly) that they are in someones pocket who didn't legally obtain them, then shame on you!! Your unbelievable. Your next comment will say something along the lines of " I'm just asking questions of my government and doing my civil duty". Your clearly not happy with what exists. Period.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 1:26 PM

The word "corrupt" can be used to describe criminal activity, i.e, a bribe. It also can be used to describe "improper conduct". The second is most commonly used to when describing actions of public officials. I do not believe I have used corruption to describe the activities of OP government. I have used the work "malfeasance" (wrongful conduct esp. by a public official). Millions of OP dollars are unaccounted for; particularly TIF funds. That does not mean there is corruption, but it certainly means there is malfeasance on the part of the board and administration.

OP Resident

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 1:22 PM

@Laughing: Don't think VMA / Village Board are corrupt, but they are more interested in serving their own selfish interests and those of their political party than the interests of the community. Some trustees have no experience in the business sector. The taxes go up because local government can't manage the budget and is incapable of sustaining a healthy business tax base to share the burden. May be better than it used to be here but there's significant room to improve.

Laughing

Posted: Monday, January 16th, 2012 12:51 PM

".....make some think that corruption exists......" The KEYWORD being THINK!! Priceless. Keep the anti VMA political flame burning with untruths, innuendos and speculation. NO FACTS TO BACK UP YOUR CORRUPTION THEORIES!! THEY JUST DONT EXIST.Ha.Today is a hell of a lot better than yesterday Silly.Oak Park has gained some stores & also lost some stores(auto lots). We roll with the changes while still preserving the greatness of which we all love about Oak Park. Landlock=higher taxes on residents.

Observer

Posted: Sunday, January 15th, 2012 8:03 PM

@Silly's question; Is OP a better place today than it was yesterday? Answer, NO. The taxes have gone up so much that the middle class can no longer afford to live in OP; the schools are good, but not great for the taxes that people pay, the Village's infrastructure is poor, the Board is more concerned about business interests then citizens, unsolved murders, horrible traffic, secret deals, and the VMA's actions make some think that corruption exists in this community, etc. etc. Th

Wow!?!

Posted: Sunday, January 15th, 2012 3:00 PM

Brought to you by VMA and friends? Highest property taxes in state and crumbling infrastructure. I just drove by the FORMER West Town on Ridg and Garfield. The road on Garfield is TERRIBLE and has been TERRIBLE for years. But, hey, we have bricks and blue granite on Marion! I'd LOVE to see an ROI/Breakeven analysis on Marion. Next? We have tons of TERRIBLE alleys! I wish the board would stop giving 150% of time and money to pie-in-the-sky projects! Oh so SILLY!?! Translated: RIDICULOUS!

Violet Aura

Posted: Sunday, January 15th, 2012 1:09 PM

Breaking News: Silly's name is right on the money. Film at 11...

Spare me

Posted: Sunday, January 15th, 2012 11:33 AM

Silly, technically you can't win a debate by annoying everyone to death, but props for the college try.

"OK" is not good enough...mediocrity is not good enough

Posted: Sunday, January 15th, 2012 10:52 AM

@Silly & Delusional. Here's a good example of the thinking of your side regarding the middle schools that were built, you say "I think they did an OK job." In a time when so much excellence is possible, you think OK is good enough?! Why operate from a position of weakness? as if finances dictate that we can't have excellence, that's not true. What we consistently get from the VMA are projects not worthy of our Village. P.S.Not all those businesses you list were brought in by this administration!

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 10:55 PM

Tuxedo rental store, office supply store, comic book store, dvd/record stores, antique stores, cell phone stores, book/magazine stores, consignment stores, poster/sign store, new car/used car store, mattress store, fruit and vegetable store, bike rental store, cheese and wine store, greeting card and stationary store, yarn store.

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 10:43 PM

Soon to be gun store. LoL. I cant forget the coffee joints, bread stores, art supply store, pet stores, shoe stores, frame stores, pawn stores, convenient stores, toy store, popcorn store, spice store, home goods store, drugstores, vintage home goods store, lock smith stores, resale stores, handtruck store, musical instrument stores, computer stores, bagel shop, bakery stores, eye glass stores, mens clothing, women's clothing, children's clothing. Wheew The list goes on and on.

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 10:30 PM

We have some great bike shops in the area. We have some great grocery food stores. We have great artist boutiques. We have some great jewelry stores. We have some great clothing stores. We have a lot. Not sure what the question means. Shopping is a general term. I would think there are quite a few non Oak Parkers who shop Oak Park. Our sales taxes were up !!!

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 9:13 PM

OP participated in the 2011 National Citizen Survey. In September, results were posted on the website. 453 of 1200 OP residents receiving surveys participated. No demographic information was provided in the results, but the data is useful when compared to other answers in the survey. My particular interest is in the score for OP Shopping. At last Monday board meeting, the village manager said that the survey indicated that shopping received a high rating. The Shopping rating was 51 of a possible 100. With minimal shopping sense or knowledge I don't know if that is good or bad, so I am offering some comparison to other OP scores in hope of getting a better sense on the subject from other posters. Here they are: Ambulance and Emergency Med Service (93), Cleanliness (89), Cultural Opportunities (72) Availability of Quality Health Care (68), Crime Prevention (67), SHOPPING (51), OP Adjudication Court (45), Land Use, Planning, Zoning (43), Traffic Flow-Main Streets (42), Public Parking (37), Street Repair (36). Based on the eleven response above, is the Shopping score (51) positive or negative?

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 9:08 PM

Old Tasty Dog Retail, Did I leave any out?

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 9:07 PM

RSC Commercial Retail, Whiteco Commercial Retail. DTOP Commercial Retail, Pleasnat District (The Opera Club). To name a few. Sertus coming soon.

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 9:03 PM

Keep trying. With the school building architecture, there is a balance between design and $$. I think they did an OK job. Gee what kind of home do you live in?? Oak Park is full of fine architecture. Just look around. Ride your bike down Kenilworth, Forest,Oak Park Ave, Ridgleand, Gunderson, Elmwood, Chicago, Lake st, Etc...

Middle School Designs Good?

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 5:45 PM

Hideous architecture for two middle schools, especially w/blue panels at Ridgeland and Washington, no tribute to this Village's architectural heritage and poorly configured on that great parcel of land. A pathetic outcome! Sometimes the mentality in OP is that if you keep throwing money at schools, everything will be OK, but that is no guarantee there will be good teaching. "New commerical retail" what?!...let's factor into that the more than one dozen stores lost to Forest Park and elsewhere.

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 3:51 PM

Is Oak Park a better place today than it was yesterday?

Tom from River Forest

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 3:29 PM

Little Orphan Annie sings: "VMA will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar, that, come what may, there will be VMA. VMA, VMA, I love ya, VMA, you always make a bad TIF decision each day."

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 3:03 PM

Oak Park keeps becoming a better place to live and be. Tomorrow will be better than today. We've come a long way baby! New library, new middle school buildings, new residential developments, new commercial retail, upgrade of existing retail space, more shoppers, new well designed pedestrian streets, new bike lanes, new restuarants, new upgrades to the parks and facilities, etc. etc, etc.....

Kyle

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 2:43 PM

Re: Scrapping--I've seen the explanations on why the village switched forms, but as a transplant one annoying thing about living here is you don't have one council/alderman to take your problems to. And you rarely see community meetings where we're asked what our block/neighborhood needs. I think that is where many current problems arise. It's very inefficient.

Oak Park Needs To Scrap..

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 1:42 PM

... the Village Manager form of government and go to the Commission Form of Government. Much more accountable to the citizens in my opinion. The buck stops with the Mayor.

Silly's homage to the VMA

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 12:57 PM

@Silly...You say "The VMA should get even more credit for being there through out all the change and being able to adapt to the new needs of the community while preserving the long term philosophies of this Village." The VMA drives people away with their lack of attention to high taxes and their overly dense projects with no additional open space for residents, projects which increasingly tax village services. You are truly Silly, as you call yourself but you are our "Silly", we love diversity!

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 1:43 AM

Making lame accusations that are false and speculation is wrong. Nothing wrong with asking questions. Im sure Trustees would encourage it. What about the drug dealer scenarios you were supporting about the OPHC? Trying to tarnish the reputation of groups and people never get a good response. You are presenting yourself in a false light here. My opinion of course.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 1:34 AM

Let's Do Facts - I have lived in Oak Park for ten years. During that time, I have voted in every election, stayed up on the big issues, and have formed and expressed opinions. I have never actively supported any candidate for OP office. I have actively opposed two issues - the Living Wage Ordinance in 2009, The Madison St Housing Proposal in 2010/11. I did not support the Sertus Hi-Rise or Madison Street Diet. In both cases, there was insufficient quality information to form an bone-fide opinion and I challenged those involved to prove their case. Many elected officials and their supporters see asking questions as opposition and react negatively. Asking questions of government is civic involvement and should be commended rather than condemned.

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 1:31 AM

Ames, Its called evolution. Nothing is or should be the exact same. Im sure there are Oak Parkers who were here in the 50's that say its not the same as the 50's. The one solid constant has been change and progress. The VMA should get even more credit for being there through out all the change and being able to adapt to the new needs of the community while preserving the long term philosophies of this Village.

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 1:24 AM

100 Forest across the street has how many stories? This one has slightly more. When it comes to density how it affects the neighborhood, it usually refers to the foot print on the ground. The higher up is only an issue if you have a lot of tall buildings and the view issue. The taller the building the more parking with in the building for the extra levels. This number of floors doesn't bother me considering all the space is will take up on the ground.

Silly

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 1:19 AM

@ Interesting, 60 stories is too much .....in one project. We have built LOTS in OP. Where have you been. Add up the units in Whiteco, RSC, and this current project and you get the picture. People and money make the world go round. The more people and money that come into the Village, the less that each of us has to contribute. Delicate balance my friend.

Ames Peters from Oak Park

Posted: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 12:57 AM

I think of this as sad really. Money makes the world go round and OP sold out. I have played or lived in OP all my life, left in 98 and came back in 06-military tour. I though what happened? So much traffic, is Marion opening the street again or closing, wow look new condo's looks nice maybe good for the township. No now after living there from 06-11 I moved. I used to be proud of my town it was like it was in its own bubble. Now I just look forward to OPRF H.S. Wonder how long that will last...

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 10:01 PM

I supported the gingerbread men.

Interesting

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 7:49 PM

@Silly. So, as I understand it, your logic is that Sertus should be building a 40-story high-rise, right? Why not go for 60? I have made no comments on this issue - ever - but it does strike me that the basis of the "7" and their supporters is that "more is better" because, well, "more is more!" Agree? Then, again, why not 40 or 60 stories? The bldg is already so dramatically out of proportion that doubling up would hardly be relevant. Ms. Silly, PLEASE re-read your post about "extra bodies."

Silly

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 7:23 PM

So the tax revenues (sales and property)are not facts? The extra bodies in the OP economy, the additional new parking opportunities for the Village to charge for overnight parking are not facts? Butch, I think you missed one other observation. The same people who oppose this development are the same people who oppose EVERYTHING the Village does. Cheers.

Bridgett from Oak Park

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 5:15 PM

I've read every single one of the 196 comments below. And what I noticed is that, in general, the folks opposed to this project, and who are critical of how the village board conducts itself, speak in factual, concrete, data-driven terms; while those in support of this project and the village board just kinda pat some folks on the back, and slap other folks in the face. Just an observation...

POsaveOP@yahoo.org

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 4:47 PM

Poop is for the litter box. Lets keep it there please.

lulz@epic lulz

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 3:58 PM

Correction: Future President Romney

epic lulz

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 3:36 PM

someone asked: "How do developers make money from failed projects?" The same way Romney makes money by destroying companies: they pull out millions in management fees.

192 and counting...

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 3:32 PM

All right people! I want to see at least 300 comments by Monday morning...

Top Ten List

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 2:43 PM

Now that Village Board TV is back on the air (www.oak-park.us/boardtv/index.html), the previously posted Top Ten List of Comic Moments may be viewed at the following video times: Comic Moment #10 (01:15:01 - 01:15:57), Comic Moment #9 (02:01:35 - 02:03:40), Comic Moment #8 (02:32:24 - 02:37:03), Comic Moment #7 (01:05:26 - 01:12:19), Comic Moment #6 (see comment posted Jan. 12, 8:08am), Comic Moment #5 (03:11:05 - 03:11:39). Enjoy and stay tuned!

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 2:39 PM

Jim, I agree. The next big Sertus event is to see if they can get the financing to build. That is in doubt. If Madison Highlands, a much sounder development is having difficult finding funding, I don't believe it will be easier for Sertus. The second part of that is the garage. OP will have to come up with 9m. That is a moot issue until Sertus funding is assured, but there is risk in the OP 9M loan that still has to be addressed.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 2:34 PM

Thanks Jim - I don't disagree with your view at all. I am just moving on to other issues. Sertus in not over by any means.

Silly

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 1:41 PM

So lets see: If they release the report before the meeting you get to bitch and complain at the meeting. If they release the report after the meeting , you get to bitch and complain after the meeting. If they dont release the report you get to bitch and complain before and after. What does it really matter when and if they release the report??? BTW, they (the board) are the body that votes. Until you have a nameplate in front of you at the board table, your vote only counts on election day!

Jim Coughlin Facebook Verified

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 12:56 PM

John, I understand your position on the subject and won't question the facts you present.

Jim Coughlin Facebook Verified

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 12:53 PM

It is a done deal, Enuf. Well, almost. Sertus still needs to demonstrate there's $81,000,000 out there that someone is willing to invest in deveolping the site. I'm asking questions about the financial analysis because the ecomonic benefits were a central theme of the January 9 meeting and were cited by several trustees as a solid reason to vote to approve. If the Village Board is able to provide specifics or projections; they should share those numbers with the community.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 12:52 PM

Jim Coughlin - I agree with Enuf. The time to release the S.B. Friedman financial analysis to the public was prior to the meeting. A post-mortem release is meaningless. If talented analyst like Enuf found major problems in the report or the report was not as Pollyanna as Pres. Pope presented, the board and admin would categorize any complaint as being history. Not only did the village not post the report, the CFO didn't even review the financials using presentation materials. Who benefits from this, the developer! It is obvious that the residents do not, but less obvious is the fact that the board does not benefit. Withholding information from the residents has become an ad hoc board policy that reduces the residents' trust with each occurrence. The board discussed a campaign to restore community trust at the meeting. Like many things in OP, that discussion comes late.

Silly

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 11:28 AM

Tom, You dont have the floor.

Tom from River Forest

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 10:28 AM

Under Roberts' Rules, isn't it inappropriate to second your own motion?

Anon

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 10:06 AM

Is Enuf really asking Jim Coughlin a question. Now that is Funny Stuff. I thought Jim Coughlin IS Enuf is Enuf? I think he's lost his beans. LoL

Enuf is Enuf from Oak Park

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 9:59 AM

JimCoughlin ... a postmortem public release of the S.B. Friedman financial analysis after the board vote defeats the purpose of public participation. Public comment is intended for board review and consideration prior to their vote, not for reflection afterwards. Public comment provided at the board meeting by Kevin Murphy, David Barsotti and Steve Harris, as well that submitted by other means, was excluded from accessing the financial analysis provided to the village board.

Silly

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 8:44 AM

I'd second that!!

HISTORY OF OAK PARK

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 8:38 AM

I would like to take this opportunity to THANK the following Oak Park leaders: President David Pope, Trustee Ray Johnson, Trustee Colette Lueck, Trustee Glenn Brewer, Trustee John Hedges, Trustee Adam Salzman, Trustee Bob Tucker and Clerk Teresa Powell. Your hard work, insightfulness, and passion have helped move Oak Park forward to more appealing, inclusive and desirable place to live.

Join Now to Save from Oak Park

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 8:16 AM

As you've all learned, the only way to stop this destruction of our town is by electing sensible people. If you want to get involved, send an email to me. saveOP@yahoo.com

Top Ten List #5

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 7:16 AM

Comic Moment #5: When asked to compare the service life of an open-air garage to a closed one, Village Engineer Jim Budrick responded 50 years for open-air vs. 100 years for closed. Hey Jim, the primary durability factor for concrete garages is deterioration due to deicing salts brought in by vehicles, which applies to both open-air and closed garages. Also, if 50 years is the service life of an open-air garage, why is the L/F Garage being demolished after only 35 years?

Top Ten List

Posted: Friday, January 13th, 2012 6:43 AM

@JBMurtagh ... The Top Ten List of Comic Moments (ala David Letterman's Late Show Top Ten List) started at #10 and has worked its way down to #6. Comic Moment #9 was posted at Wednesday, January 11, 9:46 AM. Since seeing (and hearing) is believing, it was intended for each Comic Moment to be cross-referenced to the specific video time of the board meeting via online Village Board TV, but the video continues to be unavailable to the public.

Harry

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 11:34 PM

"Lake St. is a ghosttown of retail. " Where? Have you gotten out of your basement in the past several years to actually walk down it? Also stop whining about Whiteco projections; is it profitable? Yes. Did people fail to see the economic doom when they made those projections? Yes, and that puts them in with 99.9% of the people on the planet. I guess except for John "butch" Murtagh.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 11:14 PM

Top Ten - How many Top Tens of Monday's board meeting have you posted? The last one I have is #6. Enuf referenced me to #9 which I can't find. I want to collect them all!

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 11:11 PM

Be Nice - Sertus made a bad land purchase (Lake and Forest) 5 or so years ago and is trying any way they can to recover their money. There are a lot of good development opportunities for banks and other investors to place their money. The Lake and Forest investment is not low risk, and it will be hard to entice the $'s.

Be nice to know -

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 10:26 PM

How do developers make money from failed projects? Some comments suggest this is a done deal so just accept it... fuggedaboutit! Roll over and "take" bad policy?! Why? Pope was rejected as a candidate for Village President by the VMA long ago, maybe they were right. We got him anyway. They say he micromanages, easy to do with no job. And the suggestion he is building his resume with these projects, maybe that is what having a real estate license is about. No crime in that though, but a mystery.

j.oakpark

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 8:29 PM

I drove past lake and forest today: will this project also cover the surface lot just to the west of the church, also? If so this is going to be massive. They (who sertus of village?) are probably going to have to some serious upgrading to to supply the building with sewer and water service.

P O'Shea

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 8:13 PM

Silly, um I mean transparency, a very smart executive I know says, as soon as I'm comfortable that you're in the details I'll get out of them. I'm not comfortable with this board's actions.Your repeated empty platitudes won't change that. True change at the board level will.

Doomed From the Start so Don't Worry

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 7:40 PM

It's doomed from the start. 600 empty condos. No demand for apartments. How to raise $81 million??? Condo developers get their cash up front and then break ground. What bank with a brain would fund this? Lake St. is a ghosttown of retail. What retailer would in their right mind rent at the ridiculous per sq. ft. rates on Lake St? The economy is not improving. It's all doomed anyway, just proof of the incompetence and ignorance of another VMA board giving Pope another resume entry.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 7:11 PM

Thanks, Transparency, I appreciate the compliment.

Transparency

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 7:06 PM

You are the premier arm chair QB John.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 6:42 PM

If I believed the boys and girls (your categorization) on the board were capable of using good judgment, I would be watching sports on television. But the board has shown in the last 10 years of bad decision making that they need all the help they can get. Those filled with blind trust and total loyalty are not helping the a village that has very serious financial problems.

Transparency

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 6:32 PM

When will the residents get it? The BOARD makes the decisions. What cant you figure out? The board is a group of big boys and girls and they are capable of reading the reports in which they need to make pertinent decisions on behalf of the people who ELECTED them( and those who didnt)The horse is dead and your post game analysis is entertaining. The arm chair QBing happens at the election booth. The next game is right around the corner and I'm sure you'll have much to say.

Jim Coughlin Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 6:16 PM

Thanks, Enuf. Ray Johnson might be able to request that the financial analysis is shared with the public. There's been a good deal of talk about how much these 400 or so new residents will spend at local shops and restaurants. That's got to be welcome news to those businesses. It would be helpful to learn how much additional revenue is projected.

Enuf is Enuf from Oak Park

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 6:08 PM

@JohnMurtagh ... according to the meeting agenda, a financial analysis was included in the board packet. It was prepared by S.B.Friedman, and referenced throughout the meeting (see Comic Moment #9 below). Pope did not cite any references in his lecture re. the financial performance of Whiteco, which was so inaccurate that I am left to assume it was his own analysis.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 5:58 PM

Based on the board's lack of questions on the financial portion of the project, I assume that they did not receive a financial analysis from the CFO. Pope did a lot of talking about the financials but it was all qualitative rather than quantitative.

Bell = Coughlin=Enuf

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 4:47 PM

OK Jim Coughlin

Enuf is Enuf from Oak Park

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 4:42 PM

At their Dec. 5 meeting, Trustees Johnson, Tucker and Salzman requested a financial analysis to be provided before last Monday's meeting, as part of due their diligence for an informed decision. If they had not received such analysis, I presume they would not have voted. This same financial analysis, though, was not provided to the public, therefore disallowing informed public comment for board review, without which the board should have removed this item form their agenda.

Silly

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 4:40 PM

Coughlin, Imagine it is a church and NO tax dollars will be coming in. How could you protest a Church, Temple, or Mosque?

Jim Coughlin Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 4:26 PM

The board's discussion focused on all of the economic benefits this development will being to the community. It's reported Oak Park can expect $1,300,000 in new taxes but there must be other revenues that have to have been figured into the equation. Have any projections been provided by the Village's CFO, paid consultants or the developer?

Silly

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 4:14 PM

Murtagh do you realize the Village CUT 10's of thousands if not millions from their budgets the last couple of years?

Silly

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 4:13 PM

Parking is NEVER free, even in Oak Brook. Someone always pays. Take away parking lots and you take away customers which in effect take away tax dollars. Penny wise pound foolish.

Silly

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 4:10 PM

It was just named one of the best places to live !!! Wake up. Murtagh, this is a municipality! Whats the return on fixing our streets or planting new trees or putting in new pipes? Sometime you spend money to increase the quality of life. Build a parking lot is right.Sometimes it may cost you but the shoppers return the money in the long run in sales dollars. The Colt parking lot in my eyes is worth every penny they spent to KEEP as a parking lot.Have you seen the # of cars that park there?

Anon

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 3:49 PM

*sigh* Oak Park was so charming when I was a kid. Now it has very little charm (save for the FLR area) and a stale, corporate character.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 3:42 PM

"Don't it always seem to go, That you don't know what you've got, Till it's gone, They paved paradise, And put up a parking lot." (Big Yellow Taxi lyric) I drove by the Madison-Highlands development site and it is now a village parking lot -- asphalt, fence, etc. Does that indicate that the funding is still not available? Will that delay the building further? Does that mean village investment revenue will be delayed? Does that mean the street diet will be delayed or accerated?

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 3:28 PM

Bill Strong - Re developers, I for one could care less how much they make off an OP development. What I care about is the Return on Investment that the village receives for its investment. That has been dismal. The only sizable and meaningful development since 2005 is Whiteco and the public record shows that it had not reached the annual village revenue target since it opened. Pres. Pope said they came close this year in 2011 (I can't confirm that since the last time I checked the 2010 revenue from Whitco had not even been made public.) I do not have as much business experience as you, but I know that every CEO has an announced vision for his company, but never lets it get in the way of the sustaining part of the business - production, sales, etc. When times get rough, most CEO's would choose to delay the vision until things got better, rather than make major sustaining cuts that would damage the business. OP did the opposite. They swallowed up the 2005 twenty 20M budget reserve by 2008 and have been in deficit ever since, did not anticipate in their budgets either the 2005-6 Housing Bust, the 2008 National Economic Bust, and failed to anticipate the post-bust Fed and State budget cuts, and wasted millions of dollars of TIF money with minimal return. All occurred because the board could not take its eye off its almighty vision -- the Greater Downtown Redevelopment. It's a sad commentary for a great village.

Ding, Ding, Ding

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 3:10 PM

@Brian & OP Rez: My recall of the D97 Enrollment Report from last summer is that there is very little space left in elementary schools and 500 students are expected to be added in next 5 years. Also recall that it is estimated that this project would account for 23 kids (granted, this project has shrunk from 320 to 270 units, correct?). That is, in essence, an additional classroom as a 25 student classroom requires a paid TA under the current CBA. Hope Brian is right. Obviously I am skeptical.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 3:01 PM

Top Ten - Sorry to upstage you on the board meeting staging. I would go ahead with using it in the Top Ten. From what I can tell no one even noticed my post.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 2:59 PM

Ray the board voted down the PlanCom recommendation, and then approved the Sertus Plan without a new parking plan. All that was resolved Monday night was the number of spots. There was no determination of how they would be used. There is no comprehensive discussion of shared management or shared parking in PlanComs Finding of Facts. It seems to me that the new parking plan must go back to PlanCom for review based on the direction the board gave the commission.

Brian from Oak Park

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 2:16 PM

@Ding, based on my personal experience at Oak Park Place Apts (the Whiteco project) during 2010, there were essentially zero school aged kids living there at the time. Maybe there were one or two, but I never saw any. Mostly single professional 20 somethings (lots of medical residents and students), a few divorcees, and empty nesters. I'd assume this new development would be priced similarly and attract the same demographic.

Top Ten List

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 2:10 PM

@JohnMurtagh ... thank you. You have robbed the thunder a bit from a forthcoming Comic Moment, but yes, the entire meeting was scripted and staged. Anyone giving a hint of going off-script was immediately corralled by Barwin & Pope (poor Simone Boutet). Which is why I used the premise of a local cable channel sitcom, as this meeting unintentionally shared the same characteristics of a sitcom in terms of story arc, characters and dialogue. I am just inserting the laugh track.

Ray Johnson from Oak Park

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 2:01 PM

@ J. Murtagh: I'm not sure if you were still in attendance John, but we did discuss that the Findings of Fact which will come back to the board over the next few weeks will provide an opportunity to fine tune any aspects of the Redevelopment Agreement and Planned Development Ordinance. There was no opposition from the Village Board in seeking a single point of management for all 588 parking spaces and more fully utilizing those spaces in a shared parking arrangement. More to come...

OP Rez

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 1:56 PM

1st of all its one public grammar school that would be affected. More kids means more money from fed and state. Did you forget about the $80 Million OPRF is sitting on or the $7 Million Dist 97 just got in a referendum. Oak Park is even close to its top when it comes to residency. As a matter of fact we are at our lowest in decades. I cant imagine that Dist 97 or Dist 200 are having their "largest enrollment" problems you speak of.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 12:42 PM

While most of the board questions and comments came from Pope, Johnson, and Lueck, the best question came from Tucker. He asked, "Where are the commercial parking spaces for retail business coming from?" That set off a two hour parking discussion that revealed hidden deals. Sertus and the village parking authority have entered a deal for shared management of the garage. The arrangement includes sharing of spaces based on demand. Commercial parking would be in the mix, but the spaces would not necessarily be identified. Mike Glazier of Sertus then revealed that the 100 Century Club would also be involved in the sharing arrangement. While creative, the plan raises a government/business contract issue that was not addressed by the planning commission or the village board. The discussion added little detail on how a shared arrangement will be managed nor the legal, financial, and contract factors that needed to be addressed. Without resolution of the parking issues, the board should have tabled the Sertus approval to ensure that met the condition of the request for a parking variance. Instead, the board voted 7-0 to approve the project.

Kyle

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 12:24 PM

To clarify, I'm not against development. But, lacking major industry or corporations to do the majority support, the burden is heavily on residents for taxes so we should be taken care of first. And basic services should be the foundation that gets most of municipal govt attention. Then there are smarter ways to go about development including making sure it is the greatest good for the greatest number. The current system has that upside down.

Bill Strong from Oak Park

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 11:49 AM

@Kyle, I hear you on neighborhood improvements. But the $$ for those improvements has to come from somewhere, and one of the "somewheres" is property and sales tax revenues. Wish we got more infrastructure $$ from feds or state, but it ain't happening. So to that extent, you and I DO benefit from the building and its retail activity. There is a misguided strain of thinking in OP that if developers make a single buck, it can't possibly be good for the rest of us.

Ding, Ding, Ding, We have a Winner

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 11:07 AM

@Brian: Do you really buy that they are going to be high-end residents? "High-end" residents can buy houses and condos at good prices with great rates right now (and take the interest deduction on their taxes).

Brian from Oak Park

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 10:46 AM

@Ding: How many school-aged kids are going to be living in high-end (expensive) 1 and 2 bedroom apartments?

Ding, Ding, Ding, We have a Winner

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 10:42 AM

And it is Kyle....plus, anyone at VOP ever ask D97 where it is going to put all the kids that live in these apartments? The schools are, reportedly, jammed as it is. Lincoln even expanded over the summer (and the tenement building on Madison and Grove is not even built yet). The tax money VOP claims we will "save will just be offset by what D97 has to charge in order to keep pace...Just watch.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 10:16 AM

Top Ten -- enjoying your top ten. It's right up there with the WJ Mark Stopeck's satirical cartoons. You have captured completely the mood and attitude of the Oak Park staged lesson in democracy.

Done from Oak Park

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 10:07 AM

If this monstrosity ever does get built, can I see a show of hands of those who think that this will result in a lowering of property taxes? And I agree with Kyle 100%. We have some big infrastructure issues, aside from crumbling parking garages, that could use some attention. Just giving "visitors" a pretty downtown while ignoring the sidestreets and alleys doesn't sit well with the "residents".

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 9:37 AM

Thanks Ray. My apology for the parsing error.

Kyle

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 9:05 AM

@Ray Thanks for asking. It's just a stark (sometimes amusing) contrast to other places I've lived that we're always busy arguing over these crazy big projects. Rather than, you know, alleys are filled with potholes, sidewalks need repair, we need better crosswalks, streets cleaned and cleared of debris that washes into sewers clogging drains, there's that traffic light at Lake/Forest that really needs a brighter bulb. We ALL benefit if that stuff gets done. Who benefits from this building?

Ray Johnson from Oak Park Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 8:26 AM

@ Kyle: I am very serious in asking which Village services you are most concerned about and/or feel are being ignored.

Ray Johnson from Oak Park Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 8:24 AM

@ "Ten": Staff are working on the video link now and are aware of the problem. They have not yet identified the cause of the problem, so I don't have a timeline for this to be fixed.

Top Ten List

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 8:08 AM

Comic Moment #6: This one goes to Trustee Johnson's below comment. The Top Ten List was created to expose how the board and staff reframed and manipulated questions submitted by the public into responses that misrepresented the truth. Each Comic Moment was intended to be cross-referenced with the online Village Board TV video so everyone could judge for themselves what actually transpired. To prove my point, this video continues to be not accessible to the public.

Kyle

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 8:04 AM

Re: VMA Aside from the obvious one-party/one-philosophy issue, as a newer resident to Oak Park, my problem with the VMA & where I think the special interest comments are coming from is that even if it isn't scandal per se, there is a perception that the focus is a few developments and goals while the average neighborhood/resident gets ignored. I wouldn't mind the VMA or this project so much if there wasn't a list of boondoggles the Board tackles while basic services are neglected.

Ray Johnson from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 7:22 AM

@ J. Murtagh: You won't be surprised to see me take strong exception to your view that "residents" have been ignored for a decade. You also parsed the guiding principle and the last five words are as important as what precedes: "for the benefit of all". You were sitting in the audience Monday when I specifically thanked all residents (pro and con), for providing input to us and how that input helps the board ask better questions. You heard me acknowledge and thank those same citizens for their participation in this process over 35 public meetings. You heard any number of Trustee's ask the questions from opponents, in some cases word for word. You know we made a public comment exception and alllowed 3 con/3 pro public comment statements to be held at every village board meeting (our procedures say this should take place one time, but we allowed additional public comment directly to the board in every case). You may not know I responded to nearly every email/phone call sent related the public input on this project. Public engagement is what makes Oak Park great. It's also interesting to note the very positive emails the board has received since our vote on Monday, and how there is a segment of the population who believe we did listen to public input -- by voting yes.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 12:50 AM

Bill Strong - Further to my post below, I suspect that some of the unhappy commentators went to the trouble of reading the VMA's Mission and Guiding Principles on Balanced and Sensitive Economic Growth. It reads, "Positive economic growth occurs when policy created by the Village Board produces a climate of cooperation between government, "residents", businesses and property owners, to the benefit of all." For a decade now, you have forgotten that the word "residents" is part of the Guiding Principles.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 12:22 AM

Bill Strong - "Good for Oak Park at this point in our history?" Good enough for the village politicos at best.

Bill Strong from Oak Park

Posted: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 12:07 AM

@Observer and other unhappy commentators, c'mon. You don't have to agree with Board's decision, but you don't advance your case with a bunch of hooey about the Board being in bed with developers, etc. The vote was 7-0, after a thorough airing in local media, hearings and Plan Commission. Perfect? No. Good for Oak Park at this point in our history? Yes. Trustees are people like the rest of us who care deeply about our village, have families, pay taxes. Thanks, Board for making the right call.

The VMA Today

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 11:05 PM

Yes, indeed, 60 years ago there was a need for change in Oak Park and Dwight Follet and Cyrus Giddings (Sara Bode's father), and others, founded the Village Manager Association. They brought improved governing to Oak Park, it would be hotly debated for how long a time. 60 years?! They have become what they replaced, in a white collar sophisticated kind of a way, agents of special interests arrogantly ignoring the electorate. Exclusivity and one party rule for this long, no way is that good!

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 11:03 PM

During the Sertus approval meeting, there was a long discussion (2 hours) on parking. Sertus need a variance in parking spaces - that is fewer than required by planning, to proceed with their build. Many ideas were thrown around, but the one that got consensus (me too, Yup, yes you are right Mr. President) was that the current trend is for less driving and more walking, bike riding, and use of mass transit. Less driving = Less Parking, Duh! So, in the future, Sertus will have empty parking slots and people will be walking or biking (people to the west do not use mass transit), and looking for Montgomery Ward, and all those "great walk to" stores that we all long for. Pollyanna Planning is so much fun.

Silly

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:55 PM

rez, rez, rez. Borders is the old Marshall Fields building built when people didnt drive everywhere. That whole area was suppose to be developed and the economy had different plans. We are rebounding and will be ahead of the rebound. DT Oak Park used to be a destination with stores like Fields, Wiebolts, Monkey Wards, Etc. You dont have the same today. They are not in business. This is a new era. Build accordingly.

rez

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:50 PM

Thanks, History, for pointing out the irony.

HISTORY OF OAK PARK

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:50 PM

Give it 20 years and you all wont even know what was controversial. Go back 20 years and the same is true. Oak Park is a great place to live and raise families or just be a single person living in an urban upscale, diverse cool place close to the burbs and DT. What else can I say?

rez

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:48 PM

Silly, Everything around Borders is an inconvenience, yet the area is suppose to be the main retail district of the village. Being that it is where all the shoppers go, logic would have it that retailers would be flocking... but they're not. It's a big hole in the main section, and you'd think they'd want to work with what they already have before building more than WE can ultimately afford. There's no sure thing that apts will be filled, "however you look at it".

HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER ASSOCIATION

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:43 PM

In 1952, the VMA mounted a campaign to wrest control of our village government from alderman who seemed more beholden to outside interests than to our citizens. At that time, affairs at village hall were characterized by patronage, party factionalism, and corruption. The VMA convinced Oak Parkers that we would be well served if elected village trustees concentrate on policy decisions and hire a professional manager to carry out polices and to administer the operations of village government.

Enough already

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:42 PM

Observer sounds like he describing Enuf is Enuf from Oak park! Ha

The Ghost Of Sara Bode's Oak Park Mall

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:39 PM

Correction: Sara Bode was not elected until 1977. My apologies.

Observer

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:29 PM

We should accept the fact that the Village Board lies, distorts facts, and routinely meets in secret. This Board is arrogant and clueless and they refuse to accept verifiable facts that contradict their views (Whiteco did not fill all its retail space). It seems that Pope took notes from the Bush Whitehouse. Many say OP is not corrupt, but some of the actions by the board, especially the deals made behind closed doors, make people wonder if corruption actually exists in this community.

The Ghost Of Sara Bode's Oak Park Mall

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:26 PM

Please build this totally out of place tower that there is no need for so people can once and for all forget about this pie in the sky boondoggle from the 70's that I approved of as a member of the ruling VMA party. Will these peple ever learn. Sound Source Rules !!

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:24 PM

President Pope and the board were thrilled with the return they expected from the Sertus Project. With statistics, not available for the public, he stated, w/o quoting numbers, that the Whiteco recent tax revenues were near the target for this year. He failed to mention that Whiteco revenue gor first five years was no where near the target. The Pollyanna Gang (the board) have also forgotten about the days when Whiteco was cited by the village for renting rooms on a daily basis - a village ordinance violation. There is little value in debating the pollyanna projections. The investors will do that and make a decision on whether or not to finance the glass tower.

Silly

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:07 PM

Filled apts are filled apts. $$ is $$ how ever you look at it.Property taxes and Sales Taxes. Bonus. IF the last two new developments in DTOP have filled their commercial space, what makes you think they wont? RSC and Whiteco. New space is not the same as Borders. I think Borders is an awful space when it comes to convenience.

rez

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 8:55 PM

Silly, "tax revenues"? It takes real, not imaginary, businesses moving into OP to generate "tax revenues", and needs real, not imaginary, people moving in to... You seem to live in an imaginary world where everything is A-OK, and everyone is just dying to move here with their big bucks to drop on a $200 scarf in the imaginary boutique below the glass tower. I'm guessing the village's answer to vacant apartments will be to fill them with section 8. Blind leading the blind.

Never going to happen from OP

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 8:11 PM

There will be no financing for this poorly conceived project. No bank anywhere will think it's a good idea to open more retail space in our struggling downtown, and we don't need additional apartments or condos here either. The lack of common sense displayed by the Village Board will be corrected by the invisible hand of economics.

Silly

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 8:04 PM

This is just one big SILLY FEST. You all will be thankful once its up and going and bringing in the tax revenue this community so desperately needs.

Top Ten List

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 5:39 PM

Comic Moment #7: When asked to clarify the housing unit discrepancy between the 2005 Greater Downtown Master Plan (GDMP) and 2009 Zoning Ordinance (ZO), Craig Failor / Village Planner stated the 1200 units RECOMMENDED for the entire downtown area by GDMP had more relevance than the ZO REQUIREMENT of 98 units for the site. Then when asked why the same GDMP recommends only 180 units for the site, Failor said the GDMP wasn't relevant, as it was only ADVISORY. Huh?

James Bea

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 4:06 PM

sil?ly/%u02C8sil%u0113/ Adjective: Having or showing a lack of common sense or judgment; foolish. Noun: A foolish person (often used as a form of address): "Come on, silly". Synonyms: adjective. foolish - fatuous - daft - dull - idiotic noun. fool - goof - ninny

Hilarious!

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 3:22 PM

This Top Ten list is great stuff! Can't wait for #7 and the rest! Bravo

Top Ten List

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 3:06 PM

Comic Moment #8: In a performance worthy of a self-flagellation award, Trustee Salzman summoned the courage to ask Village Engineer Budrick why there wasn't an assessment report of the L/F Parking Garage prior to the decision to demolish the garage. Before Budrick could respond, Adam apologized for asking the question, declared himself unworthy, and scurried back to the kid's table with Trustees Bobby and Glen-Glen. Dumbfounded, Budrick returned to his seat w/o saying a word.

Teresa Powell

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 2:42 PM

I don't pretend to know the mind of FLW as well as some of the rest of you; was merely responding to a rhetorical question. For more on the FLW skyscraper museum, see http://www.skyscraper.org/EXHIBITIONS/FRANK_LLOYD_WRIGHT/flw.htm

Tom from River Forest

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 2:30 PM

With all due respect Ms. Powell, there is no way that FLW would ever approve of this cliche glass block design that is so out of character and context with its surroundings. In fact, if asked how to improve the design of this monstrosity he would probably offer the same advice he gave when asked how to improve Pittsburgh, namely: "Abandon it."

Teresa Powell

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 2:23 PM

I provided the post because someone asked for the citation for the quote. Earlier, someone else had speculated about what FLW would think of this project, something that one of the Trustees had addressed. I provided the requested information addressing that question.

Epic Putz

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 2:06 PM

@Trustee Johnson: You brought up the 4-4 PC vote and subsequent reference to the PC's Findings of Fact has nothing to do with any response noting that a "4-4 vote" is also not evidence of "overwhelming support" for the project. Citing the PC's Finding of Facts is irrelevant to the point you originally tried to make in connection with the 4-4 vote. The fact that a VOP Trustee employed such logic is very troubling, yet not unexpected seeing how D200 kicked VOP around in the TIF litigation.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 12:05 PM

http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/01-10-2012/How_will_Lake_&_Forest_turn_out_for_Oak_Park? CORRECTED URL - Column available through Opinion page under Ken Trainor header.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 12:02 PM

Ken Trainor, WJ columnist wrote an outstanding article in this week's paper titled "How will Lake & Forest Turn Out for Oak Park." It is a must read for anyone who has been following development projects. You can find the article at http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/01-10-2012/How_will_Lake_&_Forest_turn_out_for_Oak_Park? or at the "OPINION" section of the paper. http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/01-10-2012/How_will_Lake_&_Forest_turn_out_for_Oak_Park?

HA HA

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 11:54 AM

Lloyd got this right: "Bureaucrats: they are dead at 30 and buried at 60. They are like custard pies; you can't nail them to a wall" Frank Lloyd Wright Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/f/frank_lloyd_wright.html#ixzz1jAoRXcu3

@Teresa Powell

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 11:27 AM

Teresa, what is the point of your post? Do you have something against Frank Lloyd Wright? Everyone knows there is more to Oak Park than just FLW architecture or any architecture. Is that just someone posting under your name to make you look bad? Did you really post that?!

Teresa Powell

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 11:23 AM

I provided title of the FLW guidebook in my prior email; the 1982 edition is available at the Oak Park Public Library, if anyone is interested in reading more about this topic.

Reality...what's next in the ruination of this Village?

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 11:22 AM

Bigger problems in Oak Park than disastrous projects like WhiteCo, RSC, or Sertus, or wasted revenue restreeting Marion. If the VMA machine's reign isn't ended, it is going to ruin this village. Well-meaning citizens cannot replace the VMA machine which has for 60 years of rule cultivated and recruited members from twenty-plus boards and commissions. The other problem is that so many decent people won't run for office, it is dirty business, and when they do get in, they sometimes fail, too.

Teresa Powell

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 11:13 AM

"Guide to Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW) and Prairie School Architecture in Oak Park" by Paul E. Sprague, page 7, published by the OP Bicentennial Commission & OP Landmarks Commission. Includes interesting walks beyond just FLW homes in Oak Park.

Brian from Oak Park

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 11:02 AM

@Ray Johnson: Is there an online source for the financial pro formas? Thanks.

Top Ten List

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 11:02 AM

@RayJohnson ... correct URL site, and yes, the meeting was video streamed and archived for replay within moments of the meeting ending, but is no longer available. Instead, one receives the message; "The system was unable to find an appropriate server for the content requested, the content may be behind a firewall or may be in the process of transferring to a distribution server. Please try again later. Thank you for your patience" All other meeting videos are accessible.

Q from Oak Park

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 10:55 AM

Everyone, just settle down, this is not going to be built unless Pope takes the money from tax payers and gives it to Sertus to build it. Sertus doesn't have the money. Pope is going to find he was just a Minnow playing in a Sea of Whales with this project, and in the end, Pope will have a dumbfounded look wondering what happened.

Ray Johnson from Oak Park

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 10:53 AM

Here's a direct link to the video for Monday's meeting: http://oak-park.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=165&meta_id=. If you go to www.oak-park.us, you can click on the "Village Board TV" icon to watch meetings listed by date. The video streamed live and was archived for replay within moments of the meeting ending. Hope this helps. As well, the financials were presented at a previous public meeting and are available.

Violet Aura

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 10:51 AM

Whoa...I am getting woozy...Someone pass me the smelling salts. I didn't see this one!

Top Ten List

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 9:46 AM

Comic Moment #9: While referencing the S.B. Friedman financial analysis, Trustee Lueck lamented that the real challenge was that OP residents were not as informed as the village board, and therefore needed to be educated about the merits of the Sertus Tower. Hey Colette, the financial analysis you were holding was never released to the public! Also, the video for this board meeting is no longer accessible via Village Board TV. Education by withholding information?

OP Guy

Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 7:11 AM

Brian, first they have to get the 270 new residents... then, yes, it would be wonderful having 270 new hunger shoppers dropping their cash in the new retail, that's if new retail actually comes to OP. If you haven't already noticed, retailers are not exactly lining up in droves to fill empty storefronts here, Borders being case in point. Do you think the shinny new glass windows are going to be the selling point to attract new retailers? Most people I know live here and shop at Oak Brook Mall.

Shopper

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 11:30 PM

and Oak Park Apts. Duh!

Shopper

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 11:07 PM

I forgot Holly Court.

Brian from Oak Park

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 10:43 PM

@OP Guy, I would think that adding 270 (relatively affluent) residents to downtown Oak Park would benefit both existing and new retail establishments.

OP Guy

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 9:27 PM

Apart from the building being out of place with the rest of Oa Park (looking like it's trying to copy Evanston's downtown), how on earth do the village expect to entice all these stores when they haven't even filled the Borders location which is prime location? I see Barney's, Star Bucks... in the picture... does the village really think the "build it and they will come" theory plays out well in our current economy? I love modern buildings, but the village has obviously ignored the context.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 8:45 PM

Actually, I hold the Village Clerk to a higher standard of accuracy than the president or board members. The Village Clerk is responsible for all village records. It is a job requiring thoroughness, accuracy, and precision. Teresa's repeating Trustee Brewer's statement does not display the skills we knows she has. I can only assume that she was commenting as a resident not the village clerk. Perhaps she should use a pseudonym so her public and private reviews are clearly separated.

Shopper

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 8:24 PM

Heritage House, Mills Tower, 100 Forest Place. We know tall buildings. They have all survived time and I'm sure this one will too.

Shopper

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 8:22 PM

Thats funny, I havent seen any Fire Trucks in Chicago that go up to the 100th floor. LoL

Oak Parks 1%

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 8:21 PM

The FEW on this comment section are just that, 1% of the population. They DONT speak for the majority. As for the comments about Ms Powell, I think she has all the right, as do all trustees, to speak as a vested resident. Just becasue some didnt want the project doesnt mean the trustees cant make up their own minds by taking into account the pros and cons of everyone's, including their own.

Fire Fire

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 8:17 PM

on the 18th floor of the sertus building. I sure hope we have a fire truck that can reach that high. Oh, we don't? Let's go buy a new one. Hey Shopper, you are never going to buy anything at the seruts building, but you are going to buy sertus residents a new fire truck.

Shopper

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 8:12 PM

Gary from RF, Build a Library and then get back to me.

j.oakpark

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 6:48 PM

@Ray Johnson: respectfully, the last "finding of fact" I read, can't remember if it was this project or interfaith, it was more a finding of opinion(farce?). A ton of opinion, no evidence to back of statements. And giving sertus a parking garage may not be transferring "cash" but it transferring an asset, though it is one that has deteriorated because of what seems to be purposeful lack of maintenance. @ Reality, just wait, more of the FEW will chime in tomorrow, i am sure.

Top Ten List

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 6:04 PM

Comic Moment #10: Ray Johnson defending his vote for the 204-foot high Sertus Tower, even though he previously voted for the Downtown-Lake Street Building Height and Massing Overlay District (Zoning Ordinance, 3.9.4-E.1), which states; "No building (along Lake St.) shall exceed 80 feet in height". Ray explained his vote for the Overlay District was intended as advisory only. Hey Ray, the Zoning Ordinance (1.3-E) states that "The word 'shall' shall be mandatory, not advis

Top Ten List

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 6:04 PM

If nothing else, last night's 4-hour special episode of our favorite local cable sitcom "Oak Park Politburo of the Central Committee" provided some comic moments from our acclaimed Village Hall characters for our amusement. The following is a Top Ten List of Comic Moments from this episode, which can be watched via Village Board TV Online (video time provided for your convenience) at http://www.oak-park.us/boardtv/index.html. Feel free to share your own favorite comic moments.

Reality?

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 5:24 PM

Hardly overwhelming, just the same FEW that argue against anything and everything. Hardly overwhelming. Let it go, it's getting built; move on.

Reality....

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 5:19 PM

If you gamble and give the go ahead to a developer who is incompetent or who creates a failed project, you hurt the people of this community by wasting the resource that is the corner of Forest and Lake... and you are trashing a financial resource of this Village, at the same time wasting and destroying a public garage for nothing. If you think that isn't mismanagement of taxpayer money and resources, you need to resign. There has been overwhelming opposition from the start that you ignore.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 5:09 PM

Throughout the meeting last night, board members kept on identify facts that they could use to get the support of the residents for their Sertus vote and restore community trust. Members of the board also discussed how they were going to convince the public -- that is, a PR campaign. It all seemed strange to me since they were saying for a year that those opposed are just a few rabble-rousers. Look careful at the post today and you will see that the campaign is already underway.

Ray Johnson from Oak Park

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 4:54 PM

@ Reality: Your assertions are so off balance that I'd like to ignore them, but when you call into question ones integrity, that can't go unanswered. How do you conclude this is a "deal behind closed doors" when 35 various public meetings have been held about this one proposal? How also do you conclude a "public giveaway of $'s" when there is no cash subsidy being provided to the developer? He pays for 288 parking spaces / the Village pays for 300 parking spaces. No other cash exchange.

Gary Sullivan from River Forest

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 4:52 PM

I am glad that I am not on a board that has to "work with" the village board of OP. With all "due" respect your voting to allow an apartment building in the middle of Lake Street is how you say STUPID and IRRESPONSIBLE. The taxes on the homeowners, the taxing on the police/fire/ and the impact on the school system is beyond comprehension. To think by the time this pyramid is built most of you will be off the board. Way to impact every single person in both communities with your giving approval.

Reality Check, Architecture, Never the Real Issue Here

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 4:50 PM

Teresa Powell, a nice person, Machine Candidate who might test her popularity. No clerk ever got elected under her/his own power, only on a slate. Try not towing the party line and see how it goes!! Major objections to this project aren't about architecture, they are about giveaway$ and deals behind closed doors. Objections are about entrusting public resources to people without successful experience in what they propose to do! Trustee Johnson, always 1st to step forward towing the party line!

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 4:47 PM

Teresa - I am with Epic. A century old quote does not have relevance in the debate, especially when used to distort FLW's view. FLW was noted for the integration of modern technology and materials into his design in a manner that was consistent with the landscape. The FLW quote that should have been used is, "The good building makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the building was built." Or maybe "If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life." The Sertus Building is not unique or artistic, and certainly does not fit into the landscape. In some locations, it might add beauty, but not in the FLW Historic District.

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 4:40 PM

You tell them Ray.

Ray Johnson from Oak Park

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 4:38 PM

@ J. and Epic: I refer you to the Findings of Fact which were created and voted on by the Plan Commssion to draw your own conclusion about where the commissioners landed, and whether or not they were strongly against or in favor of the project.

Tiny Elvis

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 4:14 PM

Whoa, that tower is HUGE !

Epic Putz

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 3:58 PM

@Trustee Johnson: A 4-4 tie at the PC may not mean there is not "overwhelming opposition" to the plan, but doesn't that also mean there is not "overwhelming support" for it either?

j.oakpark

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 3:50 PM

Ray Johnson: "With a 4-4 tie at the Plan Commission, its clear there was not overwhelming opposition to the proposal" nor was there "overwhelming" support for the project that should have resulted in a 7-0 vote for the project. And what is unattractive about you if your parsing of words(politically not linguistically) and very clearly political answers are a joke. You treat the voters like idiots, a not very attractive trait.

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 3:17 PM

I do think Ray Johnson is an attractive person. There is nothing wrong with looking good.

epic lulz

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 3:14 PM

Ms. Powell, personally, I find it particularly galling that the pro-project side continues to abuse a quote from some FLW guidebook. If you people were really interested in investigating the issue, than just clipping quotes to support your pre-determined decision, you would have called on some of the local architectural historian expertise to weigh in on this.

Mr. Acronym

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 3:14 PM

For Lonely Women

epic lulz

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 3:10 PM

Ray Johnson, I understand that you play the role of "good cop" in the VMA song and dance, but what's quite clear is that there was overwhelming public opposition to the project at the meeting last night, and that only insiders who are in a position to profit from the deal are in support. This is how the VMA has been operating for decades, and I don't expect that will change any time soon.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 3:07 PM

Teresa what does FLW stand for? Is the guide publicly available?

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 3:01 PM

Any facts to discredit what I'm saying or just judgements?

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 3:01 PM

With all due respect Patricia, you wouldn't make for a good prosecutor.

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 2:40 PM

The Finding of Fact is what I'm talking about. The village provided it to Interfaith so that they would not miss the IDHC deadline for funding. It was given to a private developer before it was official or shared with the public. I called this out and was met with "we'll look into it" and then silence (and I would suspect hoping that I would go away - which I did, but I haven't forgotten it).

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 2:32 PM

Silly, I did back it up and the Village never responded. Said it was interesting and let it drop. I'm a trust but verify kind of gal. Since there was no evidence that the Village DIDN'T release the report on the Interfaith project to Interfaith prior to releasing it to the Board/public and since all evidence points to the fact that it happened and since there was no admission of guilt, yes, I do believe that there are backroom dealings going on.

Teresa Powell

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 2:27 PM

Quote from a FLW Guidebook last night: "In driving forward toward a new style the Prairie architects were rejecting the idea that new buildings should be inspired by or derived from the historic styles of architecture." They might like to see 21st Century designs for our modern era...

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 2:26 PM

BTW I do think Ray Johnson is an attractive person.

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 2:25 PM

Patricia you said "I was a lot more content with Oak Park before I knew what was going on in the background" AND "Not being willing to just nod my head and trust doesn't make me a naysayer" So when you were a lot more content, were you nodding your head? They dont have to go hand in hand. Your first statement is the crux of what I disagree with you about. YOU putting out there the idea that something Aweful,Illegal and or Unethical is happening with nothing to back it up!!!!!

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 2:19 PM

Silly impersonator, that's not cool. I get that Silly represents as an all in cheerleader, but let's stay adult.

Tom from River Forest

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 2:04 PM

I have no real stake the economics of this transaction so I refrain from commenting on that. I will however have to look at this monstrosity that is so out the scale and character with its surroundings that we might start calling it "Sore Thumb" instead of Sertus. My only hope is that its architect, after being unceremoniously drummed out of the profession, can find a strain of ivy that will grow to 20 stories.

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 2:01 PM

Ray you are soooo hot!

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 2:01 PM

Ray you are soooo hot!

Ray Johnson from Oak Park

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 1:49 PM

@ 7-0: We stated last night that the record creating by the PC, the questions from those against and in favor of the project, and community oversight, etc., all come together in the form of a public record which provides the board a detailed perspective of a proposal. With a 4-4 tie at the Plan Commission, its clear there was not overwhelming opposition to the proposal. We do take citizen commission work product to heart, but also note commissions are advisory in nature.

Appalled from Oak Park

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 1:43 PM

How do we force the audit of WhiteCo that was promised by Dope?? These projects never pay for themselves. Oak Park property taxes are oppressive and I can't believe our elected officials are willing to pay for the monstrous building on the backs of Oak Park's working families.

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 1:40 PM

Silly, as to your question...there are alot of things I like about Oak Park. There are things I don't like. Open discourse and debate is something I like about OP. It is part of the history of this community. It is a big reason why we are as diverse as we are. If we didn't have it, what type of community would we be? Not being willing to just nod my head and trust doesn't make me a naysayer. I'm proud of not being a lemming.

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 1:39 PM

(Part 2) Our governmental system has checks and balances for a reason. No one group has all the answers. The fact that I am an interested, informed, vocal, and voting member of the community is evidence that I care about Oak Park. We need more people like this! And Lord knows, I was a lot more content with Oak Park before I knew what was going on in the background. More people should know.

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 1:27 PM

Silly, please stop putting words in my mouth. I said nothing about my wants in this thread. All I've been doing is calling out your hypocrisy and responding to your posts to me. I haven't commented on the article or decision.

McBeer

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 1:20 PM

The meeting lasted till Midnight. Is that what you call a rubber stamp? I know how you must feel 0-7. Look at the bright side of this, maybe we can get a brew pub in the new retail space on Forest and Lake. We can even call it McWrights brew Pub. What was FLW's drink of choice?

Big Yellow Taxi

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 1:19 PM

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot With a pink hotel, a boutique and a swinging hot spot Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got til it's gone They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

7-0 You have fooled citizens before this time, you are only fooling yourselves!

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 1:08 PM

Why bother going through these shams of Board meetings? Why bother asking residents to attend staged hearings for the pretense of open governing when these are done deals? Why bother pretending these deals aren't "fixed"? Why bother finding and supporting a candidate for public office outside of VMA people? Why bother expecting VMA trustees. often so proud of being elected, to be independent-thinking, when it is just the 60 yr old VMA beast machine finding shills with the egos to rubberstamp?

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 1:02 PM

"I love living in OP and plan to stay for the rest of my life." Yea! Most of your comments wouldn't support this position.

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:59 PM

A better Oak Park? So when the Board makes decisions that go against what Patricia wants, is Oak Park a "worse" place ? I just cant stand the people that think its doom and/or gloom. Clearly Oak Park has and has had 10's of thousands of people over the years that have advocated to make it a special place both today and tomorrow. That shouldn't change and I hope more people get involved to facilitate that process.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:55 PM

Reply to Silly Poll - I love Oak Park's Freedom of Speech.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:53 PM

Thanks J, For the record I love living in OP and plan to stay for the rest of my life. My problem is with its governance which has not won any awards from anyone since the 1980's.

j.oakpark

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:46 PM

Hi Patricia, I thank you and John for your advocacy for a better Oak Park... I am actually not sure that I have read any post criticizing "Oak Park"...maybe I am wrong about that. You have every right to hold elected officials to task. Best regards.

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:36 PM

What do you like about Oak Park? When you have a second. No pun intended.

Info

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:35 PM

As I recall, Trustee Lueck said last eve, most Oak Parker's do not chime in one way or the other. True Dat. We elect folks to do what is best and right for Oak Park. There will always be at least 2,000 people who do not like the current admin. So goes life. Its the other 6,000 that matter.

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:26 PM

Silly, me thinks you protest too much about me and my father.

Steve for OP

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:20 PM

I think the Village Board is not listening to residents. I only see this project as a disaster, that will end up raising our taxes, not lowering them. And the building will look horrible in OP. Next election, I will vote for anyone but the current Village Board and President. I will also work heavily to encourage all of my neighbors to do the same. I will go with the idea that "anyone" is better than what we have today.

Michael from Oak Park

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:16 PM

Im JUST Silly! Gee!!! Where would we Beee?

The Don

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:09 PM

Sertus....You're HIRED!!

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:04 PM

I know Patricia, "If you had the time...."

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:03 PM

Patricia O'Shea and her father John Murtagh are my heros. Thank God Oak Park has you two to save us. Gee where would we bee with out you ? Opinions about EVERYTHING, masters of NONE. Have a nice day. Before the last election you tried to convince the electorate that the Interfaith project would bring all this change to who was elected. How did that work for ya?

Tom from River Forest

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 11:45 AM

Nope I hate to break it to you but the GOP invented crony capitalism. In fact, this Sertus fiasco is almost indistinguishable from the Halliburton rip off of tax dollars that was abetted by the Cheney administration.

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 11:39 AM

THE OUTCOME - There is a single outcome to the Sertus approval. The board and administration, individually and collectively, took ownership of the financial future of Oak Park. They went "All In" in their game of Oak Park Hold-em. The ownership they chose includes no more blaming the national economy or Cook County, no more saying I wasn't on the board when the village's economic mess was birthed, no more pointing fingers into the past for excuses. They now own the financial disaster - lock, stock, and barrel. They did it with no discussion of the impact of the remediation impact on future developments, no discussion of the perilous 2012 budget, no discussion on the 22m dollar debt, no discussion on the village's lack a fund balance. They put "Responsible Government" aside until the next election, skipped the questions, and unanimously said "All In", the gutsy play.

NOPE 2012 from Oak Park

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 11:33 AM

Kyle, et al...what we have just witnessed is unchecked liberalism in action. Pretend to be inclusive, diverse & forward thinking. Use the special interest groups until you use them up, then screw them & foster dependence. "Progressive" equals less freedom, more govt, more debt, less business, more takers & less makers. In other words, Illinois. Until a good slice of this village, county & state starts thinking with their head and not with their emotions we'll continue over the cliff.

James

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 10:27 AM

Why are people still whining about Whiteco? Move on. This was a big middle finger to people like David Barsotti and I'm laughing so hard right now at all you. LOL.

Dave from Oak Park

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 10:09 AM

Welcome to the VMA nightmare already experienced by the Grove-Madison neighborhood. Too bad you spent all that time being rational, sharing your ideas, trying to bring balance to a development out of touch with its setting, the community. Silly you, you didn't realize Ray Johnson and VMA know better and that, in a one-party junta, they don't need to listen to any of you. VMA's failure to lead won't change until democracy comes to OP. Just get out of the way. VMA has a Legoland to build.

j.oakpark

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 9:31 AM

Hi Jon, Oak Park was named in the top ten in 2010 by the American Planning Association. It was licked up by the Huffington Post in Oct of 2010. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/13/oak-park-named-a-top-ten-_n_761496.html#s155824&title=Lake_Theater That said there are tons of these rating agencies and being rated is subject to their criteria and agenda. So if this was politifact rating it would come in as a "half true"

Kyle

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 9:27 AM

The things that make Oak Park a highly recognized place to live has little with the way it is currently managed--in fact, it's almost in spite of it. It's the people, the character, the location, the diversity. The irony is our government looks nothing like the image we project...vibrant, progressive, diverse.

Jon Donohue

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 9:21 AM

Kyle, Oak Park is not one of the top 10 places in live in the United States. In fact, it does not even make the top 100 list. Check for yourself at http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2011/. That is one thing that I just cannot stand is that people make things up to support their preconceived beliefs. And when people present facts that contradict one's beliefs, then they are marginalized. Grow up Kyle, Silly, The Donald, etc.

Jeff Probst

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 9:16 AM

Silly, the tribe has spoken, you have been voted off the island.

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 9:15 AM

Also, silly, please spare us the multi-name posting for once and for all.

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 9:14 AM

Really silly? You have a problem with name calling? I don't think I've ever interacted with someone less self-aware.

Frank Lloyd Wright from Taliesin West

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 9:14 AM

Not only am I turning over in my grave, I am also doing back flips, cartwheels and somersaults. Oak Park "Step Out Of Line". Indeed !!!!

The Donald

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 9:11 AM

Keep up the good work, Enuf. Shopper, you have your chance, you are fired.

Pat

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 9:09 AM

Kyle, Why was OP voted one of the top 10 neighborhoods in the Country? One would think the officials would get s-o-m-e credit. Just sayin.

Kyle

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 9:04 AM

Oak Park citizens will continue to get the (bad) government we deserve until we decide to vote better officials into Village Hall. What good is a Planning Commission if you're just going to ignore them? There has to be a few people with better ideas to run things differently...or is this really the best we've got?

Shopper

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 8:58 AM

Dear Enuf, I am happy with the boards decision. We all get you are not. Please give it a rest and spare us your untrue rants and made up bologna.

Enuf is Enuf from Oak Park

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 8:48 AM

After Pope promised an independent, verifiable financial analysis would be made available for review prior to last night's meeting, no such analysis was made available to the public. After promising that an independent post-analysis of Whiteco would be made available, Pope instead delivered his own misrepresentation of the facts. W/o this info being available, the public process for review and comment was compromised, thus nullifying the board process, and inviting a lawsuit.

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 8:39 AM

Economic Development: generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area.

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 8:36 AM

.....and so it begins(continues really). The politics of Oak Park. Reverting to name calling and personal attacks. Time to get some new hobbies people. The key word(s) is Economical Development. These massive arguments have happened on so many OP issues through out the last 30 years. This shouldn't be any different. Lets all go outside today and ENJOY the 50 Degree TEMPS and refresh our brains!!!

The Donald

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 8:08 AM

Re: length of meeting, if you can't dazzle them with your brilliance then baffle them with your bullsh!t. To the board, "you are fired".

Cdonovan2

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 7:38 AM

After listening for two of the four hours it was real obvious that the board was going to vote to override the Plan Commission's lack of support for this project, so I left the meeting. Observation; the Village will take on the debt for a new garage regardless, but what if Sertus can't get financing for the rest of the development?

Same old same old

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 7:33 AM

Shocking(not). Another 4 hour dog and pony show. They should take the vote at the beginning and save everyone's time. This board will go down in history for changing the face of Oak Park...for the worse. Way to go PoJo & Co!

John Butch Murtagh from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 1:05 AM

The WJ editorial of 1/3/12 stated "We understand broad frustrations with how the TIF has been used over past decades in the downtown." That message has been resounded in OP throughout 2011, but somehow the board still has not gotten the message. Maybe they only read the Oak Leaves. As if they had no clue of the finanicial mood, the village board ignored its 22M dollar debt and approved the Sertus Hi-rise despite the fact that the village CFO acknowledged that OP will have to borrow $8.9 for their share of the garage. With six board members nodding their heads as of if they had drank Jonestown Juice, President Pope explained in long, confusing detail how the village would have a 10:1 return on its investment, a calculation rarely used in board discussion. Pope also announced that Whiteco is doing great (though the public tax record disagrees.) The big word of the night was trust. The thrust of the trust was that the board is having difficulty understanding why the community's is not extending any to the board. Other highlights included Ray Johnson mumbling a couple of sentence regarding the property tax of OP residents, and Ms. Lueck pointing out that with growing global population density we all have to make sacrifices to make room for more people (or something to that effect.) The only other item on the agenda was the board's 7-0 approval of the 4.4M first payment to the other Oak Park Taxing entities as a result of the TIF remediation. The meeting lasted four hours. Outside side of a marathon discussion of parking, not much of anything was said.

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:19 AM

Yawn.

epic lulz

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:15 AM

Damnit. Why does OP even have commissions if the Board just ignores their hard work? And what does "finalize" the decision mean? Was tonight's vote to green light the project, or just to continue yammering about it?

Silly

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 12:12 AM

Thank you Oak Park. Good things come in due time. Lets hope this project gets the funding it needs to take Oak Park in the direction it has waited so long for- More tax dollars! Good schools and good community services dont come cheap.