According to the Chicago Sun-Times and Daily Southtown, the man who wants to be the County's top prosecutor, Commissioner Tony Peraica, took campaign donations from four convicted criminals between the years 2001 and 2006. The criminals were all convicted of fraud, a felony. Now, after the discovery, Peraica says he will return the cash. Click this link to read more details on this developing story: http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1081130,073008peraica.article
What do you think of this development? Is Peraica truly a reformer? Is Tony a phony?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
New Leadership At Proviso Township Mental Health Commission
The Proviso Township Mental Health Commission has new leadership. The board recently accepted Lisa Denunzio-Devivo's resignation and named Jesse D. Rosas as Executive Director of the Proviso Township Mental Health Commission. Also Lisa Loster was appointed Director of Grants of the Proviso Township Mental Health Commission replacing Jesse D. Rosas.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Proviso Math and Science Academy To Host 2nd Annual Family & Senior Citizen Health Fair!!!
Proviso School Board President Emanuel "Chris" Welch, the Proviso Township High School Board of Education, the Proviso Township Board of Commissioners, and the Proviso Township Mental Health Board are teaming up to host the 2nd Annual Family & Senior Citizen Health Fair at the Proviso Math and Science Academy on Saturday, August 2, 2008 from 9am to 1pm. The event will offer FREE back to school physicals, FREE health screens, FREE snacks, FREE senior bingo, and FREE admission. Please call to book your free screening appointment in advance: 708.449.4310. All PTHS 209 students must have current physicals and immunizations before the first day of school. Don't miss this opportunity for a free physical and health screening! Physicals are being offered courtesy of Loyola Pediatrics.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
SD88 Employee Joe Burdi Accused of Violating Policies!!!
David Pollard of the Proviso Herald did a two part story recently that revealed Bellwood SD88 employee Joe Burdi is being accused of violating policies and steering contracts. Click this link to read more: http://www.pioneerlocal.com/maywood/news/1069135,ma-burdi-072308-s1.article
Do you know anything about this? Who is Joe Burdi? Would he knowingly violate school policies?
Do you know anything about this? Who is Joe Burdi? Would he knowingly violate school policies?
H. McNelty School Closing...
John Huston of the Proviso Herald recently reported that the H. McNelty School in Melrose Park is closing. Click this link to read more: http://www.pioneerlocal.com/maywood/news/1070857,ma-mcnelty-072308-s1.article
The McNelty's did a lot for the Proviso community, and the school was their lasting legacy. How will this impact the community?
The McNelty's did a lot for the Proviso community, and the school was their lasting legacy. How will this impact the community?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Proviso Board President Emanuel "Chris" Welch and Board Majority Saves Jobs For Those In Most Need!!!
The Proviso Insider web log has learned that Proviso Board President Emanuel "Chris" Welch and the board majority of Sue Henry, Dan Adams, Brian Cross, Robin Foreman and Robert "Bob" Cox, recently saved the jobs of numerous support staff members at Proviso Township High School District 209. The Board majority members, along with new Superintendent Nettie Collins-Hart, are reportedly dedicated to balancing the district's budget, but they did not want to do it on the backs of the Support Staff after hearing pleas from Support Staff Union President Ida Chester. At the board meeting on July 21, 2008, a list of at least 20 support staff members was presented to the board for termination, but after a lengthy closed session, Superintendent Collins-Hart withdrew the recommendation and saved jobs and families in this tough economy. The Board will reportedly look to find the revenue with cuts in other areas.
What do you think of this move by the Proviso board majority and the new superintendent? What do you think the Board can cut to help balance their budget?
What do you think of this move by the Proviso board majority and the new superintendent? What do you think the Board can cut to help balance their budget?
Carl Nyberg Fails To Honor Country!!!
Infamous web blogger, Carl Nyberg, publisher of the filthy, trashy weblog provisoprobe.blogspot.com, was recently seen at a Proviso High School District 209 Board meeting failing to honor our country. Sources who attended the board meeting on Monday, July 21, 2008 say that Nyberg refused to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. At least 50 people attended the meeting, and Nyberg was the only one in attendance who did not stand to honor his country. Nyberg, who is reportedly a Navy veteran, also claims to be an advocate of the U.S. Constitution and public participation. Yet, he refused to stand for the Pledge.
Nyberg, an active member of State Representative Karen Yarbrough's political organization, is also close friends with former Proviso Board member Charles Flowers and current Proviso board member Theresa Kelly. Flowers also refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance on numerous occasions when he was a board member.
What do you think of Carl Nyberg? Did he dishonor America? What's his problem? She voters pay attention to anyone who can't respect our Country's symbols?
Nyberg, an active member of State Representative Karen Yarbrough's political organization, is also close friends with former Proviso Board member Charles Flowers and current Proviso board member Theresa Kelly. Flowers also refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance on numerous occasions when he was a board member.
What do you think of Carl Nyberg? Did he dishonor America? What's his problem? She voters pay attention to anyone who can't respect our Country's symbols?
Friday, July 18, 2008
Case Taking Shape for SD89 Board Member Ric Cervone and Other Melrose Park Police...
Last summer, several Melrose Park Police officers were indicted for alleged criminal wrong doing. Among those indicted were SD89 Board member Ric Cervone and the Chief of Police Vito Scavo. However, instrumental to those indictments were sworn statements and testimony from investigator Scott J. Fitts. Fitts now finds himself indicted for wire fraud, false statements, obstruction of justice, and income tax evasion to name just a few of the charges. If Fitts is the star witness in the case against the Melrose Park Police officers, it certainly looks like the seven Melrose Park officers are in the clear.
Have you heard anything about this indictment? How does it affect Fitts' testimony against the Melrose Park police officers?
Have you heard anything about this indictment? How does it affect Fitts' testimony against the Melrose Park police officers?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Proviso School Board President Emanuel "Chris" Welch Sues Blogger Carl Nyberg and Wins Restraining Order!!!
Proviso School Board President Emanuel "Chris" Welch has sued blogger Carl Nyberg, publisher of the filthy, trashy weblog provisoprobe.blogspot.com, for defamation of character. Nyberg seems to dedicate his blog to trashing the Proviso Board President, and he recently posted a story on his blog accusing the school board president of being involved in criminal wrong doing. Welch responded with a lawsuit and sought a restraining order in Cook County Circuit Court before Judge Martin Agran. At a hearing held on Wednesday, Judge Agran agreed that the post written by Nyberg appeared defamatory. Specifically, Judge Agran stated that 1) Welch has a protectable right to his reputation, 2) Welch will suffer irreparable injury to his reputation if the post is allowed to stand, 3) Welch demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits, and 4) that there is no adequate remedy at law. After making his findings, Judge Agran ordered Nyberg to take the defamatory statements off his blog by Midnight on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The case against Nyberg will continue in court, and now Nyberg faces the possibility of a preliminary injunction, a trial, and awarding Welch money damages for the injuries that he has caused Welch.
Nyberg even admitted in open court that he uses his blog to diminish Welch's reputation in Proviso Township. However, shortly after 5pm, Nyberg had already taken the defamatory post down. His failure to do so could have resulted in Welch seeking contempt charges against him.
Prior to the hearing, Nyberg reportedly sent an email to Welch's attorneys indicating that he would take the post down if Welch paid him $25,000. Wow!
Nyberg is an active member of a political organization headed by State Representative Karen Yarbrough, Larry Shapiro, Charles Flowers, Theresa Kelly, and Della Patterson. They vocally oppose and defame Chris Welch, Eugene "Gene" Moore, Ronald Serpico, Grady Rivers and Anthony Calderone on a regular basis.
Nyberg even admitted in open court that he uses his blog to diminish Welch's reputation in Proviso Township. However, shortly after 5pm, Nyberg had already taken the defamatory post down. His failure to do so could have resulted in Welch seeking contempt charges against him.
Prior to the hearing, Nyberg reportedly sent an email to Welch's attorneys indicating that he would take the post down if Welch paid him $25,000. Wow!
Nyberg is an active member of a political organization headed by State Representative Karen Yarbrough, Larry Shapiro, Charles Flowers, Theresa Kelly, and Della Patterson. They vocally oppose and defame Chris Welch, Eugene "Gene" Moore, Ronald Serpico, Grady Rivers and Anthony Calderone on a regular basis.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Executive Director Resigns From Proviso Township Mental Health!!!
The Insider has learned that the Executive Director of Proviso Township Mental Health, Lisa Denuzio-Devivo, has resigned effective August 1, 2008. Devivo's contract was not renewed back in May, and since that time, her future had been in doubt. Instead of waiting and wondering, sources say she has found a new job that starts August 4, 2008.
Do you know anything about this move at the Mental Health Board? Is it good or bad? Was Devivo effective in her role as Executive Director or not? Let us know.
Do you know anything about this move at the Mental Health Board? Is it good or bad? Was Devivo effective in her role as Executive Director or not? Let us know.
Friday, July 11, 2008
County Bails Out Charles Flowers!!!
Angela Caputo of the Daily Southtown continues to watch the county's education watchdog. Today, she wrote about the County's recent bailout of the patronage plagued office. Here's what she wrote at www.dailysouthtown.com:
There should be no shortage of teachers in suburban classrooms come fall -at least not because they couldn't get certified on time - thanks to a taxpayer-backed loan from one cash-strapped, patronage-stacked branch of Cook County government to another.
The Cook County Board in late June loaned $190,000 to the Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education - which acts as a liaison between suburban school districts and the state on matters such as teacher certifications.
Regional education officials had told county commissioners that if the board did come up with the cash - and fast - some suburban schools would face a teacher shortage come fall because the office wouldn't have the money to process all of the necessary teacher applications, County Commissioner Mike Quigley (D-Chicago) said.
There are no stipulations on how the loan can be spent. On Thursday, Regional Supt. Charles Flowers said, via e-mail, that it will provide a "safety net" to "ensure that the services and assurances of the (regional office) will not be interrupted due to the delay in funding by the state."
Commissioner Elizabeth Gorman (R-Orland Park), who cast the sole "no" vote on the loan, said she wasn't buying the plea from the regional superintendent's office, which came on the heels of a spate of patronage hires by Flowers.
"How could we justify this?" Gorman said. "We're raising taxes to bail out another friends-and-family organization?"
Commissioners apparently felt the matter was so urgent that they voted to suspend the rule that requires giving public notice so they could adopt the measure on the spot. A caveat to their approval was that the money must be paid back by June.
In his e-mail, Flowers said his office plans to repay the loan using operations and certification fees. He declined to take phone calls on the issue.
Shaky ground
When Flowers took control of the office in July 2007 it had $413,434 in net assets but was already on shaky financial ground. His administration managed to boost revenue slightly through homeless education outreach and universal preschool grants. For months, Flowers has also pledged to turn things around by tapping into the Cook County government for additional resources.
Still, financial troubles persist for the agency, which does background checks, processes certification and conducts school safety inspections, among other things. In fact, the office's financial outlook is so bleak that for years the state's Auditor General has warned that, based on historic revenue growth and spending, officials soon won't have enough money to operate in full capacity.
That hasn't prompted Flowers - a former special education director in Tinley Park-based Kirby School District 140 and Park Forest School District 163 - to cut any corners.
Top-tier administrators now earn more than double in some cases than people who held the same positions under former Regional Supt. Bob Ingraffia - with salaries ranging between $75,244 and $100,325. Flowers also has hired three relatives on his payroll: two administrative assistants and a $15 an-hour floater.
Despite the hires, service from the regional office remain tough to come by, Forest Ridge School District 142 Supt. Margaret Longo said. It's not uncommon for phone lines at the Westchester-based office to register a busy signal or ring unanswered throughout an entire day. After getting the runaround, staffers in Longo's Oak Forest district went straight to the state Board of Education to get their certification and background checks worked out this spring.
"It takes that kind of maneuvering to get it done," Longo said.
Given the office's track record and financial outlook, Gorman is less than confident that the loan will do much for schools in her district. She's even more leery of Flowers' office's ability to repay the $190,000.
"The way that this office is run, I don't see us getting it back," she said. "I hope I'm wrong."
There should be no shortage of teachers in suburban classrooms come fall -at least not because they couldn't get certified on time - thanks to a taxpayer-backed loan from one cash-strapped, patronage-stacked branch of Cook County government to another.
The Cook County Board in late June loaned $190,000 to the Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education - which acts as a liaison between suburban school districts and the state on matters such as teacher certifications.
Regional education officials had told county commissioners that if the board did come up with the cash - and fast - some suburban schools would face a teacher shortage come fall because the office wouldn't have the money to process all of the necessary teacher applications, County Commissioner Mike Quigley (D-Chicago) said.
There are no stipulations on how the loan can be spent. On Thursday, Regional Supt. Charles Flowers said, via e-mail, that it will provide a "safety net" to "ensure that the services and assurances of the (regional office) will not be interrupted due to the delay in funding by the state."
Commissioner Elizabeth Gorman (R-Orland Park), who cast the sole "no" vote on the loan, said she wasn't buying the plea from the regional superintendent's office, which came on the heels of a spate of patronage hires by Flowers.
"How could we justify this?" Gorman said. "We're raising taxes to bail out another friends-and-family organization?"
Commissioners apparently felt the matter was so urgent that they voted to suspend the rule that requires giving public notice so they could adopt the measure on the spot. A caveat to their approval was that the money must be paid back by June.
In his e-mail, Flowers said his office plans to repay the loan using operations and certification fees. He declined to take phone calls on the issue.
Shaky ground
When Flowers took control of the office in July 2007 it had $413,434 in net assets but was already on shaky financial ground. His administration managed to boost revenue slightly through homeless education outreach and universal preschool grants. For months, Flowers has also pledged to turn things around by tapping into the Cook County government for additional resources.
Still, financial troubles persist for the agency, which does background checks, processes certification and conducts school safety inspections, among other things. In fact, the office's financial outlook is so bleak that for years the state's Auditor General has warned that, based on historic revenue growth and spending, officials soon won't have enough money to operate in full capacity.
That hasn't prompted Flowers - a former special education director in Tinley Park-based Kirby School District 140 and Park Forest School District 163 - to cut any corners.
Top-tier administrators now earn more than double in some cases than people who held the same positions under former Regional Supt. Bob Ingraffia - with salaries ranging between $75,244 and $100,325. Flowers also has hired three relatives on his payroll: two administrative assistants and a $15 an-hour floater.
Despite the hires, service from the regional office remain tough to come by, Forest Ridge School District 142 Supt. Margaret Longo said. It's not uncommon for phone lines at the Westchester-based office to register a busy signal or ring unanswered throughout an entire day. After getting the runaround, staffers in Longo's Oak Forest district went straight to the state Board of Education to get their certification and background checks worked out this spring.
"It takes that kind of maneuvering to get it done," Longo said.
Given the office's track record and financial outlook, Gorman is less than confident that the loan will do much for schools in her district. She's even more leery of Flowers' office's ability to repay the $190,000.
"The way that this office is run, I don't see us getting it back," she said. "I hope I'm wrong."
Thursday, July 10, 2008
State Rep Karen Yarbrough Has Turned Her Back On Us...Again!!!
The Insider has learned that State Representative Karen A. Yarbrough, D-7th, has turned her back on her constituents again. Legislators, including the governor, recently gave themselves 3.8% pay raises while people here at home suffer from high gas prices, foreclosures and poorly funded schools. The pay raises passed by a vote of 94-8-6. Six people decided not to vote. Yarbrough was one of them. She was there, but she decided to abstain which is a frequent practice of the State Representiative. What are we paying her for? When will she stand up for her community? She won't fight for us, but she took a stand on these issues:
1. She supported Charles Flowers for Regional Superintendent of Schools; and shortly after taking office, he loaded the staff with his unqualified friends and family. Flowers has overspent the budget so much he had to beg the county board for more money.
2. She helped her husband get a county job with the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
3. She helped her self to free office space at the expense of Broadview taxpayers.
What has Yarbrough done for our community other than help herself and her cronies? Is it time to support a new candidate for state representative?
1. She supported Charles Flowers for Regional Superintendent of Schools; and shortly after taking office, he loaded the staff with his unqualified friends and family. Flowers has overspent the budget so much he had to beg the county board for more money.
2. She helped her husband get a county job with the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
3. She helped her self to free office space at the expense of Broadview taxpayers.
What has Yarbrough done for our community other than help herself and her cronies? Is it time to support a new candidate for state representative?
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Forest Park Police Officer Sentenced to 1 Year In Jail!!!
Sources tell the Proviso Insider that former Forest Park Police Sargeant Michael Murphy has been sentenced to one year in a federal jail for his conviction on violating an individuals civil rights.
Have you heard anything about this?
Have you heard anything about this?
Friday, July 04, 2008
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Maywood Resident Organizes March!!!
According to the Proviso Herald's Chuck Fieldman, a major march against violence took place on Monday. Here's what Fieldman wrote:
Isiah Brandon had quite a bit of help Monday evening when he tried to get his message out in Maywood.
The 20-year-old 2006 Proviso East grad wasn't sure what to expect when he organized Monday's 5:15 p.m. "A Cry to Save Our Youth March" through the streets of Maywood.
But with the Proviso East band leading the way and creating sounds that drew more than 100 people out of their homes to watch along the way, Brandon also had the support of another 100 people who took part in the march. Some of the marchers held up signs denouncing the violence that has plagued Maywood.
"I wanted to have this march to wake up the community and show the criminals out there that we, as a community, will not accept the violence anymore," Brandon said. "I really believe we can get rid of the violence in Maywood. What we're missing is unity. We all need to work together to do this. This (march) is only the beginning."
With four homicides already on the books for the first six months of 2008 and other non-fatal shooting seemingly becoming almost commonplace, it's time for a big change, Brandon said.
"People have gotten to the point where they're used to hearing about shootings in Maywood, and that's very scary," he said.
Cheryl Coleman, 42, has lived in Maywood since she was a young girl. She came out for Monday's march to show support for the youth who live in the village.
"We want to let people know that we're out here for the kids," she said. "The kids need places here they can go for recreational activities, and the parents need to be more involved with their kids."
Right behind the Proviso East band was LaDana Ford, mother of 17-year-old Tawanna Ford, who was shot and killed June 2 at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Ninth Avenue.
The march procession stopped for a few minutes at that corner while some participants stopped for prayer. It was an especially emotional time for LaDana Ford.
"I thought about not coming (to the march), but I came in remembrance of my daughter," Ford said. "I know she'd want me to do this."
The march started at the Maywood Public Library (121 S. Fifth Ave.) and went north on Fifth Avenue to St. Charles Road, west on St. Charles to Ninth Avenue, south on Ninth Avenue to Washington Boulevard, east on Washington Boulevard to Fifth Avenue and then south on Fifth Avenue back to the library.
Isiah Brandon had quite a bit of help Monday evening when he tried to get his message out in Maywood.
The 20-year-old 2006 Proviso East grad wasn't sure what to expect when he organized Monday's 5:15 p.m. "A Cry to Save Our Youth March" through the streets of Maywood.
But with the Proviso East band leading the way and creating sounds that drew more than 100 people out of their homes to watch along the way, Brandon also had the support of another 100 people who took part in the march. Some of the marchers held up signs denouncing the violence that has plagued Maywood.
"I wanted to have this march to wake up the community and show the criminals out there that we, as a community, will not accept the violence anymore," Brandon said. "I really believe we can get rid of the violence in Maywood. What we're missing is unity. We all need to work together to do this. This (march) is only the beginning."
With four homicides already on the books for the first six months of 2008 and other non-fatal shooting seemingly becoming almost commonplace, it's time for a big change, Brandon said.
"People have gotten to the point where they're used to hearing about shootings in Maywood, and that's very scary," he said.
Cheryl Coleman, 42, has lived in Maywood since she was a young girl. She came out for Monday's march to show support for the youth who live in the village.
"We want to let people know that we're out here for the kids," she said. "The kids need places here they can go for recreational activities, and the parents need to be more involved with their kids."
Right behind the Proviso East band was LaDana Ford, mother of 17-year-old Tawanna Ford, who was shot and killed June 2 at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Ninth Avenue.
The march procession stopped for a few minutes at that corner while some participants stopped for prayer. It was an especially emotional time for LaDana Ford.
"I thought about not coming (to the march), but I came in remembrance of my daughter," Ford said. "I know she'd want me to do this."
The march started at the Maywood Public Library (121 S. Fifth Ave.) and went north on Fifth Avenue to St. Charles Road, west on St. Charles to Ninth Avenue, south on Ninth Avenue to Washington Boulevard, east on Washington Boulevard to Fifth Avenue and then south on Fifth Avenue back to the library.
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