Bellwood Commemorates 9/11!!!

The Village of Bellwood commemorated the tragic events of 9/11/01 today with a ceremony at the Bellwood Village Hall. The ceremony was hosted by Bellwood Mayor Frank Pasquale who was back from surgical procedure, and numerous dignitaries from across Proviso Township attended. The Proviso West High School Band and the Bagpipes of Drums of the Emerald Society were the featured attractions and neither group disappointed the large crowd in attendance. Keynote Speaker Rev. Charles Ingram, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bellwood, that the lessons of 9/11/01 should have taught all of us to "Stand Together."

What did you do to commemorate 9/11? What did you learn from that tragic day?

Bellwood Breaks Ground On New Train Station!!!

The Village of Bellwood, led by Mayor Frank Pasquale and the Village Board, recently broke ground for a new Metra train station on 25th Avenue. The new train station will be the centerpeice of a major development in the area. Kudos to the Village of Bellwood.

Village of Bellwood and Mayor Frank Pasquale Open Second Computer Center!!!

Bellwood's second Community Resource Center opened recently offering residents free computer access.

The new center is located at 145 Eastern Ave. and will house about 40 computers. The cost of the building and the computers was about $130,000 with the majority of the funds coming through grants from the Department of Commerce and Economic Development, and Tax Increment Finance funds, because job training will take place at the center.

Bellwood Mayor Frank Pasquale said the new center is a way of investing in the village's youth. Good Job Bellwood!!!

Village of Bellwood Hosts 9/11 Ceremony

The Village of Bellwood hosted a 9/11 ceremony on Thursday, commemorating the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attack on our country. The ceremony was attended by village and school officials. Various local ministers addressed the standing room only crowd.

Did you attend the ceremony? What did you think of it? Were there any other ceremonies of this kind in the area?

Bellwood Mayor Frank Pasquale Has Reason To Worry

Sources report that Bellwood Mayor Frank Pasquale has real reason to worry. A telephone poll conducted from August 28th through September 1st of 500 registered voters in bellwood indicate that Bellwood Police Officer Jeannette Johnson has name recognition and would win a head to head election 70% to 30%. Most people polled gave Johnson a 90% name recognition and 90% favorable rating. Pasquale has name recognition but extremely low favorable ratings. With poll numbers like this, and support from numerous elected and financial backers, it looks like Johnson is a serious candidate.

Is Bellwood Mayor Frank Pasquale Too Old and Out of Touch?

Sources report that incumbent Bellwood Mayor Frank Pasquale is preparing to run for re-election in April 2009. These sources report that he will face a formidable opponent in Bellwood Police Officer Jeanette Johnson. Johnson has lived in Bellwood for years, has raised a family there, and will be well funded. Sources say one of the issues that Johnson will push is whether current Mayor Frank Pasquale is too old and out of touch. Pasquale is reportedly close to the same age as Republican Presidential candidate John McCain, and has faced health concerns in the past. Is this an issue that Johnson can make hay with in the race? Why or why not?

Jeannette Johnson Lining Up Support For Bellwood Mayors Race

Sources report that Bellwood Police Officer Jeannette Johnson is lining up support for an April 2009 race against incumbent Mayor Frank Pasquale. Sources report Johnson has been seen meeting with former school board colleagues Tommie Miller and Marilyn Thurman. Miller and Thurman have reportedly signed on to chair her campaign. Is this a good or bad move for Johnson?

Bellwood Police Officer Jeannette Johnson Set To Run For Mayor of Bellwood?

Sources report that popular Bellwood police officer Jeannette Johnson is set to run for Mayor of Bellwood against incumbent Frank Pasquale. The election is set for April 2009 and Johnson would be a formidable opponent. A long time Bellwood resident, long time Bellwood police officer and former school board President, Johnson has the support of former police chief Greg Moore, the FOP, many in the African-American community, and financial backing from a local millionaire businessman. Johnson could also self-finance her campaign with cash from her NBA basketball player son Awvee Storey or from the money she won in a big lawsuit against the village last year. Is this the beginning of a new era in Bellwood? Is the end near for the current administration? If so, why? Where did they go wrong?

Breaking News: Arnie Bryant Dies From Massive Stroke!!!

The Insider has received word from numerous sources across Proviso Township that Bellwood Library Board President and former Proviso Township Trustee Arnie Bryant suffered a massive stroke on Monday evening and was rushed to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood where he died at 4pm on Tuesday. According to sources, Bryant did not feel well on Monday and eventually suffered a stroke around 5:30pm. Sources tell the Insider that Bryant was in critical condition until about 3pm on Tuesday. Shortly after being taken off life support, Bryant passed away with family by his side. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Bryant family at this time.

Is WalMart and Home Depot Headed To Bellwood???

Sources have told the Insider that Bellwood officials are claiming they are close to a deal that will bring WalMart and Home Depot to a site that has been cleared at 25th and Madison in Bellwood. Sources say the stores should be up and running within 2 years and would likely generate $4 million dollars a year in sales tax revenue. WalMart officials confirm there has been talks, but deny there is a deal. Home Depot officials deny that they have even had talks.

Will this deal happen? How will this impact the WalMart in Forest Park or the Home Depot in Broadview? Is this pre-election year rhetoric?

Here We Go Again...Another Superintendent Might Be Headed Out In SD88!!!

The Pioneer Press' Catherine Gran recently reported on Bellwood SD88. Here's the story:

Bellwood School District 88's interim superintendent still is awaiting word on her future with the district.

Board members Feb. 11 again declined to approve a contract for the 2008-09 school year for Rosemary Hendricks.

Board President Tommy Miller compared the issue to a student seeking a final grade of "A" while halfway through the semester. He did not rule out a contract for Hendricks.

"One has to earn it," he said. "You get promoted by performance. If you do the work, the board will review that.

At the January meeting, board members began voting on a motion to approve a superintendent's contract, but when called to vote Maria Ramirez-Casterjon told fellow board members that while she agreed interim superintendent Rosemary Hendricks was a good superintendent, Casterjon wanted to hold off voting on a contract until the Feb. 4 board meeting. That meeting was rescheduled to Feb. 11.

With three votes already cast on the original motion, board President Tommy Miller, with the approval of the district's attorney Martha-Victoria Diaz of Sanchez, Daniels and Hoffmann LLP of Chicago, recognized Casterjon's motion to table the vote on the contract.

Voting in favor of tabling the contract approval were Casterjon, Miller, Yvette Ramirez and Marilyn Thurman.

Voting against were Athea Busby, Ronald Anderson and Daphne Walker.

That vote mirrored the February vote.

The board approved hiring Hendricks as interim superintendent June 21. She received a one-year contract at a salary of $140,000. Hendricks came to the district after serving one year as superintendent of Calumet School District 157.


What is going on in SD88?

Opposition Gearing Up In Stone Park, Hillside, Bellwood, Maywood, Melrose Park & Westchester!!!

The Insider has learned that opposition parties are currently forming in Stone Park, Hillside, Bellwood, Maywood, Melrose Park, and Westchester. Each party plans on running full slates against incumbents in April of 2009. Stone Park is reportedly in the midst of heavy financial problems. Hillside residents are fuming over the handling of the Hillside landfill. Bellwood residents are reportedly fed up with insider deals and cronyism. Maywood residents want to toss out the Yarbroughs and Ed Smith's west side influence. Former Stone Park Trustee Jesse Martinez is delusional and thinks he can oust Melrose Park Mayor Ronald Serpico. Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica and Former SD209 Board member Mike Manzo plan on running a slate against Westchester Mayor Paul Gattuso. Proviso Township will be hot in 2009.

What do you think of the possiblities in April 2009?

Bellwood Loses A Good Man!!!

The Proviso Herald's Catherine Gran reports that many are mourning the death of Bellwood Dep. Police Chief Randolph Leslie.

The 46-year-old Elmhurst resident, formerly of Bellwood, died Jan. 11 from multiple myeloma, a plasma cell cancer.

Dozens of police vehicles from surrounding communities led a funeral procession Jan. 16 for Bellwood Dep. Chief Randolph Leslie, 46, a 24-year veteran of the department.

"I knew him as a kid," said Bellwood Village President Frank Pasquale. "He and my son played together at the Boys Club."

"He was more than a mentor, said Dep. Chief Rich Blass. "He was a friend."

Leslie was a 24-year veteran of the Bellwood Police Department. After graduating from Proviso West High School in Hillside, he went on to receive a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in safety administration from Lewis University at Romeoville.

A member of the Bellwood-based Boys and Girls Club of West Cook County in his youth, Leslie continued his affiliation with the organization, serving as a board member and as president of the board.

"He wanted to stay with the organization and give back to the community he grew up in," Blass said.

Leslie's commitment to Bellwood continued through his work with the police department. After starting as a part-time officer, he soon became a full-time patrol officer.

"He was promoted to detective, and that was the job he liked best," Blass said. "He had the rare distinction of solving every homicide he was assigned.

"As a division commander, I reported to him," Blass said. "I have to say, I got much more out of that deal than he did. He showed me all the operations.

"He also received numerous awards of distinction, and a lot of those awards were ones where his peers selected him. It was great to work with him, and for him."

"Eight years ago when I came in as mayor, he was a patrol officer," Pasquale said. "He kept moving up the ranks.

"And his word was his bond. If he said something, you could take it to bank.

"He had a great rapport with his men," Pasquale continued. "When he was nominated as deputy chief, nobody had any doubts about his capability, loyalty and leadership.

"He was one of a kind, a great worker. He followed up. If I gave him something to do, I knew I didn't have ask if it got done.

"He was rare commodity," Pasquale added. "First and foremost, he was a family man. We all wear many hats. He was proudest of being a family man."

Blass agreed.

"When he wasn't not in office taking care of us, he was at home taking care of his family," Blass said. "He stayed in the office for as long as it took to get the job done, but he was always raring to get back to his family."

Blass called Leslie a "policeman's policeman."

"I continued to consult his expertise, even when he was out sick," Blass said. "We'd conference at his home, or I would call him to ask his advice. Now I just hope he still hears me."

Survivors include his wife, Christine; children Andrew, Randy, Nicky and Isabella; mother, Nancy; brothers Bradley and Todd; grandparents Edward Leslie and Mary Groh; one uncle and eight nieces and nephews.

Services were held Jan. 16. Arrangements were made by Hursen's Funeral Home in Hillside.

Memorials may be made to the Leslie Children's Education Fund c/o Community Bank of Elmhurst, 330 W. Butterfield Road in Elmhurst, 60126.