West Suburban Journal Publisher L. Nicole Trotte wrote an editorial this week called Life Without Limits. Take a read:
Did you know that you were placed on this earth for a purpose? Each and every person is
created in a unique image with a measure of faith to achieve their purpose.
So often we limit ourselves or allow others to put limits on us that keep us from fulfilling
our destiny. I call that leveling. Many times we don’t even realize when it happens to us.
I played the clarinet during my elementary and high school years. I was, in the beginning,
a second-string woodwind. My friend, a first-string woodwind, and I would rehearse
together after school. She would delight in giving me tips to improve my technique. I
applied those pointers in post rehearsal practice for hours and hours. Eventually I would
come to master the lessons.
My hard work and perseverance paid off. I was promoted by the maestro to first-string
woods replacing my friend. Suddenly her enthusiasm to rehearse after school waned.
And she grew distant as did our friendship.
That was my first experience with Leveling: Succeeding beyond a person’s expectations
of what they think you should strive for and achieve. I can remember initially feeling sad
about our friendships demise. However, I grew to realize that that relationship was
conditional and not a true friendship at all.
If we hold tightly to things that limit us, due to fear, intimidation, familiarity or dependency,
they will keep us from the incredible gifts awaiting us.
If you want to go beyond where you are today, don’t be afraid to break loose the chains and
live life without limits. Living without limits has great rewards, keep your eye on the prize.
What does this mean to you? Have you had a leveling experience? For more L. Nicole Trottie articles visit www.westsuburbanjournal.com
Showing posts with label West Suburban Journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label West Suburban Journal. Show all posts
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Maywood Mayor Has Heart Surgery!!!
According to the West Surburban Journal News, Maywood Mayor Henderson Yarbrough had double bypass heart surgery recently. Specifically, L. Nicole Trottie writes in her weekly paper that Mayor Henderson Yarbrough underwent double-bypass
heart surgery at Loyola Medical Center last Thursday, Village Manager
Jason Ervin confirmed.
Yarbrough, who is in his 60s, is listed in stable condition, according to a brief
press release by village officials. “Resting comfortably and on the mend,
Mayor Yarbrough is expected to be released early this week,” Ervin said.
The procedure was scheduled in advance and was not as a result of a
medical emergency. No further details were provided.
heart surgery at Loyola Medical Center last Thursday, Village Manager
Jason Ervin confirmed.
Yarbrough, who is in his 60s, is listed in stable condition, according to a brief
press release by village officials. “Resting comfortably and on the mend,
Mayor Yarbrough is expected to be released early this week,” Ervin said.
The procedure was scheduled in advance and was not as a result of a
medical emergency. No further details were provided.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Proviso Says Goodbye to Arnie F. Bryant...
Our friends at the West Suburban Journal wrote this story about Arnie F. Bryant's Funeral:
“The hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life is to say good bye to him,” said John Taylor.
Arnie Bryant’s funeral was a testament to a remarkable life. His death triggered the sort of attention usually
reserved for revered politicians. His funeral included a motorcade comprised of area police departments to
proclamations from village presidents, judges, state representatives and churches.
Frankie, as friends and family called him, Proviso Township’s most popular social and political activist, died on
Apr. 8, from a brain hemorrhage. He was 49.
“He was more than a friend he was like a brother,” said best friend Taylor. He and Bryant met 22-years ago
while working at a university. “He founded a jobs for youth project that was a real hit for the city, but he took
little credit for the programs success. He was the guy behind the scenes who did all the work.”
Others would also describe Bryant as humble and compassionate.
“He was a Lunch Bucket Joe who fought for the little guy. He made life matter. He got involved in the affairs of
others to make a difference in their lives,” said Rev. Reginald Saffo, vice president of the NAACP.
Bryant helped define the social and political landscape of Proviso. He graduated from Proviso East High
School and became involved in community activism where he remained committed throughout his life. He
served as president of the Proviso NAACP for many years, Proviso Township trustee and in 2000 he incorporated the Leyden NAACP.
At the time of his death Bryant was the president of the Bellwood Library Board and hosted a local political talk radio show “View Points from the Other Side” on WJJG with co-host and Pioneer Press news editor Kevin
Beese.
Bryant’s no nonsense on-air personality was the same as it was off the air. He seemed to embody Proviso with all of its excitement, controversy and optimism.
“I first met Arnie when he was a young man in his 20s. We worked together at the public works department for the Village of Maywood. Even in his 20s you knew then he was going to be leader,” said Maywood Mayor Henderson Yarbrough Sr. “There was something special about, Arnie.”
Bryant knew and worked with people from all walks of life. The variety of attendants at his funeral spoke to his diverse circle of friends and associates.
From day one he called me Uncle Frank, said Frank Pope of his first introduction to Bryant. “He was loving and kind, upright and just in all is ways.” “He would tell me, everyone should have an (Italian) Uncle Frank, but the truth is everyone should have a nephew like Arnie Bryant,” said Pope as he swallowed back tears.
Above all else, Bryant was best known for his commitment to family. His family was his bloodline.
“The passion he embodied was remarkable. My daddy was a great man. No one word can describe him… library, Proviso, NAACP… all pale in comparison to the great family man he was,” said Bryant’s daughter
Brittany.
Bryant was a devout Christian. He was baptized at Proviso Baptist Church and at the time of his death served as a member of New Horizon Missionary Baptist Church in Broadview led by Rev. Carl Hopson. Rev. Hopson described Bryant as a champion for all causes.
“My daughter Crystal went to college in Atlanta, said Hopson. She passed her exams but the college wouldn’t let her graduate. I called Arnie. He picked up the phone and called the university and Crystal walked across the stage,” eulogized Hopson followed by an enthusiastic, “Amen”.
Gladis was the love of his life. At Bryant’s funeral, Taylor spoke to Gladis’ from the pulpit, “in the twenty-two years that he and I were friends, he did not once fail to mention you in a conversation. You were the love of his life, Taylor said to Arnie’s widow Gladis.’
The couple had two children, Brittany and Frank (Alex), both of whom Bryant would gladly pass up an evening with the president to spend time with.
Brittany, a leader and activist like her father, heads the NAACP chapter in Las Vegas and will graduate from the University of Las Vegas Nevada in one month.
Frank, a football player and recent graduate from Walther Lutheran High School will head off to college this year. “Your father knew your heart, Frank… he knew your passion was in the theater,” said Taylor to the young Frank. “He would want you to follow your passion.
What do we tell future journalists, activists and educators about the legacy named Arnie Bryant?
We should tell them that there once was a guy here who lived larger than life, with a firm handshake, a bold commentary, a long stride, a penetrating eye, a giving spirit and a big-big heart.
At the funeral, Bryant’s family remembered the following words that he had once written down:
“I am the thought that slipped your mind; I am that homeless family you passed on the street. I am that feeling of regret you have for not giving to those who are less fortunate. I am the old winter coat you no longer wear, but refuse to give it to the needy. Who am I, I am your better part, I am your soul.”
Survivors include his wife, Gladis, daughter Brittany, son Frank, father Frank Anderson, a brother Raymond Bryant and sister Crystal King and a number of nieces and nephews.
“The hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life is to say good bye to him,” said John Taylor.
Arnie Bryant’s funeral was a testament to a remarkable life. His death triggered the sort of attention usually
reserved for revered politicians. His funeral included a motorcade comprised of area police departments to
proclamations from village presidents, judges, state representatives and churches.
Frankie, as friends and family called him, Proviso Township’s most popular social and political activist, died on
Apr. 8, from a brain hemorrhage. He was 49.
“He was more than a friend he was like a brother,” said best friend Taylor. He and Bryant met 22-years ago
while working at a university. “He founded a jobs for youth project that was a real hit for the city, but he took
little credit for the programs success. He was the guy behind the scenes who did all the work.”
Others would also describe Bryant as humble and compassionate.
“He was a Lunch Bucket Joe who fought for the little guy. He made life matter. He got involved in the affairs of
others to make a difference in their lives,” said Rev. Reginald Saffo, vice president of the NAACP.
Bryant helped define the social and political landscape of Proviso. He graduated from Proviso East High
School and became involved in community activism where he remained committed throughout his life. He
served as president of the Proviso NAACP for many years, Proviso Township trustee and in 2000 he incorporated the Leyden NAACP.
At the time of his death Bryant was the president of the Bellwood Library Board and hosted a local political talk radio show “View Points from the Other Side” on WJJG with co-host and Pioneer Press news editor Kevin
Beese.
Bryant’s no nonsense on-air personality was the same as it was off the air. He seemed to embody Proviso with all of its excitement, controversy and optimism.
“I first met Arnie when he was a young man in his 20s. We worked together at the public works department for the Village of Maywood. Even in his 20s you knew then he was going to be leader,” said Maywood Mayor Henderson Yarbrough Sr. “There was something special about, Arnie.”
Bryant knew and worked with people from all walks of life. The variety of attendants at his funeral spoke to his diverse circle of friends and associates.
From day one he called me Uncle Frank, said Frank Pope of his first introduction to Bryant. “He was loving and kind, upright and just in all is ways.” “He would tell me, everyone should have an (Italian) Uncle Frank, but the truth is everyone should have a nephew like Arnie Bryant,” said Pope as he swallowed back tears.
Above all else, Bryant was best known for his commitment to family. His family was his bloodline.
“The passion he embodied was remarkable. My daddy was a great man. No one word can describe him… library, Proviso, NAACP… all pale in comparison to the great family man he was,” said Bryant’s daughter
Brittany.
Bryant was a devout Christian. He was baptized at Proviso Baptist Church and at the time of his death served as a member of New Horizon Missionary Baptist Church in Broadview led by Rev. Carl Hopson. Rev. Hopson described Bryant as a champion for all causes.
“My daughter Crystal went to college in Atlanta, said Hopson. She passed her exams but the college wouldn’t let her graduate. I called Arnie. He picked up the phone and called the university and Crystal walked across the stage,” eulogized Hopson followed by an enthusiastic, “Amen”.
Gladis was the love of his life. At Bryant’s funeral, Taylor spoke to Gladis’ from the pulpit, “in the twenty-two years that he and I were friends, he did not once fail to mention you in a conversation. You were the love of his life, Taylor said to Arnie’s widow Gladis.’
The couple had two children, Brittany and Frank (Alex), both of whom Bryant would gladly pass up an evening with the president to spend time with.
Brittany, a leader and activist like her father, heads the NAACP chapter in Las Vegas and will graduate from the University of Las Vegas Nevada in one month.
Frank, a football player and recent graduate from Walther Lutheran High School will head off to college this year. “Your father knew your heart, Frank… he knew your passion was in the theater,” said Taylor to the young Frank. “He would want you to follow your passion.
What do we tell future journalists, activists and educators about the legacy named Arnie Bryant?
We should tell them that there once was a guy here who lived larger than life, with a firm handshake, a bold commentary, a long stride, a penetrating eye, a giving spirit and a big-big heart.
At the funeral, Bryant’s family remembered the following words that he had once written down:
“I am the thought that slipped your mind; I am that homeless family you passed on the street. I am that feeling of regret you have for not giving to those who are less fortunate. I am the old winter coat you no longer wear, but refuse to give it to the needy. Who am I, I am your better part, I am your soul.”
Survivors include his wife, Gladis, daughter Brittany, son Frank, father Frank Anderson, a brother Raymond Bryant and sister Crystal King and a number of nieces and nephews.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
West Suburban Journal Reports Ed Smith To Be Investigated...
According to a recent news report in the popular West Suburban Journal, West Side Alderman Ed Smith is about to be investigated. Nicole Trottie wrote:
(CHICAGO) – The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) has appealed to the State Board of Elections (SBE) to investigate the campaign committees of alderman Ed Smith, according to a press release from the political watch dog group.
The campaign fundraising committees supporting the re-election of Smith appear to have violated state campaign finance laws through a series of inaccurate and incomplete contribution and expenditure reports filed with the SBE.
“There is evidence that these two committees have failed to file complete and accurate reports of contributions and expenditures since at least 2005,” Cynthia Canary, ICPR Director said Monday.
“Because Illinois law has few restrictions on campaign fundraising, it is imperative that action be taken by the state board charged with enforcing public disclosure of campaign financing.” “Defenders of the state’s scandal-ridden political financing system argue that public disclosure of campaign contributors and expenditures is all that is needed to protect state government from undue influence by special interests, but a public disclosure system without enforcement, like the
one in Illinois, is an invitation to corruption,” Canary said. “At a minimum, let’s have full disclosure, strong enforcement and stiff penalties against those who willfully violate the laws.”
The complaint against the Committee for Smith, which funds his re-election campaigns for alderman and for Democratic Party committeeman from the 28th Ward, includes the following findings:
Smith was engaged in a 2007 re-election campaign with an opponent who reported more than $12,000 in expenditures and more than $5,000 in in-kind donations. However, Smith’s committee reported it did not receive any contributions and did not make any expenditures between July 1,2006 and Dec. 31, 2007.
On several occasions from 2005 through 2007, other political committees disclosed the transfer of a total of more than $20,000 to Smith’s committee, but Smith’s committee did not disclose receiving those funds. Other committees also reported receiving checks from the Smith campaign, but Smith’s committee did not disclose those expenditures.
Some of the reports filed with the SBE by the Smith committee signified sloppy accounting and disregard for meaningful campaign disclosure, according to ICPR. For example, one of the Smith committee’s reports showed $19,500 in receipts and no expenditures for the last six months of 2004. More than six months later, the committee submitted an amended document reporting an additional $42,700 in contributions received and more than $18,000 in expenditures.
Smith ran uneventfully against Cook County Recorder Eugene “Gene” Moore in the Feb. 5
Primary. Controversy surfaced around Smith’s campaign when Journal – News first reported, Jan.
17, Smith’s campaign use of public resources for political activities. Smith’s campaign base setup in the office building of state representative Karen Yarbrough (Maywood) and Congressman Danny Davis.
The office, located at 2301-2305 Roosevelt Rd. in Broadview, is owned by the Village of Broadview and provided rent free for several years to Yarbrough and Davis by Republican Broadview Mayor Henry Vicenik, according to information received by Journal – News under the Freedom of Information Act.
Yarbrough, who unseated Moore as Proviso Township Democratic Committee-man in November 2006, was Smith’s campaign co-chair in the primary election.
Maywood Village Manager, Jason Ervin is on record as Smith’s campaign committee treasure. Ervin also serves as Yarbrough’s committee treasurer.
(CHICAGO) – The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) has appealed to the State Board of Elections (SBE) to investigate the campaign committees of alderman Ed Smith, according to a press release from the political watch dog group.
The campaign fundraising committees supporting the re-election of Smith appear to have violated state campaign finance laws through a series of inaccurate and incomplete contribution and expenditure reports filed with the SBE.
“There is evidence that these two committees have failed to file complete and accurate reports of contributions and expenditures since at least 2005,” Cynthia Canary, ICPR Director said Monday.
“Because Illinois law has few restrictions on campaign fundraising, it is imperative that action be taken by the state board charged with enforcing public disclosure of campaign financing.” “Defenders of the state’s scandal-ridden political financing system argue that public disclosure of campaign contributors and expenditures is all that is needed to protect state government from undue influence by special interests, but a public disclosure system without enforcement, like the
one in Illinois, is an invitation to corruption,” Canary said. “At a minimum, let’s have full disclosure, strong enforcement and stiff penalties against those who willfully violate the laws.”
The complaint against the Committee for Smith, which funds his re-election campaigns for alderman and for Democratic Party committeeman from the 28th Ward, includes the following findings:
Smith was engaged in a 2007 re-election campaign with an opponent who reported more than $12,000 in expenditures and more than $5,000 in in-kind donations. However, Smith’s committee reported it did not receive any contributions and did not make any expenditures between July 1,2006 and Dec. 31, 2007.
On several occasions from 2005 through 2007, other political committees disclosed the transfer of a total of more than $20,000 to Smith’s committee, but Smith’s committee did not disclose receiving those funds. Other committees also reported receiving checks from the Smith campaign, but Smith’s committee did not disclose those expenditures.
Some of the reports filed with the SBE by the Smith committee signified sloppy accounting and disregard for meaningful campaign disclosure, according to ICPR. For example, one of the Smith committee’s reports showed $19,500 in receipts and no expenditures for the last six months of 2004. More than six months later, the committee submitted an amended document reporting an additional $42,700 in contributions received and more than $18,000 in expenditures.
Smith ran uneventfully against Cook County Recorder Eugene “Gene” Moore in the Feb. 5
Primary. Controversy surfaced around Smith’s campaign when Journal – News first reported, Jan.
17, Smith’s campaign use of public resources for political activities. Smith’s campaign base setup in the office building of state representative Karen Yarbrough (Maywood) and Congressman Danny Davis.
The office, located at 2301-2305 Roosevelt Rd. in Broadview, is owned by the Village of Broadview and provided rent free for several years to Yarbrough and Davis by Republican Broadview Mayor Henry Vicenik, according to information received by Journal – News under the Freedom of Information Act.
Yarbrough, who unseated Moore as Proviso Township Democratic Committee-man in November 2006, was Smith’s campaign co-chair in the primary election.
Maywood Village Manager, Jason Ervin is on record as Smith’s campaign committee treasure. Ervin also serves as Yarbrough’s committee treasurer.
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