According to the West Suburban Journal Newspaper, School District’s 89 and 209 collaborated for the first time ever to acknowledge first and second quarter honor roll students from ten schools throughout Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview.
In December the District 89 School Board broke tradition and chose not to participate with the Village of Maywood officials to recognize students who attend District 89 schools in Maywood.
Despite the split, village officials held the honor roll ceremony in January.
Fifty-three students were expected to show, but only 46 were in attendance compared to past years 200 students participated.
District 89 School Board, President, Grady Rivers, said politics would no longer play a role in student oriented activities.
“In past years they have pulled parents aside to sign petitions during the honor roll event. That’s unacceptable,” said Rivers of village officials. “We’re taking politics out of the event and it’s just about honoring the students.”
The ceremony ran five days from Feb. 19 thru the 26 and recognized 670 students, of which 363 students attended as of Tuesday, Feb. 25. Those honored included fourth to eight grade students with As and Bs in all eight subjects.
“We had really good turnout by parents and kids,” said District 89 Interim Superintendent Thea Perkins about the event. “We had a lot of positive feedback from parents who appreciated their children being honored at the district level as apposed to the local level,” she said of the collaboration with District 209.
The event was held at the District 209 Proviso Math and Science Academy (PMSA). The
platform, according to Perkins, allowed students to see the possibilities of higher education if they continue in their studies.
Markethia Fair, 13, who attends Garfield Elementary School, is excited about making the honor roll, and even more excited about her acceptance into PMSA in the fall. “I can’t believe I got accepted,” she said.
“Given the choice of public schools, getting into PMSA was a major accomplishment and possibly the first step in achieving her goals,” said Stephanie Jacob about her daughter, Sasha Taylor, 14, who will also attend PMSA in the fall.
“I am so excited that this was a success” Perkins said of the event. “The emphasis is all about putting forth students’ best effort in preparation for high school and college” she said. “We have succeeded.
“We hope this event is the first in a long tradition with District 209,” Rivers said.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Melrose Park Appoints New Trustee...
According to the Proviso Herald, the Melrose Park Village Board approved on Monday the appointment of Jaime Anguiano to fill the remainder of the term left open since December by the departure of Thomas Klein. The term ends in November.
Anguiano is a District 89 School Board member and works as a Cook County juvenile probation officer, according to a village statement.
Trustee John Conteduca was the only trustee to vote against the appointment. Conteduca said he had only heard about Anguiano about a week before the Monday meeting through a letter the mayor had sent to the trustees recommending Anguiano's appointment. Aside from Anguiano's work resume, which was provided to the trustees, Conteduca said he knows nothing about the appointee.
"It's nothing personal," Conteduca said. "I'd like to know the person before I approve him."
Anguiano will be sworn in at the March 10 Village Board meeting.
Klein had been a trustee for seven years and left his position in order to move closer to family, according to the village statement.
Anguiano is a District 89 School Board member and works as a Cook County juvenile probation officer, according to a village statement.
Trustee John Conteduca was the only trustee to vote against the appointment. Conteduca said he had only heard about Anguiano about a week before the Monday meeting through a letter the mayor had sent to the trustees recommending Anguiano's appointment. Aside from Anguiano's work resume, which was provided to the trustees, Conteduca said he knows nothing about the appointee.
"It's nothing personal," Conteduca said. "I'd like to know the person before I approve him."
Anguiano will be sworn in at the March 10 Village Board meeting.
Klein had been a trustee for seven years and left his position in order to move closer to family, according to the village statement.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
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?
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?
PLCCA Celebrates 40 years in business!!!
The Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA), a local non for profit founded by Bishop Claude Porter, will be celebrating 40 years with a big bash at the Chicago Marriott on March 1, 2008. PLCCA serves the poor and underprivileged. Congratulations PLCCA.
Proviso East Alum Traded To Chicago Bulls!!!
Proviso East Alum, Shannon Brown, was traded recently from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Chicago Bulls. Brown was one of the players involved in the big trade sending Ben Wallace to the Cavaliers. Brown, a second year player drafted by the Cavaliers in the first round of the 2007 NBA draft, comes back to help his hometown team re-group and make a playoff run. Brown graduated from Proviso East in 2003 and Michigan State in 2007.
What do you think of Shannon Brown coming home?
What do you think of Shannon Brown coming home?
Thursday, February 21, 2008
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?
What do you think of the possiblities in April 2009?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Republicans Attack Michelle Obama!!!
The McClatchey Newspapers recently reported a story on Michelle Obama that reads as follows:
WASHINGTON--Conservative bloggers and talkers were never going to like Barack Obama much anyway. But now their outrage has found a target in the candidate's wife.
Michelle Obama, 44, an Ivy League-educated lawyer (Princeton, Harvard Law), was campaigning for her husband Monday in Wisconsin when she said: ``For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction.''
Predictably, her impolitic comment immediately hit critical mass on conservative cable TV, talk radio and the Internet. Democrats may not consider it a gaffe; Hillary Clinton's campaign made no comment. But the right's reaction is a measure of how differently politics may be played out when Democrats and Republicans face off later this year.
''I can't keep track of the number of times I've been proud -- really proud -- of my country since I was born and privileged to live in it,'' conservative commentator Michelle Malkin huffed in her column.
Rich Galen, who's also a conservative columnist, damned Obama by extensively quoting the conservatives' favorite chestnut, Lee Greenwood's Proud to Be an American. He noted that America is a place that ``gives people like Michelle Obama the right to say excruciatingly stupid things.''
And Rush Limbaugh? Let's just say that he got a lot of mileage out of it. ''Her unhinged comments ring true for many liberals,'' his Web site's front page says, two days after the remark.
The goal, of course, is to paint the Obamas as wacko liberals out of step with average Americans who, presumably, have a great deal of pride in their country.
Obama tried to revise and extend her remarks Wednesday.
''What I was clearly talking about was that I'm proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process,'' she said in remarks to WJAR-TV in Providence, R.I. ``For the first time in my lifetime, I'm seeing people rolling up their sleeves in a way that I haven't seen and really trying to figure this out, and that's the source of the pride that I was talking about.''
Bill Burton, an Obama campaign spokesman, said the right's reaction wasn't a problem for the campaign.
''It's a ridiculous notion,'' he said. ``Just because they're doing it doesn't mean there's any sense to it.''
Whether that's true depends largely on what you already think; the kerfuffle is a sort of Rorschach test for what people see in Barack Obama, said James Klumpp, a professor of political communication at the University of Maryland.
''For the Obama people, the explosion of comments . . . serves as a confirmation of the critique he is delivering, that this is just the old style of politics that needs to be changed,'' Klumpp said. ``For those who oppose Obama, it is another kind of confirmation.''
And for those voters in the middle, the undecideds and independents who swing elections? Such controversies tend to have short shelf lives, and whether this has any effect on those voters depends largely on what happens next. If the Obamas avoid similar controversies, this probably will be forgotten, Klumpp said. But if a pattern emerges, it could become a problem.
''Something else will come along,'' Klumpp said. ``It may exaggerate the effect of this or diminish the effect of this.''
For what it's worth, Cindy McCain, the wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain, told a cheering crowd Tuesday that ``I am proud of my country. I don't know if you heard those words earlier. I am very proud of my country.''
What do you think of this whole flap?
WASHINGTON--Conservative bloggers and talkers were never going to like Barack Obama much anyway. But now their outrage has found a target in the candidate's wife.
Michelle Obama, 44, an Ivy League-educated lawyer (Princeton, Harvard Law), was campaigning for her husband Monday in Wisconsin when she said: ``For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction.''
Predictably, her impolitic comment immediately hit critical mass on conservative cable TV, talk radio and the Internet. Democrats may not consider it a gaffe; Hillary Clinton's campaign made no comment. But the right's reaction is a measure of how differently politics may be played out when Democrats and Republicans face off later this year.
''I can't keep track of the number of times I've been proud -- really proud -- of my country since I was born and privileged to live in it,'' conservative commentator Michelle Malkin huffed in her column.
Rich Galen, who's also a conservative columnist, damned Obama by extensively quoting the conservatives' favorite chestnut, Lee Greenwood's Proud to Be an American. He noted that America is a place that ``gives people like Michelle Obama the right to say excruciatingly stupid things.''
And Rush Limbaugh? Let's just say that he got a lot of mileage out of it. ''Her unhinged comments ring true for many liberals,'' his Web site's front page says, two days after the remark.
The goal, of course, is to paint the Obamas as wacko liberals out of step with average Americans who, presumably, have a great deal of pride in their country.
Obama tried to revise and extend her remarks Wednesday.
''What I was clearly talking about was that I'm proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process,'' she said in remarks to WJAR-TV in Providence, R.I. ``For the first time in my lifetime, I'm seeing people rolling up their sleeves in a way that I haven't seen and really trying to figure this out, and that's the source of the pride that I was talking about.''
Bill Burton, an Obama campaign spokesman, said the right's reaction wasn't a problem for the campaign.
''It's a ridiculous notion,'' he said. ``Just because they're doing it doesn't mean there's any sense to it.''
Whether that's true depends largely on what you already think; the kerfuffle is a sort of Rorschach test for what people see in Barack Obama, said James Klumpp, a professor of political communication at the University of Maryland.
''For the Obama people, the explosion of comments . . . serves as a confirmation of the critique he is delivering, that this is just the old style of politics that needs to be changed,'' Klumpp said. ``For those who oppose Obama, it is another kind of confirmation.''
And for those voters in the middle, the undecideds and independents who swing elections? Such controversies tend to have short shelf lives, and whether this has any effect on those voters depends largely on what happens next. If the Obamas avoid similar controversies, this probably will be forgotten, Klumpp said. But if a pattern emerges, it could become a problem.
''Something else will come along,'' Klumpp said. ``It may exaggerate the effect of this or diminish the effect of this.''
For what it's worth, Cindy McCain, the wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain, told a cheering crowd Tuesday that ``I am proud of my country. I don't know if you heard those words earlier. I am very proud of my country.''
What do you think of this whole flap?
Hillside Ready For Target Store!!!
The Village of Hillside is clearing land on Mannheim Road and Harrison Street paving the way for a major new development. Sources tell the Insider that the Village and Target Corporation have reached agreement for a store at the location which is set to open by the Spring of 2009. Just in time for the April 2009 election. Also pegged for the site is a Staples store and a new Holiday Inn Express. Kudos to Hillside!!!
Broadview Man Wins One Million Dollars In Illinois Lottery!!!
A construction worker who regularly plays the Illinois Lottery may have a few less worries after hitting it big with a $1 million prize on a ticket he purchased in Forest Park.
The Illinois Lottery has announced that Broadview resident Jackie White, 46, picked up a $10 scratch ticket at the Forest Park CTA station on Desplaines Avenue in January and walked out the door a much wealthier man. White was playing the $250 million Millionaire's Club game, which has a total of 30 $1 million prizes, according to a lottery spokesperson. It was unclear how many of the big purses have been collected since the game's launch in the summer of 2006.
"I just couldn't believe it," White said in a statement released by the lottery. "I almost had a heart attack. I know how to play this game, but when I saw that I had won the million dollars, I just didn't think it was for real."
White said he and his wife plan to invest the winnings and that he will continue working.
The Illinois Lottery has announced that Broadview resident Jackie White, 46, picked up a $10 scratch ticket at the Forest Park CTA station on Desplaines Avenue in January and walked out the door a much wealthier man. White was playing the $250 million Millionaire's Club game, which has a total of 30 $1 million prizes, according to a lottery spokesperson. It was unclear how many of the big purses have been collected since the game's launch in the summer of 2006.
"I just couldn't believe it," White said in a statement released by the lottery. "I almost had a heart attack. I know how to play this game, but when I saw that I had won the million dollars, I just didn't think it was for real."
White said he and his wife plan to invest the winnings and that he will continue working.
Melrose Park Ready For Graffiti!!!
Melrose Park is offering up to $1,000 for information on graffiti.
The ordinance, passed at the Feb. 11 Village Board meeting, states Melrose Park Police Chief Sam Pitassi will determine the reward amount. Reward claims must be filed within 90 days of a conviction, according to the ordinance.
"Our graffiti problem is not widespread, but this (ordinance) is a way to keep it down," Pitassi said.
The Village Board also established fines for offenders. Fines range from $50 to $750 for each offense and from $500 to $1,000 if the offense was gang-related.
Anyone with information about graffiti should call the Melrose Park police at (708) 344-8409.
The ordinance, passed at the Feb. 11 Village Board meeting, states Melrose Park Police Chief Sam Pitassi will determine the reward amount. Reward claims must be filed within 90 days of a conviction, according to the ordinance.
"Our graffiti problem is not widespread, but this (ordinance) is a way to keep it down," Pitassi said.
The Village Board also established fines for offenders. Fines range from $50 to $750 for each offense and from $500 to $1,000 if the offense was gang-related.
Anyone with information about graffiti should call the Melrose Park police at (708) 344-8409.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Gene Moore Wins Big!!! Yarbrough In His Sights!!!
The Insider has learned that Cook County Recorder of Deeds Eugene "Gene" Moore won re-election last Tuesday by winning solidly in 28 townships across Cook County, including Proviso Township. According to sources, more won 60% of the vote in Proviso Township only losing 10 out of 100 plus precincts in Proviso. Has Moore been re-born in Proviso? Talk in the Moore camp is that he is eyeing his old Committeeman post again. Should Moore take out Karen Yarbrough once and for all?
Charles Flowers Being Sued As Regional Superintendent???
The Insider is hearing numerous reports that the new Regional Superintendent of Schools is being sued by former employees for discrimination. Does anyone have information on this? If so, feel free to post your comments here.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Barack Obama Looking Presidential!!!
Barack Obama is projected to win at least 11 states on Super Tuesday. Barack Obama is one step closer to winning the Democratic nomination for President. Go Barack!!!
Anita Alvarez Wins Democratic Nomination for State's Attorney!!!
The Insider projects that career prosecutor Anita Alvarez will win the Democratic nomination for Cook County State's Attorney. She makes history as the first woman and first Hispanic to caption the nomination. She should crush Republican candidate Tony Peraica in the November general election. Congratulations Anita Alvarez!!!
Gene Moore Wins Re-Election! Crushes Ed Smith! Sends Message to Yarbrough!
The Insider is predicting that Cook County Recorder of Deeds Eugene "Gene" Moore has won re-election easily over west side Alderman Ed H. Smith. The win is a big one for Moore who crushes Smith and his Proviso Township nemesis Karen A. Yarbrough. This is the second straight election setback for Yarbrough who lost 13 out of 14 seats in local races in April 2007. Congratulations Gene Moore!!!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The West Suburban Journal Exposes Yarbrough and Smith!!!
An article exposing Karen Yarbrough and Ed Smith using governmental property for state purposes was recently published in the West Suburban Journal. Here's the article written by L. Nicole Trottie and Kevin Williams:
Broadview residents demanded answers to the cozy arrangement
between the village and two elected officials at the Tuesday, January
22, village board meeting.
The Journal-News first reported January 17, on office space
accommodations provided to Congressman Danny K. Davis (7th
District) and State Rep. Karen Yarbrough (7th District) by the Village
of Broadview located at 2301-2305 Roosevelt Road.
The large vacant building, once owned by a print manufacturer, was
offered to Davis and Yarbrough about three years ago, rent free
minus utilities, by Broadview mayor Henry Vicenik and the village
board, according to Vicenik.
Sue Henry, of Broadview, spoke Tuesday at the village board
meeting about the “corruption” and fleecing of taxpayers.
“You and the board agreed to give office space to Congressman
Davis and Karen Yarbrough at no charge?” Henry said to Vicenik.
“As a Broadview taxpayer, I don’t agree to that.”
Documentation received by the Journal-News under the Freedom of
Information Act confirms that no lease or lease payments by Davis
and Yarbrough are on record with the village. Vicenik said the board’
s decision to offer the space rent free was never a board agenda
item.
The agreement between the village and state officials, solidified by a
gentlemen’s handshake, is in violation of the Open Meetings Act,
according to Henry who is also a District 209 School Board member.
Vicenik counters, the decision by the board is justified as providing a
service to Broadview residents.
“I thought it would be good for the village and residents to have a
state representative and congressman here as a resource for the
people of Broadview,” Vicenik said Tuesday.
Henry, fired back, “who gave you the right to do that? Who gave you
the right to use our tax dollars to do that?”
Vicenik refused comment.
Campaign controversy
Vicenik and the board were also taken to task by residents about a
political campaign office run out of the same building occupied by
Davis and Yarbrough.
Vicenik plead temporary memory loss when it came time for
explanation. “I was not aware of a political office,” he said. But
residents and Henry didn’t buy it.
“Come on mayor, how could you not know a political office was
running out of there when campaign workers from the West side are
coming in and out of Broadview, day and night, parking illegally on
the sidewalk to load up Ed Smith political signs into trucks,” Henry
said.
Yarbrough, also the Proviso Township Democratic committeeman,
operates the Democratic Party Organization from the rent free space
at 2301 Roosevelt Road in Broadview, according to Yarbrough ally
and Maywood trustee Gary Woll. A “separate office”, once used to
house Ceasefire, a state funded program disband last year, is
allegedly used for the committeeman office. However, the separate
office does not have a separate address, or separate outside
entrance or exit.
Ed Smith, a 28th Ward Alderman from Chicago’s West side, is
challenging incumbent and Democratic Party candidate Eugene
“Gene” Moore of Maywood for the Cook County Recorder of Deeds
office.
Yarbrough, a long-time political nemesis of Moore, is campaign co-
chairman for Ed Smith. Larry Shapiro, administrative assistant to
Congressman Davis, also works for Smith as the campaign
communication spokesperson, according to Smith’s website.
Shapiro is under investigation for allegedly living in subsidized
housing in the Village of Bellwood.
Requests by the Journal-News under the Freedom of Information Act
for a list of village owned real estate and tenants was denied by
village attorney’s Ancel and Glink on condition of ‘civilian privacy
rights”.
About two weeks ago, campaign workers were photographed, by
Maywood residents Dorothy Lane Thomas and Lula Greenhow,
carrying out yard signs for Smith, from the front door entrance of
2301 Roosevelt Rd. The address is listed on several Illinois
government websites as one of Davis’ local offices.
Most candidates running for elected office publicize their campaign
headquarters address and phone number, said former Proviso
Township Democratic Committeeman, Moore.
“When I was committeeman we rented a visible office space on 5th
Avenue (in Maywood)…everyone knew where we were. We paid
rent,” Moore said. “We operated our organization up front and by
the book. I can’t say the same for this new organization... they are
giving the Democratic Party a bad name at a critical point in election
history.”
Smith’s political headquarters location is not listed on campaign
literature, including his website. Also, the campaign phone number is
non-published.
Henry said the whole setup reeks of corruption. “Who would run a
legitimate campaign and not publish the address and phone
number?” she said.
“You want people to know where you are, unless you’re doing
something suspect.”
Smith, in December 2007, reported $84,658 in campaign
expenditures, according to Illinois State Board of Election semi-
annual disclosure statements. The report also lists Smith’s campaign
office address at 2301 Roosevelt Rd in Broadview, but shows no
itemization for rent paid by Smith’s campaign to the Village of
Broadview or another party.
Smith gets booted out of Broadview
Mayor Vicenik announced Tuesday that he and the board will meet
with the village attorney to draft a formal paid lease agreement for
Davis and Yarbrough.
Vicenik added the village will shut down the political office and all
political activity.
Broadview residents demanded answers to the cozy arrangement
between the village and two elected officials at the Tuesday, January
22, village board meeting.
The Journal-News first reported January 17, on office space
accommodations provided to Congressman Danny K. Davis (7th
District) and State Rep. Karen Yarbrough (7th District) by the Village
of Broadview located at 2301-2305 Roosevelt Road.
The large vacant building, once owned by a print manufacturer, was
offered to Davis and Yarbrough about three years ago, rent free
minus utilities, by Broadview mayor Henry Vicenik and the village
board, according to Vicenik.
Sue Henry, of Broadview, spoke Tuesday at the village board
meeting about the “corruption” and fleecing of taxpayers.
“You and the board agreed to give office space to Congressman
Davis and Karen Yarbrough at no charge?” Henry said to Vicenik.
“As a Broadview taxpayer, I don’t agree to that.”
Documentation received by the Journal-News under the Freedom of
Information Act confirms that no lease or lease payments by Davis
and Yarbrough are on record with the village. Vicenik said the board’
s decision to offer the space rent free was never a board agenda
item.
The agreement between the village and state officials, solidified by a
gentlemen’s handshake, is in violation of the Open Meetings Act,
according to Henry who is also a District 209 School Board member.
Vicenik counters, the decision by the board is justified as providing a
service to Broadview residents.
“I thought it would be good for the village and residents to have a
state representative and congressman here as a resource for the
people of Broadview,” Vicenik said Tuesday.
Henry, fired back, “who gave you the right to do that? Who gave you
the right to use our tax dollars to do that?”
Vicenik refused comment.
Campaign controversy
Vicenik and the board were also taken to task by residents about a
political campaign office run out of the same building occupied by
Davis and Yarbrough.
Vicenik plead temporary memory loss when it came time for
explanation. “I was not aware of a political office,” he said. But
residents and Henry didn’t buy it.
“Come on mayor, how could you not know a political office was
running out of there when campaign workers from the West side are
coming in and out of Broadview, day and night, parking illegally on
the sidewalk to load up Ed Smith political signs into trucks,” Henry
said.
Yarbrough, also the Proviso Township Democratic committeeman,
operates the Democratic Party Organization from the rent free space
at 2301 Roosevelt Road in Broadview, according to Yarbrough ally
and Maywood trustee Gary Woll. A “separate office”, once used to
house Ceasefire, a state funded program disband last year, is
allegedly used for the committeeman office. However, the separate
office does not have a separate address, or separate outside
entrance or exit.
Ed Smith, a 28th Ward Alderman from Chicago’s West side, is
challenging incumbent and Democratic Party candidate Eugene
“Gene” Moore of Maywood for the Cook County Recorder of Deeds
office.
Yarbrough, a long-time political nemesis of Moore, is campaign co-
chairman for Ed Smith. Larry Shapiro, administrative assistant to
Congressman Davis, also works for Smith as the campaign
communication spokesperson, according to Smith’s website.
Shapiro is under investigation for allegedly living in subsidized
housing in the Village of Bellwood.
Requests by the Journal-News under the Freedom of Information Act
for a list of village owned real estate and tenants was denied by
village attorney’s Ancel and Glink on condition of ‘civilian privacy
rights”.
About two weeks ago, campaign workers were photographed, by
Maywood residents Dorothy Lane Thomas and Lula Greenhow,
carrying out yard signs for Smith, from the front door entrance of
2301 Roosevelt Rd. The address is listed on several Illinois
government websites as one of Davis’ local offices.
Most candidates running for elected office publicize their campaign
headquarters address and phone number, said former Proviso
Township Democratic Committeeman, Moore.
“When I was committeeman we rented a visible office space on 5th
Avenue (in Maywood)…everyone knew where we were. We paid
rent,” Moore said. “We operated our organization up front and by
the book. I can’t say the same for this new organization... they are
giving the Democratic Party a bad name at a critical point in election
history.”
Smith’s political headquarters location is not listed on campaign
literature, including his website. Also, the campaign phone number is
non-published.
Henry said the whole setup reeks of corruption. “Who would run a
legitimate campaign and not publish the address and phone
number?” she said.
“You want people to know where you are, unless you’re doing
something suspect.”
Smith, in December 2007, reported $84,658 in campaign
expenditures, according to Illinois State Board of Election semi-
annual disclosure statements. The report also lists Smith’s campaign
office address at 2301 Roosevelt Rd in Broadview, but shows no
itemization for rent paid by Smith’s campaign to the Village of
Broadview or another party.
Smith gets booted out of Broadview
Mayor Vicenik announced Tuesday that he and the board will meet
with the village attorney to draft a formal paid lease agreement for
Davis and Yarbrough.
Vicenik added the village will shut down the political office and all
political activity.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Secretary of State Jesse White Endorses Eugene "Gene" Moore
Secretary of State Jesse White, the former Cook County Recorder of Deeds, has endorsed Eugene "Gene" Moore for re-election. White says Gene has done an excellent job as his successor and deserves another term. We agree. Vote for Eugene "Gene" Moore on February 5, 2008.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Barack Obama Wins South Carolina Primary!!!
According to the Associated Press news wire, Barack Obama routed Hillary Rodham Clinton in a racially-charged South Carolina primary, regaining much-needed campaign momentum with the help of black voters in the prelude to next month's coast-to-coast presidential nomination competition in which nearly half the U.S. states will vote.
Former Sen. John Edwards, who has yet to win any of the early state contests, was running third, a sharp setback in his native state where he triumphed in his 2004 vice presidential campaign.
Landslide margins among black voters fueled Obama to his win, allowing him to overcome the edge that Clinton and Edwards had among whites in the first Southern state where the Democrats competed.
South Carolina's Democratic race was particularly significant for Obama, who is aiming to become the U.S.'s first black president, because it was the first contest in which blacks were expected to factor large in the outcome.
Blacks accounted for about half of the voters, according to polling place interviews, and four out of five supported Obama. Black women turned out in particularly large numbers. Obama, the first-term Illinois senator, got a quarter of the white vote while Clinton and Edwards split the rest.
"The choice in this election is not about regions or religions or genders," Obama said at a boisterous victory rally. "It's not about rich versus poor, young versus old and it's not about black versus white. It's about the past versus the future."
An exultant Obama said his overwhelming win in South Carolina disproved notions that Democratic voters are deeply divided along racial lines.
"We have the most votes, the most delegates, and the most diverse coalition of Americans we've seen in a long, long time," Obama said. "You can see it in the faces here tonight. They are young and old; rich and poor. They are black and white; Latino, Asian and Native American."
The audience chanted "Yes we can" as Obama continued on with his victory speech in a primary that shattered turnout records.
The victory was Obama's first since he won the kickoff Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3. Clinton, a New York senator and former first lady, scored an upset in the New Hampshire primary a few days later. They split the Nevada caucuses, she winning the turnout race, he gaining a one-delegate margin. In an historic race, she hopes to become the first woman to occupy the White House, and Obama is the strongest black contender in history.
'They wanted something different'
The South Carolina primary marked the end of the first phase of the campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, a series of single-state contests that winnowed the field, conferred co-front-runner status on Clinton and Obama but had relatively few delegates at stake.
That all changes in 10 days' time, when New York, Illinois and California are among the 15 states holding primaries in a virtual nationwide primary. Another seven states and American Samoa will hold Democratic caucuses on the same day.
"South Carolina voters rejected the politics of the past and they wanted something different," said Robert Gibbs, a spokesman for Obama.
Clinton issued a statement saying she had called Obama to congratulate him on his victory. She quickly turned her focus to the primaries ahead. "For those who have lost their job or their home or their health care, I will focus on the solutions needed to move this country forward," she said.
Democrats clash in South Carolina
All three contenders campaigned in South Carolina on primary day, but only Obama and Edwards arranged to speak to supporters after the polls closed. Clinton decided to fly to Tennessee, one of the Feb. 5 states, leaving as the polls were closing.
After playing a muted role in the earlier contests, the issue of race dominated an incendiary week that included a shift in strategy for Obama, a remarkably bitter debate and fresh scrutiny of the former president's role in his wife's campaign.
Each side accused the other of playing the race card, sparking a controversy that frequently involved Bill Clinton.
"They are getting votes, to be sure, because of their race or gender. That's why people tell me Hillary doesn't have a chance of winning here," former President Clinton said at one stop as he campaigned for his wife, strongly suggesting that blacks would not support a white alternative to Obama.
Former Sen. John Edwards, who has yet to win any of the early state contests, was running third, a sharp setback in his native state where he triumphed in his 2004 vice presidential campaign.
Landslide margins among black voters fueled Obama to his win, allowing him to overcome the edge that Clinton and Edwards had among whites in the first Southern state where the Democrats competed.
South Carolina's Democratic race was particularly significant for Obama, who is aiming to become the U.S.'s first black president, because it was the first contest in which blacks were expected to factor large in the outcome.
Blacks accounted for about half of the voters, according to polling place interviews, and four out of five supported Obama. Black women turned out in particularly large numbers. Obama, the first-term Illinois senator, got a quarter of the white vote while Clinton and Edwards split the rest.
"The choice in this election is not about regions or religions or genders," Obama said at a boisterous victory rally. "It's not about rich versus poor, young versus old and it's not about black versus white. It's about the past versus the future."
An exultant Obama said his overwhelming win in South Carolina disproved notions that Democratic voters are deeply divided along racial lines.
"We have the most votes, the most delegates, and the most diverse coalition of Americans we've seen in a long, long time," Obama said. "You can see it in the faces here tonight. They are young and old; rich and poor. They are black and white; Latino, Asian and Native American."
The audience chanted "Yes we can" as Obama continued on with his victory speech in a primary that shattered turnout records.
The victory was Obama's first since he won the kickoff Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3. Clinton, a New York senator and former first lady, scored an upset in the New Hampshire primary a few days later. They split the Nevada caucuses, she winning the turnout race, he gaining a one-delegate margin. In an historic race, she hopes to become the first woman to occupy the White House, and Obama is the strongest black contender in history.
'They wanted something different'
The South Carolina primary marked the end of the first phase of the campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, a series of single-state contests that winnowed the field, conferred co-front-runner status on Clinton and Obama but had relatively few delegates at stake.
That all changes in 10 days' time, when New York, Illinois and California are among the 15 states holding primaries in a virtual nationwide primary. Another seven states and American Samoa will hold Democratic caucuses on the same day.
"South Carolina voters rejected the politics of the past and they wanted something different," said Robert Gibbs, a spokesman for Obama.
Clinton issued a statement saying she had called Obama to congratulate him on his victory. She quickly turned her focus to the primaries ahead. "For those who have lost their job or their home or their health care, I will focus on the solutions needed to move this country forward," she said.
Democrats clash in South Carolina
All three contenders campaigned in South Carolina on primary day, but only Obama and Edwards arranged to speak to supporters after the polls closed. Clinton decided to fly to Tennessee, one of the Feb. 5 states, leaving as the polls were closing.
After playing a muted role in the earlier contests, the issue of race dominated an incendiary week that included a shift in strategy for Obama, a remarkably bitter debate and fresh scrutiny of the former president's role in his wife's campaign.
Each side accused the other of playing the race card, sparking a controversy that frequently involved Bill Clinton.
"They are getting votes, to be sure, because of their race or gender. That's why people tell me Hillary doesn't have a chance of winning here," former President Clinton said at one stop as he campaigned for his wife, strongly suggesting that blacks would not support a white alternative to Obama.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
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.
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.
Education Summit "A Good Start!!!"
The Proviso Herald reports that Superintendent Bob Libka of Proviso High School District 209 called Tuesday night's Education Summit "a good start" in what he hopes will be ongoing improved interaction and communication between the district and its residents.
About 50 people showed up at the Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy in Forest Park for the opportunity to have discussions, make suggestions, voice concerns and ask questions.
Participants from the community divided themselves into groups of five to eight people to discuss the following questions that were provided by the district:
• What are the challenges we face with educating young people today?
• How can our schools better meet the needs of our communities?
• What are the weaknesses or concerns you have about the district in educating our young people today?
• What should the district focus its efforts on in the future, and what suggestions do you have?
• How can the community collaborate with our district to better serve the needs of our young people?
• How can we make education important to our communities?
• What about Proviso Township High Schools makes you proud today, and what should we do that will increase that pride?
• Had you expected a necessary question that wasn't asked? If so, what?
Libka said feedback from theses questions will be reviewed by district officials, who will compile a report based on the feedback. In addition, these questions are to be posted on the district's Web site, www.pths209.org so that other interested community members may respond.
Some of the concerns and suggestions made by community residents after group discussions included a need for better communication between the district and the residents it serves, a lack of parental involvement, budget cuts, transportation for students, after-school activities for students and teaching parents how to make education important in their homes.
"I wish we would have had more people here, but I'm excited to see some new faces," Libka said. "This is a start, and we plan to do more things like this in the future."
One of the participants in the Education Summit was Al Molby, superintendent of Hillside School District 93, which feeds into Proviso West.
"I came to this (Education Summit) because it's an important step for (District 209) to develop as many avenues of communication as (it) can," he said. "What goes on (in District 209) affects us as a feeder school. What serves the high schools best serves my district best, too."
Veronica Morales, a Hillside resident whose daughter is a freshman at Proviso West, said the Education Summit was a good idea.
"It gives parents a chance to ask some questions and give some feedback," she said.
About 50 people showed up at the Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy in Forest Park for the opportunity to have discussions, make suggestions, voice concerns and ask questions.
Participants from the community divided themselves into groups of five to eight people to discuss the following questions that were provided by the district:
• What are the challenges we face with educating young people today?
• How can our schools better meet the needs of our communities?
• What are the weaknesses or concerns you have about the district in educating our young people today?
• What should the district focus its efforts on in the future, and what suggestions do you have?
• How can the community collaborate with our district to better serve the needs of our young people?
• How can we make education important to our communities?
• What about Proviso Township High Schools makes you proud today, and what should we do that will increase that pride?
• Had you expected a necessary question that wasn't asked? If so, what?
Libka said feedback from theses questions will be reviewed by district officials, who will compile a report based on the feedback. In addition, these questions are to be posted on the district's Web site, www.pths209.org so that other interested community members may respond.
Some of the concerns and suggestions made by community residents after group discussions included a need for better communication between the district and the residents it serves, a lack of parental involvement, budget cuts, transportation for students, after-school activities for students and teaching parents how to make education important in their homes.
"I wish we would have had more people here, but I'm excited to see some new faces," Libka said. "This is a start, and we plan to do more things like this in the future."
One of the participants in the Education Summit was Al Molby, superintendent of Hillside School District 93, which feeds into Proviso West.
"I came to this (Education Summit) because it's an important step for (District 209) to develop as many avenues of communication as (it) can," he said. "What goes on (in District 209) affects us as a feeder school. What serves the high schools best serves my district best, too."
Veronica Morales, a Hillside resident whose daughter is a freshman at Proviso West, said the Education Summit was a good idea.
"It gives parents a chance to ask some questions and give some feedback," she said.
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