4/25/2008
Hank Kuspa for mayor? What a great idea! Hank is such a nice
man and will lead Oak Forest in great directions. Woo-Hoo, GO HANK!
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4/25/2008
So when you asked if anyone attended the 142 board meeting, were you implying that you were there? Or were
you just displaying your total lack of intelligence by continuing to make things up? Let those crazy oak forest lights
shine. Let them shine.
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4/24/2008
So Hank Kuspa is running for Mayor. I guess he needs the money.
Afterall he did not get that school district job he was after. Its always a shame when even the board you serve will
not hire you. Maybe there is a message in that little episode.
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4/24/2008
OK HERE WE GO! Did anyone attend district 142's last board meeting? Rumor mill is running
wild. According to sources the Queen has a new job! With the support of her good friend, ex-fire chief Laycoax,
she is going to be a teacher in 142. Now I guess the firemen know why he didnt lose his job, he promised her one to
keep his. I guess crime does pay! I wonder if the fed's were told about that?
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4/24/2008
Is Kelly manipulating the TV coverage of the council meetings? The audio switches to a radio station
whenever important discussion is taking place. If not, how about some of that extra money they claim they have and fix
the problem.
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4/24/2008
"The Sign" was not Mayor Kelly's doing, and it will not cost
anything to take down. It will cost us if we decide to put it back up someplace at a later date, which the Council would
like to see the developer pay for. I was going to suggest selling raffle tickets to help pay for the sign, and the winner
would be able to do with it whatever they wanted, as long as it fit in with the current sign ordinances. If you signed
your complaints I could give you the truth on this and any other issues. The quest for the truth should be pursued by
all!!! Placing lies on any website is counterproductive regardless of who you are or what your issues and beliefs are.
Have a wonderful week.
Chuck Toland
Bobblehead 4th Ward
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4/24/2008
To whoever made the comment about the Gateway sign, maybe you should check
your facts. If you had, you would have known that this was constructed in the waning months of the Gordon administration.
In fact it was touted by ex-community development director McNeil as being something that would attract business to Oak Forest.
Call me crazy, but the last time I checked neither Tinley nor Orland have signs like this and there getting businesses like
crazy to come in. Maybe it's the fact that no one can read the sign that is keeping people away?
Wake up people! Instead of trying to relive the 'Glory Days of Yore', and wanting old candidates to
run again or electing the relatives of people who have served before, why cant we bring in some new blood? That's
what this town needs in order to get away from this podunk image we have.
Ask yourself, "If
any of these ex-officials were any good, where is the development we need now and why was it allowed to pass us by before?"
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4/24/2008
The best thing Pat Gordon could do for Oak Forest is not be Mayor.
Maybe a new regime needs to be in there but I really don't think Gordon is the answer. Some better has to be out
there, I don't who but I do I know it is not me.
The Parrot.
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4/20/2008
Pat Gordon, Ruth Williams and Jim Rossi please save Oak Forest.
The Tin Man!
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4/20/2008
Pertaining to the new Oak Forest welcome signs. If the queens name is on
it, I hope they use invisable ink (paint). Eleven months and counting.
First in line at the polling place.
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4/20/2008
What is Kelly to do now that her side kick will be leaving? Good Freaken Rittens. Jones, Don't let the door hit
you in your ass on the way out.
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4/20/2008
Best wishes to the employees of Glen Ellyn. Wait until they have
Steve Jones for a boss. I hope Glen Ellyn is smart enough to budget high for their legal line item. Jones used
Oak Forest for a stepping stone when he was sitting on his couch after his dismissal from LaGrange Park. He built up
enough time here to use it on his resume to go shopping for another job. What's Kelly going to do without her sidekick?
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4/20/2008
It would be a total disregard to the residents, if the Queen hires the
Ex-Mayor Jim Richmond as city administrator that we dumped years ago. It's bad enough that the queen created a job that
the city never needed for Richmonds wife that paid $40,000 a year as a pay back for his support. Granted, no one wants to
board a sinking ship, but having no city administrator for the remainder of the queens term, would be a blessing so nothing
else can be screwed up. Eleven months and counting.
The Tin Man!
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4/20/2008
I see they are digging up a area by the gazebo. Is the Queen trying to bury all
her mistakes, or is that an escape tunnel to get away from all the angry residents.
Who in their right mind would apply
for Jones's job knowing the queens entire administration will be trashed in 11 months.
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4/20/2008
Who is Jim Richmond? Wasn't he a CTA bus driver?
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4/20/2008
Our Queen Mayor had the $230,000 Oak Forest Welcome sign built at 159th.
Now, we have to pay $69,000 to demolish it to make room for her so called Gateway Project that will never be a sucess.
A simple stick of dynamite will do the job for $5.00.
As for the communication tower on the property, she wants it removed.
Although Oak Forest signed a lease before it was constructed, it will cost us all these legal fees to break the contract,
if at all. Where will they move it to?. Maybe annex her back yard.
As for Mayor Jones, I give him credit, he could see
the writing on the wall. He jumped ship before her entire cabinet gets thrown overboard at election time. ("The Queen's
Tea Party")
"First in Line at Election Time" (Please no pushing
or shoveing)
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4/14/2008
Re Jones:
Oh, I think he quit. He
saw the writing on the wall, and realized if there was a job somewhere he might as well apply now rather than wait a year
to start looking.
As for Richmond replacing him. Don't see it happening. The
credentials - yeah pretty impressive aren't they! Agree with you, why not a master's degree, wasn't that
one of the requirements listed for the new fire chief?
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4/14/2008
REST IN PEACE STEVE JONES
No viewers he did not die !! But rest assured he took as many innocent people and his "kiss asses"
to their politcal graves. What now are all these department heads going to do without his leadership ? Will Ishler
still have the balls to do the same things he has done since becoming head of Public Works? Now the puppet(Ishler) will
have to think on his own !! Good luck to the residents of Oak Forest, because he(Ishler) will have NO support from above
for his stupid decision making abilities.
Hey Isher!! Remember Don Hall and the
others!! Your strings have been cut !!!!! Time to act like a decent human being...its never too late to learn
!! Odds are however you won't.
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4/14/2008
Lordy Lordy, Maybe the deal for City Administrator's position was cut
several months ago. Who knows what happened behind the closed door deal with the former Fire Chief. It wouldn't
be the first time we played come around again politics here in Oak Forest. Stranger things have happened!
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4/11/2008
The following was posted in a municipal publication on April 10, 2008.
Do you think Jones quit or the Queen is having him wisked away? Kelly sure isn't looking for anyone with excellent
qualifications. A Masters in Public Administration should be a minimum especially with the money we pay these people.
City of Oak Forest, City Administrator (4/10/08)
OAK FOREST, IL (28,000) City Administrator.
Oak Forest is a suburban community located 25 miles southwest of Chicago. The city employs 120 full-time employees.
Services include Police, Fire, Public Works, Finance, Community Development and Human Resource. The city budget is $30
million.
The City of Oak Forest is in the midst of significant change. Efforts have focused upon professionalizing
the organization, implementing improvements to city government, and finding ways to better serve our residents. In addition,
efforts are also underway to foster redevelopment opportunities and future business development. The city is currently
in the process of developing a Transit Oriented Development in one of its three TIF districts.
Bachelor's degree
in public administration or closely related field is required; graduate degree preferable. Requires 8-10 years of progressive
municipal experience as Administrator or Assistant Administrator. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, innovative
and forward-thinking professional, with demonstrated experience in finance, labor relations, economic development, capital
projects and strategic planning. Credentialed manager certification is a plus.
Interested
applicants are to submit a cover letter, resume and salary history no later than Friday, May 16th, 2008. Starting salary
DOQ. Submittals shall be directed to: Mayor JoAnn Kelly, 15440 South Central Avenue, Oak Forest, 60452.
Online submittals may be directed to resume@oak-forest.org. Further information on the city may be obtained at www.oak-forest.org. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/11/2008
Does anyone want to make a bet on the name of the new city administrator?
Do we think Kelly is going to do an exhaustive search with only one year left in office? Is it possible that a former
mayor might be interested in the job? Stay tuned to hear the spin Kelly will put on her appointment of Jim Richmond.
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4/11/08
I think that it's nice someone used my name to make a point.But they
were wrong.
Gordon did nothing till after the F.B.I came in. He let it happen. as far as 147th
street wasn't that another Kelly sitting up there at the time that was annexed ? Look at the Wall in City Hall. And, yes
the buttons did say Flintstone as Bird {TWEETY} made the buttons....... So you see the 22 year old is right. Hey! guy
whomever you are. How about you putting your name on the Ballot. Will help you. as we are many. "2009"
You will be fine.
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4/11/2008
I understand Community Motors is thinking of relocationg to Orland Park. I don't
fault their business decision. It was once Oak Forest, then it became Joke Forest, now, with all the vacant business, should
we call it Ghost Forest?
If our city officials want to attract more business they should
eliminate the city's tax on gasoline. That would attract a lot of business and possibly make more money for the Queen,
to hire more friends etc.
Judging by the city council meetings, I see that Toland, Simon,
and Simos have lossened their grip on the mayors YES stamp. Perhaps they will be the only ones left from the current administration
at election time. The rest are history.
Signed: "Less then one year and counting."
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4/8/2008
I hope someday when you do not have to fear for your job, the creators of this
site will come forward so we can personally thank them for the time and effort they have put in to this website. I normally
sign anything I write but with the treatment I've received, I cannot reveal my name either. Kelly can be proud of
her administration and their history of retribution against anyone they feel has maligned them. Kelly, Jones, Dotson,
and Ishler leave much to be desired and their disgust toward the taxpaying public is quite clear. Get your resumes ready...you've
got one more year.
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4/8/2008
To Eyes Wide Open:
I agree with you on
the Malecky thing, but he was not a public official at the time of this incident. Mayor Gordan and the Building Department
should be held up for ridicle for that incident.
If you want to get some truth out there
let's discuss your other points:
Mayor Richmond was not the calming influence that you
suggest, he backed out of a couple of key inter-governmental negatiations in his term as mayor that changed the landscape
of our community.
In fact when you talk about Mayor Richmond and our current Mayor
they were in office when Mr. Feeley was hired.
Feeley was originally hired by former Mayor
Richmond, he was retained by Gordon and if it was not for a Former Alderman questioning the Feeley budget items he might still
be there. In fact I believe that Mayor Kelly also retained Fire Chief Laycoax and now has given him a salary and his
pension in a deal handed out behind closed doors. Do you think that you or I would have that luxory if we were found
to do unprudent things in our jobs.
The people in the unicorporated area that is being argued
about had an agreement with Oak Forest to be annexed upon development of the property the is to the south of these homes under
former Mayor Gordan. Current Mayor Kelly did not renew that agreement and chose to do nothing until the Mayor of Country
Club Hills started negotiating with these people. That is when Mayor Kelly started procedings to annex these properties.
Now because it may not have been legal to annex the properties as she had them done, we as a community will now have to pay
the legal expenses to see if we will get to annex them. Of course we need tax revenue properties, but if these people
get out of this annexing it will just cost us the legal cost with no return. I applaud these people for standindg up
Mayor Kelly bailed out District 145 of their building to the tune of the taxpayers paying
close to $2,000,000. Why was that needed? We received a parking lot that pays $1/spot with a detail of police officer's
there every day. I wonder if the revenue from the parking pays for the police detail?
Mayor
Kelly raised the property tax when she entered into office only to reduce that tax by O.5% and add the sales tax to utilities
by more than any other community has implemented those taxes and possibly more than she should have by law at one time.
Might as well go for the maximum because the citizens will not understand or argue against these new I will vote for you.
We are half way into the 1st Term for Mayor Kelly and I hope she sees that to continue on in public service in our
community she will have to be a more forward thinking Mayor. At this point all I see is an effort to tear down every
good idea from the previous regimes.
Let's OPEN OUR EYES is a true statement we as citizens
and taxpayers of Oak Forest need to hold the elected officials to their campaign promises and should vote for people with
the best ideas. I would like to see some of those great ideas that will save the taxpayers money. I have not seen
that so, maybe EYES WIDE OPEN you should run for Mayor.
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4/8/2008
Administrator Jones does not have any influence on any of the City Council.
We bobbleheads make up our own minds.
I think you should sign your letters to be taken
seriously. There have been a lot of good suggestions up here, and there has been a lot of misinformation on here.
I would like to respond to a lot more, but I typically do not waste my time with unsigned letters. Feel free to contact
me directly if you ever want the whole truth. I have nothing to hide.
To whomever said
our employees should be commended, you are correct. Our city employess for the most part do a tremendous job.
I am very proud to live in Oak Forest, and I am even more proud to serve the people of the fourth ward and the people of the
City. Oak Forest is a place worth fighting for, and I have just started my civic duty.
Chuck
Toland
Bobblehead 4th Ward
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4/8/2008
Great article in the Southtown today April 6th by Oak Forest resident Jim
Rossi.
Speaking of the Queen Mayor and her yes stamp administration. I quote from this article.
" Joke
Forest raised the vehicle sticker fee from $20 to $25, increased telecommunications taxes from 1 % to 6 %, added a 5%
natural gas tax and a 6.5% electricity tax." It goes on and on.
Way to go Mayor, for the distruction of Oak
Forest. I guess Oak Forest needed more money for the flowers on the street that the winter salt distroyed. The street pole
banners that no one can read. The new, to constructed Veterans Wall with no new veterans names on it. There is no end to the
stupid things this administration has done. Luckely as of today, she AND her administration only has 12 months to go. "God
save Oak Forest" Thank you Jim, for your article of truth. If you run for Mayor, I will vote for you.
Resident of Oak Forest for 40 years.
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4/8/2008
Time for an eye exam. Your eyes may be open, but you aren't seeing
much.
Malecky, I don't know, I didn't live here then. Richmond, yep there were
arguments or "arguements" as you referred to them. Yep, our city was dragged through the mud, yet we
have those that think that the alderman have no spine because this group doesn't fight in public. Gordon did appoint
the ex-fire chief. He had been fire chief for many years. You can make the assumption that whatever he was doing,
he had been doing the whole time, I suppose. One has to ask, who was approving these bills? Someone over at city
hall had to be looking at the bills, they didn't notice items being shipped to his home? You say that Laycoax bragged
he was going to be the next chief if Gordon got elected. You think that is something new? Plenty of people were
bragging when Kelly ran too. You think Mayor Kelly didn't promise people positions? Have you looked at how
many new positions have been created since she became mayor? One of these to a family member of Mayor Richmond.
Yet, she also promised others positions that didn't come to fruition. Funny thing is, people that supported her
during her campaign, aren't singing her praises now.
Imagine a mayor of a city
telling residents of the city that she doesn't have to answer to them. She advises the council members to do the
same. She thinks everyone is going to step in line and agree with her just because she says so. You can't
make all the people happy all the time, but there is a way to communicate with people. Her way is condescending and
demeaning.
To claim that under Gordon legal fees were high, you really should do some
fact research and see what they are now.
To claim that the only thing Kelly has done
to upset residents is the annexation, you really have to have some major blinders on. I believe the annexed folks knew
it was going to happen. Gordon had plans in place to develop this area. He didn't get re-elected and Kelly
refused to meet with the developers, project was shut down. I don't think it is so much the annexation as it is
the way it was handled. Perhaps before you try to say she did a good thing with bringing in Jones, you need to
look into his background a bit. Check into how many lawsuits are directly caused by him. You make the comment
that Laycoax (Laycoak) was not hired by her. You are correct, however, she had the option of appointing someone else
chief. She didn't. She knew he wanted to keep his job and would more than likely kiss her butt and be a yes
man to do it. In addition to the fact that the people she had promised promotions to weren't qualified to do the
job. They were good enough to walk the streets for her and stupid enough to believe they would be rewarded. She's
been surprised with a couple of her appointments. They aren't the yes people she thought they were. They are
trying to do the right thing and it isn't easy for them.
It is funny that in order to
defend the mayor you feel the need to point out flaws in the previous mayors. The past is the past, it is done.
She is the present. We are supposed to grow, improve; you seem to be comparing the lesser of two evils.
Stronger tax base at 159 & Cicero? Better check into what a bank will really do for the residents.
You are right, residents need to go to council meetings and hold the mayor to her words. However, that would
only work if she cared what the residents thought. You are right, it is rare that politicians keep their campaign promises,
but she said over and over, she would. She tries to emanate this high moral persona, yet going back on promises
doesn't count, treating people poorly, doesn't count. I disagree with your comment though that this is
the way to get things done.
You suggest that residents should start talking this great city
up to anyone willing to listen. If we don't, the complainers and naysayers will provide us with nothing more than
the same old Oak Forest. Have you entertained the idea that few people are happy with the way things are and that is
why you aren't hearing them? Don't you think that if people are unhappy they have a right to state their opinion?
It is because people know that this is a great city that they are so vocal about the things that aren't working.
20/20
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4/8/2008
Apparently Eyes Wide Open has missed the point.......are you sure your eyes
are open?
1. There is a HUGE difference between being forcefully annexed and voluntarily annexing. I'm guessing you've
never been in that position so I will excuse you from understanding that but I won't excuse you for talking about something
you've no knowledge of.
2. Our decision to annex into Country Club Hills had nothing to do with property being built
across the highway. Again you would have no knowledge of that and so the truth escapes you.
3. Our property has never
been considered part of Oak Forest. We've always been unicorporated Cook County and will continue to be that until we
decide otherwise. Our lawsuit agains the city is STRONG. Their attorneys did NOT fulfill the requirements of the statute.
4. You need tax dollars? You've knocked on the wrong door. I personally will never sell my property to Oak Forest. Oh
and don't try to scare me with Eminent Domain talk as I've already dealt with that issue.
5. How about we tear
your house down, your home? The place that you've raised your family. Built memories that will last a lifetime. This is
OUR HOME!
6. The areas of 159th and Harlem, 159th and Oak Park, and 147th and Cicero were not populated by HOMES! BIG,HUGE
difference. I will not pay the price because some person or some group of people made bad choices.
You think Kelly is any better than what you had before? You are sadly mistaken. She has lied to me...looked me in
the eye and lied. I'm not not talking about campaign promises that weren't kept. I'm talking about a conscious
decision to LIE. Her campaign promises about open governement should not be something she had to "compromise".
Jones has only lied to me personally once although I've watched him backpeddle on things numerous times.
Dotson...he thinks annexing my HOME is FUNNY! You want "professional"...missed the boat there.
You want to stick up for these three miserable fakes, be my guest. Don't expect many others to back you up. Most
of Oak Forest has seen their true colors.
If you'd like to talk further on this matter
I can be reached at Waybeez@aol.com Sharon Pepper
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4/8/2008
To: Eyes wide open..
I am one of the homeowners annexed to Oak forest at
167Th & Cicero. Our addresses are of Tinley Park & you just assumed it was considered Oak Forest. You don't
get it, because you don't know all the facts.
Back when Gordon was Mayor, his administration tried to annex
us. We came to an agreement signing a contract with the city of Oak Forest to not annex us unless a commercial development
was reached at our asking selling price. We would not be annexed until the time of closing, if our properties
sold. That protected us against tax increases, costly city services such as city water & sewer, and any other ordinance
we may not be in compliance with, that exists on our property. Some of the residents have businesses out of their homes
that would no longer be allowed. While we were still under contract with Oak Forest, Gordon lost the election.
There was a developer, Goldman Sacs, that had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars on surveying, researching the development
of our property. When the deal got cancelled, 2 executives from their company flew in to meet with us to tell us why.
They informed us the new Mayor Kelly has shown no interest of pursuing this development. Now the deal was over.
Meanwhile, we were still in contract with Oak Forest. The contract we signed had stated Oak Forest must market
our property for development. They did not. Our lawyer sent them letters that they were in breach of the agreement.
When we tried to get out of the agreement, Mayor Kelly would not let us. Understandably, she did not want to lose out
on our property, but at the same time did nothing to market our property. Therefore, we waited over a year for the contract
to expire, with Oak Forest showing no interest in a development.
When the contract did expire, we went to Country Club
Hills & spoke to Mayor Welch about doing a similar contract. As much as we love our homes & don't want to
move, we've been told, its only a matter of time before it is developed. Therefore, we should do it on our conditions.
Mayor Welch seemed very professional & already had a developer interested. And realistically, CCH is developing
better than Oak Forest anyhow.
We were currently signing a contract with Country Club hills, when Mayor Kelly
pulled the land grab annex of us. The way it was done was also very sneaky. Oak Forest tried to purchase Joe LoBianco's
property, but he was unwilling to sell. So they gave him an offer he couldn't refuse to voluntarily annex, no increase
of taxes for 15 yrs & free hook up to future city water & sewer. Once he annexed, Oak Forest was able to annex
the rest of the neighborhood. We didn't get the same offer. And his address was posted in the southtown star
legal section to be annexed. Ours wasn't. Instead of our addresses, they used lot numbers. Would you
know your lot number? Now we are currently suing OF because they thankfully did not perform all the legal requirements
when annexing us. Oak Forest lost out on any development on my property because of Mayor Kelly and her administration.
So blame her actions, not ours. We've only been defending ourselves against her actions. What if this was
your home?
Karen Krouse
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4/8/2008
It's the forty year resident again with several more reasons why Oak
Forest is a very nice place to live. Not only do we have great public works and fire departments, we have residents
who rise to the occasion whenever help is needed. When the apartment building on 159th burned down, the residents were
there with donations. When the student at OFH needed assistance, the residents flocked to help. When the Lane
Bryant tragedy occured, residents were there at the funeral to make sure the family didn't see the misguided protest that
happened.
Our schools are doing well enough to make U.S. News and World Report!
In addition, the large amount of forest preserves, walking trails and trees are priceless. We must be doing
something right! If you don't like what the current administration is doing (mayor and aldermen), attend the meetings
and make your voice heard. If that doesn't work, vote them out! This is a democracy, something alot of countries
do not have. Don't add to the problem, be part of the solution and watch Oak Forest continue to grow in a positive
way.
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4/1/2008
VOTERS PLEASE THINK !!!
In as much as we
complain about the Mayor Jones/Kelly administration we should be angry at the City Council as well !! Stevey Jones cute
tactics has influenced our elected officals as well. How often do we hear any negitives from our officals? The true
answer lies here in a nutshell..BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE POWER THEY THINK THEY HAVE !!
Has any one of you stood up publicly to this demon of a city manger ? NO The reason is because he has bull
shitted you people into thinking that you are really a part of the whole scheme of their works. In reality, he (Jones)
has been using all of you to promote his future resume to ruin some other organization.
I
like many others are looking forward for the next several months when everyone sees city departments, especially public works,
start doing the favors for you (our officals) and for the Jones/Kelly re-election.
We hope
that C.A.N. has the ability on this site to post not only pictures, but videos to show fellow voters of the TRUE workings
of a corrupt administration. When all is said and done after the next election...hopefully all of you involved will
NEVER be placed in any position like this again !!
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4/1/2008
It was nice to see the newsletter praise our employees. Too bad it
didn't sound sincere. Too bad we reimburse employees for education expenses then when positions open up, we tell
those employees they aren't qualified for the position. So the taxpayers pay for someone to be educated only to
have them seek employment in some other municipality. That's using the taxpayer money wisely!
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4/1/2008
The propaganda newsletters praises the employees, then discusses all the
benefits, the states the primary responsibility is to the taxpayer. We used to have all of our employees live in town.
I wonder how many employees are still residents and how many have been driven out.
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4/1/2008
To the 40 year resident: Great to see some positive comments. While there are plenty of issues
in the City, there are also some positives: employees trying to do the best job they can under the current situation
being one of them.
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4/1/2008
The beautification of 159th/160th & Forest, isn't new, though you
are right, I don't think it was public knowledge that some new poles would be erected. She wants this strip to look
like Oak Park Avenue in Tinley. You may be right, the existing poles came down because she didn't like them, just
like she doesn't like boats, or blue bags.
Putting up a remote lot next door to
the mayor's house would never happen. You forget many things that happen here are based on what SHE likes or dislikes,
not what is best for the City.
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4/1/2008
Is it a rumor or fact that Jones gets a $600 travel expense account?
This kind of rumor is easily verified. It is called filling out a Freedom of Information Act request. You inferred
that if it is not used, he could be pocketing the excess as he does his "other deals". What other deals?
Is there proof of this?
It is counter productive for those people that are advocating
for change to toss out rumor and inuendo. Statements like this carry a lot more weight when substantiated with fact.
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4/1/2008
Regarding the stoplight at 167th and Lockwood - before we blame the City
for this, did anyone check to see if the city can even put up a light here? Is it county property as 167th is?
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4/1/2008
Open Your Eyes,
Let's think back...Mayor Malecky
known as a mayor who also was a developer with primarily his own agenda and well-being in mind. Does anybody remember the
house he built on Laramie despite objections from neighboring homeowners regarding encroachment on the lot lines. Malecky
was eventually forced to move or tear down the house which by then was near completion. His decision was to pick it up and
turn it 45 degrees. As fate would have it, the house fell off it's stilts while being moved and destroyed the neighbor's
garage. The house was eventually torn completely down and re-built according to code. My point? That is the way Malecky worked
(It's easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission). What I'm not sure about is who was mayor when this
happened but I do believe it was Gordon.
Next came Mayor Richmond who was known for not being
able to bring both sides of an arguement together for a middle ground solution. There were more city council arguements going
on between the various parties and what got accomplished? Nothing short of our great city getting dragged through the mud
in the local press.
After Richmond came Gordon. Along with Gordon came the appointment to
fire chief of a political hack known as Laycoax. Cut it out, everbody knows he was appointed as a favor for helping Gordon
get elected. Laycoax himself bragged that he was going to be the next fire chief if Gordon was elected.
Along with Gordon came Feeley who is now sitting in a prison in Wisconsin after being convicted of stealing public
funds. What was accomplished during this time? Not much except we as residents got to watch as our hard earned tax money was
being wasted on legal fees and to line the pockets of at least two Gordon-appointed department heads.
And as a reminder, I believe Malecky was able to build that house on Laramie under the not-so-watchful eye of Mayor
Gordon.
Now we have Mayor Kelly. What has she accomplished? She's managed to upset a handful
of now-residents who live near 167th and Cicero. I don't get it. Those residents found it perfectly OK to want to be anexed
into Oak Forest until Country Club Hills developed property across the highway. Now those same residents cry foul becasue
they were anexed into our town citing lower property values? Again, cut it out! It's plain to see that the property in
mention has always been considered Oak Forst and as such would some day be anexed into this community. Wake up folks, our
community needs those tax dollars if it were to ever be developed. I'm sorry that a handful of people are upset about
who anexed them but some time things are done for the greater good, not just 10 or 20 residents. Are there any long-time residents
reading this that can comment about Oak Forest passing on 147th and Cicero, 159th and Oak Park, 159th and Harlem?
Mayor Kelly has also finally upgraded the city's comprhensive development plan which had not been upgraded for
over 40 years. Unfortunately, it may be to little to late but at least she is trying. She's also advanced a comprehensive
redevelopment plan for 159th and Cicero that was started under Mayor Gordon. While it's not great, it's at least an
attempt to develop a stronger tax base that we all know we could use.
And yes, she hired
Mr. Jones and a few other outsiders to help run or "professionalize" (to use her words) this city. Can you blame
her? Laycoak? Feeley? They were not hired by her. Her mistake was in not firing Laycoak for betraying the public trust.
Some people have the idea that re-electing Richmond or Gordon would be a good thing. Personally, they've had
their chance and proved what they can't do.
My suggestion is to quit the complaining,
go to a few council meetings and try to hold the mayor to her words. I can't imagine that any elected official anywhere
has been able to stick exactly to what they promised on the campaign trail. I think the word they discover once in office
is compromise and to get anything accomplished that is what has to be done.
My other suggestion
is to start talking this great city up to anyone willing to listen. If we don't speak up, the complainers and nay-sayers
will provide us all with nothing more than the same old Oak Forest that our city is known for. Remember, it's all of us
and our tax money that keep this city moving forward.
Sincerely,
Eyes
Wide Open
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4/1/2008
It's a shame that the countdown time for Mayor Kelly and her administration
included that extra day for leap year.
We can't wait.