AUGUST

8/29/2008
The following letter was submitted to the Southtown/Star on August 22nd. After a week of neither responding nor printing it,it is apparent that the editors are still not interested in hearing the truth, just printing what they think will sell papers and make them look good.

To the Editors of the Southtown/Star Newspapers,

Its been nearly 3½ years since I left office. Ive stayed quiet during this
time, and yet still I find my name still being dragged through the mud
whenever you write an editorial about the candidate your newspaper
endorsed: JoAnn Kelly. In past editorials youve brought up supposed
cronyism during my administration. When the campaign was taking
place back then, your reporter, Dan Lavoie, brought that up to me as an
accusation by Ms. Kelly. When I asked to whom this was referring, he
didnt know and said she couldnt answer it either. Id still like you to
identify it.

But lets look at the candidate your paper endorsed. Her first
appointment was Dennis Olszewski as Police Chief. An appointment
she had previously stated she would conduct an outside search for, and
its an individual who happens to be the husband of supporter Belinda
Olszewski, who is the daughter of another supporter, Verla Clevenger.
She passed over several lieutenants to appoint this sergeant to Chief of
Police.

She then created an $85,000/year job for another supporter, Clerk Scott
Burkhardt, making his total salary $95,000+. Yet the aldermen never
saw a resume or interviewed another candidate before her appointment.

Moving to another political payback for former Mayor Jim Richmond,
she created an Office Manager position in the building department
for his wife, Sharon, to the tune of $40,000+. Why would you even need
someone to supervise one full time and 2 part-time employees?? Of
course this was done without an ordinance to create the position, as has
been done for several other positions shes created since.

When I was in office, had I done anything like that I would have had the
Civil Service Commission on my case. Your candidate got around that
by appointing her uncle to the head of Civil Service.

Many other new positions have been created since. The job of
Community Development Coordinator now has to have a separate
planner, and separate salary to go with. We have a newly created
position in Public Works recently. And to make certain all of this is
viewed in the best possible light, we now also have a position created for
Public Relations!!!

In your recent editorial, you state things are still as secretive and
antagonistic as when Pat Gordon was in charge. Really?!?! Lets see,
it was your candidate, not I, that decided to change the agendas so no
one could tell what was going on. Your candidate, not I, that secretly
annexed the homeowners at 167th & Cicero without notice. Oh, sorry,
the legal notice did have the legal description of their properties, and
everyone has that committed to their memories just like their address.
It was your candidate, not I, that changed the format of meeting minutes
from verbatim to merely stating the agenda item with the vote count. It
was your candidate, not I, that moved all discussion to the Committee of
the Whole meeting and only agreed to the taping of that meeting after
being pressured by an alderman. Your candidate still wont allow it to
be aired live!

Did I move Citizens Participation to later in the meeting? Yes,
because when it was on at the beginning we had too many people
coming to grandstand. People who had actual business on the agenda
were forced to wait more that an hour often times. But after we moved
it, I never denied anyone the right to come and speak to an agenda item
when it was up for discussion. Your candidate allows no one to speak
until Citizens Participation, after the item has been voted upon. No
discussion takes place at the Council Meetings, only at the Committee of
the Whole meeting where citizens arent allowed to speak at all. This is
the open government platform your candidate campaigned upon????

Then, to pay for all of this, your candidate has added the maximum
allowable taxes to be placed on heating gas, electricity, cell and wired
telephones. She allowed a fair and equitable garbage system to be
changed causing some folks, seniors in particular, to be paying up to 4
times what they were in the past. Well, she had better come up with
some more new taxes to pay for the increased cost of the new insurance
the Citys going to have to buy because of being cancelled by their
current carrier for all of the lawsuits shes created. Oh wait, maybe
thats what shes going to use that $108,000 that was found at the
burned out apartment building site that the Citys keeping. You know,
the one she wouldnt admit to when it was on the agenda. Ive gotta say,
the residents of this City were so generous in helping those burned out
families, wouldnt it have been a nice gesture by the City to donate this
found money to those folks?

Now lets talk about development. Your candidate claimed it was
spotty during my administration. Gee, we brought in the Walgreens
plaza, Aldi, Food 4 Less, B & M Auto, the strip mall on 167th, the Senior
Housing on Cicero, Community Mazda, had a 44 acre shopping plaza in
the works at 167th and a larger scale development at 159th and Cicero,
worked out an arrangement to keep Community Pontiac/GMC, and
many smaller projects. She lost both the developers for 167th and 159th.
Community Pontiac/GMC, large sales tax producers, have gone to
Tinley, and the Mazda dealership will be next. The Commons Shopping
Center is rapidly becoming a ghost town, but we have had a large
increase in the number of beer gardens! But I believe her words were
that the CVS and another bank at the corner of 159th and Cicero would
put Oak Forest on the map. Yes, development is no longer spotty,
now its nearly non-existent!

Your candidate spent approximately $4.5 million to move the Metra lot
to the old Arbor Park School site, which now sits one third empty every
day because its a horrible location for ingress and egress. Now she
gave away the old Metra lot, and has taken $7.5 million in TIF bonds to
pay for the infrastructure for the developer. When will the developer
ever pay for anything??? In this economy, probably never!

Then your candidate did her level best, with your help, to try to link me
with the Public Works Superintendents kickback scheme. I believe her
quote was if he wasnt a part of it he certainly knew about it. In spite
of what you were told and printed, I forced his resignation a full month
before I knew of any FBI involvement, and if youre ever interested in
the truth, I have the documentation to prove it. What we did do, which
his former employer, Oak Lawn, didnt do, was work with the FBI to
make certain he was put behind bars where he couldnt do this again.

So what did your candidate do when faced with a similar situation with
her Fire Chief??? Swept it under the rug and called it poor
judgment! After the things she said about me, what else could she do?
Believe me, Ive heard from several insiders who say it was way more
than poor judgment. But thats the morals of your candidate.

She even, with your papers help, tried to portray our raffle fundraisers
as fixed. She said it was odd that only my friends ever won, and she
went to the States Attorney. I can assure you, none of my enemies ever
bought tickets, and its been nearly 4 years and I still havent heard
from the States Attorneys office. I even offered to let your reporter,
Dan Lavoie, pull the winners at the next raffle to insure it was done
honestly. He told me his editors wouldnt let him. Were they ever really
interested in the truth, or just trying to smear me!

Perhaps some day we can sit down over a cup of coffee and discuss the
merits of the candidate you endorsed, why you so hated me, and
whether the City is better off now than it was 4 years ago.

Until that time

Patrick M. Gordon
Former Mayor of Oak Forest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/29/2008
Jim Rossi - I read the article - very well stated. I am a commuter and it is a nightmare everyday.

I say you should run for Mayor Jim!!! You would have my vote.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/28/2008
Regarding the new parking lot, I expressed my opinion a few years ago.
The following was published in the Daily Southtown on 10/18/06:

http://groups.msn.com/jimrossi/thegateway.msnw

Jim Rossi
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/28/2008
Stanley's Forest Inn closed several months ago due to the slow economy of Oak Forest & shortly after the smoking ban. Sadly, I hear the owner has gone into forclosure. This impact of the economy is affecting real people. I am sorry to see the collapse of this great family business. As a resident, I see many vacant business's all around Oak Forest. And why is Mayor Kelly still trying to waste our tax dollars fighting to annex homeowners & force a gateway development on there properties? I say Let it Go. There is PLENTY of vacancies within the city limits already. Doesn't make sense to me. If the Mayor stops the fight against those residents, I'm sure it would calm her nerves during Citizen Participation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/27/2008
Now that
Olszewski has announced his retirement, the qualifications for a new Chief has changed to only give us two internal Candidates. Yet, in the quote that Chief Olszewski had in the newspaper, he did not actually endorse any of the so-called qualified internal candidates.

Maybe there is a candidate that is internal that would be a better fit for the police department that now doesn't meet the new qualifications?

I wonder if any of our current administration would even ask the now retiring Chief who he might suggest as the best candidate?

Are we going to pay a severance package to the new police chief for 7 months of service?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/27/2008
Putting the parking lot on the other side of 159th street was the dumbest idea ever. it takes an extra 5 to 10 minutes to get home, depending on the traffic on Cicero. if you finally get past the stop sign you still have to wait 3 lights just to turn west. what a brilliant idea. Who made that decision?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/27/2008
Seven months and eleven days. The Water Tower will smile again!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/26/2008
People here are right, Kelly is to blame for the state of the economy. She should have known that businesses are closing down all over. Drive down Cicero people there are empty buildings everywhere. Maybe the Gateway project is good and maybe it is not but there is no way to blame Kelly right now if any stores are empty. Yes, the taxes are too high and that should be changed and maybe it will.

Please not Gordon again. He was the guy that started the downfall. I personally know a man who owned a business here under his adminstration and promptly sold it due the hoops and taxes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/26/2008
Reply to a Veteran: Would you kindly inform the rest of us where you were able to view the sign-up list for the Wall That Heals. We would like to view it also.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/25/2008
Starbucks is likely not coming to Gateway. We emailed their Investor Relations Department and they had no information on any stores opening in Oak Forest, now or in the future. Also, on the "Coming Soon" link on their website, they have no listings for Oak Forest. Since they are in the midst of reducing the overall number of stores (the folks in CCH are losing theirs), I do not think you'll see them in the Gateway location.

The commerical real estate market is very, very tight. Plenty of locations are available locally, so it's going to be a dogfight to attract the big names. The new strip mall next ot the Walgreens in Crestwood (131st and Cicero) has had 10's of thousands of squre feet of space open for almost three years.....the retail area by the Kohls in Crestwood (across from the OTB) is still only 20% full....the old Menards by Kohls sits vacant. The new strip mall at Cicero/Rte 83 has only a couple of scheduled tenants.....small strip mall after small strip mall sits empty.

What idiot developer would want to lease out space in such a congested, hard to enter/exit location like Gateway when there are prime areas a mile or so away that are in retail friendly Crestwood, Tinley, or Orland Park? The stench, noise and dust from Willie Brother's (not to mention the stench of incompetency coming from mayor Kelly's office) will continue to drive larger businesses elsewhere. As good as her intentions may have been, Kelly screwed us all on this one, and Gateway will sit idle for years with the exception of the CVS. I feel for those Metra riders who will have to suffer the most this winter with that long walk over 159th Street. Kelly should be out there every day apologizing to the riders who lost a perfectly good lot.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/25/2008
I see that Ken & Dicks Pizza moved to Midlothian because of the Mayors increased taxes. Now, I heard # 1 Chop Suey and the Cleaners are soon to follow. Thank you Mayor, I always wanted to live in a ghost town.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/25/2008
First, I would like to thank whoever runs this site, once again, for creating a separate link for "Neighborhood Watch" and additionally a link from there for posting comments in "Watch Talk." It takes time to do this, and I am grateful that you are doing your part in promoting our neighborhood watch program.
Secondly, I invite all residents to go to the "Watch Talk" link and read the posts there as well.
Lastly, please take the time to post your questions, comments, concerns, advice, safety tips and words of wisdom related to neighborhood watch to share with our community.
We are all in this together; and I can't stress enough how the program is most successful when more people get involved.
Thank you for your time.
Stay safe, stay well!
Eva LaRoche
3rd Ward Coordinator
OF Crime Prevention Commission Member
evalaroche@sbcglobal.net
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/25/2008
Police Chief Dennis Olszewski is set to retire September 12th. Wonder who will fill his position?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/25/2008
About the $108K found at the Apt fire. At a minimum they should reimburse those agencies and individuals that spent money and manpower helping these folks out. Also, a portion should be given to the family's that lost all their belongings & were diplaced by the fire. Southtown article 1-10-08
"Kelly expressed pride in Oak Forest residents' giving spirit." How bout she show some pride in paying it forward. That would be the right thing to do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/25/2008
Hank Kuspa!, Stand up or sit down! Pat Gordon, where are you. Ruth Williams, toss your hat in the ring.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/25/2008
When is the next city council meeting? Let's get THOUSANDS of unhappy residents out there as a group. Show the queen and her yes council that we are fed up with this administration. The mayor will have to install speakers outside so all can hear.
As for Hank Kuspa, it's about time he lets people know how he stands. So far, My vote goes to the Tin Man!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/20/2008
To !!!!!!!!!! who is leaving town. Don't say goodby before leaving.!!!!!!!!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/20/2008
The insurance for Oak Forest was through Scottsdale Insurance Company. It sounds like they covered Oak Forest for professional liability. Ken Morrow, who is the city's insurance broker spoke about it in the Southtown article.

Boycotting them is not the issue. The issue is getting good legal counsel to the Mayor (and not just Kelly's personal foot massager/attack dog) and the City so that we don't continue to get sued. Also, hiring/electing ethical and proactive individuals to represent the City of Oak Forest (and it's Wards) is the key to our future. Rest assured, whoever the next carrier is, the cost will likely be quite a bit more.

With the election a few months away, I think it's high time for Hank Kuspa to stick his head out and voice some opinion. Many here are quick to praise him, but many more know nothing about the man. Hank, we assume you read (and probably post on) this forum, so here's an opportunity to introduce us to your opinions about the host of issues that are front and center in Oak Forest. Man up and speak up, either hear or in the paper....Oak Forest residents deserve to hear your opinion. Anything less is an act of typical policital cowardice in my opinion, and we already have one of them in office. Let's see your leadership in action.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/20/2008
Hey, here's a "solution."
Why don't all of the complainers posting at this site go to the next city council meeting AS A GROUP and tell Kelly everything that is bothering them. She can easily ignore one person. But when there is a group in numbers, this cannot be ignored. If you do get organized and do this, then be sure to not only voice your complaints, but have some solutions to the problems as well.
Complaining will only keep you stuck posting at this website.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/20/2008
I heard about the $100,000 that Oak Forest found from the apartment fire in LeClaire back in the winter. When a resident asked the Mayor about this during a town meeting, the Mayor was very "hush hush" about it. Even Ald. Richard Simon was upset with her response. Hmmmm - I wonder what she is up to now.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/19/2008
Why not name the company and the agent? So all of us residents could possibly cancel them or boycott or something.

"Well, our mayor has done it again. Our insurance carrier for Oak Forest has cancelled our insurance coverage because the mayor, through poor management, has lost so many law suits against the city."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/19/2008
Ken and Dicks is leaving?????? I also heard that Starbucks is pulling out of the gateway project!!!!!!! Whats going on in this city???????? I think we need not only a new mayor, we also need new aldermen!!! None of them should be re-elected. The only thing they know how to do is collect a paycheck!! I dont think any of them really care about the city.. We need a whole new city council. None of them knows exactly what going on, from Kelly down to Simon!!!! Thank god I am moving out of this city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/19/2008
At least when Todd Stroger hits us with a BIG tax increase it is publicized. When it happens in Oak Forest you don't know about it until you look at your bills. What happened to OPEN GOVERNMENT?? I guess that was just another empty promise, like eliminateing cronism, this administration is full of overpaid, underqualified friends and family! As a 30+ year resident I can only hope that in 7 months something will change, or a lot more residents addresses will!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/19/2008
Guess it's time to FOI the legal bills for the firing and arbitration legal bills connection to the dismissal of Don Hall. Fortunately, he was re-hired but at what cost to the taxpayers? Obviously, this shouldn't have happened to begin with or the arbitrator wouldn't have ruled the way he did.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/19/2008
According to Dennis Olszewski the tickets issued by being caught by the red light cameras is a civil offense and does not constitute a moving violation and will not go on your driving record. I wonder if theyll take plastic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/17/2008
Well, our mayor has done it again. Our insurance carrier for Oak Forest has cancelled our insurance coverage because the mayor, through poor management, has lost so many law suits against the city. I'm sure we will get another company to cover us, but at an increased premium. Hit us again mayor, on property taxes.

7 months and counting!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/17/2008
The Vietnam Wall is supposed to have a military theme, Mayor. Not a photo-op for a defunct administration. I see by the volunteer sign-up sheet it will be a non-event.

A Veteran!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/17/2008
Does anyone know whether tickets issued by red light camera surveillance will impact your driving record (show up as a moving violation) which can cause your insurance premium to rise?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/17/2008
Regarding the Red light Camera's, for those of you who may be confused.

The cameras at 167 & Cicero are up but not working yet. There will be signs before

the cameras will be allowed to take pictures.

Any pictures taken now are for testing purposes only to make sure the cameras are positioned correctly and in proper working order

Signage is mandated by law, there are no signs yet because the project is still in process.

Thank you!

Felicia A. DePyper

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/17/2008
Kelly outdid herself last night at the city council meeting. When a resident noted a press release was in error declaring the city a victor in the forced annexation lawsuit, Kelly told her not to believe everything she reads in the newsapers. Ha! The press release was on Oak Forest letterhead on the City of Oak Forest website. Kelly issued that press release! I don't like to call anyone a liar but either she was lying or she was too jarred to remember what she herself released.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/17/2008
As per Ken & Dicks Pizza, the reason they were forced from Oak Forest to Midlothian, is that they couldn't afford the mayors taxes.
Ask any local business about their business license fees as well.
I don't believe I ever heard of any city administration anywhere, being so unpopular.
Thanks mayor, 7 months and counting!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/13/2008
Better watch your speed on Pulaski/Crawford, Central, and 175th streets as you try to circumvent the cam-lights at 159th and 167th on Cicero. They'll be waiting for you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/13/2008
Before I write my comment I will be nice and apologize first. SORRY. Mr. Burkhardt it is now Aug 15th and I still do not have my vehicle in my car window, did you let your dogs out to hunt me down or what. Wait a minute now I know, the BOYS are in parking lots chit chatting or just plain sleeping in their cars. Mr. Burkhardt I find you the type of person who is all talk and no action!!!!!! I know you dont care but you will not be getting my vote next time you run !!!!!!!!!!!!!

A now non supporter of Scott Burkhardt.

P.S. When you talk into the mic. please do not lean into it, it hurts my ears.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/13/2008
That resident that spoke at the Aug 12 Coucil meeting is a total jerk, commenting how residents pick on our poor mayor. How much was he paid?
It's no secret that the mayors total administration is going to be voted out of office.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/13/2008
Oak Forest has now lost two big car dealerships, Ken & Dick's Pizza and The Elite Restaurant. Starbucks pulled out of the Gateway Development. Do we see any of this in Kelly's propaganda rag, "FYI"?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/13/208
Show us all proof of "Kelly stopped allowing Oak Forest information to be included in the Police Blotter". I find this very hard to believe considering Police reports can be obtained through the FOIA within 7 days.

I get that some of you dislike Mayor Kelly and have an ax to grind with her but submitting statements like that without any proof is just plain stupid if you want to be consider a credibile source. I would guess that the Southtown would have a field day against her if this was true. What possible power does she have over the Southtown? Again, for the record, I am indifferent about the Mayor.

immistered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/13/2008
"One of the reasons I am seeking election as mayor in the April election is because I believe that taxpayers are entitled to open government with nothing to hide."
This is an exerpt from candidate Kelly's letter to the Daily Southtown published on January 9, 2005.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/13/2008
Neighbor Watch,

How is it NOT the Alderman's responsibility to get the people together to form a Watch Program of some sort? We shouldn't have to do their job for them, we should see them going door to door each week with a uniformed officer, talking to the very people that voted them into office about goings on in the ward. I work two jobs as it is, and I haven't the time to organize. 5th and 6th ward Ald should be ashamed of themselves, since there is no reason for there NOT to be a program in place.

I would really like to get on Eva's list, but I fear that my privacy would be compromised should the police or the Mayor find out who is here or on her list. It seems like we cannot offer our legitimate concerns up (face to face) without fear of reprisal--it's as if we were living in Cicero for God's sake. Eva, why don't you also post criminal information HERE(even if it's a few days later) so that we do not have to rely solely on email only to get this. Will you get us the information that Kelly refuses to put into print? God Bless you for your efforts.....

God forbid they stop showing up to arrest the burglars, vagrants, and drug addicts in my area after I use my freedom of speech to complain about a do-nothing aldermen and a Mayor that refuses to put information in the Police Blotter. If the Police feel intimidated by the Mayor's refusal to post items in the blotter, then shame on them and Chief O. Perhaps they should change the name to "Her Majesty's Blotter" with a continuous message: "All is well, nothing to see here folks--no crime in Oak Forest since I took office!!!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/13/2008
The mayor and all the alderman except Simon & Toland are getting the boot!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/13/2008
I agree that the cameras are only going to catch those who make illegal turns. However, the police chief has the final say on who is ticketed. Will there be a chance that those close to the administration might get a pass? I can also see a better use of cameras in a town that isn't so cute anymore and that would be at the commuter lots. Since we do not have the manpower to patrol all the lots to prevent theft, let's use cameras which would also promote the safety of commuters who travel outside of peak hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/11/2008
I live in the 6th ward, and what has Greg S done for us? Nothing. He and the other cast of characters need to get the boot. Rumor has it, Greg S isnt running again, perhaps he can see the end is near.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/11/2008
Laws are made to be enforced, not to serve as guidelines. If you make an illegal turn, you are breaking the law and should receive a ticket. Camera's can enforce this law better than officers as there is photo proof, not one officers opinion. Officers then can be assigned to high priority crime activity (theoretically) that can not be addressed with a camera. When people are aware of the cameras,ideally they will respect traffic laws creating a safer community. Yes, there is a "big brother" flavor, however, we no longer live in a cute community. Drastic measures are needed to to protect our residents.
To suggest that the cameras are unconstitutional because it interferes with the ability to break the law is somewhat absurd. Slow down, follow the rules, you may be surprised!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/11/2008
To Immitestered: Perhaps what you call bashing is in truth just holding Kelly to her campaign promises especially open government. Hers is one of the most secretive I can remember. Other mayors have had to take their licks too. It's called holding our elected officials accountable. The best place to do that, of course, is in the voting booth.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/11/2008
Yep those cameras will be big money makers, but if you dont want to be a victim of the cameras then dont turn on a red light.

Here's a tip. If the light turns yellow and you are behind the big white line (otherwise known as a stop bar), then stay put. If you are in front of the stop bar when the light turns yellow, dont panic, you will be ok as the cameras will only track cars who actually cross the line when the light turns yellow.

As for thinking you will fight a ticket if you get one, not a chance. If these are setup like in Chicago, they will mail your ticket with pictures and a link to see the video of your violation. Like the idea or not, the cameras are a good way to stop people from turning after the light goes red.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/11/2008
For the person looking for information about a Neighborhood Watch Program. As of today 8/7/08 there is no watch program in the 5th Ward. We have active programs in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wards. If you are interested in starting one or would like more information you can contact the Oak Forest Crime Prevention Commission at 708 687 4050 ext 1603 or send an email to crimeprevention@oak-forest.org. We would be more than happy to help you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/11/2008
Answer to: "Is there a way to find info on each Wards Neighborhood Watch program?"
You can e-mail me directly to start finding out about each ward's watch program. I am more than happy to give you any info you are looking for or pointing you in the right direction if I cannot provide it to you.
Please don't hesitate contacting me at evalaroche@sbcglobal.net with any questions, comments or concerns.
Hope to hear from you!
Be safe, be well!
Eva LaRoche
3rd Ward Coordinator
OF Crime Prevention Commission Member
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/11/2008
Don't blame the Police Department for not reporting crimes. Kelly stopped allowing Oak Forest information to be included in the Police Blotter in the Southtown when first elected. Now certain crimes are reported but not all. Kelly has the say of what goes in and what doesn't. If a police officer took it upon himself to talk to the newspaper, he could lose his job. Remember the witch hunt Kelly started to try to find out the creators of this website? She's not above being very vindictive.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/11/2008
The traffic cameras are going to be installed on 159th & Cicero and 167th & Cicero within the next few weeks. Be careful when turning left to complete your turn within traffic laws. Big brother will issue a ticket automatically. With the traffic flow dramatically changed due to the new commuter lot on 159th Street, this ought to be a big revenue item for the city.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/7/2008
The traffic cameras are going to be installed on 159th & Cicero and 167th & Cicero within the next few weeks. Be careful when turning left to complete your turn within traffic laws. Big brother will issue a ticket automatically. With the traffic flow dramatically changed due to the new commuter lot on 159th Street, this ought to be a big revenue item for the city.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/7/2008
Is there a way to find info on each Wards Neighborhood Watch program? I see no listing, and I'm trying to see who is in charge of each Ward, or if there's even a program in the ward I live (#5) Also, does anyone here plan to get on Eva's email list? I don't know how safe I am in my unit anymore, and never hear from my alderman (Hollinger). I don't know if anyone plans to run against the aldermen this November--is there a place to find out?

Thank you very much.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/7/2008
We have houses getting broke into, garages broke into, cars getting stolen, property getting damaged but its always nice to see the police of Oak Forest bs-ing with thier friends about motorcycles for over an hour. Thats our hard earned tax dollars at work for us. Maybe if they stopped chatting and patroled our neighborhoods these thing would not happen. Oak Forests finest, what a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/7/2008
WARNING!!!!!
      THE CAMERAS ARE UP AT 167 & CICERO NOT SURE IF OPPERATIONAL YET BUT THEY ARE UP.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/7/2008
Wow, people using drugs in Oak Forest? Amazing, I am shocked ! I am sure drug use does not happen in any other town in the nation. I could be wrong be I may have read a story about drugs in Lake Forest, IL. but I am sure I am wrong it only happens here.

To the other guy....I am not either supporting or bashing Mayor Kelly I am just amazed that people blame her for everything that has happened in this City.

Like the way, I still blame the previous Mayor for not trying to get the "Cook County Cheetahs/Windy City Thunderbolts" to Oak Forest. Why did he not try to get them? Also, he let Dominicks go after they closed down one of the best watering holes in the town (Overtimes).

Nobody is perfect. Lighten up people and get hobby, that is unless bashing Kelly is your hobby. Easy solution people....You don't like the job she is doing run for Mayor yourself, Police do thier jobs and most importantly if you see a law being broke call the Police.

immistered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/7/2008
Here is the real truth about the "car jacking" at McDonald's

a victim man did stop at the drive thru at our McDonalds, and a male black suspect dressed like a soldier came up to his car and struck a conversation, apparently looking for a ride to a military office in another town, he was allowed to enter and was offered a ride.
     From there it is alleged that the soldier had an object in his pants pocket which caused the victim to believe the man had a gun, the object was never displayed, and the suspect never threatened the victim by implying he had a gun.
    During the course of the ride, victim stopped at and suspect used Victims bank card to make fraudulent deposits at a bank, withdraw cash, then suspect was driven to a home in an other town.
    Detective worked this case, and as a result was aware of similar case in other towns and a suspect had been arrested for the same acts, the victim did identify the suspect who is on parole from IDOC and is currently being held in Cook County Jail.
    This department has an arrest warrant for the suspect and the charge is theft, not car jacking, not robbery etc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/7/2008
So Ken & Dicks has left OF for Midlothian due to high rent and taxes. Rumor has it that the dry cleaner and Chinese place will be leaving soon as well. If that happens then the only stores left will be Murrays, Food 4 Less and the video store. The rent is controlled by the property owners, but are the taxes due to the "utility tax" imposed by this administration. This tax already impact homeowners, it must be devastating to business owners. This is taxation without representation. Its time for an "Oak Forest Tea Party" people!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/7/2008
High Five to Don Hall! He definately deserves his job back and all the backpay owed to him. Good things can happen to decent people. Kinda gives me hope. Yeah, I'd like to know how much Oak Forest spent in legal fee's including the amount owed in backpay. I will have to FOI that. Shame on Mayor Kelly for even starting this in the first place. If everyone thinks your a B*tch, you must be a B*tch. Bottom line. She is an embarrassment of a city official. She does not have the residents best interests, just hers. Look at all the hiding of information going on. Where the hell is the agenda packet? How are the residents to know what the agenda is about? She keeps taking away our right to knowlegde, thats her dictatorship towards nazism. Oust the B*tch!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/7/2008
Congratulations to Don Hall in winning his case against Mayor Kelly and her administration. By all accounts, Don was an excellent employee but has spent the last year wondering if he would ever work again. This is a victory for the type of person Don is and perhaps a wake up call to Mayor Kelly that you can fight City Hall (and win). Thanks to "The Real Deal" for creating this website so important information such as this can be published to keep Oak Forest residents up to date.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/7/2008
Carjacking response.

Thank you for confirming what the OAK FOREST POLICE will not report to the public. Shamefully, residents have to hear about it second hand. This is not why we pay their salaries, and when I see "To Serve and Protect" I also see a responsibility to INFORM and WARN. By not doing so, the OFPD and Kelly's administration are putting citizens at risk. Whoever the Alderman of that ward is, you should post here and give us an honest reason why you have not reported this to your constituents and the residents of Oak Forest. If others reading this agree, please follow up with a demand for a PUBLIC response from the OFPD and our Alderman.

Thank You
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/7/2008
Where did you get your information about the carjacking? I would like to send an ALERT e-mail to my contact list for the neighborhood watch. Was there any newspaper article, in any newspaper, specifically saying the carjacking started at the Oak Forest's McDonald's that I can refer to? If you wouldn't mind, please e-mail me directly, evalaroche@sbcglobal.net, with any detail you can provide me, especially date of incident.
Thank you. Be safe, be well!
Eva LaRoche
3rd Ward Coordinator
P.S. Hoorah for Don Hall! I am extremely happy to hear he has been reinstated.