12/29/2007
Glad to see some negative comments on the new parking lot.
The parking lot is nice if the station was south of 159th. Some quick checking on Google Earth shows that the distance
to the station from the farthest point in the new lot is .36 miles and in the lot near Ace at .33 miles. Add to that
your choices for getting to the station are either a mad dash across busy streets with no traffic control or a walk on icy
sidewalks and you have a recipe for disaster.
The Mokena Marley Creek station has a
.34 mile walk from the farthest point, but the station is in the parking lot and you don't have to venture out into traffic.
Why wasn't 160th St improved and a signal installed at 160th & Cicero? If this 'Gateway' project
is developed with as much ingenuity as this parking lot, it will be the biggest failure in the south suburbs next to Dixie
Square.
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12/29/2007
What's the logo again? Pride in Our Past, Faith In Our Future?
Since Kelly's in office it should be changed to "Glory in Our Past, Roll of the Dice for our Future"
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12/29/2007
I'am a resident of JOKE Forest for more than 30yrs. I was bamboozled into
thinking Jo ann Kelly was on our (the residents) side when I mistakenly voted for her. What a joke this turned out to be!
I guess, by living near the metra station, we too have to be careful not to lose our homes. We fought Mayor Gordon once
already and now we have to fight again? Can't we just live comfortably in our homes with out feeling threatened all the
time? And by re-creating the "new" metra parking lot, they took away a perfectly good baseball field and school,
(this is beautification?). What the HELL was wrong with the one we had? No one wants to live and shop next to railroad tracks!
Oak Forest has a long history of not being nice to small businesses, that's why none of them stick around long enough
to get to know them.
Why do I still live in Joke forest?
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12/27/07
I do not know how many of you out there take the train from Oak Forest into the City everday - but I am one of them.
Let me tell you - who ever desiged the new lot did not have the "People of Oak Forest" on their minds. It
takes 20 minutes longer now to park and catch your train. You can not take a left onto 159th from the station and there
is only one way in and one way out. For those of us who are anxious to get home to our families - well now our day is
longer. Not to mention, rather than salting the bridge we have to cross they just have someone out there from Public
Works saying "watch your step - there is ice and could be slippery". The Mayor would never risk her little
behind crossing 159th, walking over a bridge and through the ice, and not to mention, the 20 minutes longer to and from work.
TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!!
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12/26/2007
I am one of the homeowners that was annexed. Mayor Kelly said she was under
the impression, we the residents in that area were looking forward to becoming part of Oak Forest (quoted from the Daily Southtown),
then why did she secretly force us to annex, without informing us? Didn't she campaign for an open table government?
I, & my neighbors, were never looking forward to be annexed to OF. We did have an agreement with previous Mayor Gordon
to annex to OF when we'd close on the property to the development, but when Kelly got into office she showed no interest
in the project. That's why the developer withdrew. We could have willingly annexed with conditions to protect ourselves.
Now Mayor Kelly has pissed off ALOT of people. What other sneaky measures will she go to, to condemn our homes?
Use eminent domain power? While I agree, Oak Forest needs to be cleaned up & needs better businesses that will survive.
Why doesn't oak forest fix the existing town before they try to demolish my home in hopes for a commercial development?
Get rid of the section 8, high crime apartments too.
Unwanted new resident.
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12/26/2007
I am a homeowner of the property that was annexed to oak forest at 167TH & Cicero.
I am very upset that
Oak Forest Mayor Kelly & city council decided to annex our property without our consent. After all this is our home.
It leaves me with the feeling of being powerless to their tricky official actions.
The Oak Forest council
& mayor Kelly knew that we on the east side of Cicero had legal representation and never once were we or our lawyer contacted
to negotiate an annexation.
I feel what Mayor Kelly & council members have done to us homeowners
directly is terrible. They've acted unprofessional & dishonest.
I don't know how they
can sleep at night, I can't because of the worry I have about my homes future.
The council &
Mayor Kelly have started a bad relationship with their new residents.
I've left repeated
messages for Mayor Kelly to call me since the day I was annexed. I still haven't heard from her.
Her rulings show inexperience in her political leadership.
If they've gone to
these measures to underhandedly annex our property, then how can we trust them in any type of partnership?
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12/26/07
JUST WANTED TO GET SOME CLARITY, IF ANYONE CAN GIVE IT. WHO THE HELL
IS GOING TO
PONY UP FOR THE SALARY FOR OUR NOW FORMER FIRE CHIEF UNTIL JUNE OF 2008. NOT TO MENTION
HIS PENSION
WHICH HE WILL ONLY GET DUE TO HIS LAST NAME. IF IT WERE UP TO ME, IF YOU
STEAL A PENNIE FROM THE CITY = NO FRIGGIN PENSION!!!!!
MAYBE HE COULD GET A JOB AT THE
WAL-MART
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12/26/2007
I am wondering why no one has inquired into the legal bills the city has. With
all the wrongful terminations, violating contracts, etc., the legal bills have to be pretty large.
It is a violation of the law to install cameras on stoplights for the purpose of raising revenues. Yet this
seems to be there purpose. It was recently stated that the City has targeted the funds raised from these cameras to
hire additional police officers. Not that more officers is a bad idea, just that the City seems to knowingly violate
the law, violate contracts, violate employees' rights.
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12/26/2007
Oak Forest must reveal full story behind fire chief's departureDecember 14,
2007
THE ISSUE: Oak Forest's fire chief for the last 10 years is being replaced amid
rumors and allegations of financial mismanagement but with no definitive explanation.
We
say: The city's taxpayers have a right to a full explanation. The mayor and city council have a duty to commission an
independent investigation and full public report.
Oak Forest will be getting a new fire chief
under mysterious circumstances. For weeks, rumors and allegations have swirled around Oak Forest that Fire Chief Lindsay Laycoax
had mismanaged fire department finances. Throughout that period, Mayor JoAnn Kelly denied there was a problem in the fire
department or with Laycoax. But earlier this week, the mayor told SouthtownStar columnist Phil Kadner an internal investigation
was under way and that Laycoax was on vacation and not expected to return.
On Wednesday, the
day Kadner's column was published, Kelly issued a news release confirming Laycoax would not be returning and Deputy Chief
Jim Berger was taking over as acting chief until a permanent replacement is hired.
Kelly told
Kadner she did not expect criminal charges to be filed. An individual who attended a meeting between the mayor and firefighters
last week told Kadner that Kelly said the Cook County state's attorney had determined "the amount of money involved
did not merit a criminal investigation."
But it apparently does merit the chief's
departure. In her written statement, Kelly said Laycoax will use nine months of accrued leave, making Sept. 6, 2008, his official
retirement date. Laycoax had been fire chief since 1997 and a member of the department since 1978. Laycoax wanted to complete
30 years in the department so he could get his retirement benefits.
Kelly released a statement
saying Laycoax's "experience and leadership will be missed by his colleagues."
But
she and the city council need to get the situation out in the open. A 30-year veteran doesn't get booted as fire chief
without good cause, and the taxpayers of Oak Forest need to be let in on the secret.
Kelly
told Kadner the situation involving Laycoax was a personnel matter and so she couldn't discuss it. She said the fire department
had been operating under a policy that allowed individuals to borrow city equipment for use at their homes. "Since I
came into office, we've put policies into place to detect things like this before they develop into anything like the
scandal we had in the public works department a few years back."
Michael Feeley, who
headed the public works department, was convicted of racketeering and tax fraud and sentenced in 2005 to six years in prison
for taking $300,000 in kickbacks. The current situation "doesn't involve anything like that," Kelly said.
But what does it involve? Oak Forest's taxpayers have a right to know what Laycoax did to cost him his job.
Former Mayor Patrick Gordon, who lost his office in part because of the Feeley scandal, attended this week's
city council meeting to publicly blast Kelly over the Laycoax situation. "If you choose to cover this up, you become
an accessory to the crime and are no better than the perpetrator," Gordon said, according to a story by SouthtownStar
staff writer Michael Drakulich.
At this point, the public doesn't know whether there was
a crime to which the mayor could be an accessory. But the way to avoid such allegations is to commission an independent investigation
and issue a public report explaining the full story behind Laycoax's departure. Steps to make it happen should be taken
without delay.
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12/11/07
I am (unfortunately) a resident of this city. I can't even count how
many times people in our area (Gingerwood subdivision) have wished we were part of Tinley Park. I have noticed a couple
of signs around 159th and Central Ave. in the yards of homes that previously, had quite elaborate Christmas displays.
The signs state something to the effect that the city of Oak Forest has "cancelled Christmas". Many are wondering
about the meaning of this. Can you post on your site as to the reason for this? Thanks so much!
Curious
The answer to your question is this:
The home that you state had the elaborate Christmas display is
the the home of the former employee of Public Works, Don Hall, who was wrongfully terminated earlier this year.(See Public
Works Page) He has had the Christmas display for at least the last 25 years but obviously can not afford to continue paying
for the electric without a job and the added expense of the City of Oak Forests utility tax.
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12/11/2007
Mayor Kelly emailed me that she would rather be approached in a supermarket or restaurant to discuss Oak Forest business
rather than for me to appear at Citizen's Participation. What, then, is Citizen's Participation supposed to
be? Perhaps it should be used as a forum for loyal fans to sing her praises. We all know Kelly does not like disagreement
in public either from residents or aldermen. Let's see if any of our "new" residents who were forced in
to annexation two weeks ago will be able to speak during a council meeting.
Keep up the good
job with the website!
Ruth Ensing
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12/7/2007
WANTED: A Mayor with a heart!
Is it not interesting how one of
the Queen's comment to a resident was that she (The Queen) "did not have time to return phone calls because she has
a full time teaching job" May this be the reason she is unable to keep The City of Oak Forest from becoming all that
it can potentially be.
EVERY Mayor the City has ever had has held a full time job, Joann is not unusual in that respect.
It is very possible to be a full time Mayor at heart as well as a full time employee elsewhere. "OH WAIT", She has
NO heart!
Prime Example - The Police Department Contract & Insurance issues, the firing of Good public works employees
for being hurt, Demoting, devoted long time employees for absolutely NO good reason at all, and of course The Tin Man. Now
I understand, we all make mistakes such as voting Joann Kelly for Mayor, it is also my understanding that we learn from our
mistakes, Have we learned our lesson??? It would be an understatement to suggest that the Queen has made any mistakes. For
she is consciously, continuously making the wrong decisions for The City of Oak Forest and we the residents are now paying
for it, "Literally" with all the increased taxes.
It is so very unfortunate that Joann Kelly was able to pull
the wool over the eyes of all her very hard working campaign volunteers. We are so very sorry for you all. All though we will
have a second chance at voting her out of office, just as fast as you voted her in.
We welcome you all to count down
the day's with us residents, who are awaiting for a "True Hearted Mayor" to pick us up off our butts and carry
us to the highest standard, that we deserve.
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12/6/2007
To whom it may concern:
Both John Kaminsky and Don Hall
did not deserve to be fired!
I supervised both men and will testify to any legal board as to the value of these two men
as employees.
Frank Smith
Former Asst. Supt. Public Works
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12/5/2007
THE
TIN MAN FOR MAYOR!!!!!!!
We have to get someone to run againist the QUEEN OF JOKE FOREST.
She has just about destroyed all city departments.
Jones is probably the worst person we could have in there as well.
Except for two alderman, they walk around city hall with a rubber yes stamp in their hands.
Alderman, wake up, your
job is on the line as well.
If anyone disagrees with the queen, they are told that they are "being disrespectful".
The people of Oak Forest are fed up with this whole administration.
We know the mayor's total administration is
going to be voted out.
I wish Ruth Williams would run for mayor, reading her speak out comments in the Southtown, she
seems like my kind of gal.
Of course, the TIN MAN would win the election, but that would mean
that the Queen is back in office by default.
A citizen of Oak Forest for 40 years.
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12/5/2007
Ahhh , its still going on in Oak Forest!!!!
I've seen how great
the Police and Fire Dept. have always done their job, both from the inside as well as the outside. All these people are true
professionals and its insulting that a few fools and politicians try to disrupt departments that ran perfectly well , even
when their daddy was mayor. Public Works has always done everything that had to be done to keep order in the City, and they
have done it very well and usually without any thanks.
It seems that someone has a personal grudge to settle with some
of their workers there... The underhanded firing of Don Hall, is just another example of poor leadership in Oak Forest. Hmmmm,
is this more filthy politics in Oak Forest??? I am shocked.
Well, I moved away from Oak Forest quite some
time ago, I watched all the neighboring communities grow and thrive, I've seen great commercial property develop as residential
(167 & Cicero)and others, Schools torn down, (Hey do we have enough parking yet???). I've seen run down apartment
buildings and a trailer park get relief from all the violations that were written to them. I see houses now built in flood
zones and others where peat bogs are.. I too was fired while on workmans comp after falling in a hole that caused
me to have a hip replacement. So, I already know what a big heart the "CITY" has for their worker Bees....I was
such a fool myself, I thought that We could fix it, What a joke....
Yes, Oak Forest used to be my hometown...My 3 kids
have all moved from there, My mom just died there, and most of my friends dont live there any longer either...
I moved
away, and now live in growing, caring, friendly, Town.
But, I do feel for the Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments,
I hope you all get togather and elect someone smart next time so you don't end up with another little Hillary again, Try
to get a Bill or a George instead...
Fairwell To a Fallen Empire,
Jeffrey D. Lane
(Former Building Commissioner of Oak Forest)
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12/5/2007
Annexation causing border war?
November 29, 2007
By Michael Drakulich,
Staff Writer
While Oak Forest officials are looking forward to bringing new development to property near 167th Street
and Cicero Avenue the city annexed at Tuesday's city council meeting, Country Club Hills Mayor Dwight Welch is wary of
the idea.
Welch likened the forced annexation of about 53 acres of unincorporated Cook County property by Mayor JoAnn
Kelly's administration to the actions of a dictatorship.
Michael Del Galdo, an attorney for the residents who live
on the annexed property, said they may sue to stop the annexation if all legal requirements haven't been fulfilled.
The future of the property had been in limbo for several years. Oak Forest had first attempted annexation under former Mayor
Pat Gordon, who planned a mall for the area.
But residents objected to Gordon's forced annexation plan, Del Galdo
said. So the two sides came to terms on a joint marketing agreement. Residents and Gordon's administration agreed to market
the property together. The city also would not forcibly annex the property, and the residents would not go to another municipality
seeking annexation.
Del Galdo said it was apparent after Kelly took office in spring 2005 she would not work with residents
to continue marketing the property after campaigning that developing it was "pie in the sky." However, Kelly refused
to talk to residents after they demanded to be released from the agreement, Del Galdo said.
Del Galdo said only after
residents showed interest in becoming part of Country Club Hills did Oak Forest want to have the property become part of the
city.
He said residents want a solution but not one forced on them.
"Lives were put on hold. These are people
whose homes are their biggest asset. They've raised their children here. They have memories here. There is nothing a government
should be more careful of than forcibly annexing property," Del Galdo said.
Welch said forcing the annexation on
residents without informing them and without their input is a mistake by Kelly's inexperienced administration.
"Oak
Forest could be getting into a protracted legal battle over this. I let the people in unincorporated areas make their own
decisions. We have annexed property before but only when the owners have come to us. To force anyone into that is wrong. It
isn't something this administration would do," Welch said.
Welch also said he has talked with Del Galdo about
possible annexation so the property could be developed because Country Club Hills has a track record for development that
Oak Forest can't match.
Kelly said Wednesday she doesn't recall saying annexing and developing the property was
"pie in the sky" during her campaign. She said it would have taken longer to develop than the city's current
Gateway development taking place at the corner of 159th Street and Cicero Avenue.
Part of the reason the city has not
proceeded with development of the property is developer Archon Retail, which had been tabbed to develop the site during Gordon's
administration, was asking for a $30 million investment from the city, Kelly said.
Even if that money could be collected
through a tax increment financing district, Oak Forest wasn't in a position to make that kind of commitment, Kelly said.
Failing to notify the residents in that area of the annexation was not a mistake, she said. It is not legally required,
and she was under the impression the residents in that area were looking forward to becoming part of Oak Forest.
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12/5/2007
Who's Next?
John Kaminski, another dedicated employee fired by Mayor Kelly, or is it
Mayor Jones, a.k.a. Steve Jones, City Administrator. The City claims that they fired John Kaminski because he was on workman’s
compensation and was unable to perform his job, when in actuality; John Kaminski was still under a physician’s care
and performing over 50% of his job requirements.
John Kaminski, a respectable name that is well known in
Oak Forest. John Kaminski was a long time employee; to be exact an 11 1/2 year employee of Public Works. John Kaminski
was an extremely knowledgeable and dedicated employee who was liked by many Oak Forest citizens. In addition, to have
worked in Public Works, he also served as a paid-on-call Oak Forest Firefighter. John Kaminski saved three children in an
apartment fire, and was issued a heroism award by the City of Oak Forest and the State of Illinois. If that does not describe
the dedication and fondness John Kaminski had for the City of Oak Forest, he also volunteered his sweat and time to serve
on the Oak Fest Committee as Commissioner for 3 years.
John Kaminski is an honorable man that served the
citizens of Oak Forest. This is the gratitude that Mayor Kelly and 'Mayor Jones', a.k.a. Steve Jones show to
loyal employees such as John Kaminski and also recently fired Don Hall.
Just to illustrate John Kaminski's
reputation and knowledge, when a position was vacant as a Supervisor in the Public Works office, John Kaminski applied for
the position, per Mayor Kelly's urging, but was overlooked and another individual was hired. John Kaminski has more
knowledge of the Public Works Department than all 3 of the current Supervisors in Public Works put together.
Both of these men, John Kaminski and Don Hall, were thrown out like bags of garbage.
In conclusion, why
is the city council idly sitting by allowing Mayor Kelly and Steve Jones, to unfairly and unjustly terminate hardworking,
dedicated, loyal, and long-term employees!