5/28/2008
Rich Simon never wanted
to see his name as a poetential canditate for Mayor. The comments on the blogs are very flattering, but quite honestly
I have no intention of running for Mayor, and I am not foolish enough to want the job. Please refrain from using my
name in this context in the future. I am very happy with my present job as Alderman of the second ward, and I am running
for another term. Whoever it was that put my name out there I sincerely thank, but no thanks. I hope in the future
I can help enough to maintain the trust of the Residents of Oak Forest, and I will continue to best of my ability to do what
is right for the community I love.
Richard Simon
Aldermasn 2nd Ward
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5/27/2008
Regarding the Red Light Camera Comment on 5/26/08
To set the record straight.
The decision to install
a red-light camera is not a financial-gain decision, it is a means to reduce the number of accidents and injuries resulting
from those accidents. Over the past few years there has been a great rise in the number of accidents occurring at the
major intersection in Oak Forest and we are doing whatever possible to prevent that. One answer is to have an officer assigned
to an intersection and manually monitor traffic but that poses a few problems; manpower would be reduced on the shift if an
officer is assigned only to a specific intersection. It would also cause the officer to violate a red-light in order
to pursue a driver, increasing the chances of an accident. Taking that into consideration the red-light camera was the
safest choice.
155th & Central was never chosen as one of the intersections
for a red-light camera. Right now 159th & Cicero along with 167th & Cicero, the 2 intersections with the greatest
number of accidents will have the camera.
This program will come to absolutely
no cost to the City of Oak Forest, it is 100% violator funded. The cameras, installation and upkeep is all the responsibility
of the vender. Not one taxpayer dollar will be spent.
By Illinois Law,
any intersection with a red-light camera must have signage prior to that intersection warning drivers of the camera.
The entire process is approved by IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) and the vender must
be (and is) IDOT approved. Every violation is recorded and before a violation notice is sent out an officer must review
and approve of the violation. Anyone receiving a violation notice will also have a link to a web site so they can view
their violation so there should be no question whether or not a red light was violated.
As
in many new programs there will be fears of the unknown, that is why the City of Oak Forest will be running an informational
campaign before the red-light cameras are installed to educate the public and reduce the concerns.
Thank you,
Felicia A. DePyper
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5/27/2008
In looking at
some of these posts in regard to Mayor Kelly's other means of employment, my comment is that this has nothing to do with
running the city of Oak Forest!
Mayor Kelly is a teacher and if there is a
reduction in force in District 159, she would have had to receive that information by law in March.
If she was interested in a job in District 142, 143, 144, 145 or 146 she would have to apply for
those jobs, then have an interview, fulfill a need for any of those districts and get accepted for a job. Just like
any other applicant.
I have not heard of her doing that for any one of those districts as of yet. In all reality
that is her business and no one else!!
Folks, let's keep our focus on
the community government in this discussion, whether it is Mayor Kelly, Hank Kuspa, Rich Simon, or any number of potential
candidates to come, there needs to be a focus on what will be best for our community.
If
you ask yourself a question when thinking about your elected officials, you should then know what you are looking for in a
mayor, alderman, county officials, state rep, state senator, US rep or US Senator or President. That question is are
you any better off now then when these people took office? If you say NO, then it time for a change, if you say yes,
then you need to look to see how those people can be supported to make the progress you see continue.
Let's judge the mayor and her administration on what they have done so far in city government,
let's not throw out false statements and inuendo that has nothing to do with running our town.
All these upcoming candidates will be judged on the merits of their accomplishment or lack there
of, so let's keep our focus on that.
It is a very interesting time when
reading in the newspapers that Frankfort just rebated some property tax, a PR firm believes that Richton Park is a community
that can be marketed to get jobs and development due to their location and closeness to I80, guess what as no insult to that
community, but Oak Forest is closer to I80 and could be a better location for industrial development, we just need some forward
thinking government people.
DO WE HAVE THEM OR DO WE NEED TO FIND THEM???
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5/26/2008
The biggest mistake with JoAnn Kelly's Gateway project
is it should have started with a new train station. Metra will not build one with their money. They have stated
that. Next, Wille Bros. should have been moved. Would you buy a condo with a cement manufacturer in your back
yard? We paid over $5,000,000 to build a new commuter lot instead of improving the old one and building a commercial
development on the south side of 159th Street. This is Kelly's legacy. Debt, debt, and more debt for the taxpayers
to pay for generations to come. One other question. Is Kelly still spending our money trying to find out who the author
of this website is? I don't care who it is. I'm just glad we have this forum. We certainly can't
speak our minds at City Hall!
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5/26/2008
I'm not particularly a supporter of JoAnn Kelly. In
fact I did not vote for her for mayor, and I may
not agree with some of her policy making. However I do not see how anyone
benefits from
attacks on her in a very personal manner. You may not agree with her, or like the way she runs the
office
of mayor of Oak Forest, but that is what using the ballot is all about. Statements such as; 'I have heard that
parents
in the district wouldn't want her as their child's teacher as her character has been under recent attack',
sounds like thinly veiled character assassination in and of itself. It is not a sign of elevated character to be a purveyor
of such trash in my opinion. Hearsay is not admissible in a courtroom and it should not be tolerated in a public forum. Let's
try to remain
civil if possible
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5/26/2006
Regarding the Red Light Camera on 155th and Central, the
Police Chief stated that red light cameras would reduce the number of accidents at an intersection. Just how many accidents
are there at 155th & Central? These cameras cost between $60,000.00 and $90,000.00 a piece (per a story online).
Seems to me that they just want to collect more money from the residents via tickets. If it's money they want, put
it on 159th & Cicero, or 159th & Central and ticket people from all over. Not that I'm in the habit of running
read lights, but I'll avoid any intersection they put it in. I was told that some cities are uninstalling some of
their cameras because people are avoiding it, they aren't generating the money they thought they would, and they haven't
even made enough to pay for the cameras.
I have enough money woes as it is...I
don't want to be tripped up by a camera that may be a few seconds off and have to pay for a ticket that I can't afford!
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5/26/2008
I read these comments everday and the only thing I can say about
them is if the citizens of Oak Forest are so upset with this mayor then we all need to get together and show her how dissappointed
we are with her. Remember that the citizens of Oak Forest have more power than the mayor does!!!!!!! Utility taxes,
garbage rates and what ever else is the problem, band together and show her how much we care about our city. We have the power
to get accomplished anything we want or don't want. Dont put too much blame on the alderman, I have recently learned that
they cant really do much. Remember, we had the power to put her in office and we have the power to get her out of office,
but we must all come together as one and let her know this..
These city officials are trying to play politics too much
and we don't need politicians running our city, we need honest people who really care about the city and its citizens.
Elect Rich Simon for mayor!!!!!! If he doent want the job, I will do it!!!!!!!!
A
concerned citizen.
Remember we have more power that the mayor thinks we do.
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5/23/2008
Kelly's teaching job in district 159 is on the line.
News reports show that 159 is on the watch list. Kelly's not tenured so if there is a reduction in force she'll be
one of the first to go. Getting a job in 142 might not be so easy. I've heard that parents in the district wouldn't
want her as their child's teacher as her character has been under recent attack.
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5/23/2008
Many, candidates? Did I miss something? Or someone?
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5/22/2008
As we get closer to the election season Oak Forest should now start looking at what the community
could use as a leader for the next few years.
When you start thinking of the
needs of our community let's see which of the many candidates will fufill the needs of our community.
Some of the items we should look at to see who is the best candidate to vote for are as follows:
1) Must review the garbage contract again to see that the contract helps the citizen's of Oak
Forest and not give the Refuse Hauler a loan before they provide our community services.
2)
The new mayor should be looking to rescind the utility tax or a part of the untility taxes. These taxes help to expand
the revenue stream, but probably should have been implemented slowly and not as a large burden to the tax payers. County
Government resisted implementing a tax burden like that for the county.
3)
We all know that the infra-structure in the community needs to be improved, but to increase the water rate by 45% in the next
3 years has shown that the city government has not been working for our best interest. We need a leader that will make
sure they plan ahead and not try to drop these burdens in large increments on the citizens.
4) As we now have the Gateway project going, but will be losing the Sales tax revenue from the car dealership
that will be moving down the street, we need to have a leader that can attract developement that will make this community
a more desirable place to live. We can look to our neighbors to see how to do that - Crestwood, Midlothian, Country
Club Hills, Tinley, and Orland have all done a better job of attracting the types of projects that would make Oak Forest a
better place for all of us. We need a leader that will stabilize the government and give development a high priority.
5) We need a mayor that has a new philosophy about government in Oak Forest. This person should
show people that doing business the way it has been done in the past will not work. Administration should be held accountable
for doing the jobs that need to be done. The philosopy of doing business in Oak Forest needs to change.
6) Do we really need cameras at 155th and Central? What is the purpose and what is the benefit
on our community? How many of our citizens will get tickets from these new devices and can we trust the company that installs
them? It does not make any sense to put these cameras on that corner. It also has been proven that the company
that will be sharing the revenue with the city has a vested interest in not making this a fair system. Who will monitor
if the timing of these cameras are correct?
7) The review of fees and ordinance
enhancement is a good thing, but now we need a government that will consistantly implement those updates. The city of
Oak Forest cannot treat some one way and some another way with enforcement of these new ordinances and fees. How come
some people have to get permits and plat of surveys and some do not have to get permits? Government and leadership of opur
community must be more consistant with this! Our Leader must be the person that makes this happen!! Taking down
a fixture on a sign to do maintenance should not change the grandfathered status of a sign!
8) Our municipal employees, Public works, police and fire department folks do a great job, the next
mayor needs to make sure they are supported in in all that they do. The mayor should work to make sure to limit the
politics that happen in these departments. That will be a great challenge for the next mayoral term. Who will
be able to step up to that task?
Oak Forest as a community has a great challenge
ahead of it, with that challenge comes an obligation to seek that best and most qualified representative for our community.
DO WE LOOK FOR CHANGE OR WILL IT BE THE SAME AS USUSAL OAK FOREST???
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5/22/2008
So the sign is down...have you seen the pile of stones
at 159th and Cicero? That's what the taxpayers of Oak Forest have to show for their $230,000. The aldermen have to stop
talking about how the city didn't pay for the signs demise, they have to explain how they can justify the waste. The relocation
of the cell tower is another $350,000. My question if anyone can answer it is why did the city settle with Sprint and castle
Corp.? Why didn't they let the courts make the decision?
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5/11/2008
I normally ignore anonymous letters and e-mails and refuse
to respond to them. However, I am tired of people who play loosely with the facts and hide behind their anonymity.
A previous writer does not know his or her history of Oak Forest. The first city manager was
Ron Feldner. He was appointed in 1971 by then Mayor Bernard Kelly. Feldner was followed in 1974 by Phil Coatar
who was appointed by Mayor Dennis O'Connor. Jim Richmond was appointed by Mayor Jim Jesk Jr. in 1976. Clerk/Collector
Robert Fitzpatrick followed Richmond in 1979 who served until Mayor Jim Malecky appointed Tom Bardusk as his administrative
assistant followed by Mike Scholefield. In 1989, Mayor Malecky appointed John Daly, who served until Mayor Richmond
appointed Bernard Kelly in 1993, and Peter Strutynski in 1996. Mayor Patrick Gordon retained Strutynski until
he appointed Kent Royster in 2001 and then Jim Rossi. Rossi served until Mayor JoAnn Kelly appointed Steve Jones in
2005. That brings us up-to-date.
I am certain that Jim Richmond
will not be our next city administrator.
I resent being called a "Bobble
Head" I suggest you look at my record: I strongly opposed the new commuter parking lot. I also
strongly opposed passage of a Utility Tax, and Cameras at traffic lights (cameras for revenue). I spoke out and
voted against the MICA insurance program proposed by Administrator Steve Jones because it would have cost taxpayers
an extra 100K. I was also against the National Municipal League proclamation because it was strongly opposed by rank
and file Oak Forest Firemen and Policemen. I did and still do oppose the firing of Don Hall from Public Works and spoke
to the Mayor and Administrator about my feelings. I would be happy to see him get his job back. I admit I have
cast votes that, at the time, appeared to be the right thing to do, but I later regretted them. We all make mistakes.
It angers me that some residents would attempt to make the moving of the
Veteran's Memorial a political issue. The Memorial is far above Slime-ball Politics. I suggest that the writers
wait until it is complete before casting judgment. I should point out that no taxpayer funds are being used for the construction
of this noble undertaking. This is a memorial to all Veterans. It is being constructed with the full cooperation and
approval of Oak Forest VFW Post 4241. In the future, I would like to see a section added so Veterans or families of
Vets can, for a fee, have the name of a Vet installed on it. These monies will be placed in a fund and used for maintenance
or improvements to the memorial. Orland Park and other towns do this.
I
truly wonder if the people who are complaining about the Memorial are Vets. If you are not a Vet, you are really not
qualified to complain about this issue. As a Veteran, I regularly speak to Vets from every walk of life and have heard
no negative comments about our new Memorial.
Those are my thoughts.
At least they are accurate.
Richard Simon, Alderman, 2nd Ward
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5/11/2008
I really enjoy the free exchange of ideas that this webpage allows
and provides. As a matter of fact as a recent home buyer in the Southwest burbs I want to thank you for your help in
helping me to look at Orland Park and Tinley Park eventhough my search started in your community. The comments regartding
the city alarmed me, carry on folks and good luck.
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5/11/2008
I heard a rumor that the queen mayor has the nerve to run for
re-election. That is totaly absurd.
Let her sit in any local barber shop and hear how much she is admired by the residents.
No where in the whole city have I heard a good word about her administration including the YES council.
I don't
know who I'm voting for, but definitly not the queen.
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5/11/2008
"Chuck Toland
How do you figure its not going
to cost any money to demolish the sign? Someone needs to foot the labor bill... Next, just where the hell would you
put that thing?"
Answer:
I
never said it would not cost anything to demolish the sign. I just said the City is not paying to demolish it.
How can I say that? Someone else is paying to demolish it.
Where would
I put it?
We are only saving the letters and electronics, so it will never
go up in the same capacity as it did before. Right now I have no opinion about it.
Have
a great week, and try to start using your real name. Real answers from real people can be obtained by giving me a call.
Chuck Toland
Bobblehead 4th Ward
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5/11/2008
Eleven months and counting. On that day the WATER TOWER
WILL SMILE AGAIN!
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5/6/2008
Nice new planter outside the City Hall Mayor. Too bad it
can't be used for the names of ALL the local veterans.
I'm sure your replacement will be able to honor our local
vets, maybe by tearing down your new planter.
Another dumb thing you and the YES-Council did.
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5/6/2008
Hank Kuspa, I wish you luck. If you can do anything with the now defunct yes-council, thanks
to the queen, it would be great.
Joke Forest needs a complete turn-around from the current administration. Oak Forest
has been distroyed by poor management.
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5/6/2008
No I didnt attend the meeting at 142, that is why I asked
if anyone had and then stated that the rumor mill is running wild. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure that
one out. As for Hank Kuspa running for mayor. He applies for a job that he is unquallified for and is rejected.
Maybe the voters will find him unquallified as our next mayor. I for one will vote for the "Queen" before
I vote for another "Pat Gordon". Can you say cronyism?
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5/5/2008
This resident hears that X-Mayor Richmond WILL apply for
the City Administrators job, but when turned down he will use that as fuel to use for his upcoming run against Mayor Kelly.
Frying Pan? Fire? We get burned either way!
The truth and nothing but the
truth.
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5/5/2008
I wish everyone would take the time to look at the budget
on the city's website. Take a look at how much money we are giving the developer who already received the land as
a gift. Kelly should be so generous with the taxpayers.
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5/5/2008
Has anyone taken the time to add up all the taxes that we
pay in Oak Forest? Gas, Phone, Cell Phone, and yes the sign that she is moving will cost us yet another tax. It's
called her tax.
She has sat up there making us pay for all her mistakes moving the metro lot across the street.
Now that took some thinking or yet a degree. Now were putting a Bank over there,as well as a drug store. What is in her head???????
We still have the Old Star building, bought by this city years ago,We still have Georges Resturant. Now if I were Mayor
I would of hired a planner that would have put the drug store where the resturant was, the Bank where the Star was and let
the Metro Lot alone. We have paid money to move as though we are playing who's on First all the time? trying to
see who get's the most money. . What is wrong with those Aldermen sitting up there?????? Where are their heads?
Can't they see the Attorney Bills? Can't they add two plus two. How many of them have filed Bankruptcy????? Seems
that is what they are trying to Oak Forest homowners. If they keep it up it won't take long. As far as hiring Richmond
for the job that Jones has , How many of you remember he had that job before. He was Fired and a new man came to town a man
by the name of Ron Feldner. What is wrong with Simon he should know that. His voters should hold him accountable. They are
the YES Council never hearing any NO VOTES. What are you people thinking or should I say Bobble-Head thinking. Now the 2nd
ward alderman started a fight last week so maybe the HONEYMOON is over? We'll wait and see. But for "GOD SAKE"
lets get some money coming into this town before we all loose our HOMES. All you do is hire then fire. You do it to
the wrong people then,reward those that take from us. Come on Kelly put your head on straight and make us look good,
you haven't done that so far. You've had 3 years but we don't seem to have made a change. We have moved stores
around. We have taken down good light poles and are taking down a sign that you can't read. Moved the Vetrans Memorial
over to City Hall in a place in front of the cars. Was there no planning there either? Come on now, STOP MAKING US LOOK AS
THOUGH WE DON'T HAVE ANY BRAINS. We as Taxpayers are really feed up with this MAYOR. She is almost as bad as her Father
was, Oh Well, so much for the town I onced lived in and to all of you may GOD BLESS you with more Money because Jones
didn't leave you much. Also where are her promises that she made to us?????????? I hope she teaches the Children in Richton
Park not to lie...Thank you for the space...That is where she teaches in case you all didn't know..............
GOD BLESS!!!!
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5/5/2008
Why did Kelly have to go outside our own Fire Department
for a new fire chief? We have several qualified individuals who could lead the department. What happened, Kelly?
Didn't have any relatives there to appoint?
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5/52008
I am thankful for the Presidents stimulas rebate. Maybe now
I can pay my water bill that just went up $400 a year.
On another note, I want to thank the queen Mayor for spending
$350,000 of our tax money, to remove the communication tower a couple of blocks away for the purpose of her NO-WAY PROJECT
at the Metra Lot which is doomed to failure.
MRS. TIN MAN!
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5/5/2008
I believe the queens new choice for Fire Chief has close
ties with OGLO (Oh Great Large one) AKA ex chief laycoax. Oh and by the way the hole that is being dug in front of city hall
is to bury all the items that couldnt be shreaded after laycoax escaped with his pension.
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5/5/2008
Chuck Toland,
How do you figure its not going to cost any money to demolish the sign? Someone has to foot the labor bill... Next,
just where the hell would you put that thing?
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5/5/2008
Hank Kuspa applied for a job at the School District? Rumor or real. Lets cut to the
chase, its a rumor. Did anyone figure out that Kuspa would be taking more than a 50 percent cut in pay. Thats real. How about
mayor kelly applying at district 142. maybe she did. I dont know. I do know that it would take more than laycoax to hire her
there. last time I checked it would take 4 votes. Thats real. lets keep the real deal real. If its a rumor or someone heard
something thats fine, but to take a rumor and regurgitate it as fact...well that just as inept as the current administration.
Go Hank...keep it real!!!!