Recap posted at www.berwyncommunitynews.com (http://www.berwyncommunitynews.com).
I had other obligations today, sorry it took so long.
Thanks Scoon!
Have you ever noticed how "quiet" the board gets when everyone is awaiting your recap?
Denise
The calm before the storm?
Great stuff, scoon; deeply appreciated.
I wish I knew the others as well as I "understand" #8 for better perspective.
Have you (anyone here) ever participated in the open forum?
Scoon - I was reading this again - and I just want to make sure I got something right....
#8 AND THE MAYOR AGREED ON AN ISSUE??????????????
I know I must be confused due to lack of sleep!
One more thing - re: the house that was sold as a 3-flat - but was on the council floor - can anyone explain how the 3-flat passed inspection before being sold????? I really think our entire home-inspection before sale thing sucks - but that's besides the point. I really think this one is giong to come around to bite the city in its a$$.
As much as I am AGAINST overcrowding - I do feel (as my son would say) really really super bad for the new owners. But, I've got to think the real estate agent has some accountability here.
Denise
well done!
it was like being there...only my ass isn't completely numb!
thanks again, scoon!
(now where's that thumb's up emoticon when you need it?)
Quote from: Bonster on August 10, 2006, 12:06:34 AM
I wish I knew the others as well as I "understand" #8 for better perspective.
Your starting line up...
#1 Nona Chapman - Very knowledgeable, usually the one to offer a solution to a situation when there's a fiasco brewing, not afraid to ask the tough question or take an unpopular stance.
#2 Jim Ramos - Seems a bit on the unprepared side during meetings, rather inconsistent in regards to getting involved in discussion. Sometimes appears to be confused.
#3 Mark Weiner - Wants to get Berwyn out of the 1950s and will vote for change. Prone to sarcastic remarks. A good guy who sees potential in Berwyn and wants to realize it.
#4 Michele Skryd - Very nice lady, advocate for police and fire, appears to be O'Connor's biggest supporter. Nothing bad to say about her... except it's sometimes hard to hear her.
#5 Ben Brocato - Nice guy who's very popular in his ward and seems to not be involved in the party crap. Sometimes appears to be confused, but is genuine.
#6 Mike Phelan - Local business man, has a chip on his shoulder against The Mayor and is disenfranchised with the IVB. Votes and raises issues as such. Has good intentions but gets lumped in with #8.
#7 Bobby Lovero - Probably the best leader on the council and one of the more knowledgable. Gets lumped into the "previous administration" quite a bit, but appears to be all for keeping things on the up and up.
#8 Joel Erickson - Well... what can I say. The man is a legend.
These are my opinions from seeing them in meetings and/or insight after meeting some of them in person. I tried to be fair here and not be too negative. Just honest. Ultimately I think they all have the best of intentions (no matter how misplaced in one case) and I respect them for doing a thankless job like being Alderman.
What happened b/w #6 and #8 and the Mayor? WHen did this rift occur? Can it be traced back to a single occurance?
Just curious.
Denise
Quote from: delbowz on August 10, 2006, 10:13:04 AM
What happened b/w #6 and #8 and the Mayor? WHen did this rift occur? Can it be traced back to a single occurance?
Just curious.
Denise
You'd have to ask them to know for sure, but I've gathered that alot of it stems from disappointment over the patronage appointments.
Thank you very much scoon.
Your craft is appreciated.
Quote from: delbowz on August 10, 2006, 10:13:04 AM
What happened b/w #6 and #8 and the Mayor? WHen did this rift occur? Can it be traced back to a single occurance?
Just curious.
Denise
It wasn't patronage appointments.
The mayor driving a city vehicle, something about the cell phone bills. Cement trucks getting ticketed on street cleaning day (though you'd think the brown shirts would have the sense to recognize construction is occuring, and not write the ticket...but that to me is common sense). Also the removal of trees at 19th and Wesley for a condo project. I've probably forgotten some things. This all occured in the 1st 6 months.
Not sure what happened with Erickson.
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on August 10, 2006, 11:30:36 AM
but that to me is common sense
Brian - you know better. This is Berwyn... common sense seems not to be so common here.. (e.g. our new parking ordinance)
Denise
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on August 10, 2006, 11:30:36 AM
It wasn't patronage appointments.
I'll retract that and say the appearance of patronage appointments has alot to do with it.
Quote from: scoon on August 10, 2006, 12:07:47 PM
Quote from: OakParkSpartan on August 10, 2006, 11:30:36 AM
It wasn't patronage appointments.
I'll retract that and say the appearance of patronage appointments has alot to do with it.
That was later. What I listed were the things which were being said last September (during Oktoberfest). That was what created the initial bad feelings. The condo parking was where things blew up. The appointments came later.
Cheers,
Brian
"The Berwyn Police Department is organizing the West Suburban Gang Task Force which will include Cicero, Lyons, Stickney, Riverside, North Riverside, Oak Park, Chicago... in the mean time, two nites a week the Illinois State Police Gang and Gun task force is here in Berwyn. On their first nite they made 3 drug arrests, 3 arrest warrants were served, and 3 arrests were made for cocaine possession. "
Any mention if this arrangement in permanent? A few more eyes and ears --- even two nights a week -- gives me hope? Anyone know if it is the same nights every week? -- so I can call then and try again to get my junkie neighbors busted...
Quote from: OakParkSpartan
...The condo parking was where things blew up.
Was #6s objection to the tree removal for condo parking situation that it wasn't brought up for a vote or something? Because otherwise, I'd much rather lose a few trees and gain another condo development than have what's happening with the Section 8 crap just a few steps further away...
Has #6 done anything proactive with regard to that deteriorating situation?
I would like to be a fly on the wall during the COW meetings. It is my understanding that that's why we have a meeting before the meeting to iron out differences and then be able to vote peacefully and accomplish at least a few things each council meeting!
So, what do you guys/gals do behind those close doors, that when you come out you still can't figure it out????
Would it help if maybe you limited the number of items , for the sake of an argument let's say 10 issues on the agenda,and if they have to be carried over until resolved, then that's what would have to happen. You could almost pretend your a jury and no one is leaving until the problem is worked out. I bet the men would give in first !!
Denise,
When we market a property we order an inspection. At the time of the inspection the city tells us what we have as far as apartments.
The bank does it's appraisal based on what the city says. If it is a tree flat the bank does the appraisal as a three flat. If it is a two flat it does the appraisal as such. We as Realtors do not have much wiggle room as far as that is concerned.
That property was issued a certificate of compliance saying it was a three flat. Transfer stamps were issued on that compliance. Let me recap:
1) Original inspection was completed.
2) Re-inspection was done to make sure the repairs were done.
3) Certificate of Compliance was issued.
4) Transfer stamps were issued.
At any time before transfer stamps were issued the city could have stopped the process. The buyer had a attorney, if the attorney thought anything was not on the up and up he would have cried foul and stopped the closing...the bank would have done the same along with the title company.
Denise there are alot of steps involved before a closing happens were the city could correct a mistake that they made. Most of the time they have no problems doing that. As far as Realtors are involved we have to go by what the city dictates.
Once again: Bravo Scoon!
Payment in the form of fermented beverages of your choice will be delivered. You pick the time and place.
Scoon,
I think there was also a discussion about spraying for mosquitos, as Berwyn has had one trap test positive for West Nile. I also believe it was stated that conditions were not good for West Nile this summer.
This article would lead you to believe otherwise.
West Nile virus warning issued for south Cook
Published August 11, 2006
Concerned by the large number of mosquitoes that have tested positive for the West Nile virus in the south suburbs, the Cook County Department of Public Health on Thursday urged county residents to take extra precautions when going outside to avoid mosquito bites.
"This is definitely the time to be as vigilant as possible by wearing repellent with DEET or limiting the hours you are outside," Stephen Martin Jr., the agency's chief operating officer, said in a prepared statement. "The threat of illness is very real based on the samples collected throughout the suburban area."
A higher risk of the virus exists when at least 10 percent of mosquitoes trapped by public health agencies test positive for the illness, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Since the beginning of July, 18 percent of mosquitoes tested in the south suburbs have been positive, officials said. Traps have repeatedly recorded positive mosquito pools in the last three weeks, Martin said.
The County Public Health Department also collects a few dead birds for tests. So far, six from suburban Cook have tested positive for West Nile.
Thank you Brian... I think that's what they were talking about when I walked in.
Thanks Brian for posting the piece from Cook County. Berwyn is considered west Cook County and the report sited south Cook, maybe the mosquitoes will stay south of I-55 this summer.
Who gets to decide our fate? Does the health department give the command to spray or give the recommendation to the City?
Terri