Recent Posts
Papa's Pizza Closing After 40 Years in Business
I was unable to leave the house today. I ordered a pizza from Papa's delivered. Cheese, sausage, onions, green pepper, mushrooms, & black olives and EXTRA cheese. One of the best pizza's I ever tasted. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 08/21/12 17:20 (Aug 21, 2012 | post #21)
I have lots of friends, many at city hall, most listen to me. But not all heed my advice. The asbestos in the old school was public knowledge, even in the news if I recall. The contamination at the Wille site is also common knowledge. I thought I addressed that by saying the relocation was going to be expensive. Clean up would be included in any relocation plan. For your education, Aldermen don't get things done in the city, except for their threat of a negative vote. They just vote. The Mayor, city adminstrator, or PW director need to address the issue at Gateway. Finally, it seems odd you would take issue with the mother of an aldermen, not even connected with the ward the problem is in? And as a parent, I would never try to influence by child, contrary to his/her wishes, or the wishes of his/her constituents. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 08/21/12 11:45 (Aug 21, 2012 | post #11)
OF Watch - I too agree with your comments. That was the best plan. Problem was it sucked up too much money. An alternative proposal was a parking deck south of 159th west of the RI tracks, replacing those apartments. Then the train stop could have been moved south of 159th also. If I recall, it was less than half the price. But it didn't fit the bill of making commuters walk past the shops. I question that philosophy. When to took the train, I wanted my walk & wait short, no need to shop during that process. The Wille Bros infrastructure is expensive to relocate. I suspect it'll be a while before they have an incentive to move. That corner has a lot of potential. We just need some innovative people in charge to get it done. AND as Ruth stated, keep it looking good for now. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 08/21/12 09:20 (Aug 21, 2012 | post #8)
New Electricity Supplier Switchover Starts Aug. 6
I'm not aware of how many ARES the city solicited bids for, but I do know their result was very successful. It's a savings for anyone NOT previously on a special ComEd rate. That is, any normal residential service rate. I happen to be on a special rate and did not choose to participate in the aggregation plan. These rates are things such as time of day pricing, electric space heating, water heating, etc. If you don't have one of those, you're best going with the city's plan, at least until next spring. It's a very complex issue for anyone on special rates. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 07/27/12 19:00 (Jul 27, 2012 | post #9)
New Electricity Supplier Switchover Starts Aug. 6
If I recall correctly, anyone not using ComEd's default provider would not receive any notification. They would NOT be automatically converted to the city's new ARES. It would be up to them to shop around, as they have done in the past. I suspect, the City's deal would be a savings for most people. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 07/23/12 19:15 (Jul 23, 2012 | post #7)
Ms Ensing is correct. Not only did Oak Forest pass on the full increase of other municipalities, they added to it! The city does bill sewerage for water that isn't directed into the sewer system. But there really isn't any fair way to resolve that issue. They also bill for unused water, but I support that charge, to pay for the infrastructure. I actually believe the "flat rate" is a bit low for their actual expenditures. But I disagree they should bill users for "lost" water, which I brought up at a city council meeting. If they're losing that much water, they should bill property taxpayers for that and correct the problem. Then they should repair the leaks using bonds to pay for the work. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 07/21/12 09:55 (Jul 21, 2012 | post #48)
New Electricity Supplier Switchover Starts Aug. 6
The City had a similar problem when they implemented their utility taxes. Some outside the city limits were charged, while some inside weren't. Perhaps there's still some errors, more likely near the borders. If anyone is getting charged the city's utility tax, but didn't get a letter, it's likely the post office. I only received one letter from a third party, and nothing from ComEd. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 07/21/12 08:25 (Jul 21, 2012 | post #4)
Electrical Aggregation Referendum-Yes or No?
I have submitted my opt-out form. But most people will realize some considerable savings from this program. I have been recommending most just go along with it, i.e. do not respond. I'm pretty disappointed in the propaganda sent to me. For one, the financial numbers were inaccurate regarding savings. And although the city paid a premium for green energy, The FirstEnergy environmental disclosure shows ComEd's sources of energy. But theirs is from: "Unknown resources purchased from other companies." Hardly something I'd be willing to pay extra money for! Then in terms and conditions: "FES does not offer budget billing." But in Q&A, "Your budget billing will not be affected by your participation in this program." Given that the city of Oak Forest signed the letter, I assumed they at least read it? For those who go along, some may have to get clarification. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 06/19/12 14:30 (Jun 19, 2012 | post #61)
City Council Approves First-Ever Water Survey
Oak Forest charges me a sewer fee of $1.52 per 1000 gallons of water that I use. Regardless of whether or not it goes down the sewer. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 04/16/12 12:50 (Apr 16, 2012 | post #25)
City Council Approves First-Ever Water Survey
Let me begin by saying I support the water rate study and its associated costs. It should have been completed prior to the last rate increases. I'm still not convinced Manhard is the proper consultant to use. I really believe all our elected officials have the best interests of the city in mind. But, they don't have the necessary expertise to perform their jobs in an optimal manner. The city staff's expertise is also limited. Occasionally the city must pay for outside help in order to guide them. The important thing is that they pay attention to the outside guidance. I'm pretty disappointed in our direction so far as many others are. But I'm still trying to believe in rehabilitation rather than replacement. For those that say "throw the incumbents out" I ask what will they be replaced with? I send email expressing my opinions to my elected officials. I hope those of you complaining are also communicating with them in some sort of manner. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 04/15/12 18:05 (Apr 15, 2012 | post #21)
I couldn't agree more. I'm not sure if it was this administration, but the aldermen responsible for her dismissal are still there. It was politics at it's worst in this town. We have forest preserves and wildlife on all sides. She was told to perform illegal acts, and refused. AND, speaking of pigs. She and I did manage to help a pot bellied pig remain a resident of this town. Not sure if the Mayor (my boss) knew, but as they say, it never hurt him. I can't comprehend why a city surrounded by forest preserves wouldn't support a full time animal control officer. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 04/04/12 17:00 (Apr 4, 2012 | post #20)
I knew the previous animal control officer very well. I dealt with her as city administrator and she helped me evict a mother raccoon from the attic in my home. She rescued a few dogs in my neighborhood, and skillfully handled the unlawful traps set by one of my neighbors. They were live traps set, but ignored so any animal caught would simply die from lack of food or water. I'm aware of the circumstances of her departure and was quite disappointed with that decision by the city. I have never met the current animal control officer, but from the sound of the posts, I sure would be honored. What I do know is people that perform those types of jobs have a real, sincere love of animals. Given the animal incidents this city is faced with, I do believe it's appropriate that we would have a FULL time animal control officer. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 04/04/12 12:35 (Apr 4, 2012 | post #16)
Electrical Aggregation Referendum-Yes or No?
The issues of electrical aggregation and the new 1% sales tax are separate. The common point is distrust of our city administration & elected officials. Although it's legal, I have always felt the opt-out plan was immoral. I was in favor of the opt-in plan, but no more. I'm comforted by what I'm told by their efforts to mitigate "slamming. " I expect to be able to opt-out using some painless procedure. On the other hand, I'm quite concerned about the sales tax proposal. I'm not going to seriously oppose it, because I just won't pay it. My concern is for the businesses here that will see a decline in their revenue and ability to pay their property taxes. Future businesses will be reluctant to choose Oak Forest over other towns that don't have the tax. When people purchase goods elsewhere because of the high tax, they don't take away 1%, they take away the entire tax from the city and revenue from our merchants that support the city. This could be the "death spiral" for economic development in this city. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 03/24/12 14:40 (Mar 24, 2012 | post #56)
Electrical Aggregation Referendum-Yes or No?
Can you forward that email to me? That is false, and I will straighten this out. I will keep your email address strictly confidential. If that dooesn't work for you name the alderman. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 03/23/12 15:05 (Mar 23, 2012 | post #51)
How about sharing that budget link with us? I did a search on the Oak Forest web site for BUDGET, and it came up with four advertisements, three for rental cars. There were other things, but don't know which is the current proposed budget if it's even there. I never receive any email from my alderman. I'm pretty sure I'll have some comments if I can see the budget. Jim Rossi jprinbox-topix@yah oo.com 03/16/12 12:10 (Mar 16, 2012 | post #9)
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