So after two threads of blathering on about integrity and lecturing Ms. Grau on accuracy and other matters, you finally acknowledge what many of us were saying all along……”politics ain’t beanbag”…..this was nothing but politics.

I wonder if the results of the appeal are the reason for Mr. Thillens apology for his bathroom humor.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Apparently you missed the significance of our comment about “politics” coming AFTER our governmental point that running for the office isn’t like running for student council.

Speaking of arcane, and apologies for veering off topic, what’s up with the sign regulations? I know of two new business owners frustrated beyond belief that they can’t have more prominent signage for their stores. The new coffee/bakery owner on Vine next to the tracks said he’d love to put something on the side and/ or back of his building so train passengers will see their presence — nothing garish or electronic but the city will only allow them a 2×4 sign, nowhere near optimal. It would be sad to see another great non chain business come and go simply because they can’t promote themselves as well as they might elsewhere.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Did the owner not investigate the sign ordinance before he rented a storefront that’s not very visible to train passengers, especially those coming from the north side of the tracks?

3:44 it’s probably a good thing he didn’t or he’d likely be operating somewhere else right now.

So that’s it? You don’t like our sign restrictions, go somewhere else? Sounds like the perfect formula for keeping businesses out of PR.

EDITOR’S NOTE: YOU are “3:44.”

Whether the sign ordinance is good, bad or ugly, but if you need an 8×6 foot sign on the back or side of the building you’re renting in order to successfully promote your business, then you had better be looking into the sign ordinance BEFORE you sign the lease and opened your doors – not AFTER you’ve signed the lease and started operating.

Agree 100% on the liquor issue. Have been saying this for years. For anyone to suggest that this opens up the doors to teenagers getting liquor does not understand that the only way teenagers can get liquor from these stores is by breaking other laws. By limiting the responsible adult population only lead them to buy or frequent establishments outside of Park Ridge…Kudos for changing these ordinances.

3:44:

That is nothing. They made dunkin donuts take down a sign in an existing sign pole. The pole is still there with the cleaners sign but the bottom half sits empty. Just plain stupid!!

EDITOR’S NOTE: It’s called “grandfathering” and we wrote about it and the Dunkin’ Donuts sign in our 02.06.13 post. And as we recall, that was a situation where the Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee also didn’t check the sign ordinance before signing HIS lease – and the landlord didn’t tell him that he didn’t have sign rights.

I have no problem with having people comply with existing sign regulations, whether they read it or not. I would just hope that our government would make reasonable variances, for lack of a better term, and, more importantly, learn from the cases that come before them and change the code to at least try to avoid some of these stupid things in the future.

You correctly point out an old and just plain dumb liquor code. I agree, and think some other codes could use some revisiting as well.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Zoning Code needs major fixing.

Codes should be written so that you don’t need variances. That’s the main problem with our Zoning Code: it’s got so many holes in it that it invites a constant stream of variance-chasers.

Yes I know I am 3:44, I guess the “Re” in front of it disappeared into cyberspace. And yes I know about DD and it’s really unfortunate the the city won’t consider exceptions to certain regulations if it will help keep businesses in town.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Glad we got that straightened out.

If the codes and regulations are bad they should be changed. But why should the City be giving “exceptions” to businesses run by folks who don’t read the codes/regulations, or who simply choose to disregard them?

It’s time we stopped rewarding the angle-players and opportunists who would rather ask for forgiveness instead of permission. If they’re too stupid or too arrogant to comply with the codes/regulations, that’s they’re problem. It shouldn’t become the taxpayers’ or the Council’s.

I am very happy with the rewrite of the liquor ordinance, it’s long overdue. But if it has to pass P&Z as the proposed changes to the sign ordinance did, it’s doomed. Which will be a shame. Those people are hopelessly mired in the past and heaven forbid there should be any change to any ordinance to bring it into the 21st century. And as I recall, Ald. Mazzucca was right there with them. Sheesh!

EDITOR’S NOTE: We believe the P&Z Commission does a reasonable job of applying and enforcing what we view as an inferior Zoning Code.

I am glad that Ms. Grau is on the ballot, but I am also glad that there was a challenge to the ballots for reasons that you wrote about. This IS serious business and should be treated as such.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Agreed.

This does make your traditional endorsement post for the upcoming PD board election very interesting. I mean your last “endorsement” of Mel was as much of a teardown of his record and abilities as anything else. You even went so far as to suggest voting for Mel was a double win (Madigan out of power and Mel off the park board).

That is going to be a hard position to reverse course from but I am sure you will find a way.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Your first paragraph is correct. So what makes you think we would “reverse course”?

It is a hunch more than anything. Perhaps it has something to do with your “social friends”.

I can see it now….”while we have been all over Mr. Thillens on this blog in the past, he did rally the board to avoid a tax increase and at least he can properly fill out election forms…..yada….yada….therefore we give a lukewarm endorsement…..yada…yada”

EDITOR’S NOTE: That’s not the way we roll.

I don’t think that it is necessarily a good thing to allow the serving of alcohol until 2pm. Seems like we are asking for more drunk driving in Park Ridge. At least before if you stopped at 11pm, folks had time to sober up before leaving. Now they can drink until closing time.

Let’s see if we have more drunk driving tickets after this passes to see if it is such a great idea.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We assume you meant 2:00 a.m.

Are you suggesting that somebody in one of our local restaurants who might be drunk by the time he/she is cut off at 11:00 p.m. will stay at that restaurant for another hour or two in order to sober up? Seriously?

2:10:

Back in my youth ( ohhh so long ago) we used to leave one bar when they closed to go to another with a later license, but I digress.

So you think there will suddenly be this huge increase when there are 2AM bars less than a mile down northwest hwy???

Reminds me of all the “panic” about whole foods serving alcohol……..ahhhhhh!!!

EDITOR’S NOTE: And all those drunks leaving Rivers and driving through Park Ridge.

What’s difference between drinking at a bar till 2 a.m. or a friend’s house till 2 a.m.? What’s the big deal?

EDITOR’S NOTE: A friend will let you sleep on the couch?

Not being a late night owl, what restaurants are open in Park Ridge until 2am? If the restaurants are only open until 11pm anyways, what difference will changing the law make?

On a slightly different note, will this change the hours of the Taste of Park Ridge so that it goes until 2am so more food and alcohol can be served?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Which is why we think any business licensed to serve or sell liquor should be able to do it whenever it is open for business.

maybe if they served alcohol you’d be more interested in getting some retail stores here?

EDITOR’S NOTE: We’re NOT interested in “getting some retail stores here.”

As we’ve been saying for years: businesses, including retail stores, will come here if they think they can make money here. And the owners of those businesses can figure that out far better than can any of our elected or appointed officials, or several of those jamokes on the Economic Development Advisory Task Force whose brightest idea of attracting retail to Park Ridge is to bribe them with taxpayer money.

Thanks Bob- now only of this was really “This American Life”!

EDITOR’S NOTE: There’s nothing that’s more “American Life” than elections of the people who will govern as our representatives.

Maybe a bar can open up until 2am and do a fundraiser to plow our main streets???????

Seriously, can anyone address why snow plowing is always the worst in the area in Park Ridge? How are main streets not even salted yet? (12pm)…10 hours after snow ended.

Is it number of personnel? Budget? Overtime? Bad equipment?
I don’t want to hear, “oh give me an example”. Here’s one: EVERYWHERE in Park Ridge is ALWAYS worse than our neighbors.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Those are good questions, so show up tonight at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. and ask them of people who should have answers.

But having driven a few blocks into Edison Park at 6:00 a.m. this morning, we know for a fact that many of those streets weren’t any better than Park Ridge streets. So much for your “EVERYWHERE.”

Coming back from one of those Edison Park bars?

Glad you acknowledge that only “some” of the Economic Development Task Force members were in favor of giving Whole Foods a financial incentive. A number of us were not. But you are incorrect in characterizing that incentive to Whole Foods as “the brightest idea for attracting retail to Park Ridge.” I recall, as will the Mayor and all of the aldermen at that time, that a revamp of our embarrassing website — especially the “doing business with Park Ridge” section — and a number of other useful, relatively inexpensive solutions were proposed. And no, I’m not talking about the restoration of the Economic Development director that every other community has. Just some elbow grease and business-friendly positioning suggested by people who do a lot of that in real life.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Nope, looking for commuter parking because Park Ridge’s Summit track-side parking and its “Scharringhausen” lot were unplowed.

We addressed the EDATF’s folly in our 02.26.13 post (“Meet The New Retail, Same As The Old Retail?”). If you want to discuss any specific brilliant ideas, bring ’em on.

12:48:

Thank you! You win the prize!! As I cleared my drive way after the game last night I was wondering who would be the first to bitch about the plowing. It would not be a snore storm in PR without someone complaining about plowing.

Ohare got 19 inches and it snowed well into the night. The window blew All night long. In other words, stop your whining!!!!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Beefing about anything is okay so long as it’s a legitimate beef. And the best way to determine if it’s a legitimate beef is for the beefer to show up at City Hall in open session and register his/her beef.

12:48 pm-Agree with our assessment of the snow removal in Park Ridge-it is terrible. Chicago may not be a fair comparison but you know when you have crossed over from Park Ridge into Niles or Des Plaines.

The lack of adequate snow removal is a safety hazard and having called public works on numerous occasions they just don’t seem to care. Or they are being pressured by the city manager/city council to incur no overtime as the crews can only be on for 9 hours at a time per their contract. We seem to be getting less and less for our tax dollars to the city.

It is time for the city to ban ALL street parking so the snow crews clear streets free of cars. The snow removal would likely be better and could go faster if they don’t have to go around cars. If you own a home put your car on your driveway or in your garage. Multi unit housing should have enough parking on the property for the residents cars. The streets should not be used for anyone homeowner or renters overflow vehicles.

And yes the current alderman has been contacted on this issue during previous storms. Not sure why the city would be hesitant to enact the ban on all street parking after a 2″ snow fall.

EDITOR’S NOTE: “We seem to be getting less and less for our tax dollars to the city” assumes that all the rest of the costs of City government are remaining stagnant. That’s not the case, as anyone who is paying attention to the increasing costs of City government such as the Uptown TIF and redevelopment (backloaded by the former mayors and alderdopes a decade ago) and continuing through the increase in the cost of water (thank you, Chicago) and the raises to public employees that are not tied to performance (some of which the current Mayor and Council ARE accountable).

The questions should be: are we paying more for “public works” services; and, if so, what are we getting for it?

Anon 231- It’s not only this storm. it’s every storm where the snow plowing is terrible. I really wonder if Park Ridge even uses salt.

Quit being an apologist for crappy city services. By Noon, main streets should be clear. As I said in my post, it was after Noon, when several main streets sucked.

I mean they couldn’t even clear city parking lots? So, what is the problem?

Personnel? Budget? OT? Bad machinery? Global warming?

EDITOR’S NOTE: All good questions, which you should have asked at last night’s Council meeting; or at next week’s Committee of the Whole meeting.

Clarity on how to clear snow???

in my laymans opinion, the unplowed streets are the indirect result of lower property taxes here in PR. I’ve got friends in various other suburbs who pay $10k+ in real estate taxes on their $300k-$400k homes (ie buffalo grove, arl hts and mt prospect). a $300kish home in PR won’t have five figures in taxes. out streets are Also still only marginally plowed and that’s Ok with me.

EDITOR’S NOTE: First of all, you need to distinguish how much of that tax bill goes to the City (v. goes to D-64, D-207 and the Park District, none of which goes toward plowing the streets).

Beyond that, perhaps the question that should be asked of the Public Works Director is: “What would it have taken – in manpower, trucks and cash – to have had Park Ridge streets and parking lots cleared by 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 2?” And then the Council could debate whether that’s worth the investment.

Actually, PubDog is a Johnny-come-lately to the bitching about inadequate plowing in Park Ridge. Every other PR-related blog on Facebook as well as live comments from a half-dozen Park Ridge residents from all over the City have complained in my presence about it. “Embarrassing” was the
best one. Big piles of snow left on Devon in the actual driving lanes, no salt except for actual intersections (even though icy street lengths pose a danger if a mid-block stop or swerve is needed), etc. You said at 6 a.m. Monday Edison Park still needed plowing, but by 11 a.m. most places outside Park Ridge were done.So what gives? If it’s the usual excuse — the budget — the cost/benefit analysis might need a quick review.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Too bad your anonymous “presence” is absence, or a “presence” in Morton Grove.

But we do agree with you that a “cost/benefit” analysis might be worth doing. And maybe our former mayors and aldermen responsible for the Uptown TIF debt will come out of their bunkers and explain how paying an extra $600K or so this year to service that increased back-end loaded debt is a better use of taxpayer money than spending it on snow removal or flood control.

“Quit being an apologist for crappy city services. By Noon, main streets should be clear. As I said in my post, it was after Noon, when several main streets sucked”.

I am not an apologist. I just understand that 19 inches plus 35-40 mph winds makes it difficult to clear snow in an entire city.

May I ask did you just move here from Florida?? What are your expectations?? I drove in Des Plaines as well as Jefferson Park Yesterday and it was the same as PR. Jefferson Park was pure hell on the side streets.

I live on an alley and it was plowed when I left the house at 6:30AM. I had to break through the snow that was in front of my garage door from the loader (you would probable bitch about that too) but once I did that I had no problems in a rear wheel drive car.

Here is an idea…let’s make the streets radiant heat!!

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you “live on an alley and it was plowed when [you] left the house at 6:30 AM,” you must be the mayor or an alderman…of Chicago! Either that, or Public Works has some screwed up priorities, because some of the main streets weren’t fully plowed by then, nor were the commuter lots on either side of the tracks.

I cannot speak to their priorities but it is clear they sent a loader down the alleys in my neighborhood sometime during the night after the storm passed. I cannot speak for all the alleys in PR. Perhaps they knew many people would be trying to get their cars out of garages and down the alleys in the morning and knew that the streets, while not perfect were drivable.

EDITOR’S NOTE: And what special neighborhood might that be?

Anon 1146am- Reading isn’t your thing. MAIN STREETS were not plowed yesterday by noon… OR TODAY (Tuesday) by 11am.
Ever hear of Devon? It was pure snow with snow pile ups in intersections.

I’m sorry the “it’s too cold for salt” line that Public Works is using through the Mayor is garbage too. Is is that much warmer north of Oakton, or east of canfield on Devon?

If your alley was done before a main street then someone should be fired today.

We are being fed a line and I want accountability.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Maybe Niles and Chicago buy stronger salt?

YOU CAN ASK ABOUT THAT TONIGHT AT 7:00 PM AT CITY HALL – LISTEN TO PUBLIC WORKS ATTEMPT TO JUSTIFY ITS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2015-16 BUDGET.

Yesterday I drove on Cumberland, Cortland, Touchy, Busse Hwy, Oakton, Greenwood to Dempster to Potter and back to Northwest Hwy.

All of the roads I above were a non-issue. Were some of thems still snow covered in places??…..OF COURSE!!!! They were plowed but still snow covered in places, just like after any 19inch snow storm.

Sorry I missed Devon. I will say that I simply do not believe your statement that Devon was NOT PLOWED by noon yesterday. I am sure it had been plowed many times over night and into the morning. If I read your post correctly you are now saying that it was not even plowed buy 11AM today?!?!?!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Our “post” said nothing of the sort, only some commentators did.

sorry….the post was replying to 3:53. I should have stated that.

Yes anon 4:43 still was covered in snow as late morning today (Tuesday).

Salt was not applied, so driving on a main street covered in snow and ice is not acceptable.

I consider a street “cleared”, when yes, it is CLEAR! Like, you can see pavement. Somehow Higgins (chicago side), Harlem (niles side) and areas all over somehow manage it 24, even 12 hours after a storm! You can actually see blacktop!

But I guess if you consider “cleared”, driving on snow, then it’s perfect in Park Ridge.

7:18:

I have driven all over the burbs as well as into the city to visit in-laws in the last 72 hours. That includes Des Plaines, Rosemont, Niles, Skokie and Mount Prospect. As background, I grew up in the Milwaukee area, lived in Chicago for 18 years and have lived in PR for 10 years. I can honestly say to that the plowing for this storm is not dramatically different in any of these other towns or from any storm or this size I have experienced in the Midwest.

Of course I will acknowledge that there is a part of this that is a matter of opinion. What bothers you may not bother me and visa versa. There was a ridge at the end of my alley this morning from the plowing of the street. Apparently you would look at that and completely freak out. I simply drove through the ridge and continued on to Starbuck’s……silly me!!

So where were you last year?? I mean the current road conditions in PR were what we dealt with for much of last winter I do not recall this type of bitching.

Beyond that, I guess all I can do is echo what PD has said and encourage you to show up at a meeting. I would also strongly urge you to consider a move south. If road conditions like this get you this crazy you should get away from the snow, period. Life is too short.

By the way I drove to uptown down Stewart this morning. I also drove on Cortland, Prospect and Belle Plaine. They were all plowed but covered with snow…..ahhhhhh!!!

EDITOR’S NOTE: We suspect the beefers are a combination of general malcontents and political opponents of the current administration. Nevertheless, the issues are legitimate, irrespective of their source – which is why they are the subject of today’s (02.04.15) post.