Berwyn is gearing up for the
April 2010 Census count.

It is important that everyone complete the census form that you will receive.

Berwyn receives $165/year for 10 years from the federal government for each person counted.
So, the higher the count, the more funds available for our schools, community block grants, etc.
I’ll have more information about Berwyn’s census initiative in later issues.

3rd Ward resident, Linda Szarfinski is asking for your help to convince the Burlinton Northern and Sante Fe and Metra to keep the pedestrian crossing between Harlem and Oak Park open. The closure is part of the renovations that have been taking place all summer.  crossingThe RR says the closure is for safety reasons. Linda believes that asking pedestrians, students included, to walk a further distance to either OP or Harlem will increase risk, not limit it.

If you would like to help Linda and other commuters save the pedestrian crossing, please e-mail her at:
Linda.Szarfinski@ppmamerica.com

Thank you to all those who organized one for their neighbors.
Our block had our first party. It was a great success. We have already started thinking of next year.

There are still many great weekends until the snow falls. Who says you have to cram a block party between Memorial Day and Labor Day?

You can obtain the forms and directions for getting your block party approved at the City Clerk’s office at City Hall. You need to have the party approved by the City Council, so get your petition in at least 3 weeks before your event.
Try to include as many neighbors as you can in the planning stage so that everyone feels like it’s their party too, not just yours.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need assistance:
(708) 788-3361

Depot District Oktoberfest (Stanley and Windsor Aves between Oak Park and Grove) New this year: Dogtoberfest. Yes, they say you can come and “Have a pint with your pooch.” The Depot District Special Events Committee joins with the Urban Mutt making the annual Oktoberfest dog, kid, and people friendly. Thee will be a “Doggie lounge” were you and your significant canine can share a brew. They are also hosting a “mini-bag toss” tourney and other festivities.

Official sites:
http://berwynoktoberfest.com/

http://www.dog-toberfest.com/

What information do you need from the City that you can’t easily obtain from their web site?

Let me know and I will try to make the 3rd Ward Web useful to you. Visit the “Contact Me” page for contact information

The Berwyn Arts Council invites you to participate in this wonderful event. They call on all artists to join in the fun. You can participate by calling (708)484-7201 or e-mailing the Poe coordinators at poefest@gmail.com. Art, sculpture, photography, writing ,proetry, theater, dance….Your talent and art expression are all welcome.
“Read some Poe. Do some art. Join the party.”

Tammy Clausen was appointed as the new Berwyn Public Library Director. Congratulations! Ms. Clausen has worked for BPL as Outreach Director for some time. She has worked tirelessly to have the BPL partner with Berwyn community organizations. This effort has raised the importance of, and appreciation for,a vibrant library in many minds. Ms. Clausen’s appointment came after a national search conducted by the Library Board. Kudos to them.

Ald. Chapman submitted a communication asking that all city departments reduce expenditures by 10%. It was accepted as informational and will be referred to all department heads.

Ald. Skryd submitted a communication suggesting that parking meters be placed on Cermak Rd
. She cited the current economic climate and lack of parking for store customers as support for this idea. The matter was referred to COW.

Mark-It Corp. will be awarded the contract to do curb painting and pavement marking.
The contract amount is $93,782.50.

Payroll for the 2-week period was $922,407.54. Expenditures for the same period were $788,669.20

Here is the link to the audit report on the city’s web site: http://www.berwyn-il.gov/pdf/Finance/2008_CAFR-Final.pdf. A big thank you goes out to Sabine Krauss for tracking it down. If you only read the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section (p.9-p.23) you will come away with a better grasp of the city’s revenues and expenditures.

Mr. Wysocki warned that the city faces a budget shortfall of 2.5 million dollars in fiscal year 2009. Berwyn Life reporter Danya Hooker gives a fair explanation of the issue in her August 12, 2009 article. You can read it at: http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/berwyn/archive/x1886160335/Berwyns-budget-is-anything-but

I am still slogging through the audit report and accompanying Management Letter from Sikich,LLP the firm that conducted the audit. A nagging question is why the Berwyn Fire Department was over budget by more than a quarter of a Million Dollars (Audit Report, p. 94). Browse further and you see that the police department was $265,331 under budget thereby saving the day and bringing the Public Safety expenses under budget for 2008 by $5,573. Congrats Chief Kushner and the Berwyn Police Department.

There is a lot to discuss with regard to the city’s 2009 budget. Too much for this issue. I’ll send out an additional e-blast soon to tell you how the Lovero administration will close the budget deficit…or not (sorry Ald. Weiner, had to do it LOL)

Sergeant Skryd publicly promoted.
The Skryd saga is over in Berwyn. Sergeant Skryd received a handshake and applause as his promotion was recognized during the City Council meeting. At a prior council meeting, I voted against promoting him.

Earlier in the day, I joined former Ald. Mark Weiner and others at the Police and Fire Commission meeting. The commissioners were going to ratify a prior decision they had made to confirm Sgt. Skryd’s promotion. The commissioners had apparently discussed the promotion during a “teleconference” held on July 20th.

Three Commissioners, representatives from the Berwyn Police and Fire Departments and unions comprise the board. On behalf of 3rd Ward residents, I asked that the commission make sure that this situation never occurs again. I also asked how the three commissioners could conduct a teleconference on July 20th without violating the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

A lively discussion ensued. Ald. Skryd arrived at some point during our discussion to photograph us….for a scrap book, no doubt. I came away with a better understanding of the promotion process, a belief that the three commissioners (all upstanding gentlemen in our community) would not knowingly violate a state law, and one unanswered question: If Sergeant Skryd met all the criteria for promotion without the bogus sheepskin, then why did he file a law suit and labor grievances to be allowed to use them? There are some questions we just have to leave unanswered.

Also on the 8/11 Agenda:

• Congratulations to 3rd Ward resident Susan Greenberg for her appointment to the Community Relations Committee. She will be a great asset to that group. Now, if the new director would just call a meeting…..
• Payroll was $852,538.72, Expenses paid were $3,099,136.58
• Chief Kushner’s request to hire 3 patrol officers to fill vacancies on the force was approved.

The long awaited Harlem Expresso coffee shop will celebrate its Grand Opening on August 13th from 10:30 until 11:30 am. Harlem Expresso is located in the Harlem Avenue Metra Station. This is a great use of the space that once housed the BNSF ticket office. No news on hours or offerings at this time. Please support this new Berwyn business.