Monday, January 26, 2009

A VILLAGE IN CRISIS

The Village of Orland Park can be described as a prosperous and striving community. It wins many awards and accolades for its history and progress. It’s the retail hub and envy of the southwest suburbs. But something is happening to shake that image. It’s the financial condition of the Village. In the past year we’ve seen the creation of new fees, the cutting of the property tax rebates, increased property taxes and the implementation of a 15 month budget. The Village acts as if it’s immune to the current recession. The heart of its revenues, retail sales, have declined. Nationally retail sales are down 10%, housing sales have stalled and foreclosures are on the rise. The bread and butter normally used to run the Village is drying up. The Village relies on debt in the form of bonds and TIF’s to provide the monies needed to pursue its ambitious goals. This is a problem, because many of these goals and ambitions are no longer affordable.

The debt that the Village is incurring must be repaid and that is why we see the increases in fees and taxes. The 12 month budget couldn’t be balanced so the Village reverted to a 15 month budget. The burden of this debt is being transferred to the Citizens of Orland Park. The Village is failing to recognize the reality of the recession and continues to operate as if nothing has changed. It continues to pursue projects that are too costly to support. For instance, millions of dollars have been invested in the Metra Triangle with little or no return. The Mayor continues to pressure the Orland Plaza into extinction. To continue this course of action will only provide less sales and property tax dollars for the Village. The Mayor’s arrogance of power is becoming a burden upon the taxpayers of Orland Park. There comes a time when leaders must face unpleasant decisions and admit failure. The Mayor’s dream for the Metra Triangle is no longer possible and has been better described as the “Bermuda Triangle.” There are no developers standing in line to invest in this dream. It’s time to abandon the harassment of the Orland Plaza and seek more feasible options for the vacant land.
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Where's The Republican Party

Can someone tell me why the Republican Party does not run a candidate for Mayor in Orland Park? This is the second straight Mayoral Election without a Republican candidate. The issues are clear: eminent domain, Orland Plaza, rising property taxes, TIF’s, reduction of property tax rebates, increased fees and entering the real estate business. These are all indicators that the present administration is in financial trouble. Mayor McLaughlin and his administration are beatable. It amazes me that the Republicans would not take advantage of this opportunity. Maybe, just maybe could it be that they support Mayor McLaughlin. Could it be that the Republicans are really Democrats in sheep’s clothing? You’ve read about pay to play in Springfield, has it come to Orland Park?

Fortunately a group of concerned citizens have taken up the banner of “Concerned Citizens of Orland Park” to challenge the McLaughlin Administration. I salute them for their efforts to take on a behemoth with a loaded campaign chest and clout. This is not an easy task which will be loaded with obstacles and tricks to derail their efforts to unseat this incumbent mayor..

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

AN UNCHANGING CULTURE

Recently I watched a movie about the efforts to bring the Tucker Automobile to market in the late 40’s and 50’s. It was an amazing story about Preston Tucker’s dream of creating a car that was safe and ahead of its time. Unfortunately his dream wasn’t fulfilled because of pressures from the Big 3 Automakers, SEC, Media and Power Brokers. These forces combined to dehumanize and create a scandal to discredit Tucker.. Tucker was brought to court, for fraud, but was found Not Guilty. Against all odds Tucker was still able to build 50 automobiles.

The irony of the story is that this culture has not changed. The Big 3 Automakers still resist change and look to government and influence to protect them. It’s sad to see innovation and creativity squashed for the self interest of a few. Instead of helping innovators bring ideas to market we continue to protect the self interest of powerful companies to maintain the status quo...

Tucker is a classic example of an unchanging culture. It’s been over 60 years since Preston Tucker fought his battle and there has been little or no change. The culture has become so deep rooted it can no longer differentiate the trees from the forest. Washington continues to protect this culture. We need to learn from history and correct our mistakes. The new administration promises change. Can it change an unchanging culture?