Cheap shot Deetchen. Anyone can know their ethics, it's living up to them that matters! You obviously don't!

Wow the Mayor doesn't like the Village Manager?? The same Mayor who backed a bogus petition drive to change the Village Manager form of Government just to get rid of Larry?? Hey Dave I wonder how many meetings you had with your former village attorney buddies that are under investigation??

The Mayor was appropriate. It is not appropriate to have public business discussed at such an event. For the Mayor to expose this fact protects the Mayor from future accusations that he is in bed with the developers as Deetjen is essentially a member of his cabinet. Deetjan should never do such thing as without discussing this with the Mayor and Board of Trustees first as he represents them. The Mayor and the Trustees do not represent Deetchen. Deetjan should remember he is an arm of the executive, not the chief executive himself.

Why are we trying to build condominiums when the economy is down and the condominiums out there are not selling. Are they nuts? The village should not give the developers a dime. Isn't there something better to do with that property? Perhaps something that will bring in tax dollars like a min- convention center or something else?

How can an appointed Village Manager be trusted if he is having secret meetings and private junkets? Why can't the Village Manager be held accountable for his own actions? In private business, he would have been fired! His judgement calls continue to be bad....and the residents also have to pay for it. ...another sad state of affairs!

Do you guys understand that Village Managers are not in the Mayor's cabinet? They run the day to day operations of the village and good ones meet all the time with developers, business interests, community leaders etc about ideas for improving the village. Plus, let's remember that there is no plan before the board and the village does not develop the land; private businessmen do!

Finally someone gets it. Must not be one of Dave's Buddies

I am no fan of Heilmann. He keeps silent when Hurckes pointed out the same thing back in 2009 - remember Larry Deetjen's Florida Home and the photo in Hurckes piece? Now all his old cronies in the unity party are slinging mud on the same issues that Hurckes brought forward - (1) Legal fees (2) patronage hires (3) lack of leadership.

The truth is Larry Deetjen is doing Dave Heilmann's job (and the job of all the trustees - like or not!!). He has a tough job because he has to deal with an erratic and unpredictable board made up as follows:

Dave Heilmann - the man with many hats
Tom Phelan - rage of anger
Alex O - sidekick bully
Carol Quinlan - throughly confused
Cindy T - abstain.
Bob Streit - perpetual politician
Jane Quinlan - gossiper, phoney, and no value

It ain't easy Lar, but keep going!

One thing I noticed is that after the Mayor finished talking about this at the meeting, Deetjen kept his head down and didn't say a word. Very unusual for him. It was priceless lol.

So Ruh asks to meet with Deetjen but Deetjen will only meet outside of the office (to avoid being seen by the Mayor or others?) Deetjen doesn't tell the mayor about the meeting nor doe Ruh. In the business world that's called a pre-pitch strategy meeting.
Then Deetjen goes on a 1 week golfing trip with a prospective developer of a multi million dollar project. He says Groebe set it up. But Deetjen is the village manager and evidently didn't see that this might be perceived as a conflict of interest and nix the pick. Does anyone think Ruh didn't further pitch his project during that week in Florida?

It doesn't matter that there's currently no plan in front of the board. There WILL be a plan presented. And Deetjen will be the man recommending a developer for the project.

I think the Mayor played this one nicely. I think Ruh is going to be the big loser on this one.

P.S. Any ideas on who tipped the mayor to the golf trip with Ruh and the pre-meeting outside of the office ?

Let Deetjen meet developers and community leaders in his office and keep the village board informed. A village manager is not a King. Any plans the village manager negotiates have to be approved by the Board - so he better keep them informed all the time. If he does not, then he is wasting tax dollars discussing plans that may never be approved. He should negotiate in terms that are dictated by the Board. We need a cohesive, responsible, open and honest, unified village government, not a bunch of dictators, fools, and prima donnas.

By tthe way - I'm not Dave's buddy - I ran agaist him for Mayor and I am highly critical of the fact that no forensic audit was done, the federal authorities were not informed of the mismagement of Oak Lawn finances in the previous administration with sweet deals for bank buddies that cost Oak Lawn residents millions.

The point here is that Mr. Deetjen went on a mini-vacation with the developers and a crony from his Michigan past. Secret meeting aside, this can only be construed by us poor citizens as dirty, whether he paid for it or not. Just by taking this sojourn, Mr. Deetjen is either lying or has made a moderately large political faux pas. Either way, it's bad. Mr. Heilmann's transgressions are fodder for another comment section.

business is done at restaurants like Fox's, on golf courses here and in Florida and even in offices. So what? If everyone paid their own way, there isn't a conflict as some would have you believe. Now, if the developer paid uncle lar's way, that would be a different story. I believe this is much ado about nothing. It may not sound that good but would it be any better if the premeeting were held in a car in a parking lot or at a theater event? Sometimes the people throwing stones are doing so to keep you from looking within their abodes

Deetjen is NOT the CEO. Heilman is the CEO of the Village. Deetjen does not vote. Heilman and the Board members vote. Beforre Deetjen negotiates ANY issue that would require a vote he MUST notify the Board and get their input or he is wasting taxpayer dollars negotiating without basis - as he doesn't know how the Board will vote. He should be darn certain that he knows what the Board's opinion is about major projects before he negotiates. He should have send the Board members a memo with the basics and his bottom line as to parameters of the negotiation before talking to the developers and obtained their opinion.

If Oak Lawn was a private business, I was the CEO, and Deetjen was an employee, I would have fired him on the spot.

Linda, nothing was being voted on. In the corporate world, Larry is the CEO and Dave is the chairman of the board. The issues are Larry held a secret meeting intentionally offsite of village hall and knew the mayor was meeting with them later. He should've told Dave about the meeting and what was discussed. The golf outing is more disturbing. Larry says groebe invited the developer yet he's the guy sending the email confirming arrangements. Bad judgment. It may not be unethical, but no doubt gives appearance he's in bed with them. He recommends, but is he doing so for what's best for the village or is he blinded by friendship? Who paid for the meals and other incidentals in FL? Andy, we heard your love letter of praise for Larry a couple years ago at public comments, but it's scary you're so blinded with love for Larry that think this all ok.

Does anyone think Ruh has a chance of getting this contract. Set aside the 9-story office building in a residential area. That alone is a problem. But it's hard to imagine any of the trustees voting for Ruh and associating themselves with Deetjen on this.

Blinded by Love - in the corporate world, the Board of Directors does not have to vote on all decision made by the CEO. In the VIllage, the Board of Directors does have to vote on such big decisions. Your analogy is wrong. There is absolutely no excuse for Deetjen to do what he did. He should do us all a favor and resign.

There were no decisions made. There's no proposal. Just discussions setting the table for a proposal. Larry is the CEO in this form of government. He can meet with anyone while conducting business, but clandestine meetings and vacations are not appropriate no matter how the story is spun. You are right, Larry's time here is just about up.

Gal, if the proposal is right, Ruh will get the ok. The issue now wilberustic trusting any future recommendation by Larry are in the best interests of the village or a sweetheart deals. Perhaps somebody should be looking at past recommendations by Larry to see if any are tainted or questionable. Andy keeps harping about the investigation on attorneys, but all we are seeing is bills from a trustees frat brother. Where's the smoking gun?

Gal, if the proposal is right, Ruh will get the ok. The issue now will be trusting any future recommendation by Larry are in the best interests of the village or a sweetheart deals. Perhaps somebody should be looking at past recommendations by Larry to see if any are tainted or questionable. Andy keeps harping about the investigation on attorneys, but all we are seeing is bills from a trustees frat brother. Where's the smoking gun?

Illinois is known more and more for corruption. We are better than this. United We Stand, Divided We Fall. I call for the trustees and Village employees to stand together and work as a unit, not as a bunch of prima donnas, back room dealers, and hustlers. Have some integrity guys. Be professional!

Maybe Galveston, TX will take Mr. Deetjen off our hands.

Hey Guys and Girls ask yourself this question why is The Mayor witholding E-Mails he had with Tressler and not giving them to Godfrey and Kahn in the investigation of illegal billing made to the village by Dave's handpicked lawyer buddies Tressler?? Did he have secret illegal meetings with them during this ongoing investigation?? Good enough for the Manager Dave good enough for you

Not sure this is factually correct. I would think Godfrey & Kahn would have the legal resources to get any emails sent through the village offices. It's not up to the Mayor to release them. And how would the Mayor talking to Tressler at any time be illegal? What law would he have broken?

It seems e-mails between village officials and people they hire are public record. What is being with-held? Was there a subpoena for the e-mails or a formal written request? Did the Village Clerk refuse to release the e-mails? It seems to me that the Village Clerk would be responsible for public records. Also, the Mayor can contact anyone about Village business before telling anyone else as long as he is not negotiating without discussing it first with the Village Board. Also he votes on the Board. He is the CEO of the Village. Deetjen is NOT the CEO and doesn't vote so it would be wasting tax dollars to be exploring or negotiating behind the Board's back. Putting out feelers for information or gathering information requested by the Board would be OK. He must be guided by the Board. If Tressler is a Village attorney, then it is appropriate for Tressler to talk to the Mayor and guide him and the Board. Isn't that what he is paid to do? Blindedbythelight - you are mixing up apples and oranges.

Good grief! If Deetjen was on the up and up with Groebe and Ruh, he would have disclosed the trip and any other information. Seriously, why go through all of this if he ISN'T hiding something? Even moreso BECAUSE this is Oak Lawn and he should have known better about the recent history of his direct predecessors. Even if he DIDN'T, he should have known better simply with common sense. ANY activity that has the faintest whiff of impropriety should send off alarms with any of the officials; elected, appointed, voluntary; no difference. I don't really care all that much about who paid for what on a trip...I don't care too much who is whose friend...it is all improper. Why? Because it LOOKS improper, and this isn't a private business. This is LITERALLY the PUBLIC TRUST. If ANY of the people involved don't like it, they can very easliy cease being involved. Go someplace where backroom politics are okay. Sure, they used to be in Oak Lawn, but that needs to be in the past. Spirited debate is one thing, but the board has fallen into dysfunction and disarray.
Andy, to your point about the mayor's possible transgressions; I don't know and won't pretend that he is guilty or innocent of anything in that regard. I only know that two wrongs aren't helping the city. If guilty, he needs to go away too. Deetjen certainly seems like a smart guy, which only make one wonder all the more about what he was thinking...that he is smarter than everyone else, or is he better than everyone else...

CEOs do not vote so quit calling the Mayor the CEO. He is the Village President by law, not the CEO, not the King, not even the Lord of Oak Lawn. Deetjen is hired as the Village Manager by the Village President and entire board and can only be fired by that same group. So, saying "I would fire him", ignores the reality that one needs the votes!
I think it is fine that the Mayor met with the Developer without telling the board or manager. I also think it is fine that the Manager met with the developer. Let the proposal come forward and if someone did something wrong, their is a state's attorney for investigating such accusations. So far, nobody can point to any law that anyone broke.
As far as Tressler goes, please be advised Doc that Tressler is not the Village Attorney and are currently involved in Pre-litigation with the Village over allegations of overbilling, etc. If the Village President met or talked to them during this time, that would be a problem.

gold junket = golf junket although....lol

Dave has tried his false accusations in court before, he lost. This project by no means is even close to the planning stage yet. Dave is putting up this junk for his re-election campaign. These developers have already started a great development at 102nd and cicero at the old suzuki property. They will have a wonderful area for the va hosipital which was going to leave Oak Lawn. Chuck Groebe is an Oak Lawn buisness owner and resident. These people have now been thrown under the bus by The Mayor to make himself look good in his personal on going war with the Village Manager.We will see how this attorney over billing investigation will go, I just hope we get a development over there that is successful and not political which everything in Oak Lawn sadly turns out to be.

The Mayor reported what happened. The golf trip is public record. The emails from Deetjen corroborate the 1 week golf trip with a developer who was pitching new and lucrative business with the village. The same emails confirm that Groebe selected the developer Ruh for the golf trip. And yes those emails are public record. The Mayor didn't throw anybody under the bus. He didn't have to.

The last thing we need is a large EMPTY office building. Even if the economy was good and it could be filled up, it is not right for the neighborhood. The train station makes the traffic too congested. There would not be enough parking for anyone in that area if the "office" building could be filled. The project would be a disaster. I oppose it completely. If the developers bought it thinking they could make big bucks after getting the unofficial "OK" from someone in the Village prior to purchase, then whoever was talking to them should be in big trouble. The Village should not contribute a dime to such a project and should limit its height and make NO exceptions to parking requirements. What a mess. They already screwed up with the Target store at 95th and Pulaski area and with so much more. Look at all the empty condos and office spaces in Oak Lawn right now. We need to develop what we have first.

Andy, I still don't know if you are right or wrong, I still only know that even if you ARE right, it doesn't make what Deetjen did an iota better...
OLG, you are correct in stating that it is the PERCIEVED reality that is what matters most. Politicians in Oak Lawn should be under NO illusion that any of them have some sort of cloud of innocence considering the past of this town. Everything that is done, every minute of meetings, should be public knowledge, all the time. There is no logical reason for anything done soley for the public good to be done in private. Again, if any of the officials find such parameters too constricting, they can resign and somebody that wants to operate on the up and up can take their place. I don't care if it is a trustee, and mayor, a clerk, a manager, a janitor...
As Dr. Shelton says, we have too many empty spaces now, and the neighborhood doesn't want something there. I know, my house is a block away, literally. I went to all the meetings back when they were building the debacle west of Cook on 95th. the old board bigfooted Veli's and others, knocked down Cook School, and insisted the area was 'blighted'. Now it is starting again...not to forget they are forcing the issue at 111th and Cicero for a mall, at a time when statistics show that malls are declining. I asked three trustees after a meeting who would be the tenants of that mall...not a single one had a firm answer, only that there would be a 'smorgasbord' from which to pick. Great...

All I will add is please keep our village in your prayers, as residents we either benefit or get hurt by the decisions made by these individuals. And, let's stay tuned to see what happens.