1. “My purpose was to let the bond underwriters know that there was a reason for that and the reason has to do with the $15 million or so that our coffers lost in legal representation,” Phelan said, referring to Oak Lawn’s recent $500,000 legal settlement with the former village attorneys.
2. The fest that used to lose $50,000 now makes $50,000,” Phelan said of his role as special events committee liaison. “I’ll take that criticism from you all day long.”, said Phelan.
His own words crystalyze the problem because he believes that it is all about him. Surely, the village manager and Finance Director could have let the bondwriters know about the alleged loss of 15 million dollars, during Phelan's tenure as Finance chairman. Oh no, only Tommy can do it!

This was clear retaliation by Mayor Heilmann at those who oppose him on issues that are extremely important to taxpayers. He is very careful not to come out on camera with words against impact fees by Advocate or about the closed door settlements on alleged over-billing and attorney fees by friends. Actions like this, directed at those who do speak up on behalf of the taxpayers on these issues, speak volumes however. Actions such as this are not attacks on his political opponents, they are attacks on the taxpayers themselves. It's outrageous.

Anyone know if there's some sort of election coming up, something of that nature? ;-)

Lol yes I do believe there's an election coming up. I think it's good to shake things up on the board.

It's about time that the Mayor took charge instead of larryd playing with the control stick. Congratulations Mayor and keep the good ones close to you. Good luck

Lorraine, for those who cannot afford cable TV, I think its fair to post video clips on Oak Lawn Patch. Also the reason we have so many ananomous people afraid to speak up, it because people like Tom Phelan will bully, go after families, hurt people (intentionally), and use his position to "exclude" others from what are public venues and rights (which are supposed to be non-excludable and have no rival to consumption). Dave Heilmann is right, all those complaints are valid.

I am tired of listening to all the dickering going on in our Oak Lawn politics. Its like watching kids argue. It all about this powere thing and egos . Let the egos go by the wayside and start doing whats rights for the Village of Oak Lawn. Look at bringing commerce back to 95th St. Instead of discussing new 11 story sites lets find business to come into fill vacancies. I am one who believes Mr. Heilmann is doing a great job and he will have my vote.. Quit attacking his ability to act on stage. The trustees do a good job of acting in the role on trustee. What are their side jobs and hobbies. Knock it off. Also the village sent a letter out, maybe 3 months ago asking for volunteers to sit on committees and boards. I applied by letter and have yet to hear anything about asisting. Is this too a decision by trustees if so who do i have to beg.

Are we able to get more information on these police reports that Alex tinkered with?

I mustamissedsumptin. What police reports might Alex have tinkered with? Allegedly that is!
Phinnigin

What about mayor KING FAROOK trying to protect his lawyer buddies? If he had proof of trustee olejniczak overstepping his boundries lets hear them? the mayor is nothing but an actor and a coward.

Every one has there Opinion on this,but let my explain in 20 years of going to Village board meetings,Never has the make up of committee assignments been done in the way it happened Tuesday night. First off I don't think trustee assignments have been changed in the last six years. The old way assignments were given at a village board meeting is that each trustee would ask to be on a certain committee. When the three spots were chosen on a certain committee,that's who would serve on that committee. It was like having a draft,It assured most trustees would at least get on one committee they wanted. It was fair and out in the open. NEVER did the mayor become involved or recommend anything. This was handled by the board themselves.Spin it anyway you want, but this was not the right way to go about it. Dave should have just said I have the votes and this is the way I want it,at least it would have been more truthful. I agree with Oak Lawn Gal " where's my popcorn!! "

Andy,
You are incorrect. This mayor has assigned spots for committees and representative without discussion (at the meeting) previously. As I believe the previous Mayor did as well and there was always some politics as to what committee assignments were assigned (or not assigned as the case may be).

when Ernie Kolb was Mayor / Trustees would choose their committees even Streit who battled Ernie they choose by seniority order

Keane would make motion to keep committees as they are

It wasnt until Heilmann cameinto office did the committee assignments get pre chossen

Hurckes Joy and Rosenbaum were frozen out of selecting and gioven minor committeees

Heilmanns group was the first group to have police and fire laisons directly

Stancik always tried to be the middleman prior

Phelan, why do you always look like you want to meet someone and fight (lttle butch meet me outside on the playground).

Looks like Tom Phelan will no longer be buying Bob Streit any Coronas.LOL another "friendship" down the tubes. C'mon Tommy Boy, did you REALLY trust him?

It would appear that sides are now being taken for the next election. It would seem that the trustees, the mayor and the office manager don't trust each other and the sides are being drawn to see who may not be reelected for another term. Everyone should set their differences aside and start working to help the village. Our beloved officials act more like children who if they can't have their way will take their ball and go home. I believe that maybe all our officials should not run for another election and instead let new people run for office. I now realize why I quit going to these meetings it is the same soap opera as the ones with our state and federal goverment. No one worries about the citizens only about themselves.

It would appear that sides are now being taken for the next election. It would seem that the trustees, the mayor and the office manager don't trust each other and the sides are being drawn to see who may not be reelected for another term. Everyone should set their differences aside and start working to help the village. Our beloved officials act more like children who if they can't have their way will take their ball and go home. I believe that maybe all our officials should not run for another election and instead let new people run for office. I now realize why I quit going to these meetings it is the same soap opera as the ones with our state and federal goverment. No one worries about the citizens only about themselves

F.O.T.G. Should not have a VIP tent in the 1st place.

So Dave W:
You wonder if anyone will ask you to serve. Yet youve been on here blasting all the officials with personal insults and attacks including the Village Clerk using your real name. Youve said you live in the 3rd district and are a real estate agent. It can't be that hard to figure you out. You have the gall to think anyone in their right mind would ask you to serve since you've publicly insulted everyone and obviosuly think you're smarter than all. I think you'll stick to debating idiots on the comment boards and wishing you had more real estate clients. btw good luck building your client base while offending most residents.

The bigger points: If new alliance holds, there's now 4 votes to fire the village manager. Did Dave and Bob cut another deal (think back to bob running unopposed in 2007 after flipping on 111th TIF), who will run on heilmanns ticket for clerk?
Looks like Dave has 1 year to have some fun before the 9/11 exploiter runs against him as rep for da meatheads. Yep, grab some popcorn.

Andy, pick a side quick. Looks like your master has joined up with your biggest target.

Dr bury, your unabashed admiration of the new board minority is sickening. Your accusations against the mayor about advocate are baseless. Keep posting your political prose, but at least come out and say your running for mayor with the dark side. Can't wait to sign your petition and see you face off in a debate with Dave where you have to speak and not copy, paste, and post others words on patch.

The whole Board is an embarrassment to this Village. Hidden meetings, special treatment to certain individuals, legal agreements that are kept from the tax payers, spending money without concern about the welfare of the residents, childish behavior at meetings, yelling, switching sides to make new majorities for political advancement and staging disagreements in front of the cameras. Smile another photo op. We voted out one bad group which has now been replaced by another bad group. The only common denominator is “power.” They are all Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Oak Lawn is the joke of the Southwest suburbs. Time to get rid of the whole group.

So what is everyone's theory on why Streit sided with the Mayor? Carol has been joined with the Mayor in the past. I imagine Cindy sees this as an opportunity to get on some high visibility committees. But Bob?

I wonder if Streit's connections to Madigan will translate to any clout applied in favor of the Mayor in the next election? But for that to happen Bob must have gotten something big. It seems like a major shift for him.

Unless with this alliance, if that's what it is, Bob feels he has a voting bloc for some project he wants

I remember a story a while ago about some trustees that met with Madigan on the water project. I believe we hired a law firm with connections to Madigan. And didn't Madigan attend a fund raiser for Bob? I didn't hear that Madigan had put a stamp of approval on Heilmann's candidacy though. Politics is certainly in part about alignments based on (usually) personal interest. We're certainly seeing that here.

How about bob publicly does everything he can to get dave re-elected and Cindy elected, then Dave casts tie breaking vote to fire Larry, then bob is appointed village manager after Dave casts another tie breaker. Dave and bob pick bobs successor.....Andy, maybe(lol)? Or how about bob for clerk? Pays more than trustee! Maybe isolated move here by bob, but this could also be signs of something very big.

Andy, what happened to that poor young girl is indeed tragic. Being a parent, I cannot imagine the anguish and grief her parents are dealing with at this moment. You tying that horrific accident into this discussion is in poor taste and simply irrational.