THE BLADE: Return of the Slinkmans, Oak Lawn's Gold Problem, Pizza Wars
Gossip, rumors and stuff that falls off the editor's notebook.
Harold J. Slinkman, 70, of SKS Properties, was charged with criminal trespass after police said he violated a court order by entering the former property.
Oak Lawn Police Department
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From the Archives
I wasn’t around in Oak Lawn for much of SKS Properties’ longstanding feud with the village, but I’ve heard the convoluted stories.
Last Tuesday, Harold J. Slinkman, 70, of Brookfield, was accused of trespassing on the premises of a building formerly owned by SKS. The elder Slinkman allegedly appeared in the laundry room of the troubled Colonial Apartments prepared to empty the coin collectors on the washers. County records show claims made against the property and list a new owner. Police said Slinkman violated a Jan. 24 court order not to enter the premises and was charged with criminal trespassing.
Harold J. Slinkman listed his occupation as property owner and business address as SKS Properties in Lyons on the police report.
I did find this buried in the archive of Oak Lawn Village Board minutes from the October 2009 meeting:
"Harold Slinkman at 2916 Prairie, Brookfield stated that he felt his name as a family has been slandered and would like to meet with President Heilmann, Village Manager Deetjen and the Board of Trustees.
"Mark Slinkman at 110 Constance Lane, Countryside felt that he was met with slander at the Village’s last Board of Trustees meeting. He discussed recent Village inspections on his property.
"Mike Slinkman at 5737 Kensington, Countryside felt he was slandered at the last Board of Trustees meeting and came tonight to defend himself. He stated he is not an absentee landlord and is fully compliant with Village codes."
Most likely to be continued ...
Oak Lawn’s Gold Problem
The Planning and Development Commission is poised to make it harder to buy gold and precious metals in Oak Lawn. The village zoning code currently does not require a special-use permit to sell gold if retail merchandise is sold, nor does the zoning code specify what percentage of the business must be dedicated to retail.
After stalemating on a proposal last summer by Midwest Gold Buyers to open a second store in Oak Lawn and attempting to bypass a special-use permit by including a few trays of retail fashion jewelry, village trustees ultimately denied MGB.
Tonight (Monday) commissioners are expected to debate a proposed amendment to the Oak Lawn Zoning Ordinance requiring a special-use process for all businesses doing more than 20-percent of gold or other precious metal buying.
Pizza Wars
The owners, employees and fans of Grassano’s Pizza made a darn fine showing in Patch’s first pizza playoffs to decide who makes the best pie in the Southland. Grassano’s surged from 386 to 13,319 between Friday and Sunday, landing just a few hundred behind Durbin’s of Evergreen Park.
I stopped by Grassano’s on Sunday to order a pizza. I had the chance to talk to Gino Grassano, the owner, who’d been slammed all evening filling big game orders.
After nearly a year of eating greasy, New York-style shingles since moving to Oak Lawn, I have to say that Grassano’s is among the best pizza I’ve ever had, if not the best. Don’t worry, I intend to try to Phil’s Pizza next.
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Grassano's Pizza
5651 W 87th St, Oak Lawn, IL
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Phil's Pizza
8932 Ridgeland Ave, Oak Lawn, IL -
Village of Oak Lawn
9446 Raymond Ave, Oak Lawn, IL
OakLawnGuy
10:30 am on Monday, February 6, 2012
Lorraine, you should try to familiarize yourself with the SKS story. Many sheafs of documentation regarding Mr. Deetjen's past were bandied about by Mike S, to Kadner and Hanania. The Board didn't handle this particularly well I thought. In the end, though, SKS could provide no defense for their contentions regarding Village lies and sabotage.
Diane
1:41 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
As I've said, what goes around comes around. I lived in those apartments (on 93rd & Harlem) for many years. When SKS Properties bought the properties, it was downhill from there. The only thing Mike Slinkman did was intimidate the tenants with his "dog" to collect back rent. He only showed up on the property when there was money due, or a very severe problem with the property (Village became involved:)).Tenants still there, talk about the slumlords that SKS Properties are & about the damage and neglect to the buildings & property. Also, I'm told about the drugs, the drug dealers, and the people there who destroy the buildings. With SKS gone, hopefully the Bank that owns the buildings again, will do something good with the property. Demolishing it would be the best for the village. Those buildings are fire hazards and should be torn down.