I think Clerk Quinlan is solid and should be retained. I live in the 3rd so others will determine who gets in, but I think at this point a change to the Board's makeup is in order. What I'd really like to see is a referendum regarding term limits; I'm a big fan, for all levels of government. I'll be interested in hearing from 1, 2, 4 and 6 residents regarding their feelings on their own representatives.

Jane as mayor, well that's interesting! She really messed me up business wise in the village. Besides that I've never had any real issues with her. But as for the current mayor. Well look at what he has done for the village millions saved and real changes. Business wise he wants more then the last admin was in place, not saying they were bad but no head for real numbers.

To Sandra: "never had such a solid clerk as Jane Quinlan"? This statement would them replace Ernie Kolb as a solid clerk? Just asking? I look around this village a see his name in so many places and wonder would any of this happened had he not served for so many years as a village clerk?

Oak Lawn needs some high end stores to attrack "high end people" and some restaurants that are elegant and worthy of a trip to the area such as a Cooper's Hawk type place ... and a Whole Foods Store. There are enough low-end stores in thd area. Also .... how can a village allow two houses in the same block on Lawler AVE just north of the Wildlife (a jewel) preserve to go abandoned and in shambles with no caretakers - a boarded up window, curtains that have deteriorated for 10 years.... we wonder why prop values in Oak Lawn are falling... as so many homes fall to foreclosure and attract renters rather than buyers who are invested in the community. I have watch the neighborhoods deteriorate over the past 30 years. It is sad when people now start to move to live in a better place, such as Tinley Park and Orland. WE NEED QUALITY STORES AND EATERIES.....NOT ABANDONED PROPERTY LIKE ON LAWLER AND AT THE CORNER OF 103RD AND CENTRAL! THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE FINED OR THEIR PROPERTIES SOLD TO SOMEONE WHO CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY TO FIX THEM UP AND KEEP THEM LOOKING NICE!!!!!! a sad resident of Oak Lawn

Ernie Kolb served as clerk starting in 1964. Then later elected mayor in 1977.

Ernie Kolb gets my vote for strongest clerk. Jane Quinlan has alot more years (and one tornado) to serve to achieve Ernie's years of service.

Too young to remember Kolb as clerk. But many know my feelings of his performance as Mayor which left a lot to be desired. How bout Dr. Sandra Bury for mayor?? Just a thought don't know if she would want it!!!!

RG, I stand corrected.

I don't think the issue is whther the current trustees are doing a good job, its more who would want that position? Nobody in their right mide should want to be put in a position as trustee, its a thankless job! If you want to run, go ahead!

As far as chances, these guys have no chance without Dave Heilmann. Jane Quinlan will get 40% of the vote and carry maybe one or two of her bulldogs through at her demise.

Who said Jane is running for Mayor??

I think Tom Phelan has done a great job. Not sure what this Duhig guy does? Alex is doing OK.

Not sure who could beat these guys? Tom Phelan has the majority as long as Quinlan is working for him. Alex is solid without Heilmann.

Ok. Who would run against these guys? Any ideas? Please throw some names in the hat?

You are free to suggest names, Brian. All rumors are welcome.

Jane Quinlan is the only choice for Oak Lawn. She is the one person that has a true sense of what is going on in Oak Lawn. She knows where the money is going on a daily basis and has more insight on how things work. We need to send a message to our "acting" Mayor, the shows over, take a bow and wave to the crowd.

The truth is that Streit is the hardest working and brightest of the bunch but he probably can't be talked into running for Mayor. That leaves Jane Quinlan as the only one that could win besides Heilmann. Quinlan may not win but she probably would help her trustee candidates (Alex and Phelan). Jane is a shoe in for Clerk. Of course, maybe Jane could beat the mayor. Who knows?

The real truth is Streit is not smart and will leverage Jane Quinlan, Tom Phelan, Alex and try to muster the Chicago Democrats and bulldogs help. They would capture say 40% - 45%, but Heilmann would still score big on his own in District 5, District 4, District 3. Wildcard is Hurckes in District 1, and between him and Heilmann, they are solid there.

Better strategy for them is to break out independently and throw any $ at Hurckes in District 1. Truth is, Heilmann will split the south, and if he wins north, it will be by 10%.

OLG as the late Mayor told me once " as long as you have one more vote the than other guy it's still a w"

If you're going to make up a name, please choose one that doesn't violate Patch's terms of use, talkingoutof ... Feel free to repost under a new fake name. Also, uncheck "subscribe to newsletter" when you do sign up again. (The rest of you legitimate new commenters can keep the "subscribe to nl" box checked.

By David Kidwell, Tribune reporter September 13, 2009
The night Madigan was feted by the village trustees, they also received a board-ordered report that blasted the billing practices of the old village attorneys. The village was still looking for more legal help in September when Madigan agreed to serve as a sponsor of a fundraiser for Streit, a trustee who acknowledges never before in his 19-year political career has he enjoyed the speaker's political support.
That Sept. 30, 2009, fundraiser coincided with Streit's recommendations of two more law firms to serve on the village's new legal team to issue revenue bonds for the water project and other construction work.
The other bond counsel recommended by Streit was MILLER CANFIELD, an international law firm represented by CHICAGO PARTNER PAUL DURBIN, the SON OF U.S. SEN. DICK DURBIN, D-ILL. PAUL DURBIN DECLINED TO COMMENT.

J. Quinlan would not win and she knows it...why would she want to give up a paying job to be mayor? The only reason would be power since everyone seems convinced she is already doing Oak Lawn such a service that she will get the next statue (she can sit with Kolb on the bench). If it is power, is that REALLY who we want for the next mayor? Heilmann is not terrible (sorry Andy), nor is he great. We voted for mediocrity, we elected mediocrity. It is sort of funny (not the 'haha' kind) that Andy, OLG and I all live in the same area, because Streit is NEVER going anywhere, and we wouold probably all do better than half the trustees (or more), just on level of engagement alone. (Sure, I'd get elected on my rollicking sense of humor, since I have a face for radio, but still.) Keep in mind this board nearly killed off Halloween because ten people in Olejniczak's area hate kids. How is that representing the whole town? Phelan's apparently famous for visiting places he embarrass himself in, Trautsch has barely warmed up her seat and she wants to get rid of people making announcements to the public in meetings because they take too long. Nobody even seems to know who Duhig IS...Carol Quinlan gets confused by the public with the Clerk, and Streit has been around forever and almost lost because nobody bothered to vote. We ELECTED these people (minus Trautsch), people. We complain about everything, yet twenty people attend the meetings, and voting is a hassle. We deserve mediocrity.

That poll tells me that Heilmann and Quinlan together are unbeatable. It also tells me that by and large Phelan, Duhig, Olejniczak, and Trautch could be beaten by a dog!

Dave how do you know what Jane Quinlan knows? You shouldn't write statements that are not based in fact. Do you know her personally? It's so easy to anonymously spew garbage from a computer but it takes guts to serve publicly. I am leary of any public official who is liked by everyone. I'd watch your mouth and what you say about Mrs. Quinlan & any trustee or mayor. Don't be starting rumors. You might be a taxpayer but you aren't that bright and there's no guarantee you'd do much better than anyone. If you were smart you'd be out ther doing something instead of sitting behind a laptop criticizing everyone. Did you ever talk to your Trustee? Or the Mayor? Until you have some sort of personal experience to base your insults on maybe you should shut the hell up.

QC everyone knows you are Dave Heilmann why don't you just admit it. You are the only one who blogs on here who thinks Dave walks on water. You slam Phelan ,Jane Quinlan ,Bob Streit,, and Andy all the time. They all have one thing in common they want you out Dave better get another screen name... Hey I see Jane i still beating you in the poll..

QC, you live in Matteson and work in Oak Lawn. You hated Dave Heilmann, and now you are trying to support him. I just don't get it. You told the firefighters to hate the mayor, and then you gave money to him. I think it's all about you trying to get influence.

Scott I know that QC is not Mr. Lanz QC is someone I believe is in an elected position in the village This person has too much insider knowledge. I think Oak Lawn has the best fire and police departments in Ill. I just don't like the fact that the firefighters get involved in local elections. Either way the election goes there are going to make enemies on the board if the candidates they didn't back get elected. The police don't get involved that's the way it should be,but that's a decision the firefighters have to make.. Mr Lanz always uses his name and no. and I respect him for that.

I think Jane would make an interesting candidate. It would be a pay cut for her but that may not be important to her. But given voter apathy and also uninformed voting I think the Mayor would probably beat Jane. By uninformed voting I'm referring to people who vote for the status quo because they don't follow village issues very closely. I'd also like to see the candidates have some public debates. I'd show up for that.

The fact that Oak Lawn Girl, Oaklawnguy, Andy, or me would show up to a debate does not mean there should be a debate. Like Oaklawnguy said, Heilmann and Hurckes debated last time. Was there a big turnout then?
Of course not! Debates don't spur turnout in voting. Some people will not vote no matter what is happening. Either they are happy with the status quo or they don't think their vote matters. Either way, a debate is just a way to get the candidates' supporters to come for their respective candidates. Nobody else cares!
If Jane runs, I wouldn't expect her to debate. Her strength is one on one contact. Dave's strength is television. However, I don't know if Jane will run when she can win the clerk spot straight up. The yet to be named candidate polls pretty well. Dave should be worried, based on the nonscientific poll, that the yet to be named candidate may team up with the other top vote getters and give him a run.

The Mayor and Jane as Clerk is the ultimate dream team. We don't need a clerk who is an attorney. Keep Duhig in district 4, phelan in 6 and Alex in 1. No change needed!

I don't think the Mayor will go for that ticket. Isn't he in the minority? Why would he agree to take all three of the trustees and stay in the minority? Plus Alex is in 2 unless he moved. Traustch is in 1.
I could see him taking Jane, Traustch and maybe Duhig because he's harmless. But I don't see him taking phelan under any circumstances.
by the way, what attorney is running for clerk?

huh?

I continue to hear talk about change. Is change good? Well, if it's good change. I feel our village is always changing, being honest with ourselves, growth brings more and more new challenges. With these, I want the people at the controls with some level of experience, not to be distracted by things such as, how to be a Village Manager, who signs what, negotiating contracts and agreements on a large scale, learning the personalities, or (Split Personalities) of some of the Trustee's and Un-Trustee's. I have yet to see indication that there has been any history of Public Office, any history of being on any village board, or for that matter, an obligation of any type that would show participation in assisting in the direction of a village or town by Ms. Bury. A business owner yes, and an Optometrist. I am looking for something that I can hang my coat on. Anything that would make me comfortable turning over the direction of the village to a novice. Our current Mayor is no novice in this arena, which by the way, while mentioning arena's...Phelan is on his way out, Alex should follow suit. There now would be some change. Good change. Getting back to business without a continual side show and lack of self control being displayed on their part. The squeeky wheel gets the oil. It also gets replaced. Choose your forum carefully. Not all require or even tolerate boxing gloves and loud voices. Hopefully nobody is offended. If so, you may want to take a look at yourself!