A New 'Bromance' in Oak Lawn?
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The views expressed in this blog are those of the author.
After watching another Oak Lawn Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday, in which Trustee Bob Streit (Dist. 3) continues to show his new admiration for his former political enemy Mayor Heilmann, I have to ask: What is up with this new "bromance" between these once bitter political enemies/now best buddies at the board meetings??
I was a supporter and friend of Bob Streit for over 20 years. I worked on all his campaigns. I was there when he was the only vote against 5 others when the Old Coalition party ran the village before the 2005 elections. Bob never liked Mayor Heilmann in 2005 and we backed a different candidate. During the 2009 election we helped and supported the Unity Party slate.
Later that year when the party broke away from the mayor, Bob aligned himself with the former Unity Party board members Alex Oleniczak,Tom Duhig,and Tom Phelan. Bob was the driving force behind the investigation into Mayor Heilmann's former hand-picked legal team, Tressler. Bob was instrumental in catching the fraudulent petition drive that Mayor Heilmann supported to eliminate the village manager position, in fact he was a defendant in the legal case.
Bob also chastised the mayor about taking $100,000 dollars out of the special service fund to help offset supposed operating costs of the Children's Museum in 2009. I was at the meetings when the Mayor and Bob would really go at it. In 2011 Mayor Heilmann actively supported and gave $1,000 dollars to and wrote an endorsement letter for Bob's opponent for 3rd District trustee. That was a very hard fought and dirty campaign and Bob squeaked by 8 or 9 votes.
At the beginning of 2012, I started to hear rumors that Bob was working with the mayor. I could not believe it, that someone I knew and believed in for over 20 years would be working with someone who he distrusted and disliked as much as the mayor and his supporters distrusted and disliked Bob. Bob said he was working with the mayor to get his "agenda" through.
I asked whose agenda? The people's agenda, the mayor's agenda, or the third district residents' agenda? Or was it his personal agenda? Remember at that time Bob was already a part of a 4-member majority on the village board. He never answered my question. I told him I could not support the path he has now chosen and turn my back on all the people who helped Bob out through the years, who now were being thrown to the curb. so Bob could be buddies with the Mayor who was and is actively trying to remove the trustees and clerk who were Bob's supporters in the past.
I knew that Bob would be voting the way the mayor wanted him to, but when I saw Bob voting against his core principals just to appease the mayor, I could not stand silent anymore. Bob voted with the mayor to try and limit speech at board meetings under the term I coined, "Dave's Rules." This went against everything Bob had worked on the past 18 years to televise meetings to let residents speak. Now he is against this?? Say it ain't so Bob
Bob, with the help of the mayor, removed his former trustee friends from their positions on committees like special events and public works, so he could punish them for going against his new best buddy the mayor. Bob got the village to spend over $20,000 dollars on a bogus investigation into Fall On the Green just to make a former trustee friend look bad before a re-election that the trustee is not even running in. Bob now says he was fooled into the legal investigation against the mayor when he himself was right out front accusing the mayor of illegal activities and saying "I hope we get his head on a platter," and "this guy is going to jail." Funny how perspectives change when you sell out and switch sides.
Probably the most heinous position switch with Bob has been the switch from supporting impact fees from Advocate Christ Hospital to now saying the village doesn't need them. Coincidentally that is the same position the mayor has, especially being friends with Advocate Christ's president and given a "Man of the Year" award dinner downtown.
Bob told me at least 5 times last year that he was for impact fees, now all of a sudden he switches and at board meetings profusely compliments Advocate's executive board, saying we don't need fees. He even wants to build a senior wellness center on the Beatty Lumber property, with non-profit hospital money and village money, which would eliminate another property from sales tax and property tax.
The mayor actually 2 years ago thwarted a plan to remodeling the Beatty Lumber property with private money that wouldn't cost the village taxpayers a dime. The mayor's excuse was too much density in a residential area. Also, Bob and the village manager were involved. two people at the time who the Mayor disliked. What about that monster mountain of a development at Advocate Christ Medical Center? Oh yeah, another district where Dave and Bob are enemies with the trustee.
This last meeting, Bob has been trying to block a infrastructure left turn signal at 93rd and central, a very dangerous intersection. The county has agreed to split the costs 50/50 with the village, a project on which the village has already spent $200,000 on engineering studies. Yet low and behold at the last board meeting, Bob now says we don't have the money for it even though the project has been on going for 5 years.He even went so far as to say the county doesn't think it was important. Well, Bob got the shock of his life when our county commissioner, John Daley, came to our meeting and flatly said the county is behind this a 100 percent and has budgeted the money on their end.
He said Mr. Streit had misspoken. Mr. Streit then said we didn't have any money to help with this project but being the chairman of the public works committee, he somehow found a million dollars for an expansion of the village green for a ice skating rink because the Mayor wants one.
Even though Bob told me last year that he was against the Village Green expansion at that time because we didn't have the money. What a joke, I guess this stalling of the 93rd and central project would have nothing to do with this being Bob's new political enemy Alex Olejniczak's district? Two months before an election, that couldn't be the reason right? Bob once again seems to forget all the times when he was in the minority and the Coalition Party would actually say "no projects for you, Bob, until after your campaign," and then go to houses telling people if you vote for Bob's opponent you will get that sidewalk or curb replacement. How can this man forget the treatment he used to receive and now he does it to his former friends, now enemies. Shame on you, sir.
I always wondered what Bob was getting out of this new alliance with the Mayor and then I saw the alleged bid rigging of a public works building roof repair that surprisingly went to a company with the highest bid by the way, that employs Bob's brother. Bob never told the board about this conflict and arrogantly refused to recuse himself from the vote. Now Oak Lawn is being investigated by the FBI and all of these shenanigans make Oak Lawn look bad.
All of Oak Lawn should watch the board meetings now and see how Bob has become the mayor's greatest defender and supporter. They play golf together now maybe Bob even goes to the mayor's plays, something I know Bob actually loathes. I hope Bob will remember all his true friends and supporters that he sold out just so he could get a couple of goodies from the mayor. I know the Mayor and what he is capable of, Bob, but I actually thought you had morals and stood for something. It turns out your just like the rest. The sad part was it took me 20 years to find out. Just be careful, you may be finding yourself on the outside looking in again, Bob.
This time your former friends and myself won't be there to help you. It's pretty lonely out there on the island you created for yourself..
Yuri Petroniski
11:08 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
It's hard to admit, but Andy makes a lot of sense. There's no reason for bob to be supporting the mayor do unabashedly. Something has been promised. There was rumor out that bob changed his vote on 111th tif because Dave and co promised not to run anyone against him in 2007. Bob did run unopposed. Still not voting for Bury. Don't appreciate her campaign tactics or that stupid phone poll nonsense.
OakLawnGuy
6:30 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
It's politics. that's all. Plain and simple. Haven't we seen enemies become friends at every level of government? Why? Because the individuals want to further their own agenda. Andy, you have made veiled claims to participating in the political games of the past managed by Mr Stret. You either paid your own money, or money someone gave you, to Dennis Brennan to try to kick Dan Sodaro off the ballot. If you tell me that was in the interest of the Village at large, well......I'm not gonna believe that. Not after you've been Mr Streit's cohort for so many years. Anyway, seriously, it's just political gamemanship that the novice Dr Bury is trying to play with her multi-page "exposes" and phony hospital "polls". Incidentally, she might want to ask that political consultant she paid $2500 to for a rebate, what with the misfiled papers and all.
Bob
11:30 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Once again the patch will print anything against the mayor. Some people have nothing but time to write crap so the patch will print it, I know everybody is wondering who the patch will endorse in the election. Its quite obvious with its slanted coverage.
Bob
11:30 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
I quess only people against the mayor can post stuff.
Lorraine Swanson
11:38 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
^^^^
Anybody can blog or contribute to Patch, Bob. While we do anonymous commenting, Patch does require bloggers to use their real names. We have also extended invitations to the mayor and his supporters to contribute and/or blog for Patch. I don't recall you contacting me, Bob, to ask me about any of this other than to make sweeping accusations about Patch. If you wish to discuss this further, please email me at lorraine.swanson@patch.com.
Bob
10:24 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Loraine, just to clarify, there are several "Bobs" posting under that name on the Patch. Do you have the info to distinguish one from the other?
Senji Moskowicz
9:47 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Lorraine, what you are saying is so Not True. Freedom of Speech on this sight is very selective. Some Incumbents on the Board seem to have, complained(?) to you, and you have bowed to their requests. Which is not fair to all of the others. As the saying goes, to those politicians,
" If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen"
Grunty
11:30 am on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Senji,
What isn't true about Lorraine's statement?
Anybody can blog or contribute....True.
While we do anonymous commenting....True
We have extended invitations...Unless you are the mayor, I don't get how you would know if this is true.
I don't recall you contacting me...Maybe True, Maybe not, but unless you are a mind reader I don't see how you'd call that untrue either.
So yeah, everything she said that was a true/false statement seems to be true to me.
As far as what you said,
Freedom of speech....this is the internet, and this is a website, not your house. You are subject to the same rules you have in your home (ex: I cannot come to your house and start swearing at you just because of freedom of speech and expect you to let me continue to hang out).
Everytime Lorraine posts a story about anything, everyone is always ready to jump up and say Patch takes sides. It doesn't. Its reporting the news, plain and simple.
If you don't like how Patch does thing, Freedom of Speech allows you to make your own site with your own interpretation of the news.
prophet12155
11:30 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
how apropos that this was posted the day before valentine's day. andy has a broken heart and just can't take it.........
Doo, doo, doo down doo be do down, down
Come on come on
Down doo be do down, down
Come on come on
Down doo be do down, down
Breaking up is hard to do.
writershomosexualtendancies
11:30 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Andy,
Everything you said could be said about you! Shame on you sir for walking away from your district and attaching yourself to Tom Phelan. The third district has supported both Bob and Dave for many years. Bob has led our district for 23 years and we (the real supporters in Dist 3) support his efforts to work with the Mayor. As for the "agenda" you speak of, you only need to look around the third district and realize what a great job Bob has done for us both in the minority for many years and now as the Mayor's right hand man.
It sounds like sour grapes that you don't have a bromance with Bob. Perhaps he realizes you are not trustworthy. Look at all the times in this piece where you violate supposedly confidential conversations. If you worked in the real world (or had a job at the store) you would realize that nobody, with the exception of Lorraine, likes someone who gossips.
he don't deserve you
5:24 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Andy,
We’ve all been there, go get yourself a pint of ice cream, watch a rom-com and cry it out big guy. Tomorrow you can go out buy yourself some new shoes and a new purse, hell go get a pedi and a new hair do. Someday you will find that love again.
Remember - ‘tis better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all- Tennyson
oh andy
5:24 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Morning, just another day
Happy people pass my way
Looking in their eyes
I see a memory
I never realized
How happy you made me, oh ANDY
Well you came and you gave without taking
And I sent you away, oh ANDY . . .
You are the a-hole that started flinging dirt during the last campaign. Bobby wouldn't have been at village hall anymore if not for you.
To quote some fool I just read, ”Funny how perspectives change when you sell out and switch sides.”
swifty
7:39 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Andy- Taylor Swift called and she would like to purchase the rights to this break-up and the one next year when Tommy P. drops you like a bad habit.
anthony
7:39 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
What are ya gonna do ? sometimes ya get out zinged ..lol
Sigmund Schlomo Freud
7:39 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Andy, you seem obsessed with male power(ish) type figures. Do you like looking at tall slender buildings? Do you enjoy watching "rockets" and "missles" launch? Watching oil rigs "drill" float your boat? Have you ever seen a grown man naked? Ever spend the night in a Turkish bathhouse?
We are all here to help you. You need to get to know YOU before you jump into a relationship with someone else.
True confessions of a political ho
8:58 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Andy- With your change of heart can we expect you to admit or at least acknowledge all of the shady crap you have been a part of over the last 20 years with Bob? What was your agenda when you served as Bob's appointee on various village committees? It never seemed to match my agenda, the 3rd Districts or the Village's.
One more question, are you still "bromantic" with Dennis "the d-bag" Brennan? If not, why don't you hop (ok you can't hop so wobble) on over to the Burr Ridge Patch (http://burrridge.patch.com) and let them know about him? He is up for re-election.
andy skoundrianos
10:44 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
I only served on one committee for 3 years from 09-12 that's it out of twenty two years of going to meetings. No hidden agenda for me my friend
Wendy
9:55 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
What is the story with Brennan? It was before my time in Oak Lawn.
andy skoundrianos
8:58 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
You guys can't come up with anything better?? I'm Disappointed in the peanut gallery
OakLawnGuy
10:11 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Mine's pretty good.
no answers?
9:30 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Andy,
Why don't you answer some of the questions?
Will you tell people the shady things YOU did in Bob's name?
Why don't you talk about all of the other bids Bob has had a hand in?
You look at the campaign contribution stuff, why didn't/don't you point out how many people that give/gave money to Bob have contracts with the village?
andy skoundrianos
10:44 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
His brother was not an employee of those companies, also I don't know of any other bids in the past that may or may not have been a little shady
NothingSurprisesMeOnTheBash
9:30 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Andy you might want to grammer check before you publish your opinion/sour grapes piece.
NothingSurprisesMeOnTheBash
9:30 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
You might also want to call a lawyer.
Dave W.
10:11 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
I will agree that I would prefer a turning light on Central instead of a skating rink at the FotG...but I cannot ice skate and I DO drive through that interesction a fair amount...
Which just illustrates OLG's point...it is all about personal agenda, isn't it? Trustee Streit switched allegiance to get the power he wanted...you used to work with the trustee for the same reasons...everybody attached to the political process (or at least the board) in Oak Lawn seems to have something they would prefer not be out in the open. Personal shots at you notwithstanding Andy...it isn't even that what you say is all wrong, it is that you saying it, when people know YOUR history with the trustee, and they know HIS history in the town...THAT is what makes people take umbrage with the things you say more than anything. Just like it isn't that you have taken a 'different' side now, but how you (and/or others) scream and howl that they are pristine in some way...people who pay attention to the politics of this town remember and know what happened, and when you (or anyone else, for that matter) try to recreate that history it grates on folks.
I have a saying, and it would serve anybody, really, in almost any situation, but certainly in politics...
"Never try lie to people who KNOW the truth because they were there when it happened."
andy skoundrianos
10:31 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Hey Dave i never switched sides,I never Liked Heilmann didn't support him in 2005 I did in 2009 because I didn't want the 23rd ward of chicago running Oak Lawn I'm not backing him now. Bob switched sides I never did besides he had the " power " as you call it before with the other 3 trustees from 2009-2012 and he didn't have to make nicey with the Mayor either...
Oak Lawn Homegirl
10:44 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
i don't know what was better, the whining and veiled admission of collusion or author's shock in the unsympathetic response. Either way it made for an amusing read and made my day. Thanks folks, you never disappoint!
Future Blogger If Lorraine Let's me!
11:41 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Thank you Andy and the many fans of Andy who enjoyed ramming him all through Valentine's Day. It was heartfelt and the funniest thing I've read on the Patch. I can now end my own Valentine's Day knowing that Andy got it in the end once again.
Lorraine Swanson
11:44 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Future Blogger -- contact me at lorraine.swanson@patch.com.
Steven Rockey
10:24 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Andy,
I have, personally, witness how you helped Bob during his last campaign. I was the guy handing out literature for a friend, Dan Sadoro, when he ran for trustee. On two seperate occasions I was followed by a man in a Toyota Camry wearing a blue Chicago Cubs jersey. Who might that have been? Owe yea, it was none other than YOU! Now Andrew, as I explained then and should probably explain again, I will not be bullied and/or intimidated! When I stepped to the curb to ask if you needed a question answered, you never stopped. You did slow down to stare, but never stopped. I ask why? Could it be that you're like every other bully? When confronted you back down! You seem to be a tough guy when hiding behind a computer. You continue to spit out half truths, innuendos or just plain lies. I, as a 45 year resident and village employee, am tired of the way you and certain others act. You have embarrassed this village and its residents enough! But most importantly, look in the mirror when you spout off about how certain people go about their business because you are far from perfect! Your time is up! If you really love Oak Lawn like you claim to, shut up!
andy skoundrianos
12:07 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Hey Steve, never met you don't know who you are ,don't really care, opinions are like you know what... Everybody has one, Worry about the Mayor and Bob cutting more firemen from your dept. That's what they did before remember??
S. Langhorne Clemens
4:12 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Andy,
You would be lucky to know Steve. He is a great guy and known throughout the community. Maybe it is time for you to get your head out of your “opinion” and get to know your neighbors and the neighborhood you claim to love so much.
Remember -It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt. Whoops, too late you blew right past fool and went full jacka$$
James Manning
4:12 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Mr. Rockey are you the same person who the board voted to be asst. fire chief of the village and then resigned because you couldn't take the pressure of the job?? That sounds like a coward to me
BadForm
5:29 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Calling someone who risks his life to save others a coward....doesn't work James, not at all. Bad form, enough said.
andy capped
9:55 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
There you go again Andy. If you don't know Steve Rockey why warn about cuts to the fire department. Oh that's right you are full of crap and know exactly who Steve Rockey is.
pat obrien
10:24 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
My dearest Andrew:
Welcome to "the bob screwed me" club. It has happened to everyone, especially the residents of the 3rd District
Unfortunately for Mayor Heilmann, it will be his second screwing when Bob decides to cut the string and join forces against him for control, of course under the disguise of "whats best for the 3rd District".
For 20+ years you have blindly followed "screw us BOB' without ever questioning his motives. Now when he screwes over his biggest supporter, you expect us to feel sorry for you. You know the old story, "you knew I was a snake when you picked me up, after the young man was bitten by the snake he saved"
I agree with previous writers, open the door to all of Bobs past dealing and expose him entirely or shut up!
Third District Voice of Reason
4:12 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Streit Accomplishments: Sidewalks, streets, alleys, Keeping the slimy coalition from milking the town even more than they did, stopping the Brandt Development, working to find solutions to flooding, cleaning Oak Lawn Lake, balanced budgets, and of course ending partronage as we knew it when your name had to be vogrich, Keane, or Powers to get a job in PW or the FD.
Overall, I would say that Bob has been a pretty good voice for the district. Dumping Andy from his entourage ranks up there as a good accomplishment also. It always bothered me that he didn't muzzle Andy but now we know that sometimes a wild dog can't be trained. He poops constantly and wonders why nobody wants to keep him around.
andy skoundrianos
10:10 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Hey capped, good name, did you read Mr. Rockey's blog he said he was an employee who was out working for Mr. Streit's opponent the firemen were against Mr. Streit and gave his opponent $ 5,000 dollars. Maybe you forgot that.. I have never met Mr. Rockey
OakLawnAdult
4:12 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Andy your childish response to Steven's comment again supports the concensus that you are childlike in your manner. To be taken seriously you need to grow up and act like an adult.
andy skoundrianos
5:29 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Ok anonymous blogger use your real name, of course you are afraid I understand . You make such great points I would think you would be proud to put your name behind your wonderful insights into what train of thought or behavior is. Really I care what you think really.
#1 Disgusted Resident
9:35 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Andy, so because Mr Rockey called you out on here about your cowardice, let's say True Colors, during an election for your former "Bestest Buddy", you think it's fair to state, "the firemen were against Mr. Streit and gave his opponent $ 5,000 dollars. Maybe you forgot that.. I have never met Mr. Rockey".
You would have met him during the campaign, IF you had the kahunas~ which you don't. Really.
And.. tell your friend "manning" lol
Let's just add to his/your words a little~ Hey Phelan, you
"resigned because you couldn't take the pressure of the job?? That sounds like a coward to me" (although I think it was really the pressure of the Feds, not the job.
imo.) lmao
.
OakLawnAdult
9:55 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Andy your insecurity is showing.
EnoughofAndy
10:48 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
and let's limit it to the insecurity. We don't need to see any thing else
Lorraine Swanson
10:54 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Andy Capped,
I'm holding your comment in the moderation cue. Please rephrase and I will post right away. I'm sure you can think of a really creative word or description to express your thoughts. Lorraine.
OakLawnAdult
9:35 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Funny Lorraine, you will hold someone's comment in cue but you will print Andy's slander diatribe. You may eventually realize you are judged professionally by the company you keep.
Driving Miss Alex
9:46 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013
It is time to end Andy's fifteen minutes of fame brought to you by Tom Phelan and Lorraine working as one in an attempt to discredit everyone who disagrees with Tommy. Andy has no training to be writing a "journalistic" piece and his inability to be coherent should be reason enough to for the Patch to realize that it is imploding with bias.
Grunty
11:30 am on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Its not funny.
Andy Capped probably swore. Andy does not. That's the only difference...
Lorraine Swanson
10:12 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Any candidate or anyone for that matter can blog for Patch. The views expressed in this post are those of the author as noted in the article. Patch's only requirement for blogging (besides breathing) is that bloggers have to use their names. If interested, Driving Miss Alex, please email me at lorraine.swanson@patch.com.