October 2011
1 post
24 tags
Oak Park supports Wind Energy, while saving 25 %...
For many decades most municipalities and their residents knew very little about ‘the grid’, besides the 800 number to call when the power went out. Few knew how or where their electricity was generated, let alone what impacts to the environment their thirst for electricity was having. Electricity 101 is a brief history of the US power industry.
But “the times they are a...
September 2011
2 posts
18 tags
Smart Grid is Vital to Region & Country's Future ~...
Main Street Communities can lead Prosumer energy revolution
Photo courtesy of John Schalk
Municipal Leaders Tour ComEd Oak Park Intelligent Sub-Station
Would you like to reduce the amount of electricity you use to save on your utility bill? Would you like to see our economy improve? Are you up for helping to reduce the threat...
Labor Day 2011
Labor Day 2011 at Lake Michigan
The Cucumbers have arrived
the Sweet Corn is in,
the Tomatoes – blood red
oh, to be garden fed,
tee up the football
and back to school,
autumn is best
in America’s mid-west
but you say,
its jobs, jobs, jobs we need,
maybe next year,
‘cause unfortunately, it’s also the season of big-time greed
August 2011
2 posts
11 tags
Five In the Books / 8-18-2011
On Sunday August 14, I completed my fifth year working for the good people of Oak Park.
I wanted to put up a short note thanking everyone with whom I have had the great pleasure to work with, from all walks of life, in Oak Park and Chicagoland. Despite the challenges of the Great Recession much has been accomplished. The community has been every bit as impressive and unique as I had...
22 tags
Beijing City Officials Visit Oak Park - August 8,...
EAST MEETS WEST in the VILLAGE of OAK PARK
When I was a preschooler, digging holes in our backyard sand box in Michigan, my dad used to tell me that if I dug deep enough I could dig all the way to the other side of the world and come out in China. I knew of the mysterious land called China before I knew of Canada, only 15 miles away from our sandbox.
Last week we enjoyed a good laugh...
July 2011
2 posts
7 tags
Quick and damaging storms - now seem like the...
DPW Superintendent John Wielebnicki planning clean up of the damage left by the storm this morning. The storm brought down, or severely damaged, approximately 40 trees.
The storm, which hit Oak Park about 8 am this morning, came and went within an hour, but not before high winds seriously damaged approximately 40 Oak Park trees and knocked down 12 power lines. Some Oak Park neighborhoods...
8 tags
Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and the Oak Park 2011 4th of...
The weather could not have been more perfect for the 2011 Oak Park 4th of July Parade.
Thank You to Oak Park resident Rich Brey, on the right, for giving me my first ever photography lesson.
Rich and I put together the following parade pictures for those who couldn’t make it. The really good pictures are Rich’s!
A special thanks to the 40+ parade entrants and the hundreds who...
June 2011
2 posts
7 tags
Talking “City Building” With Frank...
14 tags
150+ Organizations Represented at A Day In Our...
The first Sunday of June is always one of the best days of the year for new, old, and potential Oak Parkers. This years 38th annual “Day In Our Village” was the best attended in the five years I have served as Oak Park’s Village Manager.
For those who did not have the opportunity to attend, 156 Oak Park Civic Organizations and Businesses set up booths to share what they are about. ...
May 2011
18 posts
Our Last Day in China 5/25/11
After ten days of meetings and tours with municipal leaders and educators in China’s big three cities Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, we had a free day in Hong Kong. We hit the subway early, then crisscrossed Hong Kong on a 100+ year-old double-decker tram to help us decide which neighborhoods to explore on foot.
By the time the day ended we had gotten to the top of Hong Kong’s...
5 tags
A Wednesday in Hong Kong - 5/25/11
Our mode of transportation this morning in Hong Kong, the double decker, electric streetcar, tram. They have been in service here for over 100 years.
Almost time for lunch here.
12 tags
We have arrived in Hong Kong 5/24/11
We have ARRIVED!
Getting into Hong Kong via bus requires getting off the bus with luggage, going through Chinese immigration, getting back on the bus with luggage, driving a very short distance, getting off the bus again with luggage and waiting in line to get through Hon Kong-China immigration. The lines each took about 30 minutes to get through. We then got back on the bus and headed...
7 tags
A Bus Ride to Hong Kong - 5/24/11
With a solid four hours of sleep in it was time to exchange our Chinese Yuen back to American dollars to head to Hong Kong.
……from the bus……a few images from the two and a half hour bus ride from Guangzhou to Hong Kong
Stones are favored by Chinese landscape architects for parks and street design.
The Chinese appear to be using cement just as fast as they can...
17 tags
Our Final Day on Mainland China - 5/23/11
Monday morning in Guangzhou is a lot like Monday morning in Chicago. Dealing with traffic as we go back to work. Our morning allowed us to tour the city before our lunch and dinner appointments with Guangzhou municipal officials.
Like most mornings on this trip it was easy to spot people gathered in the park exercising and socializing. Most of the workouts are what you might call...
15 tags
An Action Packed Day in Guangzhou, China - 5/22/11
Local leaders presented us with banners with our names in Chinese
The rainy season is just beginning and we woke up to a good old Chicago-style thunderstorm this Sunday morning, our first morning in south China’s city of Guangzhou, population 14 million.
We began the day with a visit to the community of Panyu, population 200,000. They call it a community, but it is more like a ward in...
8 tags
Wrap up of Beijing and off to Guanzhou in South...
Beijing is full of unique architecture, including Olympic Village’s Crow’s Nest Stadium, where an equestrian event was underway as we visited.
The afterglow of the Beijing Olympics remains, but what happens to all the new facilities after the Olympics are over? Well, the Paddle Sports Center is being used for ongoing water sports competitions and training Beijing youth. In the...
11 tags
Mapo Township & a Beijing District Court
We went rural the first half of the day, beginning with Mr. and Mrs. Cheng welcoming us into the home they have lived in much of their lives. Mr. Cheng is 85 and Mrs. Cheng is 82. They have four sons just like Peg and me. While two or three generations continue to live in many Chinese households, the Chengs live alone until the weekend when their kids and grand kids descend upon their home.
...
3 tags
The Great Wall
A magnificent view from The Great Wall
A sign at the foot of The Great Wall
Pointing the way - UP!
Good luck young fellow.
Half way up and we find a souvenir shop, even at The Great Wall
Jim and JC did it, they made it to the top.
If you conquer The Wall you deserve a beer, so of course we celebrated when we came down. One of the best beers I ever had. Cheers!
9 tags
Our last Day in Beijing 5/21/11
In front of Communist Party Headquarters as our last day in Beijing began with an early morning visit to historic Tiananmen Square. The Square was built after Chairman Mao Tse-tung united China in 1949. The line to see Chairman Mao Tse-tung was at least six city blocks long.
With patriotic music playing in the background and massive video screens showing highlights of modern China, it is a...
18 tags
A full day in Beijing 5/18/11
Planning Director Beiting Zhao, PhD
Chicago planner Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no small plans.” Mr. Burnham’s spirit lives on in Beijing. After landing in China’s political, governmental, and high tech capital we sped to the Beijing Planning and Land Resource Bureau. Here Director Beiting Zhao gave us a high tech tour of the past, the present, and the future of this...
3 tags
OUR LAST DAY IN SHANGHAI 5/17/11
We are beginning to understand why the people of Shanghai generally look so fit and healthy. Meals feature lots of different vegetable dishes, soups, fish, and noodle dishes with small portions of meats and poultry. Dessert is usually fruit. Then there is exercise! On my 6 am morning walk today I saw many, many people, mostly seniors, doing all sorts of slow moving, minimal stress exercise with...
11 tags
Shanghai, river boats, students, trains... 5/17/11
River boat tour of Shanghai’s Venice of the Orient, China’s oldest water town.
Today we spent the morning touring an ancient river town known as the Venice of the Orient. We released fish into the ancient river to earn good Karma in this mostly Buddhist country.
Lunch at the International Global Village With Shanghai Deputy Mayor Lee. The lazy susan seems to be a popular and...
10 tags
Mission Main Street goes to China 5/15/11
The downtown Shanghai skyline with Lombard, IL Village Manager Dave Hulesberg and Lombard School District Superintendent Jim Blanche
Our Chicagoland local government delegation landed in Shanghai Sunday afternoon after a 14 hour flight. The 78 degree temps felt great after our cold, rainy spring. We noticed a slight haze over Shanghai as we landed. Once out of the new, well run airport, our...
5 tags
Kenya Presidential Candidate Visits Oak Park...
Police Chief Rick Tanksley, Kenya Presidential Candidate Professor George L. Wajackoyah, Village Manager Tom Barwin, and Deputy Chief Tony Ambrose
Whether we agree with their politics or not, it is usually an honor when a United States President or Presidential Candidate visits our town. Over the years the communities I have managed have hosted Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and Bill...
4 tags
2nd Electric Vehicle Registers for Free Parking in...
Stephan Grushas with his electric vehicle and his brand new Electric Vehicle Parking Sticker from the Village of Oak Park, IL
Last Friday, May 6th, the Village awarded its second Electric Vehicle Free Parking Sticker to Stephan Grushas, of Lagrange. Mr. Grushas is a member of the Fox Valley Electric Car Club. We hope Mr. Grushas and his fellow pollution free car club members visit Oak Park...
With Bin Laden Out - Can New 21st Century Ideas...
The National Memorial, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, will be dedicated on September 11, 2011 in a ceremony for victims’ families. Beginning on September 12, 2011, the public may visit the Memorial with a reserved visitor pass.
It wasn’t that long ago that people around the globe welcomed the New Millenium with enthusiasm. The Cold War had been ended....
10 tags
“USA Military Can be Smaller” says Diplomat at...
Margaret Rohter, a former Peace Corps volunteer, welcomed Oak Park resident and Diplomat Brian Flora and Liz Thomas to Saturday’s “Spring Brunch”
About 60 people attended Saturday morning’s Oak Park Council of International Affairs’ “Spring Brunch” high atop the Holley Court Terrace in downtown Oak Park. The attendees gathered to hear OP resident, retired US...
April 2011
4 posts
8 tags
Governor Pat Quinn & VOP Recognize Walgreens as...
I blogged about the Walgreens Corporation’s efforts to adapt and reuse a historic building at Madison and Oak Park Avenue some time ago. From that ‘facade-ectomy’ to yesterday’s unveiling of the first electric vehicle charging station in Oak Park, IL Walgreens has exceeded virtually everyone’s expectations!
How many stores have you ever been in that it...
13 tags
Chicagoland Smart Grid Update – 4/17/2011
It was an honor last Friday afternoon to welcome ComEd COO/President Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd Smart Grid VP Michael McMahan P.E., ComEd Smart Tech Manager Rich Gordus, as well as members of Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s staff, led by Paul Gaynor, to Oak Park. The executive group was in town on a rainy Friday afternoon to inspect recent “smart grid technology” upgrades to...
16 tags
Going Underground, Our Aging Infrastructure...
This past February residents living near OPRF High School began to notice a corner of the intersection at Erie and Scoville was beginning to collapse. This was not a super sized pothole but a fast expanding sink hole.
Upon investigation the Public Works Department and Engineering Department determined a corner “bulkhead” in the eight foot diameter relief...
Police Officer Selection, Training and Mentoring...
Amongst the many functions of local government, selecting, training, and mentoring our police officers is surely one of our most important responsibilities. Keeping the peace and protecting our citizens and their property from those who have gone astray, requires we select and train honest, ethical, smart, hard working, and conscientious individuals.
Having served as a police officer in...
March 2011
7 posts
BACK IN THE USA 3-31-11
I have been back in the USA for one week and pleasantly surprised by how many people have asked me about my trip to Nigeria or told me of their own recent or upcoming “travel adventures”.
Willie, a Lagos, Nigeria Fireman I had the pleasure to meet
A Lagos, Nigeria Fire Station
It took a few days for the trip to fully sink in so I could respond to the top question I was asked. “What...
30 tags
Nigeria Rising, 3/20/11
Zuma Rock located just outside of Abuja, Nigeria. Our Nigerian driver told us this rock has never been able to be scaled.
As we prepare to leave this fascinating, complex, and rapidly growing City of Lagos, Nigeria I am reviewing the list of public policy priorities any dedicated City Manager, Mayor, or City Council member would have made after nine days here. Things Americans generally...
Nigeria Report, 3-18-11
Whatever sidelined me for a day I sweated out last night and rejoined the Amobi Okoye Foundation team for a 12 hour day of promoting education and American Football in this off the charts, visually and culturally stimulating city, which is teaming with activity. The sights, sounds, and story lines in Lagos, Nigeria are riveting, endless, and emotional.
But back to business, while news the NFL...
11 tags
Thursday, 3:30 pm in Lagos, Nigeria / 3-17-11
I skipped the coaching clinic this morning and managed to get on the internet through my mini-computer, in my hotel room, $10 dollars for 24 hours. The travel, heat, long and harrowing car ride to and from the slave port yesterday resulted in a back and neck ache.
Walking the Badagry slave port, from which the 400 + year Atlantic Slave Trade was launched by Portugal around 1425, was a surreal...
15 tags
Nigeria Photos
To see some amazing images from Nigeria and to follow the trip check out the following websites.
Jason Ryan Creative
International Federation of American Football (IFAF)
fb Connor Barwin Fan Page
14 tags
Nigeria Visit - 3-16-11
I am “out of pocket” as they say for 11 days, helping out with an educational, medical, and sports mission organized by NFL football star Amobi Okoye, who hails from Nigeria. My youngest son Connor plays defense for the Houston Texans with Amobi and asked if I was interested in tagging along to help out. Absolutely.
I jumped at the opportunity, not only because I have never been to Africa...
Making Sense of the Census 3-14-11
As the US Census bureau releases the 2010 Census data scores demographers, business strategists, professors, and think tank types will pan the treasure trove of US Census data for a few golden nuggets of insights as to how our society is changing. Early Census data confirms that Oak Park has once again defied expectations and predictions. The Census bureau’s population estimating division had...
February 2011
4 posts
7 tags
Oak Park’s 1st Electric Vehicle – 2/22/11
Last fall the Village Board approved an ordinance which provides for free electric vehicle parking in Oak Park throughout 2011 and 2012. Last week one of our forward thinking residents took advantage of our mini-incentive. Our very first free EV Parking permit was issued to Oak Park resident Glenn Hunter, of North Elmwood Street, on Valentine’s Day. Appropriate timing for those who love...
6 tags
ComEd Smart Substation in VOP Nearly Complete...
Like most anyone who lives in an older single-family home, I know how to check the circuit breaker box in the basement when the power goes off as my wife blow dries her hair while I am toasting a bagel.
Electricity consumers may be surprised to discover that a ComEd version of their home circuit box – albeit one taking up most of an entire building – is doing pretty much the same thing as the...
16 tags
A Visit to GE Appliance Park – 2/12/11
Touring the GE Appliance Reliability Lab with David McCalpin, General Manager of Home Energy Management
Louisville, Kentucky - This past Thursday morning, as things were heating up in Egypt and the mid-west remained in a deep freeze, Sustainability Manager KC Poulous and I headed to General Electric’s Appliance Park in Louisville Kentucky. The purpose of our trip was to explore...
9 tags
BLIZZASTER AVERTED - SUPER Job by DPW – 2/5/2011
Before & after pics of a parking lot on South Maple. See ‘Snow Day’ pics at the Wednesday Journal.
The NFL Super Bowl won’t be played until tomorrow, but Oak Park Village employees embraced Tuesday’s white out, 20 inch, thunder blizzard as our own personal Super Bowl. Our game plan goal of keeping roads open for emergency vehicles throughout the blizzard and having...
January 2011
2 posts
6 tags
Neighborhood – Grass Roots Economics 1/18/2011
As we begin the New Year a variety of reliable sources seem to agree that the “great recession” is slowly receding. However, with national unemployment above 9% and gasoline prices rising once again, optimism remains muted.
The recent recession reminds us that much of our economy is determined by national and now even global trends, realities, and macroeconomics. The bursting of the...
8 tags
2000-2010 The Smoke & Mirrors Decade
I rang in the “New Millennium” on 12/31/1999, in a makeshift emergency operations center in the basement of Ferndale, Michigan’s City Hall, with the Police, Fire, and Public Works’ Chiefs. The feared meltdown of our nation’s computer systems at 12:01 am on January 1, 2000, did not occur.
With electricity, water, sewer, gas, and traffic control signals functioning as usual, our...
November 2010
3 posts
10 tags
Lessons From New York City Bike Lanes, 11-30-2010
Few areas in the United States have the traffic volumes, parking demands, population densities, and pedestrian movements found in the Big Apple. This reality, combined with fleets of taxis, jammed busses, and miles of subways would make New York seem like the last place on earth to integrate bicycle lanes into it’s transportation grid. Yet, they are one of the first to successfully do so and...
Free Electric Vehicle Parking in Oak Park in 2011...
THE GREAT BATTERY RACE
In 1960, following his stunning and transformational election, President, John F. Kennedy set an audacious goal for the country. As we all know, the United States did achieve President Kennedy’s goal of landing a human on the moon within ten years. That goal and its achievement not only provided enormous prestige to our country, as we worked through the cold war, but as...
11 tags
Visiting Oak Park's 1st no-furnace house - Nov. 6,...
Drive past the home of environmental pioneers Mary Chris Javlevic and Roy Schuster on the 1100 block of Clinton Avenue and it looks much like the other well-kept homes on the block. Take a closer look – or be lucky enough, as I was, to go inside – and you begin to realize this is no ordinary Oak Park home. Actually, it is no ordinary American home. It’s furnace free, yet designed to keep...
October 2010
3 posts
12 tags
Oak Park Awarded Solar Panel Grant – October 26,...
Like Mom, Apple Pie, and Chevrolet, the notion of leaving the planet in good shape for future generations is a nice sentiment, but who thinks that is happening?
What is happening is the increasing certainty that climate change is by far the biggest challenge humans have ever faced.
Unlike war, fascism, the depression, or a pandemic, the climate change challenge is a slow motion, incremental, not...
4 tags
Proposed 2011 budget available for review -...
The Village’s Proposed 2011 Budget is available for public review and comment. The $125 million-budget, tentatively scheduled to be adopted by the Village Board on Nov. 22, is “the story of a great community continuing to navigate carefully through the recession, while not resting on its laurels”. For the first time in three years, after reducing the Village workforce by 70...
12 tags
The Future of Wind Power, 10-5-2010
Over the past two years the Village of Oak Park has been working with the Illinois Institute of Technology and several other organizations to understand and promote the new clean energy economy. Creating new-energy economy jobs and slowing climate change are two pretty good motivations for jumping into the renewable energy realm with both feet.
Preparing our codes, budgets, infrastructure,...