Triangle Development Moves Forward
This week we had a special meeting regarding the Triangle Development. Structured Development did a very nice job with the presentation. A lot of residents attended and gave the Village and Structured Development feedback. We are in the process of finalizing our Master Development Agreement in the next 4 to 6 weeks, but wanted to make sure residents had a chance to be heard.
This is good news. I think the initial plans that I have seen have already incorporated much of what residents said they want to see. The Village staff and board appear to have done a good job of giving developers good direction on what the residents would want.
The plan is for construction to start by Spring of 2020 and be finished sometime around 2022. The Village has been at this since about the turn of the century. It was important to me, when I ran for office, to get out of the development business and go out to the market place and get a professional developer to finish this project. It looks like we are well on the way!
Satellite Police Station
Lately, I have received a lot of questions about a satellite police station at the mall. As many of you know this was part of my platform when I ran for mayor (see below from my website — http://keith4mayor.com/keith-on-the-issues/a-livable-community/)
ORLAND SQUARE MALL
The town’s most important physical asset must be protected.
- Satellite Police Station – Place a Satellite Police Station inside the mall on a cost-shared basis to improve Mall safety and shopper perceptions
- Work with Simon Property Group (owners of the mall) and Anchor Stores to encourage expansion and/or new formats to revitalize the Village’s largest asset, Orland Square Mall
I have told many people that upon getting into office, I learned that a satellite police station is not needed. My first meeting with Chief McCarthy made me realize this was not necessary and would be a waste of money. Our police department has complete access, integration and communication with security in the mall and it is 2 blocks from our police department. Sometimes you get new information that causes you to change your mind. This is one of those times.
Additionally, Simon properties, the owners of the mall reached out to us for discussions given the recent incident. It is abundantly clear that no policy would have stopped this isolated incident. However, we talked about how to address the perceptions of the mall. As part of this, the mall has strengthened their code of conduct standards which, according to Simon will be posted within a few weeks. We talked about other security measures as well that will not, and should not, be shared publicly for obvious reasons (in spite of the requests of some board members). I updated the Trustees personally, and it is my understanding that the Chief McCarthy followed up with each of them as well. This is all good news and I am very supportive of these efforts.
Illegal Robocall
In the past week it also appears that there was another illegal robocall attacking the Trustees who are attorneys. As usual, several Trustees accused me, People over Politics, and/or our supporters of making these calls. This happened within hours of the call. I will reiterate that these calls are inappropriate and wrong. The calls are damaging the village and helping no one. They simply create unnecessary division that is not helpful. Nobody associated with me or People Over Politics have anything to do with them and I asked the Village Manager to direct our Chief of Police, as I did when the previous one occurred, to refer the matter to the Illinois Attorney General for investigation.
2019 Election
On Wednesday, I was informed that the opponents of William Healy, Michael Milani and Cindy Nelson have appealed the ruling of the Cook Circuit Court Judge that reinstated them to the ballot. As you recall, last week an impartial judge ruled that there “was no confusion whatsoever and the three candidates were to placed on the ballot.”
It appears that the Orland Integrity Party and their supporters have seen the same polling that we have — in order to have any chance of winning they need to make sure they are unopposed. It appears their campaign centers on 1) trying to ensure that voters don’t have a choice, and 2) making unfounded accusations about illegal robocalls that have been going on since I won on election day (well before Bill, Mike and Cindy decided to run).
These actions further confirm my decision to support Bill, Mike and Cindy. They are long-time residents who care about Orland Park, who are tired of the political games and want to work together in our resident’s best interest.
As a reminder they have a free back on the ballot rally on February 21st from 6-9 at Silver Lake Country Club that includes entertainment, beer, wine and appetizers. |
