The last board meeting was mostly routine business. We approved an asphalt maintenance contract. Bids came in more than $200,000 under budget, which will allow us to add more bike paths and parking lots to what we originally planned. Our improved bidding processes, and a market place that is becoming very aggressive with pricing, have led to many of these types of opportunities.
Additionally, our “Snow Angels” program received so much praise that we decided to add a fire hydrant clearing program as well. This program will allow students to receive community service hours for each hydrant they clear. Another great idea that has been implemented!
At the end of the meeting, my opponent again sent surrogates to disrupt the meeting and make accusations. This time they attacked me for “not helping small businesses” during COVID and for my public safety record and not forcing the mall to implement a youth supervision policy sooner. It is sad that my opponent turned down debates from both the American Legion and Orland Park Small Business Association while sending surrogates to disrupt village business. I have committed to the March 23rd debate at the library. I hope that my opponent finally shows up to one after four years of avoiding a public debate with me in the same room.
I did, however, respond to both of these attacks. First, regarding small business help, the number one most important thing we did for all of our businesses was to fight to keep them open during COVID. The easy thing to do was to shut everything down, the hard thing was to determine how to open safely. Most importantly, it was the right thing to do. We also took several other actions, including:
- A small business tax sharing program for three months after businesses were allowed to re-open. All small businessewere allowed to take advantage of this 50/50 tax sharing program.
- “Shop & Dine Orland” program that marketed the village and gave residents and visitors Orland Park gift cards based on how much they spent at our stores. These gift cards could then be used at Orland park stores.
- “Shop Auto Orland” Program that gave gift cards for each auto sale. Many auto dealers stated that they had record months due to this program.
- Another “Dine Orland” program after restaurants were shut down a second time.
- Waived liquor license fees for 2021 for all restaurant related liquor licenses. since they were shut down and limited more than other class of business.
- Reduced property taxes by 3%, helping all businesses and restaurants.
- “Masks for Medical” program to get masks to our medical businesses that allowed many of our doctors and dentists to get back to work when they had no other sources for masks and the state and county health departments were unable to fulfill their obligations to provide an emergency supply of PPE.
Second, regarding public safety, the facts speak for themselves during my tenure.
- Named the Safest City in Illinois in 2020 by Safety.com
- 2019 was the lowest index crime total in 25 years
- 2020 index crimes were 29% lower than 2019
- 2019 and 2020 had the lowest per capita violent crime rate in Illinois for towns over 50,000 people
- Orland Square Mall is consistently the safest mall in Chicagoland
Additionally, we are not Communist Russia or China. We do not force private businesses to enact specific policies. Instead, it is important for the village to develop a relationship with our businesses like we have with Simon Properties, the owners of Orland Square Mall. It is this strong relationship that allowed us to work collaboratively over a period of time to implement a “Youth Supervision Policy” which went into effect very successfully on Friday and Saturday this past weekend. Unlike my predecessor, who had not spoke to the owners of the mall for six years prior to my taking office, I speak to Orland Square Mall leadership on a regular basis and the village now has a strong relationship with Orland Square. This is critical, as it is the economic driver of Orland Park and our entire region.
I expect that the upcoming board meeting will see more attacks from the three retiring trustees and surrogates. Essentially it is the last meeting in which they can create a “gotcha” moment for the upcoming election. As always, I will remain focused on doing village business and will save campaigning for a more appropriate venue.
There have been a continuous barrage of baseless attacks and I know that they will get worse. Like me, the trustee candidates and our families are prepared for this onslaught. We will continue to press forward to get elected to continue the positive momentum that has been created in my first four years.
Don’t forget that early voting starts on March 22nd. The closest early voting location is the Orland Township building. You can also request a mail in ballot from Cook County at the present time.
I thank you all for your continued support.
