Thanks for your attention

The semester is over at Dominican University, which means that our web-based coverage of Berwyn is also at an end. We hope to be back next fall. Thank you for your comments, suggestions and help over the past few months.

Mayor Lovero’s 2009 Objectives and Accomplishments

The end of the year is near and Mayor Robert’s objectives to be accomplished in 2009 are as follows:

1.) Establish position of Director of Administration at Mid-year to insure the increased professional management of City operations.

2.) Complete negotiations with al four labor unions for a three-tier health insurance option.

3.) Complete the first year of Landlord Training Program associated with the Crime-Free Housing Ordinance and along with Berwyn Housing Center develop an effective program to improve the rental housing in the City of Berwyn and encourage Condo Conversions.

4.) Develop a short and long-range plan for the City that will provide assistance and direction for both the budget and management of operations.

5.) Continue economic development improvements by encouraging the promotion of the City of Berwyn. Participating in negotiations with developers along with the BDC to increase retail sales and encourage mixed use projects in the business districts.

6.) Complete current negotiations for planned improvements to Cermak Plaza, Cermak Road Depot District, Roosevelt Road, Superblock and the site of the old police station. Secure state and/or federal grants to fund Roosevelt Rd. streetscape improvement as a combined effort with Oak Park and Cicero.

7.) Complete Depot District Parking Garage, Roosevelt Road infrastructure, and 16^th Street Firehouse.

8.) Complete street lighting project for 26^th St., portions for Ridgeland and Oak Park Avenues.

9.) Expand “Green Initiative” for the City of Berwyn that includes all departments, other taxing bodies and citizens.

10.) Continue to pursue a location and partnership to provide Senior Housing for our ever-increasing population of seniors in sear of a way to stay in our community.

*Berwyn 2009 Annual Budget

Mayor Lovero’s budget for expenditures in 2009 was slightly higher than previous years (2007-2008). And unfortunately some of the Mayor’s objectives have not been completed to their entirety. Improvements for Roosevelt have been started, but are not completed. See A Business Owners Nightmare. As the Mayor, his services include being able to “implement a strategic plan for the City of Berwyn and provide reports to the City Council on the progress of the plan,” according to the budget.

Regarding the Landlord Training Program to help dissolve crime, Lovero says he has had positive reviews from residents. “It’s been very instrumental in people coming up to me telling me they have seen a difference. We have triple the [police] force,” he said “An example of this is the police did a roll-call in front of a gangbanger’s house and then a follow up communication was sent up to the landlord stating that they were going to be cited for keeping a house a nuisance. The landlord did not know. And they were evicted immediately.”

Some of the Mayor’s goals are not completely fulfilled but he said his two main goals were to “address the crime problem and the economic development.” The crime problem has been addressed and economic development has been as well. On Wednesday, Brando’s Beef opened in the Depot District.

An official record of what has exactly been accomplished won’t be available until the New Year. “We are anxious for the census to be available,” Lovero said.

Newly Amended FOIA, Starting Jan 1, 2010

Starting Jan 1, 2010 the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) will be amended. The Illinois Senate and House of Representatives approved the bill due to many complaints regarding both FOIA and Open Meetings Act. Starting the first of the New Year, a public body must respond to a FOIA request from 7 to 5 business days.

City Clerk, Tom Pavlik, hopes that openness in the administration will decrease the need to request many FOIA. “We try to put everything on the website, the information is laid out there,” Pavlik said. He added, that everything that the aldermen see, the public sees. “All the information is available to the public, and if everybody does their homework behind the scenes there’s going to be a need for public communication.”

If a request is denied, the new law (Public Act 096-0542) requires that a public body provide a detailed factual basis for the application and of any exemption claimed when denying a request. Also, if any public body which the court determines willfully and intentionally failed to comply with FOIA, a $2,500- $5,000 fine will be imposed.

The new FOIA legislation plans to “ensure an open and honest government.” Berwyn legislation have been preparing for the new policies and procedures since the law was passed in the summer.

Berwyn Steps Up to Help the Homeless this Winter

This winter, the city of Berwyn will be providing warming centers and emergency shelter to ensure the safety of the elderly and homeless during the bitter cold.

Warming centers can be found at the following locations:
Berwyn Police Department (24 hours) – 6401 W. 31st St.
Berwyn Public Library – 2701 S. Harlem Ave.
Berwyn Recreation Department – 31st St. & East Ave.
Berwyn Cultural Center – 6420 W. 16th St.

Also, West Suburban PADS, the only service agency providing services and emergency shelter to the homeless in the area, is also offering overnight shelter this winter throughout the 20 west surburban communities it serves, including Berwyn.

The emergency shelter is open nightly from 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. between Sept. 17 and May 14. The shelter program, which also provides dinner, breakfast and a sack lunch, rotates daily between area churches. Overnight shelter is available at Berwyn United Lutheran Chuch, 24th St. and S. Harvey, on the third and fourth Saturdays of each month. For a complete shelter schedule, click here.

If you would like to volunteer at Berwyn United Lutheran, or any other emergency shelter location, contact WSPADS Shelter Manager Heather Winquist at 708.338.1724 x228.

To learn more about WSPADS and the homeless in the West Suburbs, you can watch this informational video, Beyond Shelter:

Berwyn Public Library and Pro Se Services Team Up for Toy Drive

This December, the Berwyn Public Library was just one of several locations to participate in Pro Se Services  3rd Annual Holiday Drive for Children in Emergency Shelters. 

According to Executive Director Dinae Knox, the toy drive began three years ago when Pro Se Services was founded. Knox said the organization was simply created by “a group of young people you decided to help out other young people.” She added that PSS especially tends to focus on helping out foster children in the area, specifically southwest Cook County.

This goal of this year’s toy drive was to provide more than 70 children, between infants and 18, with gifts this holiday season. “We’ve collected a ton of stuff, including baskets and toys,” said Knox. She said each year, the organization sets a goal for how many children that plan to help that year.  Despite the recession, Knox said they will definitely meet their goal this year.

Volunteers and PSS staff will be having a gift-wrapping party tonight to wrap all of the donations in time for the Dec. 20 delivery party. In collaboration with DCFS, PSS staff will be hosting two holiday parties (one for the younger children, ages 9-12 and one for the older children, 13 and older) where the gifts will all be directly delivered to the kids.

While today was the last day for gift donations, if you are still interested in donating monetarily or volunteering, please contact Dinae Knox at dknox@proseservices.org.

Cash contributions can be made in person at any drop-off location, including the Berwyn Public Library, or  through the Web site using paypal, or by mail at Pro Se Services, P.O. Box 363, Riverside, IL 60546.

Berwyn’s Social Service Agencies Face Difficult Times in Today’s Economy

While the economic recession has financially affected social service organizations across the country, it has also created a critical need for their help and assistance than ever before. Most recently, these organizations were threatened by million-dollar cutbacks from the state of Illinois. Earlier this summer, Illinois lawmakers had approved a budget that would force 50 percent cuts to human service agencies. According to the State Journal-Register, if this budget cut were to take effect, Gov. Pat Quinn’s predicted 65,000 people with alcohol and substance abuse would lose treatment while 80,000 low-income mothers could lose child-care services.

Some of Berwyn’s most successful and utilized social service organizations, including Seguin Services, Sarah’s Inn and Youth Crossroads, are among those facing cutbacks, among other problems, in today’s economic climate.

 Seguin Services

 Seguin Services, a not-for-profit agency that offers programs, housing and employment opportunities for adults and children with disabilities, was threatened with million-dollar cutbacks on essential government grants, like many Berwyn social service agencies. Seguin Services provides classes for people with disabilities to help them build the confidence and independence they need to find a job with local employers.  The organization also provides Community Integrated Living Arrangement homes for the disabled in 21 communities throughout the south and western suburbs.

 According to Senior Vice President Jim Haponstahl, Seguin Services nearly faced a $7 million cutback by the state government. “Organizations like us gathered and they decided not to do that. To do so would have been foolish.” Haponstahl explained that such a cutback would have lead to about 400 people going back into state care, which would cost about 2-3 times more than Seguin Services programs.

 “We were cut, but not by much,” said Haponstahl. “That’s not the same for other organizations…We have lucked out.” He said Seguin Services supported employment program, which usually receives a $340,000 grant, was cut by $30,000. He added that eight people were also laid off in the maintenance department.

 As one of the top 25 charities Chicago with a $24 million budget, Haponstahl said the state grats only help pay for the bare essentials, meaning that the rest of the budget is provided by various means, including corporate or individual donations, foundation support, volunteer support and in-kind donations, such as cars or even homes.

 Despite today’s economy, Haponstahl has noticed an actual increase in donors, even though they may not be donating as much per capita, with some notable exceptions.

 Haponstahl explained that a woman whose mother lived in Berwyn actually donated her home to Seguin Services after her death. “Seguin was able to turn it around and use proceeds from that sale to help with the Capital Campaign in honor of that woman,” Haponstahl said.

 He believes people are continuing to donate to Seguin Services because people see how the organization is doing something innovative and entrepreneurial with the people it serves. “We provide a vital need in terms of supporting people with developmental disorders and disabilities,” said Haponstahl. “We can be there to support them and their families.”

 However, while cutbacks and donations have not been as bad as expected, Haponstahl is still worried about next year. “We are not very optimistic about how the state will address financial issues in the next fiscal year,” he said. “We are not optimistic that they will meet financial obligations. 2010 might be a worse year.  We’re very concerned about it.”

Home Repair Program to Help Berwyn Residents

Berwyn residents were recently given the opportunity to apply for free help with home repairs.

Rebuilding Together*Metro Chicago is a “volunteer home repair effort that conducts a one-day community work blitz to help repair the homes of low-income  homeowners.” Roughly 25 homes in Berwyn will be selected to recieve free home repairs on National Rebuilding Day on April 24, 2010. Next spring, 30 volunteers will be assisting Berwyn residents with repairs including: interior painting, minor plumbing or electrical repairs, replacing tile, porch repair, improving handicap access, minor remodeling, adding security doors and yardwork. Repairs for elderly and disabled homeowners will take precedence above other applicants.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for people who might not get help otherwise,” Berwyn resident Michelle Mulvihill said.  ”Sometimes it costs $60 just to have a repair person walk in the door; to have volunteers come and help  with home repairs that residents might not be able to take care of on their own is invaluable.”

Mulvihill expressed that many residents will be grateful for the extra help. “In these hard economic times, people don’t always have the money to keep up with their homes. When the choice is food on the table or a broken pipe, food will always take priority.”

In the application letter, Wanda Ramirez, executive director said: “We are so impressed with the community spirit in Berwyn and look forward to working with residents there in the upcoming year. Together we can ensure that the investment you have made in your family home is preserved for generations to come.”

Community members interested in becoming a volunteer for Rebuilding Together*Metro Chicago should click here to find out how to get involved.

Berwyn’s Only Toy Store Dodges Black Friday Morning Madness

While many stores opened early this past Friday to accommodate for a mad rush of shoppers, Berwyn’s Toy Trains and Models, located at 7025 Ogden Ave., opened its doors at regular time–10 a.m. on Black Friday.

“We’re a specialty market,” said store owner Tom Svestka. “We don’t compete with the larger stores; we don’t have giveaways.”

Although there was no early morning rush on Black Friday, Svestka said the store was busy throughout the day. “Black Friday is always busy, but we aren’t the type of business that experiences an early morning madness.” According to Svestka, year after year, each Saturday gets busier leading up to Christmas. The last Saturday before Christmas is generally the busiest day of the year for the store.

Berwyn’s Toy Trains and Models is the only toy store in Berwyn and one of only four toy train stores in the Chicagoland area. The store sells traditional toys, wooden railway trains, but no electronic toys, computer or video games.

According to the Chicago Tribune, retailers made $10.66 million in sales on Black Friday, an increase of 0.5 percent from last year.

District 100 Tech Sale

When Berwyn South School District 100 replaced the computers and technology in the schools, they were left with a number of old monitors, towers, etc. The board declared there was a surplus at the last board meeting and on Nov. 21, from 9-3 p.m., District 100 had a Tech Sale to get rid of all the old equipment.  Parents and students had first choice and the rest was set up for the general public.  The computers were tested and were sold at reduced prices.  Flat screens sold for as low as $50.  There are still computers left over and will hopefully be donated to several companies.

“We’re hoping to have something like that every year,” said Daniel Lane, Public Information Coordinator.  “Next year, we might sell furniture”.

Technology in Berwyn South district is constantly changing.

Technology is constantly changing the way things are done and Berwyn South School District 100 has been taking advantage of this by installing SMART boards in classrooms, along with using other forms of technology.  SMART boards are a new technology tool that replaces the conventional chalkboards.  They are interactive and touch-sensitive.   They are connected with an Apple Powerbook, which project onto the boards, and the internet.  Teachers can use these SMART boards for a variety of things, as well as students.
“They [students] love them,” said Hiawatha School principal Marilyn McManus Williams.  “This isn’t something you stand there and look at”.
Another feature about these boards is that they include tablets, which are the size of a mouse pad but a little thicker.  These tablets are connect to the boards through Bluetooth so students can manipulate the board from anywhere in the classroom.
The boards were first installed this past April and District 100 hopes to one day have the boards in every classroom.  SMART boards are also being used for workshops and teachers are being trained to use the new technology.
“Our teachers are really using them,” said Williams.  “It’s very engaging and exciting”.
Hiawatha School has the SMART boards installed in every classroom but four.  Two laptops have also been put into each classroom for learning purposes.  Students use these laptops for reading “game-like” programs, such as Accelerated Reader, in which students are tested on books they have read to receive points.
“Getting the SMART boards is a big deal,” said Ann Marie Suter, Irving School PTA past president.  “We’re able to keep information as current as possible”.
Teachers have also been using technology to keep parents up to date with Xerox machines that have scanning and e-mail functions.  Schools, such as Hiawatha School, have been using programs such as Skype and Wikis for education purposes.
“We are using new technology instead of buying,” said Williams.
Teachers and staff have been using Skype for meetings.  A fourth grade class at Hiawatha School has been using Skype as a way to connect with their pen pals at a school in Africa.
Hiawatha School has also been using Wikis, which have been set up by staff.  Many of these wikis include resources, writing strategies, and reading comprehension.  Wikis have also been set up for the Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) programs to show data.