Oak Parker supports NYC Muslim center

I am writing this letter to support the development of a community center near the World Trade Center site, which will include a Muslim prayer room among its facilities. Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Thoughts on the TIF lawsuit breakthrough

The following comments were submitted in response to Oak Park Village Hall and the two local school districts meeting behind closed doors last week to discuss an ongoing lawsuit between the three parties. Go to WednesdayJournalOnline.com to join the conversation. Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Crossing guards needed for all kids in OP

Safety last, for Oak Park children, is the loud, clear message from both the village and District 97. Neither one is willing to pay the small yearly sum of $6,500, each, for crossing guards for Oak Park's Catholic schools. Tuesday, September 07, 2010

VMA seeks candidates for office of village trustee

Dear fellow Oak Park resident, Are you interested in serving as a Village of Oak Park trustee? Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Seuffert an 'embarrassment' to Catholics

Virginia Seuffert has often referred to herself as Catholic in previous columns. What an embarrassment for Catholics! Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Canceling your subscription isn't the answerI can't understand why Rosemary Muller wants to cancel her Wednesday Journal subscription because she disagrees with one of its editorials [May cancel journal subscription after knock on teachers, Viewpoints, Aug. 18]. I disagree with many of the paper's editorials and think, either they are smoking something, or they just enjoy upsetting people. Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Had enough of good-for-nothing bump outs

Will the amateurs running our local villages ever learn? That's a rhetorical question. The answer is, of course not. A number of years ago, Oak Park installed bump outs on Jackson. The furor against them pretty much caused Oak Park to cease installing these insidiously stupid barriers to the efficient flow of traffic. Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Quick response to remove graffiti is appreciated

Congratulations to Mr. Melton and the Oak Park Community Relations Department for the recently noted reduction in graffiti taggings [Graffiti on the downswing in Oak Park, News, Aug. 17]. Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Crossing guards needed at Catholic schools, too

Thanks to Dan Haley for speaking up on the loss of crossing guards at the Catholic schools [Catholic kids need crossing guards, too, Dan Haley, Aug. 25]. As a parent of children who walk to and from school daily to enjoy some exercise and independence, I find it hard to believe that Oak Park cannot find a way to provide all children in Oak Park with crossing guards. Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Late summer, early fall in Oak Park

The grandkids love acorn hunting, as did their parents (the kids) and, I guess me before them. It is a welcome break from their video games and TV, so I always encourage, and accompany them. There are still some oak trees left in Oak Park, so we have our favorite hunting spots. Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Support for Fr. McNally's compassion and courage

We, the undersigned women and men of Ascension Parish, would like to express our support of Father Larry McNally. In his letter to the Sun-Times, and to his parish, he apologized for the church's insensitivity to women. The Vatican hierarchy has recently called the ordination of women and pedophilia both grave sins. Tuesday, August 31, 2010

'He is Not Home'

This poem was written by Lennox's father, Michael Lennox senior, in 2009 when his son left for his first deployment to the Caribbean. Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Thanks to Schulers and the park district

We were very happy to read Wednesday Journal's feature story on Mary Jo Schuler and her philanthropic foundation, "Good Heart/Work Smart" [Good-hearted capitalist, News, Aug. 11]. Tuesday, August 24, 2010

What, me worry about spraying for mosquitoes?

What a relief I felt heading out into my neighborhood Wednesday morning (Aug. 11), knowing that I wouldn't be pestered by a single mosquito! Thanks to the arcane sight of a fleet of trucks tooling up and down the streets Tuesday night - spewing pesticides all over our yards, vegetable gardens, parks and homes - we all can get back outside and breathe the fresh air! Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Locals are the uncivil ones

I am writing in response to John Murtagh's "One View" on traffic and civility [Non-Oak Park drivers threaten civility of community, Viewpoints, Aug. 11]. While Mr. Murtagh claims (without any supporting evidence) that all of our traffic problems are the result of "out of towners" that don't know the Oak Park way, I can tell haim that we are our own worst enemy. Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Why bother joining an Oak Park commission?

On Saturday (Aug. 14), village trustees were walking through the neighborhood where I live, just south of Village Hall, distributing flyers that encouraged citizens to get involved and consider joining a commission. Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Midterm elections chance to change direction

The vote you cast in November for the 7th Congressional district can carry more weight than any other on the ballot. Your choice represents the heart of this year's election and gives you the opportunity to express your dissatisfaction with "business as usual" in our government. Tuesday, August 24, 2010

New park means sleepless nights for neighbor

This weekend, my worst fears about the new park at Randolph and Oak Park Avenue were realized. They've placed a cement chess table just outside my bedroom window. Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Taking note of a human timeline

On my walk in Oak Park this morning, I saw a young woman straddling her bike in the middle of a side street. I wondered why. She had received a call on her cell phone, but before she could answer it she had to remove the bud in her right ear. I thought it was an apt symbol. Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Signs won't stop outsiders from using OP streets

The recent "One View" column by John Murtagh is an Elmwood Park view of traffic management, where stop signs are placed on nearly every corner [Non-Oak Park drivers threaten civility of community, Viewpoints, Aug. 11]. This is supposed to so discourage outsiders that the community will remain tranquil and traffic free. This view flies in the face of any rational concept of traffic congestion and traffic management. Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Cause of July flooding merits investigation

I was puzzled by the headline and tenor of Ben Meyerson's article entitled, "After the flood, who to blame?" [News, Aug. 4] River Forest Trustee Catherine Adduci's response to the flood shows common sense, not ire. Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Take your kids to school on the first day

The Multicultural Education Department has joined with Black Star Project to encourage adult family members to accompany their children to school on the first day as a show of support for the schools and education. Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Housing Oak Park supports Comcast development

Housing Oak Park strongly endorses the proposed rehab of the Comcast building into 51 units of affordable, supportive housing [Opposition forming to proposed Madison apartments in Oak Park, News, July 28]. A home is essential to the quality of life. It means personal stability and an opportunity to connect with a larger community. Housing is fundamental, regardless of income. Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Hate the infernal mosquitos, but what about my organic garden?

Readers submitted the following comments in response to Oak Park getting sprayed for mosquitoes. Go to WednesdayJournalOnline.com to join the conversation. Tuesday, August 17, 2010

D200 board having its cake and eating it, too

In response to the District 200 Board Of Education's "Editorial poor substitute for reporting" letter [Viewpoints, July 28], there are a couple of issues the board should look at as well. Tuesday, August 10, 2010

School zones add to idling

Adding to Mark Schlosser's comments, here are two more [Village should think about where we idle most, Viewpoints, Aug. 4]. Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Some clarifications about Madison St. apartments

The board of commissioners of the Oak Park Housing Authority would like to thank Wednesday Journal for continuing to provide accurate public information about the proposed redevelopment of the Comcast building. We believe that this is an important project that carries many benefits for Oak Park. We look forward to working with the community and the village in an open and cooperative manner as this project progresses in the coming months. Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Don't touch stop signs at Augusta/Woodbine

This note is in response to the recent letter I received about the signage at the corner of Augusta and Woodbine. Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Door-to-door gas company is misleading residents

A deceptive sales campaign is knocking on doors in Oak Park. Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Mathematician would have enjoyed age error

I enjoyed reading your recent mini-eulogy of my father, mathematician Dr. Oliver Atkin [And speaking of cracking codes, Inside Report, Aug. 4]; however, your calculation of his 2010 birthday as age 83 (when he would have in fact been age 85) would have been an occasion for one of his favorite hobbies: crowing over mistakes he found in the media. Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Trainor perpetuates 'petty partisanship'

I have had the opportunity to read the viewpoints of Ken Trainor, as my father still lives in Oak Park, and I am quite amused that the village still reflects the quote of Hemingway as "broad lawns and narrow minds." Mr. Trainor's call for unfettered support of President Obama as a "birthday present" is revealing as paying homage to the hubris of nearly god-like status. Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Don't mess with programs that help the disabled

My husband and I are middle-aged working parents of two adult sons with autism. As our sons have aged, we have noticed something as we speak with other parents who have children with similar disabilities. We meet and shortly the subject comes up. We admit that we pray that our children will die before us. That is reality, and it is sad. Yet, there are a lot of us out there who understand heaven as the brightest future for our children. Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Seguin lends Illinois $1.8M

The governor, the General Assembly and Illinois taxpayers owe Seguin and hundreds of other charities in Illinois a debt of gratitude. According to the latest Illinois office of the comptroller's list, hundreds of nonprofit businesses are lending more than $490 million to the state at 0 percent interest in order to balance the state's horrendous financial conditions. To see the names of these organizations and how much each is owed, go to www.illinoispartners.org/node/128 - you will see some familiar names on the list. Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Ken Trainor should focus locally

Mr. Trainor tells us that the government did not serve us well from 1968 to 2008, and that it is probably the fault of the Republican administrations that were in office the majority of that time [Philosophy of governing: By the numbers, Viewpoints, July 28]. Tuesday, August 03, 2010

After tickets, River Forester says so long to Oak Park

The parking situation in Oak Park has been terrible for many years, and I am grateful you have published an article about it [Oak Park boot brigade should give locals a break, Viewpoints, July 21]. Tuesday, August 03, 2010

The demise of the yield sign better for public safety

It was not that long ago when nearly all intersections in the village were unmarked [Save the yieldus signus from extinction in Oak Park, Viewpoints, July 28]. Growing up near the corner of Lyman and Van Buren, I understand the evolution discussed in this letter. Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Reactions to the high school board's Journal criticism

Readers submitted the following comments in response to a letter last week from the District 200 Board of Education, criticizing a recent Wednesday Journal editorial. Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Village should think about where we idle most

I have had the opportunity to look at my new Oak Park vehicle sticker for the past month. I find it ironic that the village has an unusually high number of stop lights with turn-on-red restrictions. Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Thanks for giving summer fun to special kids

This letter offers public thanks to the donors who contributed to the West Suburban Special Recreation Association day camp scholarship fund. We thank the following organizations for their generosity to our campers this summer. Tuesday, August 03, 2010

A heartfelt thanks to 'impressive' Oak Park police

I would like to thank the female and male police officers who responded to my call on Friday morning at 2 a.m. to a situation that could have been more serious than it was. Tuesday, August 03, 2010

River Forest welcomes Oak Park to SWAN

Welcome back Oak Park Public Library! After a successfully executed data merge - no small feat given the size and complexity of the collections on both ends - all of your materials are now available to share with River Forest Public Library and our partner libraries. Kudos to the technology staff at SWAN and at the Oak Park Public Library for making this look so easy! Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Editorial poor substitute for reporting

In response to Wednesday Journal's July 14 Our View [Sure, just sue everybody], the District 200 Board of Education attests full support for our Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Witham. She is an outstanding asset to our high school and our communities. The board also wants to affirm that its decision to file a lawsuit against the Village of Oak Park for noncompliance with the 2003 TIF intergovernmental agreement was its own - deliberate, informed and unanimous. Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Reactions to Comcast building controversy

Readers submitted the following comments in response to a group of residents who are forming an opposition to the planned apartment building being proposed for the vacant Comcast building, 820 W. Madison. Go to WednesdayJournalOnline.com to join the conversation. Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Thanks, Ken Trainor, for two great articles

Thank you, Mr. Trainor, on two accounts. First, thank you for the fantastic article that you wrote informing us that, "It's time to start supporting your president" [Viewpoints, June 24]. Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Thanks for making garden walk bloom

On behalf of the OPRF Garden Walk Committee, I would like to thank all those who helped make this year's event a success. Tuesday, July 27, 2010

State should treat both Ike options equally

Dear friends and neighbors, The Chicago Metropolitan Planning Agency has released the Go to 2040 Comprehensive Regional Draft Plan for public comment. You can download it from www.goto2040.org, but be warned it is more than 400 pages. Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Dick Buckley's voice will be missed

Growing up in Chicago and discovering jazz in the early 1960s, I listened to Dick Buckley as well as the legendary Holmes "Daddy-O" Daylie on WAAF, and also WNIC-FM in the evening. In those days jazz was available on commercial radio. Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Wasted taxpayer money defending useless law

The Oak Park handgun ban has been overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court [Top court kills Oak Park gun ban, News, June 30]. Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I didn't know there were TIF balances left to spend

So, the village seems to be acknowledging that its grandiose plans for downtown Oak Park won't ever be realized [More brick streets, blue stone sidewalks for downtown Oak Park? News, June 30]. If they're looking for ways to spend TIF balances (I didn't know we had any), then I guess all those major projects in the "Greater Downtown Master Plan" (except for the 20-story Sertus eyesore) aren't going to happen. Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Not seeing the point of vehicle stickers

On the one hand, I don't have a lot of sympathy for Brad Spenser's whining about his boot [Oak Park boot brigade should give locals a break, Viewpoints, July 21]. Yeah, parking regulations in Oak Park are a mess, but pay your tickets, dude. Tuesday, July 27, 2010

By car, on bike or foot, still annoyed with cyclists

I just read an article in the Chicago Tribune about cyclists who were outraged because of the token sentence handed down to two drivers who deliberately hit two bike riders. I don't condone intentional harming of anyone, but we are going to have to come to some agreement about bikes. I ride my bike almost every day; I walk daily and I drive often. No matter how I am traveling, I am critical of cyclists. Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Congrats to Oak Park library for joining SWAN

Congratulations to the Oak Park Public Library for its successful conversion to the SWAN library catalog on July 14, and for the courageous and optimistic decision to move forward despite the economic challenges facing Illinois. Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Oak Park police often rude to people of color

I'd like to express my dismay at the setting up of the "Community Justice Center," which focuses on protecting us good residents of Oak Park against the dangers of undesirable people possibly spitting and cursing [To spur local prosecutions, Alvarez opens local office, News, July 14]. Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Why not require bells on bikes in Oak Park?

It's obvious that bicycle riders don't intend to obey the "no bicycle riding on the sidewalks" rule in downtown Oak Park. And it seems that riders are not being taught to say "On your left" before they go whizzing past you. (One young rider did warn me, a pedestrian, by saying, "On your left," and I thanked her for the warning as she rode by.) Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Editorial was 'character assassination' against D200

You owe Cheryl Witham an apology. Your editorial "Sure, just sue everybody" [Our Views, July 14] presents no credible evidence for your claim that the dispute between the village and high school is "either greed or ego-driven." Your decision to vilify the chief financial officer of the high school is not only personally vicious, but also reduces an important, complicated allocation of taxpayer dollars to the stuff of tabloid journalism. Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Readers react to construction woes at River Forest schools

The following comments were submitted in response to River Forest Elementary School District 90 switching construction companies after a union strike halted work at two of its schools. Go to WednesdayJournalOnline.com to join the conversation. Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Clarification about River Forest Park District

Just to clarify about the plans for paddle tennis, the courts will not be for the exclusive use of River Forest residents [River Forest park board votes for platform tennis, News, July 14]. Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Tennis, a sport for all ages, needs more coverage

Thanks for the terrific article on the Oak Park Tennis Center [Clay courts, open to the public, Lifelines, July 14]. You did a very thorough report on what has occurred and certainly should pique villagers' interest in who we are and how the center might fit into their recreational plans. Tuesday, July 20, 2010

St. Giles thanks Career Day volunteers

The students of St. Giles School wish to thank the 18 volunteers who donated their time to address the classes at our fifth annual Career Day. Each speaker explained his or her career path and answered questions about the job and educational requirements to several different classes from kindergarten through eighth grades. Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Agreeing with Dan Haley on handguns

Dan Haley writes in the July 6 issue, "We in Oak Park have, for these final moments, a ban on owning handguns. Cue the rhetoric. Symbolic. Meaningless. Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Copy errors plague otherwise good Wednesday Journal

I very much enjoy Wednesday Journal each week. One of the things I don't enjoy, being the picky person I am, is the egregious copy errors in the paper. I just wonder if anyone is reading the copy before the paper goes to press. Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Library in denial about demise of inter-library loans

Taxpayers who expect candor should compare two members of the Metropolitan Library System (MLS): Bridgeview and Oak Park Public Libraries. Tuesday, July 13, 2010

We love ken trainor-not

Trainor's Obama column condescending and intolerant Learning to support Obama-slowly Celibacy, abuse unrelated Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Yes, park district has programs for residents with special needs

I am writing this letter to correct a recent erroneous posting by a reader on the Wednesday Journal website alleging that the River Forest Park District did not provide programs to meet the recreational needs of River Forest residents with special needs. Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Living wage debate

Disgusted by board's decision Finally, seeing past 'syrupy rhetoric' Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Citizens trim budget at 'national town hall meeting'

On June 26, without knowing exactly what I was in for, I participated in a "national town hall meeting" conducted by AMERICA SPEAKS (AS). Nineteen cities in 18 states were linked by video. Additional locations across our country participated off-video. AS announced approximately 3,500 people took part in this 6 1/2 hour marathon. In Chicago, we met at Navy Pier, and I'd estimate near 400 participants with at least six from Oak Park. Our mission? Cut the U.S. deficit by $1.2 trillion from a supplied menu of options. Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Guns give victims a fighting chance

As a former/retired police officer (Chicago PD and Cook County Sheriff's Dept.) I find this kind of ignorance of the facts and disregard for the Constitution appalling. Although I can legally carry a concealed weapon anywhere in the US, I chose to move out of Chicago because of the asinine, knee-jerk reactions from liberals who think they know better than our founding fathers. Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Visitation of women religious lacks love and respect

Recently the Journal had a wonderful article by Ken Trainor of Ascension Parish. In it he challenged all Catholics to find their prophetic voice regarding various issues, such as the role of women in the church, birth control, and the child abuse scandal. Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Kudos to The Book Table and Festival Theatre

Congratulations to The Book Table and Jason and Rachel. I was pleased to read in Wednesday Journal and The Reader that they were selected in the annual The Reader's poll, as Best Bookstore. It is a well deserved honor. Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Police cars speeding with no sirens a hazard

I have lived on Oak Park Avenue south of Madison for nearly four years. I love everything about the neighborhood except for one thing - the speed at which the police travel Oak Park Avenue without sirens. Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Defeat of living wage ordinance doesn't reflect OP values

The trustees demonstrated how little they know about this issue and how little they care about economic justice in our community.

Chicago can afford it, Cook County can afford it, Evanston can afford it, but Oak Park, according to the four trustees who voted against it, can't! Tuesday, July 13, 2010

All-day K, teacher hiring some of Collins' successes

Dr. Constance Collins has contributed much to Oak Park during her five-year tenure. Her accomplishment that I'm most proud of was her leadership in developing and implementing our full-day kindergarten program. Connie took this challenge on aggressively, and worked tirelessly with staff, teachers and parents to evaluate opportunities and assemble the program, which now operates in all eight of our elementary schools. Every child in Oak Park now has the opportunity to begin his or her academic experience with a fuller, more meaningful start in kindergarten. Tuesday, July 06, 2010

A pseudo poll - whither gayness

Our poll took to the streets following Wednesday Journal's June 23 coverage of Pride Week in Oak Park and River Forest. We wanted to know what local residents think about gay issues in the larger context of our social values. The poll was conducted among 537 respondents, any number of whom tried to get away. Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Trainor misplacing blame in financial crisis

Ken Trainor, I know we look at the world in a completely different way, but that doesn't mean we don't want the same result in the end. Your latest ranting [It's time to start supporting your president, Viewpoints, June 30] seemed to neglect to lay some of the blame where the whole thing started. Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Thanks for community support of PADS

West Suburban PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) exists to serve individuals and families who are homeless - or at risk of homelessness - with dignity and respect, through shelter, housing and supportive services in west suburban Cook County. Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Waiting too long for damaged trees to be cleaned up

Is there an estimate from the Village of Oak Park as to when all the damaged trees will be cleaned off the parkways? Calls to the Forestry Department have yielded little information. Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Responses fired off to top court's gun ruling

The following comments were submitted in response to the Supreme Court's ruling last week, striking down Oak Park's handgun ban. Go to WednesdayJournalOnline.com to join the conversation. Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Fix crumbling streets before adding decorative bricks

I realize that the village is seeking federal funding to spruce up an additional five different high-profile corners, after investing $6.12 million for the Marion Street Mall project [More brick streets, blue stone sidewalks for downtown OP? News, June 30]. I only wish that I could get my neighboring streets and alley repaired before any additional resource of time, materials and money is invested in "more brick streets" and "blue stone sidewalks." Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Try settling TIF argument over breakfast at George's

BRIAN SOUDERS - ONE VIEW

Every time I read more details about the TIF spat between the village and District 200, I become more furious. Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Disagreeing with the village clerk on living wage

TOM BRODERICK - ONE VIEW

Village Clerk Teresa Powell offered one opinion in her letter on the living wage that I share. [Factual errors in letter on living wage, Viewpoints, June 16] She applauds the Oak Park Community Relations Commission for its work on the proposed living wage ordinance for the village. Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Blue Line should be extended west

Extending the CTA Blue Line west of Forest Park would help the CTA provide better service to residents and be more efficient. More stations = more markets = more riders. Most of the Cook County suburbs west of Forest Park and in the Eisenhower corridor have population densities high enough to make transit a viable option. The Forest Park branch of the Blue Line serves fewer riders than the O'Hare branch. Empty seats do not generate revenue. The branch with the highest ridership is a determining factor for how frequently to schedule trains. Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I've been looking for a connective fabric

Dan Haley writes in the June 16 issue that "We're focusing the resources of Wednesday Journal to create a community portal that will be the connective fabric for anything you need to do or want to find out in our villages" [Wednesday Journal launching OakPark.com in September, News, June 16]. Tuesday, June 29, 2010

A solid plan to reinvent Comcast building

The Oak Park Housing Authority has recently entered into an agreement with Interfaith Housing Development Corporation and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago to redevelop the former Comcast building at 820 Madison into a mixed-use commercial and residential building [Nonprofit moving forward with affordable housing, News, April 28]. Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Crass language needed to wake parents up

In regards to the letter written by Patti Marino, [Williams' crass language inappropriate, Viewpoints, June 16], wake up! Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Penalty for running down cyclists doesn't fit crime

We are outraged at the insufficient sentences given to Armando Reza and Erik Fabian, who were both convicted of intentionally attacking bicyclists with a car in Brookfield in 2009 [Chicago man guilty of running down Oak Park cyclist, News, June 23]. Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Rally for peace, as we did with the Hawks

To take absolutely nothing away from the rousing Blackhawks Stanley Cup victory and celebration, but wouldn't it be something if a million or so charged-up fans of peace suddenly converged on downtown Chicago demanding an end to the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Signs of life: What people do when the power is out

While many people experienced hardships during the "microburst" that tore through Oak Park June 18, others were simply temporarily inconvenienced by the power outage. Faced with the loss of the electronic devices our society has become dependent on, we suddenly found ourselves with a rare commodity - free time. After the initial shock and frustration wore off, some Oak Park residents opted to surrender to the moment, doing something they had put off for too long - interacting with their neighbors. Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Quit screwing around with crossing guards

To the governments of Oak Park and River Forest, District 90 and District 97: Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Accelerated maintenance could save parkway trees

The number of village trees that were lost in the June 18 storm, as well as the property damage caused by fallen branches and trunks, begs a question: Should Oak Park's Forestry Commission, as well as the Forestry Division, reconsider its maintenance program for parkway trees throughout the village? Tuesday, June 29, 2010

More letters on the Web

They couldn't all fit in this week's print edition, but go to WednesdayJournalOnline.com to read what other letter writers had to say this week about what's happening in Oak Park and River Forest. Some of the extra letters include: Tuesday, June 29, 2010