Thursday, April 4, 2013
Oak Forest residents will be able to save $20 to $30 on season memberships at Gingerwood Community Pool thanks to 2 early registration weekends at the end of the month.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Joe Vince
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Thursday, April 4
With temperatures still in the 30s and 40s, it takes a powerful imagination to have warm, pleasant thoughts of swimming outside. But the City of Oak Forest officials who operate the Gingerwood Community Pool promised in a recent press release that summer is right around the corner. And the pool's management is offering a sign of good faith that nicer outdoor conditions are on their way. (Summer weather was unavailable for comment.) Discounts on pool memberships will be offered from noon to 2 p.m. April 20-21 and April 27-28, at Gingerwood. During those two weekends, individual memberships will cost $100 (regular price is $120), and family memberships—up to five people, with each additional person costing $10— will go for $150 (regularly $…
Friday, March 29, 2013
Find out what municipal offices and services will have their doors closed for the holiday starting Friday.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Joe Vince
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Friday, March 29
CORRECTION (9:46 a.m., March 29, 2013): An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the hall was not open for early voting Friday, March 29, and Saturday, March 30. Although city offices are closed, the hall will be open for early voting on those days. Easter weekend—including Good Friday—means some local civic offices will be shut down for the holidays. Here's a look at what will be closed in Tinley Park and Oak Forest during this time: For those looking to squeezing in a visit to the Easter Bunny and do a pre-Easter, Easter egg hunt, here's an event open to the public before the Sunday holiday: SATURDAY, MARCH 30 Odyssey Fun World takes the egg hunt to new heights with this event, which also includes a cow train, pony rides…
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
This week, the City of Oak Forest is looking for a bus driver, and the Village of Tinley Park needs a patrol officer. Plus, Patch features openings at Steak 'n Shake and Tutor Time.
Finding a job can be a tough task. Putting together a résumé, hitting the streets looking for “Help Wanted” signs and making the best impression on potential employers can be a tall order for anyone. Luckily, Patch wants to help Tinley Park and Oak Forest readers find a few jobs and put some cash in your pockets. That's why each week, Patch will be spotlighting a few job openings that we think our readers can fill. WANTED: Bus Driver City of Oak Forest: This opening is for someone to drive the city's community bus. Applicants must have experience driving a minimum 26-foot passenger bus or equivalent vehicle and have an Illinois Class "C" commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement. Knowledge of Oak Forest streets and …
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Newcomer James Hortsman faces off against fellow new face Ken Barry, for the 6th Ward Alderman seat.
Name: James Hortsman Position Sought: 6th Ward Alderman Campaign Contact Information: What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? We must work to have a transparent and responsive government in an economy that has put many hardships on the taxpayers. My main priority is to control spending and restrict increases in costs to the taxpayers—such as Water/Sewer, Economic Development, Petty Crime, Fees and investments in properties that require extensive taxpayer funding with no clear investment or re-development plans identified, that becomes an additional burden to the taxpayers. Family Members: Education Current Occupation and Employer Political Party Affiliation Independent Why Are You Seeking Office? I volunteered …
Newcomer Ken Barry faces off against fellow newcomer James Hortsman, for the 6th Ward Alderman seat.
Name: Ken Barry Position Sought: 6th Ward Alderman Campaign Contact Information: What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? Taxes. Taxpayers are exhausted. Property values have fallen, yet there has been no property tax relief. In fact, taxes continue to increase. Services have been cut, yet costs for those services are steadily climbing. We must be creative in finding solutions to these problems. We have to cut our expenses to the bone, and additional cuts may be unavoidable. I believe that we must explore all options for additional spending reductions before we consider a reduction in services to our residents—services that taxes pay for and residents expect. We have to alleviate the burden to frustrated …
Newcomer John "Jack" Janozik challenges incumbent Chuck Toland for the 4th Ward Alderman seat.
Name: John "Jack" Janozik Position Sought: 4th Ward Alderman Campaign Contact Information: What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? MORE Businesses and Economic Growth. We need to evaluate tax breaks and other incentives to help local businesses survive and grow. Most important, allow for the creation of MORE businesses in Oak Forest so we can relieve the burden on the homeowners. When you increase businesses you add revenue to the overall budget and in return reduce the burden on the residents. This is something we need to do EVERYDAY. Education Currently finishing degree at Moraine Valley Community College Current Occupation and Employer Lieutenant/Paramedic, Oak Forest Fire Department Political Party …
4th Ward Alderman Chuck Toland seeks another term, against challenger John "Jack" Janozik.
Name: Chuck Toland Position Sought: 4th Ward Alderman Campaign Contact Information: What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? Continue to work with the prospects we have to attract new businesses to Oak Forest as well as keeping the businesses we have which will eventually lead to lowering property taxes and will make additional funds available for capital improvements. We can only improve our community with the cooperation of local business and the funds they generate. Family Members: Education Current Occupation and Employer Political Party Affiliation Independent Why Are You Seeking Office? I am seeking re-election to continue giving back to the city I grew up and choose to raise my children in. I feel Oak …
Monday, January 28, 2013
With $1,700 in grant money, Oak Forest will publish print advertisements to spread the word about this year's Fleadh, scheduled for March 9.
If people outside of Oak Forest haven't heard about the Fleadh, they might soon. The City of Oak Forest recently received a $1,763 Local Tourism Marketing Grant from the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau to promote this year's Fleadh, scheduled for Saturday, March 9 on Cicero Avenue between 151st Street and 159th Street. The event, which celebrates Irish culture and tradition, includes a 5K run at 8:30 a.m., an open bike ride from 10 to 11 a.m., a family parade at 11 a.m., and a pub and restaurant open house from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. The $1,763 grant will be used to create and place ads in Chicago magazine, Chicago Athlete magazine and Irish American News. “We are looking forward to another successful event,” said Oak …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Oak Forest aldermen approved the purchase of two apartment buildings for a total of more than $1.2 million. The city hopes the step is the first of many to reestablish interest in the area near the Oak Forest Metra station.
Oak Forest has two new apartment buildings to call its own after a move by aldermen Jan. 22. Aldermen voted to purchase a 16-unit building at 15659 S. Lamon Avenue and a 24-unit building at 4820 W. 157th Street for $475,000 and $744,000, respectively. The move is the first in a plan to reestablish interest in Oak Forest, said Community Development Director Adam Dotson. “Today, is the day that we've made the decision, or we will make a decision, whether to go one way or another, is to tell the investment community that we are looking for reinvestment,” Dotson said. “The only way we're going to do that is that the city is going to start taking steps to show the investment community that we want change to happen, so we are successful in the …
Monday, January 21, 2013
Bring it, winter! The City of Oak Forest is prepared, with two nearby warming centers for residents. Oak Forest is ready to help residents through a cold snap.
Oak Forest residents needing help and a warm place during winter's coming blast of bitter cold have nearby options. A cold snap bringing with it wind chills of -15 to -25 degrees could endanger residents who haven't taken proper precaution, warns theNational Weather Service. The city is doing its part in keeping residents safe. Oak Forest residents in need of shelter can visit one of two Bremen Township warming centers, located at 15350 S. Oak Park (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), or 16361 S. Kedzie Parkway (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Residents are encouraged to call ahead to be certain centers are open. The National Weather Service cautions residents to dress properly for the weather, including coats, hats and …
Gail Werr
7:20 am on Thursday, April 4, 2013
The pool will open on the weekend of June 1st and 2nd from noon-8pm, weather permitting. Then it will open June 5th until Labor Day with regular hours noon-8 pm. more ›