Alsip Rejects Crematories
4/18/2011 - Vocal Citizen Concerns Result in Unanimous Vote to Deny Ordinance Change
Following last week's Committee Meeting, that filled the Alsip Board
Room with concerned members of the public, the Alsip Board of Trustees unanimously rejected a proposed change to zoning
that would have permitted crematories to operate within the village. In a related vote, the trustees then voted to deny
issuance of a business license for the operation of a proposed crematory near 120th & Central.
During last week's meeting, several members of the public came forth to voice their concerns over the operation of a
crematory within Alsip. Signed petitions in opposition to the ordinance change were also presented to the Board during the
meeting. A presentation by the operators of the proposed crematory preceded the public forum. The operators attempted
(unsuccessfully) to allay concerns that their proposal had apparently raised within the community.
There were not any comments from the public in support of the proposal.
A combination of factors appears to have derailed the proposed crematory. Most notable were: past events at Burr Oak Cemetery,
lack of benefit the proposed business would bring to Alsip, and the intangible and unspoken "creep factor" in the back of many
minds.
With such a vocal opposition to the proposed zoning change, there was little surprise when Trustee Shapiro read a prepared statement,
recognizing the public for their input and then making a motion to deny the zoning change. The unanimous vote by the Board simply dotted the i's and
crossed the t's.
In an unrelated matter, there is some indication that the relationship between the Board and the Mayor will become increasingly contentious. Trustee Quinn
requested that Mayoral appointments be tabled until after the newly elected Trustees take office. Mayor Kitching proceeded to force through his appointments
by casting a tie-breaking vote. Voting to approve the Mayor's appointments were Trustees Shapiro, Godfrey and Michaels. Voting against were Trustees McGreal, Quinn and
Daddona.
April 5, 2011 - Alsip Election Returns
Independent Candidates Deal Blow to Active (Action) Party
In the hotly contested race for Alsip Village Trustee, all 3 independent candidates Rick Dalzell,
John Ryan and Sheila McGreal have soundly defeated the Active Party banner candidates. Here are the vote totals as reported by the Cook County Clerk's Office:
Richard Dalzell - 1,054
John Ryan - 1,052
Sheila McGreal (incumbent) - 1,034
Daniel Godfrey (incumbent) - 804
Kevin Michaels (incumbent) - 801
Stanley Graczyk - 680
Pictured above: Rick Dalzell, Sheila McGreal and John Ryan
Since coming to power 6 years ago, the current administration, headed by Mayor Patrick Kitching, has held a majority of Trustee positions on the Alsip
Village Board. Godfrey and Michaels have both served as Trustees for 4 years; Graczyk, a former Trustee, has run unsuccessfully in the last 2 elections.
With the outcome of this election - the Village Board will have a decidedly different look - and behavior. Mayor Kitching will not be able to rely on having a
majority of Trustees ready to support his proposals as he has enjoyed over the course of his tenure.
It appears as though Alsip voters rejected the Action / Active Party's negative campaigning - featuring direct mailings to homes throughout Alsip. The approach taken by
Dalzell, Ryan and McGreal relied heavily on door-to-door campaigning in the weeks leading up to yesterday's voting.
The newly elected Trustees will take their seats on the Village Board next month.
On a personal note, I'm proud to call Rick, John and Sheila friends - and congratulate them on their victory.
|