We have heard an unconfirmed rumor that Oak Park’s infamous “Living Wage” ordinance will come up for consideration in front of the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees as soon as July 6.  The timing for consideration is… curious.

We’ve written previously about the ordinance and again about the first time Oak Park’s Village Board considered it.  And for those of our readers who may not remember what we’re talking about, here is a link of the original draft legislation.  We wonder, again, at the timing for consideration… just after everyone comes back from the July 4 holiday – with a Board meeting on the 6th?  What are they (whomever “they” are) are hiding?  Who ever is driving the agenda, they are certainly being clever in their timing and ingenious with their camouflage.

DON’T SAY THAT YOU WERE NOT WARNED!

Update Wednesday July 7, 2010

The Oak Park Village Board effectively killed the proposed “Living Wage Ordinance” at their July 6^th meeting.

Four Village Trustees (Jon Hale, John Hedges, Jan Pate, Ray Johnson) voted to accept the report and reject its recommendations. Village President Pope along with trustees Glenn Brewer and Colette Lueck voted to accept the report and be open to more discussions.

This vote was a clear expression that the months of negotiations and compromises by Oak Park’s Community Relations Commission, had little support among the seven members of the Oak Park village board.

Oak Park Police are urging residents to be wary of individuals distributing flyers asking for a $15 fee to have their address number painted on the curb. The flyers use a public safety scare message to imply that the numbers on the curb are important to police and fire response. The Village requires address numbers to be visible on the structure, but not on the curb.

Oak Park Residents who observe anyone distributing the flyer are urged to call 9-1-1 immediately. The solicitors, who refer to themselves as Village Curb Painters, are in violation of Village regulations that require a peddler’s license to distribute materials door-to-door.

The Oak Park Police also are warning residents not to leave payment – especially cash – for any service visible on a porch or taped to the front door, even if it is in an envelope.

For more information, call the Oak Park Police Department at 708.386.3800 or e-mail police@oak-park.us.

More than 150 bicycles recovered by the Oak Park Police Department over the past year, but not claimed by their owners, will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 a.m. – noon, Sat., June 26, at 260 Madison St.

Bicycles range in size, style and condition, are pre-priced and will be sold as-is on a first-come, first-served basis, with no pre-sale inspection. Payment may be made with cash or check. Prices will range from $30 – $100. All sales are final.

For more information, call 708.386.3800 or e-mail police@oak-park.us.

Tips to deter bicycle thieves

Bicycle thefts tend to increase during warmer weather. By following these steps you can help deter bicycle thieves:

• Never leave your bike unlocked or unattended. An unlocked bicycle is an open invitation to a thief.
• Use a heavy lock, such as a case-hardened U-lock that can’t be cut easily.
• Lock your bike even when it is stored in a closed garage, enclosed porch or basement common area.
• Call the police immediately if you see anyone suspicious hanging around a bike rack, in a neighbor’s yard or near a garage.
• Warn younger children never to let anyone but a trusted friend ride their bike and not to be fooled by strangers who ask to borrow their bike.

Anytime an individual comes to your home or business claiming to be a representative of a public utility or Municipality, be sure to ask for identification. All governmental employees including building inspectors, as well as employees of all public utilities, carry official identification and display it. If you have doubt about the identity of an individual knocking on your door, call 9 – 1 – 1.

For those interested in donating to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, the following is an in-exhaustive list of agencies and organizations accepting donations.

Before giving money, please visit the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance offers tips on avoiding unscrupulous fund solicitors. Go to Give.org.

• American Red Cross: telephone (800) HELP-NOW, for an English-speaking operator; (800) 257-7575, for a Spanish-speaking operator; and (800) 220-4095, for TDD operator. Or donate online: http://www.redcross.org.
• Feed the Children: http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=usw_hurricane_katrina
• Catholic Charities: http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/katrina.cfm
• United Jewish Communities: http://www.ujc.org
• The Salvation Army: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/USNSAHome.htm
• Charity Navigator details charities focused on Hurricane Katrina. http://www.charitynavigator.org/
• GuideStar is a database of charities with a search function: http://www.guidestar.org/