The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, January 26, 2017 • 5
Mayor pens letter to O’Hare officials By Dee Longfellow
‘Stop the Runway Rotation Testing’
FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
In a letter dated January 12, 2017, Mayor Steve Morley is calling members of the the Chicago Department of Aviation to cease the Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Plan Test program at O’Hare Airport, noting that the runways that affect Elmhurst are used disproportionately. “The City of Elmhurst has been patiently monitoring the Fly Quiet
Runway Rotation Plan Test program at O’Hare Airport,” the letter began. “As a community immediately adjacent to O’Hare, our residents have suffered for many decades with air traffic noise. It was only in 2013 with the change in the OMP when our community realized relief from air traffic noise, and even then it was limited.” He noted that Elmhurst supported the O’Hare Modernization Program, because it would more even-
ly disperse noise for towns in and around O’Hare. “The purpose of this letter is to inform you that after six months of experiencing the Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Plan Testing, the City of Elmhurst strongly opposes the Program,” Morley’s letter said. “It is our opinion that runways which directly affect the City of Elmhurst are used at a disproportionate rate. If this program is continued after runway 15R/33L is permanently
closed, use of runway 4R/22L will only increase. “We support the completion of the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) which will help disperse the noise for communities and neighborhoods around O’Hare Airport. It is our understanding the air traffic controllers and pilots prefer to make the runway choices taking into account the unique circumstances and conditions at any given time.”
noted that York High School and several colleges begin their school years in the middle of August. High school and college students, Ferrentino said, comprise the majority of the district’s lifeguards. She said 16 lifeguards are required for one shift at East End Pool, while nine lifeguards are required for a shift at Smalley Pool.
Nov. 17. District to acquire Hampshire property Board members went into executive session near the end of the meeting. Shortly after the board returned to open session, Commissioner Carolyn Ubriaco read a statement noting the board met in closed session to consider the acquisition of the property at 207 N. Hampshire Ave., for the use of the district. The board then unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of the property for $415,000. The property is reportedly a parcel of land located northeast of East End Pool. Board members and park district staff members did not discuss any plans for the property. The park district board will hold its next regular meeting on Jan. 30.
Park Board Capsules
FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
The Elmhurst Park District Board held its first regular meeting of 2017 on Jan. 17 at the district’s administrative building at 375 W. First Street. Commissioner Vincent Spaeth, who is the president of the board, was absent from the meeting. Final plan for Plunkett Park approved • Board members voted unanimously during the meeting to approve the final plan to replace the playground at Plunkett Park. That playground is next on the district’s replacement schedule, and due to be replaced in 2017. At its last meeting on Dec. 12, 2016, the board reviewed two proposed themes—tree house and modern—for the new playground. A majority of board members favored the tree house theme, which will include elements of nature and the outdoors. Some of the features of the tree house theme are a log crawl tunnel, tree stump steps, a climbing tree and a Global Motion, which is a freestanding rotating climber. The new playground will also include an artificial turf surface. According to park district staff, the project will be let for bid in February. Construction should begin in August and be completed by the middle of October. The current playground equipment at Plunkett Park will be donated to Kids Around the World—a Rockford-based not-for-profit organization that removes playground equipment from parks, schools and churches and refurbishes the equipment for children around the world. Since 1994, Kids Around the World has provided restored playground equipment to children in over 60 countries. The organization also recycled the equipment at Butterfield Park; the playground at that park was replaced in 2016.
Sale of G.O. bonds nets $670,000 for debt, capital projects Board members voted unanimously at the meeting to approve the timeline for the district’s 2017 sale of general obligation bonds. Christi Jacobson, the district’s director of finance and human resources, described the bond sale as an annual rollover, or reinvestment of funds from a mature security into a new issue. She said this year’s bond sale would be in the amount of nearly $670,000—a figure that includes the principal and the interest—which will be used for debt service and capital projects. The deadline for banks to provide submissions will be Feb. 9. The timeline states that the 2017 general obligation bonds will be paid off by
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FOCUS ON
VISION by Dr. Mark Skowron
MACULAR DEGENERATION AND SMOKING
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Orthodontic U P DAT E
Orthodontic U P DAT E
by Jeffrey T. Boland Licensed Orthodontic Specialist
MAKE WAY FOR THE LIP BUMPER
When young patients need to create and maintain the space needed Jeffreypermanent T. Boland to by accommodate teeth, an Licensed Orthodontic Specialist appliance known as a “lip bumper” may be used to preclude the need for tooth extraction. This appliance largely consists of a U-shaped wire, the ends of which are attached to the lower molars. At the same time, the plastic-coated front end of the bow is positioned comfortably away from the lower teeth. This positioning encourages the lower lip to exert pressure on the appliance that helps to push the molars back while also allowing the tongue to press against the lower front teeth. Both actions help make more room for permanent teeth to emerge, thereby potentially reducing the time needed for braces.
Patients with lip bumpers should leave them in while eating but shouldn’t eat hard or sticky foods. Proper and thorough brushing should remove any food that gets stuck in the lip bumper. To schedule a free orthodontic consultation, please call our office. We recognize that every patient has different needs, and we pride ourselves in the courteous service we deliver to each person who walks through our doors. Available by appointment, we honor all kinds of insurance and charge zero interest on our financing. Straighter Smiles Are Our Specialty! P.S. A lip bumper will stay in a child’s mouth for about a year. 270095
By Chris Fox
Survey says: Pool pass holders want longer season The Jan. 17 meeting also included a presentation of findings from a recent survey administered to the park district’s pool pass holders. Ginger Wade, the district’s director of marketing and communications, joined Angela Ferrentino, the district’s director of parks and facilities, to give the presentation. Wade noted that the district conducted its survey of pool pass holders in October 2016 and received more than 1,000 responses. The district reportedly sold pool passes to nearly 2,800 households last year for a total of about 7,600 people. According to the survey, 80 percent of the respondents visited East End Pool last year. About 66 percent visited Smalley Pool at York Commons, while about 33 percent visited the sprayground at the Hub at Berens Park. Approximately 60 percent of respondents rated East End Pool as their first choice of the district’s pools, while nearly 40 percent named Smalley Pool as their favorite pool in the district. Some of the respondents stated they wished the pools would remain open later in the season. Ferrentino
370 N. York, Elmhurst, IL 60126
630-834-6244
www.skowroneyecare.com
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Here’s what’s going on at the Elmhurst Park District
Morley suggested a practice of using preferred routes which are intended to direct aircraft over less-populated areas, such as forest preserves, highways, and commercial and industrial areas. “The Runway Rotation Plan test is clearly contrary to the efficient operations of O’Hare Airport which results in a significant waste of time and money,” the letter read. “The test has already shown negative affects on the quality of life to Elmhurst residents.”