F O R E S T PA R K
GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA, NFP ForestParkReview.com Vol. 104, No. 26
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Developer scraps Harrison St. apartment plans
REVIEW
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Dan Novak resigns as village commissioner PAGE 8
JUNE 30, 2021
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Riveredge CEO resigns to start private practice Mosaic Counseling and Wellness will help patients navigate mental healthcare system By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
Carey Carlock has resigned as CEO of Riveredge Psychiatric Hospital in Forest Park after 13 years in that capacity. Her resignation letter to coworkers and staff was more like a love letter than a resignation letter, she said, and she plans to stay connected and involved; she’s still on the board of UHS, the parent organization overseeing Riveredge. “My position at Riveredge has been the privilege and responsibility of my career, but it’s time,” Carlock said. “The team is in a good place, and I will stay connected.” Her plans now include starting a private therapy practice, featuring what she calls “care navigation,” a sorely needed service for families dealing with mental illness. Construction will begin in July on her new office space in the Oak Park Arts District, and Carlock expects Mosaic Counseling and Wellness to open early in 2022. “A mosaic is created when lots of broken pieces come together to create something beautiful,” Carlock said about the name. The focus of her practice will be “wellness, not illness,” she explained, “care that’s infused with hope because treatment works.” See CARLOCK on page 5
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
GETTING PERSONAL: Eric Priceman (left) and Lauren Nemiroff recently acquired Energy Tees, 1401 Circle Ave., as part of their bigger personalized product business. Read more on page 9.
Police chief announces retirement Aftanas stepping down after 30 years in Forest Park By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
Forest Park Police Chief Tom Aftanas officially announced he will retire on Sept. 17 after 30 years with the Forest Park Police Department, the last six as chief. “Where did the time go?” asked Aftanas as he spoke about his time in the department, which he joined in 1991, his first
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full-time position after serving with the reserve department in Stickney. He almost took a different path though. In 1990, he was hired by the state police with the plan of becoming a state trooper. Graduating from college in May with a degree in administration of justice, Aftanas was set to begin the state academy in June. But just prior to his start-date, he was told a hiring freeze had been implemented due to budget cuts. So he had to change plans. Two years later, he was offered the position with the state, but by that time, he didn’t want to leave Forest Park. See AFTANAS on page 10
Energy Tees acquired by local business owner
Studio owner talks about piercing’s progression
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