Des Plaines Fifth Ward Candidates Talk Top Priorities

Fifth Ward Alderman James Brookman and Gregory Sarlo list their top priorities if elected Fifth Ward Alderman of Des Plaines, and more in election questionnaires.

We asked Des Plaines aldermanic candidates about their backgrounds, qualifications, plans if elected and more in election questionnaires. Fifth Ward Alderman James Brookman and Gregory Sarlo are seeking the post. The aldermanic candidates answered the question, what would your priorities be if elected to this office?, with the responses below. Check out the complete questionnaire for each candidate by clicking on his or her name. My first priority will be to initiate efforts to bring about direct tax relief as a benefit of casino revenue. With $30 million in the reserve fund and $12 million in casino revenue, it is time for tax reduction. One of my first priorities would be to call upon the new city council to assert itself over the next …

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Election 2013: James Brookman for Fifth Ward Alderman of Des Plaines

James Brookman is running against Gregory Sarlo for Fifth Ward Alderman of Des Plaines.

The following information was provided by Fifth Ward Alderman James Brookman. Patch provides a platform for candidates to share their messages, and does not give endorsements. To share your message with readers for free, add it to the Local Voices section on Des Plaines Patch. Name: James (Jim) Brookman Position sought: Fifth Ward Alderman of Des Plaines Campaign contact information. Please include any or all of the following: website, email address, phone number, Facebook page, Twitter account, mailing address, etc. Website: JimBrookman.com Email: james.brookman@aol.com Phone: (847) 791-9375 Age: 62 Family Include as much info as you like (names, ages, number of children, etc.): Married to Carla Brookman, daughter – Jennifer. Education …

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Updated: Candidate List for Mayor of Des Plaines, Aldermen, More

Fifth Ward Alderman James Brookman picked up an election packet this week.

Residents Dispute Bus Shelter Relocation Plan

Air quality, noise and security are among concerns.

A proposal to relocate the Pace bus shelter on Miner Street drew criticism from a group of residents at a city council meeting on July 2. City council discussed moving the bus shelter, currently in the 1400 block of Miner Street, across the street from the Metra depot, about two blocks southeast to the northeast corner of Miner and Pearson streets. The proposed location is in front of River Pointe Condominiums, which has buildings at 675 Pearson Street and 650 S. River Road. Many of the more than 55 residents that attended the meeting to voice their concerns live in River Pointe. “There is no legitimate reason why the bus stop should be moved from downtown,” said Al Brown, a River Pointe resident. “You are going to put a bus barn in the …

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Banquet Hall, Residents Dispute Noise Levels

City Council discusses citywide ordinance.

Southside Des Plaines residents and the owner of Fountain Blue met at a contentious city council meeting Monday night to discuss the facility’s noise levels. Residents near Fountain Blue, located at 2300 Mannheim Road, have complained about nighttime noise levels coming from the facility. Owner Tom Diamond said that he has put a lot of money into systems that decrease the noise heard in the surrounding areas. The dispute began in May when Diamond approached Des Plaines City Council members about extending his permit to continue operating the outdoor tent. “The noise levels have not been fixed,” said nearby resident Bill Dillon. “Self-monitoring has not worked.” Stay connected: Receive an email from Des Plaines Patch with headlines in the …

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Gaming Revenue Planned for Infrastructure, Debt

Policy outlines how gaming tax revenue is to be spent in 2013.

Des Plaines residents could see improvements to streets, the sewer system and other capital improvements as a result of a plan for spending gaming revenue from Rivers Casino, 3000 S. River Road, approved by city council at a meeting on June 4. Aldermen passed a non-binding resolution that will help guide allocation of gaming tax revenue in the 2013. The policy outlines that gaming tax revenue can be spent to pay down debt, on capital infrastructure projects and lobbying costs in Springfield. Rivers Casino brought in $10.8 million in gaming tax revenues from July to December 2011 and Des Plaines will receive $3.7 million of that. Aldermen who voted in favor of the policy said that it promotes transparency and enables officials to carefully …

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Parking Garage Construction Could Begin This Year

Preliminary plans for the development at Higgins and Mannheim roads were approved by city council on Monday.

Work on the new parking garage planned for the development at Higgins and Mannheim roads could begin as early as this fall, and is expected to begin no later than 2013. Des Plaines City Council voted in favor of preliminary plans, 7-1, put forth by The Parking Spot to build a parking garage, hotel and restaurant at the intersection of Mannheim and Higgins Roads. “The market is great for what we do,” said Kevin Shrier, chief operating officer of The Parking Spot, based in Chicago. “We would start tomorrow if we could.” Earlier: Despite concerns including traffic, plans for Higgins/Mannheim development approved. The company has completed similar projects near other major airports in St. Louis, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Houston. The Parking …

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Fountain Blue Party Tent Permit Status in Limbo

Noise complainant: No citizen in the city of Des Plaines should ever be treated this way.

Fountain Blue Banquets and Conference Center owners may have to tone down party events in their outdoor tent after several neighbors complained about late night noise. The owners re-applied for a conditional use permit so they can continue booking events into 2013. Residents voiced objections at the city council meeting on Monday. “Our whole summer has been ruined,” said Bill Dillon, a resident that lives near the facility. “No citizen in the city of Des Plaines should ever be treated this way.” Earlier: Stolen purse, drinking in public, more. Dillon and his wife, Sandy Dillon, were among a group of residents at Monday night’s city council meeting that said the owners and aldermen had not addressed their complaints. Sandy Dillon said …

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Objections Raised Over Hiring Process, Des Plaines to Have New City Manager

Aldermen and resident raise concerns over process that caught some by surprise.

City council approved the mayor’s appointment of Michael Bartholomew, the director of community and economic development, as Des Plaines’ new city manager despite some concerns about how the city went about the appointment. Aldermen should have been more involved in the discussions and the city should have gone through the same hiring process it is currently using to find a new police chief, said Fifth Ward Alderman James Brookman. Earlier: Oakton's new science and health center part of five-year, transformative master plan. Mayor Martin Moylan said he saved the city about $20,000 by foregoing a search process, and Bartholomew’s experience and expertise “exceed expectations.” “It was my duty to appoint the city manager,” Moylan said. …

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