Palos Heights neighborhood pining to eliminate speeding

By Jeff Vorva

Residents in the Palos Pines subdivision are worried for their safety and their children’s safety because cars are constantly racing through the Palos Heights neighborhood.

Two people spoke up at Tuesday’s city council meeting and a third had an e-mail read to the council members. Also, other neighbors have been contacting police about the issue Alderman Jerry McGovern (4^th Ward) said.

Resident Carla Zavala said Cedar Lane is “like a drag strip.”

“Somebody is going to get hurt,” she said. “I have small children and there are many children on our block.”

She said a speed sign put up last summer helped a little but was hoping more could be done and wanted to know if speed bumps were an option.

Another resident, Annie Shlensky had another suggestion.

“If there is a way to get a camera – that would be great,” she said. “I’m not opposed to sitting in the street in a little chair with my phone videoing this.

“Not only are there children but there are pets and adults in danger.”

Maria McCarthy’s e-mail said some of the drivers have become confrontational.

McGovern said police are aware of the problem and the speed sign will return and there will be police monitoring the area.

“The hard part is that they have to be caught speeding,” McGovern said. “We had a squad car out there for 45 minutes, but everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing.”

Weivoda returns

As promised, resident Harlan Weivoda returned to Tuesday’s council meeting to complain about his yard getting flooded during heavy rainstorms ever since a house was built on the lot next door.

He said he would show up to every meeting until the situation is resolved.

On Tuesday, he produced selected e-mails that his wife, Carol had written to the public works department over the years that he said were ignored. He said he was told that public works did not have any complaint notes from him.

He also said he received a grading survey for the property and disputed it.

“I have $200 and will be willing to bet anybody that it’s not graded the way it was supposed to have been graded,” he said.

Mayor Bob Straz said it’s possible Cook County might be able to help in this matter.