Girl Scouts learn history lessons about Evergreen Park 

By Joe Boyle 

Evergreen Park Mayor Kelly Burke offered some local history to a group of girls who visited the council chambers.

Girl Scout Troop 65101 attended the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting on Nov. 7 with Burke greeting members of the troop before the session began.

The mayor invited the girls to sit at the seats that would later be occupied by the trustees. The girls had fun speaking into the microphones and taking turns using the gavel.

George Peso, chairman of the Evergreen Park Historical Commission, talked briefly to the girls about the importance of learning about the history of the village. He showed the troop members a candlestick phone dating back to 1915.

“The first phone in Evergreen Park was found in a store in 1911,” Peso said.

Burke presented an Evergreen Park village flag to scout leaders and suggested that it could be unveiled during events next year.

“Maybe they can march with the flag during the (Independence Day) parade next year,” the mayor said.

The scouts recited the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the board meeting. The girls are currently attending a variety of events as they work to receive their democracy badges.

The board approved a resolution authorizing an intergovernmental agreement for participation in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System. Back in 1968, MABAS was organized in the northwest and western suburbs to coordinate and automate the fire department mutual aid.

The idea is based roughly on the Chicago Fire Department’s box alarm system. MABAS has grown into a multi-state organization to coordinate responses to fires, emergency medical calls, hazardous material, technical rescue and other emergencies and disasters through prearranged mutual aid and dispatch agreements.

Board members approved the resolution unanimously.

Fire Chief Ron Kleinhaus requested to terminate the ambulance billing arrangement with Medical Reimbursement Services and enter into an agreement with Andres Medical Billing.

“We had a couple of problems with Medical Services,” Kleinhaus said. “Andres straightened it out.”

The board approved the request by a 6-0 margin.

Two agreements were approved by the board relating to the 91st Street Sidewalk crossing the CSX Railroad. The agreements were made with the Illinois Department of Transportation Local Public Agency Engineering Services and joint funding.

The 91st Street sidewalk project has taken much longer than village officials would have liked. The mayor pointed that out.

“We are inching closer to getting the sidewalk,” Burke said, which drew some laughs.

Police Chief Michael Saunders requested that a vacancy in the department be filled due to the resignation of a patrol officer. The board approved his request to hire one individual from the current Probationary Patrol Officer Eligibility List.

Trustee Carol Kyle asked Saunders if any lateral transfers — police officers from different municipalities who are now seeking employment in Evergreen Park — are being considered?

“We have about six (lateral transfers),” Saunders replied. “We still have to go look them over to see if they are eligible.”

The village also received a holiday grant from ComEd that will provide financial support for holiday events, including the annual Christmas Dickens Festival.

A mural dedication took place last Thursday night at Veterans Park, 98th and California. Burke praised the efforts of Dan Doyle in organizing the mural dedication.

“We thank Dan Doyle and all the volunteers for all the work they have done,” Burke said.

Burke also lauded the efforts behind a successful Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Smash.

A blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Evergreen Park Senior Center, 9547 S. Homan Ave. To make an appointment, residents can call 800-280-4102 or visit www.communityblood.org.

A business license was approved for the new owner of Jimmy John’s at 9451 S. Kedzie Ave.