Worth mayor looks forward to spring events

By Joe Boyle

Spring arrived on Monday and Worth Mayor Mary Werner is looking forward to several activities that will be held in the southwest suburbs next month.

Werner mentioned during the Worth Village Board meeting Tuesday night that the annual Spring Arts, Crafts and Vendor Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights.

The event will be held in the school’s gym and cafeteria. Visitors should enter in the rear of building door 12. Over 150 crafters and vendors will participate. Concessions will be available all day. Parking is free and admission is $2.

Werner said the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Auxiliary 191 will hold its annual “New to You” Rummage Sale. Donations can be dropped off at the post from noon until 9 p.m. Monday, April 24, and Tuesday, April 25, at the post, 11001 S. Depot St.

The rummage sale will be held on Thursday, April 27, and Friday, April 28.

“People can donate items in good condition and clean undamaged clothing,” Werner said.

Along with clothes, the auxiliary will accept toys, games, kitchenware, small furniture, electronics (no tube TVs), small appliances, tools, home decor, holiday decor, books, DVDs and videos.

Boy Scout Troop 668 and Cub Scout Pack 3668 will present their 66th annual “All You Can Eat” Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 29, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 11007 S. 76th Avenue.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors over age 65. Children ages 3 to 6 can eat for $5. Children under age 3 can eat for free. Carryout options are available.

Robinson Engineering presented a proposal during the meeting to investigate the village’s high priority portion of the sanitary sewer collection system tributary to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

According to engineer Mike Spolar, the purpose of the mandatory program is to reduce sanitary sewer overflows and basement backups.

An expenditure of $19,250 for the 2023 High Priority Area Manhole Inspection services will be performed by Robinson Engineering with the assistance of the public works department.

Trustee Pete Kats, the head of the public safety committee, said that the police department had a busy February with 32 criminal arrests. He was surprised about a series of arrests last month.

“It seems like a lot of people think they don’t need to have driver’s licenses,” Kats said. “Those were the most arrests by far.”

Kats noted that 15 offenders were stopped for either driving with their licenses suspended or revoked.

Trustee Brad Urban, head of the public works committee, said that public works repaired three water main breaks in the 7500 block of West 111th Street on Feb. 4 and two on Feb. 10 along the 11100 block of Natoma and the 7300 block of 110th Street.

Urban said that 295 main valves have been mapped and about 265 have been checked for proper operation. Public works is in the process of verifying all 456 fire hydrants, mapping and placing b-box keys on 2,800 service connections.

“Sanitary sewer manholes as well as storm manholes will be next to be mapped,” Urban said.

Urban also reminded the board members and residents that Hometown Hero Banner applications are being taken through April 30. Banners are displayed Memorial Day through Veterans Day. The fee is $70 for the banners.

An ordinance amending a village municipal to modify the number of Class A-1 and Class A-2 tavern liquor licenses was approved. This was to allow for Roma Cafe to reopen their kitchen.

Ownership stated that the kitchen will reopen in four to six weeks. That was good news to Trustee Laura Packwood.

“I know people are going to be very happy that you are going to have food again,” Packwood said.

An ordinance was also passed declaring real property to be surplus and authorizing the sale of property located southwest of the Southern Terminus of Neenah Avenue and east of Interstate 294 in Worth.

Village Clerk Bonnie Price reminded residents that early voting has begun at the Palos Heights Recreation Center and the Orland Park and Oak Lawn village halls. Since Election Day is Tuesday, April 4, Price added that the regular village board meeting will be rescheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 5.

Werner concluded the meeting with some good news.

“I’ve been noticing on Facebook that the Natomas Edge Bar & Grill is getting rave reviews for their fish frys at the golf course,” Werner said.

The fish fry dinners will continue from 4 to 9 p.m. each Friday through April 7 at the Edge Bar & Grill.