Bob Trizna, Park Ridge’s own “Watchdog” stated the obvious the other day when he wrote that this blog site was a “vehicle” used by Senior Center members in their “propaganda campaign” against the Park Ridge Park District Board by members of the Senior Center.
It’s too bad he didn’t also tell his readers that he’s been doing the exact same thing on behalf of the Park Ridge Park District Board leadership; a group he’s had close ties to since his days as a former PRPD Board Member.
Yes, it’s true, I’ve given Park Ridge Senior Center members a forum to express their thoughts on what is for them a vital issue. I too have expressed my opinions on the subject when I thought my opinion would add some clarity to the discussion. I’m sorry Mr. Trizna and some of his friends on the PRPD Board have a problem with the choices I’ve made or the words and opinions I’ve expressed. I’m sorry if they’ve found themselves feeling like Frosty.
Look folks, the Park Ridge Park District Board created this mess when it refused to heed the advice of its former Executive Director, Ray Ochromowicz and Board Attorney, Tom Hoffman to enter into a two-year final agreement with the Seniors.
The Board leaders exacerbated the problem by dealing with those same seniors as if they had been coroneted instead of inaugurated!
One more thought!
In case Bob is reading this. The post you commented on passed the 1,000 view mark today. See the guy with the happy face? That’s not me - yet!
Peace, Joy and Merry Christmas!
Of course, it’s just my opinion.
6 comments:
Ken:
Thanks for the free publicity. Hopefully your readers will stop by PublicWatchdog.org and check out some of the posts beyond just the Senior Center ones.
I must disagree with your assertion that I have been propagandizing "on behalf of the Park Ridge Park District Board leadership; a group [I've] had close ties to since [my] days as a former PRPD Board Member."
First off, I advocate for or against particular policies and practices. in this case, it's the policy/practice of giving excessive taxpayer-financed subsidies to the users of the Senior Center amenity that serves only a small fraction of its intended demographic.
Second, the facts of the matter are that: (a) I served with none of the current Park Board members during my eight years on the Park Board (1997-2005); (b) I have never been a guest in any of their homes, nor they in mine; (c) we do not, to my knowledge, belong to any of the same clubs or organizations; (d) I believe I have spoken to Mr. Brandt and Mr. Vile on only 1 occasion - at a Park Board meeting; (e) I can't recall more than a couple of occasions on which I have attended any "social" event which Mr. Biagi, Mr. O'Brien or Mr. Hunst also attended; (f) and, except for this Senior Center issue, PublicWatchdog has been far more critical than laudatory of the policy and practice positions taken by Ms. Ryan - as can be seen in PublicWatchdog posts from 10/30/09, 4/9/10, 6/18/10, 8/5/10, 1/4/11, 3/30/11 and 4/22/ll.
That's not what I would view as evidence of "close ties" or of my being "friends" with them; but if that's your view, we'll just have to agree to disagree on that point.
But if you ever want to debate these Senior Center issues, just let me know when and where. Over coffee at Starbucks? Over an adult beverage at Houlihans? Straight up, no chaser at the next Park Board meeting (assuming they'll have us)? I'll be there.
And just to show there's no hard feelings, I really hope you get that big boat - and that happy face - someday soon.
Mr. Trinza: I'm afraid I disagree with you. I believe you have definitely been propagandizing for the Park Board. Also, if you have no close ties to the Park Board, with whom were you speaking when you heard this "rumor" that Teresa Grodsky was the executor of the Kenmetz bequest, that she didn't want the legacy to go to the Park District and the Park Board attorney's argument? No one else knows all this information, except the Park Board. If this information is true, was this difference of opinion the reason for firing her? After 35 years of service, she isn't allowed a difference of opinion? I don't think I know a single human being in the work place today, that hasn't had a difference of opinion with their employer, especially in a 35 year relationship.
Thanks for pointing me to the Public Watchdog. We aren't trying to canonize Teresa Grodsky. We are just telling everyone what a wonderful person she is. If that bothers you, perhaps you protest too much. Perhaps what we are saying is ringing true. I learned at the Senior Center today, that well over 300 seniors are coming to her going away party and many members still don't even know that Teresa was fired and leaving. I also heard that many seniors are so down about Teresa's firing, that they aren't even putting up their Christmas decorations. The party that told me this said, that the married couples are upset about this but the group that are all alone are very fragile and vulnerable. Many of them are falling into depressions. And you can't blame anyone but the Park Board for that one.
Anonymous: I just have to say if Ms. Grodsky had this difference of opinion with the Park Board, it isn't a matter of just not agreeing with them. If she was the executor of the estate of this women, she was honor bound to abide by her wishes. Obviously, she knew what her wishes were and I believe what you have here is a moral issue. It put her in a difficult position but it sounds to me like she was a women of principle who couldn't betray the trust she was given. If the Park Board couldn't recognize that she couldn't just lie about what the women wanted, shame on them. You would have to be a completely amoral person to just ignore your duties as an executor of an estate. What kind of people do the City of Park Ridge have on this board, that they would expect her deny what she knew to be true. If she did lie, then I wouldn't want her as an employee. My hats off to a women who sticks to her principles.
If Robert Trinza only advocates for policies and practices, and in this case, the excessive taxpayers dollars spent on the senior center (in his opinion), why is he saying things like they are trying to canonize Teresa Grodsky on his blog, if taxpayer dollars is his only interest. Why doesn't he just stick to the numberes, if that is his big issue? Name calling accomplishes nothing.
Mr. Trizna sticks to issues like oil sticks to water. He is a litigation lawyer and makes arguments for a living. I've read his blog. He is a master at swirling arguments. Then he calls them issues and thinks everyone should agree. One of his issues is promoting the Mayor and Alderman Dan Knight. Mr. Trizna is constantly writing about them and lauding what they say but he will say he is only promoting issues. Yeah. Right.
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