Oak Lawn officials are sending a warning to motorists and they want to make that message clear — slow down.
Trustee James Pembroke (4th) said that with spring just around the corner residents who get behind the wheel should drive with more caution.
“Please slow down on the primary local streets,” Pembroke said during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday night. “A lot of the time it’s neighbors doing the driving. Please slow down. Obey the stop signs.”
Trustee William “Bud” Stalker (5th) was in complete agreement with Pembroke. The trustee said he lives near St. Linus School and sees too many drivers exceeding the speed limit and going through stop signs.
“I also want to remind parents to advise their children to go safely on scooters,” said Trustee Ralph Soch (6th). “Spring is coming and more kids will be out.”
Mayor Terry Vorderer agreed that the situation continues to be a problem.
“I mean these people we know,” Vorderer said. “They aren’t bad people but they are just being careless. It amazes me how many people are driving 25 miles over the limit.”
Vorderer and the trustees reiterated that the majority of these offenders are neighbors and they need to slow down when driving.
New fire engineers
Fire Chief Mike McMillan announced that two firefighter/paramedics have become fire engineers. Joseph LaPorta and Scott Hanson were both promoted to become fire engineers to fill vacancies in the department.
Both new fire engineers were sworn in at the meeting by Village Clerk Claire Henning. LaPorta is replacing an engineer who retired last August. Hanson is replacing an engineer who retired in January.
Eagle Scout honored
Karen Jones, a member of St. Gerald Parish, was honored for becoming an Eagle Scout.
Vorderer presented a plaque to the new Eagle Scout. Her parents, Matt and Susan Jones, were also on hand to see her honored at the meeting.
Color them winners
“I want to congratulate you. As a father of an Eagle Scout years ago, I know the hard work you put in,” Vorderer said. “And I know all the hours and the work and the time your parents have put in, too.”
The winners of the Annual Fire and Public Safety Coloring Book Contest were also honored at the board meeting. The Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce collaborates with the Oak Lawn Fire and Police departments to produce the book.
Placing first in the Fire Safety Contest was Stella Podraza, a third-grade student at Columbus Manor. Her artwork will be featured on the Fire Safety cover of the Fire and Safety Coloring Book.
Placing second in the Fire Safety Contest was Giovani Guerrero, a third-grade student at St. Germaine. Placing third was Leigha Heidemann, a fourth-grade student at St. Catherine of Alexandria.
In the Public Safety Police category, Avery Conrick, a second-grade student at St. Catherine, placed first. Her artwork will be featured on the Public Safety cover of the Fire and Safety Coloring Book.
Placing second was Eloise Gangel, a first-grade student at St. Linus, and placing third was Vinny Drnovsek, who is in kindergarten at St. Linus.
McMillin and Police Chief Daniel Vittorio presented the awards to the students.
Early voting
Henning mentioned that early voting will begin on Monday, March 17, in Meeting Room C at the Oak Lawn Library. Early voting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 17 through Saturday, March 22. Early voting will also be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 23.
Early voting will continue from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, March 24, through Friday, March 28. Voting will continue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 29, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 30.
The final day of early voting will take place 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, March 31. The general election will be held Tuesday, April 1.
Vorderer encouraged residents to go out and vote.
“We were lucky to get 10% of the vote during the last primary,” Vorderer said. “I always thought these were the most important elections because these are local offices. They are important.”
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