The Weekly Reporter

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Vo l . 2 I s s u e 5 | R e a d m o r e o n - l i n e a t t h e w e e k l y r e p o r t e r. c o m

Does Mayor Noak Have a Job? He’s Not Saying! ....................................................... John Gabriel, Award Winning Writer jgabriel@theweeklyreporter.com .......................................................

Unnecessary beating

New Romeoville Officers — Don’t Become Corrupt Cops

Mayor John Noak

Valley View School bus barn more people were angered. The people of Romeoville got a new interim mayor, John Noak, to fill the vacancy that was created when Mayor Dewald resigned. If you recall, Dewald also resigned his position

....................................................... John Gabriel, Award Winning Writer jgabriel@theweeklyreporter.com

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“Romeoville Continues to Place an Emphasis on Law enforcement.” That January 23rd, press release does not explain what that emphasis is or will be. Perhaps Chief Andrew Barto believes that merely adding personnel to the force is fulfillment enough. That release notes the hiring of four new Romeoville Police Officers, four recruits fresh out of the Cook County Sheriff ’s Police Academy located at Triton College in River Grove, IL. One of them, Officer Mark Murphy, received a special award from the academy, an award known as the Knapp Award. Officer Murphy deserves congratulations and recognition for that achievement and should be proud to wear the badge so many men and women before him have worn with dignity and honor. Village Clerk Raymond E. Holloway administered the oath to Murphy and three fellow officers on January 21st. Those new patrolmen are Amanda Gatto, Nicholas

After many articles disclosed how former Mayor Fred Dewald was spending village money many people responded angrily. They wanted a change. When it was revealed that the former mayor was being paid for days when he was not at work at the

Another Unnecessary Beating and there are more...

Clescert, and James Leon. Recruits attend the police academy for ten weeks. The training touches upon Illinois law, weapons training and proficiency, driving skills, report writing, CPR and First Aid, fingerprinting, basic investigations, physical fitness, and defensive tactics. There is a website for the academy. Sadly, it makes no mention of training recruits to honor citizen’s Constitutional Rights. Perhaps, that is why some Romeoville officers pay no heed to, even disregard, the basic rights of the people they are sworn to protect and serve. As new peace officers, Amanda CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 >

with the Valley View School District after his attendance records were disclosed. When the Village Board appointed John Noak interim Mayor some people thought he would make changes and bring truthfulness to the office; especially after the serious allegations of wrongdoing by the former mayor. He promised to do his best for the village when he was sworn in February 2008.

But there is no evidence of any significant changes where they are needed under his leadership. Now, only weeks away from the April 7th Consolidated Election, Mayor Noak is holding a fundraiser, or reception

as he has tagged it, for which he is requesting contributions of $2,500, $1,000, $500, $250, $150 or for the less affluent, $50 to attend. He has also organized a political party called Romeoville United of which Hugh A. O’Hare of Joliet is the Chairman and Treasurer. He wants CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 >

Underage Drinker Angry over Wislocka Article ....................................................... Mark Goodson – mgoodson@theweeklyreporter.com

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Lauren Long, 20 of Plainfield, is angry. The article of January 22nd that told how Julia Wislocka continued to use someone else’s identification even after her friend Melissa Lech was killed by a hit and run driver after a night of teenage drinking on August 6th & 7th, upset her. Julia Wislocka testified at a Joliet Liquor Commission hearing. The article told how composed and unemotional she was during her testimony. The article also quoted con-

versations between Wislocka and a friend who said she loaned Wislocka her ID. Both girls seemed exuberant that Julia will turn 21 in April and no longer have to borrow ID when she goes out to places such as The City of Champions where she used someone’s ID to enter on the night Melissa Lech was killed. On the very day of the last Liquor Commission hearing, January 7th Catherine Dudash a friend of Wislocka said she hoped Julia had fun using Dudash’s ID. Those conversations did not include any notes of sorrow for Melissa Lech, only nonsensical happy talk about the ID.

The article revealed that Wislocka, with a group of other teens, was arrested on an alcohol charge in Portage, Washington Township, Indiana almost a year to the day that Melissa Lech was killed. Lauren Long was fierce because the world learned about that. Lauren long, now 20 and a student at Southern Illinois University, came out swinging in defense of Wislocka whom she calls her “best friend”. These youngsters just don’t get it! They are breaking the law, jeopardizing the liquor licenses of legitiCONTINUED ON PAGE 14 >

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news The Weekly Reporter Breaks the silence!

Inside this Week ASK Lindsey..................................................................12 CLASSIFIED.....................................................................15 CROSSWORD PUZZLE & SUDOKU...............................13 COMPANION CORNER..................................................11 EDUCATION MATTERS.....................................................7 Fall out for ReveilLe (HONOR VETS).......................6 FINANCE - HEADS UP ON...............................................3 HEALTH & WELLNESS.......................................................5 SENIORS ONLY ...............................................................4 SOMETHIN COOKIN.....................................................10 TEEN TALK......................................................................12

The Weekly Reporter is a free newspaper published weekly in Lockport, Illinois by John Gabriel who is also the Executive Editor. The Weekly Reporter Office is located at 890 North State Street, Lockport, IL 60441. Telephone number is (815) 838-8200 Fax (825) 838-8205 General Emails should be sent to editor@theweeklyreporter.com The Weekly Reporter Staff: John Gabriel/WR Award Winning Writer jgabriel@theweeklyreporter.com Advertising ads@theweeklyreporter.com Shirley Sciarratti artdept@theweeklyreporter.com Ralph LaPorte/WR rlaporte@theweeklyreporter.com Andrea Sala/WR asala@theweeklyreporter.com Miles Goodson/WR mgoodson@theweeklyreporter.com Kenny Holmes/WR Kenny@theweeklyreporter.com Lindsey/WR Lindsey@theweeklyreporter.com Lisandra Bernadet /WR teentalk@theweeklyreporter.com Info info@theweeklyreporter.com Guest writers guests@theweeklyreporter.com

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Reader’s Response to “Who Is Watching Waste Management?” ................................................................ Jeff Troiani, Shorewood Ill info@theweeklyreporter.com ................................................................

y name is Jeff and I have been a garbage man for about 11 years and yes I work for Waste Management. This is my opinion and not that of Waste Management. Having said that, it truly amazes me every time an article, like this one, gets printed. I totally understand that most people have no idea what we have to deal with on a daily basis. That’s fine but a few things need to be cleared up. So I am going to deal with this article one issue at a time. Issue number 1. The trash in question was supposed to have been picked up one day late because of the holiday. Since Christmas fell on a Thursday, that trash was meant to be picked up on Friday and Fridays trash on Saturday. OK, if you remember correctly the Friday after Christmas we got hit [with] a horrible ice storm. How responsible would it be to put a fleet of trucks on the road that on an average weigh 35000 to 40000lbs (empty)? How many lives do you think were saved? I guess we will never know. Waste is not permitted to pick up on Sundays. So we picked up Friday’s trash little by little every day,

after those day’s routes were complete. We don’t have the man power to do two days of trash in one day. Our crew worked a ridiculous amount of hours to try and service your trash in a timely fashion. Next issue. The picture printed in the paper of the trash.”Ridiculous” This would not be a problem if everyone would properly contain their garbage. This is a very common problem and it is also very time consuming for us as drivers to deal with. Next issue. Waste picked up your trash yes it was late, but we did it. No other company did it. You did not have to pay extra for the trash that you continued to bring out to the curb before we could service the previous days trash. It still cost us to dump it and haul it. Not to mention the overtime to catch up. Next issue. Do you really believe that WM pays no taxes on their property, and what about stickers for the trucks. They are in every window of every truck. Next issue. Local business that you should be giving a chance. Guess what, our contract are almost alway contracts that have to be bid for. You could even put a bid in for the job. Most of the “smaller local” companies don’t have the equipment or the manpower to do most

of the contracts we do. Now figure manpower, trucks fuel and insurance. I am not knocking the smaller companies, they are just as hardworking as any of us. That is not the issue, don’t turn it into that. Last issue. Just because a company has a big name does not mean it is not local. Every one of WM employees are from this area, even Cumberland South. WM has employees in almost every area we service. I live in Shorewood. The compassion for the fathers, sons, husbands, mothers, daughters, and wives that make up your LOCAL WM office and collectors is nothing short of sad. The company made the best deciCONTINUED ON PAGE 14 >

news

Keep Contributing to Your 401(k) — in All Markets ........................................................................ Mary Jo Ardizzone Maryjo.ardizzone@edwardjones.com Edward Jones | www.edwardjones.com ........................................................................

f you have a 401(k) plan, you’ve got a very good retirement-savings vehicle that’s probably had a rough year. However, while you might have been tempted to toss your statements without looking at them, you don’t want to throw away the opportunity to continue contributing to your 401(k) — and now you can contribute even more. To be specific, the contribution limit for 401(k) plans will increase from $15,500 in 2008 to $16,500 in 2009. And if you’re 50 or older, you can put in an extra $5,500 in 2009, up from $5,000 in 2008. (Your 401(k) plan may also allow Roth contributions, which are made with after-tax dollars, although withdrawals, including earnings, are tax-free in retirement.) Of course, higher contribution limits won’t mean much to you if you’re questioning whether you should put anything into your plan, given the results of the past year. How can you reassure yourself that you’re making the right move by continuing to fund your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 403(b) or 457(b)? Here are a few suggestions: • Know your risk tolerance. If big losses in your 401(k) are causing you to lose sleep, you may be taking on too much risk for your investment personality. If that’s the case, you may need to rebalance your 401(k) portfolio so that you have a higher percentage of more conservative investments. Keep in mind, though, that your 401(k) is designed to build resources for retirement, so you will always need some growth potential. • Don’t overload on company stock. If a downturn hurts your company, and you have a big percentage of company stock in your plan, your account will take a big hit. Diversify your holdings among the various investments available in your plan. While diversification cannot guarantee a profit or protect against a loss, it can help reduce some of the effects of market volatility. • Adjust your investment mix over time. You need to periodically evaluate and adjust the investment mix in your 401(k). When you’re starting out in your career, you can afford to invest more ag-

gressively, because you have decades in which the market can overcome shortterm downturns, no matter how severe. As you move closer to retirement, you may want to scale back the aggressivegrowth portion of your portfolio and create an investment mix that might be less susceptible to big market drops. Above all, don’t lose faith in the power of your 401(k) to help you save for retirement — in good and bad markets. As a retirement account, a 401(k) offers several key advantages. First, you typically make pre-tax contributions, so the more you put in, the lower your taxable income. Also, your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis, unless you are making Roth contributions, which are withdrawn tax-free. Furthermore, you can choose from an array of investments, so you can create a portfolio that fits your risk tolerance, time horizon and individual objectives. Finally, your employer may offer a matching contribution; if you don’t accept it, you are literally walking away from “free money.” It can certainly be upsetting to see declines in your 401(k) statements. But if you stopped participating in your 401(k), you’d have a much harder time reaching your retirement goals. So keep contributing, even in down markets. Someday, you may be glad you did.

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Valentine’s Day Love Potions Are Romantic & Affordable hether you’re in a brand new relationship or a marriage that has lasted for decades, you c a n use aromatherapy to enhance the romance. For Valentine’s Day, save the expense of a dozen roses, and present your beloved with a selection of fragrant essential oils that can help create a passionate connection between you and your partner. It’s a gift that can be used over and over, lasting long after any roses have withered away. How do the aromas of essential oils impact romance? Through the olfactory lobe -- the part of the brain that processes scent, which is part of the limbic system that’s associated with emotion and the formation of memory. Tom Havran, aromatherapy specialist at Aura Cacia, says essential oils can be used to facilitate a wide range of moods including romantic ones. “There are a number of oils that lovers and aspiring lovers might find useful,” says Havran. “Depending on the situation, you might want to create a relaxing atmosphere, a stimulating one or a sensual one. Essential oils are the perfect starting point.” Essential oils have the potential to elicit romance on four different levels. Some oils offer calming effects that reduce anxiety and self-consciousness, thereby opening the path to intimacy. Other oils are known for their stimulating and inspiring properties, and some can impact the hormonal system directly, increasing sexual desire. And there are oils that have been used throughout history as sexual attractants. It’s said that Cleopatra, one

of the most well-known seductresses in history, used a variety of scents and essential oils to create an atmosphere of passion for her relationship with Marc Antony. Here is Havran’s rundown of the most popular essential oils in each of these romantic categories: * Calming: geranium, clary sage, lavender, sweet marjoram. * Stimulating: cardamom, nutmeg. * Arousing: neroli, rose, ylang ylang. * Attracting: sandalwood, patchouli, jasmine, cedarwood. Whichever essential oils you choose, they will work best if you create an environment where emotional and sensual closeness can thrive. If you have children, for example, make arrangements with friends or grandparents to take them for the evening, so that you’ll have uninterrupted time to focus on one another. Draw a hot bath for your partner, adding a few drops of essential oil to the water and light some candles around the tub. Or create a romantic ambiance in any room by diffusing the aromatic essential oils into the air with candle lamp diffusers or lamp rings. A good candidate for the “ultimate love oil” is vanilla essential oil -- especially in combination with cocoa butter. “The vanilla and cocoa combination has a tradition as an irresistibly arousing scent that goes back at least to the Aztecs,” Havran says. Here’s an essential oil recipe for romance. Just add the following essential oils to an ounce of jojoba oil and use as CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 >

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February 4, 2009

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Care

Senior

Services

................................................................. Beata Moberg, is the Counselor, President of Signature Employment Agency Inc. Email: beata2u@comcast.net www.signatureagency.org .................................................................

our parents provided for you, fed you, and helped you become the person you are; then, often dramatically, the roles are reversed. Parents age, they require nourishment and care, their lives change. Unexpectedly you are confronted with a new challenge that of being a caregiver, a role few are prepared to assume. It can be an awkward task to tell your mother to take medicine or to help your father shave. Caring for aging an parent is more difficult when you have children to raise and a job, in addition to ordinary household responsibilities. On the one hand you are busy meeting the needs of your family; while on the other you sense the responsibility you have to assist your parents. Many baby-boomers find themselves confronted with similar unanticipated situations each day. There are millions of aging boomers and many of them will have aging parents who need caregiver assistance as they become less able to deal with the often simple tasks of everyday life. Many baby boomers are finding it necessary to work beyond the age at which their predecessors retired. The culprits: unpaid bills and mortgages that cannot be met on a retirement income. Caring for aging parents under such circumstances is difficult and often impossible. That is when families must determine whether their elderly relatives could be better served by placement in an assisted living facility. Such facilities are well equipped and provide medical attention but seniors frequently prefer to stay in the familiar

setting of their home. That can be difficult for their family, especially when the person cannot be safely left alone. Some seniors maybe confined to a wheelchair. They may need assistance with eating, personal care, or with taking medications at proper times and in appropriate quantities. Home care service may be the solution in such situations. There are agencies in the area that will provide a part-time or a live-in 24/7 trained senior caregiver. First, identify the needs of the person who needs assistance. Some seniors will need only a companion. Others will need someone to provide housekeeping, cooking, shopping, transportation to appointments, and medication monitoring, Others may have physical limitations and may need to be assisted with dressing, bathing, toileting and feeding. When an elderly individual has high blood pressure, diabetes, or other chronic illness, it may be necessary to hire a Certified Nurse Assistant. Before choosing an agency, determine if it is bonded and licensed by the Illinois Department of Labor. Every agency should provide references that you may verify. Usually, an agency will send several candidates to be interviewed. They should be professional and knowledgeable and readily able to assess the needs of the person they might called upon to care for. The older adult should be present during the interview to assess the abilities and personality of each candidate. It will be easier for both the caregiver and the cared-for if the two become familiar during the initial meeting. It is important that they have an amicable relationship from the beginning. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 >

Simple Ways Seniors Can Stay Active and Healthy ................................................................. Courtesy of ARA content info@theweeklyreporter.com .................................................................

ou’ve worked hard your entire life to earn your retirement, and now you should enjoy it. But you won’t be able to actively socialize with friends, family and neighbors, enjoy spending time on your hobbies or taking trips to see the grandchildren if you don’t maintain good health and a good qualityof life. The average life expectancy is now 78 years, plenty of time to enjoy your golden years. You don’t need to see a doctor every day to stay healthy; with the guidance of your physician, there are many ways you can take care of yourself at home. Here are a few ideas you can try yourself: * Monitor the information your doctor wants to know. For example, an estimated one-half of senior citizens suffer from hypertension. The Lumiscope Blood Pressure Arm Monitor found at Montgomery Ward (www.Wards.com) allows you to track your blood pressure at home. Daily monitoring can help you and your doctor bring your blood pressure levels down to 120 or lower, which is recommended to avoid risks of stroke or heart attacks. * Involve your friends, family and

neighbors in a weekly yard game of bocce ball, croquet, horseshoes or badminton, to name a few. Not only are yard games good physical exercise, but the competition keeps your mind sharp and social interaction balances out a well-rounded lifestyle. * Get your hands dirty and plant a garden. Whether you fill indoor pots with beautiful, leafy house plants or plant your entire outdoor landscape in a field of colorful blooms, working with plants is fun and contributes to a sense of well-being. Plus, the planting process involves a little muscle, helping you to keep your body in good condition. * Relive some of your childhood fun. Try a daily workout with the Cory Everson Trampoline (www. Wards.com). The trampoline provides a good cardio and muscular workout complete with a stability bar to assist your balance. And you can exercise at your level, without overexerting your muscles. Combine your workout with your favorite tunes and revert to your bouncy youth. * Join a book club and invite the members to your house. Whether you’re into mysteries, historical fiction, biographies or romance novels, stretch your imagination, share your thoughts and engage your fellow book lovers in a good discussion.

NEWS

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New Chiropractic Service In Lockport octor Loren Davis has announced the opening of his Chicago Spine Institute, P.C. in Lockport. The institute offers treatment for the relief of pain from personal injury and workman’s compensation cases to pain related to disc bulges, hernia or headaches. Dr. Loren indicates that he has spent 12 years “perfecting and fine-tuning his

Cholesterol Matters to Your Heart ............................................................... Courtesy of ARA content info@theweeklyreporter.com ...............................................................

veryone knows they should watch their cholesterol, but do you know why? If you have high cholesterol, you may have twice the risk for heart disease -the number one health problem for both women and men in the United States. High levels of cholesterol can lead to heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. Bad cholesterol, known as LDL, floats through your bloodstream, occasionally catching on the inside walls of the blood vessels. If enough cholesterol accumulates in one spot, the buildup -- known as a plaque -- can block the passage of blood. The resulting restriction of blood flow to the heart can cause a heart attack, while restriction of blood to the brain can lead to a stroke. Luckily, you may be able to reduce your risk of suffering one of these life-threatening events by lowering your bad cholesterol levels. You can check your cholesterol level through a simple blood test. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends LDL cholesterol levels below 130 mg/dL for people without heart disease but at moderate risk for developing heart disease. For those people with heart disease or a disease that puts them at high risk (such as diabetes), the recommended LDL cholesterol levels are below 100 mg/ dL. Further reductions to 70 mg/dL are optimal and may be beneficial for those at particularly high risk. To control your cholesterol levels, you should limit your intake of foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol, such as fatty meats and whole milk. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and other high-fiber foods, and be sure to exercise as recommended by your doctor. In some cases, however, lifestyle changes alone are not enough. In those instances, medications including statins might be prescribed to lower cholesterol levels further. Thanks in part to the availability of these medications, the average pa-

tient today is considerably more likely to reach their LDL cholesterol goals than they were just 10 years ago. Because high cholesterol doesn’t cause day-to-day symptoms, it can easily go undetected. Many people don’t know they have high cholesterol until they develop symptoms of heart disease such as chest pain. As a result, it is important to monitor your cholesterol levels regularly. And if your doctor has prescribed a cholesterollowering drug, be sure to stay on your medication. If you have high cholesterol, or if you do not know your cholesterol levels, here are some important questions to ask your doctor: * Why should I keep track of my cholesterol levels? * Am I at risk for a heart attack or stroke? * What puts me at risk? * What are my current cholesterol levels? * What are my cholesterol goals? * How often should I check my cholesterol? * How can I lower my cholesterol through diet? Exercise? Medication? * What are the possible side effects of cholesterol-lowering medications? * How should I take my medication? Talk to your doctor to see if you should be doing more to lower your cholesterol levels. Not all cholesterollowering medications are the same, so be sure you and your doctor choose the one that’s best for you.

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plan for non-surgical, rehabilitative spinal care‌â€? The new service is located at 16622 West 159th Street, suite 500 and welcomes “walk-inâ€?. The services they render may be covered by most insurance companies. If you have questions or need additional information you may telephone the institute at (815) 838-7746.

Will County Prescription Card Available ill County today launched a discount card program to help consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs. The county is making free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) that offers average savings of 22 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs. The cards may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage, and are accepted at many of the county’s pharmacies. A national network of more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies also will honor the Naco prescription discount card. “Will County is proud to be one of the counties nationwide participating with NACoâ€? said Will County Board Member Frank Stewart (D-Joliet) and former Vice-Chair of NACo’s Health Committee. “The NACo prescription discount card offers significant savings for the uninsured and underinsured residents of our county, and even those fortunate to have prescription coverage can use the card to save money on drugs that are not covered by their health plan. Residents do not have to be Medicare beneficiaries to be eligible for this program.â€? Best of all, there is no cost to county taxpayers for NACo and Will County to make these money-saving cards available to our residents. At this time cards will be available at all Health Department locations in Will County . Individuals can access the Health Department website at www.willcountyhealth.org for location addresses or call 815/727-8480 for additional information. County residents

can also call toll free 1-877-321-2652 or visit https://naco.advancerx.com for assistance with the program. “Using the NACo prescription discount card is easy,� said John Cicero , Executive Director of the Will County Health Department. “Simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.� The discount card program is administered by Caremark Rx, Inc.

REVEILLE

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February 4, 2009

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A Tribute to

Edward W. Karkut ......................................................... Ralph La Porte rlaporte@theweeklyreporter.com .........................................................

Lewis U Covers

Inauguration Live our Lewis University students had the privilege of not only travelling to Washington D.C. to cover the inauguration of President Barack Obama but were invited to sit in the NBC set while they were there. Lewis Univerity correspondents Brett Mega of Lockport and Heidi Williquette of Green Bay, Wisconsin, were accompanied by cameraman and field producer Andrew Skweres and graduate Assistant

Ryan Bulfin both of Chicago. The team’s coverage was made from the inauguration site in Washington D.C. via The Lewis University Television Network located on the Romeoville campus. Junior Bret Mega said, “It was something you’d never forget. It was amazing to think that we started to prepare for this date right after Election Day—we got right to work!” Junior Heidi Willquette said, “We met inspiring people and media from all over the world and everyone was in a great mood and very polite despite the crowded conditions. Heidi added, “The people from NBC let us sit in their set—it was amazing.” Director of The Andrew Center for Electronic Media at Lewis University John Cary joined with John Kilpatrick (position unidentified) in congratulating the students whom Cary said “…worked extremely hard in their roles, each important to the success of this endeavor.” The Washington D.C crew had the support back on campus of The Lewis Television Network anchors Catie Cryder, Plainfield; Zoey Mitronis, Lockport; and Rachel Alstott, Joliet who reported live from Romeoville. In the studio, behind the camera, were Joe Glatz, Hinsdale and Joe Petersen of Joliet. The show was directed by Margaret Grabowski, Chicago, with floor director Stephanie Umek, Joliet, and footage operator Greg Warnimont of Roselle.

ronze Star hero Edward W. Karkut 87 passed away on Monday January 19th at Hines V.A. Hospital with his family at his side. In a sense it was a fitting setting for a man who proudly served his country in World War II and who distinguished himself by earning the military’s heroism award—the Bronze Star. Among his proud decorations was the Purple Heart, earned for bearing wounds for the country

he loved. Edward was born in Chicago, IL on December 21, 1921. At 22 he married Ann Knippenberg. That was in 1943 and in only a few weeks Ed and Ann would have celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary; a milestone in any era. Mr. Karkut was devoted to his family; just how much they loved him was clear from the passages in memoriam

that some of his grandchildren wrote for him. One touching passage signed by Andrea, Mya, and mason said, “My Dear Grandpa: I will always remember your loving heart, your jokes, your smile; there’s so many more memories I have to share. Your memory lives on through us to pass down. I’ll never forget you. I love you so much. Grandpa.” Edward was recognized as a hero, not only by his country and fellow soldiers, but also by his family for whom he remains a memory forever adored. Ed could boast five children, 15 grandchildren, 26 great-

grandchildren, and 1 great-great granddaughter. His surviving family includes two sisters, a brother-in-law and many nieces and nephews. His friends will miss Ed too. He was the VFW Post 5788 Adjutant for 10 years. On Tuesday nights, he assisted at the VFW bingo games. Ed was a Trustee of the Harrington One Room School House, and a member of St. Dennis Catholic Church in Lockport Mr. Karkut had his own band for many years known as the Hug N’ Holler and was a member of the North Eastern Illinois Bluegrass Association a part of the larger Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association (N.I.B.A.). Men such as Edward W. Karkut go to war, fight, sustain injury, distinguish themselves in the service of our nation, and then quietly settle into the background of everyday life. They heal, they work, they marry, and raise families. Some, like Ed find pleasure in sports such as fishing, and duck hunting. Too CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 >

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NEW Classes Start Now!!!

Education Secretary Arne Duncan From Illinois ......................................................... Andrea Sala /WR asala@theweeklyreporter.com Andrea Sala is the Principal at Scarlet Oak School District 145 .........................................................

resident Obama’s choice of fellow Harvard graduate and Hyde Park resident Arne Duncan got rave reviews from both Democrats and Republicans at his confirmation hearing last week. This is a long overdue and positive signal for non-partisan leadership with great potential to improve schools. Previous to this appointment, Mr. Duncan was the chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools. He believes in teacher accountability and supports public-school choice and charter schools. He embraces performance-based pay for teachers. These views make him appealing to the Republican Party. They could be troubling to the largely

Democratic teacher unions, but they like him too. His ability to lead with sincerity and build relationships has forged alliances with both parties. Arne Duncan is the only school superintendent to have signed proposals from both camps with regards to the teacher tenure vs. merit pay debate and this acknowledges that he sees both sides as having positive points. Mr. Duncan has also said that he does not agree with current local tax revenue formula for the funding of education. State Superintendent of Schools Christopher A. Koch wrote in a January weekly address: “We know that the election of Barack Obama will likely mean significant changes to federal education policy. The President-elect has already made that clear by appointing Arne Duncan, Chief Executive Officer of Chicago School District 299, to the post of Education Secretary. Arne

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Thirteen graduate from Will County Drug Court ill County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that The Will County Drug Court has helped another 13 people break their addictions and avoid criminal charges stemming from their drug abuse. The 13 former abusers graduated from the Will County Drug Court last week (Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009). Since 2000, 217 people have graduated from the program and have reclaimed their lives. The program boasts a 90-percent success rate, which means that fewer than 10 percent of its graduates commit new offenses. State’s Attorney Glasgow spearheaded the creation of the Will County Drug Court in the late 1990s. Drug court helps abusers who committed non-violent criminal offenses kick their addictions and return to their community as productive, tax-paying citizens. “Our drug court is a success on multiple fronts,” Glasgow said. “We’re working with people whose lives were driven and devastated by their drug addictions, and we’re helping them become productive members of their community rather

than a drain on society. And for each dollar we spend on a prevention program like drug court, we can save ten times the money in remedial costs.” It has been predicted that taxpayers will save $14.3 million by 2011. Those savings are based upon the projected number of people who will have gone through the program. It costs only $3,000 to put an individual through drug court. In drug court, prosecutors and defense attorneys work with the court and treatment providers to help abusers kick their addictions. The program is a cost-effective alternative to dumping non-violent drug offenders into state prisons, where they cycle in and out of the system. Defendants allowed into the program are carefully screened. They must remain drug free, submit to random drug tests, find employment, follow through with treatment and attend weekly drug court sessions if they are to graduate. For more information on Will County Drug Court, go to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office Web site at www.willcountysao.com and click on Crime Prevention.

The graduate is John Grabavoy. He is shaking hands with Julie McCabe-Sterr, our drug court coordinator.

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2009 Legislative Internship Program Scheduled n what is promoted as a Civics refresher course for disabled adults, seniors, and veterans, the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living has announced plans for its 2009 Legislative Internship. The free, 8-week educational program for adults will be held in three locations this session. For Will County disabled residents the weekly 90-minute Legislative Internship courses will be held at the Will-Grundy CIL office, 2415 W. Jefferson Street in Joliet. The courses will begin on Thursday, February 26, and take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The comprehensive course is ideal for those disabled adults, veterans, and seniors who are seeking an interesting and intensive overview in a comfortable environment with their peers. According to program coordinator Mary Tisdale, an Independent Living Advocate at the Center, participants will learn the fundamen-

tals of how government operates, including how a bill becomes a law. There will be an overview who are our elected officials, their roles, regions and responsibilities Guidance on effective advocacy may be available from some elected officials of State and local government. Speakers confirmed to serve as guest instructors during the 8-week Will County and Lockport High School sessions will include: U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson (D-11) and State Senators A.J. Wilhelmi and Linda Holmes. State Representative and House Minority Leader Tom Cross; State Representatives Jack McGuire Gary Dahl will also appear. For Will County there will be Treasurer Pat McGuire; and County Clerk Nancy Voots; while Joliet will be represented by City Manager Tom Thanas. Former State Representative Brent Hassert is also scheduled as a guest. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 >

news

Stork Craft Recalls 535,000 Baby Cribs

Risk of Entrapment or Suffocation

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February 4, 2009

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Lockport Township Democrats Announce Candidates he Lockport Township Democratic Organization is pleased to announce its slate of candidates for the April 7 Consolidated Election. Leading the slate will be Judy Gale Batusich, Supervisor; George Mushro,

he U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of 535,000 baby cribs that were manufactured by Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc. of British Columbia, Canada. Stork Craft is cooperating in the voluntary recall. The recall involves all Stork Craft Baby Cribs that bear manufacturing and distribution dates between May 2000 and November 2008. Those dates, model number and other pertinent information are printed on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The problem lies with support brackets that support the mattress and mattress board. They can crack or break causing the mattress to collapse creating a dangerous gap between the mattress and the crib rails in which a child can become entrapped and suffocate. Owners of the products are instructed to stop using the recalled product and immediately contact Stork Craft for a free replacement kit with new mattress support brackets. Please contact Stork Craft toll free at (866) 361-3321 anytime or log on to www.storkcraft.com to order a free replacement kit. The recalled cribs were sold at major retailers including J.C. Penney, Kmart and WalMart stores nationwide. They were sold on line at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Sears.com, and Walmart.com.

Clerk; and Jack Waxweiler, Highway Commissioner. Rounding out the slate is Debbi Mason, Assessor; Mike Kelley, Collector; and Trustee candidates Norbert Likar, Percy Conway, Ron Alberico, and Candi Vicich Thuringer.

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and off a hot beverage -- to dinner guests, neighbors who drop by or kids during story time -- and you instantly warm both tummies and hearts. Make sure you treat yourself too; wrapping your hands around a warm mug in the midst of a cold day can help you unwind! Traditional favorites include hot cider, cocoa, teas and coffees -- all so

good there’s no need to look for replacements. But by adding just a few of the right spices, you can transform these everyday drinks into extraordinary winter warm-up blends.

Tips for Spicing Up a Variety of Hot Drinks * Mull to be merry. Mulling a beverage simply means heating and spicing it. Sometimes sweeteners and/or other beverages are added, too. Mulled apple juice or cider is classic, but why not mull other favorites, like cherry,

Open for Lunch & Dinner

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February 4, 2009

raspberry, white grape and cranberry juices, as well as red and white wines? Just be careful not to boil the wine or you’ll ruin the taste and evaporate the alcohol. Good mulling spices include allspice, cinnamon, cloves, fenugreek, ginger, lemon peel, nutmeg, orange peel and star anise. Have fun experimenting -- or streamline your routine by stocking up on a mulling spice mix, like Simply Organic Mulling Spice or Frontier Cider Mate. * Give the crock a workout. Fill your crock pot with an aromatic and warm spiced beverage and keep it on low

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throughout the day. You’ll have a readyto-serve treat at any time, and your home will be scented, too. * Stock up on cinnamon sticks. Indispensable for mulling, cinnamon sticks also spruce up hot party drinks when used as swizzlers. * Spruce up your black teas. Add cinnamon sticks, orange peel and/or lemon peel to any black tea. Sweeten, if you like, with honey or brown sugar. To richen the flavor even further, add a tablespoon or two of cognac. * Enliven green teas with crystallized ginger and sliced fruit (like pears). * Think ethnic. For Spanish flair, add black pepper and chilies or cinnamon to hot chocolate. For French influence, thicken cocoas with cornstarch or arrowroot and stir in some Grand Marnier and vanilla extract. Top with a pinch of freshly ground nutmeg. * For a mocha drink, simply use strongly brewed coffee in place of some of the liquid in your favorite hot cocoa recipe. * Add quality flavorings or extracts for an instant flavor boost. Frontier offers every option from almond to walnut for any hot beverage -- including milk, cocoa, tea and coffee. Here’s the recipe for deliciously rich toddy that adds delight to any gathering:

Warm Winter Toddy CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 >

your life

Four Easy Tips to Live Harmoniously with Your Favorite Fur-ball

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BSH Home Appliances Corp Recalls Dishwashers Products Create A Home Fire Hazard SH Home Appliances of Huntington Beach, California is cooperating with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall about 476,500 dishwashers that were marketed under the brand names Bosch® and Siemens®. The recall involves certain dishwashers manufactured between May 1999 and July 2005. The brand name is printed on front control panel. The model and serial numbers can be found

inside the dishwasher door panel on the upper right side. There have been 51 reports of incidents including 30 reports of fires that resulted in property damage as a result of the defects. There have not been any injuries reported. The fault lies with an electrical component that can overheat causing a fire hazard. The models and serial numbers affected are listed below.

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Drinks To Warm Up... Ingredients: 4 cups milk, divided in half (dairy, rice, or soy) 2 Tbsp. honey 1/8 tsp. cardamom powder 4 oz. white baking chocolate, chopped 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. nutmeg powder 4 6-inch cinnamon sticks

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ou play, laugh, snuggle and sleep together. In fact, you’re best friends! But, just like their owners, pets have their quirks: chewing socks, begging, stealing food and some things they just can’t help, like shedding hair everywhere. One out of three dog and cat owners admit that they’ve left the house with pet hair on their clothes in the last three months, according to the Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair survey. For the 63 percent of Americans who have pets, this is not the most pleasing statistic to be a part of. It’s time for houseguests to walk in the front door of your home and notice how great your home looks, not how hairy you or your furniture is. Here are some weekly housecleaning tips to reduce the pains of cleaning up after your pet so you can finally declare, “Welcome to the Sofa!” without the fear of hair, scratching or fleas getting the best of you. * Stop those bad habits. - Whether puppies are teething, or your dog just has a bad habit, it is frustrating when your beloved pet chews on furniture. One option is to spray your furniture with chewing deterrents, which are available at pet stores. For cats who scratch, scratching boards are a musthave. * Play fetch with pet hair. - Most pets shed, lovingly leaving their fur behind on

your upholstery. For upholstered furniture, the new Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair does the trick. It is a handheld solution which traps hair - picking up as much hair as 145 of the traditional sticky sheets. Rollers grab, lift and trap pet hair inside the device as you slide the device side to side over upholstered furniture, keeping the living spaces clean and hair-free. With this cleaning tool, it’s easy to welcome your pet back to the couch for a snuggle while watching your favorite TV show. * Make fleas stay away. - Eliminate flea problems naturally and with a pleasant smell using peppermint and eucalyptus oils. They can be used on your pet’s coat and you can also use eucalyptus leaves under your pet’s bedding to prevent fleas and add a pleasant smell to the bedding. * A million toys and nothing to do. - No matter how many toys you have lying around the house, dogs often still act bored or prefer your shoes. In order to help maintain your dog’s interest in toys, rotate them so a few are available each day. Cleaning up pet hair has never been easier. Visit Pledge.com to learn more about the Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair.

Directions: Warm 2 cups of the milk, honey, cardamom, and baking chocolate in a saucepan until chocolate is melted. Add remaining milk and heat

until warm. Stir in vanilla. Pour into cups, sprinkle with nutmeg and add cinnamon stick stirrers. Substitute almond extract (or another flavoring, like peppermint extract) for the vanilla now and then. At a toddler’s tuck-in time, serve without the chocolate to induce slumber. Makes about 4 servings. For more tips and recipes for hot drinks -- and an online source of ingredients like mulling spices cocoa, cinnamon sticks and spices -- visit www.frontiercoop.com/hotdrinks.

YOUR LIFE

Need Good Advice? Contact Lindsey

Dear Lindsey: Whenever my boy friend comes over which is like every day I catch it from my mother. She is someone who keeps the whole house spotless. With her it’s a major catastrophe if something is out of place for one minute. As soon as I leave school and my father has gone to work she is cleaning. She’s always cleaning. So when Jason comes over I sit on a couch in our family room and we play video games or whatch a movie. He likes to lay down on his back with his head on my lap. He also rests his feet on the arm of the couch with his shoes on. My mother goes bananas when she sees that. She told me if I don’t make him stop she is going to tell him whether it embarrasses me or not. I would feel like a real idiot telling him that. Anyway I think she’s making a big deal out of nothing. What do you think? Dear What do you think I think you must have a very clean home and a very ambitious mother who likes keeping her home neat and tidy. But I also think it is very rude for your boyfriend to plunk himself down on a couch in the family room and treat your family’s furniture as if it is beat-up clubhouse stuff. You didn’t say but I’d bet your parents paid a tidy sum for the furniture in that room and even if they didn’t everyone ought to respect other people’s property and their homes. Jason needs to learn some manners and your mother is being very generous by giving you the opportunity to ask him to stop his bad habit. It is surprising that she has not lost her patience before this. Tell Jason mom said feet off the arms or adios amigo! Dear Lindsey: My dad blew up when he found out I have been seeing a guy who is 17, I’m 14. I think that’s dumb cause my dad is 6 years older than my mother. Isn’t he just being too old? Dear Too Old This is a problem that comes up more than you can imagine. People say my grandma is 8 years younger than grandpa and dad is 6 years older than mom. The difference is that I’ll bet they were adults when they married and they didn’t date when they were 14. The difference between dating a 17 year old when you are 14 is huge! Next year when you are 15 he will legally be an adult who could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for just being with you. Once people are adults, once they are mature, age is not a factor but when you are a child wanting to date an adult the law sees things differently. Adults want things little girls can’t, or shouldn’t, be giving them. I suggest you spend your time with people your age and have fun. I can’t imagine your 17 year old boyfriend at a birthday party where everyone else may be 12, 13, 14 or 15. I’ll bet that even sounds silly to you.

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February 4, 2009

Joliet West has Talent!

............................................................... By Lisandra Bernadet teentalk@theweeklyreporter.com Lisandra is a sophomore at Joliet West High School ...............................................................

On January 21, 2009 Joliet West high school showcased their third annual Variety Show. The Variety Show is like a talent show, but the participants don’t feel limited to the typical sing and dance criteria of a traditional talent show. There were a variety of acts such as; dance groups, singers, acting skits, and bands that performed. Teachers also got into the fun and performed for the school. Ms. Klein and two of her former students put together a Hairspray montage and from the sound of the audience response it was a complete hit. A band made up of just teach-

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Lisandra Bernadet / WR

ers called, Code Blue and the Lockdowns played Waiting on the World to Change, by John Mayer. It made students realize that teachers do have other talents besides teaching in the classroom. Aux Sable Embers, a local pop/punk rock band, closed the show and all the performers and stage crew came out on to the stage to dance until everyone left the auditorium. They played wonderfully and they are also playing on January 30 at Mojoes Rock House in Orland Park. The Variety Show was fun and well put together by Mrs. Koppers, the Arts and Communications academy English teacher. This production took many people to make it the success that it was. I was backstage and I saw first hand the stress that stage crews go through to put on such a show. Well done Joliet West! Let’s see what you have in store for us next year!

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2009 Legislative Internship ... Disabled adults, seniors, and veterans can benefit from this program. The Center encourages program participants to utilize their knowledge and skills to promote disability rights by meeting and maintaining contact with elected officials in their local towns, in Springfield, and Washington, D.C. Registration for the United Way supported Center for Independent Living’s free Legislative Internship Program for Will County residents is currently underway. Call Mary at 815.729.0162 (V) or 815.729.2085 (TTY) to arrange for registration. The class size is limited to 20, so interested persons are encouraged to call soon to confirm their participation. The Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living is a non-profit, United

Way agency which offers information and resources to thousands of individuals each year. Operating solely on grants and contributions to serve two of the fastest-growing counties in Illinois, the WGCIL promotes systems and individual advocacy, the independent living philosophy, and educates the community on key issues. The Center’s staff, comprised of a majority of disabled professionals, provides programs and services to individuals with all types of disabilities of all ages, and welcomes support from individuals, foundations and businesses. Located at 2415 W. Jefferson Street (at Barney Drive), the Center can be reached by calling (815) 729-0162 (Voice), (815) 729-2085 (TTY) or at its website at www.will-grundycil.org.

your life

Riley’s Road Trip ............................................................ Christine Carroll Piech Christine@theweeklyreporter.com .........................................................

YIPPEE!!! This is the BEST day EVER! Do you know what I get to do today? Guess? It’s the most-coolest thing in the whole world‌I get to go --- FOR A RIDE! And not just any ride. I am going for my first long car ride to see Michigan! Oh I can’t wait to meet Michigan‌I hope she likes me! Huh? Oh! Oops! Sadie said Michigan is a place‌Sorry! Well that’s o.k. – I’m just so happy I get to go for a ride! I’ve had so many fun things happen to me today. First, my big sister Sadie is letting ME do all the talking for once‌I NEVER get to do that. She’s really smart, so I hope I do a good job like she does. Then at lunch, my dad let me have some of his food. He gave it to me real fast when mom left the room and said it was just between us! I didn’t know what he meant, but I know that I got to eat something gooooood! And now I just found out I’m going for a ride! This makes me so happy! I am ONE LUCKY PUPPY! When are we going to go? I can’t wait! I want to go for my ride now but mom and dad said they have to get things ready. I’m ready! Let’s GO!! Maybe if I keep running around it will make everyone hurry up. Ugh, this is taking too long! Sadie told me to just relax because we will leave soon. I can’t relax – I’M TOO EXCITED! Is it soon yet? FINALLY! We’re ready! We got in the car and Sadie laid down in the back‌I can’t believe she wants to sleep! I’m not going to rest‌there’ll probably be so many neat things to see‌this is so cool! Bye house‌ see you soon. I sat in my special spot next to the window – I like to put my head out because it feels sooo good! Huh, Dad hasn’t put the window down‌why isn’t the window down? Mom said it’s too cold so we have to keep them closed‌but putting my head outside is my favorite part of going for a ride! Well that’s ok, I guess. There’s still a lot of things to look at ‌OFF WE GO! Dad drove on streets that I’ve seen before, but then he got on this super fast road with lots and lots of cars. I was super excited to see so many different cars and trucks – but they were going by really, really fast that it was hard to see them all. I guess I can look at the buildings‌there’s one – there’s one – there’s one – WHEW! I’m getting dizzy! IT’S TOO FAST! – I CAN’T SEE ANYTHING! Maybe if I look out the other window‌ Ooh, it’s faster! What am I going to do now? So far this ride isn’t as fun as I thought it was going to be. I can’t do anything I love to do in the car and there is nothing to look at! I thought this was going to be fun! This ride is starting to get very BORING! Where is this Michigan anyway? I can’t wait to get there‌I wonder :$17 025( what it will be like. It can’t be too much longer, can it? Aww, I give up‌ARE WE THERE YET? &86720(56"

Down 1. Consequently 2. A pause 3. Waterless 4. Little bit 5. Choose 6. Flower 7. Sound off 8. Curved passageway 9. ___ out a living 10. Clever 11. Spiritual leader 12. Get in shape 13. Twilled woollen fabric 22. Allow 23. Wise Men

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25. Not moving 26. Shape 27. Jimmy 28. Tower over 29. Chills and fever 30. Clothing protector 31. Reverse, e.g. 33. Hurt 34. Poison 35. Fleur-de-lis 36. Harvest season 38. Roasting rod 40. Robert E. __ 42. ___ vera 45. MD 47. Holy Scripture 48. Bitter

49. Untruthful 50. Indy entrant 51. In the lead 53. Scotch ___ 54. Other 55. Carpet type 56. Salon offering 57. Length x width 59. “Gosh!� 60. Restaurant bill 62. Deuce

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The Doggie Diaries

Across 1. Uplift 6. Highlands hillside 10. ___ and sciences 14. In the back country 15. Yellow breasted songbird 16. Peel 17. Coast 18. “___ bitten, twice shy� 19. Alpine lift 20. Ancient 21. Textile 24. Large 25. Part of a list 26. Severe food shortage 27. Contrive 30. Highly excited 32. “I read you� 33. Alcoholic drink 37. Part of BYO 38. “beat it !� 39. Using speech 41. Figure of speech 43. Banish 44. Bank claim 46. ___ of Man 47. Voting document 50. Brownish coated horse 52. Frosty 53. Instruct 55. Health club 58. Ship’s jail 60. After-bath powder 61. Early anesthetic 63. Queue 64. Abbey area 65. Cognizant 66. Border 67. Oktoberfest serving 68. Words to live by

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NEWS CONTINUED FROM FRONT >

any money for services he performs for Congresswoman Judy Biggert?” There was a response from an unidentified person who said, “Mr. Noak is a self-employed consultant.” The writer said he does not currently work for Congresswoman Biggert. There was a follow-up request sent immediately: Thank you. What is the name of John Noak’s company, where is it located and what sort of consulting does his company do? No answer was received. On January 9th another request for that information was made. There was no answer. On January 23rd the following was sent, “Once more I am asking: What is the name of the consulting business John Noak owns? What is the address of John Noak’s consulting business? What kind of consulting does John Noak do as his full-time occupation?”

No one answered that email. Then on January 26th another request for that information was made, this time to the Mayor’s other email address, jnoak@romeoville.org: Mr. Mayor: I have made two requests by email in which I asked what kind of consulting you do and the name of your company. I would also like to know where the business is located. As you have probably guessed, Mayor Noak did not answer. Is it because there is no Noak consulting business? Is John Noak just someone else drawing unemployment? Is it because John Noak does not want to work at a regular job? Is that the reason John Noak is rumored to be pressing to become Romeoville’s first full-time mayor at a salary of $100,000 per year? It’s your money Romeoville, your vote that either elects the Noak club or doesn’t. Next week we’ll look at what Mayor Noak and his loyal followers on the Village Board have done, or perhaps more appropriately, what they have not done.

late court Judge was asked if that is true. The Judge said, “The Miranda case must be followed even in Will County.” Any sworn peace officer who violates the Constitutional Rights of any citizen no matter how sleazy, or disreputable that person maybe, is akin to the terrorists who seek to destroy American democracy and to take away our freedoms. Each of you has the opportunity to make a difference despite the history of the department you have just joined. Each of you can stand up for honesty, the dignity of the badge, and for the perseveration of American principles that have been won and preserved with the blood, suffering, and lives of countless Americans on battlefields around the world. Do not become a lawbreaker yourself believing that breaking the law to jail a suspect is okay. It is not; outlaws catch-

ing other outlaws are no more honorable than the thugs they capture; they are two of a kind. Good luck to each of you, may you do your duties safely and with honor. Hold your heads high and refuse to succumb to the unconstitutional habits some within your own department may encourage you to practice. No matter what some may say, the rights of every citizen are important. If you dilute the rights of others, you will be diminishing your own at the same time. You yourself may stand before a court one day hoping it will respect your rights. If the court allows lies, you could go prison unjustly; weigh that when you testify. Consider the Constitution each and every day you wear your uniform; wear it with the same pride you had when Clerk Holloway swore you in.

Reader’s Response to “Who Is Watching ...

sion it could thinking only of the public and its employees safety. Knowing full well they would have to deal with unhappy customers, and city officials. I truly apologize for any inconvenience and

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February 4, 2009

New Romeoville Officers...

Gatto, Nicholas Clescert, James Leon, and Mark Murphy, it is important to understand that some members of the force you are joining have not been outstanding officers. Some are currently accused of police brutality some disregard the prohibitions against illegal searches. One of your Sergeants stands accused of allegedly opening and searching a citizen’s SUV without probable cause or permission, a breach of law. These are not isolated instances. Some officers you will work beside are accused of repeatedly violating the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions. One Officer told a man whom she stopped and then let go, because he had done nothing to be stopped for in the first place, “We don’t have to read Miranda rights anymore.” Either she was trained improperly, she lied, or was lied to; in any event she brought disrespect to her badge. A 3rd District Appel-

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Does Mayor Noak Have a Job? ...

that job! Mayor Noak seems to be aiming for the one-man rule of Dewald. It is obvious that individual votes will be a thing of the past if the Romeoville United group has its way. There are four people running for trustee on the Romeoville United ticket: Jose Chavez, Brian Clancy, Sr., David Richards, and Sue Michlevitz. That would give Noak four votes out of 6 that he could count on to pass anything he wants to pass. He has a tie breaking vote of his own. It would be one-man rule in Romeoville if Noak and his cronies are elected. Now something suspicious. Mayor Noak says he is a self-employed consultant. So on January 5th John Noak was sent an Email, to info@votenoak.com, in which he was asked, “Now that Mayor Noak has made it clear that he will be running for election as the Mayor of Romeoville, please tell me what John Noak does for a living and where he works. Does Mayor Noak continue to earn CONTINUED FROM FRONT >

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thank you for your concern. This is the opinion of one driver and not of WM Corp. Editor’s Note: The point was, the company charged for garbage pick-

ups that were not made even though the drivers did not work. As for safety, professional drivers take big rigs (80,000 lbs) over the snowbound Rockies all winter long—safely.

Valentine’s Day Love Potions Are ...

a massage: 20 drops vanilla precious essential oil 2 drops sweet orange essential oil 1 drop cardamom essential oil 2 drops rose otto precious essential oil Because essential oils are very con-

centrated, it takes only a few drops per tablespoon of carrier oil to derive their benefits. However, you should never apply essential oils directly to the skin -- always dilute them first in water or a carrier oil such as almond, grapeseed, or jojoba. If you’d like more information on cre-

ating your own love potions and how to inspire or rekindle the spirit of love with essential oils, visit Aura Cacia’s Passion page at www.auracacia.com and select Passion from the Set Your Mood dropdown menu.

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CONTINUED FROM FRONT >

Underage Drinker Angry over Wislocka Article

Melissa Lech, left, and Julia Wislocka.

mate tavern owners, failing to care for one another once they are inebriated, as was the case with Melissa Lech, and she sees nothing wrong with that conduct. Has alcohol so numbed the brains of these young people that they place no value on life? Have they learned nothing at home, in school, of one’s duty to obey the law? The Weekly Reporter had intended to print Lauren’s emails but her language is so foul and uncouth most of her response would have had to have been deleted. Her emails were forwarded to the SIU staff where she says her Dean would support her point of view. Lauren Long was arrested with Julia Wislocka in Indiana in August of 2007. The police blotter states: Alcohol charge | Lauren Long, 19, Plainfield, Ill.; Julia Wislocka, 19, Crest Hill, Ill.; Erica Graham, 19, Calumet City, Ill.; Kent Grashel, 18, 114 Diana Road, Portage; Vincent Lesniewski, 20, 2797 Willowdale Road, Portage; Christopher Lindsay, 18, 5983 Waldorf Place, Portage; Steven Gacsy, 18, Hobart; Thomas Drakos, 18, 598 Keldon Court, Valparaiso; Alexandria Martinez, 19, Hobart; Buck Davich, 20, 3301 Spinnaker, Portage; Kameron McWhirter, 19, 712 Longbridge Drive, Chesterton. See www. nwi.com. Lauren’s foul-mouthed emails indicate that she sees nothing wrong in what these kids have done. She makes a good case for Attorney Chris Rouskey who represented the City of Champions vigorously on those very grounds. Attorney Rouskey spoke out at length to plead with cities to clamp down heavily on underage drinkers who are using borrowed or fake identification to gain access to bars. Lauren Long and Julia Wislocka are examples of why stiffer penalties are necessary, and why those who lend their ID to underage drinkers should be mandatorily sentenced to jail time. In the meantime, the tavern owners will be punished and the real offenders will get a $75 fine, purchase new ID for $150, or borrow that of a student who has turned 21 and go on to destroy their selves with what Lauren referred to as fun. Fun? A girl is dead!

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A Tribute to Edward W. Karkut often, they live such good lives we tend to forget them because they are so normal; just everyday Americans basking in the freedom they have fought to retain. And although they fought for and earned the right to do those often taken for granted things of life, rarely do they reflect upon the important contributions they themselves made to this preserve this nation and the liberty they so bravely secured for us.

So as we say farewell to Ed, let us all remember him for what he and his comrades have done for us. Let us each reflect now and then on the pleasures of life in which each of us can indulge because of their unselfish contributions to America. Goodbye for now Ed Karkut, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and real life hero.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 >

Education Secretary Arne Duncan From Illinois will be bringing invaluable experience and knowledge to his cabinet post that he culled from the dayto-day challenges he tackled at a diverse urban school district. “While we are working to ensure that schools are included in any economic stimulus package proposed by the new administration, we, along with others in the education community, are keeping a watchful eye on efforts to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This imperfect piece

of legislation is one that affects us all, and I believe having a school leader from Illinois working to improve the law will be a definite plus not just for Illinois kids but for all of our nation’s students.” Arne Duncan was appointed as CEO of Chicago Public Schools in 2001 by Mayor Richard Daley. His leadership saw measurable improvements in Chicago, the third largest school district in America and considered one of the most challenging.

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