Forest Park Review 042121

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GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA, NFP ForestParkReview.com Vol. 104, No. 16

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Residents clean up around town

F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW

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Forest Park musician debuts new album PAGE 13

APRIL 21, 2021

@FP_Review @ForestParkReview

Meat processor gets continuance on addition

Village, Farmington unable to come to terms on conditions By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

After lengthy conversation and debate between Farmington Foods representatives and village staff, the village council voted unanimously on April 12 to continue the hearing on Farmington Food’s expansion project until the next council meeting on April 26. The company is located at 7419 Franklin St. Farmington Foods CEO Al La Valle and attorney Peter Friedman reached an impasse with village staff over some restrictions and requirements in the proposed ordinance. Friedman asked for the continuance so more time could be spent by the two entities working out the details. The proposed expansion is for an approximately 8,666 square foot two-story addition that will connect two existing structures on the southeastern part of the site, according to a memo from Steve Glinke, Forest Park’s director of building, planning and zoning. During the April 12 village council meeting, Farmington’s La Valle said the addition was driven “by market forces triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.” Customer demand for Farmington’s retail grocery market products has grown while demand for restaurant products has decreased, La Valle said. These products require different packaging and machinery configurations, and additional space on the first floor will allow the company to better See FARMINGTON on page 4

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

PAINTING APPRECIATION

Josie Lindsey, left, and Nora Ernst paint banners thanking District 91 teachers during a parent-organized event at the park district on April 18

Village appoints new public works director

Sal Stella, who started as summer worker in 1997, will head department By MARIA MAXHAM Editor

When Sal Stella was two years old, his family lived in Forest Park, but

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his parents’ landlord wouldn’t renew their lease because Stella was, apparently, too loud. Now 44 years old, with a three-yearold and a two-year-old of his own, Stella has been appointed as the village’s new public works director, effective July 1, to replace retiring John Doss. According to Mayor Rory Hoskins, Stella’s appointment was made by Village Administrator Tim Gillian and approved by commissioners at the April 12 village council meeting.

Stella’s been employed by the public works department since 1997, when he was hired as a summer worker while he attended college at DePaul University. In 2000, he was offered a full-time position with the village and finished his business degree at night. In 2006, Stella got certified as a Class A Water Operator, one of only two public works employees with that license, and has worked as the village’s See SAL STELLA on page 5

New D91 supt. talks on equity

COVID-19 cases at D209 schools

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