Oak Park Newspaper

The Forest Park Chamber of Commerce had a fun event attended by many of the movers and shakers of Forest Park. There was ample food supplied from about every restaurant in town and lots and lots of interesting people. I spoke with realtor, David King about the economy and business in general. Mr. King was happy to note that his business has seen an upturn in activity and that this has happened before when the economy bottoms out. People will start new businesses, acquire land and do new construction to the full return in the economy, it all takes time. King is optimistic about a good future in the market. This was before the day after the stock market took a 1000-point plunge in less than an hour, but then bounced back to only 300 some points below the start of the day.

Tim Gillian is doing well and Forest Park looks good too. Roads are being repaired, buildings going up, and new ideas for the town are coming forward. Forest Park is even going to have a weekly Cruise Night on Madison street... more to come.

I had some time with Anthony Calderone, the Mayor of Forest Park, and one of our topics was the new McDonalds coming to town just a few blocks from Village Hall. I wondered if the entire area under construction now was to be used exclusively by McDonalds. I told the mayor I couldn’t imagine the entire area to being used unless a four-story McDonalds was being put in or one akin to the ‘50s McDonalds just north of the Loop in Chicago. The mayor assured me that he had seen the plans for the reconstruction and McDonalds will make use of the entire area. And they will even have two drive-thru lanes. It is scheduled to open I July of this year. I can smell the fries already.

I spoke with Rich Schauer about his experience attending the residents’ Forest Park police academy, where local citizens learn about local policing and share a ride along program over several weeks. They do something different at each meeting and one night was crowd control and apprehension of suspects, A dozen or so people participate in the program each year. Rich Schauer was one of them this year. Rich, who is a tall drink of water, though still less than 8 feet, volunteered to be tased with 20,000 volts for about 5 seconds, he said it was the worst and most agonizing pain he had ever felt. He noted that he didn’t cry and he didn’t go down to the ground. His father later told me that Rich walked around for five minutes, mumbling, not sure of who he was. After hearing of Rich’s ordeal, a Viking among men, a Spartan, I was impressed, but not nearly as much as I was with a woman half his size who volunteered AFTER him.

Elizabeth Axtell, who owns an American Family Insurance Agency in town, volunteered to go next. I asked her why on Earth after seeing Rich tormented, she would choose a taste of the taser. I asked her if she’d tied a rope on her ankle and jumped from a bridge or any other such feat. Liz said that she did not jump of bridges or towers. She did note that she was not standing, but laying prone on the ground and not given five seconds, but one second, but more than enough to remember the experience. She added that that one second of electricity was incredibly exciting and I asked weren’t there any boys in high school more exciting. She replied, “Never as exciting!”

I spoke with deputy Police Chief Tom Aftanas, about their new detective office, and how the officers are quite pleased with their new part of the department. I will do a story about that next week.

I also met the owners of a new restaurant in Forest Park, called Duck Fat. I had them repeat the name for me a few times until I finally believed what they said, yes "Duckfat". I look forward to trying them out. Their menu looks eclectic and delightful.
They cook their fries in duck fat and tell me that it is as healthy as olive oil... Review to follow.

Forest Park, beginning this year, is going to have a weekly Cruise Night on Madison street. The event will begin on
May 25th from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm and will happen again on each Tuesday at the same hours. There will be music, great cars, dancing, dining, and lots of fun.

The Forest Park Chamber's annual meeting was a success and the 'Taste of Forest Park' portion was delicious. There were awards and auctions and a good chance to meet other folks with business in town.