Letter to the Editor: Tax Levy Response

The following letter to the editor was submitted by Larry Ryles, candidate for mayor of Park Ridge on April 9. Letters express the views of the author; Patch merely serves as a forum for readers to state their opinions.

Hi Everyone,

Nice to see people out and about enjoying our pleasant weather!

I'm sending this letter to the editor to clear up the misconceptions and mud slinging that my opponent is using to mislead the citizens of Park Ridge. I for one don't believe that my opponent has been fiscally responsible or open. There has been very little positive about his campaign.

If my opponent really wishes to set the record straight, tell the public how much of the proposed 11.11% tax levy he moved to next year. Notice I use the word proposed. My campaign tax levy issue used the term proposed because at the time Mr. Schmidt was proposing an 11.11% tax levy. Yes, he did lower it to 2.15% by moving 9% to next year.

My opponent should be well aware that I was at the City Council meeting a few weeks ago when the tax levy was discussed and 9% was moved to next year. For Mr. Schmidt's information, I and a member of my campaign staff watch all of the City Council meetings on cable every week, taking notes, and discussing each topic with my campaign committee.

My website does not claim the increase for this year is 11.11% and I'm not advertising any upcoming campaign event using any misleading statement. I do have as one of my issues is to control city taxes to under the rate of inflation. A state mandated level for all school districts.

My opponent is now blaming me for the actions of the alderman, rightfully so, the City Council overrides the Mayor's vetoes because they truly represent their constituency. The Mayor has vetoed 49 times in the last 4yrs. and only 4 were sustained. He refers to an expenditure for building a new police facility, I can only assume he's talking about the remodeling of the current facility which included a new evidence storage facility. I do support this project. My opponent received letters from the state warning the city of the mold in the police station, our female officers were having to change in a room barely bigger than a broom closet, the evidence locker was inadequate, and the entrance and exit to the police station had to be shared by both the prisoners and the public, creating an unsafe environment. There have been hundreds of thousands of dollars wasted in the past on consulting firms to advise the city on a new police station. As a member of the Police Advisary Council, we were able to use the donated hours of a renowned local architect and the many volunteer hours of the Police Advisary Council to come up with a cost effective solution to protect the public and provide a better work environment for our first responders. We were even able to use a $40,000 Brick and Mortar Grant from the state to accomplish this project.

I have never vowed not to use the veto. I do believe, though, that 49 vetoes is a misuse of the veto and only sends the message, there is no teamwork.

Since my opponent brought it up, I want to invite everyone to my upcoming campaign event Feb. 2nd from 10am-noon at the Pickwick Theatre Main Lobby. It's a family event with a band, free popcorn, a balloon artist and a chance to get to know me.

Sincerely, Larry Ryles