Between the drug busts and budget imbalances, empty storefronts and an election that meant sweeping changes to the city, Berwyn has had a tumultuous six months.
Nov. 12 marked the half-year anniversary of Robert Lovero becoming the 23rd mayor of Berwyn and six new alderman taking their seats on the City Council. The majority has switched to the Democratic Citizens of Berwyn party. Margaret Paul, 3rd Ward, was the only Independent Voters of Berwyn candidate elected, and Cesar Santoy, 5th Ward, was the only independent.
Since then, bickering amongst board members has dwindled, and the council has worked to manage this year’s budget shortfall and create a Special Tactical Unit that has taken more than $4 million in drugs off of Berwyn streets.
The Berwyn Life sat down with Lovero last week and asked him to look back on the past six months and look ahead to 2010.
Q Do you think the budget will be balanced without layoffs or furlough days of city employees?
A I think so. Our department heads are truly trying. There’s a lot of wish lists obviously, but they’re looking to cut, and our unions are being very cooperative with me. It’s the atmosphere of everyone trying to work together.
Q Will there be substantial business growth in the Cermak Plaza by the end of 2010?
A I don’t know. I wish I knew all the plans about the Cermak Plaza. I believe there will be if they go through with the renovations they have been thinking about for quite a while. We’re still trying to lure businesses there even though it’s a private property because we want businesses in the city.
Q Will the city have any issues with road salt distribution this winter?
A My new Public Works Director (Robert Schiller) assures me not. He’s come up with a snow and ice control policy for us to review and he’s already been on top of a lot of things, planning everything out for the winter.
Q Will fireworks return to Morton West High School for July 4?
A I don’t know. We’re still going to have budgetary problems in 2010, and we still need to watch the bottom line because the economy doesn’t show that much of picking up. We will have to watch the spending and be cautious about it.
Q What grade would you give the City Council thus far?
A I would say they deserve an A at this pointed based on their overall performance, collaboration, trying to get to the root of problems and getting things done. Some are still learning and are being conscientious to learn things. We are taking care of the city’s business as opposed to arguing.
Q Do you have any regrets running for mayor?
A No. None. I’m enjoying my position and I look forward to the rest of the four years. There’s a lot of exciting things happening and I want to try and reach as many of the goals I set for myself. I want to bring Berwyn back to the level it belongs.
Q. There have been commenters on our Web site who say you use a limo to get to City Hall and attend city events. Is this true?
A My car is in the City Hall parking lot in the mayor’s spot when I am here. If that’s a limo, the only driver is me, and I don’t wear a hat. The only time I’m driven is by my wife and that’s because I don’t drive her car.
Long-term looks
Q Looking back: What do you believe are the city’s biggest accomplishments over the past six months?
(1) The creation and work of the Special Tactical Unit
In a sense I was kind of deluded that there was this type of problem that could be going on in our community. I knew that we had a drug and gang problem here, but I never expected something to the extent we just saw.
I expected we would see results at some point, but not the great nor the fast results we’ve seen already. And there’s a lot more to do.
(2) Improvement of atmosphere, morale of city employees
I’ve gotten a lot of compliments to the demeanor of City Hall compared to the way it used to be. There is a better atmosphere in all our departments because people are happy and they’re working hard. Everyone is going above and beyond their responsibility to make sure that the work get done and our constituents are happy.
We are very short staffed here at City Hall, but there is a certain camaraderie among staff and the council that we are all in this together and we should do everything we can to make this city survive.
(3) Bond rating stays at A-minus
I’m very proud of the fact we were able to put together a plan that kept our bond rating at A-minus which allowed us to sell insured bonds at a good interest rate. We had a good refinancing structure that we had to go through and it took the foot off our throats of the big payments that were due in December. If we had been downgraded, we wouldn’t have been able to sell those bonds.
Q Looking forward: What should residents expect from the city and City Council in 2010?
(1) Economic development
There’s a lot of excitement in 2010 as far as economic development. Come spring time we should see a lot of development projects happening in the city. The area of Cermak and Oak Park should start to blossom, and we should start seeing some progress into properties on Ogden.
Roosevelt Road is starting to look nice as well and there are some projects in the wings to continue the improvement.
(2) A balanced budget
The most important hurdle for me is preparing a balanced budget that doesn’t exceed revenues from what can be expected. We’re in a hole right now and a lot of that is from the economy and revenues that never matched what we expected.
We’re trying to clean up the minor details around City Hall and trying to get some new procedures in places for collections.
(3) Work on senior programs and services
My main goal is to try and develop a senior residence. It may come from private developers, but we’re going to work hard on different ideas to try and make this community great for seniors as well as everyone else.
As of right now things are going well, but we always want to be above the curve instead of below it. Our Recreation Department and park districts are looking at programs they can work on for seniors.
