It's time to eliminate the fire district. The Village of Orland Park can provide fire and ambulance service and eliminate another layer of government.

Wow...actually impressed with Ms. Gira...and normally not a fan of her actions. But totally applaud her on this one! Not only was she trying to get answers for people who she represents, but seems like she already followed normal protocol by emailing her questions ahead of time. Her emails went unanswered, so she had every right to expect Mr. Hickey and the others to answer them at the meeting too.

At what point can OP residents demand Hickey be forced to step down?

Also in regards to Mr. Hickey's comment:
“If I can make it and I have four kids, and they’re in all kinds of activities and I work a full time job, if I can make it anyone can make it,” Hickey said. "

What a jerk! Sorry Patch...but that's the softer version of what really came to mind. Hickey just insulted the majority of 9-5 fulltime workers in the Orland area with that comment. Not all of us work right in or near Orland or have flexibility with our hours to be able to make a 5pm meeting "just because HE can make them." Talk about being out of touch with the communities you're supposed to work for...not against!

As a resident of Orland Park, I agree that now would be a great time to explore the village of OP providing service for residents instead of the OFPD. However we need to remember that the reason fire protections districts are formed is to provide service to areas outside of the village limits. Without the OFPD there are numerous subdivisions and areas on the fringe of Orland that would no longer have fire and ambulance protection. Also we need to remember that Orland Hills is served by the OFPD. Would they also be in favor of forming a village fire dept?. These are some of the many issues that would need to be addressed before disbanding the OFPD.

As was said once before back in the 40s ( I am afraid we have awoken a sleeping dragon). Mrs, Gira is not a person to anger and she will always get to the bottom of what ever she seeks. Maybe it is time for the village to take back the fire Dept. under their wing, obviously the people that have been elected to the fire protection district can't seem to run it effectively and openly. Do you think that some one is looking or seeking a higher office rather than do the job they were elected to do?

I didn't see any Gira comments months ago when residents were upset with hickey's stupid actions.

Now, she doesn't like how she's being treated. Why didn't she comment when the resident's were all commenting here on the Patch. Oh, maybe it wasn't politically expedient for her at the time?

Wake up people!, Orland Park is going to pot right under your noses.
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I like talking to tax payers that use Facebook to confirm their identity. We have too many people that post on these sites that have a political agenda, and create numerous "fake identities" and have conversations with themselves to make it seem like something. I do not hide behind a curtain, I use my real name, and I would welcome anyone that does the same. Jim Hickey

Hi Alan,
I'm not sure exactly what you have heard but I moved into Orland Park in 1999 and have paid nearky $100k in real estate taxes since then, and I continue to pay $6,000 a year.
I'm sorry that we don't see eye to eye on management issues, but know that I am working hard to fix the problems that my administration inherited.
The reason the meeting starts at 5pm is due to having only one meeting a month (which saves taxpayers money) and for example, the meeting this week is expected to run to 9-10pm.
We are compiling a list of accomplishments over the first year, and we will posting that information in the near future.

Let me first say that IF in my previous post I was wrong about the Home ownership then I apologize. As for the rest, it still stands. A lot of the voters and taxpayers here in Orland Park only know what is going on by what we read in various news publications.I find it rather confusing that different publications have someone saying different things about the same subject .
I find most meetings a waste of time for the ordinary citizen because of the lack Of some elected officials ability to listen for another view point and just maybe change theirs . I will be looking for the districts posting on the web. You may want to mention some of the names of the great fire fighters we have hear also. Always remember those who are willing to give so much for the lives and safety of others.

I will. My family has been first responders police and fire for 4 generations. I want to make sure we give our guys the best tools and training in order to save lives.

I will be trying to get the meeting time moved to 6-7pm, but I am only 1 vote of 5.
I look forward to your future comments and suggestions.

Amen brother!

So Hickey?, Who pays 6000 a year in property tax? You or your landlord?

All legitimate boards usually meet twice a month at 7 pm

Like I said. Some people are afraid to say who they really are? They want to spread lies and their agenda
Why hide behind the curtain with false names. At some point in the future it will be mandatory to use Facebook as a means of being able to leave comments. Free speech is a citizen being able to give their thoughts, concerns and suggestions. But hiding behind the curtain. I will not stand for. If you are ashamed of your birth name and afraid of what others might say about your comments. You should not post and I will not respond.

Answer the question From Humphrey, Hickey

The outrageous slander here again crosses the line. I was hired in May as a consultant for $3,000 a month. My consulting company handles six clients and the Orland Fire Protection District is one of those clients. But I didn't replace any employees at the Fire District as Ben Feldheim could correctly state if he wanted too, but doesn't, I replaced a consultant who worked for Pat Maher who received $4,000 a month, a savings to the District of $12,000 a year.

It's also correct to say that the fire board is meeting at the EXACT SAME TIME that it met in the past but the complainers here -- probably former board members, and employees who were discharged -- would like people to be misled.

Jim Hickeys agenda and the agenda of the new board is to hold the line on the excessive spending that marked the former board leadership's actions and Mr. Hickey and the new board have done just that.

So all of the people slandering people here, your words are shameful. You have no interested in helping the taxpayers who demanded change. It's even more shameful that the Orland Park Patch allows this kind of ugly mud slinging to continue. That's not journalism Mr. Feldheim. It's shameful exploitation filled with lies and a disregard for the truth.

Ray Hanania
Orland Park homeowner since 1986

I'm done responding to make believe people and their hidden agendas.

Great comment Ray. The truth will always win!!

First, a couple comments did include some untruths and have been removed. This is a good time to remind folks there are distinct terms of use and people who disregard them will eventually be banned.

One comment that was removed had untruths in it, but also had a few truths. Ray is right about replacing a previous contractor at the cost he is describing.

However, some points have been true. Putting heavy pressure on the commissioners to resign is true. Talking about consolidating with Palos without outside feedback is also true. I wouldn't say talk of closing of station 6 was a threat, though it was discussed. Since then, as is mentioned in this article, James has said he is opposed to any service cuts, including closing the station.
And yes, he did indeed vote in favor of the 11 firefighter hires last year, only for decisions on any new firefighter hires to remain in question, with room in the current budget for three new hires, and that's not guaranteed.

And Ray, I do respect your thoughts on the matter, but have a little patience. You've used the comments before in a similar manner, and yet I still leave you room to voice your thoughts, so try to keep that in mind. That said, I think you've been more than reasonable lately on these forums and I do appreciate that.

If we're really getting into specifics, Jim, I could be moderating some of your statements too for not sticking to the truth, though I think the air has been cleared from my response above. Let's practice what we preach.

Lastly, you'll notice comments on here won't appear right way. I'll be looking them over. Be reasonable or they won't make it on here. Simple as that.

The definition of a coward, is someone that hides in the shadows, and doesn't want to be seen.
The definition of a terrorist is one that spreads lies and fears from the shadows.
I am done here. I am certain that the voters approve of my actions and we shall see in the next election.
Maybe you should run?

Jim, I strongly believe that the voters of Orland Park should vote on whether or not they wish to be part of a fire district. Secondly, Ms. Gira has every right to question the fire board regarding service. Lastly, it amazes me that Orland Fire doesn't have a top notch PR firm. I guess it's true you get what you pay for.

And we are still waiting for an answer from James Hickey as to who pays $6,000 per year in taxes, him or his landlord. Why are we not getting an answer on this James. Does he own property withing the OFPD, or is he renting???

Paul ... isn't it public record to see who owns property? I am sure that Cook County could help you find that out. I don't know for sure, but you could always start there.

Some thoughts on this. Let's not get hung up on who pays Mr. Hickey's property taxes. Even if someone rents, you best believe that the landlord factors taxes into what is charged for rent. Running for office and voting in elections is based on where you reside, not on where you own property.

I have no problem with Ray being a spokesman. he worked hard for this ticket in the election of 2011 and he deserves a chance to be there. Some rightfully, question if the Fire District needs a spokesperson. When I was President of Dist 135, we didn't really have one. I tried to do it sometimes and I have to be honest, I think we may have been better served if we had a professional instead.

I think the meetings should be at 7 instead of 5. When you are shaking things up, as this board is, it's easy to see why some people think the board is hiding something when they have meetings that most folks can't get to. Perception is everything. Believe me, I know this!

Pat Gira has every right to question this board. So does anyone else. As far as a "political agenda", it doesn't matter. Politicians have the same rights as anyone.

I believe that every unit of government should have a PR person. However, just because someone works hard for a candidate doesn't mean they get a job. Hire the best qualified person. I don't think a PR person should be attacking people on web sites or blogs. A PR person usually is well respected by the media that can get his client's version of the facts in print. This is not what the PR person is doing in the fire district.

Kathy, you are absolutely correct that I can find out who is paying the taxes where Hickey lives. The bigger question is why is he ducking this issue by not answering and what else is he hiding? He is also behind a change is residency rules for all new incoming employees. Do the rules not apply to him?? Let do get " hung up " on who pays his property taxes John Paul and try to figure out what this mans agenda truly is. Every week he comes up with an new idea that potentially jeopardizes the health and safety of the residents he represents.

Maybe he needs 48hrs to answer the question.

John Paul, the landlord can only hope they get enough money to cover the taxes. Therefore, the landlord has a vested interest in the property and not the renter. The renter can skip out anytime leaving the landlord high and dry with only the security deposit left.

So, in my opinion, renters should not be able to be elected to any governing board due to the fact that they don't have a vested interest in where they live. Especially a governing body that is 100% fully funded by property taxes.

Anybody remember Alan Keyes?

A property owner is concerned about there property, values, neighborhood, community, schools and most of all, How their tax dollars are spent.

I don't know of any other Mayor or board president or trustee that rents their property. I am pretty sure to say that 99.9% are tax paying property owners in their respective towns.

A leader of a board who is a renter can do a poor job and just say, " oh well" and just pack up and leave anytime for somewhere else. While a homeowner could do they same thing, it would be a lot more difficult to do so.

Folks just a quick FYI: A review of the information on the Cook County Recorders web site shows a mortgage taken out on the property where Mr. Hickey resides by someone other than him and recorded on 4/4/12. There is your answer as to who owns the property where Mr. Hickey lives.

Dont want to disclose Mr. Hickeys personal information. Information is public knowledge on the Cook County recorders web site.

Full disclosure on me - I ran for this office the same year Hickey won and Ray helped me get my name out there by having me on his radio show. With that being said, Ray you sling more mud than anyone towards people you don't like. Go read the Orlandparker blog. You attack Pat Maher and the current village board way too much. It is awfully tough to tell when you are acting as a spokes person paid for by the tax payers and when you are just spouting your own political agenda and views.

Village board attorney Walsh was the OPFD attorney and it was he that made it perfectly clear several years ago to me in person at several meetings that there would be no discussions with trustees. Look for changes in proceedure soon.

I am actually quite shocked at the comments of Mr. Hickey and Mr. Hanania who have both been responding to these boards as representatives of the OFPD. Mr. Hickey, you are Board president! This banter is beneath the dignity of the elected office you hold, sir! Some of the comments on these boards, Mr. Feldheim, deserve their own journalistic attention as they are quite scandalous (e.g. Hickey re: terrorists)!

As for Mr. Hanania, the official PR spokesman of the OFPD, good grief! Once again making statements about the OFPD and the Board as a private citizen are we? Even though you are paid by the taxpayers to represent the district and not necessarily the Board members individually? If there are rants on these boards, you have certainly contributed to them, sir! Your two cents increasingly sound like North Korean denunciations more than anything! Accusing residents of slander for criticizing politicians is unbecoming of a PR person at the least. That is hardly the way of winning the hearts and minds of the people. And to accuse "complainers" or rather dismiss them as "probably former board members and employees" that were discharged is insulting to the public and demonstrates the siege mentality that pervades the organization. You sir are obnoxious more than anything!

Hickey's prior pin was 27-03-226-016. Here is the foreclosure link which is all public information.http://www.ccrd.info/CCRD/controller?commandflag=getDetails&optflag=DetailsCommand&county=il031&userid=null&userCategory=7&nameid=1958864&ptrno=350549106&instrumentnumber=1006835164&fileDate=03/09/2010&doctype=LIS PENDENS FORECLOSURE&partytype=&name=ONE%2BWEST%2BBK&officeid=70&lastname=ONE+WEST+BK&proptype=&pin=25162100320000&section=03&township=39&range=14

I live in the subdivision that Hickey used to live in. He was a good neighbor but sometimes people think they are bigger than they really are. They think owning a big house makes them more important than others. Things always seem to work its way out and the foreclosure made hickey whole.