My wife and I would like to thank all of the officers that were involved with helping us at our 2-flat residence in Forest Park. The 1^st floor unit has been an ongoing problem since June 1^st of this year and did not come to a resolution until October 1^st 2018. We can't count how many times the police department responded. 

 This letter is written in response to "Last Black-Owned Bank On the West Side Closes," written by Nona Tepper and published on September 18, 2018. New Orleans-based Liberty Bank & Trust and Co., the last black-owned bank on the City's West Side, has closed its North Lawndale branch, with the exception of an ATM due to "underutilization". 

Last week, The Review sat down simultaneously with advocates for both the pro- and anti-video gaming groups in Forest Park. We had a spirited but cordial hour and that debate will be the basis next week when the Review makes its editorial position on this contentious issue very plain.

America is all about choices. Even when buying something as simple as a dozen eggs. Free range, organic, omega-3 enhanced, vegetarian, conventional, brown, white, pasture raised, farm fresh, Styrofoam packaged, cardboard packaged, store brand, name brand and more. We balance price, taste, ethics, in every purchase, from every store. 

Forest Park is losing three iconic businesses, Ed's Way, Starship, and Jimmy's Place. Thankfully, we have some mainstays that aren't going anywhere. Among them is Goldyburgers, which has operated at 7316 Circle for close to a century.

We have all noticed the slogan from the Pro-Gambling group, "Let Forest Park Grow". Their slogan implies growth in the village will be suppressed by "Voting to Prohibit." Ironically, the only suppression done the last few years was by the gambling proponents and their allies on the village council and Election Board who chose to suppress your right to vote.

I have been observing the ongoing saga surrounding video gaming in Forest Park for the past several months and this is what I have found: Since allowing gaming machines, I have seen no discernable difference in our Village. 

As the issue of video gambling at Forest Park bars gained traction in 2013, bar owners started whining about having a "level playing field" to compete with our neighbors in Berwyn and North Riverside.

For a brief moment during a Sept. 18 regular meeting of the Proviso Township High Schools District 209 school board, the local newspapers became the topic of discussion. The subject was our handling of the facilities master plan process that has been going on at the district for a year now.

While most of our attention in Forest Park is focused on toting up "Yes" and "No" lawn signs related to the almost-over battle for and against video gaming, we urge you today to raise your eyes from the lawns and to the skies. There, the Review reports today, a contested election for mayor of Forest Park is taking shape for April.