Thanks to all who helped with holiday baskets

The Forest Park Food Pantry gratefully acknowledges the following organizations, businesses and individuals for their very generous donations of money, food, gifts and/or time to our holiday basket program:

American Family Insurance, Elizabeth Axtell; Danny Barron; Theresa Avery; St. Bernardine Church, Father Frank; St. Bernardine School, Ann Stauffer, Mrs. Villari and the fourth-grade CCD class; Rich Bertucci; Deanna Bracken; Broadway Warehouses of Illinois, Inc., Dan Dowling; Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor; Brownie Troop 2772; Centuries and Sleuths Book Store, Augie Aleksy; Chicago Bulk Mail Center, Forest Park Branch; David King and Associates; 2007 Crop Walk, Sylvia and Gy Menninga; Disabled American Veterans, Verdun Chapter 33; George Drucker; Patrick J. Fahey; Field Stevenson School, Robert Giovannoni and staff; First United Church of Christ, Ladies Society; Pam Fletcher; Marion Flight; Forest Graphics; Forest Park American Legion Post 414; Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, Laurie Kokenes; Forest Park Community Education; Forest Park VFW Post 7181; Forest Park Wal-Mart, Wanda Brown, Jamal Whitney and Harold Merriweather; Dave Formanski; Betty Gilchrist; Carol Good; Grant-White School; Richard and Donna Gray; Maureen Harnett; Laura Hogan; the Homberger family; the Hosty company; Mike Kollias; Joanne and Cliff Leber; Rita Marcantonio and family; McAdam Landscape Professionals; McGaffer’s on Roosevelt Road, Pat Malone; Middle School Builder’s Club, Ms. Norton; Frank Micelli; Jim Papa; Proviso Math and Science Academy; Frieda Schwenke; Linda Shrader, Mike Sinisi; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Betty Hoym; St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Loretta Woeltje; River Forest United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and all who donated anonymously.

Also, a special thank you to Bob Kutak and the Public Works Department and Chief Steve Glinke and the fire department. We appreciate the assistance we receive during the holidays and throughout the year. Thanks again and a very happy and healthy New Year to everyone.

Beverly Thompson, Community Center director
Forest Park

Hosty’s denial

I must say that I am stunned by the actions of Commissioner Mark Hosty (“Commissioner to host benefit for indicted cop,” page one, Dec. 26). It is hardly believable that Mr. Hosty acts with such bias and disregard for his position. He should recuse himself of his duties. For him to say there isn’t a conflict of interest is absurd.

I am also ashamed that the other commissioners aren’t using this opportunity to speak out against corruption in our village. Instead they were undecided?! This situation is so visibly corrupt I am surprised by the commissioners’ open responses.

There are reasons these positions were created. The police must follow a code of conduct and the role of commissioner is to make sure those procedures are followed. Due to Mr. Hosty’s position as commissioner and his close personal relationship with officer Murphy, his duties will clearly be affected. Balance of power is very important and having friends in high places shouldn’t decide your fate.

Jade Veritas
Forest Park