The Village of Forest Park announced on June 17 that it is creating a public affairs office to handle all future media inquiries.
In an email announcement, Mayor Anthony Calderone said the “Mayor’s Office of Public Affairs” will be the go-to point for journalists seeking comment from Calderone. Village Administrator Tim Gillian will serve as a second contact, the notice said. Calderone described the effort as a “managed approach to all media requests.” The email appeared to have been sent only to the Forest Park Review and various village department heads.
Questions emailed or left on voice mail to the “Mayor’s Office of Public Affairs” “will require a brief description of the information you are seeking,” said the notice. “In many cases the Mayor’s Office will require some time to research the requested information before responding.”
“I may, after reviewing the requested information direct another individual to respond accordingly,” Calderone added.
For public documents sought by the paper, “you may continue to use the FOIA process,” the email concluded.
Questions about the new “Mayor’s Office of Public Affairs” were not answered as neither Calderone nor Gillian returned calls or emails.
