EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: New land bank will be catalyst for change

As part of their ongoing commitment to improving the southern suburbs, the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association and several of its member communities recently created the South Suburban Land Bank and Development Authority to help facilitate the redevelopment of vacant, foreclosed a…

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Millennium Reserve partnership brings open space, jobs

In a time of limited budgets at the federal, state and local levels, never has the need for collaboration and partnerships been greater.

Ed Paesel

South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association Executive Director Ed Paesel

Ed Paesel

Ed Paesel is executive director of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: SMMA works behind scenes to improve lives

Many aren't aware of it, but there is a committed group of people working quietly behind the scenes to renew and restore Chicago’s south suburban region in more ways than you can imagine.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Program preparing workers for advanced manufacturing

As part of the overall effort of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association and the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corp. to grow the south suburban region’s economy, no aspect is more important than workforce development. Our employers consistently cite the need for high-qual…

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: 2012 will see major roadwork in suburbs

As we all know, an up-to-date highway system is not only critical for our residents to commute to work and make other trips but also for our area to sustain its economy.

EDITORIAL: Build paths to better quality of life

The state line should not be a barrier for recreation trails. It's good to see a concerted effort to link hiking and biking trails in Indiana and Illinois.

Hike and bike trails movement gaining bistate support

A $70 million plan to connect hike and bike trails in Indiana and Illinois is picking up steam, with the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association now throwing its support behind the plan.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Reasons for optimism with HUD programs

In his column several weeks ago, Terry McCullough raised important concerns about two programs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. I share a number of these concerns, particu…

Cal City to start booting cars in spring

CALUMET CITY The Denver Boot is coming to Calumet City.

Lansing eyes funds to fix streets

LANSING | Village officials are preparing to apply for federal funds to help pay for street repairs.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Steps in 2010 have positioned south suburbs well

While 2010 was a challenging year economically for our south suburban communities and businesses, we did use the year to move forward several economic development initiatives.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: We have many people to be thankful for

It's that time of year when we traditionally assess our individual situations, count our blessings and celebrate the human spirit. In 2010, for many of us, assessing is outdistancing the counting and celebrating by a mile.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Southeast Metra commuter rail moves forward

Following several years of study by Metra working with the Southeast Metra Commuter Rail Board, a draft alternatives analysis has been completed and will be presented for public comment at meetings scheduled for Sept. 22 in Chicago Heights and Sept. 28 in South Holland.