Publications & Sites 
Everything you ever wanted to know about Western Springs
Viki Gonia
Updated: February 4, 2013 6:43AM
WESTERN SPRINGS — I’m a frequent visitor to the Western Springs website. It contains all sorts of interesting information, including an alert about the theft of sewer grates in town.
How on earth does one get away with stealing a sewer grate? And, now I’ve got to contend with a pervasive fear that I’m going to happen upon a missing sewer grate and fall in—no more looking at my phone while walking my dogs. The headline would be hilarious, but the event itself, not so much. “Doings columnist mentions sewer grate thefts, fails to notice open sewer hole while texting and walking, falls in.”
The Police Department posts weekly crime summaries, which can at times be amusing, but mostly indicate that it is most unwise to drive drunk and/or speed through Western Springs, especially if you’ve got a headlight out and are driving on a suspended license with expired plates with no insurance (people seem to do this quite a lot). Obviously, it is most unwise to drive drunk, period.
You can watch videos of Village Board meetings, read the Tower Topics newsletter online, sign up for Code Red alerts. If you haven’t signed up yet, do it as soon as possible. If you have already done it, check to ensure your information is still current. It’s an invaluable service in emergency situations, like the recent water main break at the water tower in Spring Rock Park.
You can also view a list of solicitors/peddler’s licenses that have been issued. I like to know in advance who has been given permission to come to my door, especially since most seem to ignore the No Solicitors sticker. I also like to know when the Girl Scouts are going to be feeding my Thin Mint addiction (Jan. 5- 25, thank goodness. I’ve got the shakes at this point).
Submit service requests, fill out a vacation watch form, browse the municipal codebook (what? Is that weird? Am I the only person who does that? I bet I’m the only person who looks at all the health inspection reports too, aren’t I. My kids might be right — I’m weird). Find forms for block parties, parades, having important information regarding your nonprofit organization displayed on Western Springs TV.
View a list of available commercial properties. Read the contents of a presentation on Internet safety for parents (though, it looks like it was done in 2006. While most of the information is still relevant, much has changed. Hint, hint, village of Western Springs: time for newly updated information on Internet safety, please! Facebook and Twitter barely existed in 2006, though there’s a section on MySpace).
Peruse the Recreation Department brochure. Read the annual Water Report. Find links to every Western Springs-related organization and then some.
Quite frankly, I can’t think of anything I’ve wanted to know as regards the village of Western Springs that I haven’t been able to find via wsprings.com. And starting Jan. 1, the website has a whole new look and will be even easier to navigate and feature all kinds of improvements. Cool! Nice way to kick off a new year!
To all my faithful, wonderful readers, Happy New Year. I’ll end with my favorite New Year’s quotation, from Benjamin Franklin’s 1775 Poor Richard’s Almanac: “Be at War with your Vices, at Peace with your Neighbours, and let every New-Year find you a better Man.”
Readers may contact Viki Gonia by calling (312) 880-8550 or by sending an email to doingsnews@pioneerlocal.com
