Real vs. fake flowers debate comes to Des Plaines

Des Plaines is quickly learning that you don't try to replace real flowers with plastic ones without catching some flak.

Officials will have to decide Monday if it's worth the budding controversy.

City council members will look at putting fake flowers in hangings around the city in an effort to save some money on maintenance.

They might have to contend with an anti-fake flowers contingent.

Third Ward Alderman Laura Murphy says she has heard from more residents on this issue than she did about the effort to overturn term limits.

Mayor Tony Arredia also has weighed in.

"I like real flowers. There's too much plastic stuff around our world anyway. I think they add to the beauty of a city. I think summer's a good time for flowers," Arredia said.

So where do you stand?

Term limits a no-go:

The more I speak to city officials the less it seems to add up that a vote at Des Plaines' Monday meeting will put the term limits question on November ballots.

Fourth Ward Alderman Jean Higgason, who seemed to favor the idea at a recent meeting, says the majority of residents she's heard from want term limits to stay. She's against putting it on the ballots.

That leaves 1st Ward Alderman Patricia Beauvais and 7th Ward Alderman Don Smith only in favor of it.

But Higgason's amenable to asking voters if they want to abolish term limits for the city clerk position. So look for that development on Monday.

Alexian gets Rosetta:

Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village bought and equipped area ambulances with a new device called Rosetta. Rosetta allows paramedics to transmit the results of a 12-lead EKG directly to emergency doctors. This saves valuable time, and allows doctors to determine the scope of a heart attack before the patient arrives at the hospital.

Temple to become cop shop?

Des Plaines officials are looking at possibly buying the old Masonic Temple building, 620 Lee St., as the site for a new police station. Officials say they are hush-hush now about it but will bring it to the public's attention if they decide to buy it. (I remind them in my reporter's tone that yes, it is the law to tell the public how they are spending taxpayer money). Mayor Arredia says that the city is still considering the Littelfuse Inc. property on Northwest Highway. That site had seemed to be a serious contender at one point, but then seemed to be off the list of possibilities.

rboykin@dailyherald.com