In a recent article about Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan’s visit to a civic association meeting, The Reminder‘s G. Michael Dobbs quoted Ryan as saying, "by being citizens of the city, ‘we perform an act of faith every day.’"
Amen to that, brothers! Just wondering where the worship services take place. City Hall, room 220?
To bolster faith in that can-do attitude, The Reminder also published Levon J. Kinney’s satisfying recap of a September 27 meeting to help residents navigate Community Policing and Housing Court. From the article:
For years [Forest Park resident John] Kontekakis said he had been harassed by neighbors who did not appreciate him and other citizens in the area. Loud music was playing at all hours of the night, cars were racing up and down the street, dogs would bark non-stop, and flagrant drug-dealers owned the neighborhood.
This all stopped when he appeared in court and the judge ruled that the defendants could not play music from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.; guests would not be allowed to visit the home between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.; the automobiles were to be operated in a lawful and quiet manner; and the dogs, whose constant barking was a disturbance to the peace, were ordered to be restrained and not allowed to bark between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.
Defendants who try to retaliate in any way towards the person who makes the complaint would be referred to the District Attorney’s office and be held in contempt of court.
"It will add peace back into your life," says Kontekakis. "It will restore your neighborhood, and protect your home’s value."
