Summit names acting police chief, public works director

By Carol McGowan

Summit Police Lt. Mel Ortiz has been named acting police chief to replace John Kosmowski and Jerry Rosales was appointed interim public works director to replace Bill Mundy.

Both Kosmowski and Mundy are on unpaid leave after having been indicted by a federal grand jury.

The appointments were announced earlier this month.

At the June 21 village board meeting, which was held on a Tuesday as the regular meeting date was pre-empted by the new federal Juneteenth holiday, CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning) Homes for a Changing Region gave a presentation on its study of the village.

The study takes into consideration a number of aspects such as housing, transportation, shopping, lighting, etc., to see what changes can be made to improve areas to help the village and its residents.

The presentation was made to get input from the board and those in attendance. A more formal and public presentation will be held at a later date.

One business license was granted at the meeting for Harlem Entertainment. It’s a change in ownership at a gaming cafe at 6322 S. Harlem Avenue.

The village board approved a block party to take place on Saturday, July 2, from 1-9 p.m. on the block of 57th Place, between 74th and 75th avenues.

Contracts were approved and awarded to MYI Inc., for alleys to be paved in the village.

This year’s alley projects include: the alley between 62^nd Place and 62^nd Street west of 76^th Avenue to the tee at the library, the alley east of Archer Road behind library between 62^nd Place and 62^nd Street, the alley between 60^th Place and 60^th Street, the “T” alley bounded by 61st Street to the north, 75th Avenue to the east, 61st Place to the south and 76th Avenue to the west, and the alley bounded by 63rd Place to the north, 75th Avenue to the east, 64th Street to the south, and 76th Avenue to the west.

Summit held another successful Farmer’s Market on June 26 in the village lot in the 7600 block of 63rd Street. The next one will be held on Sunday, July 31, at the same location. If any vendors are interested, contact the village hall.

The Village of Summit and Summit Park District will hold its annual fireworks display on Friday at dusk at Summit Park. Leading up to the fireworks, there will be a live band, activities, and food vendors at the park.

Because the village board is on its summer schedule, only one meeting will be held in July. The next village board meeting will be Monday, July 19, at 7 p.m. The next Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held on Thursday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. Meetings take place in the courtroom next to the police station.