Orland Park to host energy assistance fair Nov. 17

Village of Orland Park to Host Energy Assistance Fair

Utility Representatives Available At Orland Park Civic Center

            ORLAND PARK, ILLINOIS – The Village of Orland Park will host an Energy Assistance Fair on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 South Ravinia Avenue, one block west of LaGrange Road/US Route 45.

            Representatives from ComEd, Nicor Gas and CEDA (Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County) will be present and attendees may apply for financial assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Learn about payment programs and steps needed to prevent service disconnections or how to get reconnected. Energy saving tips and how to save on utility bills will be available.

            Attendees should bring their most current utility bills, including Nicor and ComEd, most current proof of gross income for all household members age sixteen and older, proof of social security number for head of household only and social security number for other household members age sixteen and older, and proof of home ownership, including a current property tax bill, current mortgage statement or recorded mortgage.

For more information, call the Village of Orland Park Office of Special Services at 708/403-6188.

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Orland brings Wind Power demonstration to village as part of SmartLiving program

Village of Orland Park to Host Wind Power Demonstration

ORLAND PARK, IL – Wind power will soon come to the Village of Orland Park when a wind turbine is temporarily installed at the Village Center, south of the Village Hall at 147^th Street and Ravinia Avenue.

“This will be an interesting display showing some of the newest technology,” said Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin.

The Village of Orland Park unveiled its SmartLiving Orland Park Program in early August, announcing a community wide green initiative tailored for residents and commerce.

“This technology presents an attractive alternative to wind turbines because the blades can be problematic in areas such as ours that have ice and snow part of the year,” said Trustee Patricia Gira, chair of the village’s Recreation, Parks and Environmental Initiatives Committee. 

“This unit is quite attractive and looks like a piece of kinetic art. At 30 feet tall, it doesn’t dominate a landscape as the wind turbines we are accustomed to seeing in photos. Additionally, this harness for wind energy is also quite reasonably priced,” she added.

The turbine will be installed on Saturday, October 10 and will remain at the Village Center until October 15. On Monday, October 12, the manufacturer will conduct a demonstration at 9:00 a.m., showing how the appliance works.

“Most people think of wind farms that include turbines with huge propellers,” the mayor said. “What we will have at the Village Center is newer and more appropriate for tighter urban areas,” he added.

According to the manufacturer, the unit is appropriate for use at residential, business and commercial buildings. Built entirely in the United States the demonstration wind turbine is a 30-foot tall, propeller free, vertical axis designed for harnessing power in urban, suburban and rural locations. The patented technology maximizes energy conversion from wind into electrical power, regardless of changing wind speed and direction.

Orland Park Director of Parks and Buildings Frank Stec facilitated the village’s demonstration. “We’re not endorsing one manufacturer over another. We simply want to continue to educate our residents on the many possibilities available,” Stec said. “There are so many ways to be a part of the village’s green initiative and wind power is one part of the big picture,” Stec added.

Gira added, “My understanding is that this machinery utilizes extra capacity in an auto parts manufacturing plant in Michigan and is built by unemployed auto workers. I think this presents a wonderful situation where newer, green technology benefits a community's environment, reduces energy costs, and employs Americans in a new industrial frontier.”

McLaughlin added, “I think it’s great that they’re setting this up as an educational display. With the demonstration being on Columbus Day, maybe we’ll have some kids come up to see yet another source of power.”

The public is invited to the Monday, October 12 demonstration that will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Orland Park Village Center, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue.

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Orland Mayor Dan McLaughlin details village Greening Initiative and Open Lands strategies

Interview this morning (Friday August 28, 2009) with Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin on WJJG 1530 AM Radio.

Click here to listen to the Podcast or download it from iTunes.com or RadioChicagoland.com.

McLaughlin details the Village of Orland Park's Greening Initiative and discusses how residents can participate and help not only improve the environment but also save money by reducing costs on energy and more.

The mayor also said that he uses a Push mower to cut his lawn, like I do, most of the time. Sometimes you have to still use a lawnmower if it gets too high and can't be cut with the push lawn mower but it is an energy-saving environment saving option that he says will be included in the village Greening Initiative if it is already not on the list.

Go to the Village's Web site at

www.orland-park.il.us

or the special Greening Initiative web site at

www.SmartLivingOP.com

-- Ray Hanania

www.RadioChicagoland.com

Orland Mayor Dan McLaughlin to detail village's Greening initiatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Mayor McLaughlin Discusses Orland Park’s

Greening efforts on WJJG Radio Friday 8:20 am

Orland Park – Mayor Dan McLaughlin will outline the village’s overall environmental strategy including Open Lands and Smart Living Orland Park during an appearance Friday morning on “Mornings with Ray Hanania” on WJJG 1530 AM Radio.

Orland Park in Chicago’s Southwest Suburbs has been a leader in greening initiatives, including reducing lawn maintenance mowing and fertilizing by growing natural “prairie” plant life and brush. The first village building to go Green is the village’s award winning Police Headquarters.

Information on Orland Park’s Greening Initiative is located at

www.smartlivingop.com

For information on Orland Park’s greening program and initiatives, also visit

Orland Park Prairie newspaper

“Mornings with Ray Hanania” is broadcast Monday thru Friday on WJJG 1530 AM Radio, located in Elmhurst, Illinois and covering the Chicagoland area. The show is also broadcast live on the Internet at www.RadioChicagoland.com.

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