A Lunch That Inspired Impressions Of The Past.

A short time ago I had lunch with my old boss Nick Blase. Most of you may recall that Nick was Mayor of Niles for over 40 years. I was a Niles cop for 35 of those years the last 12 of which I served as Chief. During my career I witnessed Mayor Blase transition Niles from a town with the reputation of being the after hours home to Milwaukee Ave. brothels to All American City status. He never let political borders prevent him from protecting the image of Niles, cases at point include:
A strip-tease night club called The Retreat located in a very small unincorporated patch of land situated between Chicago and Niles in the area of Milwaukee Ave. and Albion St. Mayor Blase was successful incorporating this no-man's land into Niles and closing the Retreat.
Another unincorporated parcel located on a triangular shaped patch of land bordered by Greenwood Ave., Milwaukee Ave. and Gol Road, a bordello called The Dolphin Lounge was adversly affecting the  reputatton of Niles. Mayor Blase's nagging persistance of county officials rid the area of the Dolphin.
Some of Mayor Blase's programs continue to this day, e.g., the Niles Free Bus and Sister Cities. During lunch we reminisced about good times. I thought to myself he's as sharp as ever inspite of passing time and tribulation.
After saying our goodbyes in the parking lot some restaurant patrons caught my attention and asked me if that was Mayor Blase, I told them it was. They praised his service and said they missed him. What struck me the most was that after all is said and done Nick Blase still thinks about the welfare of Niles.