McHenry County Blog

Donna Kurtz greets District 47 School Board member Ginny Visin and husband Allen.

For the second Thursday night in a row, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria was the site of a Republican event.  More sales tax revenue for my revenue-starved Village of Lakewood was one of my thoughts.

McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler, Newt Gingrich Alternate Delegate candidate Mike Shorten, District 4 County Board canddiate Linda Kvidera Murphy and Nunda Township GOP Chairman Brent Smith converged on the door as I was leaving.

Last week, it was for State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay to meet local Republicans.

State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay chatted with McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer.

This week, it was McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz’ fund raiser.

Here's a view of part of the crowd who attended Donna Kurtz' Groundhog Day fund raiser. How many can you name below in the comment section?

Marvelous deep dish pizza, of course.

A view in the other direction of some of those in attendance.

Good thing I skipped lunch.

State Rep. Mike Tryon was at this table. One of the Honored Guests, Ralph Dawson can be seen to the right. Tom Pozmamski, Grafton Township Republican Party Chairman is in the foreground on the left. In the background in Nunda Precinct Committeeman Mark Daniel and County Board member Nick Provenzano, who is not only running for re-election, but as a Delegate for Newt Gingrich, whose Illinois campaign he is coordinating.

There was a more than a touch of class in the classical guitarist who entertained the crowd.  His name is  David Daoui (815-337-8707).

Cary Fire Protection District Trustee Mark Guerra, Assistant State's Attorney Donna Kelly and State's Attorney Lou Bianchi engaged in an animated conversation.

Politics, of course enveloped the room.

The woman with her back to the camera is the GOP canidate for McHenry County Coroner, Anne Majewski. She is conversing with State's Attorney's Chief Investigator Ron Salgado, her mother, former McHenry County Board member Lou Anne Majewski, Republican Precinct Committeeman Eileen Marhoeffer and Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore.

Allies from political wars past sometimes sat together.

Crystal Lake City Councilwoman and McHenry County Board candidate Carolyn Schofield met some new people. On the left is attorney Jim Bishop. Former Crystal Lake Estates Precinct Committeeman Tom Roti is on the right. Behind is District 47 Board member Nancy Gonsiorek.

Others were seating by the luck of the draw, meeting new people.

Donna’s mother, former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz, was helping do the essential funding raising tasks while her daughter was making the rounds.

Lakewood Village President Erin Smith brought her husband and parents, who raise her on Gate 14 in Lakewood. Former Village Trustee Black Hobson and his wife were also in attendance.

Mike Tryon

This is the second part of the Mike Tryon Fish Boil story.  Part 1 is here.

Mike Tryon gave a short talk at his third Huntley Fish Boil.

Then, he introduced the elected officials.

After he was finished with the introductions, he turned the microphone over to 14th District Congressman Randy Hultgren.

Illinois Democrats put all of McHenry County into the 14th District, except for Algonquin Township, the county’s largest.

Hultgren took the stage, so to speak, and excoriated Washington Democrats.

Congressman Randy Hultgren addressed the Fish Boil crowd.

Perhaps indicative of a turf battle to come in the March 2012 Republican primary election, Helene Walsh, wife of 8th District Congressman Joe Walsh was also in attendance.

McHenry County Board member Nick Provenzano talks with Helene Walsh.

Shawn Green who said he was "probably" going to run for County Board draws toddler duties as his wife takes care of the two-month old.

Jim Schlader was caught clapping during one of the speeches.

Besides Provenzano, I spotted two other candidates for the McHenry County Board–Jim Schlader of District 3 and Shawn Green of District 6.

There were also non-partisan elected officials on hand.

I don’t know the players as well as I used to, but I did spot Fox River Grove Village President Robert Nunamaker and his wife.

Fox River Grove Robert Nunamaker and his wife.

None of Fox River Grove will be in Tryon’s new district.

Mike Skala and T.R. Smith examine a map of Mike Tryon's new district.

In addition, long-time Huntley School District 158 Board member Mike Skala was at the Fish Boil.

I recognized two township officials besides County Board candidate Schlader, but I image there were more.

Dr Anne Majewski

McHenry Township Trustee Kathy Kuchta, who is also Vice Chairman of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee was present. S

So was Nunda Township Trustee Lee Jennings.

As I mentioned previously, Dr. Anne Majewski was campaigning for the McHenry County Coroner vacancy that Marlene Lantz’s retirement makes possible.

There was also Barrington Township Committeeman Gene Dawson, also the Republican State Central Committeeman for the 8th Congressional District, in attendance.

Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay meets 8th Congressional District State Central Committeeman Gene Dawson. Former Nunda Township Trustee, McHenry County and Lake Village Board member Blake Hobson made the introduction.

Finally, you know how I like messages, most of which I find on tee shirts.

One of the servers was wearing a Hastert congressional tee shirt. I didn’t think to ask her if it was from two years ago (when Hultgren beat Denny Hastert’s son Ethan) or from when the father represented Coral Township, where the young women lives and knew that it had been in Hastert’s original district.

I couldn't pass up this political tee shirt advertising Hastert.

Taxpayers complained about the golf course tax throughout the 1990′s. It was the approximately $500 a year property tax that I and other village residents paid that sensitized me to non-referendum bonds.

At a village board meeting I was told that purchasing the golf course would not cost me a dime, that fees from the golf course would pay off the loan.

In whose dreams?

Then-resident Jim Bishop warned trustees that golf courses were not doing well in McHenry County.

But, a bond salesman convinced trustees that the interest rate would be so much lower, if the village issue the revenue bonds with a general obligation back-up.

Wrong!

So, we are coming up to the last year of the bond issue and the golf business is so bad that an amount that will cost 21 cents per $100 of assessed valuation was imposed upon Lakewood taxpayers. That will raise $486,000.

“Revenue are not sufficient to pay bonds,” Village Administrator Catherine Peterson said. Staff recommends the full extension be made.

A report showed income down 11%, a bit over $100,000, through November. And, there were increased expenses—up 54% or almost $140,000. Projecting through the winter, when little revenue comes in, and the golf course will have something over $200,000 left.

Best case projection for the coming year is to break even, rather than have a profit of $150,000 seen last year.

Both figures, of course, refer to operating expenses, ignoring the repayment of the bonds, which resident users of the course and those of us who have never set foot on it must subsidize. And $50,000 of capital improvements are said to be “needed” this coming year.

The bleak conclusion from the Village Administrator:

“If the 2011-2012 golf season is similar to the current year, Redtail Golf Course will simply not have the cash reserves to operate for an entire year.”

Nearby Pinecrest Golf Club owned by the Huntley Park District.

Blame for inadequate revenue was affixed on the lack of a club house, which was said to bring in food and beverage money.

Competition from the Huntley Park District’s Pinecrest Golf Club and the re-opened Turnberry Country Club was also cited.

“Most of the other municipal courses aren’t fairing much better that we are,” Trustee Gene Furey observed.

While the rounds have remained pretty constant at 30,000 per year (plus or minus 1,500-2,000), the cost has had to be discounted because of competitive forces. Income per round is down from $41 in 2007 to an estimated $33 next year.

After looking at the figures, Trustee Blake Hobson said, “I don’t see a new building (club house).”

Never having been a fan of the golf course purchase, I asked if it couldn’t be sold.

Turnberry resident and Village President Erin Smith reminded me that the value of the homes surround the golf course would depreciate if town houses were built on the golf course.

Of course, I did not suggest that town houses be built there.

But I certainly shall object if general taxes are used to prop up the golf course after the bonds are paid off, as I have objected to the golf course tax since it was imposed in the early 1990′s.

And, if it can’t pay for its expenses, it seems to me discussion of some exit strategy is merited.

Operating a golf course is just not a core function of municipal government.

Besides the transfer of fire protection from the privatized service provided by American Emergency Service Corporation to the Woodstock Fire Protection District, the other issue I found interesting was that the village golf course is in financial trouble.

Compare this Red Tail Golf Course club house with that of the Huntley Park District below.

The result was that the village board voted to tax property taxpayers for the entire amount owed in the last year of the non-referendum bond issue.

Blamed for the inability to make a profit was the lack of a decent club house.

Red Tail now uses cobbled together trailers which do not produce much food and beverage sales.

There is so little money left in reserve that there may not be enough to operate for a full year in the near future.

Gene Furey

After looking at the figures new Trustee Blake Hobson said, “I don’t see a new building.”

A need for $50,000 in capital improvements was mentioned by Trustee Gene Furey.

Explaining the competition, he told of visiting Oak Ridge Golf Course and stopping in a couple of years ago.

Erin Smith

He asked the price per round and was told that it was $80.

He reported it was down to $35 now.

“We’re worried about the short-term,” Village President Erin Smith said.

“If we have the same revenues we have this year, we may not be able to run it all year.”

Carl Davis

Trustee Carl Davis pointed out that the bond tax had been abated in total for 8 years and in part a ninth year.  ( I so vividly remember the $500 a year golf course tax during the 1990′s.  Those with more valuable homes obviously paid more.)

Pinecrest Golf Course on Algonquin Road.

Davis pointed to the downturn in revenue being caused by

• a downturn in the economy
• Turnberry Country Club
• the Huntley Park District course

I asked how much it would cost in terms of cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

The answer was 21 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

Blake Hobson

“I loath this tax,” Hobson said.

“I don’t think a municipality has any business owning a for-profit (business).”

During the discussion, I suggested selling the course, which Smith interpreted as leading to the construction of town homes. I was thinking single family homes, but her point that selling the course would negatively affect the value of the homes fronting on the course is accurate.

An opponent of the proposed SportsPlex shared this idea with me yesterday:

“Maybe the Village should think about selling the Red Tail land to the sportsplex developer.

“You would eliminate the Red [Fox]Tail debt, sewer and water is already there (saving Lakewood $5-6 million), golfers could move to Turnberry and help it out of debt and give Lakewood some revenue, and Lou Malnati’s would love the traffic.

“On top of all these increased funds to Lakewood, how about all the added real estate tax revenue that Lakewood would now get for this developed property?

“They would still have the corner to develop when the economy improves and they can afford sewer and water.

“Sounds like a win-win.”

The screams you hear from those around Red Tail probably echo those living near the proposed SportsPlex location west of Route 47.

Unlike the opponents to the current proposed location, however, those living around Red Tail can vote in the upcoming Lakewood village elections.

Drawing of the main building on the proposed SportsPlex.

When the Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority was meeting somewhere near I-80 was meeting to approve the bonds for the McHenry County SportsPlex in Lakewood, it didn’t seem like it was worth the time to drive down to see what was happening.

After all, with Lakewood Village Trustee Blake Hobson on the board, it was a foregone conclusion that the bonds would be approved. (Hobson chided me for imputing too much influence to him after the Lakewood Village Board meeting.)

Now, I have received a copy of a December 6th email to Lisa Madigan’s Public Counselor. It contains complaints about

• the timeliness and content (or lack thereof) of information requested by Pleasant Valley Road’s Larry Larson, and
• whether the meeting was proceeded by the appropriate legal notice.

Perhaps you can read in some of what happened at the meeting that was not contained elsewhere.

Carra Smith, Public Access Counselor:

Dear Ms Smith,

Please consider the first part a FOIA Request for Review and the second part an OMA Request for Review

This is a Request for a FOIA Request for Review:

I need the help and advice of your office.  I submitted (copy above) a FOIA request to Mr. Hamilton of URIVDA on November 8th, 2010 requesting 3 documents.

I received a letter from him on November 15th asking for a 5 day extension of time because he is the only staff person under contract to URIVDA.  He stated that an extension until November 22 would give him sufficient time to properly fulfill my inquiry.

One part of the material I had asked for is a copy of the application submitted to URIVDA for the McHenry County Sports Plex.  I never received anything on the other two items I requested.

On November 30th I received a letter from Mr. Hamilton stating he received my check for $2.24.  He had requested postage before he could mail me the information.

In this letter he states he has enclosed the material I have requested.  He further states that based upon the FOIA ACT (5 ILCS 1400/7)  he can redact information that is exempt from disclosure and URIVDA believes parts of the information I requested fall under the exemption because of a letter sent in with the application stating the information is confidential.

The information I received is:

• his cover letter,
• 

  A typical page provided by the Authority. Click to enlarge.

  a copy of the applicant’s letter stating the information is confidential, and 48 pages with almost every word blacked, I have attached these documents but only the first and last page of the application.  If you need me to supply you with the other 46 pages of blacked out documents, let me know.  Even the date is blacked out.  I find it very hard to believe that ALL the blacked out parts could cause competitive harm. Some, yes but not all.  Did UIRVDA overstep it authority?

This part is an OMA Request for Review:

Secondly, on December 7, 2010 I attended a TEFRA hearing of URIVDA and asked Mr. Hamilton about the notice of public hearing for the TEFRA Hearing, when it was published and where, his response was for me to put it in writing and he would get me that information.  I had previously checked the newspapers and was unable to find any published notice.

I also asked for a copy of the bond resolution they were voting on today and he again stated to put it in writing and he would get me a copy.  I did not receive anything from him today.

My question is

• is all the information I asked for at the URIVDA hearing and meeting public or private?
• Does the public not have a right to obtain copies of the information that is being discussed at a public meeting?
• Also, after the board votes upon resolutions, does that information become public or remain private forever?

I feel my rights as a citizen were violated today and also in my FOIA request, and would appreciate it if you could look into this.

Obviously, it goes without saying that if URIVDA acted inappropriately, then I would think the due process of their meeting would be affected.

I look forward to your comments.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me.

Thank you in advance.

Larry Larson

Yesterday, we saw the first part of Lakewood Village Trustee Ken Sankowski’s report on the November 9th village board meeting.  He covered the tax levy and the dam in Turnberry.

In today’s installment, he covers the SportsPlex and stimulus bonds.

SportsPlex Utility Considerations

Extending the utilities out to Route 47 was a unique topic.

Even though the village recently annexed residential properties and several established businesses they (currently) do not have to hook into our water and sewer system if they choose not to.

So right now the only entity that would hook into any water and sewer system would be the sports complex and associated businesses.

The ultimate question is will or can those users generate enough revenue to pay for the water and sewer system?

Several options were presented ranging from just over $1M to over $7M. The options will be discussed further over the next few board meetings.

I am a little concerned that if the sportsplex does not meet anticipated revenues then the user fees the village collects will not be enough to cover the debt.

If this happens then the public would be impacted, by having to cover the debt.

Stimulus Bond Consideration

Lastly, there was a motion on the consent agenda to approve the bond flow through from the McHenry County Board.

The sportsplex needs to have 2 sets of different bonds in order to help pay for their project.

One set of bonds is taxed while the other is tax exempt.

McHenry County Board decided to hand over their authority to UIRVDA (Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority).

While this may seem just a bureaucratic shuffle of paperwork, the way it was presented did not seem to sit well with me and at least one resident in attendance.

I asked for this matter to be removed from the consent agenda for 2 reasons.

1. The first one was so that Trustee Blake Hobson (the McHenry County UIRVDA representative) could explain to the audience the reason for this motion.
2. The other reason was that I was not confident that neither the residents of Lakewood nor the surrounding community knew that this matter was about the sportsplex.

Village Trustees Ken Santowski and Blake Hobson.

The wording on the agenda mentioned a “commercial project” but not the sportsplex. This motion only dealt with the sportsplex bonds. I questioned why it was listed this way and was told it was because that was the way it was copied off the resolution. That same resolution was written by our village and attorney. As you know I am all for transparency and feel that this was not properly presented to allow the public closer scrutiny if they so desired.

I voted against the resolution but it passed anyway.

Originally I was in full support of the sportsplex.

I wanted to give “the team” full board support to get this project off the ground even though I did not (nor did a lot of other people) believe the fiscal projections they gave to us and the public.

But lately I have begun to question the validity of this project. Several member of the McHenry county board also have had their own reservations based on their recent votes concerning the project

Since this project is a “new” vision for Lakewood, McHenry County, Route 47 and several surrounding subdivisions, I had hoped that there would have been more open dialogue between affected residents and the sportsplex people.

Perhaps there was and they were required not to talk. As a private business enterprise they do not have to allow me or anyone access to their own internal processes, negotiations or finances.

I am not a development expert, nor do I claim to know the inner workings of their private enterprise.

It is just my opinion that the sportsplex people could have and should now do a better job with communication.

My hope is that the Sports Complex is built, all issues are remedied, the neighbors are happy and the revenues are exactly what they predict.

More tomorrow.

Yesterday was one of the biggest fundraisers for the McHenry County Republican Central Committee.

Candidates traditionally place their yard signs along the McHenry Country Club on Play Day.

My guess is that parking along the road during previous golf outings has led to the “No Parking” signs there now.

Time was that late comers had to park on the road. Today, I had no trouble finding a parking spot in the McHenry Country Club lot.

Kieth and Marge Nygren enter the McHenry Country Club. Barb Wheeler was selling raffle tickets to raise more money for the local GOP organization.

Talking to some folks outside the front door, I saw Sheriff Keith Nygren and his wife approaching. I asked if I could take a photo.  They kept walking.

McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler and Chief Deputy Treasurer Glenda Miller are seen at the check-in table.

Inside volunteers were collecting checks and issuing meal tickets.

8th District congressional candidate Joe Walsh and his wife Helene met with the active Republicans.

I didn’t get all the luminaries, but 8th Congressional District Republican candidate Joe Walsh and his wife Helene were courting support.

State Rep. and McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon is caught in a tender moment with his wife Cathy.

Wives of politicians end up doing things they might not really want to do and going places they might not really want to go. Tryon was about party business most of the evening…but not all the time.

Jack Franks' GOP opponent John O'Neill sat with former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz and her daughter McHenry County College board member Donna Kurtz.

State Rep. Candidate John O’Neill was eating with former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz and her daughter Donna Kurtz, who is a McHenry County Board member and county board candidate in District 2. Her running mate Ken Koehler was at the event, too, but I didn’t get a shot of him.

State Rep. Mark Beaubien and his wife Dee ate dinner.

State Rep. Mark Beaubien ate with his wife Dee.

Judge Gordon Graham was sitting with former McHenry County Board member Don Brewer.

Judge Gordon Graham was eating with former McHenry County Board member and former Algonquin Village Board President Don Brewer.

Former McHenry County Board member Bob Vorisek (sitting) was talking to current McHenery County Board member Marc Munaretto.

Former Algonquin Township Supervisor and County Board member Bob Vorisek was talking with McHenry County Board member and Algonquin Township Clerk Marc Munaretto.

Three women who run county offices are Recorder Phyllis Walters (back left), County Clerk Katherine Schultz (back right) and Auditor Pam Palmer (front center). On the left is Walter's sister Marie Holte, visiting from Colorado. On the right is Sheriff's Department employee Kathy Seith.

I caught this tower of feminine courthouse power after I finished eating steak.

From left to right are Greenwood Township Supervisor Barbara Klasen, McHenry County Board member John Hammerand and former State Senator Jack Schaffer.

Former State Senator and GOP County Chairman Jack Schaffer was eating with Greenwood Township Supervisor Barbara Klasen and McHenry County Board member John Hammerand.

Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager talks to Bruce Novak and his wife Louise.McHenry Township Clerk Bruce Novak and his wife Louise chatted with Woodstock Mayor Brian Sagar.

Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager spoke with McHenry Township Clerk Bruce Novak and his wife Louise.

Black Hobson, Cheryl Meyer and Mike Skala, all from Grafton Township, sit together.

Three Grafton Township politicians, from left to right, newly-appointed Lakewood Village Trustee Blake Hobson, Cheryl Meyer and Huntley School Board member Mike Skala.

There were many other Republicans present, of course, including former McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Al Jourdan and Bill LeFew. Coroner Marlene Lantz was sighted. McHenry County Board candidate Nick Provenzano, who is managing Joe Walsh’s campaign, was in attendance as was McHenry County Board member Pete Merkel. I’m sure there were more candidates. Please email me with others’ names.

John Pfeuffer

Dorothy Pfeuffer

The Lakewood Village Board used to have a 4-3 balance. Village President Erin Smith headed the ruling coalition.

The minority consisted of Dorothy and John Pfeuffer (elected in separate years) and Ken Santowski.

They lost every contested vote I observed, but there was a thorough venting of most issues.

Then, the Pfeuffer’s sold their home unexpectedly quickly and moved. They resigned their offices and it was Smith’s job to nominate replacements.

Ken Santowski and Blake Hobson sit next to each other at Lakewood Village Board meetings.

She picked

• former Village President Julie Richardson (to whom I shall be grateful as long as I live in Lakewood for her leadership in banning leaf burning; we can now sleep with windows open during the fall) and
• Blake Hobson, who served on three different governmental boards—the Upper Illinois River Valley Development, the Nunda Township and the McHenry County Board–before being appointed to Lakewood’s.

That left Santowski as a minority of one.

Here is his most current email, a communication method he started while the vote was still 4-3:

This past board meeting was not as rigorous as the previous ones. Unless you consider that I listened to the residents and basically voted against God.Prior to the board meeting was a  proposal to allow a special use permit to allow a church to move into the Redtail Commons “retail” center.

The meeting opened with a public session where I spoke as a resident voicing my concern that if we make changes to the zoning code for a church, then where does it stop? What if a tattoo shop, liquor store, massage parlor or even a funeral home wanted to move into the plaza.

The board’s intent was for this plaza to be filled with “retail” stores. Something that generates sales tax for the village.

Unfortunately, the committee voted for the change. I was the only member of the public to speak against.

During the recess time, I had a talk with Brett Lundstrom, co-owner of the center. I listened to his hopes for the center and empathized with his struggle to fill in the spaces. I expressed my concern that eventually Lake in the Hills would build the restaurants and “retail” stores across the street. That we would become the “service” center.

During the village board meeting we heard presentations from Brett again, the pastor of the church, the owners of the Martial Arts and Yuppy Puppy Dog Grooming about how they supported the church moving in. There was also a letter of support presented on behalf of Leix Dental.

The pastor and his delegation talked of how they wanted to be involved in the community. They wanted to be the first church in Lakewood. All hoped that the church would bring prospective “shoppers” to their business establishments.

During the trustee comments I expressed my concern that we are continuing on a pattern of bringing businesses to Lakewood that do not generate sales tax. Each of the 3 other businesses generate very few sales tax revenue; but there is still that potential.

A church does not have any potential to bring in sales tax dollars unless ‘they sell wine out the back door” (this was my own quote).

When the vote came around I in fact voted as the residents asked me to; I voted no. The other board members all voted yes. The motion passed and the board welcomes the church into Lakewood. They left the meeting shortly after.

The remainder of the meeting was mostly uneventful. All of the trustees have been “chosen” to be committee liaisons; well except for me.  And we all know that since I do not play nice, I am still grounded.

The only economic part of the meeting was the final vote on the employees raises versus the extra costs they would have to incur for health benefits.

While I have been against giving out ANY raises, now was not the time to cut the employees off at the knees. But they do know that it will cost them more and more out of their pockets to retain their level of benefits. Just like us in the private sector, cuts are expected and employee contributions to health care are going to rise.

Original concept plan of the SportsPlex when it was planned for Route 47 frontage.

The next meeting will be almost completely about the proposed sports complex. There have been a lot of rumors about who is paying for it and what affect it would have on the village.[See explanation of the SportsPlex proposal from village officials here.]

While most of this project is still in the planning stages, I assure you I will fight to make sure that not $1.00 of village money (your money) is promised to help build this complex.

Yes, negotiations will result in the village making some concessions along the way in terms of fees, but it is no different than we do for residential subdivision builders. I will keep you all up to date.

I did attend a recent meeting of the Redtail Committee. It appears that they finally are moving forward.

I congratulate the citizens of that committee for pushing forward the idea of a much smaller clubhouse that will be paid for by the users of the course; not by the taxpayers.

So once the last payment is made next year, we should see the new clubhouse begin to rise right where the current ones stands. A lot of work is still to be done, but they seem to be headed in the right direction. I applaud those residents

There is nothing new to report on the proposed bike path. Engineering studies are still being done and President Smith formally asked Crystal lake Park District for a donation of money towards the bike path. I do not know the results of that meeting.

Lastly as you know I am working hard on the environment and specifically with Styrofoam recycling. Soon I will have containers at Redtail, Public Works, Village Hall and of course my home where residents can drop off their white Styrofoam. Any kind of Styrofoam is accepted as long as it is #6. Also bubble wrap, packing peanuts and foam sheets are accepted. You do not need to call. Simply stop by and deposit those items into the bins. I will be emptying them on a regular basis. If you have questions do not hesitate you ask.

If you need anything do not hesitate to ask. If you do not agree with me feel free to speak up. I am supposed to listen to you and vote on your behalf. Help me to do a better job.

Kenneth M Santowski

I certainly wish more board members (not just Lakewood’s) would tell their constituents what they think went on at their last meeting.

Any reading this who wish to do so should email their missives to me, if they want broader coverage.

The summer letter from Lakewood Village President Erin Smith has arrived and I share it at the bottom of this article.

Missing from this second newsletter since the possibility of a SportsPlex near the intersection of Routes 47 and 176 was raised is any mention of the proposal.

I could find no information whatsoever.  And there was plenty of room to put it.

When we got back from vacation, however, I did find this flyer opposing the idea in with my accumulated copies of the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times:

Flyer opposing the proposed Lakewood SportsPlex.

Given the fact that first impressions are quite important in public relations, I cannot understand why official village publications have ignored the issue, which certainly appears to be controversial.

The flyer, whose content I have tried to reproduce below, but for whose accuracy I do not vouch, says,

NO Lakewood Sportsplex

Did you know Lakewood residents:

• Will pay to develop Pleasant Valley Road.
• Will pay to bring water and sewer to the area.
• Will pay taxes to support the Sportsplex if it fails.
• Will pay for increased village services needed–police, fire, etc.
• Lakewood could be stuck with a 125,000 sq. ft. building to support.

Village of Lakewood told residents they would never have to support the golf course.  GUESS WHAT?  You, the residents, are supporting the golf course through increased taxes.

DID YOU KNOW…

• Location of the SportsPlex was given  incorrectly to the county board when they applied for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Location is actually on Pleasant Valley Road, a small residential area that is not designed to handle 600,000 people.
• Developer claims 600,000 people annually would visit the site.  From where would they come?
• $18 million of our taxpayers money is going to build this Sportsplex.
• $27 million will be sought from foreign investors.
• Foreign investors can buy a VISA that grants permanent U.S. residency to those who invest in this Sportsplex and after five years can apply for citizenship.
• People behind the Sportsplex are NOT investing any of their own equity in the project, but stand to make BIG money from this project.

$5,000,000.00 is being offered by YOUR VILLAGE LEADERS.

Remember our Lakewood Pool?

Contact your village council representatives to say NO to a Lakewood Sportsplex!

Check out First Electric Newspaper.  Search for Lakewood Sportsplex.

I think you will agree that many Lakewood residents would have questions after reading the broadside above.

Lakewood Village President Erin Smith presiding at the annexation meeting.

Village President Erin Smith’s letter follows:

Dear Neighbors,

In this edition of our newsletter, I am pleased to share with you many positive developments within our community during the past few months.

Primary among these is the annexation of 565 acres of new property into the Village of Lakewood.

This action was approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees at our meeting on June 8 and is consistent with both our signed boundary agreements with neighboring communities and our Comprehensive Plan.  In general, the annexation follows

• the north side of Ballard Road west from the existing Autumn Ridge Subdivision;
• north along both sides of Illinois Route 47; and
• southwest along the northern leg of Illinois Route 176.

Our northwest boundary will now be the southeast intersection of Illinois Route 176 and Dean Street.

In addition to providing for future retail/commercial growth, the annexation brings four (4) existing businesses into our community, thereby nearly doubling our existing commercial
base. These businesses are

• Crystal Woods Golf Course,
• Craig Woods Golf Course,
• The Gardens of Woodstock, and
• Kolze’s Garden Center.

We are also happy to welcome Yuppy Puppy Dog Grooming and More to Lakewood Commons.

I strongly encourage you to visit the newest members of our business community and to welcome them. While I know that it’s sometimes difficult to change shopping habits, it is important to support all of our local businesses so that they thrive and your sales tax dollars stay in the Village of Lakewood to support our services.

AAA Bond Rating

As a part of issuing bonds for the construction of a new water tower, the Village of Lakewood requested that Standard and Poor’s issue a rating. Upon review of our information, I am very pleased to report that we have been assigned a rating of AAA, which is the highest rating possible. It has been determined that the outlook for this rating is stable. The rating was based in large part on Standard and Poor’s opinion of the Village of Lakewood’s:

• Participation in the deep and diverse Chicago metropolitan economy;
• Very strong reserves with balanced general fund operations, supported by good financial management;
• Very strong income and extremely strong market per capita levels; and
• Moderate debt burden.

This analysis and rating represents many years of prudent financial management by both the elected officials and staff. Not only does it allow the Village of Lakewood to issue debt at lower costs, but it is also a strong signal to potential investors that the Village of Lakewood is a strong and stable community in which to do business.

New Trustees and Committee Members

Trustees John and Dorothy Pfeuffer resigned from the Village Board following 3 and 5 years of service respectively, as they sold their home and moved from the Village. John and Dorothy both contributed many hours of service to the Village outside of meetings. I am especially appreciative of their roles in supporting the SSA-1 Lakes Committee and the Parks and Recreation Committee.

I am very pleased to announce that the vacancies left by John and Dorothy have been filled by former Village President Julie Richardson and former County Board Member Blake Hobson. Julie and Blake bring considerable experience to our Board at a very important time in our history. Both Julie and Blake were appointed just shortly before we formalized the recent annexations.

The appointment of Julie and Blake to our Board created two vacancies on our Economic Development Committee. In addition to these vacancies, we had a vacancy on the SSA-1 Lakes Committee. I am pleased to announce that Donald Miller and Gary Sexson have been appointed to the Economic Development Committee and that Christopher Fox has been appointed to the SSA-1 Lakes Committee.

Comcast Spotlight on Lakewood

If you are a Comcast cable customer, you may see me on Comcast Newsmakers throughout the last week in July. Comcast provides an opportunity for local officials to talk for 5 minutes about their community in a live interview. We will also load the short video on our Village website.

Pizza with the President

It’s time for my quarterly neighborhood meeting which will be held on Thursday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at the home of Rosalie and James Schraut, 9045 Underhill Court. I appreciate the opportunity to meet with neighbors in an informal environment. The meetings to date have provided a wonderful opportunity to discuss Village-wide and neighborhood-specific issues. Lou Malnati’s provides the pizza for the evening. Please call me if you are interested in hosting a future event.

Sincerely,

Erin

When asked about when the village would let residents know about the SportsPlex, Smith emailed me that there would be a special newsletter dedicated to that subject this month or next.

2009's Crystal Lake Kiwanis Club Little Miss Peanut Emma Wasilk

At last year’s Little Miss Peanut Pageant in the basement of the Home State Bank building near Route 14, I took lots of photos, but my computer crashed and I never got around to writing an article.

Not so this time around.

So, let me walk you though the event.

Former Kiwanis Club President Joe Johnson and Little Miss Peanut Master of Ceremonies for the seond year Blake Hobson

Former Kiwanis Club President Joe Johnson introduced Master of Ceremonies Blake Hobson. Both were shavees at the St. Balderick’s children’s cancer fundraiser the Friday before St. Patrick’s Day. Johnson raised the most money, while Hobson came in second. Johnson raised $1,832, while Hobson supporters gave $1,310. Notice that they both have hair.

With a goal of raising $5,000 event chairman Mike Splitt saw a whopping $24,772 come in for pediatric cancer research.

Click any image to enlarge it.

The program began with the little girls walking into the room.

Then, they went down the center aisle. Note that I am not the only one taking pictures.

The interviews were next.

Natalie Alexander

First up was Natalie Alexander. I was so disorganized the only note I took was that she has two older brothers.

Daviana Arellano's lovely hair

I rode down the elevator with black haired Davina Arellano. She really had long, beautiful locks, as you can see this photo I took before the event began.

Daviana Arellano being interviewed by Blake Hobson.

Her favorite book is “Take a Mouse to the Movies,” which delighted EM Hobson.

Anna Austin listening to a question.

Anna Austin followed. Her favorite book was “Puppies in the Pantry.” Perhaps not surprisingly, she has a dog named Bella. He likes to chew on pencils.

Blake Hobson coaxing an answer from Haley Benard.

Like Natalie Alexander, Haley Benard has two older brothers. A dog is named Hershey.

Mallory Hoffman

Mallory Hoffman likes ice cream. Hobson went through four flavors and she liked them all. In school she said she liked making paper best. At home, she plays with Barbie dolls.

Tess Meisner

Sponge Bob is the favorite show of Tess Meisner. Patrick is her favorite character. Her favorite subject in school is art. She likes to draw faces.

Alyssa Pavlicek also likes Sponge Bob. And, lo and behold, her favorite is Patrick, too. Why? “He’s funny!”

Alyssa Pavlicek

In school, she like computers. She mentioned a 7-month old youn brothers’ family.  All the girls were asked why they wanted to be Little Miss Peanut. Alyssa’s answer: “I want to win.”

Mary Clare Schofield

Mary Clare Schofield was the last candidate. Being a guy whose last names starts with “S,” I know about alphabet discrimination. (It’s the last great discrimination.)

Math is Mary Clare’s favorite subject. “It’s fun!” Why? “I like money.”

She also likes pickles, which seemed to intrigue the MC. Turns out she likes sweet pickles.

Later I learned from her mother, Crystal Lake City Councilwoman Carolyn Schofield, that Mary Clare donated her hair at St. Baldrick’s, raising $750. Her hair went to a girl with cancer.

From left to right, the judges were 2010 Miss Crystal Lake Mel Walter, 2009 Miss Crystal Lake Colleen Bechtold, 2010 Miss Illinois Heather Mueller of Cary and Crystal Lake Police Officer Sean McGrath.

After all the girls were interviewed, the judges, Mel Walter, Miss Crystal Lake 2010, Colleen Bechtold, Miss Crystal Lake 2009, Heather Mueller Miss Illinois 2010 and Crystal Lake Police Officer Sean McGrath, who runs Operation Click, retired to decide who would win the tiaras.

Before those announcements, the girls again entered the room.

Second runner up Mallory Hoffman

Second runner up was Mallory Hoffman.

Here you see first runner up Davina Arellano in the center, with second runner up Mallory Hoffman to her right and Little Miss Peanut 2010 Alyssa Pavlicek to her left.

First runner up was Davina Arellano.

The crowning of Little Miss Peanut 2010 Alyssa Pavlicek.

Little Miss Peanut for the next year is Alyssa Pavlicek.

All the girls received gift bags and standing applause.