McHenry County Blog

Former Lakewood Village President Julie Richardson is being defeated for election to the Trustee post to which she was appointed.  With one precinct and early and absentee votes outstanding, challenger Jeff Iden is ahead by 91 votes.

Richardson’s campaign seemed to consist of yard signs, which Iden matched, at least outside of Country Club Additions.

Iden upped the ante on the Saturday before the election, however.

In the morning, a post card appeared in mailboxes:

By afternoon, there were plastic bags with a yellow pamphlet from Iden on mailboxes.

Take a look:

 

Richardson was the only one on the village board that supported the McHenry County SportsPlex who had opposition. At least one person I talked with about the election was aware of that.

Since this was delivered on Saturday, Richardson had time for a rebuttal piece, but, for whatever reason, chose to take the blows without response.

= = = = =
Midnight results with all precincts reporting:

And the drop off was significant for those running for the four-year terms unopposed:

To give some perspective, Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley received 1,449 vote in his uncontested race for re-election.  So Crystal Lakers cast about three times more votes than Lakewood residents, even though Crystal Lake has 40,743 to Lakewood’s  3.811.

 

Lakewood Village Trustee Ken Santowski has a delightful habit of giving his view on what happens at Lakewood Village Board meetings each month. I attended this meeting, but still have gotten around to writing up my notes. Here’s his version:

Village Board Meeting of March 22nd, 2010

When I walked into the room that evening I was pleasantly surprised to see the room “somewhat filled” with residents. It was nice to see “Lakewoodians” come out for a meeting.

Then I remembered (how could I forget) the budget talks involved Redtail.

Since the other budget items were some-what “status quo”, I shall jump right into the Redtail talk. That does not mean they were insignificant, but since the economy is still down, those funds will have less money in them to allocate to projects, repairs and maintenance.

Whether you agreed or not with the board some 20 years ago when they decided to purchase Redtail does not matter anymore.

In October, the golf course will be paid off and the village will own the course free and clear; but with a catch.

A number of repairs and upgrades will need to be done to the course over the next ten years to keep it at the level golfers expect.

The big question is: How do we pay for those expenses?

Everyone on the board and those in attendance all agreed that Redtail should be an Enterprise Fund in the future.

What that means is that the golf course will have to stand on its own in the years to come. Its budget will be set by those who use the golf course and those who work there.

Money will not be taken out of the general fund to pay for operation of the course.

The board can vote to “loan” the fund some money if needed.

Based on the numbers presented to the board over the past few years, it appears that the course can stand on its own.

The big question is: how to pay for future repairs and upgrades?

Three (3) major upgrades needed to be talked about-Bunker replacements, sprinkler system and the clubhouse (or lack thereof) were the points discussed. Numbers were thrown around of about $3.5M to $4M for these future projects.

• The water sprinkler system needs to be replaced at a cost of about $1M.
• The bunkers need to be redone at a cost of about $500K to $1M.
• Then there is the trailer/clubhouse. Costs are estimated to be about $2M.

There were lengthy discussions on how to fund these projects.

Three opinions were offered during this period. The opinions were based on current need and future need.

I shall begin with my own first.

During the past year the board challenged the Redtail committee to come up with a plan to build a new clubhouse that was affordable and practical. This was a major task since they could not have anyone give them “real” estimates of the cost. However, this group of golf enthusiasts collected vast amounts of information from various courses and spent hundreds of hours compiling and sorting the data.

They came up with a comprehensive plan to build a clubhouse that was practical and affordable and still have some (not a lot) of reserves for future repairs and improvements (bunkers and sprinklers). I was under the impression that this was the object of the committee and then they make their recommendation to the board; which they did. No, it was not a formal presentation but it certainly seemed to me that it was a step in the right direction. It seems like that proposal has been pushed aside because of the dreaded “doomsday scenario” once again.

In order to figure out if you are headed in the right direction, it is best to take a step forward. I was asked if I would ever sell the course. I answered yes but it would have to be for an incredible amount of money and remain a golf course.

How much money? If someone came and offered 2-3 times the price of the value of the course, I would definitely consider it. Anything else would not be considered unless we were in dire financial trouble. And the golf course is not in financial trouble.

I believe we should seriously consider the committee’s findings and look at building a small reputable clubhouse.

No, we do not want to compete with Turnberry, Pine Crest or any banquet halls.

Yes, we would like to be able to have larger group outings and tournaments.

For the last 10 years Marriott Lincolnshire has had a tent up that held weddings, parties and meetings. It was used when needed and it seemed to work just fine.

Several courses, including Redtail, have used tents in previous years to “house” larger events. The committee’s finding was that a small versatile clubhouse could be built on the same site as the current trailer, service most golf outings, and be profitable.

Why wouldn’t we start to go down that road? It certainly seems like the least destructive path.

During the course of the budget hearing, two financial resources were discussed. I found that a little premature since we are still “stuck in park” about the golf course and clubhouse.

The two resources were

• a referendum (hold onto your seats) and
• a Special Services Area Tax (say what?)

We have not even made the last payment on the course and some people are already talking about a new tax to help fund it.

I tried to divert the discussion about either of those resources and get back onto the committee’s recommendation, but my shipmates kept steering towards the rocks.

The constant talk of not having money left to build a clubhouse and pay for repairs just does not seem to be justified when the numbers speak for themselves.

I am not sure if we as board members are serving the residents in the best capacity when we talk of new taxes before the old ones expire. The course (get it …”course”) we should take is to move forward with replacing the trailers with a “clubhouse” that is affordable and profitable.

We, as a board, have the resources to accomplish that during our tenure, during this year. I am definitely against a referendum or an SSA when it has not been proven that the golf course will fail financially without it.

Most of the residents in attendance seemed to be concerned when those 2 resources were mentioned.

Jeff Iden (Redtail Committee Member) tried to explain to the crowd that the course makes money once you paid off the debt. He also reiterated that this had been the case for many previous years. No, we can’t just erase the fact that the club had large payments here in the end, but facts are facts.

And since the members of the committee seem to know what they are talking about it seems to me that we should at least respect that knowledge and finally take a step, grab a shovel and start building that clubhouse. After all, isn’t anything better than what we have?

After a short break, we can start talking about the actual meeting.

Well how was your break?

The meeting was rather short and concise except for one partial problem.

Recently, a rather sizeable grant was awarded to Lakewood and several surrounding towns to upgrade the communications equipment amongst fire and police. The intent was to streamline and decrease the possibility of errors when those services were needed. Bids were submitted to SEECOM (Southeast Emergency Communications) based on their criteria.

Apparently, somewhere along the way, things got tangled up in the interpretation of the requests for bid and we wound up getting slightly different bid proposals. If you think these statements are confusing, then you should have been there in person. After some lengthy and sometimes confusing statements, it was decided to table the awarding of the bid until things get straightened out. This one will get interesting.

The only other real decision was to award the work for the Huntley road bike path.

As you all know I was and still am against this project since I believe it benefits Crystal Lake more than Lakewood. Yes, I am all for safety of riders, walkers and runners, but, this path (which Crystal Lake decided to NOT help fund) will make it easier for Lakewood residents to get to Main Beach and other entities in Crystal Lake where of course they will spend their money.

Yes, Crystal Lake residents will have their chance to use the path and ride to Lou’s, the karate studio, dog groomer, dentist, day-care and attend church, but we paid for the path, not them.

Fortunately, since the economy is still down, the bids received were significantly less than anticipated, thus, if the project comes in on budget and we receive the reimbursement from the GOVERNMENT, it will ultimately save us money.

But as I stated, I was against building this path in the beginning since I wanted to use those funds to build a certain “clubhouse “(yes, in my backyard) that would have provided revenue to our Village. Just because someone offers to sell me a Maserati for $40,000 doesn’t mean it is a good deal if I don’t need one!

Well, it is time to put away my typewriter until next time. So, if you have the urge to attend the next village board meeting on April 12th, please do so. There will be some new faces on the board that night since the election is coming up.

Speaking of new faces……. It is time to go out and vote. The election is Tuesday April 5th. You have 2 local election decisions here in Lakewood. There are 3 candidates running for 3 positions of 4 year terms- Gary Sexson, Carl Davis and Ken Santowski. You can vote for one, two or all three of them. Or you can show your disdain and vote for none of them. Yes, those three (I am one of them) will be elected that night (hopefully).

The tightest race and most controversial one is between Jeff Iden and Julie Richardson for the 2 year term. I have had the opportunity to work with Julie as President and now as Trustee (she was appointed to this position to fill Dorothy Pfeuffer’s spot). I have also had the opportunity to work with Jeff Iden since he is on the Redtail Committee and he is also a local businessman. Both would make wonderful board members. Depending on how you look at the village now is the way you should vote. If you think things have gone great over the past couple of years, then vote for Julie. If you want some changes because you are not the most happiest of people and believe Jeff Iden will do a better job of saving your tax dollars, then vote for him. The most important thing is to get out and vote on Tuesday April 5th. It is your money

Warmest Regards

Kenneth M Santowski 847-910-2985

This message was sent to you because you asked me to send it to you. Should you decide that I cannot spell or am just an irritating person, then ask to be removed from the list. I can handle it. You have the right to forward this to anyone you want. I have nothing to hide and these words are mine and mine alone. They reflect my interpretation of what I encounter sitting behind the desk as your representative. Let me know what you think both in person and at the ballot box. Thanks, again

It’s that time of year again.

There are not a lot of contested races on the ballot, but signs are beginning to pop up and, glory be, what did I see the Sunday before last coming out of my Firsts United Methodist Church service by an anachronism.

It was a real button.

Not a sticker, but a metal button.

Gary Sexton II, a candidate for Lakewood Village Trustee was wearing it.

The irony is that he is running unopposed for one of the four-year terms.  There was another candidate in the race, Blake Hobson, but he withdrew.

There is a contest for the two-year vacancy.  Appointed incumbent and former Village President Julie Richardson is being challenged by Cargo Equipment Corporation President Jeff Iden.

I was an avid collector during the 1970′s when there were a lot of them.

I created a joint button to promote the candidacy of former U.S. Attorney Jim Thompson. When he first saw it at the Kane County Fair he was taken aback. It’s not that he because an outstanding campaigner right off the bat.

It was almost an “How dare you?” use my name on a campaign button.

Of course, Thompson was very well known in the Chicago media market. My district, however, went into the Rockford media market, covering parts of Boone, DeKalb and Winnebago Counties.

That’s what I told him.

He still seemed to think I was taking advantage of him.

Go figure.

I was the second state representative to endorse him. Rockford’s Tim Simms was first.

The McHenry County Board vote was 15-8 to extend the date to December 31st for the McHenry County SportsPlex, which will be straddle Pleasant Valley Road on land that is to be annexed to Lakewood once the developers buy it.

According to County Board Chairman Ken Koehler’s count, ninety-two people signed in to speak against the SportsPlex, the only stimulus loan for which there was audience participation. Three supported it on the sign-in sheet.

The comment period was dominated by opponents to the Lakewood development. All were from the neighborhood, although one woman was from two miles west on Pleasant Valley Road.

But, first Lakewood Village President Erin Smith got to make her pitch.

“We are pretty far along in this process.

“There are ongoing discussions about traffic,” she explained. “ I spent almost three hours with 100 residents (one recent night).

“I understand the residents do not want development in their areas,” she continued, but explained that the use is “consistent with the 2020 plan,” plus existing boundary agreements.

Of all the possible uses of the property, Smith argued that this “has the most gentle impact to surrounding neighbors.”

She noted that the SportsPlex proposal is “not only promises to increase jobs, it is required for the private funding, private equity with no taxpayer dollars at risk.”

Bob Saiz led off the opposition.

“I highly doubt the economic benefit.”

Charles Russell was next.

After noting that not much about the SportsPlex is on the the Village of Lakewood’s web site, he pointed to its “Frequent Asked Questions” web site page.

“The Village of Lakewood admitted they have no answer to the questions.”

Jim Vaccaro spoke of a letter from Al Stenstrom that had been sent to all county board members.

“This has so many holes in it that it could be referred to as a ‘Swiss cheese’ project.”

Referring to the EB-5 investments to be made by foreign investors seeking a faster path to citizenship, Vaccaro observed,

“If (the jobs don’t show up), the developer keeps the money and the (visitors) go home.”

Sharon Bills, who has two special needs children, expressed her concern about the increase in traffic of over 1000 vehicles.

“I had a brother who was hit (by a car),” she explained.

“My concern’s that it has encroached into a residential area.” She characterized it as “a hodgepodge development in three sections,” while asking for disapproval of the bond extension.

“I represent a large number of registered voters,” letter writer Al Stenstrom said to County Board members.

He pointed to the 110 people in the board room and said twice as many could not make it to today’s meeting.

Then he asked,

“Who does not feel that this can succeed?”

Most of the people in the audience raised their hands.

Len Tripoli also referred to Lakewood’s Frequently Asked Questions, which he pointed out said the Lakewood proposal cannot be compared with the sports complexes in Orland Park, Barrington and Libertyville.

He pointed out that the McHenry County SportsPlex will own their own teams.

He contended “independent research into attendance and job creation has not been done.”

Light pollution was the topic of Steve Lynn.

“We’re going to be sitting on our decks looking at that great glow in the sky.”

Joe Villarrealo moved from Schaumburg to get away from congestion.

“I’m afraid we’re going to end up like Schaumburg,” he said. “I want serenity.”

He added, “They say they’re going to bring in teams. It’ll have nothing to do with our kids.”

Villarrealo added that he had checked with Huntley and Crystal Lake.

“Crystal Lake doesn’t want it built.”

He said Crystal Lake had 8 empty soccer fields.

“We don’t need another 20-some fields unless they’re going to bring in teams from the outside.

“It’s total overkill, like going after an ant with a bazooka.

“I believe Lakewood is getting bad information. Lakewood’s trying to get revenue out of this and it’s going to end up costing them.”

Lindy Sander is the neighbor who lives two miles west of the proposed facility.

“The $18 million question is, ‘Is this proposal realistic?’

“We fully realized a long time ago that that corner is going to be developed.”

She then asked for a show of hands of those supporting development of what is the intersection of two state highways. About half raised their hands, she reported.

“To stretch this another mile down Pleasant Valley Road and down Hamilton is not in the best interests of the residents.

‘”It is the McHenry County Board’s job to protect (the county’s ambiance), the country living we fight for.”

Kathy Francis was next.

She was “concerned about the funding model.”

She supported development at the corner, but warned that the environmental damage “will be irreversible.”

People “know they can’t get home at night. Please let us delay the vote,” she requested.

“How many signatures would you need on a petition to show the majority of citizens don’t want this SportsPlex?” she asked, but Koehler indicated she should not expect an answer during comment time, that it was not a debate.

The comments had reached the thirty minute time allowed by the Rules, so the Chairman asked if there were a motion to extend it. There was and it passed on a voice vote.

Next up by Keith Kamper, a 19-year resident.

He argued there were “far too many questions to go forward on this thing.”

Kamper then cited statistics form Barrington’s, Libertyville’s and Orland Park’s sports complexes.

He pointed to “16 full-time jobs in the three sportsplexes.”

Next in line was former Lakewood Village President Julie Richardson, recently appointed as a village trustee.

She pointed out that the board was “not here to consider the merits. We have jumped through every hoop we possibly could.”

What was being considered by the board was “exactly the same as when yo approve it.

“We really believe this will be an environmental showcase.

“We have the chance to improve greatly the traffic flow in this county.”

“Put yourself in our shoes,” Keri Decard pleaded.

“How would you feel?

“Don’t do to us what you would not do to yourself.”

= = = = =

Tomorrow – What the County Board members said during debate.

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.

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:

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.

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.

After an Executive Session, Village President Erin Smith appointed former Village President Julie Richardson and Blake Hobson, former Nunda Township Trustee and McHenry County Board member, appointed Ways and Means Vice Chairman of the McHenry County Republican and a member of GOP Chairman Mike Tryon’s Chairman’s Circle.

Richardson, who did not run for re-election and supported Smith’s candidacy to replace her as village president last year, is in sync with Smith’s vision of developing the area around the intersection of Route 47 and Route 176 as a SportsPlex.

Hobson also has economic development experience as a member of the Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority, an appointment made by the McHenry County Board, and as a board member of the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation.

The UIRVD Authority provided $55 million in financing for the Huntley Centegra Healthbridge. Ambulatory Care Center and medical offices. Before moving to the Woods of Turnberry, Hobson served as Nunda Township Republican Central Committee Chairman.

He runs the family business, Image Industries in Huntley.

Hobson has also emceed the Crystal Lake Kiwanis Little Miss Peanut pageant and raised the second highest amount (($1,310) in the club-sponsored St. Baldrick’s Day children’s cancer research fund raiser.

Eleven people applied for the two vacancies that resulted when Trustees Dorothy and John Pfeufer sold their home and resigned as of May 1st:

• Rick Clark of Country Club Additions
• Carlie Dubbeck of Turnberry
• Chris Fox of the Hills of Turnberry
• Bill Horvath of Georgetown
• Alan Kanabay of Turnberry
• Don Miller of Loch Glen
• Gary Sexton of Red Tail
• Steven Stavropoulos of Loch Glen
• Bill Wayne of Turnberry

Smith decided the two replacements should come from the West side of town, as did the two they replaced.

“Geography came into play,” she said.

She said that she was looking for “municipal governmental experience.”

The vote on the appointments was 4-1 with Pfeuffer ally Ken SAntowsk being the dissenting vote.

Next spring four of the seven trustee spots will be up. There will be three 4-year terms and one 1-two year term at stake. Candidates will have to specify which they are seeking on their petitions.

The outgoing Lakewood Village President is Julie Richardson. You see her above (second from the left). Sitting to her right is Julie Hansen, the village clerk. To her left is Village Administrator Catherine Peterson and Village Attorney Richard Flood.

For the rest of our lives, my wife and I shall be grateful for her successful effort to ban leaf burning.

We can now leave our bedroom windows open during the fall and couldn’t before.

When Richardson decided to retire, two candidates filed for office.

Former Village Trustee Erin Smith was one.

She grew up in Country Club Additions, the part of Lakewood between Crystal Lake and the Crystal Lake Country Club and Wedgewood. Smith now lives in Turnberry and has a responsible job at Motorola which allows her some flexibility to work from home some times.

She campaign hard, especially in original Lakewood. You could tell by all the signs.

The other candidate was John O’Hara, who has been involved in the zoning end of village government. I received no campaign literature from him.

I observed both at a village board meeting concerning the budget. Both asked good questions, but there was obvious posturing from both sides in front of an audience that exceeded the number of people who usually go to Crystal Lake City Council meetings.

There is continuing tension between Lakewood and Crystal Lake.

A suit over sewage treatment fee payment, which I suspect is just making the lawyers money, remains outstanding, goes on. A court settlement seems to be the only answer.

Afterward, maybe the two neighbors can move on.

The opportunity for providing more rational fire protection services exists for both municipalities, if anyone can dampen down the hostility Crystal Lake officials seem to feel when Lakewood decided it would be cheaper to create its own fire department, rather than pay for a level of fire protection that commercial and high rish Crystal Lake needs, but residential Lakewood does not.

The election is over and the results show a convincing victory for Smith.

She got 62% of the vote with O’Hara receiving 38%.

The vote totals were 434 to 268.

It’s that time of year in the rural parts of Crystal Lake.

Leaf burning time.

This smoke was blowing across the Crystal Lake-McHenry Blacktop from the first lot in Covered Bridge Trails.

It was thick and would soon be thicker, because it was starting to rain.

I am so glad that Lakewood Village President Julie Richardson led the movement when she was still a trustee to ban leaf burning in town.

It used to be that people would burn along the sides of Lake Avenue. At times the smoke obscured the road.

It was worst than a blizzard.

The worst part was that one could not leave one’s bedroom windows open during what could arguably be labeled at the best sleeping nights of the year without contaminating the air in the room.

And, if you had asthma, you’d best move out of town to protect your health.

Today, leaf rakers were making their first attack on the droppings of the oak-hickory forest where we live.

They’ll have to do it every week between now and the first week of December, the last leaf pickup here.

How I long for a return to the way leaves were picked up by Veugelar’s with a vacuum-powered tube and deposited into a truck.

Just rake the leaves to the side of the road. No putting them into containers and bags.

So much more convenient.

Anyone running for Lakewood village board who wants my wholehearted support can promise to re-instate that leaf collection method.

It’s that time of year in the rural parts of Crystal Lake.

Leaf burning time.

This smoke was blowing across the Crystal Lake-McHenry Blacktop from the first lot in Covered Bridge Trails.

It was thick and would soon be thicker, because it was starting to rain.

I am so glad that Lakewood Village President Julie Richardson led the movement when she was still a trustee to ban leaf burning in town.

It used to be that people would burn along the sides of Lake Avenue. At times the smoke obscured the road.

It was worst than a blizzard.

The worst part was that one could not leave one’s bedroom windows open during what could arguably be labeled at the best sleeping nights of the year without contaminating the air in the room.

And, if you had asthma, you’d best move out of town to protect your health.

Today, leaf rakers were making their first attack on the droppings of the oak-hickory forest where we live.

They’ll have to do it every week between now and the first week of December, the last leaf pickup here.

How I long for a return to the way leaves were picked up by Veugelar’s with a vacuum-powered tube and deposited into a truck.

Just rake the leaves to the side of the road. No putting them into containers and bags.

So much more convenient.

Anyone running for Lakewood village board who wants my wholehearted support can promise to re-instate that leaf collection method.