Sugar Grove village candidates discuss growth

Getting businesses to come to Sugar Grove is key to improving life in the village in several ways, according to village board candidates who spoke at a forum Thursday night.

The forum was organized by the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and held at the Sugar Grove Public Library. Before the questioning of the village candidates, candidates for Kaneland school board, the Sugar Grove park board, the Sugar Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District board and the library board were allowed to make short speeches. So were Kane County Forest Preserve President John Hoscheit, speaking about the district’s referendum to borrow $30 million to buy land, and Sugar Grove President Sean Michels, on a referendum seeking permission to negotiate electrical service contracts on residents’ behalf.

Four people are running for three 4-year terms on the Sugar Grove village board: Incumbents Mari Johnson and Kevin Geary, and Mark Buschbacher and David Paluch.

The moderator asked them first about the village’s cutting impact and transition fees to encourage property development, in light of Kaneland school district talking about having to cut another $1 million out of next year’s budget. The impact and transition fees are assessed on residential properties, and are intended to cover some of the costs of adding people, especially during the lag time between when a property is developed and when its increased value shows up on tax bills. Sugar Grove children attend school in the Kaneland and West Aurora District 129 districts.

“That is a very touchy issue,” Paluch said. “I understand the importance of transition fees.” He suggested reviewing them on a case-by-case basis, and to focus on bringing more business to the village. That way, property taxes will increase, he said, benefiting the school districts.

Johnson agreed that the best way to help the school districts’ bottom lines is to bring in more commercial and industrial development, which don’t add students and their costs. “That should be our first step,” she said. “I think that is the best way to do what we can to grow Sugar Grove and assist the school district.”

Geary noted that a McDonald’s is opening in Sugar Grove this summer. “McDonald’s is a flagship-type commercial business that other businesses want to follow,” he said.

Buschbacher, agreeing with the others, also said that pushing to get a full interchange at Route 47 and I-88 could help the problem; that would make commercial trucking more viable, which would encourage businesses to build in Sugar Grove.

Johnson also saw Route 47 as a plus, as well as the Sugar Grove Airport (technically in Aurora), Waubonsee Community College’s business development center and access to I-88. “Yes, things have been slow, but Sugar Grove is still here and we want you to take a look at us, because we are in a great location.”

Geary said village officials should work on building synergy between businesses, such as attracting parts makers for existing businesses.

Buschbacher said the key to getting the daytime population of the town up, whether it is workers or people passing through, is to get the Route 47-I-88 interchange.

“That will change the dynamics of where we are in our little shell right now.”