Late Huntley manager remembered at interchange ceremony
During Monday afternoon's groundbreaking of the full interchange at Route 47 and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Huntley Village President Chuck Sass took time to recognize Carl Tomaso, the late village manager,
Tomaso died in 2008 and had been credited with managing Huntley's rapid growth and economic boom.
He had been village manager for 11 years and died of an enlarged heart at the age of 56.
“Carl's vision and dedication was critical to making this day a reality,” Sass said. “We all miss him and wish he were here to celebrate with us.”
A happy Monday for a local businessman: Gov. Pat Quinn also attended the groundbreaking ceremony, but not before he and his staff stopped at Butler's Restaurant for a quick bite in Pingree Grove.
“It was awesome,” said owner Louis Akiti, who did not know Quinn was coming. “The (security) guys came in and then he walked in, spoke to a couple of people, took some pictures for some people, then he had a pop and talked to some more people. He said he'll come back and see me some other time for lunch.”
As it turns out, Quinn didn't order a soda. He told me he actually had a sugar-free iced tea.
Don't call it a rebirth: After the groundbreaking, I approached Sass for an interview and mistakenly called all of the good things that have come Huntley's way — the new hospital, the interchange and a widened Route 47 — a rebirth for the village.
“I don't think Huntley was ever dead,” Sass said. “It's just a beginning, a beginning of good things to be happen. We're never going to be dead.”
Find some bargains: First United Methodist Church in West Dundee is holding its fall rummage sale on from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 8
The church is located at Fourth Street and Route 72.
Items for sale will include clothes, books, holiday items, bedding, antiques, toys, records, tapes and more.
For information, call Elaine Rathjen at (847) 426-3298.
Ÿ Lenore Adkins covers Carpentersville, the Dundees, Huntley, Hampshire, Fox River Grove, Cary and Sleepy Hollow. To reach her, send an email to ladkins@dailyherald.com or call (847) 608-2725.