Mt. Prospect asked for $50,000 for centennial celebration
By Steve Zalusky
Mount Prospect's Centennial Commission requested seed money from the village for its centennial celebration in 2017. But it is also asking that residents and businesses contribute toward the effort to defray the village's costs.
Commission Co-Chair Jean Murphy, appearing before the village board Tuesday, requested the village authorize the commission to spend up to $50,000 from 2015 to 2017, including up to $10,000 for website development, up to $30,000 to hire an independent contractor to provide historical and relevant content to a new commission website that will be linked to the village's website, and up to $10,000 for the production of posters, T-shirts and other materials.
She said the commission would be able to repay the funds by the conclusion of 2017.
Murphy said the 11-member commission plans to raise funds by selling sponsorships, T-shirts and commemorative posters, as well as encouraging residents to purchase "shares" in the centennial and allowing residents and businesses to contribute to the decoration of a working village fire hydrant that will remain painted for at least 18 months.
The village board was supportive, with Mayor Arlene Juracek telling Murphy there was general concurrence, while expressing practical concerns about such matters as the cost of the website and the paint that would be used on the fire hydrant.
"We are only going to celebrate 100 years once and I think it would be expected that the village is going to contribute some funds toward the celebration," said Trustee Paul Hoefert, who said the founding families should be recognized.
At Tuesday's meeting, Murphy highlighted some of the activities planned for the celebration, including the recreation of the signing of the village's papers of incorporation in the restored Central School in February 2017, dedicating a lasting memorial to the founding families during the 2017 Oktoberfest and a fire hydrant painting event in the fall of 2016.
She also said the commission hopes to link with other community events and organizations, such as the Special Events Commission, with its annual holiday tree lighting festivities, and the Historical Society, with its annual house walk.
"In the tradition of Mount Prospect, we want everyone to pitch in and play a part in the celebrating of Mount Prospect's centennial," she said.
Asked by Trustee A. John Korn about the cost of the decorative fire hydrants, Murphy said the commission was looking at charging $125 per fire hydrant. They would also need to supply their own paint - the commission would work with local suppliers from whom they could buy it.