Triathlon will go on in Lake Zurich

The Village of Lake Zurich and the Lake Property Owners Association (LPOA) are very disappointed with the Daily Herald's editorial, "Triathlon déjà vu," which appeared in the June 21 "Saturday soapbox." It simply missed the mark and left a false representation of the actual events surrounding the triathlon.

Eleven years ago, the Lake Zurich triathlon was launched by the LPOA as a not-for-profit event. Until this year, a local resident had handled promotion of this not-for profit event and the triathlon maintained its homegrown flavor, benefiting from the volunteerism and community spirit that naturally surrounds such an event. Unfortunately, without notice to or discussion with the village or the LPOA, the triathlon name was sold to a for-profit Chicago-based race promoter. The new race promoter made it clear to both the village and the LPOA that the Lake Zurich Triathlon would become a for-profit event, and that none of those profits would stay in Lake Zurich. When negotiations failed, the new promoters walked away, insisting they could take our village name with them.

Just to be clear, the new promoter purchased a Web site domain name, buoys and bike racks from the previous local promoter. They then tried to intimidate the LPOA into signing a new contract with no negotiable terms. To be equally clear, the LPOA has historically donated significant time and energy to the triathlon since the event first took place. It just seems cliché to have a big-city company come run our community event. It is what brings us together and sets us apart; we are not willing to compromise those community values, not even in the face of threats and slander.

Our village board, recognizing this unique opportunity to strengthen our sense of community, is strongly committed to the continuing success of this important community event and approved LPOA's request to conduct the triathlon as a not-for-profit event, thereby staying with a long tradition. We are making phenomenal progress in gearing up for this year's triathlon in Lake Zurich. Details, support and sponsorship are all falling into place and so are the hearts of the community. Receiving hundreds of support e-mails a day, we welcome individuals to stop dwelling on petty details and start gearing up for a great opportunity to get out and meet their neighbors, to be a part of something great, and honor the fact that we have a strong enough community to not let this much-loved tradition for Lake Zurich slip away.

We wish the Wauconda Park District and their for-profit triathlon sponsors all the best; why can't the Daily Herald say the same for Lake Zurich?

John Tolomei

Lake Zurich Village President

Rich Sustich

President, Property Owners Association of Lake Zurich