Momentum key in Elgin green movement
Momentum is big in sports, and it will be huge if Elgin is going to forge ahead on its path toward sustainability.
"This could take decades to do," Mayor Ed Schock said. "Maintaining the momentum, maintaining the interest, involving new people as some people leave, getting more people on, is going to be a challenge."
More than 100 people have volunteered to serve on one of nine standing committees to help craft and implement a sustainable, green master plan for Elgin.
So many people have signed up that the city has a waiting list, city spokeswoman Sue Olafson said.
One challenge is to get residents thinking beyond walking or biking more or using compact fluorescent light bulbs.
To that end, the Elgin Climate Change Organization (ECCO) will kick off Rain Barrels on Parade at 1 p.m. Saturday in the rotunda of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave.
As with the library's 2005 Dinos on Parade, community groups will decorate 50 of the 60-gallon barrels that will be displayed around the city on June 1 and auctioned off on Aug. 1 at FoxFireFest.
Barrels are typically used to collect rain, reduce tap water use and water bills, and decrease the stress from runoff and erosion.
Some have questioned why the city council would spend $100,000 on the consulting firm EDAW/AECOM to lead the sustainability effort.
Royce Blackwell, a volunteer on the transportation committee, said a fresh perspective often is needed for a project for a large community.
"They come in with no baggage, no preconceived opinions," Blackwell said. "If you're going to do anything of this scope, typically you need a change agent."
Schock said the city struck a chord with residents and the effort so far is truly grass roots.
"The community in some ways may have been ahead of the city, which is often the case," Schock said. "Hiring the firm and moving forward with the effort has excited and caught the imagination of the community. I think people are very, very fired up."
For details about the city's sustainability effort, visit cityofelgin.org or call (847) 931-5601.