Elgin puts plenty of projects on hold for now

The Elgin City Council passed its budget last week, the largest item on their to-do list for 2009.

What's next for 2010?

The question might be, what's not?

The council has put on hold a lot of items and issues while combing through their $277 million spending plan for 2010.

Some things to watch for in the coming year:

• Will the city enact a pit bull ban? Scores of pit bull lovers have protested the city in past months, but there is nothing on the table for the council to consider - yet.

• Will the city get red light cameras? The city has been studying this for two years and seems close to getting some locations on Randall Road equipped with cameras.

Mayor Ed Schock said last week he still believes they are a deterrent to people running lights and causing accidents. And with the city short nine patrol officers, extra enforcement would be a plus.

• What is the future of the Hemmens Cultural Center? Over the summer, the city got back a consultant's study of what to do with the aging facility to make it more competitive. But with the economy in the dumps, the study was put on hold. I'm sure it will be brought out this year sometime because if the city waits too long, it could become outdated or the surrounding conditions with venues like the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates could change.

• Will the council take a stand on video gambling? A lot of surrounding towns have banned video poker machines, but Elgin is taking a wait-and-see approach for the state's gaming board to draw up formal regulations. Elgin is in an odd spot: the have a very successful casino already, but video poker could hurt the Grand Victoria's already diminishing bottom line. If the city bans video poker, they lose out on their cut of the poker profits.

• Will the city develop a dog park? This trial balloon was floated before the city's Parks and Recreation Commission a while ago but was shelved when city had to cut costs and lay off people to balance the budget. But Elgin is a city of more than 100,000 people with two skate parks and two hospitals. Surely there's a place for a dog park.

These are just a few items up for 2010.

It's that time of year again

It's time to start thinking about nominations for Elgin's annual Image Awards.

Nominations are due to the city's Image Advisory Commission by Jan. 25, 2010 in preparation for a ceremony March 11 at the Centre, 100 Symphony Way.

The city recognizes people, organizations and businesses in five categories. Nomination forms can be accessed at cityofelgin.org under the link that says "2009 Image Awards Nomination Form."

If you need a hard copy or have questions, call Sue Olafson at (847) 931-5601.

In my time covering Elgin, I have reported on two Image Awards nights and they have both been wonderful.

It is a time for the city to recognize people from all walks of life who have put their hearts, minds and passion into making the city a better place.

• Harry Hitzeman covers Elgin, South Elgin and Gilberts. E-mail him at hhitzeman@dailyherald.com or call (847) 608-2719.