Northwest suburban mayors take a look forward
Arlene Mulder, Arlington Heights: I am looking forward to the opening of the Lexus dealership, which should help boost a resurgence of our sales tax. Also the opening of the new grocery store (owned by Roundy's Supermarkets Inc.) on the site of Lattof Chevrolet. Obviously we need the sales tax, but that community has missed having a grocery store since the closing of the Jewel at Arlington Market. I promised them years ago we would get another grocery store.
Karen Darch, Barrington: I hope the first Barrington Arts Festival over Memorial Day weekend -- May 29 and 30 -- will be a great new event for the Barrington community.
Robert Abboud, Barrington Hills: Obviously with the situation with the economy you know we're looking at how to continue to maintain really sound financial stability in this area. We want to make sure we do not overtax our residents. At the same time we want to continue to provide the highest quality of services that we're known for. We're going make some changes in some of the ways we do things in order to achieve that.
Mike Kelly, Bartlett: I look forward to reopening the Bartlett train depot, which will be the new site of our historical society. Remodeling of the station, which dates to our village's founding, represents years of hard work by community members and will provide a focal point for our downtown.
Elliott Hartstein, Buffalo Grove: I do expect the highlight of 2010 to be signs of economic recovery with beginning of economic activity and development or redevelopment in the Milwaukee and Dundee corridors before the year ends. I also expect or at least hope for a personal highlight to be seeing the Board begin to work as a team and to put some of the tensions and personal disagreements of this past year behind us.
Robert Kellermann, Deer Park: Now that the Vehe Barn has been restored and grounds developed, there is a great opportunity to use the Vehe Farm for a community event such as an "October Fest" in 2010. The village has sacrificed to create the Vehe Farm facility. Now we will plan an event to invite the whole community to celebrate the fall and the completion of this project.
Martin Moylan, Des Plaines: I am anticipating that 2010 will be a productive year for our community, particularly in the area of flood control/protection measures. Due to actions taken by our city council during the 2010 budget planning process, we will be accelerating the Stormwater Master Plan from a 10-year to a 5-year plan. With the addition of a sewer use fee, flood projects once anticipated to come into fruition in 2017 will now be a reality by 2013. Additional revenue added to the city's rear-yard drainage program will allow residents throughout the city to have relief from flooding as new storm sewers are installed from the street to various backyards. In addition, I am proud to say that we will continue to work with the Army Corps of Engineers on the Phase 1 Des Plaines River Projects, specifically, the Big Bend Lake Reservoir Expansion. Also, beginning in 2010, residents will be able to take advantage of the city's enhanced Flood Rebate and Sanitary Sewer Lateral Programs. These two flood mitigation/prevention projects offer additional financial assistance to residents looking to solve drainage and sewer backup problems.
Craig Johnson, Elk Grove Village: The highlight for this coming year in Elk Grove is our ability to continue to provide the best services to our community. We are going to continue to have community events to bring everyone together and enjoy that sense of community. In these tough times it's more important than ever to have village functions. People can't afford to travel or spend on social events, so that's why we are not cutting back. We will still have our concert series, tree lighting, parade, international bike race, youth splash parties, fireworks on the Fourth of July and at Rotary Fest, our DARE program and so many other community events. Finally, for the first time in over a generation, no airport issue to deal with!
Rod Craig, Hanover Park: The ongoing enhancement of commercial properties. I am particularly interested in economic development and bringing initiatives to closure through public and private cooperation. I also believe that we will see an increase in pride in Hanover Park as we acknowledge the good efforts of our youth in the community and schools. We are especially reaching out to the young families of our community to encourage participation in youth programs. We are building scholarship funds through the Hanover Park Park Foundation and with other youth organizations.
Bill McLeod, Hoffman Estates: Recent interest in vacant retail and business locations within Hoffman Estates encourages us to look forward to expanded economic development within the village in 2010. An increase in development provides residents with enhanced business service options. This will also increase the village's current revenue base, which will allow us to continue to provide high-quality public services to our residents and businesses. The village's elected officials and staff will continue to work with local, regional and national business interests to promote investment in the village.
Jack Tatooles, Inverness: Residents can expect continued enhanced services from our new police department. This first year the department went through a learning and community introduction process that has been well received by residents. As a result the department will continue to provide excellent service next year and continue to be more engaged with Village residents in the spirit of true community policing. Residents can expect further emphasis on infrastructure maintenance. This year we resurfaced 15 miles of streets. That emphasis on maintaining this Village asset will be continued into next year.
Kevin Richardson, Lake Barrington: The village will take significant action on three major public works projects in 2010. First, construction on the Route 14 and Pepper Road traffic signal and lane additions will begin this spring and should be completed by early summer. This project represents a combined effort on the part of the village, the state of Illinois and the developer of Northpointe property (Lake Barrington Fieldhouse). Once complete, this project will increase the safety of the intersection and add to the economic viability of Pepper Road as a commercial corridor. Second, design engineering will begin on the Woodland Bridge in Flint Lake Estates. The new bridge will be designed to federal and state standards and the village has been successful leveraging federal funds for more than 75 percent of the cost of this improvement. Finally, the village will begin a site planning process for the open space that has been acquired over the past two years through the village's Open Space Initiative.
Maria Rodriguez, Long Grove: During these tough economic times, I'm very excited we've been able to keep our economic development plan in motion, especially our Sunset Grove development which includes a Sunset Foods. We expect that to open this coming year. Our downtown renovation is also moving forward.
Irvana Wilks, Mount Prospect: Mount Prospect will continue to see progress on the redevelopment of Randhurst Village. Thanks to Casto Lifestyle Properties as the developer, it is one of the only projects of its nature moving forward in Chicago and the suburbs. Mount Prospect will open two public safety facilities: Fire Station 14 on Kensington Road; and an Emergency Operations Center attached to the Public Works Building.
Jim Schwantz, Palatine: We will work toward the development of a long-range strategic plan by the village council with resident input to guide village into the near future.
Dolly Vole, Prospect Heights: We are excited about projects in 2010, providing they have anticipated grant funding. We have received a go-ahead under the Safe Routes to School program for 2,500 feet of sidewalk on Schoenbeck Road near Palatine Road. It's funded through the state. A water main extension along Camp McDonald Road has to be made permanent. And we're trying to go green and get residents to realize our newsletters cost money and get them to sign up for the e-list. And we are trying to improve communications with town hall meetings. And the committees we started will bear fruit: Economic and business development; flooding and streets; and finance. We've had the water committee for a long time.
Ken Nelson, Rolling Meadows: I believe the highlight of 2010 will be the end of the recession on Main Street. I hope that the high rate of foreclosures comes to an end, that businesses get back to hiring and that people have a sense of confidence restored.
Bradley Stephens, Rosemont: It is my hope that we will make significant progress in establishing some businesses in the entertainment center. We are very close to having shovels in the ground and believe that this will be the beginning of another economic shot in the arm for Rosemont. It's my hope and belief that we will continue to have as good of an attendance at the Allstate Arena because of continued good bookings of top performers.
Al Larson, Schaumburg: Hopefully there will be a resurgence in retail sales and automobile sales. If there's enough of a resurgence in business travel bringing people to our hotels and in the sales tax, hopefully in the fall we'll be able to reduce or eliminate the property tax.
Kathleen Leitner, Tower Lakes: First, I am looking forward to the adoption of our updated comprehensive plan. Our plan commission has put in innumerable hours to come up with an active plan. In addition, I look forward to the launching of the recently incorporated Tower Lakes Community Foundation. Fourteen residents have gathered to create this new project vehicle. As always, I look forward to TLIA's annual Fourth of July celebration. This event brings home residents old and new, from far and wide. It is a celebration every Tower Laker enjoys.
Judy Abruscato, Wheeling: The opening of Superdawg, which will probably be at the end of this year or early 2010 and the opening of our new fire station and police station. All of those are very big for our community.
• Coming next week: Mayors reveal what the toughest decisions of 2010 will be.