Wheeling, Prospect Hts. mayors hopeful 2010 will be better

It's been a tough year for Wheeling Village President Judy Abruscato - one that included village layoffs and the elimination of holiday lights and Fourth of July fireworks.

That's why she's looking toward the future.

"2010 began with positive signs, like the opening of Superdawg which we waited and waited for," Abruscato said. "The turnabout in the village of Wheeling has started."

Abruscato and Prospect Heights Mayor Dolly Vole gave their State of the Village and City addresses at a Wheeling-Prospect Heights Chamber of Commerce lunch this week.

Businesses that have opened or are close to opening in Wheeling include the House of Bread in the Garden Fresh Plaza, Sugar Hills Bakery at 532 Dundee Road and Christina's Deli in the Dunhurst Plaza, Abruscato said.

Besides new businesses, Abruscato touted Wheeling High School's new focus on math, science and engineering. Next year the school will offer classes that most high schools don't, including metal working, computer engineering and architectural design.

"What a plus for Wheeling, what a plus for this whole area to have a school like that here," she said. "You should be very proud."

Prospect Heights suffered similar cuts in 2009.

The 2009 budget of $13.6 million compares with $24 million at one point in the last four years, Vole said Friday. To compensate the city is down two department heads, City Hall is closed on Fridays and public access to the police department has been eliminated.

Vole expressed gratitude for the sacrifice of city employees, who are taking 30 days off annually without pay.

The city does not have a property tax except for police pensions and cannot institute one without a vote of residents, who last April rejected a tax for police protection.

"We do need help from the legislature and our residents," said Vole.

City vehicle sticker prices were doubled, said Vole, with passenger vehicles now $70.

Like Abruscato, Vole expects a brighter 2010 and outlined construction projects, including the Camp McDonald water main, which is a permanent, larger connection for water from Lake Michigan to replace a temporary one; the Levy 37 project; $150,000 in street repairs funded with federal stimulus money; and $250,000 in sidewalks along Schoenbeck Road from Viola Lane to Willow Road through the Safe Routes to School program.

• Daily Herald Staff Writer Deborah Donovan contributed to this report.