Still no answers in Elgin clear-cut
People are still asking me what happened when they see our houses from Route 19 or at the cul-de-sac on Bruce Drive.
In 2004 the city of Elgin paid Elgin Toyota $75,000 to cut all the mature trees from the area north of Feeny Chrysler to the Town and Country Nursery, a surprise to the residents of the High View Hills subdivision. Bulldozers cut up to the property lines, leaving a drop off more than 20 feet. We called the mayor, who failed to return our calls. We eventually called the city council members. Brenda Rogers came out, as well as Bob Gilliam, and then some Elgin politicians, but not without reprisals.
After the politicians left, violation letters arrived in the subdivision, like the one to 984 Bruce, citing a few articles that the homeowners had stored along their garage for parents that were moving to Elgin. That family soon moved from the area. Letters to city manager Femi Folarin remain unanswered to this day. We called a neighborhood meeting with Jerry Deering, who promised a meeting with city officials. It never happened. Instead, the city made another sweetheart deal, this time with Feeny Chrysler, paving almost up to the little stream at the south side of the subdivision to make room for even more cars. We hear loudspeakers, valet horns, and alarms going off frequently. When we ask the city to replant at least some trees, they say it is on private property. When we ask how they could cut down all of those trees while on private property, there is no answer.
I invite any and all to see the problem Elgin has caused: they have destroyed the environment for our deer, songbirds and other wildlife. We have asked the city for an erosion plan, as we have a drop-off of more than 20 feet. Town and Country, originally slated to be torn down, is now housing a hot tar and roofing business. Drive down into Hill View Hills subdivision. Google our area to see the difference between pre-2004 and 2010. If you happen to see any current or past city officials, you might ask them why they did it?
Wayne Rhoades
Elgin