Streamwood's Summer Celebration an issue at forum

Streamwood Trustee James Cecille went after one of the village's scared cows — the annual Summer Celebration — at a candidate forum Monday night at the Poplar Creek Public Library.

Cecille questioned the expense in the wake of the closure of Fire Station 31 and reductions in staff due to volunteer retirement packages.

“We're going to spend $40,000 out of our pocket for police and fire, and we're not going to even put (services and personnel) back in there,” Cecille said. “So my question is why do we plan for parties, and not give back the residents their taxes?”

Cecille is one of four candidates seeking three seats on the board in the April 5 election. The others running for the 4-year terms are fellow Trustee Guy Patterson and challengers Mary Thon and Rick Brogan.

Thon disagreed with Cecille and said the Summer Celebration is nonprofit, meaning each year's event generates money for the next year's festival. Thon does not want to cut public safety at the event.

“We want to make sure everyone enjoys themselves in a safe environment,” Thon said.

Brogan, who is a park district commissioner, also doesn't see any need to adjust the festival.

“It sustains itself for year to year,” Brogan said.

Illness prevented Patterson from attending the Monday's forum, and he instead had Larry Rybicki read a written statement. Patterson, who is running for his second term, is resting at home and on his way to recovery, his wife said.

Patterson's statement boasted about Streamwood's financial position and lack of tax increases.

“My primary goal will be to provide guidance to ensure we continue on that path,” Rybicki said, reading from Patterson's statement. Rybicki did not field any questions or participate in the rest of the event.

The other three candidates were asked if Fire Station 31, on Park Boulevard, could reopen without a tax-rate increase. Last year, the village closed the station and moved the firefighters to the village's two other stations. All three said they didn't think it was possible.

The forum was sponsored by the Hanover Township Democrats and Independents and Hanover Elects Responsible Officials.