Larson reveals Schaumburg's top 10 of 2012
Theatrics and showmanship played strong roles in Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson's annual state-of-the-village address to the Schaumburg Business Association Tuesday morning.
Presented as a David Letterman-style “Top Ten List,” Larson touched on the highlights of 2011 and the most anticipated happenings of 2012. He received assistance from village staff and some comical videos — including a mock 1940s newsreel.
Number 10 was the partnerships the village enjoys with other governments as well as private organizations, while number 9 was the economic development Schaumburg is enjoying.
Woodfield Mall General Manager Marc Strich made known during the breakfast event at Chandler's Banquets that the mall saw the most traffic this holiday season in years, though actual sales figures have yet to be reported.
The village is expecting several new restaurants this year, including a Longhorn Steakhouse at 1901 E. Golf Road and Tortas Locas Restaurant at 1433 W. Schaumburg Road. Both are scheduled to receive village board approval later today.
Police Chief Brian Howerton helped the mayor report on number 8 — public safety — by revealing that Schaumburg's crime rates were the lowest the past three years of any of the 36 years for which records are kept.
Howerton said the police department reorganized recently to increase both its efficiency and effectiveness.
Number 7 was the preservation and enhancement of properties in the village's historic neighborhood near Schaumburg and Roselle roads — including the Turret and Schweiker houses — while number 6 was the upcoming May 2012 debut of the Schaumburg Boomers baseball team.
“The wait is finally over and we'll soon hear again the cry, ‘Play Ball!'” Larson said.
Andy Viano, general manager of the Boomers, said the team hopes to be a major draw for Schaumburg.
“We hope to make the Schaumburg Boomers something you can all be proud of,” Viano told business leaders.
An animation video narrated by a disgruntled high-wattage light bulb told the story of Schaumburg's number 5 achievement — environmental sustainability.
Number 4 focused on the village's transportation goals, including the extension of the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway and the completion of full Interstate 90 interchanges at Barrington and Meacham roads before 2018.
Community Development Director Julie Fitzgerald helped share why living in Schaumburg — number 3 — was something she was looking forward to this year. She unpacked a large trunk of things she'll be able to use when she moves to the village, including a tennis racket at the Schaumburg Park District and a Kindle at the Schaumburg Township District Library.
Her presentation was followed by 11-year-old Joshua Kiesel, who jumped out of the trunk to talk about the arts scene in Schaumburg — number 2 on Larson's list.
Joshua, a frequent performer at the Prairie Center for the Arts, joked that the opportunities he's enjoyed in Schaumburg had given him a resume longer than Kevin Bacon's and put him only one degree of separation from Larson.
“I'll be sure to mention you in my Oscar speech,” he told the mayor.
As his number 1, Larson chose last year's re-election of himself and his current board of trustees, whom he felt made much of the rest of the list possible.
“You can't get things done alone,” he said. “You need good people behind you. Harry Truman once said, ‘Believe and you're halfway there.'”