No plan, no cash for Round Lake Park
I am deeply concerned that our mayor, Jean McCue, and members of the village board are trying to sell the idea of strapping a $1.5 million bond on the back of our residents in this time of deepening recession. The sales pitch they are using is that the residents will see no change in their cost of living. When the old water main bond is paid off, we will just renew it and have a nice lump of money to do with as we see fit. We know we need some sewer replacement and some sidewalk repair, but $1.5 million? I believe we should finish paying off the water bond and then pass the savings along to the residents at least until the economy turns around. There are foreclosed houses and people losing their jobs everywhere in our town. Our seniors are struggling because their investments are not returning enough money to pay their bills. At this time it is our responsibility to help our residents survive this time of recession. I have heard about the plans we have for our main street redevelopment and I have seen the recorded minutes of the meetings. There is not a clear plan outlined in any of the recorded minutes and I would be embarrassed to bring such an idea to the residents without a clear, well-thought-out plan. We do not need another election time promise. The minutes appear to be made up in my opinion. There are many cost effective ways Round Lake Park can market and redevelop its few remaining parcels of land with out placing a burden on our residents. Our village accountant, Lee Howard, estimates that our village will be $700,000 in debt at the end of 2009. Who let this happen? Two and a half years ago our books were balanced. A debt of this size does not just sneak up on a village. Somebody has to be accountable. If we were to let this group continue our financial management for the next four years at this pace we will be a little over $1.8 million in debt.
I find the similarity in the amount of the new bond requested and the projected financial shortage ironic. The residents will again lose and have to find quality jobs, shopping and services out of town. I suggest passing the savings on to the residents and revisiting the bond issue when the economy turns around. Let's finally put our heads together and put forth a clear plan for redevelopment of our shopping district that does not cost the resident millions. It is time we consider the well being of our seniors and less fortunate residents a number one priority in this time of recession.
Bill Baczek
Round Lake Park