Argiris gets right down to business in Wheeling

New Wheeling Village President Dean Argiris plans one meeting to explain trustees’ priorities to the village plan commission and another to make peace over Chicago Executive Airport with Nick Helmer, mayor of Prospect Heights.

The joint meeting between the village board and the plan commission will be May 30 and the meeting with Helmer May 13, Argiris said Monday after Cook County Clerk David Orr led him in the oath of office.

Argiris, who defeated incumbent Judy Abruscato in last month’s election, said the plan commission should learn where the board stands on development issues.

“We want them to understand our vision so we can work together and get everybody excited,” he said.

“What is our commercial base? Is it the (vacant) Wickes property (which the village owns)? It was a couple years ago, but maybe next to village hall is not our base any more.”

The board expects another update soon from its chosen developer, which has failed to meet past deadlines.

Other development questions on his list include areas that have been annexed recently such as Industrial Lane near the airport, Jackson Drive and land by Wheeling High School. The village’s comprehensive plan is 12 years old and should be reviewed every five years, he said.

Wheeling and Prospect Heights jointly own the airport, which straddles the border between the two municipalities. Earlier this year Helmer announced his choice to chair the governing board, which was in opposition to Abruscato’s choice. In turn, Prospect Heights officials have said Wheeling is not living up to an agreement to share sales taxes paid by businesses on the airport property.