Dr. Jim Willey's Web Log

Coming To a Town Near You!

2007-09-06T09:42:00.000-05:00

Earlier this year, I was interviewed by a bright young lady who had been awarded a one year grant to write a book about urban sprawl. It turns out her book is almost complete. Her name is Gina Olszowski, and you can visit the pre-release website for her new book at http://www.atownnearyou.com/.

She tells me that the people she interviewed and the towns she visited for the book have all been given pseudonyms. She wanted her book to have a universal appeal, rather than focusing on specific people or places.

Well, it will be interesting to see if Gina uses a few quotes from our meeting in her book. I hope the actor who plays me in any future documentary is taller and skinnier.

The Greatest Show on Earth

2007-08-01T09:29:00.000-05:00

It won't be long now. Our Elburn Days festival is right around the corner. For three days each summer our dynamic little community feels like the center of the universe.

This event, sponsored by the Elburn Lions Club, is really a tribute to all of our community volunteers. Many dedicated people work hard each year to make Elburn Days into a fun event for the entire family.

If you haven't already, mark the weekend of August 17th, 18th and 19th on your calendars. Come on out to Elburn and experience a bit of Americana that is slowly fading away.

When I look really close at the NASA picture above, I can almost picture the tents going up, and the parade units getting in line. Elburn Days is a fun time for all. Come on out to Elburn and and enjoy the weekend with us.

Rocky Mountain High!

2007-07-12T18:11:00.001-05:00

A very nice lady from Australia took this picture of me last summer. I was hanging off the back of a Rocky Mountaineer train meandering somewhere in the Canadian Rockies. I call these "curvy train" shots, because after the photo is cropped it doesn't look like the photographer is actually riding on the train in the picture. Plus, many times you can capture a mirrored reflection of the landscape on the side of the train itself. It is very cool when you get a reflection shot just right.

So much has happened in the last year that it's difficult for me to fathom all the changes. Rest assured, our community has always been in good hands. We have a dedicated village board and an excellent village staff that makes running Elburn a pleasurable experience. I appreciate everyone who has been patient with me as I have adjusted to my new life.

One constant remains. I love our town, and I still want to see it grow "Better and not just Bigger!" If you see something that needs fixin' in Elburn, let me know about it. We'll get right on it. Or, even better, get involved with the solution yourself. That's how we used to do it in the "old days," and that method still works today.

Typically, the mayor gets blamed for most anything anyone doesn't like about Elburn. That's OK with me. Just make sure our trustees and staff get credit for everything that's wonderful about our town. They deserve all the credit. Enjoy the rest of the summer, and see you all at Elburn Days.

Memorial Day in Elburn

2007-06-01T12:12:00.000-05:00

It is always an honor to play Taps for our veterans on Memorial Day. I learned to play Taps as a youngster, and continue to do so to this day.

Mary Herra of the Elburn Herald took this picture at the Memorial Day ceremony held at Blackberry Cemetery this year.

The challenge of playing Taps is to pick up the "cold" horn, and play each of the 21 notes of the bugle call perfectly.

It is more difficult to do than one might imagine. I remember as a child that even the bugler at President Kennedy's funeral missed a note.

I would also like to recognize Bruce Conley for his efforts. Bruce just shows up each year to play the "echo" refrain on his trumpet.

Bruce and I have been doing this for so long now, that there is little reason to practice. We both share a sixth sense about the song that is touching.

Thank you to everyone who came to the service this year. It was a wonderful event to honor those who have served. We were also reminded that the freedom we enjoy today was secured by our veterans, many of whom paid the ultimate price.

Spring Has Sprung

2007-05-08T12:28:00.000-05:00

From sun-baked bulbs these tulips grew,

Heads tossed by passing breeze.

Fine ladies dancing tall and true,

Doing whatever they please.

When tulips grace our meeting,

We know that spring is here,

And their show however fleeting,

The eye and senses cheer.

From Angie's Tulip Page

Arbor Day in Elburn

2007-04-25T15:38:00.000-05:00

Come help celebrate Arbor Day in Elburn on Saturday, April 28th at 10:00 a.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial on E. North Street, just east of Village Hall.

The first 150 attendees will receive a seedling tree to plant in your own yard, and you can help the Village finish planting a few more trees at the Veteran’s Memorial.

A guest speaker from the U of I Extension Office will be on hand to talk about the Emerald Ash Borer that has now invaded our community. We encourage the public of all ages to come out and enjoy this fun event.

The Village of Elburn is a Tree City USA community and this is the eighth consecutive year we have proudly been certified for this award.

However, be advised that we won't be planting any palm trees in Elburn,.. yet!

Commuting on the Village of Elburn

2007-02-06T10:41:00.000-06:00

Commuting on the Village of Elburn, Union Pacific, early morning ride.

Fifteen cars and a hundred and fifty riders.

Three conductors, coffee, Tribunes and Sun-Times.

All along its eastbound trip, the train pulls out at a decent clip.

Rolls along past houses, stores and fields.

Passing towns with suburban names, distribution yards full of Toyota dreams.

And folks who should have parked more carefully.

Good morning America, how are you?

Don't you know me, I'm your Metra son.

I'm the train they call the Village of Elburn.

I'll be gone forty-four miles when the trip is done.

(With apologies to Steve Goodman and Arlo Guthrie)

You Never Leave Any Wider

2007-01-19T20:29:00.000-06:00

Fisherman's Inn looked particularly charming last Tuesday morning just before our CMAP workshop, and after a 2-inch snowfall had fallen the previous evening.

OK, so the story goes like this. The food at Fisherman's Inn is specially formulated to stack vertically as you eat. So, eat all you want when you visit. You may leave a little taller, but you won't leave any wider.

I've heard that story told many times at Fisherman's Inn. I was asked to repeat it for our CMAP guests. I don't think they believed me, but it was worth all the groans.

Participants Map Elburn's Future

2007-01-17T19:21:00.000-06:00

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning held a second successful workshop yesterday at Fisherman's Inn. This week the emphasis was on mapping, and our local participants were challenged to design their own Elburn of the future. At the end of the 3-hour exercise, scores were calculated that represented the relative value of each team's planning efforts.

Each planning team made their Elburn "bigger," but some future Elburns scored "better" than others. That seems to be the challenge. We know Elburn is going to grow in the future, but can we make it a "better" town when we get there. The destination of future growth should be worth the effort.

In the photo above, Darlene Marcusson, Tom Runty, Jeff Pelock and Gary Augustine draw out their ideas on paper maps, before converting them to the computer design program.

Once again, the CMAP facilitators were well-prepared and did an excellent job. And, I believe our "citizen planners" truly enjoyed mapping out our future success.

Listen Up, Community Planners!

2007-01-11T18:59:00.000-06:00

CMAP Planning Director Ty Warner keeps the fresh ideas flowing, as he facilitates his table of Elburn notables. Ty is in the center with the laptop. To his left are Kaneland School Board President Lisa Wiet, Elburn Village Administrator David Morrison, Elburn Trustee Gordon Diershaw, and those wireless voting hands belong to Elburn Village Attorney Bob Britz.

Actually, I'd bet this table of participants gave Ty a run for his money, because any one of the individuals mentioned above could facilitate their own Elburn planning table.

CMAP put on a great event for Elburn. Many of the attendees told me they really enjoyed the day, and couldn't wait for our next session. CMAP Community Planning Redux, let's redo it!

CMAP Workshop a Visionary Experience!

2007-01-10T19:02:00.000-06:00

Elburn Trustee Bill Grabarek gets ready to vote with his wireless keypad at Elburn's recent CMAP Planning Workshop. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning staff of high-tech facilitators guided over 5o participants in a truly interesting community visioning exercise yesterday at Fisherman's Inn.

Who knew community planning could be this fun?

Our participants selected aesthetic design, housing variety, and the opportunity for transit-oriented design as top priorities for future Elburn.

Using the keypads, audience preferences were tallied in a matter of seconds.

Next Tuesday, CMAP returns to Elburn for a follow-up workshop. So, that means even more sophisticated planning technology is on its way to Elburn. We'll be there, and thanks CMAP!

And A Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T18:13:00.000-06:00

Well, it's a good thing this little penquin doesn't live in Elburn, because his feet wouldn't be that "happy." His feet would be downright "toasty" with the balmy snow-free weather we have been experiencing in Elburn.

The year 2006 was a good year in Elburn, and many things were accomplished by your village government. Here's a short list:

Our Metra commuter service started last January.
Our two WRT trace radium removal facilities went online.
We began a stormwater infiltration and inflow study.
We studied several pedestrian overpass options.
A new building commissioner was hired.
Structural ditch repairs were completed at our WWTP.
We helped negotiate Kaneland impact fees for a small corner of future LaFox.
We received a $16,200 railroad safety grant from the ICC.
A national night out against crime cookout was held.
A special census set our population at 4721.
Our Building and Zoning Department moved downtown.
Meadows Phase 2 senior condominiums were approved.
New motor controls were installed at the WWTP.
New magna rotors and scum skimmers were installed at the WWTP.
$175,000 of sidewalk repairs were completed.
Our two Prairie Valley North water towers were cleaned and coated with mold inhibitor.
A Kenmar Woods annexation agreement was approved.
A new community service officer was hired.
A new administrative assitant was hired.
Jewel began construction on their new store.
We purchased two squad cars and one "very sharp" police pickup.
We purchased three small pickups for our building department.
And, our Metra station building was completed.

I am very proud of the accomplishments of our village staff. I am also truly humbled to serve with an exceptional village board. Our village board consistently takes the needs and wants of our entire community to heart. They set the broader goals, and let the village staff do the work.

It sounds so simple, but in reality it's a political rarity. We all owe our village board a debt of gratitude.

Merry Christmas!!

2006-12-25T11:31:00.000-06:00

Here's a photo from the Hancock Building train set. That's Hermey the dentist on the right. I watched the claymation "Rudolph" again this year, and his name is definitely "Hermey," not "Herbie." Hermey must be a life member of the ADA by now. I'll have to check with the membership department after the holidays.

"Blogger" has been going through some beta testing and conversions, and I haven't been able to blog any pictures for the past month. Today, the software seems to have healed itself, so I may be back in business. Thanks for your patience.

Let's hope we get some "flurries" today in Elburn, because I do miss the snow on Christmas. I don't miss the plowing operations, but a little snow would definitely make it feel more like Christmas in Elburn!

Elburn Remembers Akron

2006-11-21T18:34:00.000-06:00

Last night our Elburn Village Board paid its respect to Akron, our one and only police dog, who recently died. Akron retired in 2005 after 6 years of faithful service to our community.

Akron's partner/trainer Brian Schopp was presented with a commemorative plaque, and a duplicate plaque will be displayed at our police department.

Mike Anderson, Dave Gualdoni and some of their friends, who remember Akron fondly, also attended our presentation.

My favorite story about Akron was the time when his barking into a police radio actually convinced a hiding suspect to come out of a corn field.

I also witnessed several demonstrations where Akron could detect and identify specific odors coming from what appeared to be sealed containers.

These dogs are truly amazing animals. Akron will be missed in Elburn.

Magna Rotors Are Rooting

2006-11-19T20:49:00.000-06:00

Over the past year, 4 new magna-rotors have been installed at the Village of Elburn waste water treatment plant. It isn't glamorous work, but the replacement of these vital components were necessary to keep our plant operating at peak efficiencies.

The village board has been very serious about our commitment to keeping our treatment plant in good shape.

Our Public Works Superintendent Art Sanchez has been in charge of the repairs at the plant, and our new operators from Baxter-Woodman have really been helping us understand how to best tweak and configure our plant for the future.

Processing waste water is a village function we all take for granted, that is, until there is a problem. More repairs and refurbishments are coming. Fortunately, our village board has supported our staff efforts to take good care of our plant.

Chicago at Night

2006-11-12T18:33:00.000-06:00

Here is a view looking south from the Signature Room of the John Hancock Building in downtown Chicago. The shot was taken through thick glass, and I had to hand-hold the camera, which wouldn't be my normal preference for a night shot.

Our ADA Council meeting concluded this weekend, and now our staff goes back to work completing the meeting paperwork. Fortunately, we are almost completely digital at the ADA, more so than the Village of Elburn, but even that is changing rapidly in the municipal environment.

The decorative lights that illuminate the "Magnificent Mile" flip on next Saturday. The holiday time of year is really creeping up on us.

Nice Event at Emma's Pub

2006-11-07T17:58:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I had the honor of cutting the official ribbon at Emma's Pub and Cantina. I was joined by the owners, Mike and Kathleen Alvarez. Our very own Building Commissioner Jim Stran, Village Administrator Dave Morrison and Fire Captain Al Isberg were able to join in with the fun.

After all the pictures were taken, we enjoyed a tasty Mexican buffet that was free for all the grand opening patrons.

Now, here's a scoop on the Elburn Herald. I kept my inquiring blog reporter eye on "their" staff members for a change. And, they were getting a little on the rowdy side at the back corner table. Now, I suppose putting that in my blog will get me in trouble with the local press, so I better offer a retraction right away.

In truth, my sources tell me only one of the Herald staffers was being a little silly, and frankly, that particular person has been seen acting goofy at the Chamber dinners I've attended as well. That usually happens when I sit anywhere near her. She knows who she is.

Hey, a great time was had by all, the ribbon was cut, the pictures turned out, the food was tasty, the hospitality was excellent and the conversation was delightful.

Stop in sometime and visit Mike and Kathleen Alvarez at Emma's Pub and Cantina in downtown Elburn. It's well worth the trip.

Now That's What I'm Talking About!

2006-10-29T20:01:00.000-06:00

OK, now I've cropped and enhanced the previous photo, so you can defnitely say you have seen the Sears Tower all the way from Elburn.

On a Clear Day...

2006-10-29T19:34:00.000-06:00

On a clear day,... you can see forever. Just to the left of the white silo directly on the horizon is a small speck. That speck is actually the top of the Sears Tower seen from the Johnson's Mound's sled hill southeast of Elburn.

Elburn is 40 plus miles due west of downtown Chicago. Next month, I have a dinner with the ADA Council on Dental Practice scheduled at the Metropolitan Club on the 67th floor of the Sears Tower. I doubt that I'll be able to make out Johnson's Mound from that reverse vantage point. We will see!

Out of Context

2006-10-08T20:53:00.000-05:00

A recent letter to the editor took me to task for referring to a future Elburn pedestrian overpass as "a set of stairs up, and a set of stairs down." At the meeting, I was actually attempting to describe a particular pedestrian overpass that I had seen up in Canada.

I took a picture of it on a recent trip just to show it to the board. Unfortunately, the quote in the original newspaper article was taken "out of context," and now the letter writer is confused.

When our village board looked at the total number of steps required to cross our tracks at the Metra station, we were initially concerned. We didn't think that people would climb that many stairs just to get across the tracks.

So, then we looked at the option of building a tunnel under the tracks. However, we quickly found that a tunnel was cost prohibitive to build. There were also security and unfavorable soil testing issues associated with this configuration.

That brought us back to reconsidering possible overpass designs. And, our village board specifically talked about using ramps, switchbacks and landings to make the overpass easier for people to climb. For whatever reason, most of the newspapers left that part of our discussion out of their stories.

Throughout this "feasibility" study process, the village board has consistently expressed a concern about the eventual height of the overpass, the total number of steps, and the ultimate "user friendliness" of the anticipated design.

All this is a moot point, because we have been informed that the county has lost interest in the Elburn pedestrian overpass. Supposedly, there has been too much "public conversation about this thing."

I guess "loose lips" can sink a pedestrian overpass, too. Except, I always thought I was in the "public conversation" business. I guess not?

Care for Wildlife Begins in Elburn

2006-10-06T19:38:00.000-05:00

Village Trustee Bill Grabarek and I enjoyed a visit last weekend to the Fox Valley Wildlife Center. We attended an open house for the center located in our own Elburn Forest Preserve.

My wife Cathy loved animals. Before her illness, she volunteered at the center, and took several wildlife rehabilitation courses herself.

A significant portion of Cathy's memorial funds were donated to the center.

The Fox Valley Wildlife Center is an excellent charity located in our own backyard, one worthy of our donations and support. Check it out.

The "E" Is for Elburn

2006-09-26T20:27:00.000-05:00

Arvid Hormuth designed the Elburn logo many years ago. Its likeness adorns Village Hall, our water towers, the badges of our police officers, and now, the new Metra station.

The "vertical rectangle" represents our commitment to the downtown, and our desire to keep the Route 47 central business district strong.

The "circle" represents the "circle of life." It reflects our desire to create a community for residents of all ages. We would like our residents to be able to live their entire lives in Elburn, selecting homes from a variety of housing styles and price points. We have always wanted to be community with multiple housing options.

The "square" represents our desire to build inside the natural wetland boundaries that surround our community. We want to build "inside the box" first, and not support development that sprawls off into the cornfields.

Finally, the "triangle" symbolizes our desire to stay on the "cutting edge" of principles consistent with both conservation and transit-oriented design.

I feel sad when some, not all, of our newer residents refer to themselves as residents of the "community" of Blackberry Creek. They imply that Blackberry Creek is separate from the Village of Elburn.

Without hundreds of hours of collaborative effort, without a willingness to welcome newcomers to Elburn, and without a reasonable developer willing to make compromises, there would be no Blackberry Creek.

It is easy in hindsight to second guess the decisions that were made. The planning process that determined the Blackberry Creek development was fair, open and honest. The maps defining the project have been publically available at Village Hall for anyone who wanted to see them.

Not only do we know what our agreement says, we know what we meant it to say. To ask us to change our minds, to something less than the agreement itself, is asking us to reinvent the past and violate a signed annexation agreement.

After the Storm

2006-09-22T19:13:00.000-05:00

We had to set off the outdoor warning sirens tonight, but fortunately no tornado activity materialized near Elburn. We just received approximately 2.5 inches of rain in 90 minutes.

After the storm, comes the rainbow, maybe even two rainbows. Hey, the "pot of gold" looks like it's over near my house. I gotta go!

Work Continues at Well #5

2006-09-19T19:52:00.000-05:00

Work continues at Well #5 installing Elburn's third trace radium removal system. The facilities at Wells #3 and #4 are both completed and online. Each of these facilities were constructed utilizing a single tall filtering vessel. Well #5 incorporates the tandem vessel configuration shown in the picture above.

Once completed the vessels are filled with Zeolite, a proprietary medium that absorbs the trace levels of radium found in our deep well aquifers like a giant sponge.

The Zeolite is incredibly efficient at removing trace levels of radium from the water. Even with the high volumes of water that flow through the vessels, the Zeolite only needs to be rotated and replenished on a yearly basis.

Many people have asked me what was the biggest challenge I faced being the mayor of Elburn. This is it! Getting the trace levels of radium out of our water supply was a huge, and largely overlooked and unheralded, challenge.

It's easy to nit-pick the Village Board, and presume to tell them what they are doing wrong. This was a project with tremendous long-term implications for our village. I think they handled this one right.

Ich bin Berliner

2006-09-12T21:59:00.000-05:00

Here is my son David's photograph of the Leningrad Siege Memorial published on a kiosk in the Anne Frank Zentrum in Berlin, Germany. If you look at a close-up of this shot, you can even read his name printed in the credits.

When David returned from Russia in 2005, I posted some of his best photos on the same Flickr website I use to store pictures for the mayor's blog.

Last June, we were contacted by Julia Franz from Berlin, who asked to use David's picture in their exhibit.

The staff at the museum had searched the internet for a photo of the dramatic seige memorial. David's picture was one of the best pictures they found.

David immediately granted his permission by e-mail from the University of Chicago, and I sent Julia a high resolution copy of the photo.

All of the details were worked out in about 48 hours, and Julia told me they were ecstatic to accomplish both the photo selection and the permission so quickly.

From St. Petersburg to Elburn to Berlin, we are all connected. And, without the mayor's blog, this whole chain of events probably doesn't happen. Cool! Blog on!

Leningrad Siege Memorial

2006-09-10T00:09:00.000-05:00

In 2004, my son David took this picture of the Leningrad Seige Memorial during his 6-month stay in St. Petersburg, Russia. During World War II, St. Petersburg, then called Leningrad, was surrounded by the German Army for 900 days. Over 600,000 residents of Leningrad died during the siege, but the city never surrendered.

David is back in St. Petersburg again this school year improving his Russian after being selected by a national fellowship program. Last spring, he graduated from the University of Chicago obtaining both his Bachelor and Master degrees in four years.

In my next post, I will explain how David's photo "flickred" around the world, and ended up in a museum in Berlin.

New Crown Gusher at Prairie Park

2006-09-07T22:12:00.000-05:00

We have a new crown gusher at Prairie Park. They tell me the fountain has lights, but I've yet to see it lit up at night. We must be having some technical difficulties with a timer or sensor somewhere.

The bad news is the prairie flowers around the lake are sparse this year. The good news is the hardy grasses have finally come in strong.

Anyone who suggests that growing a native prairie is easy hasn't tried to grow one in Elburn.

I have to admit, after this much effort, a big old mower seems like the logical solution. Maybe we are just trying too hard.

Elburn Metra Station Taking Shape

2006-09-04T18:09:00.000-05:00

It has been a long time coming, but the new Elburn Metra station is beginning to take shape. Last spring, Cathy picked the color scheme for our train station.

The folks from Metra dropped off a literal "ton" of brick, flashing, shingle, mortar and tile samples at our home. Although many of Cathy's first choices weren't available, she kept making choices until Metra finally said "Stop!"

It is comforting for me to look at our station, and know that Cathy picked the colors. Over the last 15 years, Cathy was an ardent supporter of the Metra extension to Elburn. She constantly reminded me of the added value Metra service would bring to our community.

She was right, and we are just now seeing the "tip of the iceberg" of the benefits of having Metra in Elburn. All aboard!

Take My Picture

2006-08-30T19:36:00.000-05:00

Cathy and I took a spectacular trip to Canada right before she died. First, we flew to Vancouver. Then, we rode the train up to Jasper, took a coach tour down to Banff, rode the train back to Vancouver, and eight days later, flew home.

One of the stops on the coach tour was at the Columbia Icefields. Walking on the glacier was like walking on a giant snow cone. It was slushy, squishy and cold.

Now, you have to have known Cathy, but she really didn't like to have her picture taken. I can't remember her ever asking me to take her picture in 30 years of marriage. But strangely, on this day, she said, "Jim, take my picture."

Here's the shot. We used it on the program for her funeral, and it was picked up and published in several local newspapers including the Chicago Tribune.

Did she know more standing on top of that glacier than the rest of us? We will never know, but it was almost as if she had said, "Jim, take my picture, I think you're going to need it."

When I look really close, I can see my image reflected inside her sunglasses. Cathy was my best friend, and the best of her is still very much reflected inside of me.

I'll be back at the village board meetings in September. I appreciate all of the kind condolences that I have received from our community.

I especially appreciate the extra effort our village staff and board have put forth in the last two months. And, the staff at the American Dental Association have been wonderful to me as well. Thank you all.

The Trains in Canada Are Even Longer

2006-08-28T20:23:00.000-05:00

The CN and CP freight trains climbing through the Canadian Rockies are even longer than the UP trains that blast their way through Elburn each day.

I am hearing that the chances for our village to establish a formal quiet zone are on the rise.

There is little doubt our board will jump at the chance to invest in any additional safety measures required that would stop the train whistles in Elburn.

Sanity and safety can co-exist if we're allowed to replace a 19th century anachronism with 21st century technology.

Not an Elburn Retention Pond

2006-08-27T19:43:00.000-05:00

This is not the Elburn retention pond behind my house. Rather, it is a view of Peyto Lake in the Mistaya Valley of Banff National Park.

The remarkable blue-green hue of Peyto Lake is caused by the suspension of rock flour sediments in the glacial melt.

Cathy and I saw many beautiful vistas during our last trip to the Canadian Rockies in June.

This was perhaps the most inspiring.

Blue Angels over Navy Pier

2006-08-23T20:36:00.000-05:00

Sometime you just get lucky! Here's a shot of the Blue Angels buzzing their namesake Navy Pier at the recent Chicago Air and Water show.

So much has happen since my last blog. Not the least of which was enjoying the Elburn Days parade in the pouring rain.

There is so much to tell. Perhaps a little blogging will be therapeutic. Stay tuned.

Impact Fees Could Save Your Life

2006-02-08T20:16:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's true, impact fees could actually save your life, or the life of someone you love. Here, Elburn trustees Tom Burgholzer (L) and Craig Swan present a check for $105,660.53 to Elburn and Countryside Fire Protection District president Jim Feece and fire board secretary LeRoy Herra (R).

ECFPD Chief Kelly Callaghan was standing just to the right of LeRoy Herra. But, the flash made him blink in both of the pictures, so I had to crop him out. Sorry, Kelly, I'll take a few more shots next time.

Library Receives Impact Fees

2006-02-07T21:28:00.000-06:00

Also on Monday night, Elburn trustee Jeff Humm presents Town and Country Library Board president David Burroughs with an impact fee check totaling $66,123.19. Elburn historian Larry Martin, library board member Dr. Dorothy Dirks, and Elburn trustee Gordy Dierschow seem pleased as well.

Impact fee agreements are negotiated as part of a community's annexation process. They help reduce the property taxes required to keep good government running, especially in areas affected by growth. When communities prematurely incorporate farmland, they lose the ability to compel the payment of impact and transition fees when that property is eventually developed. The end result is higher property taxes for everyone.

I can't imagine a situation where Elburn would annex open land without knowing in advance exactly what is going to be built on that land. Then, and only then, would we negotiate the best impact fee agreement possible for the benefit of our regional taxpayers.

I believe communities that ignore this "common sense" advice, and do so willingly, are acting irresponsibly. They place us all at peril for higher taxes or reduced services in the future.

It is unfortunate that the Campton Hills "activists" apparently do not understand this basic axiom of smart local government.

Fees Make a Big Impact

2006-02-07T06:57:00.000-06:00

Last night, Elburn trustees Jeff Metcalf (L) and Bill Grabarek presented Lisa Wiet, president of the Kaneland School Board, with a check for $1,007,082.03. These impact fees were collected over a 16 month period. They were generated chiefly from the development of B & B's Blackberry Creek subdivision in Elburn.

It's not every day you get to to sign a $1 million check, so before the meeting all of the Elburn trustees took turns signing this important check.

I didn't see any hands shaking that badly, because impact fee checks for the children in our Kaneland School District are a pleasure to sign.

Sometimes a Photo Just Happens

2006-02-04T19:37:00.000-06:00

Sometimes a good photo just happens. Dave Morrison tells me that I shoot my photos with the subject in the center too often. So I took this picture off our deck with Dave's critical analysis in mind.

I don't think this winter is through with us just yet.

Politicians Get to Vote

2006-01-23T17:06:00.000-06:00

Politicians get to vote, but Executive Directors and Village Administrators, like Phil Pagano and Dave Morrison, get to do the work. Dave Morrison (on the left) has done a great job managing the Metra project for Elburn.

I'd say he's my right-hand man, but I'm left-handed. I wouldn't want to be mayor without Dave on my team. You do a great job, Dave. Congratulations!

He Believed in "Our" Dreams

2006-01-23T16:41:00.000-06:00

Phil Pagano is the outstanding Executive Director of Metra. Phil has always taken a personal interest in our village. When Phil speaks, things start happening.

Elburn will always be indebted to wonderful man who believed in "our" dreams.

Senator Lauzen Checks In

2006-01-23T16:17:00.000-06:00

Illinois Senator Chris Lauzen has always been a friend to Elburn. Way back when, Chris was the Battalion Commander for his Marmion Academy ROTC unit. You have to be an outstanding young leader to earn that gig.

I wish I understood why Sen. Lauzen sponsored SB 2933. In order to appease a few Campton Hills "zealots," he's really got the rest of us in central Kane County "scratching our heads." Chris don't help the "tail wag the dog" in Campton Hills. And, don't think for one second that this is all about Elgin. This issue is about way more than just Elgin.

Elburn Trustees Enjoy a Metra Pose

2006-01-23T14:34:00.000-06:00

Elburn's trustees are noticably proud of the Elburn coachyard and ceremonial engine. I was told that Metra Engine 162 will be renamed the "Village of Elburn" very soon.

We looked all over for Trustees Craig Swan and Jeff Humm. They were both at the ceremony, but obviously missed out on the photo opportunity.

We'll just have to get dressed up again, and go out on a sunny day for group hug when the new "Village of Elburn" lettering arrives.

Elburn Well Wishers Greet the Speaker

2006-01-23T14:20:00.000-06:00

After the ceremony Speaker Hastert stayed a while to greet well wishers from Elburn. Here Elburn trustee Gordon Dierschow gets his chance to greet the speaker.

Speaker Hastert Explains It All

2006-01-23T14:06:00.000-06:00

US House Speaker Dennis Hastert addresses the standing room only crowd at Elburn Village Hall.

Metra Chairman Jeff Ladd looks on intently, probably dreaming of another New Start Project in the Chicagoland area that needs some critical funding from Washington DC.

Just kidding, Chairman Ladd.

Warming Up in the Bullpen

2006-01-23T07:06:00.000-06:00

Our ceremonial train warms up in the Elburn coachyard. It won't be long now until the all the Metra officials, dignitaries, politicians and press arrive in Elburn. It's going to be a great day for Elburn!

Still Plenty of Parking

2006-01-23T06:48:00.000-06:00

At 4:40 am there was still plenty of parking available at the Elburn Metra Station. It looks like past Village President Mike Stoffa is counting the spaces already.

Several people remarked that the car headlights coming in on the access road reminded them of the movie "Field of Dreams."

I'd say we have more than a few transit oriented dreams for those fields around Metra.

Which Way to Chicago?

2006-01-23T06:27:00.000-06:00

I hope the Metra engineer isn't asking for directions to the Olgilvie Transportation Center. I'd say head for the sunrise, if you can find it.

Say Cheese!

2006-01-23T06:19:00.000-06:00

Village Trustee Bill Grabarek and I snap pictures simultaneously, while Ivanka Grabarek and Darlene Marcusson share a laugh.

First Train Out!

2006-01-23T05:57:00.000-06:00

What a nice surprise? Village photographer Mary Herra and I got to ride the 4:48 am first train out of Elburn. We just took it to Geneva, and then hitched a ride back to Elburn.

We weren't planning to do that, but it worked out nicely. Here are a few the inaugural riders that shared a first ride with us. That's Norm Berquist hiding under the brim of his hat.

Five Little Engines That Could

2006-01-22T15:34:00.000-06:00

Five Metra engines apparently headed the wrong way await their inaugural runs from Elburn to Chicago. The new Metra service begins tomorrow morning from Elburn and LaFox.

This brings a 48-year passenger train hiatus to an end in western Kane County.

"Ding"

"Elburn, you are now free to fly into Chicago on Metra."

All Aboard!!!

2006-01-22T12:24:00.000-06:00

The Metra "ceremonial" UP West Line Inaugural train is plugged in and waiting for tomorrow's festivities at the Elburn coachyard. Get ready, because we will sure take hundreds of pictures of this "bad boy" then.

Tomorrow, I plan on grabbing my D50 and heading out to meet and greet the 4:48 am commuters. I don't think I'll be riding because there is just too much to do back at the village to get ready for the 11:00 am ceremony. I will try to post a picture of the first train out of town on the mayor's blog as soon as I can.

One thing is sure. Tomorrow is sixteen years in the making. Let's enjoy bringing passenger train service "back" to Elburn. All aboard!!!

And It Comes Out Here...

2006-01-21T16:22:00.000-06:00

Last Tuesday night, Steve Anderson of Water Remediation Technologies (WRT) presented a tour of our trace radium removal facility at Well #4 for members of the Elburn Village Board, and the press. The facility itself is as impressive, as it is simple.

Basically, municipal well water at 1000 gallons per minute filters through a giant vertical zeolite filled cylinder that captures and absorbs the infinitesimal levels of radium and barium from the water. This leaves the water itself unchanged, yet purified from the process. As part of its lease agreement with the village, employees from WRT will manage the spent media for us. Eventually, once contaminated, it will be removed and stored in a federally approved low level waste facility.

This may sound like overkill, but remember that radium removed from public water supplies with the ion exchange method or the lime softening method is simply released into our streams and rivers or tilled into our farm fields.

Frankly, if the Federal government says that trace levels of radium is too dangerous to drink, then what are we doing spewing that same level of radium all over the environment?

The lime softening method was estimated to cost over $14 million for Elburn to implement. Ion exchange would have cost us over $7 million. The WRT zeolite process cost Elburn less than $2 million to implement, and thanks to a $500,000 grant obtained on our behalf by Speaker Dennis Hastert, we were able to fund the capital costs of this project with no loans.

Our radium removal facilities at Well #3 and Well #4 have passed their bacteriological tests. We are adjusting each of the units, and they should both be online soon. The radium removal unit for Well #5 at Blackberry Creek is being installed by the developer, and it too, should be completed by midyear. With a little luck, by August, 2006, this entire issue of trace levels of radium in our water will be a distant memory.

Of all of the issues I have faced as mayor, I believe this one was the most difficult. I didn't know how we were going to solve this mandate without making our municipal water rates increase exponentially. I am so proud of our village board and engineers, and their willingness to drop everything to evaluate a new technology. The savings for all of us are substantial today, and will continue far into the future.

Chief Linane Sworn In

2006-01-19T21:07:00.000-06:00

Tonight, Elburn Police Chief Jim Linane was sworn in as the President of the Kane County Chiefs of Police Association. Jim is the first police chief from Elburn to be elected to this position.

During Chief Linane's acceptance speech, he emphasized the power of professionalism within our police departments.

Jim has done an outstanding job coming to Elburn from Carol Stream where he served for many years. He has truly transformed our department into a model for "excellence" within our community.

Chief Linane is the kind of leader who anticipates problems before they happen. For his outstanding efforts representing our village, I am always quite thankful and proud.

Choose Your Goal!

2006-01-17T08:15:00.000-06:00

In 2006, the Village of Elburn will be shooting at many new and exciting goals. Here is a "priorities list" of the important projects we will be working on this year:

Continue Waste Water Treatment Plant repairs focusing on numerous deferred maintenance issues.
Utilize additional leased space at American Legion Hall, and continue village space needs analysis.
Work with UP, ICC, IDOT and Metra to establish Elburn quiet zone.
Continue to work with our municipal neighbors interested in negotiating boundary agreements.
Work with US Census Bureau to complete special census.
Complete build out of Elburn Metra station.
Complete Vulnerability Study, and begin Emergency Action Planning process.
Complete SCADA evaluation study.
Begin Waste Water Treatment Plant expansion study, possibly with village funds that will be recaptured later.
Complete Well #5 radium removal facility.
Begin Phase I Metra pedestrian overpass study, hopefully after obtaining Kane County Small Cities Grant.
Supervise construction of Elburn Jewel Foods Store #3347, anticipating opening prior to Thankgiving, 2006.
Begin rewrite of Village Personnel Manual.
Compete Elburn Police Department Policy and Procedures Manual.
Complete Phase III of Sidewalk Repair and Replacement Program.
Consider a Motor Fuel Tax funded street repair project, possibly reconstructing N. First Street with sidewalks, curb gutter and stormwater improvements.
Consider updating and rewriting village website.
Consider applying for CMAQ grant to fund construction of bicycle shelter and locker facilities at new Metra station.
Complete two new baseball fields in Blackberry Creek.
Continue to work on concept and preliminary plans with Kirk Homes and Shodeen Development.

They say that writing your goals down on paper increases your efficiency in reaching those goals by 80%. I truly hope that is the case because we certainly have many significant goals to accomplish in 2006.

First Commuter Train Spotted in Elburn

2006-01-14T11:48:00.000-06:00

The first commuter train that I am aware of was spotted today in the Elburn coachyard. Evidently, several Metra employees and their families were shuttled out to Elburn to take a look at the new yard and its facilities.

It is going to be quite a sight when the entire yard is full of shining silver coaches. Let's hope they don't start them all up at the same time.

It Won't Be Long Now

2006-01-12T20:23:00.000-06:00

It felt like spring tonight, so I grabbed my D50 and tripod after dinner, and went out to grab a few shots of the Elburn Metra coachyard. It struck me that once the coachyard is filled up with commuter trains, we won't be seeing it empty like this for a long, long time.

A reporter asked me today about Metra coming to Elburn and how exciting this all must be. Actually, after all the planning and the passage of time, it seems almost anti-climactic.

Several names are mentioned in the 1990 executive session minutes of the very first Metra meeting in Elburn. We are trying to make sure that each of them is invited to our opening ceremony on the 23rd.

Some of the people in attendance that visionary night included: John Hicks, Francis James, Carl Ekstrom, Diane Hogan, Nick Keeler, Walt Tupy, Jan Docherty, John Peterson, Dean Capes, and the late Leroy Matteson.

Be careful what you wish for folks, because you just might get it. And, Metra in Elburn is a 16-year dream come true.

FLASH! ELBURN METRA NEWS UPDATE!

2006-01-06T13:28:00.000-06:00

The new Metra/Union Pacific West Line train schedules are available on the web at Metra's New Start website.

The first train scheduled out of Elburn leaves for Chicago (Olgilvie) at 4:48 am on Monday, January 23rd, 2006. It arrives in Chicago (Olgilvie) at 6:10 am.

The morning express run leaves Elburn at 6:24 am arriving at Chicago (Olgilvie) at 7:35 am for a total ride time of 71 minutes.

The evening express leaves Chicago (Olgilvie) at 5:04 pm arriving in Elburn at 6:14 pm for a total ride time of 70 minutes.

A typical all-stops "milk" run is an 82 minute ride each way.

The non-rush hour trains leave from Elburn for Chicago at 25 minutes after the hour. The non-rush hour trains leave Chicago for Elburn at 40 minutes after the hour, unchanged from the current operation.

For those seeking to ride the first trains in and out of Elburn for fun, they can take the 4:48 am train to Oak Park arriving at 5:51 am, and then return on the first train back to Elburn from Oak Park catching the 6:09 am train arriving back in Elburn at 7:21 am. I am not suggesting anyone do that, but according to the newly released schedules, it could be done.

One-way fares from Elburn to Chicago will be $5.33 for the balance of January, and then increase to $5.55 on February 1st, when the new Metra fares are implemented. These fares place Elburn in Zone I, one zone further west than Geneva.

The last train of the weekdays leaves Chicago (Olgilvie) at 11:40 pm arriving back in Elburn at 1:06 am.

Then all the Metra commuter trains "sleep" in the Elburn coachyard, until it's time to begin their round trips to Chicago again.

That Was the Year That Was!

2005-12-31T15:23:00.000-06:00

The year 2005 has gone by "fast and furious." Here is a list of highlights accomplished by our village government in the past twelve months:

Awarded contracts to construct our trace radium removal facilities at Wells #3 and #4.
Received official notice of $475,100 EPA grant award.
B and B agreed to build 2 new ballfields in Blackberry Creek subdivision at no additional cost to village.
Mayor elected NIPC Commissioner representing Kane County municipalities.
Purchased Ing-Dodson commercial lot on E. North Street.
Signed 3-year contracts for future audits and mosquito control.
Signed 1-year contract with Tri-City Family Services for employee assistance programs.
Received tobacco enforcement grant to conduct underage cigarette checks.
Published local history book "Sidewalks of Elburn" by Marilyn Robinson.
Increased water rates to pay for mandated trace radium removal commitments.
Joined new Metro-West Council of Governments.
Fred Tichenor selected Kane County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Police canine officer Brian Schopp and partner Akron retired from police department and recognized for years of service.
Held multi-day Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) planning workshop.
Officer Jeff Herra received award from the Alliance Against Intoicated Motorists.
Approved new GASB-34 Capital Assets Policy.
Fred Tichenor honored as Red Cross Hometown Hero finalist.
Village of Elburn nominated for a Red Cross Hometown Hero category.
John Krukoff and Cathleen Weiland appointed to Planning Commisssion.
Mayor's blog recognized by National League of Cities.
Made critical Metra temporary access decision with significant concerned citizen input.
Planted trees and held Arbor Day ceremony.
Modified itinerant merchants ordinance.
Repealed massage ordinance to comply with new state law.
Adopted water conservation ordinance with year-round, odd-even lawn watering enforcement.
Approved outdoor police shooting range agreements with neighboring departments.
Police department raised significant "loose change" contributions for Special Olympics.
Paved Johnson Street extension south to Keslinger Road.
Completed first $100,000 sidewalk replacement project focusing on bus stops, missing links, and southeast side.
Authorized purchase of two new Ford Crown Victoria squad cars.
Acquired future shallow well site within unincorporated Blackberry Ridge development.
Police Commander Steve Smith hired and sworn in.
Approved operations and maintainence agreement with Metra for commuter parking lot.
Agreed to contribute and approved Metra station upgrades to go to bid.
Solved shooting incident within 72 hours with help from major crimes task force.
Managed severe drought throughout summer sometimes operating on one village deep well at a time.
Celebrated opening of new American Bank and Trust building on Main Street.
Elburn Leos group selected for international recognition for service project.
Federal TEA-LU bill containing $7.6 million for future Elburn bridge signed by President Bush in Montgomery.
Compton and Polivka "greenbelt" farms purchased by Kane County for future forest preserves.
Changed utility billing from quarterly to monthly based on resident feedback.
Managed Elburn Days Parade as a village function for the first time.
Completed community pool feasibilty study.
Completed Well #4 installation with new higher capacity well pump and motor.
Approved contracts with US Census Bureau for special census in early 2006.
Offered and agreed to sponsor Lt. Governor Quinn's "Walk Across Illinois" program.
Awarded solid waste haulers 3-year contract to Waste Management holding the same price for next year with no stickers.
Mentored Philip Peterson's Eagle Scout "Victory Garden" project.
Replaced roof on Well House #3.
Replaced chemical scales at both Well #3 and #4.
Expressed displeasure with Campton Hills incorporation initiative that has the potential to seriously threaten our long-standing planning area.
Awarded Community Water System Vulnerablity Analysis study to Rempe-Sharpe.
Completed second $80,000 sidewalk replacement program because weather cooperated and funds were available.
Ordered 2 new snow plows for the public works department replacing "Old Green" for the third time.
Awarded SCADA design contract to Rempe-Sharpe.
Approved Jewel redesigned architectural upgrades as a minor PUD change with high hopes for store opening in late 2006.
Approved and began WWTP west ditch, clarifier and sludge holding tank diffuser repairs.
Mayors' blog included in Harvard's "Government Innovators" network.
Approved new Resident Parking Protection District on southeast side.
Urban Land magazine published article recognizing Elburn for using transit oriented and conservation oriented development to control growth.
Held joint Veterans Day parade and ceremony with our American Legion Post.
Conditionally approved Kirk Homes "Welch Fields" concept plan on northwest side.
CNN/Money magazine designated Elburn as "best residential bet" in "Great Lakes Horseshoe" megapolitan region.
Completed 10,510 lineal feet of street asphalt crack sealing.
Celebrated "Bucky Beaver" while he was with us, and told the truth of his demise.
Approved and awarded first village fascade grants to Express Evaluations for window and awning improvements.
Approved change in Meadows Phase 2 senior housing from apartments to condominiums.
Approved proposal to excavate Prairie Park pond that dried out during summer drought.
Approved 3-year lease with our American Legion Post to rent office space for special census and future office space needs.
Amended holiday schedule to provide 12 holidays for village employees.
Replaced 209 MXU batteries for radio remote water meter reading.
Completed conversion to GASB-34 audit standards requiring complete statement of assets in place, including 14.4 miles of water mains, 13.1 miles of streets, 17.3 miles of sanitary sewers, 13.8 miles of storm sewers, and 19.6 miles of sidewalks. These figures do not include any new infrastructure added in the Blackberry Creek subdivision.

I could go on, but let's just stop there. This list represents more than one significant accomplishment each week in 2005. All of this happens because many fine people work together to get things done in Elburn.

I am thankful for the efforts of all our department heads and employees. I am especially thankful for the dedication of our village trustees who represent and support the efforts of this wonderful organization and community.

The year 2006 will be filled with opportunity, challenge and promise. It will be a very interesting year in Elburn. Happy New Year, everyone!

Metra Getting Ready to Really Fly!

2005-12-23T15:40:00.000-06:00

The Metra Board of Directors has announced that commuter passenger service will return to Elburn beginning on Monday, January 23, 2006 after a 50-year hiatus. It is my understanding the US Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta have both been invited to attend Elburn's opening ceremony.

Ceremony details will be available after the new year, as will an updated train schedule for both the Elburn and Lafox station additions to the UP West Line.

Our ceremony will likely include a press conference and speeches at Village Hall, followed by a bus tour of the new Metra facilities. I intend to lobby for a short train ride as well. These are exciting times for Elburn, as Metra's $134 million "new start" extension culminates over 16 years of planning process and railroad construction within the Village of Elburn.

You Gotta Climb!

2005-12-16T20:46:00.000-06:00

To get to the top, you gotta climb from the bottom. Here's the "early" line on Elburn's priority goals for 2006.

First, we have to shift our focus from water to waste water. Our waste water treatment plant was an award winning facility when it was first constructed. In 2006, our treatment plant needs a little "love." We have begun some of our work there already, but next year we really need to commit to return our waste water treatment plant to "tip-top" shape.

Second, we must begin to address our municipal space problems. Soon, our village board will vote on a lease agreement to rent the main floor of the American Legion Community Center for the next three years. This is a great fit for both organizations. The Legion has been gracious with their lease terms, and we greatly appreciate their willingness to create a new synergy on Main Street. We initially intend to conduct our special census out of this facility. Then, eventually, we hope to move the village building and permit department there as well.

Our third organizational goal in 2006 will be to work with the alphabet soup of corporate and government entities that can help us bring a train whistle quiet zone back to Elburn. This is no small task, as inter-agency cooperation will be required from the UP, FRA, ICC, IDOT, and Metra. The Federal regulations allow four-quadrant gate systems, but the UP doesn't want them on the west line. Metra has offered us a photo-enforcement alternative, but the FRA hasn't approved that as a sole supplemental safety measure. You get my drift. Regardless, 2006 is the year we need to make some serious headway on solving this annoying "quality of life" issue once and for all.

Finally, next year should be the year that Elburn and several of our municipal neighbors get very active negotiating formalized boundary agreements. Four of our neighbors have expressed an interest in talking with us regarding this excellent planning tool to control growth. But, you can't rush these agreements. People need time to get comfortable with the ramifications.

Please keep in mind that the boundary agreements themselves are not a panacea. And, the greatest threat to Elburn has not come from municipalities that deal with growth issues every day. Rather, the greatest threat to Elburn has come from a citizen group attempting to incorporate a town right on top of us.

So, there you have it. In 2006, Elburn will make upgrades to our waste water treatment plant, we will expand municipal functions into a leased facilty, we will intensify our efforts to establish a railroad quiet zone and we will get going on boundary agreements. You gotta keep climbing!

The photograph asssociated with this blog is the summit of Sulphur Mountain just outside Banff, Alberta. Click here for the Banff Gondola website and live webcam.

It's Called Teamwork!

2005-12-13T21:05:00.000-06:00

My wife loves horses. So, when we visit SeaWorld, we pretty much have to check in on the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales. I have to admit that the raw power, grace and beauty of these amazing animals is undeniable.

But, where my wife appreciates the awesome sight of the fully dressed and hitched Budweiser wagon barrelling down the street, what I see is an incredible metaphor for teamwork.

Each animal knows his exact place in line, each shares the weight of the wagon load, and all pull towards a common goal following the lead of an experienced driver. There is mutual trust, and a shared vision that working together generates benefits for everyone.

Once this dynamic compilation of man and animal is set in motion, everything else simply falls into place.

So much for the "teamwork" metaphor.

Now, if we could just book an act like this in the Elburn Days parade. That would really be something!

Oh, and could someone stop playing that Budweiser theme music in my head.

'Tis the Season

2005-12-11T14:30:00.000-06:00

I have always thought that Elburn's holiday decorations on Main Street look particularly nice. This year our illuminated snowflakes have been quite effective attracting an early snow to the village.

But we can do better. Here is a picture of the Osborne Family "Spectacle of Lights" from Disney's MGM Studios this year. The Osborne display contains 5 million lights, 32 miles of extension cords, 66 roof mounted snow machines, 150 angels, 43 hidden "Mickeys," and takes 800,00 watts of electicity to power up.

I bet Elburn's Superintendent of Public Works Art Sanchez is very relieved that he doesn't have to coordinate the installation, removal and storage of a display like this each year. What do you think Art? Wouldn't this look great on Main Street? It's just a thought. 'Tis the season!

Mayor's Blog Taking a Short Break

2005-12-02T14:25:00.000-06:00

I will be taking a short break from blogging December 3rd through December 11th. For those of you visiting this mayor's blog for the first time, there is still plenty to read here about the Village of Elburn. For those of you who visit the Elburn mayor's blog regularly, I will be back really soon.

Thank you to the Elburn Herald and reporter Matt Brennan for the nice article concerning the first birthday of this blog. And, special thanks to Jim, Lisa, and Thomas Liedberg for their very kind comments and observations in the article itself.

I'm glad that Thomas was able to use some of the Civil War links posted on this blog for a school project. It seems like every time I visit a historical battlefield, I learn something about leadership that applies to the challenge of building a community today. The crucible of war brings out the best and the worst of human nature. I am always looking to learn about the "better angels" of our nature.

Say What, Son?

2005-11-28T20:33:00.000-06:00

Every father is proud of his children. So, bear with me, because here is a short story about one of my boys who has accomplished something pretty special. Andrew is a senior at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. He's majoring in the classics. You know, just like the show "Rome" on HBO, only hopefully, with less emphasis on the erotic aspects of ancient life.

Yet, in the midst of his scholarly pursuit of the likes of Julius Caesar, Epectitus and Scipio Africanus, Andrew has found time to publish his first article exploring the mysteries of the Universe in Mercury magazine. Go figure?

Mercury is the official glossy tabloid of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Andrew's article titled "What's the Matter with Antimatter?" is the lead story in ASP's November/December 2005 edition.

I'm not going to blog on any longer about what a smart kid Andrew is, but I do have one question about the article he wrote. Nonne hiems, quae incendiis magnis multisque belli inter gentes omnes inducatur, inhibeat orbem terrarum ne nimium calescat? If anyone figures that out, let me know!

PS Andrew's brother David is a pretty great son, too.

Mayor's Blog is One!

2005-11-27T09:45:00.000-06:00

The Elburn Mayor's Blog is one year old today. From the beginning, this blog has been a communications experiment. Could I keep it going? How critical would people be? Could I keep it interesting? Would it be worthwhile?

In the past year, I have published 104 entries on the mayor's blog. Several draft blogs were never published, and a couple were deleted because I just didn't like them. So, the average has been 2 blogs per week. Considering I sometimes feel like I'm working 2 full-time jobs, that's a satisfying effort to report.

When people have offered constructive criticism, I've made changes to individual blogs. Believe it or not, I've tried to be fair with my observations, but not everyone agrees 100% of the time. You can't write as much as I have in the past year, and not upset somebody. And, trying to please everyone, is the shortest route to failure.

It does seem like the blog has been interesting. The blog averages about 55 "hits" a day from all over the world. That probably doesn't sound like much to most of you, but for a web journal that is exclusively about Elburn events, news and politics, I am pretty pleased with that level of interest.

Now, has the mayor's blog been worthwhile? That is probably the toughest question to answer. I can't imagine Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power, recommending a local politician start a web log. Blogging is inconsistent with several of Greene's leadership lessons. Greene would say that leaders should "assume formlessness," and "always say less than is necessary." And, his advice is pretty sound, based on centuries of historical annotations.

So, what is the true worth of this mayor's blog. I believe its worth lies in two genuine aspirations: to provide information that Elburn residents wouldn't get from any other source, and to have some fun in this wonderful little community we call home.

If this blog ceases to be one or both of these things, it's time to stop. For the time being, with your continued support and encouragement, I shall continue. Thank you all for clicking here. Blog on...

Let Us Be Thankful!

2005-11-23T13:09:00.000-06:00

In Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union Address, he outlined the reasons for our support of the Allied nations in World War II. In his speech, Roosevelt introduced the concept of four basic freedoms to which all people are entitled: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.

Framed prints of Norman Rockwell's "Four Freedoms" hang in our village hall directly behind our village board. For me, they represent a constant reminder of why volunteering to serve our community is important. And, I am thankful for everyone connected with our village who sit through long hours of meetings to make the important decisions that affect our future together.

When Norman Rockwell finished "Freedom from Want," he was concerned that his painting depicted an overabundance in America that he did not intend. Overabundance is certainly a pervasive issue that is still a factor in modern suburbia today.

As mayor, I listen to many complaints about our village. Yet, in my heart, what I feel is incredibly energized and positive about our town.

I believe that Elburn is a wonderful dynamic community that always puts its people first. Yes, we have train horns, gun noise and traffic congestion. But, we also have friendly neighborhoods, good schools, spirited volunteers, honest merchants, faithful churches, and a low crime rate.

Our complaints are truly miniscule compared to the thanks we should be expressing to one another. On Thanksgiving, let us recognize and feel all that is good and right about Elburn. Let us be thankful!

Elburn Highlighted in Planning Magazine

2005-11-20T09:05:00.000-06:00

The Village of Elburn was highlighted in the August, 2005 edition of Urban Land magazine, a publication of the Urban Land Institute distributed worldwide. The article titled "10 Ways to Make Your Community Competitive-Lessons Learned from the Chicago Region" uses Elburn as its example for Lesson #5.

Our village was recognized as one using both transit-oriented and conservation design techiques to accomodate growth.

An illustrated version of the article was also published by the Campaign for Sensible Growth in October, 2005. This enhanced version, including a hand-drawn Elburn future plan, is available in pamphet form, and can also be downloaded off the web.

So You Think Blogs Are Blather?

2005-11-19T09:30:00.000-06:00

I was googling the Elburn Mayors Web Log this morning just to see who has linked to it recently. Lo and behold, this humble blog is footnoted in a scholarly paper written by Professor Sonya Salamon of the University of Illinois.

Her paper was presented at the Emery N. Castle Symposium "Frontiers in Resource & Rural Economics Conference." The symposium was held this past October at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. The title of her paper is "Globalization, Technological Change, Metropolitan Places, and the Hinterlands."

In fact, if you download Sonya's powerpoint presentation from the Oregon State website, you will notice that at one point in her talk she linked "live" to the mayors blog. Once again, this technology is just way too cool!

If you would like to read Professor Salamon's paper, click on the link to the paper, and look for her comments about Elburn in the conclusion section on page 15.

So if you think blogs are just blather, think again. There are people out there listening to this new technology, and interested in what we bloggers have to say.

I wondered where those Oregon "hits" were coming from?

Then Blog You Must!

2005-11-17T13:36:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Mayor Bill Gentes and his wife Christine stopped in for a surprise visit here in Elburn. For those of you who don't know, Bill is "The Blogging Mayor of Round Lake." Bill claims that searching for, finding and reading my web log was the inspiration that got him started with blogging. And, let me tell you, Mayor Gentes can really blog. I don't think he has missed a day in almost 8 months.

And, by now, I have read so much of his material that I felt like I was meeting someone for the first time that I already knew. This is one of the compelling aspects of blogging. If you choose to read our blogs, you really do get to know us. Blogging is an "open window" into what each of us as mayors are thinking. Agree with us, don't agree with us, you certainly begin to understand what makes us tick.

In December, Mayor Gentes will be representing local government bloggers as a panelist on the "blogging phenomenon" at the National League of Cities convention in North Carolina. That's really quite an honor, and I am certain that Mayor Gentes will do a great job representing all of us government "wonks" who enjoy blogging!

After our meeting, Mayor Gentes wrote in his blog that our first encounter was similar to one between Master Poe and "Grasshopper" from the classic "Kung Fu" television show starring David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine. So, in keeping with that theme, I offer the following exchange:

Grasshopper: Master, how can we find our way when all the paths seem dark?

Master Poe: The way runs through darkness. Through shadow. Neither is cause for despair. The five colors blind the eye. The five tones deafen the ear. The five flavors dull the taste. Therefore, the wiseman is guided by what he feels, not by what he sees.

Grasshopper: Master, blogging feels good.

Master Poe: Grasshopper, then blog you must!

Thank you Mayor Gentes and Christine for traveling way out of your way to visit Elburn, and for taking the time to visit someone who is as much a student of yours, as you are of him.

For more thought provoking conversations between Kung Fu's Master Poe and "Grasshopper," click here.

One More Beaver Picture

2005-11-13T08:11:00.000-06:00

I have not seen Elburn's Bucky beaver in the past 10 days. I am told we have not been able to trap him, but he seems to have figured out a way to go back into hiding as well.

Maybe, he constructed a new door into his lodge to avoid the traps? Or, maybe he tromped off for another wetland, where he wouldn't get so much attention.

Or, maybe he's just a little publicity shy, and got tired of posing? We did have some fun at his expense in the newspapers and on the radio. Maybe, he's out looking for an agent?

Regardless, he made a bigger splash in Elburn than even he could have imagined. Good luck little Bucky. I suspect that we will meet again.

Veterans Day Recap

2005-11-12T14:46:00.000-06:00

Yesterday's Veterans Day ceremony was sparsely attended, which was too bad because the weather was sunny, and we really had prepared a nice ceremony for the event.

Here Bob Britz reads off the symbolic meaning of each of the 13 folds necessary to properly fold an American flag with Jerry Lonigro and George Morris doing the honors.

Bill Grabarek read off summaries of each branch of the US Armed Forces as their flags were posted around the star points of our M60 battle tank memorial. Bill also concluded our ceremony with a touching poem about Veterans Day.

Earlier in the ceremony, Elburn Police Chief Jim Linane shared US Census facts about Veterans Day with the audience.

I gave a short speech at the memorial, and once again, was able to play "Taps" for our veterans facing east in front of the Legion building at exactly 11:00 am.

When I learned to play cornet in the fifth grade, I never thought that I would still be playing "Taps" 42 years later. But, doing so has been one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my life.

Those 24 somber notes mean so much to people. The eloquent emotion of that simple bugle call goes through me each time I play it. It still give me chills. And, it gets harder to hit the "high" note each year.

Keeping Faith with the Fallen

2005-11-11T11:00:00.000-06:00

Today is Veterans Day. Today we remember in silence the brutal noise of battle. Today we salute lost generations and stolen futures. As we gather together in ceremony, we think of endless rows of military graves in distant lands. We think of grieving parents and orphaned children. We contemplate the horror of war, and what it really means.

War is the same all over the world. War is about bloodshed and broken bodies. War is about hunger and disease. War brings mankind down to the depths. And yet, war lifts us to new heights. War is the ultimate endeavor. Everything else we are challenged with as human beings pales in comparison to war.

Today we remember our dedicated veterans and soldiers who have accepted the demands of war unflinchingly. We remember those who served, and those serving now, in spite of the risks. We especially remember those who have died in battle, that we might live in freedom.

Let us always celebrate that freedom. We, who can choose our government, and walk freely in our streets, must appreciate our liberty. Our greatest tribute to those who serve is to keep faith with the fallen, and to fiercely protect our freedoms.

Every soldier who serves is a real human being with secrets, talents and passions. Every soldier who serves has a family that loves them. Every soldier who serves has human failings and human weaknesses. Yet, each soldier who serves sacrifices their individual freedom to protect the freedom of those of us back home. Soldiers are the ones who preserve our liberty.

This is a debt we cannot and should not forget. We cannot repay our veterans for what they have done. All we can do is see to it that our land is preserved for every man, woman, and child who succeeds them.

We can do that by living civic lives worthy of the personal sacrifice of our soldiers. We can and should give back to our communities, in appreciation for all that has been given to us.

Today our veterans stand with heads held high. Our veterans are here to salute their fallen comrades. Yet we, who have not served as soldiers, salute our veterans. We salute their bravery, their honor, their determination and their sacrifice. God bless our soldiers. And, God bless our veterans.

Elburn's Bucky Beaver on "The MIX!"

2005-11-10T13:30:00.000-06:00

Eric and Kathy's radio show this morning talked about Elburn's uncatchable "Bucky" the beaver, and the pictures of him posted on the mayor's blog. After a good friend Bryan Pinner let me know what was going on, I called in and talked to Eric and Kathy myself.

Since Eric is a "highly decorated" honorary Elburn police officer, I offered to put him in charge of catching "Little Bucky." Eric wasn't sure he was up to the task, but Kathy said if anyone could catch "Bucky," it was Eric.

Eric told me that I took some really good pictures of "Bucky." And, Kathy said that "I was quick with a camera."

Eric then asked if we were offering a reward for catching "Bucky." But said, after pausing, if he did catch him, that would probably be reward enough.

Obviously, our conversation was meant to be good-natured and humorous.

Since the radio spot this morning, the "Mayor's Blog" had over 500 hits in the next 4 hours. I hope everyone enjoyed looking at Bucky's pictures, as much as I enjoyed taking them for you.

Bucky is a cute beaver. But, we do have to try to catch and relocate him before he "gnaws" down the neighborhood. Unfortunately, new homes and photogenic "beavers" don't really "MIX" that well.

Thank you Eric and Kathy for having me on your show!

Elburn Metra Parking Taking Shape

2005-11-06T10:23:00.000-06:00

The Metra parking lot in Elburn is finally taking shape. When commuter service starts sometime next January, the parking lot will have 300 spaces available. The poles visible here will support the wired numbering system for the parking spaces.

Parking will cost $1.25 per day, and the money will be placed in a numbered collection box. There will be no permit parking at either the Elburn or LaFox parking lots.

It seems like there is still much work to be done at the Elburn site, but the contractors are really moving rapidly now.

Let's hope that the weather holds up, and we continue to have mild fall.

Metra in High Gear on Elburn Platform

2005-11-06T09:17:00.000-06:00

This is the site of the future Elburn Metra platform and station. According to the mile marker, visible on the right, it is exactly 43 miles from here to the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago. Metra commuter service is scheduled to start from Elburn sometime next January.

Metra is working feverishly to complete the Elburn train platform in time for the inaugural run. The actual Elburn station building itself will not be constructed until next spring. But, Metra has assured us that they will have a temporary warming shelter available at the Elburn stop this winter.

Of course, with Elburn being the new end of the line, most commuters will be able to board the waiting train immediately. They shouldn't have to stand out in the cold for very long.

Sergeant Beaver Reviews the Troops

2005-11-05T10:02:00.000-06:00

It looks like Sgt. Beaver is reviewing his new recruits from Canada. The end of the line is looking a little ragged there, Drill Sergeant!

Right now, Sarge is probably telling them: "Dress that line, you hosers!" "This ain't no Great White North, eh!" "Take off, and you'll be looking for me in a another channel."

Don't Miss the Show!

2005-11-04T06:01:00.000-06:00

A few years back, I was so busy that I simply failed to notice the beauty of fall. It seemed like I just turned around, the leaves were down, and all the branches were bare.

Ever since then, I promised myself that I wouldn't let that happen again. So, each year I try to get out with my camera and take colorful pictures of the changing leaves of autumn.

This picture is from a small woods located not in a county forest preserve, but right here in Elburn. It's always a great spot to take pictures, and then afterwards, to sit on a bench, breathe in the cool air and reflect.

My advice is to get outside, look around and enjoy the fall colors now. We are just a little past peak color, but the leaves will be gone before you know it. Don't miss the show like I did.

We're Definitely Starting to Bond

2005-11-02T14:33:00.000-06:00

OK, it's true, little bucky beaver and I are starting to bond. The problem is he can't stay in Elburn much longer. He is doing too much damage to the neighborhood trees at night.

We never used to see him in the daytime, presumably because he was sleeping in his lodge. But, ever since we've put the traps there, he won't go home. That's actually pretty smart. So, he's out most of the day swimming in the pond or napping on the shore.

Eager Beaver Spotted in Elburn Pond

2005-11-01T20:08:00.000-06:00

Elburn's Prairie Highland beaver was in a "photogenic" mood today. Art Sanchez called to say he had spotted our eager beaver sunning himself on the shore. So, I ran over to snap his profile.

He definitely looks like a beaver, and not a muskrat, as some have suggested. I say that because I saw him "slap" his tail in the water several times with great effect. This morning I also saw the beaver let a canada goose sit right beside him.

But, needless to say, he was pretty wary of a local mayor with his camera.

Campton Headwaters View of Elburn

2005-10-31T16:03:00.000-06:00

You can see stunning views of Elburn from the new Campton Township Headwaters Conservation Area. Congratulations to Campton Township officials on their new park, trails and amenities.

People don't always realize that approximately 25% of Elburn proper is within Campton Township. Elburn homeowners on the north side of town pay additional property taxes that support open space purchases in Campton Township. This particular acquisition was an excellent choice.

The entrance to the new headwaters park is located on Beith Road, 1/2 mile east of Anderson. The sunset vistas from this spot are going to be exceptional. Be sure to check it out when you get a chance.

You Can Bet on Us!

2005-10-30T08:51:00.000-06:00

CNN Money magazine has a new story out called "The $25 Trillion Land Grab." In the article, the authors analyze Professor Robert Lang's ten US "megapolitan" regions. They predict that each of these regions are poised for a development boom that will dwarf America's post-WWII buildout.

Our "megapolitan" region is called the "Great Lakes Horseshoe." And, right there under "Real Estate Bonanza," the little village of Elburn is identified as the "best residential real estate bet" in the entire region.

The caption also states that Elburn, Ill. is "a tiny Chicago suburb set to boom after a commuter rail extension is completed by year's end."

My initial reaction to the story is that this isn't the kind of publicity Elburn really wants. We are the town that values better over bigger, quality over quantity, and sensible growth over sprawl. We are one of the only towns that talk openly about greenbelts, growth boundaries, resident life cycles, making interconnections and seeking equal access to social resources.

We don't want to be a "boom" town. In fact, we would prefer to remain a "hidden jewel." That is, a community people find by accident, then stay for the quintessential "Americana" quality of life.

But, upon further reflection my reaction to this article is a little deeper than that. I ask, if Elburn is truly the "best residential real estate bet" in the entire "Great Lakes Horseshoe," can the rest of western Kane County be far behind?

And, if that is the truly the case, then what should we do to take advantage of our regionally recognized status? There are four things that jump into my mind immediately.

First, we must do a better job working together to foster a regional consensus of our shared planning goals. Second, we must do a better job capturing the "real costs of growth" in our annexation and development agreements.

Third, we must resist the temptation to offer retail tax rebates to commercial entities that would build here eventually without them. And, finally, we must stop "shooting ourselves in the foot," by prematurely annexing farmland that isn't even under consideration for development. We naively think this is going to protect us from our neighbors, but all we are really doing is making the growth go faster.

If we are development's "best bet" in the region, then we should remember to "play that card." We should stand strong as a favored region, and not let contentious "growth issues" divide and conquer us. And, we should make the development process itself pay dearly for priviledge of building where their "bet" is a sure thing.

That's what we should do. But, making local decisions that might benefit our neighboring communities just isn't in our nature. Or, is it?

Guess Who's Joined the Blogosphere?

2005-10-28T11:30:00.000-05:00

Guess who's joined us in cyberspace? Yes, it's none other than our distinguished Congressman and US Speaker of the House of Representatives J. Dennis Hastert.

In Denny's first blog he talks about the challenges we have faced enduring a rough hurricaine season, and about the need for oil companies to build new refineries in America.

He also talks about Conoco Phillips' agreement on a new natural gas pipeline with the State of Alaska, and the need for Exxon Mobil and BP to do the same. Personally, I have my own bone to pick with some people at BP, but that's another story.

So, I offer congratulations and an "cybergenic" welcome to Speaker Hastert's new journal. You might want to bookmark this one. It's really him, with no spin and "straight from the heart." For bloggers, it doesn't get any better than this.

It's Official!

2005-10-27T19:51:00.000-05:00

This afternoon we cut the offical ribbon at the American Bank and Trust, our stately new bank on Main Street.

I mentioned at the event that I'd been in recently to the bank to cash a check, and that one of the new tellers had asked to see my identification. I told him that I was sure I was old enough to cash a check.

But, more importantly, I also related that there is one thing we talk about all the time at Village Hall. And, that is to make sure that in everything we do that we are helping to make Elburn into a "Better, and not just Bigger" community.

Growing "bigger" is easy, growing "better" takes commitment, effort and thought.

Our new American Bank bank definitely makes Elburn "better!" This building makes a dramatic statement right on Main Street that we care about our downtown. It is a wonderful facility to be admired, enjoyed and shared by everyone in our community for many years to come.

The ribbon we were holding was also woven together with five dollars bills. Those dollars were graciously donated after the ribbon cutting to the Elburn Food Pantry. The reason I look so intent is because I'm trying not to cut through the money.

Leave It to Beaver!

2005-10-27T10:30:00.000-05:00

A friendly beaver has decided to build a new lodge in the spillway between our two Prairie Highland ponds. Since being mayor, I have had to learn about many different insects and animals that share our village habitat. Some of these have included mosquitoes, geese, coyotes, rabbits, chipmunks, possums and an occassional lost emu.

But this is the first time that I am aware of a beaver building a home in one of our subdivisions. I wonder of he needs a certificate of occupancy?

A beaver, which is actually a large rodent, can be a real nuisance in a tree rich neighborhood. They are nocturnal and can easily drop several trees in a single night. Click on this link if you would like to know more about beavers and their destructive behaviors.

We are going to have to catch this beaver and find him a new home. But, before we do, I'll try to get a picture of the little rascal for the blog. Stay tuned!

I'm Lovin' It!

2005-10-24T17:31:00.000-05:00

PROCLAMATION

Whereas, Wednesday, October 26th, 2005 happens to be my 52nd birthday, and

Whereas, the Elburn McDonald's has also determined that day to be a day to "Treat Yourself!" at McDonald's, and

Whereas, I wish to share the celebration of my birthday with all of the residents of the Village of Elburn.

Therefore, I do hereby proclaim that all McDonald's hamburgers shall be sold for 49 cents each, and all McDonald's cheeseburgers shall be sold for 59 cents each on my birthday in Elburn.

In addition, the aforementioned proclamation shall be duly enforceable within the Village of Elburn for "One day only!"

Furthermore, a limit of 5 sandwiches total per customer per visit shall be deemed an adequate expression of birthday joy.

I do solemnly affix my blogging seal,

Mayor Jim Willey

Farming on the Edge

2005-10-22T14:22:00.000-05:00

Check out a recent study by the American Farmland Trust called "Farming on the Edge." Here are some of its major findings: America is losing two acres of farmland per minute. We are losing our best land the fastest, and our capacity to produce food is increasingly in the path of development.

Now here is a surprising finding: Wasteful land use is a much bigger problem than growth itself. The study reveals that over the past 20 years our acreage per person for new housing has almost doubled. It also states that since 1994, 10+ acre lots have accounted for 55 percent of the total land lost to development.

Which leads me to conclude that managing sprawl may actually have the potential to save more farmland than managing growth.

So, when someone tells you they are going to "save the farmland" by developing only 5+ acre lots with individual wells and septic systems, you really have to wonder if they have done their homework.

Large lot development "chews up" our farmland the fastest. Yes, it's an attractive life style for those who can afford it. But, developing in this singular fashion doesn't save farms, it consumes them.

The Eagle Has Landed,...on Main Street

2005-10-18T21:10:00.000-05:00

The eagle has indeed landed on Elburn's Main Street. The new American Bank and Trust building is open for your business. The building itself is a dramatic addition to the heart of Elburn's central business district.

Inside a professional group of attentive bankers are ready and willing to serve the financial needs our growing community. They even have a cash dispensing machine that reminds me of the "WOPR" computer from the movie "War Games."

Several people have remarked how quiet it is inside when the UP freight trains rumble by the southern frontage of the bank. That is an especially nice feature of this well planned building.

I understand that an official ribbon cutting for the new American Bank will be held on Thursday, October 27th at 1:00 pm. Until then, stop by and check out this wonderful addition to Elburn's downtown.

Someone Gets It!

2005-10-15T14:12:00.000-05:00

According to the Elburn Herald, a concerned resident spoke out at a recent Kaneville Township meeting. This resident stated that he didn't mind if his house was incorporated, but please don't incorporate my sod farm.

Now this person is someone who gets it. His name is Mr. Bill Dunteman, and he expressed perfectly a piece of advice this blogger has expressed publically for the past six weeks.

Mr. Dunteman went on to say that if Kaneville incorporates his farm they would be "leaving tens of millions of dollars on the table that could go to the school district."

Tens of millions of dollars is a whole lot of money for future taxpayers to have to recoup in property taxes. And, Mr. Dunteman is correct. That predicted level of loss could occur from the development of a single large farm or two.

"Incorporate homes, don't incorporate farmland" is simple and sound advice. I applaud the residents of the future village of Kaneville for listening to Mr. Dunteman, and agreeing to discuss their proposed boundaries for incorporation further.

Annexation Won't Save Farms

2005-10-11T14:18:00.000-05:00

If we could truly save the farmland with annexation and zoning, wouldn't we have done that already?

If the answer to protecting our farms and borders was really that simple, I believe that Kane County municipalities would have annexed and zoned the farmland years ago.

In the article "Protecting Farmland on the Edge: What Policies and Programs Work?" the author states, "The greatest threat to farmland,...is the rush,...to annex land."

He also states that "local governments should not rely on zoning to protect farming," and that "low-density residential development in rural areas displaces farming as surely as other (forms of) development."

Finally, he concludes that low-density rural development is "the worst kind of sprawl."

I happen to agree with him.

Mayor's Blog Goes to Harvard

2005-10-08T15:34:00.000-05:00

A story written by staff writer Jason King and first published in the Daily Herald was recently picked up by the John F. Kennedy School of Government and republished on the internet as part of their "Government Innovators Network."

The story is titled "Mayors find new way to reach constituents-Leaders find internet blogging effective, fun way to communicate." It mentions this blog, as well as a blog written by Mayor Bill Gentes of Round Lake, IL.

As a young man, I earned four college degrees from three different Illinois universities. But, the mayor's blog went to Harvard. Now, that's just cool!

Fishing in Elburn is Great!

2005-10-08T14:35:00.000-05:00

When my nephew "Mikey J" comes over for a visit, we just have to go fishing. So on a windy and cold afternoon, we got to "drown some worms" together at the Prairie Highland pond.

My best "kid" fishing rig is a small fluorescent jig tipped with a wax worm. By adding a bubble float for weight, this rig casts nicely into a brisk breeze. Within just a few minutes, we landed this nice "bigmouth" bass. Our "bug-eyed" buddy had a short "out of water" experience, and then went right back in the pond to grow bigger.

Mikey says "Fishing in Elburn is great!" I agree!

Elburn's Newest Well Is Now Online

2005-10-02T12:11:00.000-05:00

Last week, Elburn's Well #5 was placed online. This high capacity well becomes our third of three operational wells. It is brand new and located directly underneath the Blackberry Creek water tower. We are currently in the process of balancing the water levels in Elburn's three water towers. We are also adjusting our two pressure reducing stations to compensate for adding an additional well to the system.

Our three water towers hold over 1.3 million gallons of water "in the air." This creates a constant water pressure for our village and provides us with important water capacity reserves to fight fires.

Our two pressure reducing stations, located underground just south of the railroad tracks at both Main Street and Third Street, divide our town into two separate pressure zones. One pressure zone is located north of the Union Pacific tracks, and the other is located to the south. Each zone can feed the other in an emergency, but without using these reducing stations the static water pressure in the Blackberry Creek subdivision would be extremely high.

We "flatlanders" often think of our little town as being pretty level, and yet there is an 80 foot drop in elevation from Route 38 to Keslinger Road. The lower the elevation of the land, the higher the associated water pressure. Thus, the two pressure zone approach provides for a more even water pressure across our entire village.

Soon we will be working on Well #4. This is the municipal deep well located near Village Hall. We intend to install a new pump and motor in this well, which should increase its capacity, too.

Our trace radium removal project is also moving towards completion rapidly, and our hopes are high that this critical project will be completed by the end of this year.

Don't Annex, Especially In Panic!

2005-09-23T17:39:00.000-05:00

The farmland in Northern Illinois is some of the finest farmland in the world. We must not put our farmland at an even greater risk for development than if we had simply left it alone. That is what we may very well be doing with the recent glut of incorporation and blanket annexation proposals here in western Kane County.

Back in the early 1990's, the Village of Elburn decided it would be nice to annex a Hughes Creek golf course into our community. However, in order to accomplish that goal, it was necessary to annex an additional 650 acres of farmland that made the course contiguous to the boundaries of then existing Elburn. Elburn zoned those 650 acres for agricultural special use, thinking naively that the land would be farmed or leased for farming for many years.

Almost immediately, a land speculator pounced on that property, quite sure that it was now ripe for development. When the village resisted the developer's too dense preliminary plans, a lawsuit was filed asking the judge to issue court ordered R-1 zoning on the property. After all, the property was formally annexed into Elburn. The town must have meant to develop it, right?

The Village of Elburn spent thousands of dollars defending itself in court against the developer's lawsuit. In fact, if the plaintiffs had prevailed in court, they could have built their subdivision on the property, and Elburn's pre-existing Subdivision Control Ordinance would have been the only document legally available to control that process. There would have been no capital improvement impact fees, no transportation impact fees, and no waste water capacity impact fees collected on the property whatsoever. None! Nada! Nyet!

Subsequently, a "White Knight" developer stepped forward and offered to pay impact fees on the property if the Village of Elburn was willing to annex an "additional" 250 acres to make this subdivision slightly larger. In exchange for enlarging the project, this developer graciously agreed to pay the associated impact fees on the entire subdivision, including the property previously annexed just to get down to the golf course.

That second annexation negotiation with a different developer helped settle the lawsuit, and has resulted in over $10 million of capital improvement impact fees being shared with several taxing bodies that all serve the Elburn community.

One relatively simple 650-acre annexation agreement generated over $10 million of taxpayer impact benefit. In case you haven't guessed it yet, this is the story of our Blackberry Creek subdivision here in Elburn.

So, when someone tells me they intend to annex 4 square miles, 12 square miles, or even an outrageous 36 square miles, much of which is primarily farmland, as a taxpayer affected by these initiatives, it frankly scares me to death.

They say those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Sure as night follows day, I believe that there will be two main consequences from these proposed massive annexations, if they are eventually approved by their voters.

First, the affected communities stand to lose a sizable fortune in impact fees, as well as significant amounts of development leverage that they will willingly and prematurely throw away. And second, the affected communities will spend another sizable fortune in court defending themselves from developer lawsuits demanding to proceed with their projects via court ordered zoning.

As my good friend Steve Gliddon likes to say, Elburn has "been there, done that, and we got the t-shirt!"

The Village of Elburn has learned a lot about growth and development in the last 124 years. I wonder sometimes if anybody is listening and learning along with us? Does anybody get it? It doesn't seem like it lately.

Marklund Strikes It Big!!

2005-09-17T17:38:00.000-05:00

It was a pleasure for me to welcome a good crowd to Marklund's 2nd Annual September Fest. They asked me to be their honorary mayor for the afternoon, and let me throw out the first pitch at an energetic client t-ball game. I had never done anything like that before, and my wiffle ball toss sailed high and inside over the head of "Southpaw," the White Sox mascot. At least I didn't bounce it in.

Marklund provides an incredible service for their clients, and everyone who attended the festival enjoyed a wonderful day of sun and fun. It was an honor to be able to thank everyone for sharing their time and talents on behalf our greater community. Many hands make light work, and the people at Marklund do a wonderful job making everyone feel special.

Just In Case You Missed It

2005-09-11T09:19:00.000-05:00

I missed it, too.

Last week the two assembled Aquastore tank tops were lifted to place over our newly installed WRT filtration cylinders. These cylinders once filled with the proprietary zeolite medium and placed online will begin to remove the trace levels of radium from our water supply as mandated by the EPA.

We are making good progress on this approximately $2 million water quality project. Completing this project was Elburn's #1 goal for 2005, and there is every indication that our system will, in fact, be fully functional before year end.

The WRT zeolite radium removal process is a relatively new technology. In the long run it has the potential to generate significant savings for our residents. Yes, we have had to initiate a modest water rate increase to cover our initial investment, water treatment and lease costs.

But, the Village of Elburn stands to complete this project with no loans of any kind. That bodes very well for the future indeed.

Look Out Below!

2005-09-10T19:04:00.000-05:00

The "Calgary Tower" in Alberta, Canada has a section of glass flooring that is cantilevered off of the main viewing platform. Common sense says that the floor obviously holds its weight, and there is no real reason not to step out on it. And yet, it really took me a few minutes to get used to the idea, and then to step out, and snap this shot. It's a long way down. Take off, it's a beauty, eh!

Sugar Grove Talks Sense about Premature Farmland Annexation

2005-08-30T22:28:00.000-05:00

The Village of Sugar Grove has recently published an open letter that outlines what can happen when farmland is prematurely annexed into our communities. Sugar Grove makes a strong case that the premature annexation of farmland is a dangerous practice that will likely result in the substantial loss of millions of dollars of impact and transition fees. Sugar Grove also correctly predicts the loss of municipal control that these premature farmland annexations will forfeit to future development interests.

The Village of Sugar Grove argues effectively that the annexation of large tracts of undeveloped land will likely have the opposite effect than the intended one. That is, instead of controlling growth, premature annexations may actually make the annexing community "incredibly vulnerable" to the very growth they seek to avoid.

I wanted you to see this letter, because it is an important document, one that definitely deserves to be read with careful consideration:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reasoned Growth. An Open Letter from the Village of Sugar Grove.

The Village of Sugar Grove has always supported orderly and reasoned growth of local communities. Recently the Village of Big Rock filed in court a petition to annex about 7,800 acres of land. This effort seeks to annex over 12 square miles to Big Rock, a town of a little over 2 square miles and approximately 750 citizens. It includes the forced annexation of approximately one-half of the area or around 4,000 acres. It will be one of the largest single annexations in Illinois history. Unfortunately this action will have adverse impact on the Village of Big Rock, its residents, the surrounding communities and all the other jurisdictions that serve the Village of Big Rock and surrounding communities (i.e. Schools, Fire Protection Districts, etc). One must question the reason for taking this step and two possible reasons have been suggested: controlling growth and limiting the Village of Sugar Grove’s development.

If the reason is to control growth, the proposed annexation will not have the desired effect. In Illinois, no developer can forcibly annex its property to a Village. This simple rule grants Village’s great power, the power to negotiate the terms of a properties annexation into a Village. If a Village forgoes this power and annexes property without negotiating terms, that Village loses all of that power. Once annexed, a developer is free to develop its property as it sees fit, subject only to the ordinances of the Village. The Village, in effect gives up the following powers, among others:

The power to say no is lost. Without annexation, developers cannot reasonably develop their property. Once annexed, developers can, in fact, build more easily.

The power to negotiate impact fees and require transition fees is lost.

The power to limit building permits per year is lost.
The power to truly control density of developments is largely lost.
The power to control many land use changes is largely lost.
The power to require the developer to put in more that the bare minimum of public improvements is lost.
The power to preserve more than the bare minimum of open space is lost.

In fact, the proposed annexation may a have the opposite effect and actually spur uncontrolled growth in the areas being annexed and surrounding areas.

The solution is not to annex large swaths of land without agreements, but to enter into boundary line agreements with neighboring communities. By doing so, communities get the best of both worlds: knowledge that property on its side of the border will not go to another community while still having the power to say no to development by refusing to annex the property. The Village of Sugar Grove has offered previously to negotiate a boundary line agreement with the Village of Big Rock and stands ready to negotiate such a boundary line agreement now.

If the reason for this annexation is to limit Sugar Grove’s development, this too is misunderstood and misguided. The Village of Sugar Grove only seeks orderly and controlled development. Sugar Grove has not annexed any property in Big Rock Township or entertained a formal annexation request from any property owner in Big Rock Township in over 10 years. Sugar Grove has a long history of working positively with our neighbors to promote well planned, controlled growth that respects the natural environment and supports local schools and government agencies as evidenced by:

Sugar Grove has boundary agreements with five of our neighboring communities and continues proactive efforts to reach agreements with Batavia, Big Rock, Elburn and Kaneville should it incorporate. Sugar Grove won a joint cooperation award for our work with Kane County on our Comprehensive Planning efforts. Sugar Grove made significant changes to our 2005 Comprehensive Plan in response to the input of the Kaneville community. Sugar Grove jointly planned our transportation network with Yorkville, Montgomery and Kane County for the benefit of the region. Sugar Grove was the driving force behind the implementation of capital impact fees for the Kaneland School District and was the first area municipality to collect transition fees for School, Park, Library, Township and Fire Districts. Sugar Grove has a standard requirement of 40% Open Space for residential development. Sugar Grove establishes annual permit limits for each residential development.

As stated above, when a community is on the defensive, and annexes property prematurely, all people are negatively affected. All of the taxpayers and the taxing bodies that count on annexation fees to pay for growth are affected. In Big Rock’s case of annexing approximately 7,800 acres, using a density of just one home per every 1.5 acres and the current Sugar Grove annexation fee schedule, this annexation could cost the Village of Big Rock, Hinckley Big Rock School District, Big Rock Park District and the Hinckley Fire Protection District well over $50,000,000 dollars in lost fees.

The solution is to negotiate a boundary agreement. If a boundary agreement cannot be negotiated, then letting each individual property owner decide which community they wish to be a part of is the best course of action. With so many property owners signing the Big Rock petition, Big Rock should feel comfortable with this approach. In the mean time, Sugar Grove will continue to responsibly plan for the future.

Signed, VOSG

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The Village of Elburn and the Village of Lily Lake are dealing with a parallel situation regarding an incorporation proposal originating in Campton Township. Only the "Preserve Campton" proposal is three times the Big Rock request seeking to annex a whopping 36 square miles of Kane County.

Just imagine, the Village of Elburn has been in existence since 1881, and our total incorporated boundaries today are only an approximate 2.5 square miles.

I would like to suggest that our community leaders in western Kane County take a deep breath, and try to calm down. We are beginning to make bad decisions, solely because we are afraid of our neighbors. There are many of solutions available to us. As the Village of Sugar Grove concludes in their open letter, continuing to negotiate boundary agreements is one of those solutions.

Unfortunately, the premature annexation of farmland is a less than desirable solution to controlling growth that our children and grandchildren will not think was very smart.

NIPC Readies 2040 Regional Plan

2005-08-28T14:41:00.000-05:00

The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) is making final edits to its 2040 Regional Framework Plan. The unveiling of the "Common Ground" blueprint for regional action is set for Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at 10:15 am on the 99th floor of the Sears Tower.

A single elegant statement best describes this regional planning process. "Northeastern Illinois will be a region of livable communities, built on the diversity of its people, known for its healthy natural environment, global competiveness, and governed collaboratively."

Managing land use and transportation issues here in Northeastern Illinois is a daunting challenge. In order to master that challenge, we must share a common vision for the future.

As mayors and elected public officials it is easy to say, "You take care of your town, and we'll take care of ours." But the stark reality is that we must do better than that. We must learn to think in the best interests of our region, as we act in the best interests of our communities.

When you look at the NIPC map, you will notice that everything in white is projected to be fully developed by 2040. There is precious little farmland and open space left in the Chicagland region to enjoy by then. Knowing what lies ahead, in terms of dealing with the rapid development headed our way, is a truly concerning part of the regional plan.

Our own Kane County Regional Plan seeks to preserve 50 percent of Kane County in agriculture and open space through 2030. This will not happen unless we all work together with a shared commitment to control growth in western Kane County.

We in Elburn are doing our best to plan and build a compact interconnected community centered around an existing downtown and future Metra station. We are also attempting to contain future development by building first within the natural creek and wetland buffers that surround our community. We seek to preserve farmland and open space by considering transit oriented densities around our future train station. And, we also plan for a variety and mix of housing units in Elburn, so our residents and families can live their entire life cycle right here, if they so choose.

Elburn's future is bright, but there is much to do. The NIPC planning document is a non-binding framework plan. It sets a high standard of what our shared planning efforts could accomplish. Hopefully, others will join us as we continue to apply thoughtful local action to achieve a regional vision.

Drew Davis Band Rocks Our Parade

2005-08-19T21:18:00.000-05:00

Did you hear the Drew Davis Band at this year's Elburn Days Parade? People said these guys were good. But, wow! They are incredible! What a special treat to have Jason Hawks and his country rocking buddies here at Elburn Days. It won't be long, and these young men will be way, way, way too "big" for little old Elburn Days. And, you can even see their stage act tomorrow night at 5:00 pm at Elburn Lions Park. It's free, I tells ya! Y'all come down, ya hear!

There are two words to describe this year's Elburn Days parade, hot and humid! In spite of the sweaty weather, a great time was had by all.

Our friends at the Union Pacific sent only two perpendicular freight parades through our event this year. I have to admit, all things considered, that was a tolerable amount of interruption. To the extent that the UP did reduce their Friday night traffic, we recognize and appreciate their consideration.

The float winners for this year are: First Place, Old Second Kane County Bank, $300; Second Place, Elburn Lion's Leo Club, $200; and Third Place, Hair Directors, $100.

Did you notice our own Planning Commissioner Sue Filek giving a real haircut on the Hair Directors float? Not too close around those ears, Sue! Ouch!

Thanks to everyone who helped, participated, and enjoyed the Elburn Days Parade. I've been working on this event since 1979. Each year my wife says that's enough, and each year with a lot of generous help we figure a way to do one more.

As a member of the Fifth Army Band, and as band director at Batavia High School, my Dad marched in countless "spit and polish" parades. The honor of his memory keeps me working on this parade. I'm sure he's smiling tonight.

Let's Walk Across Illinois!

2005-08-14T10:04:00.000-05:00

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn has a great idea! During the next 12 months he would like to challenge all of us to "Walk Across Illinois." The challenge presented on his website is to walk 167 miles, which is the equivalent of walking from Rock Island to the Chicago lakefront.

It's not a hard as it sounds. At three miles per hour, walking just a little more than one hour per week will accomplish the goal. And, there are alternative conversion factors available for those who would prefer to do some form of exercise other than walking.

On Monday night, the Elburn village board will be discussing becoming an official partner with the "Walk Across Illinois" program. This past year we have been emphasizing sidewalk repair and replacement in Elburn, and this program should be a natural for us to encourage and support.

Some of you, like my neighbor Dennis, will have the 167 miles knocked down by Novermber. But, the rest of us "slowpokes" have a whole year to get this done. The goal is to walk 167 miles, but the destination is really better health. Like any journey, it all starts with just one step.

Lt. Governor Quinn's website is at WalkAcrossIllinois.org. Check it out, sign up and let's get walking. I'm just glad he didn't set the route from Hebron to Cairo.

President Bush Connects

2005-08-12T22:46:00.000-05:00

There was a moment last Wednesday when I felt like President Bush was looking right at me. Here's the shot. It's probably just an illusion a person feels when a speaker that you are really concentrating on scans the audience with his eyes. Then again, he might have been thinking to himself, who are those two goofy looking guys wearing the "Dubya" hats?

People can make fun of the President when he slips on a pronunciation, but you can't deny that he makes connections with a live audience. President Bush radiates a personal warmth and a casual assuredness when you hear him speak in person. I suspect that sometimes the bright light intensity of television can make a leader appear less sincere than he really is.

I'm glad I had the chance to see President Bush, and to just listen to the man speak. His tempo, his timing, his tenor, his tone, and yes, even his "Blagojevich" flub were perfect for the occasion. They were more than enough for me.

Double Dubyas

2005-08-11T14:06:00.000-05:00

Merita Nickels, wife of retired Illinois Supreme Court Justice John Nickels, snapped this picture of Jeff Metcalf and me at yesterday's TEA-LU bill signing at Caterpillar. The only reason I got to go was because of Jeff. He kept working the phones until he came up with two tickets for a couple of "Dubya and Denny" supporters from Elburn.

Jeff even supplied the ball caps for us to wear. These are the same ones that he brought home from his trip to see President Bush's inauguration early this year in Washington, DC. Jeff says it was slightly warmer waiting to see President Bush in August, rather than in January. I bet it was, because yesterday was darn hot!

Jeff is a successful entrepreneur, a staunch conservative, and does a super job as trustee on our Elburn village board. Thanks Jeff for letting me tag along. It truly was a great day for the future of transportation in America and for Elburn.