10 Year Storm Rocks Hanover Park but Together We Survive

The Village of Hanover Park has survived the onslaught of a 10 year storm that rocked our hometown twice in one day. Upon my return home early that afternoon and visiting residents, Police, Fire, and Public Works employees I determined that the level of cooperation between everyone in town was exceptional. I congratulate the homeowners who assisted their neighbors by helping remove trees, share electricity, and bale water.

Click here to read our outline of the weather event and our process for clean-up over the next few weeks.

Thanks to all residents and Village employees for their support,

Rod...

Proposed Endorsement of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus’ Greenest Region Compact

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus provides a forum for the chief elected officials of the Chicago region to develop consensus and act on common public policy issues and multi-jurisdictional challenges; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus’ participating Mayors and their communities have a history of improving the environment, from promoting environmental practices through waste management, green purchasing, and participation in Clean Air Counts; and

WHEREAS, it is important for Mayors and local governments throughout the United States to take leadership roles by adopting environmental programs that provide economic and quality of life benefits such as reduced energy bills, green space preservation, air quality improvements, and improved transportation choices; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus created the Greenest Region Compact to address environmental issues of global importance at the local level; and

WHEREAS, the Compact outlines a number of cost-effective environmental sustainability measures that enhance health and safety, reduce the consumption of energy and fossil fuels, conserve water, and reduce hazardous and solid waste, and air pollution emissions

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City/Village of Hanover Park endorses the Greenest Region Compact proposed by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and agrees to join this effort to improve the metropolitan Chicago region’s environment.

The above non-binding Resolution is a beginning as we join with the other 272 communities in Northeast Illinois to address the environmental issues of the day. This Resolution will be discussed at the August 16th, 2007 Village Board Meeting.

[posted by Webmaster]

UPDATE: This non-binding resolution was not passed by the Village Board. It was tabled for further discussion pending the creation of a unique resolution for Hanover Park. While Mayor Craig and Trustee Carter support this non-binding resolution, the rest of the board had enough concerns to table this resolution. At this time, Hanover Park will not be standing in support of the Mayors Caucus and surrounding communities on environmental issues.

Grand Opening at the Empire Beauty Schools in Greenbrook Plaza

On Tuesday, we celebrated a Grand Opening at the Empire Beauty Schools in Greenbrook Plaza. This was their 55th school opening and it was refreshing to see the commitment of the corporation leadership to participate in a new opening. The value to Hanover Park is measured in the number of opportunities for young people to learn a trade and build relationships. The CEO stated that we not only teaching skills, but we model teamwork and pride in the business. The redesigned school was a model environment to foster learning. Mayor Craig encourage everyone to visit our newest business.
[posted by Webmaster]

An Open Letter to the Forest Preserve District President and Commissioners

D. "Dewey" Pierotti, Jr.
Forest Preserve District President
P.O. Box 5000
Wheaton, IL

Mr. President and Commissioners:

The Keeneyville Elementary School District 20, facing financial shortfalls due to energy costs, is seeking an alternative energy source known as a wind turbine. Subsequently, they have applied for and received an Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation grant, which would pay 50% of the turbine, providing permission was obtained from the Village of Hanover Park. We believe the Forest Preserve District may want to consider working with the School District to assist them meet a major concern of the Village to provide setback from the residential area as we seek to provide the go-ahead for this project.

Since the time of the school’s submission, the State legislature has unanimously passed legislation (sponsored by our state legislators) awaiting the Governor’s signature for the School District to own and operate a wind turbine. Interestingly, Hanover Park has an opportunity to be a model community by providing zoning and regulatory control that would permit the School District to accomplish this significant goal. We would love to have the DuPage County Forest Preserve District as a partner in this endeavor.

As we gather facts for the project, I’m very proud of the initiative from the Keeneyville School District 20 under the direction of Dr. Carol J. Auer, Superintendent of Schools, to save taxpayers significant dollars over the 30 year life of the wind turbine. They are a model for us all to follow.

Thank you for your consideration, we’re going green in Hanover Park.

Sincerely,
Rodney S. Craig
Village President

Green Living, Fiscal Responsibility, Quality Education

Hanover Park Village Trustee's are being challenged to consider a Wind Turbine as you've noticed from this week's Village Highlighter. Several concerns have been raised about the setback, the flashing from the blades through the sunlight, and noise. Those issues are not impossible to resolve. We are contacting communities around the country who have put up similar turbines in residential areas to learn from their experiences.

For instance, Cleveland, Ohio, a major urban area, has a wind turbine in midst of its downtown. Here are a couple of links to information on the Cleveland turbine:

1. 2005 release about turbine
2. New symbol for the lakefront

This week the school here in Hanover Park will be making a presentation to the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, who owns the land that borders the school property. The school will also be meeting with the Mallard Lake area. The partnership between Village, Forest Preserve District, and Keeneyville District 20 would have outstanding benefits to us all. This inter-governmental partnership is working to be fiscally responsible with tax dollars by saving energy costs and ensuring quality education for our young people by seeking out new revenue streams.

I see a future for Hanover Park as a leadership community.

Rod