Minute with the Mayor

Note: This was originally published in the Nov/Dec Village Hi-Lighter.

This year is just about to pass us by as I sit late this evening thinking about my Holiday message to the Village of Hanover Park. Typically, I look at the year past and evaluate the blessings that have been bestowed upon my family. As your Mayor, it seems my family has grown immensely. I couldn’t be enjoying the opportunity to serve as Mayor more.

I may not have all of the solutions, but together we all work to make Hanover Park a better place to live. To the Village Manager, the Department Managers, and the dedicated employees of the Village of Hanover Park, I appreciate everything you do everyday. To the educators in our many School Districts, we thank you for caring and educating our children as they grow into responsible adults and valued citizens. To Dr. Nick Myers, Anne Fox Principal, thank you for introducing me to “Kids at Hope” where we believe that children can succeed without exception. To the Parents in our community who give their time and energy to our football, baseball, soccer, swimming teams, and other sports, we celebrate your dedication and leadership. To all of the volunteers who improve our quality of life in Hanover Park through non-profit organizations, homeowner associations, and community groups, thank you for striving to make our hometown a better place. To Hanover Park’s Clergy and spiritual leaders who guide us as individuals and who bring our families together, we thank you for all of the ways you enrich Hanover Park and provide for us during times when we need hope the most. To Pastor Jenny Swanson, taking on the role as Chaplin in our Fire Department and then engaging a statewide initiative. Wow, thank you.

In 2008, Hanover Park will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary. We are looking forward to a year of partnering with our Schools, the Park District, and others as we celebrate throughout the year. As part of this anniversary celebration on June 13 & 14, Hanover Park will be the host community for the Tri-Village Relay For Life as we support the movement to eradicate cancer. Jon Deusing and I will be organizing volunteers to assist and work with us to help us organize the event. We are also planning a Hometown Birthday Party August 14 – 17 with music and other festivities. The highlight of this weekend will be a parade where we will give all the youth an opportunity to participate in the excitement and fun of the day. Soon we will have additional information to publish in the Hi-Lighter to celebrate our 50th year.

If you enjoy being a part of our Tree Lightning ceremony, stop by the Village Hall December 6th for the lighting of our Main Street and the Hall. It’s quite a thing to see, along with Old Saint Nick arriving with bells and sirens blaring. Happy Holidays to all and a most enjoyable New Year to you and your family.

Press Release: Village Update of U.S. EPA Investigation at Mallard Lake Landfill

The Following press release was put on by the Village of Hanover Park on November 21, 2007:

Village Officials received the attached press release regarding the U.S. EPA overseeing a methane gas investigation at the Mallard Lake Landfill late Tuesday afternoon. Landfill gas has been detected approximately 40 to 45 feet below the ground surface in monitoring wells at Discovery Park near duplex homes along Whitney Drive, and near homes on County Farm Road at Lawrence Avenue.

Village and Fire Department Officials are assisting representatives of the U.S. EPA, Illinois EPA, BFI Waste Systems of North America and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County with this methane gas investigation.

On Saturday, November 17, 2007, the U.S. EPA decided to start screening homes along Whitney Drive and County Farm Road to determine the presence of methane gas. As of Tuesday, November 20, 2007, no methane gas was detected at the ground level or in any of the 18 homes tested.

Additional testing and investigative work needs to be completed to determine:
1. the location, volume and movement of the gas below the ground surface,
2. the location of additional monitoring sites and homes recommended for gas monitoring devices,
3. the development of a comprehensive response plan to remove, restrict or reverse the flow of gas from the affected area and neighborhood once the affected area is determined.

The press release issued by the U.S. EPA yesterday states the Illinois EPA has been working with the DuPage County Health Department to assess levels of volatile organic compound contamination including vinyl chloride found in the ground water wells of about 20 residences in western Wayne Township. These 20 residences are located south of Army Trail Road along Fair Oaks Road approximately 1.9 miles from the Mallard Lake Landfill and nowhere near where the methane gas investigation is being conducted. The Mallard Lake Landfill has yet to be positively identified as the source of well water contamination for homes on Judith Lane and Riviera Court in unincorporated DuPage County.

The water of eleven homes with private wells in Hanover Park along County Farm Road was sampled on November 12 and 13, 2007, by the DuPage County Health Department. Residents in duplexes along Whitney Drive have a Lake Michigan water supply.
The health and safety of Village residents is our top priority.

Residents of the affected area may contact the U.S. EPA and IEPA Officials listed below to address your questions or concerns:
Mick Hans 1-312-353-5050 hans.mick@epa.gov, U.S. EPA Media Relations

Mike Joyce 1-312-353-5546 or 800-621-8431 joyce.mike@epa.gov, U.S. EPA Community Involvement Coordinator

Steven Faryan 1-312-353-9351 faryan.steven@epa.gov, U.S. EPA On-Scene Coordinator

Maggie Carson 1-217-725-0589 maggie.carson@illinois.gov, Illinois EPA

Carol Fuller 1-217-524-8807 carol.fuller@illinois.gov, Illinois EPA Community Relations Coordinator

Other information regarding this ongoing methane gas investigation can be found at the U.S. EPA on scene coordinator website – www.epaosc.net/waynetownship

Congratulations to Hanover Park's DuCAP Community Board

I want to extend my gratitude and congratulations to Hanover Park's new DuCAP Community Board, one that is receiving exceptional partnership with the Keeneyville School District and the Poplar Creek Library staff. This group, made up of parents, religious leaders, and community members, is working to transform the Tanglewood area. They are working to improve communication to residents about community resources and to put together a resource center that will be a place for community education. I am proud to work as a partner with this group of dedicated community members working to make a positive change in Hanover Park.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jennie Swanson at 630-837-2100 or Gayle Peneshe at 630-671-8000.

Harness Wind Power to Save Money

The ABC7 news Web site has an article that mentioned Hanover Park entitled, Rural Ill. schools harness wind power to save money. This article discusses the success that other districts in Illinois have had with wind-generated power.
[posted by Webmaster]

Wind Turbine Test Approved

The Village Board listened to numerous proponents of the Keeneyville District 20 Wind Generator last evening. Talking about doing "due diligence", the District is dotting all the "i's" and crossing all the "t's." There will be no surprises when it comes to building the real thing. We heard from three residents Virginia Wachsmuth, Tom Kehoe, and Tim McHugh (Also the Keeneyville District Board Pres). Walt Larkin addressed that their firm is ready to provide insurance. Charles Anderson, an Architect/designer spoke to the design of the tower and he provided references how a flag pole will fall intact, but a properly designed tower can fall within a much smaller footprint. Dawn Collazo represented the manufacture of the tower (Johnson Controls). Mike Gilfillan of the University of Illinois provided the safety aspects value of the turbine designed to absorb all types of wind and shock. Mike Ryan the Superintendent of Schools from Erie, Illinois spoke to the value of the tower in his town. He pointed out quite nicely that no educator would ever place the children in harm’s way with an unsafe structure. Finally, Dr. Carol Auer, Superintendent of Keeneyville School District 20 provided her perspective and value to the District and residents of Hanover Park.

The Village Board is concerned that fall zone is sufficient, while proponents are stating the design and structural integrity will keep the tower standing. The Test Tower Ordinance was unanimously approved following a change to the text that excluded any reference to the wind generator.

See the article in the Daily Herald for more information.

[posted by Webmaster]