Minute with the Mayor: March/April Hi-Lighter

The following is the Minute with the Mayor in the March/April hi-Lighter

This winter brought many exciting things to our hometown. On January 16, 2008, the Hanover Park Chamber of Commerce and Industry was born. It is open to all businesses, individuals, and non-profit organizations. Patricia Langenstrass is the President and she can be reached at 630-372-2009. Application for membeship is available on-line: http://hanoverparkchamber.com/2008%20Member%20Application.pdf

The Mallard Lake Landfill continues to deal with the problem of methane gas with oversight from the EPA. It appears the extent of the underground escape has been identified and a complete recovery process is being developed at this time. I’m hearing from the construction site that the problem will be resolved this year. I’m pleased to say we have seen a high level of professionalism across all organizations who are seeking to resolve the problem in a timely manner. Congressman Roskam and State Senator John Millner have been instrumental in assisting me to have direct contact with the EPA in Washington and the Illinois EPA State Director.

Concerning our ongoing discussions surrounding the proposed Wind Turbine Generator, I continue to discuss the merit of the project in terms of tax savings and energy independence with our Congressman, State Senators, and State Representatives. I seek to identify solutions that can meet our needs and alternatives to doing nothing at all as I continue to support the school district's plan. Most recently Representative Crespo has been instrumental with new legislation. Additionally, Senator Noland in a meeting with the District Mayor’s spoke to the opportunities for Wind Turbine Generators.

I continue to encourage residents to join with friends and family in the fight against cancer. The Tri-Village Relay For Life chose Hanover Park as a highlight for our 50th year anniversary. I'm really pleased with the collaboration between the Park District and the Village with this endeavor. I am also pleased that Hanover Township will participate as they come to highlight their Social Services and the ongoing values they provide everyday. A link to register for the Relay For Life site is available on the Village Web site. Finally, it was a pleasure to meet Hanover Park resident and 2007 Honorary Survivor Chair, Jenny Konstanzer at the kick-off. http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeIllinoisDivision?fr_id=7485&pg=entry

A new business initiative I recently discovered in Hanover Park is the “Take Care Health Clinic.” We are very excited to have this new endeavor of Walgreen’s in Hanover Park providing convenient, accessible, and most importantly affordable health care on a walk in basis. Stop by and check it out at County Farm Road and Sterns Road.

Congratulations to Einstein School, Robert Kaplan, Principal and Linda Walser, PTA President for their wonderful 50th Anniversary Celebration of Reading and Writing. The students created essays about why they like Hanover Park. These essays are special and full of the value for our diverse culture. What a great event! Jessica Harberts really rolled it all up for me when she wrote: “I learn new things everyday with my classmates. Do you know why? They are all different. They have different cultures, beliefs, and they sometimes speak different languages!” Thank you, Jessica. We do value our differences.

Finally, I will continue to monitor the code enforcement and inspection process in the village. The overcrowding and code issue in the rental units in our town pose public safety concerns. We don’t have to reinvent the process as many of our neighboring communities have demonstrated successful approaches to ensure that codes are enforced and that our neighborhoods are safe and maintained. This year’s budget will include a new employee to handle these inspections to be paid for by the landlords licensing fee’s.

Overall, I'm proud and honored to serve the residents of Hanover Park. Our town is more diverse than many and that is a benefit to those who have chosen to make Hanover Park their home. We enjoy a cultural richness that represents the global world and the global economy. It continues to be my pleasure and a blessing to represent the people of Hanover Park, our hometown. I hope you will take an opportunity to get involved.

Rod Craig, President
Village of Hanover Park