Originally published in the May Hi-Lighter
Congratulations! Warm weather is finally arriving.
Since my last message, the Village passed a budget for Fiscal Year 2009. The budget provides two additional Police Officers, which increases sworn personnel to 54 officers. It is my hope in the future to continue increasing Police staffing toward a goal of 61 sworn officers. The Village Board also approved two additional Code Enforcement Officers, promotions in Community Development and Police Records and eliminated the Village Collector position. While it is important to keep our expenditures low, during this time of great change when other taxing bodies are impacting our taxes in a major way, I hope to find solutions to support increases in Public Safety staffing and customer service improvements. With greater Police staffing improved community policing programs can be initiated including programs in which Officers work with children and meet with residents, in addition to accomplishing core public safety needs.
I’m not pleased that Todd Stroger, President of Cook County Board, hit all of Cook County with an additional sales tax increase of 1%. Every suburban Mayor that I have had the pleasure to meet works very hard to keep taxes under control. Perhaps, Mr. Stroger should educate himself in the practice. I am pleased to see that Tim Schneider, Cook County Commissioner who represents Hanover Park, did not support the increase and has been there to support Hanover Park. The tax is estimated to produce an additional $900,000 to Cook County from Hanover Park sales.
On May 1st at the CONECT Committee Realtor Luncheon and on May 6th at the first Hanover Park Chamber of Commerce luncheon, I presented the State of the Village Address. As I stated, I am very excited at the increasing levels of citizen involvement in our Village. As Mayor, I seek to support residents to encourage this investment of time and energy in our community. We now have a functioning Environmental Committee and a new Cultural Inclusion and Diversity Committee. I’m planning to have an initial listening session to kick-off the Cultural Inclusion and Diversity Committee on June 16th at 7:00 PM in the Fire House. To those who are interested, please notify the Mayor’s office, email, or leave me a voice mail, and I will keep you apprised. Trustee Carter will be the Board Liaison to this Committee.
June 13th at 6:00 PM the “Relay For Life” will begin at the Hanover Park Park District Community Center. Many thanks go out to the Hanover Park Park District Board President Jon Deusing and the District Leadership for their support and collaboration with this event. Please join a team by going to the web site identified in the Hi-Lighter and on the Village Web site. At this writing there are over 30 teams, so please join one. I invite any interested individual to join my team and walk a mile with the Mayor to help support this good cause.
Recently, the Village Board passed changes in RV parking. We also adopted the most recent Building and Fire Codes. These changes protect public health and safety through requiring specific materials and methods of construction. A homeowner or business is encouraged to contact the Community Development Department about permits and specific regulations. By inquiring in advance about building improvements, property owners minimize surprises.
For 50th Anniversary fun, remember the Family Festival August 14-17. Call if you want to participate in the Parade Saturday August 16th. Our parade leadership team is reaching out for participants. Thanks to Hahnz Teope, Scouting; Ray Kiel, HP Little League; and Rick Roberts, Past President HP Football and Cheer Program; for their work. John Holderman is co-sponsoring the car show on Sunday August 17th. We expect over 300 cars. I even hope to have a special Hi-efficiency car on display that should be interesting to see. I’m also excited to acknowledge all our Hanover Park Eagle Scouts and Gold Star recipients. It should be a fun weekend. Make plans now to join in the fun!
It continues to be my pleasure and a blessing to represent the people of Hanover Park, our hometown. Take an opportunity to get involved.
RCraig@hpil.org
0 comments:
Post a Comment