Church Deacon 'Fought the Good Fight'

I wanted to share this article from the Daily Herald. We will greatly miss Gary.



Church deacon 'fought the good fight'
By Kimberly Pohl | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 12/31/2008 12:04 AM

Pastor Matthew Black references a favorite Scripture when remembering his longtime friend and colleague Gary Johnson.

"'I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,'" said Black, reciting 2 Timothy 4:7. "That was him all the way. He finished everything he started."

Johnson, a deacon at the Tabernacle Baptist Church of Hanover Park, died early Christmas Eve. He was 68.

Family believe a hip injury he sustained in September on a missionary trip caused a blood clot, triggering a heart attack on Dec. 23. Loved ones were at the hospital singing hymns to Johnson, who woke up from his coma and lifted his hands seconds before he passed away.

The Kansas native and longtime Hanover Park resident worked as a financial consultant and used his background to assist members of his church, where he also served as treasurer and taught Sunday school.

"He helped many families get out of debt and helped us be wise enough with our finances that we bought land to hopefully build new facilities," said Black.

Always one to volunteer, Johnson used to host a local TV show as part of the village's community relations committee.

Johnson was also treasurer of the Hanover Park Progress Party, formed in July by a small group of residents to fight what they call a "culture of no."

"He felt much of the leadership was never in agreement on a number of issues," said Black. "He thought the party would strive for compromise to move forward."

Hanover Park Mayor Rod Craig said Johnson was a grounded, widely respected man.

"He didn't want to run for office, but still wanted to contribute," said Craig. "He always found the time to reach out to his neighbors."

In the fall, Johnson and his wife Judy celebrated their 46th anniversary on a church mission trip in Zumarraga, Spain, where they helped convert a 300-year-old Basque farmhouse to a Christian camp and conference center.

He's also survived by children Jim Johnson and Lisa Antonucci and seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tabernacle Baptist Church Library Fund. Call (847) 882-5580 for further information.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas

Wishing all residents of Hanover Park a happy New Year!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas 2008 (click here to view larger version)

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Government happy holidays mayor

Recognizing Football Team and Police

Last month we recognized our youth football team and police department.















Mayor Craig posing with the Hanover Park Hurricanes.

















Mayor Craig Posing with Hanover Park Police.

New Web site: Winds for Illinois Schools

We are very happy to share a new Web site for our Wind Turbine Alliance Winds for Schools of Illnois: www.ilwindforschools.com/. We hope that this will be a way for people to learn about our initiative, for schools to join us, and for our supporters to keep up with news and develops surrounding this.

Chairman Schillerstrom Congratulates Hanover Park

DuPage County Chairman Robert Schillerstrom acknowledges our 50th Anniversary milestone from the County Board Room. We appreciate his congratulations and recognition of our community.




















Mayor Craig and Chairman Schillerstrom

Thanks Mike Madden

On behalf of the people of Hanover Park, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mike Madden, the retiring director of the Schaumburg Township Library, which serves a portion of Hanover Park. Over his forty-one year career, Mike took a small, almost rural library and transformed it into a nationally recognized institution. The people of Hanover Park are especially grateful for all of his work. He actively worked to serve all members of the library district. In 2006, the library opened up the new Hanover Park Branch Library, which has been a great source of community enrichment for our community. We want to extend our gratitude to Mike.

Tree Lighting

We had a great turnout and a much fun at Friday's tree lighting. It was a great time to come together and enjoy time with neighbors and friends.

Here's a photo of Sherry and I with Santa.

The Shoes Project

I wanted to pass along the article that is below and these photos from this great event. It was great to meet and spend time with the students from Parkwood and Laurel Hill Schools. Thank you to Principals Trish Stubbs of Laurel Hill and Patricia Gonzalez of Parkwood for their great work. We want to especially thank the ATT&T Pioneers and Famous Footwear for their generosity.















Rod and Sherry Craig pose with Melisa Cameron AT&T Services Inc. , Area Manager-Constituency Relations.

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Shoes 'don't have to hurt' AT&T volunteers donate footwear to children whose families can't afford it December 5, 2008
By ERIC SAXTON For The Courier News

Christmas came early this year for children in need of a new pair of shoes, thanks to a regional volunteer group.

The AT&T Pioneers, in collaboration with Famous Footwear, presented their annual "Shoes Project" on Thursday to help underprivileged children whose families could otherwise not afford to buy their children new shoes. Area children were greeted by Santa Claus and volunteers wearing Christmas attire at the Famous Footwear store here as they chose their brand new pair of shoes for the winter. Members of Hoffman Estates Police and Fire departments also were present to help facilitate the event.

The AT&T Pioneers volunteer group is comprised of current and retired AT&T employees, and the "Shoes Project" has been helping children for more than 40 years.

"This time of year, especially because of the cold, they (children) are not always able to receive shoes, or they currently have shoes that do not fit properly," said Melisa Cameron, area manager for constituency relations for AT&T.

Cameron said that letting the children pick something out for themselves is not an everyday occurrence and is special to them. Often, participating children will send thank-you letters to the volunteers after the event.

"A girl wrote that she's never had a pair of 'girl' shoes, and another wrote he didn't know shoes didn't have to hurt," Cameron added.

The AT&T Pioneers worked with school districts in the area to find children whose families are unable to afford new shoes for their children. Buses of children were dropped off at the store, and an estimated 400 pairs of shoes were donated.

Schools participating in the event included Sheridan, Gifford, Garfield, Channing Memorial, McKinley and Century Oaks in Elgin; Parkwood and Laurel Hill in Hanover Park; and John Muir Literacy Academy in Hoffman Estates.

In addition to shoes, Famous Footwear and the AT&T Pioneers donated socks and mittens to all the participating children. Goodie bags were distributed to participants, and activities such as drawing and visiting with Santa Claus were offered for the children while they waited for their classmates to finish selecting their new shoes.

The AT&T Pioneers purchased the majority of the shoes for the children, and Famous Footwear donated the 10 most expensive pairs of shoes. The AT&T Pioneers perform fund-raisers to prepare for events year-round.

"We do about eight fund-raisers a year to raise money for events like this," said Kim Grisham, a five-year AT&T Pioneer volunteer and Roselle resident.

"It's great that the kids really get to be (fully involved) in the event."

Board Formed to Address Crime in Hanover Park

I want to pass along this article from the Daily Herald.

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Board to be formed to address crime in Hanover Park

Two homicides in a five-day period have left a "huge black eye" on Hanover Park, according to Mayor Rod Craig.

"I'm not going to sit around waiting for it to heal," he said.

Instead, he's launching a Crime Prevention Leadership Advisory Board to take a closer look at the recent rise in violence. On Tuesday, Craig met with U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, state Rep. Fred Crespo, Police Chief Ron Moser and other community leaders to start a dialogue.

They'll officially announce the initiative at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Hanover Park Park District community center, located at 1919 Walnut St.

"These two crimes have caught a lot of people's attention and we need to roll up our sleeves to see what we can do," said Crespo.

Officials want to send a message that Hanover Park is a safe place to work and live. Craig acknowledged a gang presence and an increase in home thefts, but statistics show a decrease in overall crime.

Who serves on the board is still up in the air. It will include legislators like Crespo and Roskam, clergy, school officials and other leaders.

A big focus will be on education at the grass roots level. Police may put on drug awareness programs for parents. Clergy could hold more neighborhood events. Crespo said he recently met with area principals, who said parents need to be educated on graffiti symbols and gang colors.

Community leaders will also look to resources at the state and federal level.

"I'll see what I can do in terms of state initiatives to combat some of these things," said Crespo, who wants to know how the gun used in the Nov. 25 murder of Elgin hairdresser Rocio Munez-Ramos was obtained. "We need to address the teenage moms and high school drop outs and support these folks because it curtails social illnesses."

Crespo says they'll check politics at the door, but the conversation is bound to come back to Hanover Park's strained police department. Moser and Craig have implored the village to hire more officers, only to be told time and time again there's no money.

Drug and crime prevention programs were cut long ago. Two officers were hired in the last several months, giving the department a total of 54 sworn officers. Craig said 61 are needed and again addressed the staffing issue at the village board's budget meeting earlier in the week.

"We're not going to hide and live in denial there's not a problem," said Craig.

Hanover Park workshops address hard times Saturday

This article was from the Daily Herald.
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Hanover Park workshops address hard times Saturday

Hanover Park's Inclusion and Diversity Committee has organized three workshops aimed at assisting families through these dismal economic times.

"Surviving the Economic Crisis" will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Hanover Park Park District, 1919 Walnut St. It's open to the public.

At noon, professionals will discuss how residents can manage financial stress, as well as their children. At 12:50 p.m., a panel will look at the impact of traumatic stress on children and the correlation between childhood relationships and the leading causes of death in adults. And at 2 p.m., advice will be given on how to manage debt and what to do if an employer is downsizing.

Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod, Buffalo Grove Mayor Elliot Hartstein, state Sen. Michael Noland, state Rep. Fred Crespo and others are special guests.

At a recent village board meeting, a motion to provide the committee with funds wasn't seconded so no discussion took place. Hanover Park Trustee Toni Carter, the event's organizer, said many of the doctors who would normally charge fees are attending for free. She estimated the symposium will cost $2,500 to put on and said it's being funded anonymously.

Participants are aked to bring nonperishable food items, toys and coats for children in need. For more information, contact Carter at trusteecarter@yahoo.com or Mayor Rod Craig at rodney.craig@hpil.org.

Surviving the Economic Crisis Press Conference

For Immediate Release
3 December 2008

Inclusion & Diversity Committee Host…
“Surviving this Economic Crisis”
A Mayor Initiative, Village President Craig and Trustee Toni Carter.

HANOVER PARK, IL – In response to the difficulties families are being faced with today. Three separate workshops have been created to assist families survive in the turbulent economic times.

A PRESS CONFERENCE will be held
Saturday, December 6, 2008, 2:00 PM
2ND Floor Community Center
1919 Walnut & Church, Hanover Park, IL. 60133

Advisory Group Formed to Combat rise in Violence in Hanover Park

For Immediate Release
3 December 2008

ADVISORY GROUP FORMED TO COMBAT RISE IN VIOLENCE IN HANOVER PARK Village President Craig and Congressman Roskam Spearheading Effort


Pictured in photo: Left to right: Pastor Ron Heitman, Evangel Church, Village Police Chief Ronald Moser, Pastor Jennie Swanson, Living Christ Lutheran Church, Trustee Toni Carter, Pastor Frank Dominowski, Firm Foundation Church, Rev. Mathew Idicula, St. Columba Church, Larry Greathouse, Smyrna Church, State Representative Fred Crespo, Mayor Rod Craig, and US Congressman Peter Roskam.

HANOVER PARK, IL – In response to two recent homicides in Hanover Park, Village President Rodney Craig and Congressman Peter J. Roskam met with community leaders to discuss how the village and surrounding communities should address an increase in violent crime.

President Craig’s newly formed “Leadership Team” and future advisory group will help identify current shortfalls and make recommendations while coordinating appropriate local, state and federal resources to address current and future problems.

Mayor Rod Craig clearly articulated that, “The residents of Hanover Park need assurances that their elected officials are engaged in the problems and concerns of the people of Hanover Park. Meeting with our Clergy is just the beginning of a journey for these leaders to assure our quality of life is sustained and Hanover Park is a great place to raise a family.”

“My constituents moved into communities like Hanover Park for the great schools, open space and to raise their families in a safe and secure home,” said Congressman Roskam. “It is essential that local leaders unite to stem the current trend of violence and work toward solutions that provide communities with necessary tools to combat criminal behavior.”

Also in attendance, State Representative Fred Crespo, Village Police Chief Ronald Moser and representatives from local churches includin; Pastor Ron Heitman of Evangel Church, Jennie Swanson of Living Christ Lutheran Church, Larry Greathouse Smyrna Church, Rev. Mathew Idicula of St. Columba Church, Pastor Frank Dominowski of Firm Foundation Church, and Trustee Toni Carter.

“Solving these types of problems in our neighborhoods is most effective at a grassroots level,” continued President Craig. “That being said, we must also utilize any appropriate state or federal resources that may be available and I want to thank Congressman Roskam and State Representative Crespo for their support.”

The advisory group will reconvene in January at Springwood Jr. High School in Hanover Park to begin a foundation of leadership, education, spirit, and government. Exact time and date to be determined.

Hoffman joins wind power alliance

I was excited that Hoffman Estates has official joined the Wind Turbine Alliance. The Daily Herald had a nice write up today, which I have pasted below. We also got a mention on the Progress Illinois blog (see Growing Alliance Pushed Wind Power) which is nice to see.

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Daily Herald
Hoffman joins wind power alliance
By Ashok Selvam

Add Hoffman Estates to the list of municipalities supporting the construction of power-generating wind turbines.

The village board gave preliminary approval Monday night to join the Wind Turbine Alliance, a group of school districts, villages and other taxing bodies that back the construction of wind turbines. The group formed earlier this year after Hanover Park officials were approached about building the turbines near Greenbrook Elementary School.

That plan snarled due to zoning and noise concerns. The new proposal is to build 100 turbines on a farm site in McLean County, north of Normal. The towers would be around 300 feet tall.

Officials in Keeneyville Elementary School District 20, based in Hanover Park, first floated the idea for the turbines in 2006, saying wind power would reduce their costs and need for electricity. Officials say connecting to the turbines would cost $1 million for its three schools. They estimate that from 2010 to 2039, District 20 would spend $20 million on electricity. If District 20 built the turbine, it would save $10.9 million during the same span.

On Monday, Gary Ofisher, District 20's director of operations, said he's gotten support from 25 groups. He also hopes six community colleges, including Harper College in Palatine, will back the plan.

Ofisher referenced legislation which requires ComEd to give schools an electricity credit, an incentive to use power from a wind turbine. Hanover Park Village President Rodney Craig has been a staunch supporter of the bill and recently sponsored rallies supporting its passage. State Rep. Fred Crespo of the 44th District sponsored the bill, which is in Springfield in the House's Rules Committee.

Hoffman Estates Trustee Cary Collins said anything to lessen the dependence on foreign energy sources would be a positive.

"This is the direction we should be moving on," he said.