I wanted to share this Herald article:
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Hong Kong delegation trains with Hanover Park firefighters
By Kimberly Pohl | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 3/18/2010
With his American counterparts eyeing his every move, a confident Hong Kong Fire Station Officer Wong King-man - or Raymond, as he's called here - properly secured a sample of a potential nerve agent.
His technique won an approving nod from instructors and further prepared him for the big certification exam on Friday.
He and his four fellow firefighters will then leave Hanover Park and return to Hong Kong with plans to develop programs focused on managing hazardous materials incidents.
It's been a tough, but rewarding three weeks of intensive training.
"This was an opportunity to learn more about American operations," said Assistant Divisional Officer Tung Kok Keung, or "Victor."
"The course is physically demanding, but we overcame."
Instructors from the Illinois Fire Service Institute, a division of the University of Illinois, have spent the last few weeks in Hanover Park leading the hazardous materials training course. About 30 firefighters are participating, including the five from Hong Kong and 20 from Hanover Park.
The institute taught another group from Hong Kong in DeKalb last year.
Hanover Park Fire Chief Craig Haigh said the department was approached because of its close working relationship with the institute, expansive facilities and active role in the Hazardous Materials Response Team.
"I'm hoping we can do this again in years to come because this really makes our guys better," he said. "They're able to showcase what they can do and also learn from the (Hong Kong) firefighters."
Though they speak fluent English, the cultural differences are great.
"Americans say fire engine. We say fire appliance. At first I worried," Chan Man-hon ("Steven") said.
Another example was an exercise at a rail yard dealing with a gasoline tanker and pressurized rail car. In Hong Kong, freight is mostly transported via truck.
"They've been so attentive and willing to learn," lead instructor Jeremy Montgomery said. "They're leaving here as a highly skilled first-line of defense."
The delegation, which was selected by Hong Kong officials based on education, experience and seniority, took plenty of photographs and video in order to teach personnel back home. They were very interested in rehabilitation training, which reduces fatalities by cooling and tending to firefighters at the scene.
Between long hours at the fire station and homework back at the hotel, the group fit in excursions to outlet malls and Chinatown. They were recognized by Mayor Rod Craig at a recent village board meeting and rave about the availability of fresh seafood and other delicious food.
"Everyone is very friendly and patient," Victor Tung said. "We are very thankful to everyone."
Friday, March 19, 2010
A GREAT DONATION TO THE HANOVER TOWNSHIP VETERANS CENTER
I wanted to share this report from our Veterans' Committee:
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A GREAT DONATION TO THE HANOVER TOWNSHIP VETERANS CENTER
February 6, 2010
In response to a request from the Supervisor of Hanover Township Office and our continued support of the Township staff, the Hanover Park Veteran’s Advisory Committee donated the items collected at Village Hall during the Holidays. It was a moment of wonderful sharing and exceptional appreciation from the Veterans of Post 5151, State Representative Fred Crespo, Supervisor Brian McGuire and all others in attendance. The Strength and Commitment of Hanover Township to Veterans truly adds value to the Veteran’s in the area from the Post, and the surrounding Villages. The recent addition of Bill Tiknis as the Veteran’s Advocate demonstrates that commitment.
The position of Veteran's Advocate was conceived and created by the Township to assist our Veteran population in understanding and receiving the benefits they are entitled to.
Many of our Veterans are not aware that our government is providing medical care, education assistance, burial and memorial assistance, pension and disability compensation, employment services, home loan guarantees, survivor benefits and an array of other services. Bill is truly a friend to the Vets of the towns served by Hanover Township.
The Hanover Park Mayor’s Veteran’s Advisory Committee meets every first Saturday at 9:00 AM at the Hanover Senior Center conference room. They are actively seeking names of Hanover Park servicemen and women who served their country. Our goal is one of honor and to acknowledge the good work of their commitment to preserving the Freedom we all enjoy today. One of our Hanover Park Veteran’s, Jon Kunkle, has hand crafted a plaque that he molded from a tree that grew in Hanover Park. He created a plaque of distinction that carries the names of those residents who have completed the application.
Village Trustee Rick Roberts heads up the Veteran’s Advisory Committee, he is proud to receive the applications from Hanover Park Veteran’s and Acknowledge that service to country at a Village Board meeting. The Honor Roll Plaque hangs proudly in the Village Hall for all to see and Honor those Veterans’s who served. Applications are available on the Web site and at the Village Hall.
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A GREAT DONATION TO THE HANOVER TOWNSHIP VETERANS CENTER
February 6, 2010
In response to a request from the Supervisor of Hanover Township Office and our continued support of the Township staff, the Hanover Park Veteran’s Advisory Committee donated the items collected at Village Hall during the Holidays. It was a moment of wonderful sharing and exceptional appreciation from the Veterans of Post 5151, State Representative Fred Crespo, Supervisor Brian McGuire and all others in attendance. The Strength and Commitment of Hanover Township to Veterans truly adds value to the Veteran’s in the area from the Post, and the surrounding Villages. The recent addition of Bill Tiknis as the Veteran’s Advocate demonstrates that commitment.
The position of Veteran's Advocate was conceived and created by the Township to assist our Veteran population in understanding and receiving the benefits they are entitled to.
Many of our Veterans are not aware that our government is providing medical care, education assistance, burial and memorial assistance, pension and disability compensation, employment services, home loan guarantees, survivor benefits and an array of other services. Bill is truly a friend to the Vets of the towns served by Hanover Township.
The Hanover Park Mayor’s Veteran’s Advisory Committee meets every first Saturday at 9:00 AM at the Hanover Senior Center conference room. They are actively seeking names of Hanover Park servicemen and women who served their country. Our goal is one of honor and to acknowledge the good work of their commitment to preserving the Freedom we all enjoy today. One of our Hanover Park Veteran’s, Jon Kunkle, has hand crafted a plaque that he molded from a tree that grew in Hanover Park. He created a plaque of distinction that carries the names of those residents who have completed the application.
Village Trustee Rick Roberts heads up the Veteran’s Advisory Committee, he is proud to receive the applications from Hanover Park Veteran’s and Acknowledge that service to country at a Village Board meeting. The Honor Roll Plaque hangs proudly in the Village Hall for all to see and Honor those Veterans’s who served. Applications are available on the Web site and at the Village Hall.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Wind Turbine article:
From the Daily Herald:
Hanover Park may OK smaller wind turbine
By Kimberly Pohl | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 2/27/2010 12:00 AM
Hanover Park insiders won't soon forget the political strife over talk of erecting a 300-foot, 100-ton wind turbine within village limits.
But a different administration and scaled-back version could prove a more promising combination for Keeneyville Elementary District 20, where officials have been pushing for the tower since 2007.
Earlier this month, the Hanover Park development commission unanimously recommended approval of a proposed text amendment to the zoning code that would allow for a 155-foot-tall wind turbine.
"Before it would have been the tallest object in DuPage County," Chairman Jeffrey Bakes said. "They're not going into the wind energy business anymore. This is a lot more reasonable."
The village board will consider the measure at its Thursday, March 4, meeting.
One of the changes is reducing the required setback from 1,000 feet to 500 feet. The turbine has to be located on a 15-acre site free of other structures, and the commission is recommending it only operate during school hours.
Both conditions work for District 20 Director of Operations Gary Ofisher, who's been leading the charge to build a wind turbine at Greenbrook Elementary School. The smaller structure would cost about $400,000 vs. more than $1 million before. But it will only provide 60 percent of Greenbrook's electricity instead of fully powering all three district schools.
"Beggars can't be choosers," Ofisher said. "We're still committed to renewable energy and educating our students, and this seems more realistic."
Should trustees approve the text amendment, Ofisher said a 50-foot-tall meteorological testing tower will be built soon. Bird and wind studies have to be conducted. To fund the project, he's applying for a renewable energy grant through the federal stimulus package and issuing bonds.
Regardless of the outcome, district officials still plan on moving forward with Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300 and Prospect Heights Elementary District 23 to build a 20-megawatt wind farm in Stark County, about 140 miles southwest of Chicago, to offset energy costs.
Hanover Park may OK smaller wind turbine
By Kimberly Pohl | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 2/27/2010 12:00 AM
Hanover Park insiders won't soon forget the political strife over talk of erecting a 300-foot, 100-ton wind turbine within village limits.
But a different administration and scaled-back version could prove a more promising combination for Keeneyville Elementary District 20, where officials have been pushing for the tower since 2007.
Earlier this month, the Hanover Park development commission unanimously recommended approval of a proposed text amendment to the zoning code that would allow for a 155-foot-tall wind turbine.
"Before it would have been the tallest object in DuPage County," Chairman Jeffrey Bakes said. "They're not going into the wind energy business anymore. This is a lot more reasonable."
The village board will consider the measure at its Thursday, March 4, meeting.
One of the changes is reducing the required setback from 1,000 feet to 500 feet. The turbine has to be located on a 15-acre site free of other structures, and the commission is recommending it only operate during school hours.
Both conditions work for District 20 Director of Operations Gary Ofisher, who's been leading the charge to build a wind turbine at Greenbrook Elementary School. The smaller structure would cost about $400,000 vs. more than $1 million before. But it will only provide 60 percent of Greenbrook's electricity instead of fully powering all three district schools.
"Beggars can't be choosers," Ofisher said. "We're still committed to renewable energy and educating our students, and this seems more realistic."
Should trustees approve the text amendment, Ofisher said a 50-foot-tall meteorological testing tower will be built soon. Bird and wind studies have to be conducted. To fund the project, he's applying for a renewable energy grant through the federal stimulus package and issuing bonds.
Regardless of the outcome, district officials still plan on moving forward with Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300 and Prospect Heights Elementary District 23 to build a 20-megawatt wind farm in Stark County, about 140 miles southwest of Chicago, to offset energy costs.
Village to Discuss Wind Turbine Text Amendment
From the recent Hanover Park E-news letter:
In early 2008, at the behest of School District 20, the Village of Hanover Park began consideration of a text amendment to the Villages’ zoning ordinance that would allow wind turbines under certain circumstances. However, the height and lack of supporting data for placement in urban areas deadlocked the Development Commission and a recommendation was never made.
In the meantime, School District 20 explored other opportunities and ultimately decided on a much smaller turbine to meet their needs.
On February 11, 2010, the Development Commission unanimously recommended approval of a proposed text amendment that would allow a petitioner to seek approval of a wind turbine up to 155 feet in height on an R-2 zoned parcel of at least 15-acres in size. The Village Board will consider this text amendment at their regularly scheduled Board meeting on Thursday, March 4, 2010. This meeting will take place in Room 214 of Village Hall and begin at 7:30 p.m.
Those wishing to speak on this and other issues may do so by signing up for Townhall Session before the meeting.
In early 2008, at the behest of School District 20, the Village of Hanover Park began consideration of a text amendment to the Villages’ zoning ordinance that would allow wind turbines under certain circumstances. However, the height and lack of supporting data for placement in urban areas deadlocked the Development Commission and a recommendation was never made.
In the meantime, School District 20 explored other opportunities and ultimately decided on a much smaller turbine to meet their needs.
On February 11, 2010, the Development Commission unanimously recommended approval of a proposed text amendment that would allow a petitioner to seek approval of a wind turbine up to 155 feet in height on an R-2 zoned parcel of at least 15-acres in size. The Village Board will consider this text amendment at their regularly scheduled Board meeting on Thursday, March 4, 2010. This meeting will take place in Room 214 of Village Hall and begin at 7:30 p.m.
Those wishing to speak on this and other issues may do so by signing up for Townhall Session before the meeting.
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