Thank you Bolingbrook residents who attended the Joplin Experience. This was a challenging time for a community and you were there to make it better.
It was not that long ago that Plainfield suffered at the hands of a Tornado this large. It took time for them to rebuild, and it will take longer for Joplin. We need to remember that this could have been Bolingbrook and that losing homes, loved one's, and more can devastate a community.
So thank you for your help, on behalf of the BR.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
This years Re-Cap
Political recaps are always fun.
Last year at this time, signs were being printed for the November elections. Some of the local candidates fought for higher political seats in the IL Senate and House. So where are they today and what do we expect from them in the future?
Cedra Crenshaw whom ran for the IL Senate seat against AJ Wilhelmi has not gone away. She has volunteered articles on local news sites and attended school board meetings. Although she has donated much of her campaign funds, she has left enough to run for a local office. We anticipate Cedra will run for office in Bolingbrook or for the Township next year. Our bets are on the school board and we suppose, if she does this, that she will not only win, but will make a great "Chair" of the board. She is fiscally responsible and has children in the system.
Mary Pat Oliver has donated her money in her campaign funds and does not appear to be making a run for further politics. We believe that Mary Pat and Cedra should team together to tackle that school board election in two years.
This past election saw many new faces and some regular one's.
Rhonda Reed Slaughter ran for trustee in April for the second time. She had many votes in this election and her fan base is growing, thanks to her hard hitting journalism techniques. She will be a force to contend with at the last election. We see many people donating to her cause in two years and we encourage her to take on the elimination of the Township before then.
Bob Bowen, a runner for Trustee, is still waiting his turn. He ran a great election, getting large votes for a first time runner. He played the election game skillfully, and was backed by support and advice from Bonnie, the past mayoral candidate. The two, as a team, would have landed the positions. However, since Bonnie was removed from the ballot again by a biased board, Bob did well but did not finish top. I do not think his race is over and I think he will be shooting for the goal next time.
Bonnie Alicea, who ran for Mayor and Trustee, is still actively participating in the community. Recently she launched a large initiative to take people to Joplin. She was able to organize and fund raise quite a bit for the cause and spent time working on site in Joplin with clean up, search and rescue, and helping families find precious items lost. She has led a humble existence, despite opposition anger with her, and has promised to keep Bolingbrook in the front of her mind for the election in two years. Many people are fighting for her success if she runs for Mayor. She however, does not focus on the election two years away, she focuses on what she can do to make Bolingbrook better. In the meantime, she works with IL law makers to change the corrupt laws of petitioning and electoral boards, so that anyone has the constitutional rights to run for an elected office in Bolingbrook. She is heavily involved in the Independent Party issues and looking to assist those trying to establish a new political party in Will County for the independents. She feels that it is time Bolingbrook residents had people in office that voted for the best interest of the residents instead of the best interest of their political parties.
Wayne Kwiat ran for Judgeship in November. He is still working with the States Attorneys Office processing traffic violations. We do not see a run for office in the future.
Does Ken Cygan want to run again? He is still contributing articles on the Patch and word on the street is he is hoping to try again in two years! Last time he was hit with trying to straddle the fence with political parties and residents. Let's hope he hops to one side before he starts again.
Last year at this time, signs were being printed for the November elections. Some of the local candidates fought for higher political seats in the IL Senate and House. So where are they today and what do we expect from them in the future?
Cedra Crenshaw whom ran for the IL Senate seat against AJ Wilhelmi has not gone away. She has volunteered articles on local news sites and attended school board meetings. Although she has donated much of her campaign funds, she has left enough to run for a local office. We anticipate Cedra will run for office in Bolingbrook or for the Township next year. Our bets are on the school board and we suppose, if she does this, that she will not only win, but will make a great "Chair" of the board. She is fiscally responsible and has children in the system.
Mary Pat Oliver has donated her money in her campaign funds and does not appear to be making a run for further politics. We believe that Mary Pat and Cedra should team together to tackle that school board election in two years.
This past election saw many new faces and some regular one's.
Rhonda Reed Slaughter ran for trustee in April for the second time. She had many votes in this election and her fan base is growing, thanks to her hard hitting journalism techniques. She will be a force to contend with at the last election. We see many people donating to her cause in two years and we encourage her to take on the elimination of the Township before then.
Bob Bowen, a runner for Trustee, is still waiting his turn. He ran a great election, getting large votes for a first time runner. He played the election game skillfully, and was backed by support and advice from Bonnie, the past mayoral candidate. The two, as a team, would have landed the positions. However, since Bonnie was removed from the ballot again by a biased board, Bob did well but did not finish top. I do not think his race is over and I think he will be shooting for the goal next time.
Bonnie Alicea, who ran for Mayor and Trustee, is still actively participating in the community. Recently she launched a large initiative to take people to Joplin. She was able to organize and fund raise quite a bit for the cause and spent time working on site in Joplin with clean up, search and rescue, and helping families find precious items lost. She has led a humble existence, despite opposition anger with her, and has promised to keep Bolingbrook in the front of her mind for the election in two years. Many people are fighting for her success if she runs for Mayor. She however, does not focus on the election two years away, she focuses on what she can do to make Bolingbrook better. In the meantime, she works with IL law makers to change the corrupt laws of petitioning and electoral boards, so that anyone has the constitutional rights to run for an elected office in Bolingbrook. She is heavily involved in the Independent Party issues and looking to assist those trying to establish a new political party in Will County for the independents. She feels that it is time Bolingbrook residents had people in office that voted for the best interest of the residents instead of the best interest of their political parties.
Wayne Kwiat ran for Judgeship in November. He is still working with the States Attorneys Office processing traffic violations. We do not see a run for office in the future.
Does Ken Cygan want to run again? He is still contributing articles on the Patch and word on the street is he is hoping to try again in two years! Last time he was hit with trying to straddle the fence with political parties and residents. Let's hope he hops to one side before he starts again.
Our Disappointment Leads to Some Advice for Kusta Jr
Sometimes we feel the need to write a story based on pure disappointment.
Back in February the petitions for Mr. Steven Quigley came under fire and were objected to. He had only gathered 90 signatures and many appeared to be written by the same person.
As an elected official, the rules for petitions are clear and these issues were addressed in the public.
However, during this time, Mr. Quigley took a campaign donation from an unlikely donor to help him support his campaign and campaign problems.
On Feb. 17, 2011 Mr. Ed Kusta Jr contributed $200.00 to Quigley.
The reason we say this is a disappointment is that Mr Kusta Jr. has been great about staying out of the public limelight and not directly aligning himself to any elected official who has been noted as "self serving".
Kusta Jr. is a Bolingbrook native, having grown up and graduated in our very school systems, gone on to become a successful attorney locally and had come to be a trustworthy elected official. His personality is charming and he is the type of person that will admit he was wrong, when he was wrong. He has walked the straight line to being a public servant. He has grasped the concept of "doing right" to his constituents. He seems to be a good guy. (As far as we know to date)
So what is he doing aligning himself to Mr. Quigley, who is on the top five list of "elected officials to watch out for?"
Our advise to Mr. Kusta Jr is to stay clear and continue to do a fine job. The community needs you and your political potential is still hot with ability for growth. Don't ruin it by aligning yourself to those that are on the political downfall. We see great things coming your way and this kind of thing can potentially ruin it.
IL campaign Donation web Site:
Back in February the petitions for Mr. Steven Quigley came under fire and were objected to. He had only gathered 90 signatures and many appeared to be written by the same person.
As an elected official, the rules for petitions are clear and these issues were addressed in the public.
However, during this time, Mr. Quigley took a campaign donation from an unlikely donor to help him support his campaign and campaign problems.
On Feb. 17, 2011 Mr. Ed Kusta Jr contributed $200.00 to Quigley.
The reason we say this is a disappointment is that Mr Kusta Jr. has been great about staying out of the public limelight and not directly aligning himself to any elected official who has been noted as "self serving".
Kusta Jr. is a Bolingbrook native, having grown up and graduated in our very school systems, gone on to become a successful attorney locally and had come to be a trustworthy elected official. His personality is charming and he is the type of person that will admit he was wrong, when he was wrong. He has walked the straight line to being a public servant. He has grasped the concept of "doing right" to his constituents. He seems to be a good guy. (As far as we know to date)
So what is he doing aligning himself to Mr. Quigley, who is on the top five list of "elected officials to watch out for?"
Our advise to Mr. Kusta Jr is to stay clear and continue to do a fine job. The community needs you and your political potential is still hot with ability for growth. Don't ruin it by aligning yourself to those that are on the political downfall. We see great things coming your way and this kind of thing can potentially ruin it.
IL campaign Donation web Site:
| citizens for steven quigley | 124 PEPPERWOOD DR BOLINGBROOK, IL 60440 | $200.00 2/17/2011 | Transfer Out People for Kusta | Contribution |
Village has yet to post meeting agenda for June 14th meeting
As the time comes for June meetings, we anxiously await the meeting agenda's. It has been since May 24th since the last meeting and the minutes for this will not be approved until June 14th meeting times. However, according to the Village Web Site, the meeting minutes from April 26, May 10, and May 24th have yet to be approved.
While construction season is at it's peak, we need to carefully watch the summer approvals of construction dollars, as these are costs that can be easily inflated to accommodate campaign contributions.
Last year we uncovered a story about the lowest bidder getting a project, but adding expenses on later as additional bills. Therefore, they were not the lowest bidders after all. We found a pattern to this throughout the last few years of FOIAed invoices. Examples included trees for $800 when we could buy the same tree, same height, quality etc. from a local business for $300.
So we are watching... as always.
While construction season is at it's peak, we need to carefully watch the summer approvals of construction dollars, as these are costs that can be easily inflated to accommodate campaign contributions.
Last year we uncovered a story about the lowest bidder getting a project, but adding expenses on later as additional bills. Therefore, they were not the lowest bidders after all. We found a pattern to this throughout the last few years of FOIAed invoices. Examples included trees for $800 when we could buy the same tree, same height, quality etc. from a local business for $300.
So we are watching... as always.
27th Annual Village Picnic
http://www.bolingbrookcaca.org/caca/index.php/village-picnic
Mark your calendars for June 26 from noon until 6pm. Plenty of fun events for the kids! Carnival out front, food fest behind the Village, don't forget to catch it all!
Mark your calendars for June 26 from noon until 6pm. Plenty of fun events for the kids! Carnival out front, food fest behind the Village, don't forget to catch it all!
Liberty Temple Gospel Church vs. Bolingbrook Elected Officials
People are wondering what is really behind the new lawsuit filed by Liberty Temple and Roger Claar.
The Village put out a press release claiming it was all based on the church NOT acquiring the proper permits and alleging that the temple had started construction without the permits. Therefore, placing the blame on the church. http://www.bolingbrook.com//info/pdf/PressRelease_4_13_11.pdf
However, the church location was sold to the church by the strip plaza owners who did research the zoning requirements. According to the zoning, it was already zoned for this type of use and did not require special use permits. Therefore, they accepted the deposit for rents and the church spent money to construct and prepare their new business.
When Roger Claar looked at the zoning maps he found that they were not up to code. The maps, that he at one time must have approved, were now considered "wrong" and that this location should not have been coded the way it was.
So instead of saying, whoops, sorry, we made an error in our documents so we will allow you to continue, he stopped the construction.
Now the residents are paying for the over inflated attorneys to battle this one out in court. This is costing the church money that it needed and planned on having to open the temple. The fault clearly lies in the hands of whomever signed off on the wrong property zoning map.
We would like to know who this is and if they will be responsible for paying the tax payers share of this lawsuit.
It makes me think of customer service today. Say you go into a restaurant and you order a steak from the menu. They bring you a chicken. When you complain, they say the menu has a typo and they take your chicken but don't give you anything in return. If you paid for the bill early, your stuck with no food and no money left. This is what they did to this church. What kind of service is this Village offering to it's residents? Defiantly not Disney type service!
The Village put out a press release claiming it was all based on the church NOT acquiring the proper permits and alleging that the temple had started construction without the permits. Therefore, placing the blame on the church. http://www.bolingbrook.com//info/pdf/PressRelease_4_13_11.pdf
However, the church location was sold to the church by the strip plaza owners who did research the zoning requirements. According to the zoning, it was already zoned for this type of use and did not require special use permits. Therefore, they accepted the deposit for rents and the church spent money to construct and prepare their new business.
When Roger Claar looked at the zoning maps he found that they were not up to code. The maps, that he at one time must have approved, were now considered "wrong" and that this location should not have been coded the way it was.
So instead of saying, whoops, sorry, we made an error in our documents so we will allow you to continue, he stopped the construction.
Now the residents are paying for the over inflated attorneys to battle this one out in court. This is costing the church money that it needed and planned on having to open the temple. The fault clearly lies in the hands of whomever signed off on the wrong property zoning map.
We would like to know who this is and if they will be responsible for paying the tax payers share of this lawsuit.
It makes me think of customer service today. Say you go into a restaurant and you order a steak from the menu. They bring you a chicken. When you complain, they say the menu has a typo and they take your chicken but don't give you anything in return. If you paid for the bill early, your stuck with no food and no money left. This is what they did to this church. What kind of service is this Village offering to it's residents? Defiantly not Disney type service!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Judy Biggert Visit to Bolingbrook
Rep. Judy Biggert visited the Levy Center last night to speak about local veteran's needs. It is a sore issue around Bolingbrook, as the local Veterans of War have been long neglected.
We would like to ask the local politicians... Why is it that we have been asking for a local Vet office in town for years, but "not - for - profits" like H20 get the free rent, advertising, and donations instead?
Veterans have long awaited a local chapter to host events at, offer services, and have what many local vets in other communities have. I mean, sure we have a wall, but the need to service our former service men have gone unanswered.
Last year I spoke with a gentleman who has been asking Roger Claar for a place in Bolingbrook and had been rejected for two straight years. He was willing to rent a place locally and pay out of his own pocket if that is what it took for the Vets to get some respect in Bolingbrook. He claimed, "most other local Vets have a place to go to, a hall to raise money from, and a place for help. Bolingbrook does not." Matter of fact, one of the most important thing that Vets do is to sponsor the local Boy Scouts. They have an office in most communities from which they sell flags and other items to help sponsor these scouts. In Bolingbrook, there are no options.
Do we take the step to appreciating our Vets or do we let them continue to wait?
We would like to ask the local politicians... Why is it that we have been asking for a local Vet office in town for years, but "not - for - profits" like H20 get the free rent, advertising, and donations instead?
Veterans have long awaited a local chapter to host events at, offer services, and have what many local vets in other communities have. I mean, sure we have a wall, but the need to service our former service men have gone unanswered.
Last year I spoke with a gentleman who has been asking Roger Claar for a place in Bolingbrook and had been rejected for two straight years. He was willing to rent a place locally and pay out of his own pocket if that is what it took for the Vets to get some respect in Bolingbrook. He claimed, "most other local Vets have a place to go to, a hall to raise money from, and a place for help. Bolingbrook does not." Matter of fact, one of the most important thing that Vets do is to sponsor the local Boy Scouts. They have an office in most communities from which they sell flags and other items to help sponsor these scouts. In Bolingbrook, there are no options.
Do we take the step to appreciating our Vets or do we let them continue to wait?
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Civil Union Cancelled
The debate has grown hot over the cancelling of the civil union ceremony and civil union certificates today. The Golf Club claims that they did not have enough people. The group sponsoring the event claims the golf club wanted too much down and was not a part of the original agreement.
We spoke to a couple that was suppose to get joined today. They claimed that this gimmick from Bolingbrook cost the Village a great deal of money. Sure there was a risk to how many people showed, but money is money, right? When a facility is failing and would have gotten much needed press, who were they to ask a sponsor for the money?
Taxpayers have been emailing all day asking how this affected the tax revenue that could have entered the village and the amount of publicity we would have gotten. My answer? A great deal...
Not only that, but since Bolingbrook sought out this organization, shouldn't they have compromised? did the golf club book some event that would have paid out more than 600 attendees and free major publicity?
We feel that there is much more to this story. Either that, or the elected officials mis-stepped and made the wrong decision. Sure there is risk, but balancing the risk vs. the gain is what they should know how to do by now right? They ricked $40 Mil to build the golf club and as far as I am concerned, if it cost $10k in expenses but received much advertising, it would have been worth it to me! What do you think?
We spoke to a couple that was suppose to get joined today. They claimed that this gimmick from Bolingbrook cost the Village a great deal of money. Sure there was a risk to how many people showed, but money is money, right? When a facility is failing and would have gotten much needed press, who were they to ask a sponsor for the money?
Taxpayers have been emailing all day asking how this affected the tax revenue that could have entered the village and the amount of publicity we would have gotten. My answer? A great deal...
Not only that, but since Bolingbrook sought out this organization, shouldn't they have compromised? did the golf club book some event that would have paid out more than 600 attendees and free major publicity?
We feel that there is much more to this story. Either that, or the elected officials mis-stepped and made the wrong decision. Sure there is risk, but balancing the risk vs. the gain is what they should know how to do by now right? They ricked $40 Mil to build the golf club and as far as I am concerned, if it cost $10k in expenses but received much advertising, it would have been worth it to me! What do you think?
Taxes, how do you compare?
Below is a spreadsheet that compares your property taxes based on your school, library, park district and village. The yellow highlights mean you are in the highest area of the one's covered. The red means you are taxed the highest TOTAL. It would appear that the Village of Bolingbrook charges more then Naperville. The school district charges more then Naperville. The park district charges more then Naperville and so does the Library. How does this make you feel? Place your comment below.
| House Worth $360,000 in the Village Of Bolingbrook | ||||
| $114,000.00 | ||||
| 2010 Tax Rate | 2009 Tax Rate | Increase | ||
| Dupage Township | 0.000662 | $75.47 | 0.000665 | -0.45% |
| School District 365 | 0.052276 | $5,959.46 | 0.049435 | 5.75% |
| Comm College 525 | 0.00227 | $258.78 | 0.002144 | 5.88% |
| Village Of Bolinbrook | 0.006666 | $759.92 | 0.006202 | 7.48% |
| Bolingbrook Park Distrrict | 0.004842 | $551.99 | 0.004554 | 6.32% |
| Fountaindale Library | 0.004073 | $464.32 | 0.004045 | 0.69% |
| Total | $8,069.95 | |||
| House Worth &360,000 in District 204 in Bolingbrook | ||||
| 2010 Tax Rate | 2009 Tax Rate | Increase | ||
| $114,000.00 | ||||
| Wheatland Township | 0.000701 | $79.91 | 0.000657 | 6.70% |
| School District 204 | 0.048871 | $5,571.29 | 0.044934 | 8.76% |
| Comm College 502 | 0.002347 | $267.56 | 0.002024 | 15.96% |
| Village Of Bolinbrook | 0.006776 | $772.46 | 0.006297 | 7.61% |
| Bolingbrook Park Distrrict | 0.004842 | $551.99 | 0.004554 | 6.32% |
| Plainfield Library | 0.001573 | $179.32 | 0.001421 | 10.70% |
| Total | $7,422.54 | |||
| House Worth &360,000 in District 204 Naperville | ||||
| 2010 Tax Rate | 2009 Tax Rate | Increase | ||
| $114,000.00 | ||||
| Wheatland Township | 0.000701 | $79.91 | 0.000657 | 6.70% |
| School District 204 | 0.048871 | $5,571.29 | 0.044934 | 8.76% |
| Comm College 502 | 0.002347 | $267.56 | 0.002024 | 15.96% |
| City Of Naperville | 0.005569 | $634.87 | 0.005382 | 3.47% |
| Naperville Park District | 0.002796 | $318.74 | 0.002564 | 9.05% |
| Naperville Library | 0.001854 | $211.36 | 0.00181 | 2.43% |
| Total | $7,083.73 | |||
| House Worth &360,000 in District 202 Plainfield | ||||
| 2010 Tax Rate | 2009 Tax Rate | Increase | ||
| $114,000.00 | ||||
| Wheatland Township | 0.000701 | $79.91 | 0.000657 | 6.70% |
| Plainfield Fire District | 0.008656 | $986.78 | 0.008419 | 2.82% |
| School District 202 | 0.048618 | $5,542.45 | 0.045876 | 5.98% |
| Comm College 525 | 0.00227 | $258.78 | 0.002144 | 5.88% |
| Village of Plainfield | 0.005109 | $582.43 | 0.004174 | 22.40% |
| Plainfield Park District | 0.001959 | $223.33 | 0.00174 | 12.59% |
| Plainfield Library | 0.001573 | $179.32 | 0.001421 | 10.70% |
| Total | $7,853.00 | |||
| House Worth $360,000 in District 202 in the Village Of Bolingbrook | ||||
| $114,000.00 | ||||
| 2010 Tax Rate | 2009 Tax Rate | Increase | ||
| Dupage Township | 0.000662 | $75.47 | 0.000665 | -0.45% |
| School District 202 | 0.048618 | $5,542.45 | 0.045876 | 5.98% |
| Comm College 525 | 0.00227 | $258.78 | 0.002144 | 5.88% |
| Village Of Bolinbrook | 0.006666 | $759.92 | 0.006202 | 7.48% |
| Bolingbrook Park Distrrict | 0.004842 | $551.99 | 0.004554 | 6.32% |
| Fountaindale Library | 0.004073 | $464.32 | 0.004045 | 0.69% |
| Total | $7,652.93 | |||
| House Worth $360,000 in District 203 in the Village Of Bolingbrook | ||||
| $114,000.00 | ||||
| 2010 Tax Rate | 2009 Tax Rate | Increase | ||
| Dupage Township | 0.000662 | $75.47 | 0.000665 | -0.45% |
| School District 203 | 0.042264 | $4,818.10 | 0.039495 | 7.01% |
| Comm College 502 | 0.002347 | $267.56 | 0.002024 | 15.96% |
| Village Of Bolinbrook | 0.006666 | $759.92 | 0.006202 | 7.48% |
| Bolingbrook Park Distrrict | 0.004842 | $551.99 | 0.004554 | 6.32% |
| Fountaindale Library | 0.004073 | $464.32 | 0.004045 | 0.69% |
| Total | $6,937.36 | |||
| House Worth $360,000 in District 203 Naperville | ||||
| $114,000.00 | ||||
| 2010 Tax Rate | 2009 Tax Rate | Increase | ||
| Dupage Township | 0.000662 | $75.47 | 0.000665 | -0.45% |
| School District 203 | 0.042264 | $4,818.10 | 0.039495 | 7.01% |
| Comm College 502 | 0.002347 | $267.56 | 0.002024 | 15.96% |
| City Of Naperville | 0.005569 | $634.87 | 0.005382 | 3.47% |
| Naperville Park District | 0.002796 | $318.74 | 0.002564 | 9.05% |
| Naperville Library | 0.001854 | $211.36 | 0.00181 | 2.43% |
| Total | $6,326.09 | |||
| House Worth &360,000 in District 365 Romeoville | ||||
| 2010 Tax Rate | 2009 Tax Rate | Increase | ||
| $114,000.00 | ||||
| Dupage Township | 0.000662 | $75.47 | 0.000665 | -0.45% |
| Romeoville Fire District | 0.001588 | $181.03 | 0.001588 | 0.00% |
| School District 365 | 0.052276 | $5,959.46 | 0.049435 | 5.75% |
| Comm College 525 | 0.00227 | $258.78 | 0.002144 | 5.88% |
| Village of Romeoville | 0.009091 | $1,036.37 | 0.008719 | 4.27% |
| Romeoville Park District | ||||
| Des Plaines Library | 0.001966 | $224.12 | 0.001315 | 49.51% |
| Total | $7,735.24 | |||
Bolingbrook Fourth of July Bash
Bolingbrook is planning the fourth of July bash this year. We would like to know if your attending. Place your comments below and let us know what you would like to see at this event.
One comment has come in that they would like to see live performers instead of a DJ. Do you agree?
One comment has come in that they would like to see live performers instead of a DJ. Do you agree?
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