New Entryway Signs

The much awaited new entryway signs should be installed next Friday, June 6th, or early the following week, weather permitting.

The locations for those (3) signs are at the north and south Carpentersville corporate limits along Illinois Route 25, and at the south corporate limit along Route 31. The other two (2) signs are scheduled for installation the week of June 23rd. One will be placed at Jack Hill Park along the westside of the river and the fifth sign will be located along Randall Road.

These signs were primarily paid for from a Kane County River Boat Grant. The new welcome signs are designed to have the look of brick and should be a real improvement compared to what we currently have in place. The entryway signs for any town or Village makes a statement as to that community’s concern for its overall image and appearance. It may not seem to be a big deal but it does set the tone for a community. After all, those signs are the first marker that designates that you have left one community and are now entering into another community. Putting it into business terms, entryway signs are much like your community’s business card. In that regard, our current signs say loud and clear that we just don’t care how we look.

I have been anticipating these new signs for some time now. I’m very pleased that they are finally near ready to be erected.

Foreclosure Presentation

I’m pleased to announce that Mr. Scott Berger, Program Manager for Kane County Community Development Block Grant Commission, will make a presentation to the Carpentersville Village Board at the Tuesday, June 3rd, Regular Village Board Meeting held at Village Hall, 1200 Besinger Drive, in Carpentersville at 7:30 P.M.

The presentation will deal with options for those who are facing foreclosure, and other programs to assist homeowners. The power point presentation will be about 15 minutes in length and will most likely be at the beginning of the meeting. Those who are interested in learning more about options available when faced with foreclosure, high property taxes and other issues, should plan to attend this meeting.

I wish to thank Mr. Berger and Kane County for their interest in our community.

Attention Homeowners

A week ago I was contacted by Scott Berger of the Kane County Development Department. He told me of a program that Kane County was working on to help those homeowners who were in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure.

Scott Berger and I work together on the Community Development Block Grant Commission.  He is the Program Manager.   I was appointed to this county committee by Kane County Board Chairman, Karen McConnaughay, and was unanimously confirmed by the Kane County Board.

Mr. Berger has sent me some information to share with you, my constituents. He will be sending additional information in a few days that I will also share with you. It’s likely that we will be holding a forum in Carpentersville in the next week or so on what to do about foreclosure, if you are facing that situation right now. I hope you find this information helpful.

Also, at our upcoming Village Board meeting on Tuesday evening, June 3rd; we will get additional information concerning foreclosures from Janice Murphy, our Economic Development and Special Projects Coordinator. I’ve also shared some information with Ms. Murphy that I received from the Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus that she will be presenting to the Village Board.

I encourage you to read this material and if you have questions concerning any of these programs please contact the appropriate agency, or you can always contact me directly.

Let’s Remember What Memorial Day Is About

This weekend we will have many fun things to do and places to go. There will be a parade starting in East Dundee and ending in West Dundee on Sunday afternoon, May 25th at 2:00 P.M. This parade will be among other tributes to pay honor to our armed service veterans who have given their lives in doing their duty to protect our freedoms.

All of us should pay tribute and honor to those brave men and women who have gone before us in the cause of protecting this country from oppression and tyranny. Many of those who fought to preserve our freedoms during World War II have now since passed away. My own father was one of them who has since passed. He fought in the Pacific theater. He did his duty and was a very proud United States Marine.

Let’s all of us remember those who have fought and died and those who still fight today to protect us. We are engaged in a war that is not popular. We can disagree with that war, but we must always support the fighting men and women who serve. I remember a time in our history when some took out their anger with our government over the Vietnam conflict on the returning servicemen. That was unfair and disgraceful. As Americans we can doubt or question our political leaders, but what we must never do is disrespect any person who has been called upon or has chosen to wear the uniform of our country. That person in my eyes is a hero.

So, in between the activities and the cookouts and getting together with friends and family, remember why we have an extended weekend at the end of May each year. If you know a vet tell them Thank You.

Planning and Zoning Workshop

On Tuesday evening, May 13, 2008, in the Board Room of Village Hall, the Village of Carpentersville had a joint meeting of the Village Board and the Planning and Zoning Commission. This was a workshop to learn more about zoning issues and why proper zoning is important to a community.

Also attending this workshop was Village Attorney, James Rhodes, Village Manager, Craig Anderson, Assistant Village Manager, Dawn Wucki-Rossbach, Special Projects and Economic Development Coordinator, Janice Murphy, Community Development Director, Cindy McCammack, Senior Planner, Ed Cage and Village Clerk, Terri Wilde, and members of the Board. Trustee Judith Sigwalt was absent.

This was a very informational workshop put on by Nelis and Castillo, Inc., urban planners out of Chicago. The workshop was titled: THEORY AND PRACTICE OF ZONING – Robert L. Nelis, Sr., Presenter.

The evening began with an introduction of why planning and zoning are important to a community. It was pointed out that zoning must be “reasonable” and zoning effects the “atmosphere” of a community. When zoning, the “Public Good” must come first. Zoning is a “Team Effort.” That means that all levels of the community, staff, commissioners and the elected officials need to be involved in the process. For zoning to work effectively, “Due Process” must be maintained and protected. “Legal Notice” must be given prior to any hearings on zoning matters. “Equal Protection” must be taken into account.

In other words zoning has consequences on other properties. The public must have adequate opportunity to provide their input.

It is also important that those making decisions on zoning not have prior communications with a developer before making the zoning decision. The Planning and Zoning Commissioners and the Village Board act in the same role as would a Judge in making these decisions. They must be open to all points of view. Data being presented must be available to all parties before the hearing process. This would include such things as traffic studies and other pertinent information.

This was good information and it seems that we will be doing another session in the upcoming months. These type of workshops are good for both staff and the elected officials to take part in…

This Week

Monday, May 5th – Is Cinco de Mayo. I wish to express my best wishes to our Hispanic community on this special day.

Tuesday, May 6th – I will be attending a Local Government Strategies Forum sponsored by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Taking Action: Event-This forum will take place at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. This forum will deal with what local government can do to help those who are in jeopardy of losing their homes to foreclosure.

Also that night will be our regular Village board meeting. The meeting is at Village Hall and begins at 7:30 PM.

Wednesday, May 7th – I and Village Manager Craig Anderson will meet with a staff member for United State’s Senator Barack Obama’s Office. I will also have a Quad Com Meeting at 7:00 PM. Quad Com is the system set up for our 9-1-1 service. I serve on the Quad Com and Jets board.

Thursday, May 8th at 6:30 PM-The Clergy of Carpentersville Invites you to The Community Day of Prayer. This event will kickoff at the front entrance of Village Hall. There will be several churches involved in this event and the focus is to break out into groups and go to various locations around our Village and hold a prayer vigil at those locations. Please plan on joining with these pastors to bring the power of prayer to our Village. Each group will be praying for different causes.

I also have a meeting set up with a representative from PACE to discuss how the Village can attain more revenue from our bus stop shelters advertising.

Friday, May 9th – Comcast will broadcast our Village board meeting at 7:00 PM.

In the future you will be getting more in-depth news. This is just to get us started. I hope that you will make this site a regular stopping off point each day. I will be giving regular updates on the things that have been happening. I will also give you feedback on the meetings we have held.

Welcome

If you are looking for the most up to date news on the Village of Carpentersville this is the place to find it. Let me Welcome you. This site is run by Bill Sarto, the Village President of Carpentersville.
 
I’ve decided that it’s time to keep our residents informed of what is happening outside of the political squabbles that have been going on for far too long. The public has a right to know what is happening in the Village.
 
This site is dedicated to providing you with the best possible news and events that are taking place in our Village. My goal is to keep you informed of all happenings that are pending. I want you to know the good things that continue to go on in Carpentersville. At this site you will NOT find GOSSIP or controversy. What you will find is NEWS. You will be allowed to make comments: I want to hear what you have to say.
 
[A Few Ground Rules] All commentators will be expected to give their real names. The reason is obvious, I want to know what you think and you should be willing to put your name to your comment. I’m looking for feedback from the community. I want to know your opinion. If we’re doing a good job I’d like to hear that, if we need improvement, I also want to hear that. This is your opportunity to communicate directly with me and let me know your thoughts and ideas. That’s how a democracy works best. I want you to also know what plans the Village has for the future of Carpentersville. All comments should be respectful and in good taste.  Those that are not, or if you do not give your name, your comments will not be posted. So, with that said, let’s get started.