Vacation Time

Going to be on vacation this week....so I am going to attempt to avoid blogging for nine days! I am sure I will be able to stick with that! Last time I tried I lasted two days! I will be back on August 6th like a blogging fool!

How's This For Some Craziness!

Badges! Badges! Does a library board need badges?

July 25, 2007

By Kristen Schorsch sun-times news group

Crestwood Public Library Board trustees have decided to keep their controversial police-like badges despite outcry from taxpayers who have accused trustees of wasting money on the credentials they rarely use.

In lieu of ditching the badges, the library board on Monday adopted new procedures for using them. Among the rules: Trustees have to keep their badges in a safe place and can't let friends borrow them.

"When we did this, we felt it was a perk," board president Clyde Petersen said, adding that he didn't think spending $600 of district money on the five-pointed stars and leather holders would create such strife. "I don't think it's wasteful."

In March, a friend of trustee Zeno Toscas was arrested for flashing Toscas' library badge to snag a better parking spot at a bar in Merrionette Park.

Crestwood library trustee's friend arrested for allegedly using police-like badge

March 15, 2007

By Kristen Schorsch Staff writer

The friend of a Crestwood Public Library District board member is in hot water after allegedly flashing the board member's police-like badge to snag a parking spot last week at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park.

Kristopher Bobb, 22, of 12557 Rail Lane, Palos Park, has been charged with impersonating a police officer, according to a Merrionette Park police report.

But Bobb, who is friends with 21-year-old library Trustee Zeno Toscas, said he isn't worried about the charges because he wasn't holding a police badge -- he was holding a library board badge.

"Just somebody who worked (at Bourbon Street) just assumed I was a cop," Bobb said Wednesday.

The Crestwood library board came under fire last year when it spent about $600 on five-pointed gold star badges that look like police badges, as well as leather badge holders, to identify board members.

Board president Clyde Petersen said at the time that trustees would not wear the badges at board meetings. They would only display them in certain situations, such as attending library conferences or other functions outside the Crestwood library. He could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

The incident that led to Bobb's arrest happened at 12:52 a.m. March 4. Toscas parked his car in a way that blocked another patron's vehicle, the police report said. Bourbon Street co-owner Nick DiNovo said Toscas parked behind a vehicle that was in a valet spot.

When a restaurant employee approached Toscas' car, Bobb yelled out that he was a cop and used several profanities, the report said. He allegedly flashed a badge and said he would do whatever he wanted.

On Wednesday, Bobb said he meant to quickly run inside the club to get his girlfriend and her friend. He said he got out of Toscas' car, which was parked in the back of the parking lot near 115th Street and Kedzie Avenue, and he was holding the badge.

"All I did was carry it," Bobb said. "I was playing with it in the car. I didn't realize it, and I walked out" of Toscas' car holding the badge.

Toscas' father, John Toscas, said four witnesses can testify that the charges against Bobb are "not anywhere near the truth." He referred questions to Bobb's attorney, Carl Evans. Evans did not return a phone call.

Toscas was not charged in the incident. He could not be reached for comment.

Crestwood Police Chief Tim Sulikowski said the incident is a "perfect example" of how the library board badges might be abused.

"I'm glad that person was arrested," he said of Bobb.

Sulikowski said it would be up to the library board whether to revoke the badges.

Fairfield and Gilmer Update

I went past the barricades at Fairfield and 60 last Sunday to see what was going on at the Gilmer intersection. Looked great, and more importantly nearly done!

Relay for Life Cancer Walk of Grayslake/Round Lake Area

Hi, this is Jennifer Blum the Round Lake Team Captain, and I wanted to invite all of you to join us for the Relay for Life Cancer Walk of Grayslake/Round Lake Area July 28-29th from 6:00PM-6:00AM.

Please come join us and walk a few laps with us even if you have not signed up we will love the company.

Our village has a team (so far) made up of Jen Blum, Mike Blum, Sherry Perkowitz, Bill Gentes, Christine Gentes Denise Gentes, Debbie Jones, Dale Multerer, Kathy Multerer and their kids Eric and Kristine.

The Relay for Life Walk is at the Esper A. Peterson Foundation Family Aquatic Center in Grayslake and starts at 6:00pm this Saturday evening going through to 6:00am Sunday morning.

We wanted to invite you and your families, friends, or anyone from your departments to join us that evening, either on our team to walk with us or just to come out for support at any time.

When the sun goes down, the Luminaria ceremony will take place (10:00pm). The Luminaria are lit to light the way under the stars for those lost to cancer, those fighting cancer, and those who have fought cancer and won. The ceremony of light symbolizes the hope and perseverence with which we all continue to fight.

If you are not able to join us, would like to donate to our team, or purchase Luminaria in honor of friends or loved ones to be lit that evening, please go out to our website and chose how you would like to join us in the fight against cancer.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me, and thank you for all of your support.

What am I?

Deputy Chief Francis Foy saw this animal running across the field at the NW corner of 120 and Cedar Lake Road. He took a picture (obviously) but since his police training did not encompass a segment as a naturalist, we are wondering what this animal is? Answers in the comment section please!

A Personal Announcement-- State Senate in 2008!

Over the last few years I have debated what I want my political future to be. Six years ago I was one of the first people in western Lake County to clearly say I was a Democrat and be an elected official. Being Mayor of Round Lake and being a Democrat were easily exclusive, the two rarely touched.

As the village grew, and started to take leadership roles on big projects in the county on transportation and hospitals for example, it became very useful to be a Democrat in a democratic state. I also realized that I enjoyed the big projects and work you had to do to get them done!

Many reasons along with the ones stated above have caused me to decide to run for the Illinois State Senate 26th district. The incumbent Senator Bill Peterson a Republican from Long Grove, I felt did not reflect the districts needs very well anymore, and I decided that I would mount what I felt was a winnable race, but a difficult one.

Senator Peterson announced last week that he was not seeking re-election, and if you read the papers you noticed that my name was prominently mentioned as the democratic challenger for the open seat. Obviously an open senate seat will stimulate interest and makes it quite the fight!

With the Illinois's primary date moved forward to make Illinois primary day more relevant in presidential party politics, the date I needed to move forward and announce was accelerated to today. I have to start passing petitions in August with a primary in February 2008 and the General election on the first Tuesday in November of 2008.

I plan on having four central themes for my election, transportation improvements, education funding reform, property tax relief and job creation & attraction to the district. While Illinois has many other issues, solving or contributing to a solution of the above four would help the 26th district and the state of Illinois immeasurably.

If you want more information on my campaign a website is set up at www.billgentes.com feel free to visit it. I will even have a blog (not yet), although not as intense as this one for now!

Please note that my Mayors blog will not be political, I will not tolerate election bashing of me or others, and the offending comments will simply be removed with no comments. This blog will remain and I will continue on as Mayor posting away about things that this community is interested in. If I am elected to the State Senate I will be the first Blogging Senator!

Dumbledore vs Gandalf

Okay which one can take which one...please discuss in the comments

Bank Robbery Solved-- Kudos to our Police Department!

The Round Lake Police Department, announced the arrest of Jeremy C. Wood age 27, of 6705 Maple Lane, Westmont, Illinois 60559 for the July 9, 2007 armed robbery of the NorStates Bank Round Lake branch. WOOD, an active parolee, was arrested without incident on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at approximately 10:30 AM while he left his residence.

An initial investigation by the Round Lake Police Department led to the identification of Wood, which later culminated in a joint investigation conducted by the Round Lake Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Illinois Department of Corrections and other local law enforcement agencies.

After his arrest, Wood confessed to the NorStates Bank robbery and three other bank robberies throughout Illinois. Wood is currently in Federal custody awaiting charges.

The public is reminded that an arrest is not evidence of guilt and that the defendant in this criminal case is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Queenly visitors at this weeks village board

Thie week we got to meet the new Round Lake Area Queens, I am always so impressed by how dedicated and involved they are! I would guess they attend over 200 events a year, since they cover a multitude of villages! This years group was quite vivacious and excited! It was fun to see them, I am sure I will get to see much more of them throughout the year!

It's so impressive to see how they grow throughout there year as queen, they become more poised and articulate. I think its probably one of the best things you can do as a young kid!

Village wins Bronze Medal Award from Clean Air Counts!

The Village received a bronze award from the Clean Air Counts program for a number of our initiatives for our clean air programs. The lady who runs the program Eye Pytel came up and gave us a plaque at the village board meeting last Monday.

Municipalities, government agencies, and authorities – including school board, park districts, and others – can play a major role in improving the region’s air quality. Government bodies can exercise a tremendous market influence, not only through legislation, but by choices they make as employers, purchasers, service providers, and property owners.

In addition to joining as a Clean Air Counts Adopter and implementing emission reduction strategies, all governing bodies can become a Clean Air Community. Becoming a Clean Air Community is an excellent way for local governments to demonstrate their commitment to clean air.

We are very proud of what we have done, which includes, diesel retrofits, solid waste programs, and electronic waste programs.

Comments on the Blog

I have been following a chain of comments between some with a screen name Al and "Dudley Do Right" on the blog, which has ranged so far afield thats it almost makes sense that it was in a post on the America's Cup Since neither of them, in there testosterone frenzy (they both have to be men, since a women would have kicked the man's butt long since in the argument) will let the other have the last word! I have been forced to have the last work and consquently have banned both of them from commenting.

I will let you back when I remember that I banned you in a few weeks. If I see you posting with other IP's I will ban those also, and I if I find one of you posting "secretly" and the other not posting, I will block the secret poster, and then un-ban the other person and let them get the last word!

Since "Dudley Do Right" in my mind is a much cooler screen name then "Al" I used a picture of the world's most favorite Mountie. This is no way reflects on the winner of the argument however...you are both wrong...benevolent despotism is the best form of government, as long as I get to be the despot! Joking obviously!

Hospital News from the Waukegan News Sun

This article appeared the Waukegan News Sun over the weekend written by Dan Moran. The actual report mentioned in the article can be downloaded here.

I think its instructive to see in a report, what we already know, its much easier to get to another Hospital from Lindenhurst. You have a 4 lane highway that takes you to the interstate in minutes or to state route 45 in seconds to get you moving to one.

Out here in Round Lake, its not that easy as we all know! The 45 minute drive for a Lindenhurst resident to the other hospitals mentioned in the report will be 60-75 minutes for residents in western lake county, which means Round Lake is a better site for the hospital.

WAUKEGAN -- The stars appeared to be lining up Friday against Vista Health's proposal to build a hospital in Lindenhurst with the release of a state report determining that the project "does not appear to be in conformance" with several key requirements.

A 42-page staff report from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, which is scheduled to meet July 24-25 in Chicago to review the Vista proposal, basically states that the 140-bed hospital proposed at Grand Avenue and Deep Lake Road would be too close to current hospitals to demonstrate a need for construction.

"There are 15 hospitals located within 45 minutes travel time which provide medical/surgical and intensive care unit services, and 12 hospitals providing obstetric service," the report states, adding that this represents "a computed excess of (services) and facilities" in the targeted area.

Among the hospitals listed as within 45 minutes of travel time were Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Highland Park Hospital, Lake Forest Hospital and Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan. Also on the list are hospitals in Park Ridge, Schaumburg and Woodstock, along with the northwest side of Chicago.

The report added that several criteria must be met before a Certificate of Need can be issued for construction, including documentation "that travel times to existing providers is excessive (exceeding 45 minutes) ... Since none of the requirements for the criterion are met, a positive finding cannot be made."

The report also scrutinized the need to add 140 beds to the area's health-care roster, saying that Vista "(has) not adequately documented that the proposed new hospital is needed to serve an underserved population, (so) it does not appear that the project is the most effective or least costly alternative for meeting health- care needs in the area."

Attempts to reach Vista Health officials for comment late Friday afternoon, when the report was first available, were not successful.

Vista officials and backers of the project -- expected to cost $99.8 million -- have said travel times to existing facilities were dangerously high for residents in northern Lake County. When the Certificate of Need was applied for in March, Vista CEO Barbara Martin said, "There is an urgent need for a hospital in that area."

However, at a public hearing before the Health Facilities board in May, officials at several regional hospitals -- including Condell, Lake Forest and Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry -- argued that a Lindenhurst hospital would infringe on their "primary care zone."

Jodi Levine, Condell's vice president of marketing and business development, reiterated those sentiments after reading the state report late Friday.

"Lake County has a crying need for more advanced specialty services, not simply more hospital beds," Levine said in a statement. "A new hospital would completely undercut efforts to bring in Level I Trauma care, advanced cancer and neo-natal care or other high-level services. The staff has followed state rules, which are in place to protect health-care decisions from becoming political."

It remains to be seen what the board will do with the report's findings when it meets in 10 days, and what the findings might mean to Advocate Health System's competing proposal to build a hospital in Round Lake at Route 120 and Wilson Road.

Lets Run Away to the Circus

I went to Navy Pier last night to see the Cirque Shanghai at the Skyline stage. They are a troupe of Chinese Acrobats that are spectacular and quite limber! I would strongly recommend you go!

The pictures I took inside were awful, so the best you get is the shot of the outside of the venue! Which was quite nice and we need one here in Round Lake!

Bad Battery

My computer is sick so this one is coming from my phone! Computer electricity...socket...issues.

Nice Publicity for the Blog

I was interviewed by a reporter for MuniNetGuide recently and got a nice article in return about the blog on the website two days ago. It points out some interesting things, that the regular reader will already know. It's true about other mayors, they start and then die away which is a shame, because it is a great tool for keeping people aware of the community.

I had to credit the guy who gave me the idea Mayor Jim Wiley of Elburn who no longer posts regularly but still is the godfather of the process!

Local Bank Robbed

Attached is a flyer sent out to area law enforcement agencies regarding an armed robbery that occurred Monday at NorStates Bank at 301 Goodnow Blvd at 3:06pm. The offender fled with approx. $1,200. The FBI was contacted and is involved with the investigation. Please contact the Round Lake Police at 847-546-8112 if you have information on this ongoing investigation.

Belated May Mosquito Report

One of the fun things we get as Mayor and Trustee are reports on Mosquitoes! Here is the most recent one I have from May! Its actually interesting, but then again I like reading stuff like this!

SURVEILLANCE & WEATHER

The rainfall total for the month of May to date (0.72in.) is about an inch and a half a below the average for May to date (2.28in.) Across most of the northern part of the state, precipitation averages have been average since January. However, due to the recent lack of rainfall, we are likely to experience drought conditions. Increased temperatures with little rainfall create ideal conditions for Culex mosquitoes which are potential carriers of West Nile Virus.

2007 West Nile Cases

County	American Crow	Blue Jay	Other Birds	Mosquito	Horse	Human
DuPage	0	0	0	3	0	0
Tazwell	0	0	0	1	0	0
TOTAL	0	0	0	4	0	0

Last updated May 23, 2007

Brood Prediction
The floodwater mosquito, Aedes vexans, is the key nuisance species in the Chicago land area. Distinct hatches of floodwater mosquito populations, or broods, are triggered by significant rainfall events. The Clarke Brood Prediction Model calculates peak annoyance periods based on rainfall and temperature data collected from weather stations in your area.

Weather Station	Rain Date	Rain Amount	Brood Prediction
North Lake	Currently there are no predictions.

OPERATIONS SUMMARY

Upcoming June Operations:

1 Complete Inspection

1 Targeted Inspection

RECOMMENDATIONS
The CDC currently shows a risk category 1. Conduct entomological survey (inspections) and surveillance to monitor larval and adult mosquito density; Maintain vector and virus surveillance; Expand community outreach and public education programs focused on risk potential and personal protection emphasizing residential source reduction.

Operation and Surveillance Reports

Attached is a report outlining services performed year-to-date. These services could include the following:

• N. J. Light Trap Seasonal Service: Seasonal Light Trap Service for adult mosquito population monitoring.
• Complete Site Larval Inspection Service: Inspection service of all potential mosquito larvae development sites.
• Targeted Site Larval Inspection: Inspection of all targeted larval development sites.
• Culex Site Inspection Service: Inspection of Culex mosquito larval development sites for the prevention of West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.
• Larval Site Service Call: Special inspection of standing water for mosquito breeding per hot line request.
• Backpack Larviciding: Backpack larviciding for biological control of mosquito larvae sites.
• Hand Larviciding: Hand equipment larviciding for biological control of mosquito larvae.
• Backyard Catch Basin Trmt: Backyard catch basin treatment for larval control.
• Catch Basin Appl: Treatment of street catch basins for seasonal control of mosquito larvae development.
• Backyard Catch Basin Touch-Up: Treatment of a backyard catch basin per the request of the community's resident.
• Helicopter Larviciding: Helicopter larvicide application for biological control of mosquitoes.
• Truck ULV: ULV application for adult mosquito control larvae.
• Truck ULV Service Call: ULV “touch-up” application for control of mosquito annoyance per citizen hotline request.
  

COMMENTARY-- Four Coynes Decision from the Illinois Liquor Commision

What happens if you run a gambling den for years, serve underage minors in your bar, and have illegal slot machines in your bar and get caught!

Here's how you handle it, appeal appeal appeal, the Illinois Liquor Commission (ILC) will let you off the shut-down hook and keep you open. According to other Mayors I talked to in the last few days, it's the way they do it! They all told me there horror stories. So now we are in the club!

Of course the owner has to pay a fine, because of course the municipality does it right, the owner admits to everything at the liquor hearing. Even then you get to remain open! Here is the decision in PDF format for you to enjoy.

Excellent!

The ILC did not overturn my decision they just called it overly harsh! The penalty was changed to a $10,000 fine, which is one of the largest levied in a long time by the ILC.

Other then a few old timers, the vast majority of residents here were supportive of my aggressive stance on this issue. So despite the fact that this train wreck of a bar is open, we are still going to continue aggressive action with our liquor licenses throughout the village.

We are not going to tolerate underage drinking of any kind, nor are we going to tolerate illegal gambling either in our fine bars and restaurants.

If you want to read the back story to this story go here.

Triple 7's

To bad we don't have a place to play the numbers, because I bet this one get's a lot of play today ! Oh wait we do have a place....the Illinois lotto stores throughout this fine town. Gee did you think I was going to say somewhere else?

Big bath tub races tomorrow! I am racing the other Mayors it seems! Not sure how I got conned into that, anyway its at Beach Fest at 4pm.

Mount Everest it was'nt...but still up there!

The annual trip to the top of Round Lake was yesterday. If many of you recall I summited the East water tower last year. Last year I had our Director of Public Works Davis Clark along this year I was joined by Trustee Michael Blum who was seriously willing! He was even game enough to allow me to take the picture at the right of him with a giant growth on his head!

I am not fond of heights, but last year I was so tired by the time I got to the top, I had no room to be uncomfortable! This year was no difference, my arms were so tight when I got down, they barely fit in my shirt sleeves!

Anyway we made our way to the top, where Davis casually revealed that he had already climbed the tower with the Village Engineer Erika Frable earlier in the day, which is why there was cold water at the top for us!

The view was spectacular, not as clear as last year, but great. I took some good shots which I have below in high resolution of Silver Leaf Glen and parts of Wooster Lake as well. If you click on it it should blow up to full size!



I also have one of Valley Lakes as well, same format. The sun was at an awkward angle to get shots eastwards, but these are not to bad.



Finally the two climbers at the top. Proving that fat guys can climb! Many thanks to Davis for being so helpful!

An Explosive Fourth

Had my usual great time at the Fourth of July parade. My driver Daniel Rude (whose parents bought the right to drive the golf cart for the Village School PTO) and his sister staffed my car and threw some serious candy into the crowds. I walked about 2/3rds of the route, and saw lots of friends!

The highlight was a bucket of candy falling out of the cart on Washington and kids diving on it in a frenzy!

The fireworks were something else again. One of the largest crowds in along time, no wind and a slow cadence on the shells meant a huge smoke cloud, and the tilt of the fireworks slightly towards the crowd meant ash was coming into the crowd, lots of it! My white shirt was spotted everywhere.

But the finale was started by a dud shell that shot out sideways igniting the whole finale into the lake! If you can imagine a grand finale, majestically towering over you, now visualize one 15 feet off the ground coming right at you. We saw people moving afterwards but we also saw some ambulances as well, so hopefully that was a precaution, nothing more.

July 4th Parade and Fireworks Today!

Parade starts at 9, fireworks are this evening, weather permitting!

Relay for Life Team Sign-up

Our local relay will be on Saturday the 28th of July from 6pm to 6am in the morning at the Grayslake Aquatic Center there will be the Grayslake/Round Lake Area Relay for Life 2007.

I have created a team for us! The link to the team is here. So if you want to sign up to volunteer please do so at this website. I set a goal of $1,000 for us, but I am guessing we can go higher! I have numerous volunteers from my earlier post about the Relay. Off the top of my head I had about 10 people say they would come help which is exciting. So please go sign up for the team, make your pledges, and write the dates and times into your calendar.

July 4th Week Update

Awkward placement of the 4th of July, you can't take one day off to get a four day weekend, which stinks.

The area schedule for the 4th is the parade at 9am starting at Hawthorne and Cedar Lake south to Washington, east to Hainesville.

Then the Round Lake Area fireworks will start around 9 at Hook Lake, which is behind the movie place, or the post office, the parking lots will be crammed! But the fireworks are great!

I will be at both places, I love parades and firworks so I will be a happy camper!