Have a Wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

More on the CN EJE attempted merger

Maybe we need a hospital up here also?

From Today's Daily Herald

For those of you not following along this is a huge issue, and these trains will effect our commutes as they cut across our routes to work. I testified here last night as well.

Both sides to EJ&E sale have their say at meeting
By Russell Liseau

More than 100 people packed a Mundelein hotel's banquet room Tuesday night to sound off about the proposed Canadian National purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern railroad - but the comments weren't one-sided.

People opposed to the deal - which is expected to relieve freight-train traffic on the existing Canadian National tracks in the area but would lead to increased freight travel on the EJ&E line that loops through the suburbs - outnumbered supporters, but supporters were present and vocal.

Among the high-profile backers who spoke at the Crowne Plaza Chicago North Shore was state Rep. Elaine Nekritz, who said freight traffic is a fact of life. "The CN proposal deserves a fair review," the Northbrook Democrat said.

The political heavy-hitters who opposed the deal were in much greater number, however, led by U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, who flew in from the Democratic National Convention in Denver for the session.

Bean, of Barrington, criticized the proposed purchase as a move by a private, foreign company that would force local communities to pay for relieving any problems that arise from the extra traffic on the EJ&E line.

She also criticized Canadian National's statements that train traffic would decrease on its current tracks, saying the company has made no long-term promises.

"The so-called benefits are clearly a sham," Bean said.

Other politicians and community leaders who spoke against the deal included Hawthorn Woods Mayor Keith Hunt, Mundelein Village Administrator John Lobaito, Countryside Fire Protection District Chief Jeff Steingart and Mundelein Fire Chief Tim Sashko.

Plenty of local residents shared opinions about the proposal, too.

Most shared the sentiments of Mundelein resident Michael Fisher, who was concerned about Canadian National's safety record and the potential freight traffic on the EJ&E line.

"An overnight increase ... is a recipe for disaster," he said.

The meeting was arranged by the Surface Transportation Board, a three-member federal panel with final say on the deal.

Representatives from the board, Canadian National and other interested groups were present.

The transportation board has said it will work the comments given at the meeting and at other gatherings throughout the Chicago area into an environmental impact study that's scheduled to be released in December or January.

A final decision on the proposed deal will follow.

Similar meetings are scheduled for this afternoon at Barrington High School, Thursday at Bartlett High School and Sept. 9 at West Aurora High School.

Spartan Football--- The Corn and Brat Day

One of the nicest events held every year is the Round Lake Spartan Youth Football organizations annual Corn and Brat day. This year I would guess was the biggest yet, about 5,000 people throughout the day! The opposition was provided as always by Mchenry and they came with some big kids!

There are seven different age groups and teams so its an all day affair, the kids get a treat by running through a banner to start the day, the PA system calls them out by name when they make a big play, the companion cheer leaders cheer like crazy for the teams! It is is one of the best things about the Round Lake area!

Regional Transportation Authority Testimony

About 10 days ago I testified at an RTA (Regional Transportation Authority) public hearing in Grayslake. The RTA put on an excellent presentation which you can view here as a PDF. What follows is my testimony, it was interesting to hear others concerns and issues, all in all it was well worth the time.

My name is Bill Gentes and I am the Mayor of Round Lake, I also serve on the board of directors for the Lake County Transportation Alliance, on the Lake County Partners Board of Governors as well as being the Chair of the Route 120 Corridor Planning Council.

• Long commutes
  
• Outrageous gas prices
• Standing room only on Metra trains
• Not enough parking
• Not enough trains and stations
• More “reverse commute” options

As Mayor for 8 years I have heard all of these things repeatedly from residents of Lake County. I personally have observed numerous improvements to transportation over the years from the state and county governments, but in reality they are stop gap measures at best, barely keeping our heads above water. A few minutes ago I listed 6 items, of which 3 are directly solvable by increasing and improving Regional Transportation funding, the other three are syptoms of the illness that is plaguing transportation in the region Tonight at this hearing we have heard that there is a plan to move transit issues forward This state desperately needs the passage of the so-called “Capitol plan” I call on the legislature and governor to move forward on this needed piece of legislation so we can start to implement the RTA plan and get this state moving again. Thank you

I'm Back!

Having had an eventful week off, I have returned to blogging action hopefully at the level that my loyal readers (specifically Paul Hollingsworth) have come to expect.

The lowlight of last week and the real reason I was not ready to blog was I had a tooth extracted which was beyond salvage. The extraction was not pretty, in fact it was quite messy, but amazing how quickly it went.

I was also successfully able to line up some November support from the Dentist and the rest of his office as well! Of course there were pain killers involved so maybe I just thought I did!

Blog Vacation

I am taking a vacation from the blog for a bit, have a busy week ahead of me! Enjoy the Olympics and the sun!

Newly Renovated Railroad Crossing Shopping Center

I posted about this renovation awhile ago but was unable to find the post to link it here. These three units are quite nice and are a big improvement, and they already have a tenant in Nanuccios which I have tried and can say its quite good!

The place looks great don't you think?

Final Update-- On the Move

Shock of shocks we brought not one thing home! Correction we brought some empty boxes and suitcases home, but that does not count.

It all fit easily with some degree of organization into the room! The room is so small, my dorm in college was at least twice the size of this place. The windows and the desks are about 3 feet off the left of this picture so there is not much space not on camera.

I was impressed by the degree of organization at the school, from the curb to the room all our boxes and miscellaneous stuff was in the room in about 30 minutes.

The parting was traumatic to say the least!

LIVE UPDATE-- The Move! This is a lot of stuff!

Bonus time! How much of this will NOT fit in her dorm room and will return with us to Round Lake in the next days? My count was of at least 15 purses, and 20-30 shoes, not including what I could not see in boxes. Plus we appear to be sending granola bars by the 1,000's to ISU, I am guessing that they are not available in the remote areas of the state, which is why we need to send them with her.

Big Days!

Today is a big day in the Gentes household! My daughter is off to college, she will be a freshman at Illinois State University, majoring in Art Education. So we are driving to Bloomington-Normal to get her organized and moved into the dorm, where she has an "orientation week" (yeah right) with school starting next Monday.

I know I am sure going to miss her sassing me, making snide comments about my obsession with all things 120, and 26! Plus what am I going to do when I need to understand my facebook issues! The picture is from Memorial Day a few years ago, when she still liked to drive my golf cart in parades one of my favorites of the two of us.

Congestion Hurts People

NOTE: For those who have issues with what I post here, and not crediting sources, my apologies I thought I had added that at the bottom where I got it from. I got it from Metroplanning.org an excellent organization with some excellent reports. If you are a regular reader you know I credit sources regularly!

Many of the strains that congestion inflicts on individuals and families are difficult, if not impossible, to quantify. What is the cost of the stress generated by being stuck in traffic? What is the cost of missing a child's soccer match, or not getting to the store before it closes?

However, other measures are much more readily assessed. Commuters and other drivers lose time on the roads, which has a significant cost, and the amount of wasted fuel is a very tangible concern. Congestion also adds uncertainty to the commute, and to other travel, leading drivers to build additional time into their schedules in the event that traffic jams occur. This is time that could otherwise be spent working, shopping, or relaxing.

Wasted time costs money

Each vehicle-hour lost to congestion has an assumed cost of $24.03. Assuming 250 days of congested travel per year (i.e., excluding weekends and holidays), for 2005, the estimated total cost of congestion in wasted time amounts to $6.98 billion for the metropolitan area. While most people tend to think about wasted fuel when they think of congestion, the cost of lost time is almost 20 times greater for the region.

The time commuters lose to congestion accounts for the major share of the total cost of congestion on Chicago-area roads. In 2005, gridlock increased the overall cost for commuting by car to workplaces in the Chicago metropolitan region by about $5.1 billion. This amounts to nearly two-thirds of the region's estimated $7.3 billion annual total. However, evidence from a National Coop­erative Highway Research Program study of tolled express lanes in southern California suggests that $20 per hour might be a more accurate measure of the value of personal travel time than the U.S. DOT's measure of $14.75. A value of $20 per hour would increase the total cost of congestion in the Chicago area by 24 percent, to $9.0 billion.

Understanding the numbers

The average value of time per vehicle-hour, $24.03, was calculated as a weighted average of the values for each of the three categories of travel based on their relative percentage of vehicle miles traveled: commercial truck ($67 per hour), other busi­ness ($38), and personal ($14.75), including com­muting; while the other 15 percent captures all "on-the-clock" driving, such as deliv­eries and trips to meetings.

Congestion increases travel uncertainty

The increased uncertainty the threat of congestion creates also has costs, though it is difficult, if not impossible, to assign a dollar figure to it. The lack of reliability in travel times leads travelers to include additional buffer time in their plans, particularly for travel during the morning period, when commuters are concerned about lateness to work. This is not an uninformed gamble, but one informed by experience. CMAP has estimated a variation in traffic volumes and speeds by time of day on selected roadways. This conforms to the normal pat­tern of morning and afternoon traffic peaks, with the dominant peak — morn­ing or afternoon — being corridor-specific. For example, to travel the Stevenson Expressway northbound from Naperville Road to I-294 normally takes under 15 minutes during the off-peak versus about 22 minutes during the height of the morning peak and 20 minutes during the height of the afternoon peak. On some days, however, travel during the peak periods can take much longer. The 95th percentile in the distribution of travel times is between 30 and 35 minutes during the morning and afternoon peaks, an effective doubling of off-peak trav­el times. One result of this is the morning peak starts early, with travel times on the Stevenson Expressway increasing rapidly around 6:00 a.m.

Congestion increases fuel costs

The annual increase in fuel costs per peak period traveler in 2005 came to $81. That includes all peak period traffic, not simply commuters. Again, this is the extra amount of money spent on gas as a result of congestion. Gas prices have risen considerably since 2005, and are expected to continue rising. At current fuel prices (July 2008), the increase in annual fuel cost incurred by congestion is $681 million.

Understanding the numbers

The cost of wasted fuel was estimated using average speeds under congested and relatively uncongested condi­tions, and TTI's equation for miles per gallon. The cost of gasoline was set at $1.88 per gallon, the average Illinois retail price in 2005 (the refer­ence year for all calculations in this analysis) minus fed­eral, state and local taxes.

Policy Implications

Congestion does not simply cost people time and money, it wastes both. For most people there is no benefit gained from excessive congestion.

Strategies to mitigate regional congestion must:

• Reduce the number of lost hours and amount of gas that literally goes up in
  smoke.
• Increase certainty about travel times.
• Provide people with more transportation choices.
  

Strategies to mitigate congestion may include some kind of toll to price more accurately the utility of traveling without excessive traffic. It is important to remember these tolls, which would appear to be an additional cost, would serve to eliminate partially or wholly the wasted time and money that congestion creates. Variable tolling schemes that determine tolls based on the level of traffic might help to maintain a more even flow, thereby increasing people's confidence about travel time.

While some would say congestion is the result of people choosing to drive, it is equally accurate to view congestion as the result of a lack of choice. A prime example is a mass transit network that more efficiently moves people to and from home, work, stores, schools, and other transportation hubs to give people more choice in how to get around.

Save the Date for KaBoom

September 26 will be one of the biggest days in park district history! Through support from Discover Financial Services and KaBOOM!, a national non-profit agency promoting children at play, the Round Lake Area Park District will be constructing a new playground and a new skate park at the district’s Community Center on Hart Road. These projects have been in planning stages for months now, with the area children participating in Design Day in June when they helped design both projects. Since then, a group of local citizens, district staff, KaBOOM! and Discover have been planning the “Build Day” on September 26.

One of the conditions the park district had to meet was to generate community involvement in the planning and preparation of the event. The district is now recruiting volunteers for the following days, times and duties:

Prep Days Tuesday, September 23
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 24

8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Volunteers will help stage the equipment, supplies and tools for the upcoming Build Day. The district is seeking 45 volunteers for each day. A light breakfast and a lunch will be served.

Build Day ”Friday, September 26

8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Volunteers will help build the playground, the skate park and numerous side projects such as picnic tables, benches, etc. The district is seeking 100 volunteers for this day. All volunteers will be provided morning snacks and lunch.

In addition to the 100 local resident volunteers, Discover Financial Services will provide 400 volunteers on Build Day. No experience necessary! If you’d like to volunteer but aren’t sure if you have the necessary experience, don’t worry! The Prep and Build Days are well orchestrated and you don’t need any construction experience to participate.

Food and Drinks: With support from the Friends of the Round Lake Area Parks Foundation, the district is also seeking volunteers for serving breakfast snacks on Build Day from 6:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

If you’re interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact the following park district staff liaisons:

• For Prep Days, contact Jeffrey Lurquin, Superintendent of Parks and Facilities at 847-546-8558 or jlurquin@rlapd.org.
• For Food and Drinks, contact Robert Newport, Assistant Director at 847-546-8558 or rnewport@rlapd.org.
• For Build Day, contact Jeff Nehila, Executive Director at 847-546-8558 or jnehila@rlapd.org.

Donations also accepted. Area businesses can also participate in the projects by donating hand tools, food, snacks and drinks. Recognition of your donation(s) will be provided the day of the event and all follow-up publications and press releases. Questions relating to possible donations should be directed to Jeff Nehila, Executive Director, at 847-546-8558 or jnehila@rlapd.org.

Adopt a Lake County Highway

Business, civic, social, youth and not-for-profit organizations looking to volunteer for the good of their community can adopt a highway from the Lake County Division of Transportation. The program allows groups to work together as a team, twice a year, to pick up litter on both sides of their adopted stretch of county highway. Groups develop teamwork, promote their organization and provide a valuable public service to the community. (My campaign for Senate has helped out at few roads throughout the district hence the picture)

Adopt-a-Highway is particularly suited to environmentally conscious organizations and citizens. The program provides an opportunity for these groups to make a personal contribution toward a cleaner environment. Adopt-a-Highway volunteers have removed litter from 259 sections of Lake County bike paths and highways. Thanks to their efforts, the organizations have improved the appearance of the county’s highway system. “With over 305 centerline miles of county highways, Division of Transportation highway workers need volunteer efforts of citizens and organizations to help keep our roadways clean,” said Director of Transportation/County Engineer Marty Buehler. “We’re extremely grateful for their efforts in the past and look forward to working with new groups in the future.”

The Lake County Division of Transportation provides participating groups with high-visibility vests, trash bags and safety information. Groups are recognized on roadway signs placed along their adopted stretch of highway. Current participants include groups such as the Winthrop Harbor Police Department, YMCA Camp Duncan and the Warren Dugout Club.

Applications for the Adopt-a-Highway program are available by calling the Lake County Division of Transportation at (847) 377-7400. Completed applications for the program should be sent to the Lake County Division of Transportation offices, 600 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048. Adopt-a-Highway applications for the fall program are due between August 1st and August 31st 2008. Participants must be at least ten years of age. Participants younger than 18 years of age must have adequate adult supervision.

For further information, please visit the Division of Transportation on the Lake County Web site, located at www.co.lake.il.us. The Lake County Division of Transportation serves county residents and visitors by, among other things, planning, constructing, maintaining and working to improve the county transportation infrastructure.

Amazing but True! Lets build some roads!

Planners put $7.3 billion price tag - and climbing - on congestion

By Marni Pyke | Daily Herald

Think Congestion is bad in the region?

You have no idea.

A new report issued today by the Metropolitan Planning Council puts the problem in terms of wasted dollars, air pollution and extra jobs that could be added to the metropolitan area if it didn't take us so long to get around.

Researchers conclude that $7.3 billion is lost sitting in traffic. And if the trend continues, the figure could grow to $11.3 billion in 2030.

Moreover, the study estimates that 87,000 jobs could be added to the economy if gridlock were eliminated.

Planners are hoping the numbers convince state, city and municipal leaders to make significant changes to improve public transit and the network of highways and roads in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

"We're not unique in terms of dealing with congestion," planning council Vice President of External Relations Peter Skosey said. "Where we can gain the advantage is if we resolve the problem first."

The report entitled "Moving at the Speed of Congestion," was prepared by HDR Decision Economics for the Metropolitan Planning Council, a nonprofit, civic and business organization that focuses on planning and development issues.

So how does congestion end up costing so much?

Planners estimate that every time trucks or cars sit idling on clogged streets, it's costing consumers and employers in diesel and gas. But more than fuel, long commutes make it harder for employers to recruit workers and stymie job growth. Traffic is also detrimental for businesses from pizzerias to plumbers to delivery companies that make their money from dispatching services and goods.

For example, UPS has had to hire more drivers and add delivery runs to handle growing congestion, the report notes.

"If you have an employee who spends 22 minutes getting to a meeting, you're paying for those 22 minutes," Skosey said.

"Moving at the Speed of Congestion" also examines commuting patterns. Researchers found that most of the cars coming into Chicago during the workweek come from outside the city.

Overall, Cook County is the biggest magnet for workers. For example, 41.5 percent of DuPage residents work in Cook. In Will, that figure is 40 percent compared to 35 percent in Lake, 31.6 percent in McHenry and 27 percent in Kane.

While highways and tollways often get the most attention on traffic reports, planners found that 73 percent of the region's lost time happens on arterial roads, such as LaGrange Road, Roosevelt Road and Green Bay Road.

But fixing gridlock requires a unique approach, Skosey said. "Anything that moves traffic (from highways) to arterials is not going to work in this region," he noted.

Along with mega-traffic, congestion creates an estimated $33 million a year in environmental problems such as smog, respiratory illnesses and crop damage, the report states.

While detailed in outlining the challenges posed by traffic, the planning council study doesn't dwell on fixes.

The solutions, such as improving public transit and moving jobs around the region, are out there, Skosey said, but it will take regional leadership to remedy the situation.

"The main objective is to better understand the magnitude of the problem and where it's occurring," Skosey said. "The region that solves congestion problems first will have the competitive advantage."

For more information, visit www.metroplanning.org.

Great site for books and music

My sister sent me this link, and I think this is one of the cleverest sites ever! The site is called Gnod and is an experiment in the field of artificial intelligence. Its a self-adapting system, living on this server and 'talking' to everyone who comes along. Gnods intention is to learn about the outer world and to learn 'understanding' its visitors. This enables Gnod to share all its wisdom with you in an intuitive and efficient way. You might call it a search-engine to find things you don't know about.

All you do is type in your favorite author or musician and determine other writers or musicians who are most similar. I spent a good 25 minutes this morning at 3am playing with the site! I liked the book site, the music site is kind of iffy, after I typed in my favorite bands it gave me a band I can't stand!

Japanese Beetle got you down?

Do you trees look like this? Quite a few on our street do. The leaves have small holes in them and appear to have been dined on. Well they are being eaten by the Japanese Beetle, the beetle hangs around on a cyclical basis and chomps on leaves. Its not bad for the trees it just make them look bad.

In our neighborhood one lady has been swearing by the Bag-a-Bug (pictured below) there is now one in our back yard and I have to say, its an amazing product. In minutes the bugs vector in on the bag and go in and does the Hotel California (you can check in, but you can never leave) dance!

Quite the amazing product, you can order them online or pick them up at a Lowes or a Menards.