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It’s been a year of big dollar decisions and precarious budget predicaments in Bartlett.
Voters approved a move to purchase Villa Olivia, while U-46 officials struggled with state and county leaders who couldn’t pay their bills.
Looking forward, village officials, residents and business owners are hoping the sluggish economy that battered 2010 will soon turn around.
From thousands of pages of newsprint to thousand of clicks online, the following is a recap of the influential issues and items of 2010.
Park District buys Villa Olivia
WHAT HAPPENED After years of litigation between the village of Bartlett and the Corrado family, owners of Villa Olivia, the Park District announced interest in June in buying the property. A controversial contract made the property off limits to developers until 2022. In November, voters passed an $18 million referendum to allow the district to purchase and renovate the property.
WHAT NOW After a heated discussion between the Village Board and Park District attorney over the annexation, the village expressed interest the contract be extended for up to 50 additional years. On Dec. 21, the board voted in favor of the reannexation agreement, which extended the protective covenant until 2048.
Half Pint Brawlers hit the mats
WHAT HAPPENED Midget wrestling troupe the Half Pint Brawlers might be small in stature, but their will to fight was mighty. Bannerman’s Sports Grill owner Murry Friedman brought a request for the Brawlers to perform staged wrestling at his venue before the Plan Commission and the Village Board, but faced resistance from several residents. They claimed the show’s content would make Bartlett a “seedy” town.
WHAT NOW The village approved Friedman’s request one week before the show was scheduled Nov. 23. The Brawlers performed before a packed and peaceful crowd of 400 people. Friedman plans to invite the Brawlers back to Bartlett to perform again in 2011.
Bartlett resident wins “Biggest Loser”
WHAT HAPPENED After spending a grueling 18 weeks on a strict diet and exercise plan on NBC’s weight-loss competition show, the “Biggest Loser,” Bartlett resident Michael Ventrella stepped on the final scale in May, shedding a total of 264 pounds and claiming the ultimate prize of $250,000.
WHAT NOW After winning the show, Ventrella returned to Bartlett and is dedicated to doing speaking engagements about healthy eating. Seven months after winning, Ventrella said his winnings are essentially gone, half to taxes and the rest to pay off debts. He hopes to open a local gym that focuses on innovative classes, group training and life coaching.
It’s been a year of big dollar decisions and precarious budget predicaments in Bartlett.
Voters approved a move to purchase Villa Olivia, while U-46 officials struggled with state and county leaders who couldn’t pay their bills.
Looking forward, village officials, residents and business owners are hoping the sluggish economy that battered 2010 will soon turn around.
From thousands of pages of newsprint to thousand of clicks online, the following is a recap of the influential issues and items of 2010.
Park District buys Villa Olivia
WHAT HAPPENED After years of litigation between the village of Bartlett and the Corrado family, owners of Villa Olivia, the Park District announced interest in June in buying the property. A controversial contract made the property off limits to developers until 2022. In November, voters passed an $18 million referendum to allow the district to purchase and renovate the property.
WHAT NOW After a heated discussion between the Village Board and Park District attorney over the annexation, the village expressed interest the contract be extended for up to 50 additional years. On Dec. 21, the board voted in favor of the reannexation agreement, which extended the protective covenant until 2048.
Half Pint Brawlers hit the mats
WHAT HAPPENED Midget wrestling troupe the Half Pint Brawlers might be small in stature, but their will to fight was mighty. Bannerman’s Sports Grill owner Murry Friedman brought a request for the Brawlers to perform staged wrestling at his venue before the Plan Commission and the Village Board, but faced resistance from several residents. They claimed the show’s content would make Bartlett a “seedy” town.
WHAT NOW The village approved Friedman’s request one week before the show was scheduled Nov. 23. The Brawlers performed before a packed and peaceful crowd of 400 people. Friedman plans to invite the Brawlers back to Bartlett to perform again in 2011.
Bartlett resident wins “Biggest Loser”
WHAT HAPPENED After spending a grueling 18 weeks on a strict diet and exercise plan on NBC’s weight-loss competition show, the “Biggest Loser,” Bartlett resident Michael Ventrella stepped on the final scale in May, shedding a total of 264 pounds and claiming the ultimate prize of $250,000.
WHAT NOW After winning the show, Ventrella returned to Bartlett and is dedicated to doing speaking engagements about healthy eating. Seven months after winning, Ventrella said his winnings are essentially gone, half to taxes and the rest to pay off debts. He hopes to open a local gym that focuses on innovative classes, group training and life coaching.
Debt, financial setbacks plague U-46
WHAT HAPPENED Facing a $44 million deficit resulting mostly from money owed from the state, the district laid off more than 1,000 employees in March, then recalled about 400 in June. Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed a funding bill in July that would have corrected the amount of per-pupil funding from the state.
WHAT NOW The state Legislature overrode Quinn’s veto in November. But while the district received $37.6 million in property taxes from Kane and DuPage counties in September, officials still are waiting on another $10 million from Cook County, projected by the end of December.
Blago juror hails from Bartlett
WHAT HAPPENED Rod Blagojevich became the center of Bartlett resident Steve Wlodek’s world as he served on the jury of the disgraced former governor’s high-profile trial. After 14 days of deliberating 24 counts, the jury found Blagojevich guilty of just one — making false statements to the FBI.
WHAT NOW Life is now back to normal for Wlodek, who returned to work as a human resources manager the day after the verdict. Since the trial stole a majority of Wlodek’s summer, he was able to use the money he made as a juror to help pay for a trip to Disney World for his family in December.
