Voters should support Riverside tax referendum
As a longtime resident of Riverside, I would like to express my support for the upcoming tax referendum. I believe it is important to vote yes to ensure that the village of Riverside remains as beautiful, safe and vibrant for all our children and grandchildren, as it has been for my husband, myself and our children.

We live in a period of great uncertainty. We can’t help but be preoccupied with what is happening to our economy — the global economy, the local economy and our own households. During this difficult time, we need to remember our local community, and how important it is to continue to support it. The choices we make now can affect Riverside for years to come. Riverside is our home and we need to sustain it.

Please support our police and fire departments, parks and recreation department, green spaces and the village history.  We need to leave Riverside — with its Olmsted tradition — stronger than when we first moved here.

Our legacy is to those who follow us here in Riverside.  Please join me in supporting the tax referendum and the “village in the forest.”

Martha Heine, Riverside Museum chairman

Former president should know TIF guidelines
I am writing in response to the letter from former village president Bill Russ regarding the newly created TIF district on Ogden Avenue. Considering his many years on the Village Board, I was surprised by the numerous inaccuracies in the letter. Either he is misinformed, which does not speak well of a candidate for public office, or he is fully aware of his mistakes, which is even worse.

First off, Mr. Russ’ letter states that the TIF “would include everyone in a two-block radius of Ogden.” That is incorrect. The properties included in the district are directly along Ogden, with adjacent properties in several select locations. Those properties have been clearly marked on the official TIF district map.

Second, the letter included comments on taxes and that “this area will reduce the general fund.” This is also incorrect. In the presentations by village staff and the professional consultant for the project, it was shown that the property values in much of the area along Ogden Avenue are, in fact, decreasing. What this means is that Brookfield taxpayers are in essence subsidizing those properties to make up the difference from the declining value. By instituting the TIF district, property taxes and values are frozen at their current level. As a result, the taxes the school districts and other taxing bodies receive are not continuing to decline, as had been the case. Consider this: Unlike many other communities, not one of the three school districts impacted by the Ogden TIF opposed the project.

Third, in regards to the Village Board spending the TIF money on things other than in the TIF is in fact prohibited by state statue. The legalities of setting up the TIF clearly define how these funds can be spent. The Village Board, with the recommendations from staff, will determine how this money will be used. By law, all of the TIF funds will be used for economic development along the Ogden Avenue corridor. Any other use would be illegal.

The spending of TIF money is not a political issue, though some try to turn it into that. This is a 23-year commitment; the makeup of the Village Board will change numerous times over that period of time. One would think that all sides would agree that Ogden Avenue needs improvement. This improvement can increase property values in the area and can increase sales tax revenue, something that benefits all residents of Brookfield.

In sum, how can Mr. Russ point to Ogden Avenue and say nothing needs to be done? Decades of inaction by previous administrations have produced a blighted mess. The TIF means progress for Brookfield. By fighting it now, he is the one being an obstructionist.

Brian Oberhauser, Brookfield

Westchester image council ‘overwhelmed’ at success
The Westchester Community Image Council Ltd. has completed its Adopt-A-Garden program along Westchester Boulevard. During the last three months, the WCIC, with help from community volunteers, designed, prepared and planted 75 gardens along Westchester Boulevard from Cermak Road to the Eisenhower Expressway.

At WCIC, we are overwhelmed at the success of this project and the high level of interest displayed by residents. It is obvious from this project the people of Westchester want the public areas of their town to reflect the same level of “pride of ownership” they place in their homes.

The WCIC sincerely thanks all those individuals, families, civic groups and businesses that adopted a garden there by sharing their community pride with all residents of Westchester and helping to improve a large area of our town. We also want to thank the village of Westchester

Board of Trustees, the former village manager, Carl Goldsmith, and Rusty Gross, director of public works for the support they gave this project.

We now look forward to developing our next public improvement project and as always seek the support of our residents.

Finally, help us keep Westchester clean. Please do not litter.

Jim Lange, Westchester Community Image Council president

More than 130 residents give blood at annual drive
On a beautiful autumn weekend recently, not everyone jumped at the opportunity to take a short vacation or to spend all of their time working in the yard.

More than 130 west suburban residents decided they had something more important to do. They took part in a life-saving endeavor. They devoted a few minutes of their time at Westchester’s fifth blood drive of the year. These generous, civic-minded individuals donated 141 units to rescue blood-strapped area hospitals.

The drive was held Oct. 11 at the village’s Community Center. Perhaps the most heartening element of the day was that 16 of the donors were giving blood for the first time. Also helping to make the drive so productive were the many volunteers who gave a couple of hours to the cause.

The drive pushed the Westchester Blood Program’s unit total to 514 for this year. It is the 18th year out of the last 19 that it collected at least 500 units. It remains one of the three most productive community blood programs in northern Illinois and one of LifeSource’s top 20 programs.  

It’s next drive will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, in a LifeSource coach parked in the south lot of Westchester Community Church, 1840 Westchester Blvd. Anyone with questions about the importance of donating blood can contact me at (708) 865-1782.

Carl Panek, Westchester Blood Program chairman

Thank you for making library event a success
On Oct. 10, the Riverside Public Library held a special event Batoberfest, which featured author and illustrator Brian Lies and his recently published book, “Bats at the Riverside Public Library.”

And special it turned out to be, with more than 525 patrons in attendance and more than 400 books sold. We cannot thank everyone enough for their support of Batoberfest. It was truly a fun evening filled with book readings, crafts, food and entertainment.

Special thanks to Brian Lies; his wife, Laurel; daughter Maddie; and Mrs. Lies, Brian’s mom, for their enthusiasm and participation; Jen Tabor and David Clark of Houghton-Mifflin Publishers; The Friends of the Library officers; the village of Riverside; Aaron Murr and his staff at AM Design Services for the wonderful bat lighting of the water tower and library; Jerry Jones and Twilight Rentals; Buddy Dogs; Aunt Diana’s; Riverside Foods; Triton College; Boy Scout Troop 24; all the local businesses and schools who posted our publicity and bats; and all library staff and board member volunteers. All of these people and organizations helped make the evening a huge success.

We hope everyone had a batty good time. Your support means the world to us.

Janice Fisher, Riverside Public Library director