Pro-referendum groups misleading in District 303

We just finished reading the pompous letter (from Citizens for Excellence in Education) in the St. Charles Republican. We are Joe and Linda Cucci, members of Citizens for Fiscal and Academic Responsibility. We are 30-year residents of St. Charles who had children in the St.Charles school system for 25 years.

You might recognize our names as parents who volunteered our time for years on trips to Chicago, Springfield, etc.; as library and art-class volunteers; and as donors to the piano fund at North. We were fortunate to have a National Merit Scholar and an All-State musician who were accepted into honors programs at their respective colleges.

We have always supported referendums, but this one is different. We have never felt so manipulated by a group of people that include the Summit 303 and CEE. We would like to think that, because of all that has happened lately, most people will want to know how a referendum is being financed and how it affects our future financial well-being as a school district.

We think transparency is the buzzword right now, and District 303 is sorely lacking in that. You have managed to alienate people like us. Congratulations!

Joe and Linda Cucci, St. Charles

Support Doug Warlick for Geneva's 5th Ward

If you believe that commitment is the key to being an effective elected official, then you ought to support Doug Warlick, aldermanic candidate for the 5th Ward in Geneva.

Throughout the years, I have observed Doug’s remarkable ability to dedicate himself not only to his family and his law practice, but also to countless community, professional, and charitable causes. Doug is currently a Director for the Geneva Lions Club and is a member of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and is arduously working on the steering committee organizing the upcoming huge community fundraiser, “60 Men Who Cook.” But Doug’s commitment to public service began when he became an attorney in 1981 and, immediately thereafter, he worked on a pro bono project providing free legal services for battered women. Since that time, he has been consistent: when he makes a commitment, he follows through and works tirelessly.

With Doug’s legacy of service and proven history of commitment and dedication to helping others and improving his community, his election as alderman will not only serve the residents of the 5th Ward, but also the entire city of Geneva.

Colleen Thomas, Carpentersville

Grosso for Geneva District 304 School Board

I’m Gib Thostenson, a longtime Geneva resident (33 years) and also a retired Geneva High School English teacher (2003). I strongly support Mark Grosso’s bid to become a member of Geneva’s School Board.

I have worked with Mark on various committees for the Pepper Valley Homeowners Association. He works hard, cooperates well with others, listens carefully, pays close attention to details, uses common sense, and is currently a very effective PVHA board member. Mark will bring the same leadership and problem solving skills to the school district. Since Mark recently retired (37 years) from Union Pacific railroads, he will be able to devote his time and energy to Geneva schools.

Our children are graduates of GHS, and Mark and I understand how important classroom teachers are in shaping the lives of children, young men and women. Mark strongly supports the teaching faculty as well as a comprehensive curriculum that will prepare Geneva students for the world of work and further education.

Finally, Mark knows that board members are not only stewards of the educational program but are also stewards of the taxpayer’s dollars. In his own words: “I have a strong work ethic and am committed to doing the best possible job for Geneva’s students, faculty and all citizens who support our schools.”

I urge district residents to vote April 7 for Mark Grosso. He will be an excellent board member in these challenging economic times.

Gib Thostenson, Geneva

Warlick for 5th Ward pick

The 5th Ward of Geneva has the opportunity to increase the quality and professionalism of the City Council by electing a lawyer, Doug Warlick, as an alderman.

Doug Warlick is a downtown Geneva lawyer who sincerely cares about the community as is reflected in his service to the Geneva Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and also on behalf of the upcoming charitable event, titled 60 Men Who Cook.

But it’s not just Mr. Warlick’s community service or endless commitment to the legal profession through legal aid, it’s Mr. Warlick’s advocacy skills, business acumen, and comprehension of the legal issues that renders him such a strong asset for the community. As a business member of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Warlick is sensitive to the needs of the local merchants and businesses that provide the City with it’s significant sales tax and real estate tax base. As a Geneva business owner and personal friend, I am proud to support Doug Warlick’s candidacy and I believe that the residents of the 5th Ward would be lucky to have such an advocate working on their behalf.

Bruce Heidlauf, Geneva

Vote to re-elect Sam Hill as 1st Ward alderman

Sam Hill is our recommendation for 1st Ward Alderman. We've known Sam as a neighbor for 10 years. Sam is very reliable and no matter what time of day he is always available to help resolve any issue that may arise.

Sam is well-known throughout the Geneva community. Along with working closely with the 1st Ward residents, Sam is a current Geneva Park Foundation member and also represents the city of Geneva on the joint Chamber and city Downtown Development Partnership. Sam represents the belief that “a strong downtown business area is essential for the health of Geneva.”

Sam has participated in several adult church mission trips, was a member of the Geneva Plan Commission for 10 years and was also on the Geneva Park District Board for eight years.
We've been very pleased with Sam as our alderman for the last eight years and feel his commitment to the community has proven he deserves our vote for a 3rd term. Vote for Sam Hill, 1st Ward alderman!

Bill and Kathy McDonald, Geneva

Vote Britta McKenna for Batavia mayor

I am writing in support of Britta McKenna for Mayor of Batavia. I met Britta 17 years ago, when she noticed the fledgling Riverwalk project and immediately stepped forward to help make it happen, recruiting and managing hundreds of volunteers, writing grants, coordinating fundraising efforts and raising several million dollars. With the same dedication and energy she joined the Board of Directors for the Batavia Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Commissioner for the Batavia Park District, becoming president of both and volunteering her creativity and management skills to these institutions.

I watched her as she created, built up, raised funds for and managed the IMSA Kids Institute, involving hundreds of students as both teachers and learners in this year-round program of the Illinois Science and Math Academy. As a business owner in downtown Batavia, I have seen her efforts, vision, and dedication as the director of the Batavia Mainstreet organization, which has won eight Illinois Awards for Excellence since she took it over its leadership.

Britta is one of the most organized, creative, dedicated and effective people I've ever seen. She has a great vision to continue building a strong community in Batavia, and the skills to bring this vision forward. Vote for Britta on April 7.

Rebecca Wilson Allen, Batavia

Library Board clarifies its position on new building

In light of some recent inaccuracies we have been hearing from people in our community, I felt it necessary to respond with a statement of the intents of this Library Board.

Our current building was designed to support a Library District of 25,000 residents. We are currently serving close to 30,000. At build out we could conceivably be serving 40,000 to 45,000 residents. Use of the library continues to grow in many ways. Our circulation, which includes checkouts and renewals of all material, increased 124 percent between 1996-97 and 2007-08, from 261,458 to 586,010. Program attendance for youth and adult programs continues to rise, and has jumped 137 percent, from 5,153 attendees in 1996-97 up to 12,236 in 2007-08. As the community grows, we continue to purchase more books, CDs, DVDs, books on CD and other material. The size of the collection has jumped 73 percent, from 109,173 in 1996-97 to 188,756 in 2007-08. This building will not be able to provide the necessary services for the district in the future.

We celebrated 100 years at this location in 2008. But this building is not the same building that was built 100 years ago. We have adapted it to fulfill the needs of this district and will continue to adapt it as we need to. The intention of this board is to utilize every inch of available space for as long as we possibly can in this building. In light of the current economic environment that we find ourselves I have to say there are too many uncertainties regarding what our timeline for a new building should be. But I believe that our economy will eventually recover and when it does growth will again come to this district. In light of that, I would support the continued focus we have maintained.

The board is actively looking for a site for a new library building. In the six years I personally have been on the board it has never been the intention of this board to move the library from the downtown area. On the contrary, we have focused almost exclusively on keeping the library downtown. It has been indicated to us in no uncertain terms by this community that this is what they want. Since I have been on the board our first choice for a new library has been and remains the Sixth Street School site. It offers a great deal that will enable us to provide for the library in the future and keep the library downtown. We continue to stay close to the county and maintain right of first refusal for that site. Having said that, we would be remiss if we did not explore any site that could potentially provide for the needs of our library but again the focus will remain on keeping the library downtown.

Although the current building is beautiful and I am emotionally attached to it, I also believe that the building does not define the library. The community does. In order to maintain our community commitment to its values we will eventually have to move the library from this site. If we intend to follow what the community wants us to do in regards to keeping the library downtown, then we must remain vigilant in our search for a location. Once a site has been secured, we will be prepared to provide a new library for this community at the time it is needed. When will that be? I am not sure. Not this year or the next or the year after that. But I believe that time will come and we need to be sure the library is prepared.

Esther Barclay, president of the Board of Trustees, Geneva Public Library District
David Creighton, Vice President
Don Cummings, Treasurer
Nancy E. Hansen, Secretary
Trustee Dan Boone
Trustee Travis Ketterman
Trustee Doreen Keating