Machesney Park Trustee James Kidd does not plan to resign 

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

There’s a shortage of sports referees here and elsewhere around the state and one of the sitting village board members, Trustee James Kidd, has for a time been trying to help filling the void. 

But his periodic absence from board meetings prompted resident Nancy Edmonson to suggest at the Sept. 7 meeting that he resign as a trustee. And she said she thought Mayor Steve Johnson should appoint her as his replacement. 

“He cannot come to a lot of these meetings, as the fall (sports) season is getting in the way,” she said during the public comments portion of Monday night’s meeting. “He wants to (be here) but he can’t. It (meetings) precludes him from refereeing these children. And without referees, they can’t proceed with the games. They need good referees, like James Kidd.” 

Edmonson, a frequent visitor to the public comments podium in recent months to discuss various issues, then turned her attention Monday to Village Administrator James Richter II and said, “I understand there was a meeting between Mr. Richter and him, is that correct?”

There was no response from the administrator. But Village Attorney Tom Green told Edmonson, “This is not an opportunity to ask questions. Just make your statement.”

Kidd said in a follow-up interview Sept. 8 that he did not intend to resign from the board. “I don’t think I’ve missed that many meetings,” he said, adding that in his view he was the most active among sitting trustees. 

In addition, he said he did meet with Administrator Richter but that it was not about his resigning. 

He did put in a pitch for residents interested in youth sports to help fill the void in officiating. “Since COVID-19, I believe one-sixth or one-eighth of all the referees in Illinois have retired,” he said. Anyone interested in officiating should call Sam Knox at the Illinois High School Association, he said.

Kidd is in his third, four-year term representing District 3 on the village board. Most recently, he was re-elected without opposition.  

9/11 anniversary

Monday’s board meeting was held four days before the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Also the same morning the actions of 40 passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 thwarted a planned attack on the U.S. Capitol, by forcing that plane to crash near Shanksville, Pa., killing all aboard.  

Village Clerk Robbin Snodgrass said she had been receiving a lot of correspondence about the anniversary and read from one of them.

“There were approximately 2,996 people who died, that are known,” she said. “In order to honor them, we are asking that everyone fly their flags at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.” 

Moments of silence were requested for 8:47 a.m. Sept. 11 when 1 World Trade Center was attacked; 9:03 a.m. when 2 World Trade Center was attacked; 9:37 a.m. when the Pentagon was attacked; 9:59 a.m. when 2 World Trade Center collapsed; 10:03 a.m., when the Shanksville plane crash occurred; and 10:28 a.m. when the 1 World Trade Center collapsed. 

She encouraged everyone to take a moment Saturday and remember what happened 20 years ago. 

Mayor’s report 

In his twice-monthly report to the board, staff and viewers, Mayor Johnson offered the name of Jonathan Danieliwicz for appointment to the planning and zoning commission. He would replace John Valenta, who resigned because changes at his place of work precluded him from attending evening meetings. 

The mayor said his choice for the vacancy had worked in IT for 25 years and had experience in project management, contract reviews and budget planning. “He also has experience with small businesses and understands their needs and concerns,” Johnson added. “I feel he will be a great addition to the commission with those experiences.” 

Trustees will consider the recommendation at Monday night’s meeting. 

Also, Johnson said he attended the grand opening of a new nine-hole disc golf course at Shorewood Park.

“This is the third disc golf course in the park district and the first in Loves Park,” he said. “It is the park district’s only nine hole course. Volunteers helped design, fund-raise and construct the course as well.” 

He said he was pleased to have recently been selected to serve on the 2021-22 Mercy Health Rockford Paramedic Advisory Board, which sets the parameters for instruction, teaching, expectations and placement after graduation, to the incoming class of paramedic students. 

Police report

Deputy Chief Anthony Miceli gave his monthly report on activities of the Winnebago County sheriff’s deputies, assigned to the village to provide law enforcement services to residents and businesses. 

He said that during August, deputies made 512 traffic stops, with 12 DUI arrests, and received 1,862 calls for service. 

The village has contracted with the sheriff’s department for police protection since its incorporation in 1981.