MP Trustees More Vocal about Tending to Village Business

By Bob Balgemann, REPORTER

For a long time there has been a spot on each Village Board Meeting Agenda for various elected officials to discuss whatever happens to be on their minds. For an equally long time no one said much. But in recent years Trustees have taken time to address more of what’s going on in town. The subject could be a new business or thanking a staff member for helping resolve a problem in one of the districts they represent. Trustee James Kidd started the practice not long after he was elected to his first term in 2013. He would ask staff to look into this or that, sometimes offered an ordinance revision for consideration or reported on residents he served being happy with a particular situation. That seems to have caught on, with more Trustees now making brief reports on a variety of topics when their turn comes up. Trustee Terri Bailey promoted a new business, Huskie Deli and Dairy, at the Oct. 3 Board Meeting. It was having a ribbon cutting and grand opening on Oct. 15. She invited Board Members to attend. The Trustee then followed up by reporting on Oct. 17 as to the event being a success. “It’s a great place and a great addition to the Village,” she said. For quite some time now Trustee Steve Johnson has offered thanks to a variety of officials for helping resolve issues in District 2, which he represents. On Oct. 3 he thanked Public Works Superintendent Chad Hunter for helping with unspecified matters. He attended the recent Illinois Municipal League Conference and said it was very informative. He was pleased that he had the opportunity to go. Trustee Aaron Wilson said he met with two Neighborhood Watch Captains in District 4, which he serves. He said they were quite pleased that there seemed to be more of a law enforcement presence in the neighborhood. He thanked Sgt. Doug Bushman for that. Sgt. Bushman supervises the contingent of Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputies who, through an annual contract, provide Police services for the Village.

Attention to School Zones

Similar kudos for the Sergeant and his men and women came from District 6 Trustee Erick Beck. His remarks centered on more Deputies being at school zones where speeding has been a problem. “That tends to make people mind their Ps and Qs,” he said. “Otherwise, they do speed through the school zones. The kids are safer and that’s good.”

Mayor Jerry Bolin continued reminding residents about this year’s Toy Collection Drive, which is under way and will continue through 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 9. New and unused toys may be dropped off at Village Hall, 300 Roosevelt Road, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

BOB BALGEMANN, PHOTO – The Journal.
Machesney Park Village Trustee Erick Beck has thanked Sheriff’s Deputies for working to curtail speeding in school zones.

The Drive is in its eighth year, having started during the Administration of Mayor Tom Strickland. It benefits clients of the Helping Hands Food Pantry, 7620 Elm Ave., which serves more than 400 people every month. Toys will be distributed Dec. 10 from the neighboring North Park Church of Christ. Also on Oct. 17 Trustee Johnson reported on the Oct. 15 ribbon cutting at the newly renovated North Suburban Library at 6320 N. Second St. in Loves Park. “That’s a great facility now,” he said. Trustee Kidd reported Oct. 3 that residents of Minns Drive in District 3, which he represents, were pleased with road improvements taking place in that area.

He also had a request, that staff consider putting more teeth into an ordinance regulating campers in the Village.