Village commits revenue for housing blight abatement program

BOB BALGEMANN PHOTO The Journal
A first step in an initiative to abate housing blight in Machesney Park, crafted by Mayor Jerry Bolin (above) and Village Administrator Tim Savage, was taken Feb. 6.

By Bob Balgemann
REPORTER
The village of Machesney Park has taken a step toward implementing the housing blight abatement initiative announced Nov. 7, 2016, by Mayor Jerry Bolin.
In a 4-2 vote with one absent Feb. 6, the village board committed up to $300,000 in video gaming revenue, over the next three years, to the program.
Village Administrator Tim Savage, who co-authored the program with the mayor, called it “a first and early step” in the process. He emphasized that “up to $100,000 a year” didn’t mean that entire amount would be spent.
While trustees agree with the concept as announced late last year, Trustee Steve Johnson didn’t agree with using up to $300,000 in village funds to support it.
Trustee James Kidd said he thought it would be wiser to put sweat equity into the program. “If you have a blighted home, I think handouts and freebies will lead to more crime in the future,” he said. “Possibly we could tweak this a little bit.”
Both Johnson and Kidd voted against the commitment.
Support came from trustees Robbin Snodgrass and Aaron Wilson, based primarily on what they had been hearing from their constituents.
Residents of District 1, which she represents, expressed concern about properties that are not
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