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POLO First Round Loss
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The Forreston Cardinals lost for the second time this season to Le-Win. B1
Two electronic recycling drop-off sites will open on Nov. 15. A11
Tri-County Press November 7, 2013 Volume 156, Number 7 - $1.00
Recognition
Ogle County 9-1-1 coordinator Sandy Beitel has been named president of a NENA chapter. B4
Pamela Lee’s Soy Pod
was dedicated on Nov. 2 By Vinde Wells Editor Walking through soybean fields as a youngster gave artist Pamela Lee the idea for “Soy Pod,� the ninth addition to the Community Art Legacy’s series of 10 sculptures. “I got my inspiration for ‘Soy Pod’ from living in the community and having my father take me into farm fields,� she said Nov. 2 at the unveiling and dedication of her sculpture on the Oregon Public Library’s lot west of the Oregon Post Office. She grew up on the rural Judi Wakenight, Polo, looks over items made by Tim Davis, Oregon, at the craft show Nov. 1 at the Polo Senior Center. The annual fundraiser was also held Nov. 2. Photo edges of Chicago suburbs and said now she often observes by Vinde Wells the soybeans growing in the field outside the windows of her home in Grayslake. The bronze sculpture is a large open soybean pod with
Craft Show
Decorated veteran was laid to rest at Arlington Philip F. Hart served during Vietnam War By Vinde Wells Editor
An Oregon veteran, decorated for his bravery while serving in Vietnam, was laid to rest last summer at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Philip F. Hart, who earned a Silver Star, was buried with full military honors Aug. 12 at a ceremony attended by his family and friends. Hart, 66, died unexpectedly from heart complications on Jan. 7 this year. His service record qualified him for burial at Arlington. “Standing at his gravesite (#3971 in section 55), as you look across the Potomac River towards Washington D.C., the Washington Monument is directly in your view,� said his wife Myrna, who attended the ceremony with their two sons Adam and Ryan. Myrna said the family had visited Arlington many times over the years and it seemed
like the appropriate place for her husband to be buried. “It’s been a special place for our family,� she said. “No other place felt right.� Army chaplain Captain Matt Madison presided over the graveside service. He spoke of Hart’s gallantry in action during the Vietnam War, his 32-year teaching career, his family, and his travel adventures. A gun salute, flag folding ceremony, and military bugler playing “Taps� were distinctive parts of the military ceremony. Friends, neighbors, and former colleagues attended from the local area were also in attendance. Two dozen family members from various locales were present as well. Hart served as an infantryman in Vietnam with Delta Company 2/8 of the First Cavalry Division in 1967 and 1968. During his tour of duty he was awarded the Silver Star for valor displayed on the battlefield as a Private First Class. Hart earned his Silver Star for gallantry in action on Sept. 16, 1967.
“Pamela has been in the contests for three years, and she has had dynamite pieces all three years,� he said. “I was really glad one of Pamela’s was finally number one instead of number two.� CAL member Doug Wean told the crowd of approximately 30 people who gathered for the dedication that the goal of 10 statues is near. “My friends, we are almost there,� he said. He stressed the importance of art to the community. “I believe art is not what you see but what you allow others to see,� Wean said. Library board president Scott Stephens said library officials are pleased to be chosen as the recipients of a second CAL statue. Turn to A2
His commendation reads: “Private First Class Hart distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 16 September 1967, while serving as a squad leader with company D, and Battalion (Airborne), 8th Cavalry Division during a search and destroy mission near Bong Son, Republic of Vietnam. “While making a search of a village, Private First Class Hart observed an enemy soldier moving toward a bunker. “Disregarding his own safety, he apprehended the enemy soldier. Spotting several more hostile soldiers, Private First Class Hart quickly engaged and killed them. “At this time a hand grenade was thrown at Private First Class Hart and he was forced to take cover. “After the grenade exploded, he again engaged the enemy soldiers and successfully repelled them. “He then moved forward to Sculptor Pamela Lee talks about her piece “Soy Pod� that was dedicated Nov. 2 near assist his wounded comrades the Oregon Post Office. Photo by Vinde Wells to a secure location. “His courageous action Turn to A2
City taxes to increase due to loss in property values By VInde Wells Editor
Polo residents will see an increase in their real estate tax bill next year thanks in part to a downturn in the city’s overall property values. City Clerk Susie Corbitt told the city council Monday that city tax rates will increase by a total of 7.22 percent. That translates into approximately $23 on a home worth $100,000, she said. She said one of the reasons is that the city’s equalized assessed valuation (EAV) has dropped by $1.2 million from $25.3 million last year to $24.1 Army Chaplain Matt Madison presents a folded American flag to Myrna Hart Aug. 12 million, a five percent decline. at Arlington National Cemetery. Seated with her a her sons, Adam and Ryan and his Taxes payable in 2014 are wife, Elizabeth. Photo courtesy of Myrna Hart
In This Week’s Edition...
farm animals emerging from the beans inside. The Community Arts Legacy (CAL) was founded nearly a decade ago with the goal of erecting 10 new sculptures in the Oregon area in 10 years. Artists were then invited to enter sculptures in an annual contest at the Art Festival sponsored each June by The Fields Project. The overall theme of the festival and contest is the blending of art and agriculture, both part of Ogle County’s heritage. “Soy Pod� was selected as the winner of the contest for 2013. Jeff Adams, owner of inBronze Foundry, Mt. Morris, where the statue was cast, said he was pleased that Lee’s submission was chosen.
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based on the 2013 property values. Corbitt said the reason for the decrease in EAV is numerous foreclosures in the city. That coupled with increases in revenues needed for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and Social Security Fund have led to an increase the city’s levy and tax rates, she said. The tax levy for IMRF for next year’s budget will increase by $4,201 and Social Security will increase by $4,999. The Insurance Fund will see a modest increase of $499. All other city fund levies will decrease by a total of $6,043.
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However, the tax rate to generate the revenue for each fund will increase because of the lower EAV. In another matter, the council approved using Fulton, Congress, and Dixon Streets on Saturday, Nov. 9 for the Runnin’ 4u 5K race, sponsored by the 4u Charities Committee. The event will raise funds for Polo students who have financial needs. Registration for the race is at 7:30 a.m. and the race begins at 8:30 a.m. at Westside Park. Race organizer Sara Thorngren said that last year the event raised $2,400, which was given to the Polo School District to provide daily milk for students who cannot afford it.
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