kcgt_2016-09-01_

GENEVA THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 • $2.00 • KC Chronicle.co m

NOT JUST A DAY OFF Labor Day, Sept. 5, honors unsung American workers / 4

Don’t Forget

KANE COUNTY REAL ESTATE TAXES DUE

September 1st

Questions?

Call 630-232-3565 Kane County Treasurer David J. Rickert SM-CL0357843

www.kanecountytreasurer.org

KCG

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, September 1, 2016

| GETTING STARTED

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GETTING STARTED ON THE COVER

Geneva Park District maintenance worker and security supervisor Jason Black loads empty trash cans onto his truck during a recent shift.

Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com

NOTE TO READERS Kane County Chronicle Editor Kathy Balcazar is taking the day off. Look for her column in the Sept. 8 paper and catch up on her columns at www.kcchronicle.com.

‘‘

“It’s very simple. It’s a small town with lots of love because of the people that live here.” – Bob Langeness, Geneva Chamber of Commerce board member

Send us a sentence or two about something you love in Geneva to geneva@shawmedia.com and we’ll share it in print and online at KCChronicle.com.

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS • In the story, “Clothing boutique opens downtown” in the Aug. 25, 2016, edition of the Geneva Kane County Chronicle, the title of an employee was incorrect. Miguel Cuazitl is the boutique manager.

• The “Maple Park Fun Fest 5K race, softball set” story in the Aug. 18, 2016, edition of the Geneva Kane County Chronicle Sports section contained inaccurate information.

There will not be toilet bowl races.

The Geneva Kane County Chronicle regrets the errors. Accuracy is important to the Chronicle, and we want to correct mistakes promptly. Please call errors to our attention by phone, 630-845-5355; or email, geneva@ shawmedia.com.

SUBMIT NEWS To submit news to the Geneva Kane County Chronicle, send a news release to geneva@shawmedia.com. Be sure to include the time, the date and the place, as well as contact information.

Photos by Mary Beth Nolan - For Shaw Media

Jack Gruber, 8, displays the Stars and Stripes as he rides in a bike parade as part of Kaneville Fest.

Parading around town

WHERE IT’S AT Athlete of the Week............................................Sports, 6 Business ..............................................................13 Classified .........................................................35 Cover story........................................................................4 FaceTime .............................................................3 Fun & Games...................................Kane Weekend, 16-19 Good Natured....................................................................9 Horoscope............................................Kane Weekend, 20 InFocus Weekly................................................................8 Joan Knows.......................................................................34 Kidscoop...........................................................................31 Letters to the Editor......................................................33 Neighbors....................................................................34 Obituaries ..............................................................23 Opinions...................................................................32-33 Out & About........................................................................3

ABOVE: Addison Ryan of Kaneville, 6, gobbles watermelon while competing in a contest at Kaneville Fest.

Police reports...................................................................14 Tales From the Motherhood.............Kane Weekend, 15 Weather.............................................................................5 Web Poll...............................................................................3 Weekend 10........................................Kane Weekend, 4-5

Resident Steve Gramley is named winner of an ice cream-eating competition at Kaneville Fest.

LEFT: Sarah Conley of the Kaneville Volunteer Fire Department experiences a brain freeze while participating in the adult division of an ice cream-eating competition at Kaneville Fest.

Get to know Bruce Zaccanti Geneva resident Bruce Zaccanti, 53, was at Graham’s Chocolate in Geneva when he answered questions for the Kane County Chronicle’s Brenda Schory.

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COOKIE WARS AT GENEVA LIBRARY WHEN: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 2.

WHERE: Geneva Public Library, 127 James St., Geneva COST & INFO: Middle school kids in sixth through eighth grades can participate in an epic cookie-decorating showdown. The program is free, but registration is required by calling Kylie Peters in Youth Services at 630-232-0893 or by visiting www.gpld.org.

DENNIS O’BRIEN PERFORMS IN GENEVA

WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 2 WHERE: FoxFire Restaurant, 17 W. State St., Geneva COST & INFO: Dennis O’Brien is a vocalist and guitar player who has been performing classic acoustic for 35 years. There is no cover charge. For information, call the restaurant at 630-232-1369.

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‘NETWORKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY’

WHEN: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7 WHERE: Graham’s 318 Coffee House, 318

Third St., Geneva COST & INFO: The Geneva Business Book Club will meet to discuss applying the concepts and lessons in “Networking in the 21st Century” by David Fisher.

The event is free. For more information, email wgermanetti@iMPACTbizcoaching.com.

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SPEED FRIENDING AT GENEVA LIBRARY

WHEN: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Geneva Public Library, 127 James St., Geneva COST & INFO: This event is intended for adults in their 20s and 30s as a way to

TODAY’S WEB POLL

Of the following, what is/was your favorite subject in school?

• Science • History • English • Math

NEWSROOM 630-845-5355 Fax: 630-444-1641 editorial@kcchronicle.com

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES 800-589-9363 subscriptions@shawmedia.com 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday Missed your paper?

If you have not received your paper, call 800-589-9363.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Thursday: $2/issue Basic weekly rate: $2 Basic annual price: $104 To subscribe, make a payment or discuss your delivery, contact Subscriber Services.

Brenda Schory - bschory@shawmedia.com

Geneva Kane County Chronicle staffers pick the best of what to do in your free time meet new people and find shared interests. Speed friending involves new people meeting each other for five minutes and sharing information, such as a favorite book or hobby. Although the event is free, registration is required by calling 630-232-0780, ext. 251; registering online at www.gpld.org; or through the library’s page at www.meetup.com.

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$8 WINE FLIGHTS AND LIVE LOCAL MUSIC

WHEN: 8 to 10 p.m. Sept. 10 WHERE: Geneva Wine Cellars, 227 S. Third St., Geneva COST & INFO: A new selection of wines will be available to taste before you buy, or have a glass while you shop and listen to live local music. The cost is $8, which is credited toward the purchase of any three bottles from the weekend lineup, and there’s a $15 per person minimum tab during live performances. Information is available by visiting www.genevawinecellars.com.

CLASSIFIED SALES 800-589-8237 classified@shawsuburban.com Fax: 815-477-8898 LEGAL NOTICES publicnotice@kcchronicle.com 877-264-2527 Fax: 630-368-8809 RETAIL ADVERTISING 630-845-5284 OBITUARIES 815-526-4438 obits@kcchronicle.com General Manager Ryan Wells rwells@shawmedia.com Editor Kathy Balcazar 630-845-5368 kbalcazar@shawmedia.com News Editor Tarah Thorne 630-845-5385 tthorne@shawmedia.com

Geneva Kane County Chronicle, the successor publication to the Tri-Cities Republican, is published every Thursday in Geneva and delivered to homes by Shaw Media. Geneva Kane County Chronicle and KCChronicle.com are a division of Shaw Media.

Geneva Kane County Chronicle is published weekly by Shaw Media, 333 N Randall Rd, Suite 2. St Charles IL 60174.

Application to mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at St. Charles, IL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Geneva Kane County Chronicle, PO Box 250, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0250.

All rights reserved.

Copyright 2016

facebook.com/ kanecountychronicle @kcchronicle

LAST WEEK’S WEB POLL RESULTS

Which of the following social media outlets do you like the most?

• Snapchat (5 percent) • Facebook (52 percent) • Twitter (19 percent) • Instagram (24 percent)

VOTE ONLINE: Voice your opinion at www.KCChronicle.com. Poll is at the bottom right of the homepage.

• Relevant information • Marketing Solutions • Community Advocates

KCG

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OFFICE 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 1 St. Charles, IL 60174 630-232-9222 Fax: 630-444-1641 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

LLP in Chicago.

A book you’d recommend? “Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life” by Spencer Johnson Favorite charity? United Way and our church, St. Peter Catholic Church in Geneva.

Favorite ice cream flavor? Vanilla Do you play an instrument? The harmonica Favorite local restaurant? El Molcajete in Geneva What is an interesting factoid about yourself? I was an alternate on the U.S. Olympic Team for skeet shooting in 1988.

OUT&ABOUT

KCChronicle.com

Thursday, September 1, 2016 • Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Where did you grow up? Des Plaines Pets? A cockapoo named Ginger Who would play you in the movie of your life? Sam Elliott First job? Digging sewers with my dad, who was a plumber.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? An architect. I became a financial adviser.

I’m a partner with Ernst and Young

3

GETTING STARTED |

FaceTime

GENEVA

KCG

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, September 1, 2016

| NEWS

4

Region’s workers labor behind the scenes

By BRENDA SCHORY

bschory@shawmedia.com GENEVA – If you’ve gone to a concert or event in a Geneva Park District park or facility, you have Jason Black to thank for having everything set up, ready and looking good.

As the Geneva Park District’s parks and security employee, Black, 29, works from 2:30 to 11 p.m. doing everything from cleaning the parks – including restrooms and garbage cans – to shooing teenagers out of the park after dark to hauling an industrial-sized grill for cookouts.

“Most parks close at 10 p.m. or dusk and a lot of kids will hang out,” Black said. “I don’t want [them] to trash the park after we cleaned it up all day. A lot of the time I’ll go to Sunset – one of the main administration buildings – and talk to everybody and see what’s going on. People are like, ‘Can you deliver this for me? Can you set this event up for me?’”

Black said he spends 90 percent of every day outside – no matter the weather.

“No matter what the weather is, I’ve got to do the building checks,” Black said, explaining his perimeter checks of all the district’s facilities. “Every night, no matter [whether there is] rain, snow, sleet, hail, I have to do the perimeter checks.”

Black’s work is not generally recognized outside the park district, although if he didn’t do his job, everyone would notice, said Ken Kerfoot, foreman of parks and property for the park district.

“He provides support to the parks department and the recreation department relies on him a lot,” Kerfoot said.

“He assists the recreation department with all special events, especially the summer cookouts, concerts in the parks and movies in the park. … I’ve already seen one email today [that] somebody needs something.”

As the nation pauses to honor workers this Labor Day, Sept. 5, many have jobs like Black whose work is not always recognized, but is vital.

“We definitely would notice if he wasn’t doing his work,” Kerfoot said.

Another behind-the-scenes worker is Shirley LeClere, director of professional development at the Kane County Regional Office of Education, said Ellen Kamps, the office’s communications coordinator.

LeClere spent the past three years revamping the educational program at the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center, a detention facility for juveniles ages 10 to 17. Students in the Juvenile Justice Center come from Kane, DuPage, Kendall, McHenry and DeKalb counties, Kamps wrote in an email.

“Between new curriculum, a technology lab, library resources, classroom technology, new faculty, pro-

Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com

Geneva Park District maintenance worker and security supervisor Jason Black prepares to strap a grill onto his truck during a recent shift.

Shirley LeClere (right), director of professional development for the Kane County Regional Office of Education, speaks with State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora, at a recent career fair hosted at the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center. LeClere spent the past three years revamping the educational program at the center so youths detained there can continue their education.

About Labor Day Labor Day began through the labor movement in the 19th century. It is observed on the first Monday in September, honoring the contributions and achievements – and the labor – of American workers. The first Labor Day took place Sept. 5, 1882, with Congress making it a federal holiday in 1894.

Source: History.com

News to your phone Sign up for breaking news text and email alerts at KCChronicle.com/subscribe. fessional development and special education, Shirley has created a model educational program for the entire state,” Kamps wrote in an email.

The purpose of the center’s educational program is so students don’t fall behind in their classes and are able to still get credit while they are incarcerated, LeClere wrote in the email.

“The program guarantees that students in detention continue to be educated and make a successful transition back into their public school program,” LeClere said in the email.

Earlier this month, LeClere organized a career fair for the students in detention because teachers are encour-

Photo provided

aging students to think about their lives after high school, according to her email.

“Some of the students here may not be college-bound and might consider jumping into the workforce after high school graduation,” according to LeClere’s email.

“We have Career Cruising available for the students, an online self-exploration and planning computer program,” the email stated. “We take baby steps and we build on our successes. This past summer, we launched a pilot program where six students participated in a dual college credit class with Elgin Community College.”

Students considered careers in fire-

fighting, cosmetology, barbering and health care, Kamps wrote in an email.

Chief Judge Susan Clancy Boles also praised LeClere’s commitment to helping and inspiring at-risk youth.

“Shirley LeClere is a behind-thescenes hero to so many at-risk youths, their families and the juvenile justice system,” Boles wrote in an email.

“Shirley’s work to educate and expose these kids to different career possibilities – as well as her continuous commitment, support, enthusiasm and encouragement – gives these kids the opportunity to pick up their lives, or even improve their lives, when they leave the juvenile justice system.”

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TODAY’S WEATHER BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Geneva & North Aurora www.douglascarpetone.com

SEVEN-DAY FORECAST FOR KANE COUNTY THURSDAY

THURSDAY NIGHT

73

FRIDAY

76 51

54 Clear

Sunny and pleasant

ALMANAC

SUNDAY

Mostly sunny and delightful

Nice with partial sunshine

78 55

Lake Geneva

71/50

Statistics through Monday, August 29

Harvard

72/52

72/53

DeKalb

73/60

St. Charles

Chicago

72/59

Aurora

Sandwich

Hammond Orland Park 72/58

74/54

74/56

La Salle

75/55

75/57

Ottawa

UV INDEX

Kankakee

Thursday ............................................. 4 Friday .................................................. 6 Saturday .............................................. 6 Sunday ................................................ 5 Monday ............................................... 4 Tuesday ............................................... 3

73/55

Streator

75/54

Pontiac

Watseka

75/55

75/54

Eureka

The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. 0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme.

75/54

Chatsworth

76/54

™

Paxton

Bloomington

77/56

75/55

Hoopeston

REGIONAL CITIES Aurora Bloomington Champaign Chicago Deerfield DeKalb Elmhurst Gary Hammond Kenosha La Salle Munster Naperville Ottawa Peoria Pontiac Rock Island Springfield Terre Haute Waukegan

Thursday Hi Lo W

74 75 77 72 72 73 73 72 72 71 75 73 74 75 77 75 76 79 78 70

54 55 56 59 60 54 58 58 58 55 55 55 55 54 56 54 52 57 58 57

pc s s pc pc pc pc s s pc s s pc s s s s s s pc

Friday Hi Lo W

76 75 75 75 74 75 75 74 74 74 76 74 76 76 77 76 77 78 78 72

51 54 54 56 57 53 55 57 56 54 54 53 52 53 56 53 54 56 55 57

s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s

Saturday Hi Lo W

78 77 79 77 76 77 77 78 77 76 78 77 77 78 79 78 77 80 81 75

New

First

Full

Last

Sep 1

Sep 9

Sep 16

Sep 23

On Sept. 1, 1950, Yuma, Ariz., had its hottest day ever, with a high of 123 degrees.

On the same day, the mercury in Mecca, Calif., soared to 126 degrees -- the highest U.S. reading ever in September.

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2016

54 58 57 59 60 55 57 60 60 58 57 58 55 56 59 56 58 59 59 59

s s s pc pc pc pc s s s pc s s s pc s pc pc s s

Sunday Hi Lo W

82 83 85 83 81 80 82 83 82 81 82 81 82 82 84 84 82 86 86 80

64 67 66 68 68 64 67 68 67 66 66 66 64 66 69 67 65 69 65 66

pc c c pc c pc c pc pc c pc pc pc pc c c pc pc pc c

Monday Hi Lo W

84 86 88 85 84 83 84 85 84 85 85 84 84 85 87 84 85 89 87 84

65 70 68 71 67 63 68 70 70 68 66 65 66 65 71 66 66 72 67 68

t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t pc t

Tuesday Hi Lo W

85 85 86 84 85 83 84 85 86 86 85 85 84 85 85 86 84 88 86 83

69 69 70 71 69 66 69 69 71 66 67 69 67 68 70 69 64 71 70 67

c c pc c c c c pc pc c pc pc pc c c c pc c pc c

WEATHER TRIVIA™ Q: What is the world record 24-hour rainfall?

74 inches; Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean; March 1952.

City

Anchorage Atlanta Boston Charlotte Dallas Denver Honolulu Las Vegas Los Angeles Miami Minneapolis New Orleans New York City Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Salt Lake City Seattle Wash., DC

Thursday Hi Lo W

67 92 79 94 90 86 88 102 84 91 76 98 80 83 103 76 93 65 83

54 74 64 69 74 59 76 80 61 79 57 81 66 65 83 57 71 54 65

Friday Hi Lo W

Saturday Hi Lo W

Sunday Hi Lo W

Monday Hi Lo W

Tuesday Hi Lo W

Friday Hi Lo W

Saturday Hi Lo W

Sunday Hi Lo W

Monday Hi Lo W

Tuesday Hi Lo W

s 67 54 s 66 54 sh 63 54 sh 60 52 r 62 49 c 88 69 s 85 66 pc 86 66 s 87 67 s 89 69 sh 77 62 pc 72 61 pc 77 62 s 79 65 pc 86 71 t 84 64 pc 84 63 pc 84 64 s 86 66 s 89 68 t 86 71 t 89 72 t 92 74 pc 90 75 pc 89 74 pc 88 59 c 87 57 t 86 53 pc 82 52 pc 80 52 pc 87 77 c 87 77 c 87 77 sh 88 76 c 87 76 s 101 73 s 98 71 s 95 71 s 95 71 s 97 71 pc 81 62 pc 78 61 pc 76 60 pc 78 63 s 83 65 t 90 78 t 90 77 t 90 77 t 89 78 t 90 78 s 75 62 s 77 66 t 76 68 c 79 65 c 79 67 s 95 79 s 92 79 t 89 78 pc 90 77 pc 89 77 sh 78 62 pc 80 62 s 80 66 pc 82 68 s 86 70 sh 82 64 pc 82 64 s 83 65 s 86 68 s 90 68 s 105 81 s 103 77 s 102 74 s 101 74 s 100 73 pc 75 54 s 78 56 s 82 59 s 86 64 s 87 68 s 94 61 s 85 61 s 82 58 pc 78 54 pc 82 58 sh 65 53 sh 68 51 c 68 52 pc 70 54 c 70 56 pc 83 65 pc 83 65 s 84 66 s 87 69 s 92 73

sh s s s c s pc s s t t t s s s pc s sh s

WORLD CITIES City

Beijing Buenos Aires Jerusalem London Madrid Mexico City Paris Rome Sydney Tokyo

Thursday Hi Lo W

79 55 83 75 91 76 79 84 70 87

65 44 66 56 65 58 56 67 58 75

c r s pc s t s s s s

85 53 83 72 93 75 84 87 66 87

67 43 67 58 65 58 60 67 58 75

pc pc s c s t pc s r pc

88 56 81 73 96 72 83 87 67 86

67 45 66 58 67 58 62 67 52 76

s pc s sh pc t pc s r pc

85 56 82 69 95 72 73 85 65 85

66 51 70 54 68 58 55 68 52 76

t pc s sh pc t sh s pc t

90 58 85 73 95 74 74 82 66 86

68 42 69 58 65 57 57 65 52 76

s c s pc pc sh c sh pc r

88 52 83 74 92 77 81 84 66 84

67 37 63 58 64 56 59 65 53 76

c pc s c s r sh s pc sh

Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

KCG

City

WEATHER HISTORY

MOON PHASES

NATIONAL CITIES

76/54

Temperatures are Thursday’s highs and Thursday night’s lows.

Sunrise Thursday ..................... 6:19 a.m.

Sunset Thursday ...................... 7:26 p.m.

Moonrise Thursday .................. 6:30 a.m.

Moonset Thursday ................... 7:40 p.m.

Sunrise Friday ......................... 6:20 a.m.

Sunset Friday .......................... 7:24 p.m.

Moonrise Friday ....................... 7:30 a.m.

Moonset Friday ........................ 8:10 p.m.

Sunrise Saturday ..................... 6:21 a.m.

Sunset Saturday ...................... 7:23 p.m.

Moonrise Saturday .................. 8:29 a.m.

Moonset Saturday ................... 8:39 p.m.

Sunrise Sunday ....................... 6:22 a.m.

Sunset Sunday ........................ 7:21 p.m.

Moonrise Sunday ..................... 9:27 a.m.

Moonset Sunday ...................... 9:08 p.m.

Sunrise Monday ....................... 6:24 a.m.

Sunset Monday ........................ 7:19 p.m.

Moonrise Monday .................. 10:24 a.m.

Moonset Monday ..................... 9:39 p.m.

Sunrise Tuesday ...................... 6:25 a.m.

Sunset Tuesday ....................... 7:18 p.m.

Moonrise Tuesday .................. 11:21 a.m.

Moonset Tuesday ................... 10:11 p.m.

Precipitation

Gary

72/58

Joliet

75/54

SUN AND MOON

Evanston

73/54

75/55

Temperature

72/63

Oak Park

73/54

A strong p.m. t-storm An afternoon t-storm A t-storm around in possible possible the p.m.

Arlington Heights

72/59

73/55

72/54

86 65

Waukegan

Elgin

Hampshire

WEDNESDAY

85 67

70/57

Crystal Lake

74/55

TUESDAY

84 66

71/55

McHenry

Belvidere 71/50

73/53

Rockford

MONDAY

THE WEEK AHEAD

Kenosha

A:

TEMPERATURES High for the week ............................... 88 Low for the week ................................ 57 Normal high ........................................ 81 Normal low ......................................... 62 Average temperature ....................... 74.6 Normal average temp. ..................... 71.5 Temperature departure .................... +3.1 PRECIPITATION Total for the week ........................... 1.73” Total for the month ......................... 3.45” Normal for the month ...................... 3.82” Total for the year ........................... 26.50” Normal for the year month ............ 25.42” % of normal this year ..................... 104%

82 65

Thursday, September 1, 2016 • Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Partly sunny and beautiful

SATURDAY

WEATHER |

WEATHER

KCG

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, September 1, 2016

| NEWS

6

Alderman Simonian to run against Burns for mayor

By BRENDA SCHORY

bschory@shawmedia.com GENEVA – Fifth Ward Alderman Tom Simonian is planning to run for mayor in the April 2017 consolidated general election.

Although Simonian said he has not formally announced a run for the city’s top spot, a text message he sent to community members in mid-July invited them to an Aug. 4 campaign meeting at Old Towne Pub. “We are launching our first strategic meeting for my Mayoral Campaign,” the text message from Simonian stated. “We would love to have you as part of the Team. You are welcome to bring your spouse and anyone else you feel can contribute/get involved in the Campaign.”

Simonian said the meeting was “supporting the idea of me running for mayor if I decide to.”

“That meeting … was just more of an organizational one to see if we had

the folks that we could put in place, so when we do announce, we can hit the ground running,” Simonian said. “It was not a kickoff party. … I need to find out – is it real?

Can I rely on people? Tom What kind of support Simonian and endorsements [can I get]?”

Simonian said he had promised Mayor Kevin Burns that he would not publicly announce any plan to run for mayor until Burns himself had decided whether he would seek a fifth term.

Though he also has not formally announced, Burns said he was planning to run for re-election as mayor.

“Absolutely I’m running again and looking forward to doing so,” Burns said.

Simonian said 58 people attended the meeting and an additional 30 called and said they were out of town and could not make it. Simonian said he knows how many were there because

Geneva aldermen see edited, more concise strategic plan

By BRENDA SCHORY

bschory@shawmedia.com GENEVA – Among the visions and goals for the city of Geneva is the future annexation of the Kane County Events Center and the Kane County Judicial Center into the city, and the possible establishment of a new performing or cultural arts center.

Those goals and others have been part of the city’s strategic plan since 2014, officials said.

But the Strategic Plan Advisory Committee edited and reorganized the plan to make it more clear and concise, committee chairman Mark Brault said.

Brault presented the edited version Aug. 29 at a joint meeting of the Strategic Plan Advisory Committee and the Committee of the Whole.

“There is a lot of information in here,” Brault said. “We tried to make it better, but at the same time not take things out or add things of our own.”

Brault said the 2015 version of the strategic plan detailed the same thing “five different ways.”

The committee parsed the document down so when the aldermen and the mayor meet in their annual Strategic Plan Workshop in November, an all-day retreat, they can have a

more concise document to work from, Brault said.

“It’s up to you guys to kind of figure out what you want to move forward with,” Brault said. “What do you think is important? Look through this and pick out what you really want to focus on, so in November it will be a much more productive meeting.”

First Ward Alderman Mike Bruno commended the committee’s work to create a document that was easier to follow.

“I appreciate the work,” Bruno said. “It helps me greatly to have a consolidated plan like this.”

Mayor Kevin Burns suggested that aldermen take time to digest the edited plan, then schedule a special Committee of the Whole meeting in October to talk about it before the November retreat.

“Strategic planning is central to our success as a council and community, identifying both achievable goals and ‘stretch’ goals, and [it helps] focus our attention and our aspirations,” Burns said.

The 2015 version of the plan is on the city’s website, www.geneva. il.us. The revised plan as presented is still a working document and will be updated on the city’s website after the November retreat, officials said.

he had a sign-in sheet.

In addition to himself, Simonian said four aldermen came to the meeting – 4th Ward Alderman Ron Singer, 2nd Ward Aldermen Don Kevin Burns Cummings and Richard Marks and 3rd Ward Alderman Mary Seno.

Simonian said having five members of the council present for one gathering did not constitute a violation of the Open Meetings Act because no public business was discussed.

“We did not discuss any government business,” Simonian said. “It was just casual conversation on things that concern me.”

Simonian would not elaborate on the issues beyond saying his “platform, logos and signage – all that stuff is in the works.”

In addition to current aldermen, former 3rd Ward alderman Ray Pawlak and former 4th Ward alderman Doro-

thy Flanagan also were at his meeting, Simonian said.

“I think it’s a good thing that Tom is running,” Flanagan said. “I think that most of his ideas are pretty good to move Geneva forward. … He did express how he envisioned the city to move forward. He has no bad feelings against the mayor at all. There needs to be a change in leadership.”

Singer said he attended the meeting to listen to what Simonian had to say.

“I was very impressed,” Singer said.

“I think he has and does make a lot of sense. I think Tom has a sense of what is needed in the community and I think he has a lot to offer.”

Simonian said he believes he will have the support and endorsement of a majority of the aldermen.

Burns appointed Simonian to the council May 20, 2013, to finish a twoyear term left by the death of alderman Ralph Dantino. Simonian then ran unopposed in 2015 for a two-year term, which will be up in April.

NEWS BRIEFS Clerk’s office announces change in polling site for Nov. 8 election

Voters in certain Geneva and St. Charles precincts must cast their ballots at a new polling place this year because of construction at the Baker Community Center in St. Charles, a Kane County Clerk’s Office news release said.

Voters registered in precincts Geneva 2, St. Charles 5 and St. Charles 9 are assigned to St. Charles Free Methodist Church, 214 Walnut St., St. Charles, for the Nov. 8 election. The affected voters were mailed new registration cards, the release stated. For information, call the voter registration office at 630-232-5990.

Geneva High School Class of 2011 student files to be destroyed

GENEVA – The temporary files for all students in the Geneva High School Class of 2011 will be destroyed during the week of Sept. 26, officials announced in a news release. Temporary records are maintained for five years following graduation, transfer or permanent withdrawal from a school district, at which point they may be destroyed, the release stated.

State law mandates that a student’s record belongs to the student at age 18. Students who wish to pick up their file must do so in person and present a photo ID. Students may also provide a parent with written permission and a photocopy of an ID for the file to be released, the release stated.

Records may be picked up at the Geneva High School Counseling and Advising Office, 416 McKinley Ave., Geneva. Students interested in picking up records should call high school registrar Debbie Hanson at 630-463-3830 or email dhanson@ geneva304.org no later than Sept. 15.

Foundation offering grants for kids’ oral health programs

Nonprofit and public organizations may begin applying for grants to fund programs and services that improve the oral health of Illinois children.

The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Illinois, is accepting applications for its annual Community Grants Program until Sept. 9. The foundation funds programs and/or organizations targeting children’s access to oral health care and overall oral health education and awareness. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, for a total of $150,000, the news release said.

Grant applicants must have a physical presence in Illinois; be a public charity classified as exempt from federal income taxes under section 501(c) (3) of the IRS code; or be a public or governmental entity, such as a public school or health department. The application and complete list of criteria are available at ddilfoundation.org/ grantreq.aspx.

– Kane County Chronicle

By BRENDA SCHORY

bschory@shawmedia.com

Jeff Krage - For Shaw Media

George Richter from SOAR (Save Our American Raptors) shows off a falcon during a bald eagle show Aug. 28 at Peck Farm Park in Geneva.

Geneva High School students score high on ACT editorial@kcchronicle.com

GENEVA – Maintaining the success that Geneva High School’s students traditionally display on the ACT, Geneva’s graduating class of 2016 achieved an average composite score of 24.2, school officials announced in a news

Ready to rock School of Rock Geneva students, along with owner Jason Fein (back, center) and general manager Leslie Silver, performed on stage with one of this year’s “American Idol” top three finalists, Dalton Rapattoni (front, second from left), on Aug. 1 at Tailgaters in Bolingbrook.

Photo provided

release.

This average far outpaces the state and national composite averages, which for 2016 are both 20.8, the release stated.

“Geneva School District is dedicated to helping its students become self-directed learners, adaptable thinkers, and effective communicators.

Students’ high scores on the

ACT are an example of the positive outcomes of developing such skills,” Superintendent Kent Mutchler said in the news release.

“We are very thankful to our PK-12 staff, parents, and community for the value they place on education in Geneva and for their continuous support of our students to help

each and every one succeed,” Mutchler said in the release.

Geneva High School has administered the ACT to juniors since 2001.

Because of a recent decision by the Illinois State Board of Education to stop funding the ACT, Geneva High School will begin administering the SAT in 2017.

“She was a good tenant, and I was sorry to see she closed.”

Michael Abts building owner

KCG

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE

GENEVA – Cradles and All, a baby and children’s store at 205 W. State St., Geneva, is now closed after more than 11 years in business.

Owner Kristina Garcia said she closed her business at the end of July because the competition from big box stores and customers buying from the internet was too great to overcome.

In March 2015, Garcia celebrated 10 years in business.

Michael Abts, the owner of the building, said he is seeking to rent the space for a restaurant, office or retail use.

“She was a good tenant, and I was sorry to see she closed,” Abts said. “It’s 1,600 to 3,200 square feet, all one floor. I could have a wall put down the middle to subdivide, but I’m really looking for all of it to be rented.”

Abts said he had talked to a few possible tenants, but the trend these days is for smaller spaces to be leased because of the cost.

“They’re looking for 1,200 to 1,500 square feet and 3,200 [square feet] is too big,” Abts said.

Abts also is the Geneva Township Highway Commissioner and was formerly a Geneva Park District board member.

Thursday, September 1, 2016 • Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Cradles and All owner cites competition from big box stores, internet

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NEWS |

After 11 years, retailer shutters

The raptors have landed

By Sandy Bressner, photo editor at the Kane County Chronicle

KCG

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, September 1, 2016

| NEWS

8

Rain dance I love looking for different angles to everyday moments. It’s even better when there are umbrellas and super cute rain boots involved.

I knew the minute I pulled up to Davis Primary School in St. Charles for their first day of school that I wanted to incorporate umbrellas into the shoot somehow. Weather is always the No. 1 story, so I knew I’d want to show the fact that it was raining on the first day of school.

This little girl was helping her mom drop off a sibling at the school and having fun in the rain.

Sandy Bressner; follow me on Instagram @kcchronicle and Twitter @sbressnerKCC.

County pavement project may affect traffic on roads such as Randall, Kirk KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE editorial@kcchronicle.com

Motorists traveling on county roads such as Randall, Kirk and Bliss might encounter delays as the Kane County Division of Transportation undergoes a pavement preservation project, according to a KDOT news release.

Beginning Aug. 30, Kane County will begin the process of applying an asphalt sealer/ rejuvenator on roads that have been resurfaced within the last two years, the release stated.

“The material placed on the road will extend the life of the asphalt by reducing the water penetration that leads to freeze/thaw damage, along with preventing oxidation of the asphalt material,” the release stated.

The process involves spraying the rejuvenator liquid, allowing the liquid to cure,

placing sand on the roads for traction and sweeping up the excess material, the release stated.

The release indicated the work should take about two weeks, weather permitting.

Roads will remain open throughout the project, but temporary lane closures will be required, the release stated, adding motorists should expect delays. Portions of busier roads, such as Randall and Kirk roads, will be worked on overnight to lessen the impact on traffic, the release stated.

The following roads will be worked on from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays: • Silver Glen Road from Corron Road to Randall Road • Tanner Road, Deerpath Road and Oak Street from Norris Road to Orchard Road These roads will be worked on from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. on weekdays:

• Fabyan Parkway from Kirk Road to Louis Bork Drive • Randall Road from Mooseheart Road to Main Street • Randall Road from Dean Street to Ferson Creek Bridge • Kirk Road from Wilson Street to Cherry Lane • Orchard Road from the Interstate 88 eastbound ramp to Tanner Road Work is planned for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays for the following roads: • Keslinger Road from Brundige Road to Randall Road.

• Mooseheart Road from Randall Road to Route 31 • Bliss Road from Interstate 88 to Main Street • LaFox Road from South Grand Monde Drive to Campton Hills Drive • Orchard Road from Tanner Road to Randall Road Call project manager Patrick VerHalen at 630-208-3138 for information.

Chris Chelios comes to Geneva

Sean King - For Shaw Media

Nicole Frerichs, 12, of Aurora poses for a photo with Chris Chelios during a meet and greet Aug. 27 at Geneva Commons in Geneva.

NEWS BRIEF Salvation Army to host computer workshop

ST. CHARLES – The Salvation Army, 1710 S. Seventh Ave., St. Charles, will host a computer workshop from noon to 2 p.m.

Sept. 13. The workshop is free

and open to all, but registration is required. The workshop is not for Apple computers. For information and to register, call Cathy Winters at 630-3772769, ext. 210.

– Kane County Chronicle