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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 23, 2017

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POSTMASTER: Please send change of address forms to The Oswego Ledger, c/o Shaw Media, P.O. Box 250, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0250.

Effective Feb. 4, the Oswego Ledger is the successor newspaper to the Ledger-Sentinel, as contemplated by 715 ILCS 5/5 (e), which was a consolidation of the Oswego Ledger and the Fox Valley Sentinel, published every Thursday in Oswego, Illinois, in Kendall County

by Shaw Media. Periodicals postage paid at Oswego, Illinois, 60543.

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Teen’s death investigated Coroner: No sign of foul play, waiting on more tests for cause OSWEGO LEDGER The Kane County Coroner’s Office announced in a statement issued Monday “there were no obvious signs of foul play detected in the preliminary investigation” into the death of an Oswego East High School student Friday.

In a letter to the District 308 community Saturday afternoon, Superintendent John Sparlin confirmed the passing of Darion Verner, a junior at the school.

According to several sources, Verner became ill at the school during the day Friday and was taken by paramedics to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. He was 16 years old.

“As a district family and communi-

ty, we are all grieving the loss of this young life,” Sparlin wrote in his letter to parents. “Darion will be remembered for his love of basketball, his love for playing the drums, as a son, as a big brother and as a friend to many. Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family, friends, and our students.”

According to Sparlin, counselors were available at OEHS on Sunday afternoon for anyone who felt the need for help in dealing with the tragedy.

Psychologists and social workers, as well as the Kendall County Crisis Team, were also made available at the school.

The coroner’s office conducted an autopsy Monday and in their statement listed the preliminary cause of Verner’s death as still “pending the results of specialized forensic sample histology and toxicology.” The statement noted that toxicology and histology samples were obtained and sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis.

A potion of the statement reads: “According to witnesses, the subject was merely playing basketball in gym

OSWEGO LEDGER County sheriff’s deputies arrested Saul Valentine Jr., 38, of the 1300 block of Douglas Avenue, Montgomery, at a fitness center on Douglas Road in the village March 16 on charges of unlawful restraint, domestic battery, aggravated resisting and aggravated battery stemming from a domestic incident that occurred at multiple locations in Oswego Township.

Police said a female victim in the incident was located in the 1100 block of Route 34 and transported to Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora with Saul non-life-threatening inValentine Jr. juries.

Valentine had fled the scene, but was later located in the fitness center, according to police.

Plans were announced March 16 for the redevelopment of the former Alexander Lumber yard along Washington Street (Route 34) at Adams Street in downtown Oswego. Hudson Crossing Park is across Harrison Street from the site. The lumberyard shut down in 2006 and the property has since stood vacant.

See story on page 3.

Shaw Media file photo

class, went to the locker room at the conclusion of the class and then collapsed in the locker room for no apparent reason.”

The coroner’s office added that it is cooperating with the Oswego police department in their ongoing investigation of the incident.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been established to aid the Verner family. As of Wednesday morning, the fund, with an original goal of $5,000, had raised $10,270.

Donations can be made by visiting gofundme.com/verner-family-bereavement-fund. Funeral arrangements for Verner are still pending.

When Valentine refused to comply with deputies’ orders and resisted arrest, he was taken into custody, police said.

Valentine and one sheriff’s deputy were injured in the incident and transported to Rush-Copley Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said the incident remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office and the Oswego police department.

Plainfield 16-year-old dies in Walker Rd. crash Police said sheriff’s deputies responded to the intersection at approximately 4:58 p.m. for a report of a A 16-year-old girl from Plainfield single-vehicle car accident where the was killed in a single-vehicle crash in vehicle struck a utility pole. the area of Walker Road and ArbeitPolice said when deputies arrived, er Road in unincorporated Na-Au-Say the driver of the car, a 16-year-old feTownship south of Oswego March 14, male, was being treated for her injuaccording to the Kendall County Sher- ries by Plainfield paramedics. iff’s Office.

The passenger, identified as Alys-

By TONY SCOTT

ON THE COVER

John Sparlin District 308 superintendent

Montgomery man facing multiple charges

tscott@kendallcountynow.com

• Relevant information • Marketing Solutions • Community Advocates

“Darion will be remembered for his love of basketball, his love for playing the drums, as a son, as a big brother and as a friend to many.”

sa Smith, 16, of the 2000 block of River Bend Lane, Plainfield, was located in the vehicle and transported to Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet by Plainfield paramedics, where she was later pronounced dead, according to sheriff’s police.

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash with the assistance from Illinois State Police.

CIVIC MEETINGS

WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW:

WEEK OF MARCH 27-31 Monday, 6 p.m.: Montgomery Intergovernmental and Community Committee, Montgomery Village Hall.

Monday, 7 p.m.: Montgomery Village Board, Montgomery Village Hall.

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COVER STORY

3

Downtown developer chosen Multi-story, mixed-use project with parking deck planned for former lumberyard site OSWEGO LEDGER

Oswego Village President Gail Johnson and the village board of trustees have announced the selection of Shodeen Group LLC as the developer for the former Alexander Lumber site in the village’s downtown.

The village board voted 6-0 Tuesday evening to approve a purchase and sale agreement with Shodeen for the property. The agreement authorizes Shodeen to pursue development approval for the site through the village’s public review process.

According to a statement released by the village, Shodeen plans to develop The Reserve at Hudson Crossing, a multi-story, mixed-use development on the site, including residential units, a public parking deck, and commercial space on Washington Street. The development is expected to include the reconstruction of Jackson and Adams streets and public amenities to the streets and walkways adjacent to the development.

The village will prioritize attracting restaurants to the development, according to the statement.

“Revitalization of downtown Oswego is one of our top priorities. In two

“In two short years, we approved our first TIF district and have now selected the developer that will finally end a decade of stagnation at the Alexander Lumber property.”

Gail Johnson Oswego village president short years, we approved our first TIF district and have now selected the developer that will finally end a decade of stagnation at the Alexander Lumber property,” said Johnson. “We are thrilled to be working with a prominent, experienced developer. Shodeen started in the Fox Valley and has completed successful projects in Geneva and St. Charles, to name a few, and now they have chosen to bring that expertise to Oswego’s downtown.”

Based in Geneva, Shodeen has been in the residential and commercial development and construction business for over 50 years. Over this period Shodeen has built a 1,800-acre planned

development, over 1,000 apartment units, 5,000 single-family homes, three hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and 700,000 square feet of commercial retail and office space in the Fox River Valley area.

“Most people recognize Shodeen as being involved in developing and redeveloping the Fox River Valley in Kane County with such projects as River North, the Herrington, and Dodson Place. Downtown revitalization along with mixed-use projects are certainly challenging, but they can be very rewarding for everyone in the community. We are excited to be considered and then chosen by the village of Oswego to partner with them on the redevelopment of their downtown, especially at the site of Hudson Crossing. We believe that the village board and staff have the qualities needed in such a partnership. Over the coming months we look forward sharing with you the details of this development,” said Dave Patzelt, president of Shodeen Group.

Under terms of the purchase agreement, Shodeen will have nine months to receive approval from the board for the development plan, preceded by a public hearing with the plan commission, and redevelopment agree-

ment (RDA) approval from the Village Board.

The RDA will establish the development conditions, including village incentives such as the use of TIF increment revenues to help finance the project.

Recognizing that impediments exist to private sector development in the downtown, the board approved a TIF district last September as a financing vehicle to activate reinvestment in the downtown.

In December, the board purchased 59 S. Adams St. in order to accelerate, and ultimately control, the development of the property at a cost of $1,492,500. In January, village staff solicited proposals from several area developers. The selection team recommended Shodeen Group LLC as the preferred developer.

The village’s 2015 Comprehensive Plan envisions a transformative development at 59 S. Adams St. that will bring restaurants, retail, public parking, and new residential units to downtown Oswego.

The Alexander Lumberyard closed in 2006 and there has not been a formal development proposal for the site since 2010.

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 23, 2017

Shaw Media file photo

Plans were announced March 16 for the redevelopment of the former Alexander Lumber yard along Washington Street (Route 34) at Adams Street in downtown Oswego. Hudson Crossing Park is located across Harrison Street from the site.

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 23, 2017

4

OPINIONS OUR VIEW

Dire challenges for next school board During a candidate forum this past week the eight candidates seeking election April 4 to the four open seats School District 308 Board of Education indicated they have an understanding of the causes and just how difficult it will be for the district to balance its deficit budget over the next few years. That’s good news for all School District 308 taxpayers, but especially the district’s parents, students and staff.

As expected, several of the candidates pointed the finger at the State of Illinois and its arcane method for funding public education as a major source of the district’s financial woes. Though the state’s 1970 constitution assigned the “primary responsibility for financing the system of public education to the state” the state has long failed to meet its responsibility.

Currently state funding accounts for just 39

percent of the district’s total revenue with much of the balance picked up by local property taxpayers.

Meanwhile, the financially sinking state has shorted the district about $76 million in general state aid payments since 2012, according to district officials.

Another potential significant budget challenge for the district is also now brewing in Springfield where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have voiced support for a property tax freeze. A property tax freeze would certainly be a politically popular move. As we’ve asked before on this page: who in School District 308 wouldn’t want a cap placed on the annual increase in their already high property tax bills?

But the reality for the school district is that a state imposed property tax freeze without an overhaul of the state’s school funding formula and an infusion of additional state revenue would result in another major hit on the school district’s budget. School district officials have estimated a property tax freeze would cost the district $37 million over the next decade.

These are the dire budget challenges that will be facing the four candidates elected to the school district board next month.

Without fundamental changes from the state in how schools are funded, the next board will likely be faced with the difficult task of making additional personnel and program cuts in an effort to slow the growth of the $13 million deficit that is projected for the next school year.

Lucy Hayes had some firsts as the First Lady Since the equinox was Monday, are you in a happier mood now that it’s officially spring?

Generally, spring in Illinois is pretty much the same as winter but wetter. In fact, these March days when it’s 38 degrees and raining with a 20 mph wind blowing out of the northwest make one positively wish winter had not segued into what is purported to be a completely different season. Of course, we could look back on those balmy days of February if we get lonesome for warm weather, I suppose.

But now that it is actually spring, we can do all sorts of things. We can watch the days get progressively longer, rejoice that it’s not completely dark when we get up every morning, and watch spring bulbs turn into daffodils and other hardy flowers that mark the turn of the seasons. And, of course, we can continue heading out front to the mailbox to see what someone felt was important enough to put a stamp or a postage meter mark on and entrust to the U.S. Postal Service.

We have noted lately that a significant portion of what we receive each day does not meet the criteria of “serious” mail. Loads of contest offers, catalogs of varying interest and entertainment, missives from politicians entreating us about this and that, and fundraising notes from Indian reservations and wildlife organizations too numerous to mention have turned up.

Fortunately, we have also received junk mail of real substance, which, before we chucked it into the recycling bin, informed us of the following news we’re sure we can all use: Lucy Hayes, wife of President

REFLECTIONS Roger Matile Rutherford B. Hayes, who served from 1877-1881, was the first First Lady to have a college education. She graduated from Wesleyan Female College in Cincinnati, Ohio, with the Class of 1850. While serving as First Lady, she introduced such popular events at the White House as the annual Easter Egg roll.

Speaking of First Ladies, Martha WashingLucy Hayes ton really disliked being First Lady and wasn’t at all inclined to dress the part, either. She often dressed so plainly that many took her for the family maid. But at least she lived in the nation’s capital during her husband’s time as president.

On this date in 1775, firebrand Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia.

March is named for Mars, the Roman god of war. And until 1752 when the Gregorian calendar was universally adopted in Western Europe and North America, it was the first month of the year.

The only woodpeckers that actually damage trees are members of the sapsucker family, which harm trees by boring holes in the bark to reach the sap they feed on. Other woodpeckers actually help trees by eating insects

they find. Unfortunately, they don’t Washington, George’s great-grandfather, was a mate on a ship that ran help my house and barn much when aground in the Potomac River about they drill holes in the side of them.

1656. By the time the ship was repaired Although Hawaii consists of 132 and ready to return to England, John islands, about 80 percent of the state’s had married and decided to settle residents live on the island of Oahu. in Virginia. The rest, as they say, is This week’s household tip: If you use a glass baking pan, bake your cake history.

Did you know that all racehorses at a temperature 25° cooler than the have their birthdays on the very same recipe calls for. day? Yep, all racehorses are officially Think all the great explorers did born in the Northern Hemisphere on their thing a long, long time ago? The true source of the Amazon River – a se- Jan. 1, and on Aug. 1 in the Southern ries of lakes and brooks in the PeruviHemisphere. Makes buying birthday an Andes – wasn’t discovered until 1971 cards a whole lot easier. Perhaps Conby Loren McIntyre. Of course, if you’re gress ought to look into this for people.

One horsepower, in case you’re one of today’s kids, you probably think wondering, is the energy required to 1971 was a long, long time ago.

During almost every presidential lift 550 pounds one foot in one second. election, calls are made to end the The word curfew comes from the Electoral College system of electing French expression couvre feu, which the nation’s top office holder. Through- means, cover the fire. Okay, so it out the nation’s history, five men doesn’t make sense; that makes it all have been elected under the Electoral the more French, don’t you think?

College system even though they Two British chemists, Sir William didn’t receive a majority of votes. John Ramsay and Morris W. Travis, discovered the glowing inert gas neon in Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, 1898. They named after the Greek word Benjamin Harrison, George W. Bush, and, of course, the current occupant of meaning “new,” which it was in 1898.

Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, the White House all got to be president who built the famed hanging gardens with a minority of votes cast. of Babylon, had spells of madness For the best tasting coffee and tea, when he would imagine himself an ox start out with cold water. and go out in the fields and eat grass.

The first great modern dictionary, Given the antics of some of today’s polDr. Samuel Johnson’s “A Dictionary of the English Language,” published in iticians, that sounds like pretty tame behavior.

1775, included about 50,000 words and Finally, a baby spider is called a terms. An average college dictionary today has more than 150,000 words and spiderling. terms.

• Looking for more local history?

Ever wonder how George Washington’s family got to North America?

Visit http://historyonthefox.wordTurns out it was by accident. John press.com.

FORUM

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April 4, 2017 is a very important date--the day when we, the people, will elect local officials who will have arguably the largest direct impact on our daily lives, perhaps even more than our national leaders. Decisions made by these elected officials will affect our children’s education, our local laws and ordinances, and our property tax bills for years to come.

On April 4, we will elect area residents to serve on the Montgomery Village Board, the local school board, township board, library board and more.

The people who the voters select will be responsible for prioritizing and implementing our children’s education, planning and maintaining our roads and safe drinking water, and properly training and equipping our police and fire departments. The people elected to these positions will be solely responsible for levying our

VIEWS Matthew T. Brolley property taxes and yet, statistics show that less than 20 percent of us will vote on April 4.

Why should you vote in this election? If you care about the conditions of your roads, or the education that your child receives, or the way your local police department carries out its duties, you should vote on April 4.

However, many voters find it difficult to decide who to vote for in these local elections where information on the candidates is not as widely published.

You may have noticed political campaign signs of all colors and sizes with various slogans and creeds popping up all over town. These signs are aimed at getting you to remember the candidate

on election day. However, signs do not vote. Sometimes, the most well-funded candidate with the most signs and flashy slogan is best suited for the job, sometimes not. From now on, let the signs serve as your reminder to look up all of the candidates for a particular race to see if their values and plans align with yours and if they would act appropriately on your behalf if elected.

In local elections, the candidates are your neighbors you see at the grocery store, or your kids’ soccer coach. They are everyday individuals, most of whom have full-time jobs and families.

If elected, they will be giving up a small (or large) amount of their time to help lead the community, simply because they feel strongly about the issues and want to get involved. You can read the profiles of most of these candidates on the KendallCountyNow website.

The best way to educate yourself is to meet with the candidates person-

ally. I know this can be tough with the multitude of candidates and our busy lives. To help, I have invited all candidates running for the Montgomery Village Board to the monthly “Mayor on the Move” meet and greet on Saturday, April 1 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the offices of the Montgomery Economic Development Corporation at 200 Webster Street.

In addition, the Greater Montgomery Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Candidates Forum for the six candidates running for three Trustee positions in the Village of Montgomery.

This will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 23 in the Board Room at the Montgomery Village Hall, 200 N. River Street. Please take the time to learn about these candidates for local office, and be sure to vote on April 4.

Need these types of leaders

budget, while it grows and wins. They deserve your support on April 4.

You want your leaders to love what they do and to be fully vested. Judy Sollinger and Pam Parr have deep Oswego roots well over 30 years while Luis Perez has called Oswego home for his family since 1999. They love Oswego and they love winning for Oswego residents which include: A balanced village budget / a “game changing” downtown redevelopment plan / keeping our property tax rate flat / taking care of our seniors / investing in our local law enforcement and budgeting for our long term needs as a village.

Great leaders with outstanding vision and plans for Oswego. I ask you to vote for and re-elect Judy Sollinger, Pam Parr and Luis Perez as your Oswego Village Trustee’s on April 4 or during early voting from March 20 through March 30 at Oswego village hall.

• Matthew T. Brolley is the Montgomery village president.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ‘Essential’ candidates

To the Editor: This letter is to voice my support for Judy Sollinger, Pam Parr, and Luis Perez for Oswego Village Trustees.

Having lived in this community for 10-plus years, I have seen Oswego come full circle to now be heading toward a thriving community for individuals, families and businesses. Central to further progress is having a cohesive team of trustees who share the same vision, while having enough diversity of thought to continue to provide what’s best for growth. I believe that all three of these candidates are essential to that growth.

Not only have all of them been longtime residents with a passion for economic development and conservation, they are also fiscally conservative when it comes to responsible stewardship of village assets. I believe that all three of these candidates will continue to make decisions based on what’s best for the community as a whole.

We are just beginning to get a taste of what is possible for our wonderful town.

Let’s keep that momentum going with a vote for Sollinger, Parr, and Perez.

Rachelle Stoller Oswego

Honest leadership

To the Editor: As I view the current social climate, I

am concerned that our differences are leading us to dabble in pointless animosity rather than inspiring us to find solutions. I believe that one component enabling a society to unite is found in experienced, honest leadership.

During the upcoming election, each voter has the opportunity to help maintain the positive trajectory of School District 308 by keeping Danielle Paul in office.

During her tenure, Mrs. Paul has balanced career and family while managing to devote hours to improving student achievement. Despite facing opposition, she has been an advocate for complete fiscal viability and responsibility. Some have questioned Mrs Paul’s motives; however, her record demonstrates that the only consideration for her decisions is the welfare of District 308 students, faculty and staff.

Because of the dire fiscal circumstances created by the state, all public school districts will face some potentially devastating decisions in the near future.

Danielle Paul is the experienced leader who can face these decisions with courage and innovation. I encourage each of you to vote for Mrs. Paul and then support her in finding the solutions needed to protect District 308 and maintain its positive direction in preparing students for the future.

Deborah L. Jones Naperville

To the Editor: To be effective, a leader certainly has to manage the resources at his/her disposal. But leadership also involves communicating, inspiring and supervising- to name three more primary skills a leader has to have to be successful. Our Oswego Village Board needs this type of leader.

I am always reminded that transformative and successful projects for our community have never been accomplished by saying no first and asking questions later.

Calculated investments in Oswego’s future should be our No. 1 goal as we build the community we want for our future and for our children.

I have known Pam Parr and Judy Sollinger for over 30 years. They bring a blend of being rooted in our community and a willingness to work together in preparing for our future. Vote for Pam, Judy and Luis for leadership on the Oswego Village Board and for our future. Vote early beginning March 20 at Oswego Village Hall.

Terry Tamblyn

Oswego Public Library District Board Member Oswego

Deserve support

To the Editor: Thanks to Judy Sollinger, Pam Parr and Luis Perez, Oswego enjoys a balanced

Kathy Perez Oswego

Identified on the ballot

To the Editor: First time in 55 years, the Kendall County consolidated election has Republican candidates who choose to identify as Republicans on the ballot.

Voters contacted us wanting to know • Continued on page 6

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 23, 2017

Care about schools? Roads? Police? Then vote April 4

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 23, 2017

| FORUM

6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR • Continued from page 5

about the candidates.

To that end, the Kendall County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) held a Candidate Forum. We requested completion of a questionnaire with honest-tothe-point answers about themselves and reasons for running.

We thank all candidates that attended our forum or returned our questionnaire.

We appreciate their sacrifice running for a public office. We will publish candidate responses on our website KendallILGOP. com.

My thoughts, see Facebook (James Marter). We have two Republican candidates, Brian Thomas and Donnie Soard, for Oswego Village Board (aka the Money Pit), they have my endorsement, I ask you to vote for them.

Every office in Oswego Township has Republican candidates. I encourage your support in particular for Diane Selmer for trustee, the leader to bring fiscal responsibility and good government.

School Districts are non-partisan; Republicans won’t be identified. With “Identity” politics rampant, seems candidates should be allowed to identify themselves

cate and, most importantly, a parent that Dominick will keep the best interests of all children his number one priority.

Rules for election letters Letters concerning the upcoming April 4 local election should be no more than 200 words and conform fully with the requirements contained in our letters policy published frequently on this page. To assure fairness, letters that contain specific charges against a candidate or candidates will be considered for publication through our Thursday, March 23, edition. Candidates will have an opportunity to respond to any charges in letters published through our Thursday, March 30, edition. Send letters to letters@ kendallcountynow.com or Record Newspapers, 109 W. Veterans Parkway, Yorkville, IL 60560.

on the ballot.

Brent Lightfoot, School District 308, is endorsed; I may have others after the last forum.

Jim Marter

Kendall County Republican Central Committee Chairman Precinct Committeeman Oswego 22 Oswego

Kids the top priority

To the Editor: SD308 is facing a massive budget crisis. Painful cuts are going to have to be made to balance the budget.

There is one candidate for the Board of Education who is uniquely qualified to navigate the budget and identify cost savings opportunities.

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Dominick Cirone is a senior treasury analyst for a multi-billion dollar corporation, giving him the experience and knowledge necessary to understand a large and complicated budget. He is the only candidate or incumbent with these skills.

From the first day of his campaign, Dominick has promised to do everything possible to find cost savings that will least impact students. Dominick will scour the budget and look for cuts that will not affect the classroom nearly as much. He will fight to keep class sizes where they are. He will look at district-level expenditures for savings opportunities.

I am confident as a taxpayer, an advo-

Robyn Vickers Oswego

The Bracket

To the Editor: Our nation’s biggest narcissist, Barack Obama, has released his NCAA basketball tournament brackets. Oh, thank God. I always look forward to seeing the predictions of someone who knows exactly how things will turn out.

Obama has always selected one and two seeds to get to the Final Four. How daring of Mr. Late Night television to go out on such a limb. Obama knows as much about picking teams as my eight year old grandson.

Barack, submit your picks to your friends along with your ten bucks and have fun like the rest of us, whose predictions are as good as yours. You just can’t do the classy thing and stay out of the limelight. Then again, your ego won’t allow you to just go away.

Don Lass Oswego

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Sugar Grove resident Amanda Tracy of Food & Water Watch, said a clean environment shouldn’t be a partisan issue.

“We know the protections that the EPA offers … are intended to protect everybody’s well-being,” Tracy said. “We want Randy Hultgren to stand up for our environmental protections.”

Reed Scherer, professor of micropaleontology and biostratigraphy at NIU in DeKalb, said “climate change is a reality.”

“Scientists are skeptical by nature,” he said. “That is what we are trained to do. We do not embrace a conclusion before we have any evidence to prove it.”

Scherer criticized EPA Director Scott Pruitt and Trump for making policy decisions about the EPA that are not based on scientific evidence.

Scherer said a proposed 31 percent cut to the EPA and the elimination of NASA’s climate change research would impact the fundamental data on climate change that scientists rely on.

“Randy Hultgren is not a dumb man.

He speaks with knowledge of science,” Scherer said. “Yet, he votes in lock-step with his party. The reason I am here today is, if you believe in science, act on your belief and vote.”

Jeff Mengler, president of the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, said the

EPA’s leadership has been essential to the environmental progress of the last decade.

“I have spent a career repairing environmental degradation,” Mengler said.

“I am acutely aware of the need for these protections on a local level.”

Mavis Bates, adjunct professor of sustainability at Waubonsee Community College, said she came to environmental awareness after witnessing an atomic blast when she was 12 and living in Hawaii.

“I was, and still am, filled with a sense of urgency, an awareness of the fragility of this planet,” Bates said.

Dr. Adam Cohen-Lewe, a physician, added that environmental protections are public health protections.

“Without them, we would see much higher rates of cancer,” Cohen-Lewe said. “These protections are essential.”

Allison Klein, an organizer for Action 14th District Illinois, said the EPA is not a Democrat vs. Republican issue.

“The EPA was created by President [Richard] Nixon, a wise response to air pollution levels in the 1970s,” Klein said.

“It is designed to protect all of us from dangers that we have put out of mind, so we can live our lives without thinking about clean drinking water or if the beach at Lake Michigan is safe.”

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

CAMPTON HILLS – About 100 people gathered outside the Campton Hills district office of U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Plano, on March 16 to ask the congressman to resist President Donald Trump’s proposed deep cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Among them was Jeanne Neltnor of Geneva, carrying a sign with a picture of the earth and the words, “Protect what you love.”

“I’m here because we can’t live without clean air and clean water,” Neltnor said. “And to destroy the EPA – it’s going to destroy humankind. I want him to vote against these cuts. Say no and stand up to Trump and his cronies.”

Candida Kyle of Elgin also carried a sign with a picture of the earth – only her message was, “There is no planet B.” “If we do not have clean water, if we do not have clean air, if our food is not inspected, then what else is there?” Kyle asked. “We will not be able to survive these next four years. We need clean water; we need clean air. We need protected food. … I don’t want him to dismantle the EPA. We need environmental protection.”

Kyle said years ago, the Fox Riv-

er was polluted and people worked for years to clean it up.

“In a very short time, that can all come back,” Kyle said. “We cannot have that. I want him to vote against the dismantling of the EPA.” Sugar Grove resident Tabitha Elzer, with her 9-month-old daughter Maxine, said she joined the group because she wants a safe environment for her daughter to grow up in.

“I want to prevent budget cuts for the EPA,” Elzer said. “It should be about the good of the people, not just money.”

As during recent protests at Hultgren’s office from Indivisible Fox Valley and other groups, those driving by honked and waved their support.

In an email, Hultgren did not respond to constituent concerns about cuts to the EPA. Instead, Hultgren’s email stated the president submitted his budget request for the American people to see where his budget priorities lie.

“As we continue to write the budget and follow through with the appropriations process, members will have their chance to weigh-in on the priorities that matter for our constituents,” Hultgren stated.

The event also included six speakers, who all spoke with a bullhorn to be heard above the wind and traffic.

7

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Pickets urge Hultgren to oppose EPA cuts

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 23, 2017

| LOCAL NEWS

8

Trustees weigh adding video gaming cafe/deli Business on Oswego’s far east side would be 3rd to feature gambling

By STEVEN JACK news@kendallcountynow.com A proposal for a third video gaming establishment for Oswego had trustees questioning Tuesday night whether the village needs another such business.

The village has been approached by Chicago-area business owner Fadi Mohammed about opening Milly’s Cafe on the village’s far east side in the same strip mall as Tuffy Tire and Auto along Route 34 near Route 30.

The concept for the business is a deli/cafe that would serve fresh deli meats and cheeses, beer and wine and include five video gambling machines.

Mohammed runs a similar establishment in Bradley, Illinois, and is set to soon open a new location in Park Forest.

Two other video gaming parlors already operate in the village – PD’s in Mason Square and Stella’s near Douglas Road and Route 30.

“I don’t want Oswego to be known for its gaming establishments,” said Trustee Joe West, who along with fellow Trustee Karin McCarthy-Lange

was opposed to the idea of another gaming parlor in town.

While other trustees agreed that they don’t want the village overrun with video gaming businesses, they said they support Mohammed’s plan based largely on its location. The 1,200-square-foot space in the Tuffy strip has never been occupied and does not have a high visibility from the road.

“I’m leaning to supporting it because of this location and because there is a deli there,” said Trustee Pam Parr. “... I think it’s more of a benefit than the normal.”

In addition to gaming establishments, Mohammed also owns three Boost Mobile stores and the popular New York City Deli in Bourbonnais. He touted his community-focused business model, saying he prides himself on giving back with annual community turkey giveaways and food drives.

“I am not the kind of business owner who comes in to town from out of state, opens up and you will never see again,” Mohammed said. “I live in Illinois and am committed to the area.”

Mohammed has not received final approval for Milly’s Cafe in Oswego.

After receiving support from four of six trustees at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, a final vote on Mohammed’s liquor and gaming license will be required at a future meeting.

BRIEFS Sign-up starts April 3 for Oswego Community Garage Sale

The village of Oswego’s Environmentally Conscious Oswego (ECO) Commission will sponsor the Oswego Community Garage Sale on Friday, May 12, and Saturday, May 13. Residents may sign up at the Oswego Village Hall beginning Monday, April 3, to be included in the advertising for the Community Garage Sale. The fee to be included in advertising is $15.

Once the fee is paid, the participant will receive a sign and yard stake to place in their yard during their sale. The list of those participating in the Community Garage Sale will be published in the Oswego Ledger and on the village’s website on the Thursday prior to the sale. The cut-off date to sign up is Friday, April 21, to be included in the Ledger advertisement.

After the sale, your garage sale sign and yard stake can be returned to the Oswego Village Hall for a $10 refund. Please

return all signs by Friday, May 26.

Questions about the Community Garage Sale should be sent to eco@ oswegoil.org.

Oswego now selling rain barrels

The village of Oswego, in partnership with The Conservation Foundation, is selling rain barrels. Rain barrels capture stormwater from roofs that would otherwise be lost as runoff.

Orders placed prior to April 18 for municipal pickup are to be picked up at the Environmentally Conscious Oswego Reuse and Recycle Extravaganza from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 22, at Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill. Rain barrels may be ordered for home delivery from now until Christmas.

Please call Mark Runyon at 630-5543242 or email mrunyon@oswegoil.org for assistance or additional information.

– Oswego Ledger

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OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS

Arrest two at OEHS Oswego police arrested two juveniles on charges of disorderly conduct at Oswego East High School March 20 at 11 a.m. Police said the arrests resulted from an incident that occurred early that morning at the school. The suspects were released to their parents, according to police.

Child seat violation Oswego police ticketed Rosa Y. Rios, 24, of Aurora, after stopping her vehicle on Douglas Road at Long Beach Road March 20 at 7:57 a.m. Police said Rios was cited for no valid driver’s license, speeding and failure to secure a child in a child restraint system.

Hit and run investigated Oswego police investigated a hit and run crash that occurred on a service road in a shopping center at Route 30 and Fifth Street March 20 at 6:24 p.m. Police said damage as a result of the crash was estimated in excess of $1,500.

Battery reported Oswego police are investigating a battery that was reported to have occurred at Thompson Junior High School March 14 at 8:40 a.m.

Hit and run reported Oswego police took a report of a hit and run crash that occurred on Route 34 at Orchard Road March 19 at 1:15 p.m. Police said the victim in the incident was not injured and the crash remains under investigation.

Retail theft charge Oswego police arrested Sebastian Sanchez, 21, of the 300 block of North Evanslawn, Aurora, on a charge of retail theft at a store in he 2300 block of Route 34 March 16 at 6:10 p.m. Police said the suspect attempted to leave the store without paying for merchandise valued at $9.88.

Theft reported Oswego police took a retail theft report at a store in the 2300 block of Route 34 March 16 at 9:26 p.m.

Warrant arrest Oswego police arrested Aaron D. Thomas, 24, on an in-state warrant on Route 30 at Fifth Street March 16 at 2:50 p.m. Police said the suspect was transported to the Kendall County jail pending court proceedings.

Hit and run reported Oswego police took a report of a hit and run crash on Route 30 at Route 34 March 17 at 7:35 a.m. Police said the victim in the crash was not hurt and it remains under investigation.

MONTGOMERY POLICE REPORTS Home ransacked A resident of the 100 block of Webster Street told Montgomery police March 18 that someone ransacked his home while he was away and stole a cell phone.

Motorist arrested Montgomery police arrested Antonio Jamison, 47, of the 0-100 Ridgefield Road, Oswego, after stopping his vehicle for failing to signal in the 1500 block of Douglas Road March 18 at 8:29 p.m. Police said Jamison has been charged with driving on a revoked license.

License violation Montgomery police arrested Raul Romero, 22, of the 0-100 block of Fernwood Road, Boulder Hill, after stopping his vehicle for a speeding violation in the 2000 block of Orchard Road March 19 at 4:52 a.m. Police said Romero was charged with driving on a suspended license.

Motorist faces charge Montgomery police arrested Kirtis Terel Jujuan Woolfolk, 25, of the 12000 block of Grand Poplar Circle, Plainfield, after stopping his vehicle March 16 at 1:15 a.m. on Route 30 at Route 31 for a speeding violation. Police said the suspect was charged with driving on a suspended license and ticketed for speeding.

Warrant arrest Oswego police arrested Jennifer E. Flores, 37, of Hartway Drive, Montgomery, after stopping her vehicle on Route 71 at Route 34 March 14 at 2:45 p.m. Police said the suspect was wanted on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a prior charge and driving on a suspended license. The suspect posted bond and was released pending a court appearance next month.

Traffic violations • Demetrius D. Thornton, 22, of the 100 block of Fox Chase Drive, Oswego, driving while license revoked, failure to wear a seatbelt and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

• Rose A. Bee, 37, of the 900 block of Rural Street, Aurora, driving while license suspended, speeding and operating an insured motor vehicle.

• Clint J. Simon, no age given, of the 500 block of Cowles Avenue, Joliet, no front license plate and driving while license suspended.

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White Rose Drive incident A resident of the 2400 block of White Rose Drive in Montgomery told village police that at approximately 8 p.m. March 16 he saw two individuals inside of his vehicle while it was parked on his driveway. Police said nothing was taken from the vehicle.

License violation Montgomery police arrested Roberto Barrios, 52,of the 600 block of Westgate Drive, Steamwood, after stopping his vehicle on Route 25 at Mill Street March 17 at 9:47 p.m.

Police said Barrios was charged with driving without a valid license.

Revoked license charge Montgomery police arrested Terrie Menke, 32, of the 800 block of Victoria Drive, Montgomery, after stopping her vehicle for having no registration plate light on Countryside Drive at Mulberry Drive March 17 at 11:33 p.m.

Police said the suspect was cited for the plate light violation and charged with driving on a revoked license.

Motorist arrested Oswego police arrested Zachary B. Oris, 24, of the 1000 block of Route 25, Oswego, after stopping his vehicle for a traffic violation on Route 34 east of Pearce’s Ford Drive March 14 at 9 p.m. Police said Oris faces charges of driving while license suspended, suspended registration and failure to signal.

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

Two hurt in Wolf’s crash Kirstyn Lynes, 23, and David M. Cohen, 25, both of the 13000 block of Grande Pines Drive, Plainfield, were injured in a two vehicle crash on Wolf’s Crossing Road at Fifth Street in Oswego March 18 at 5:37 p.m., Battery arrest village police reported.

Oswego police arrested Joseph A. Rizzo, Police said Lynes’ and Cohen’s vehicle was 51, of the 90th block of Seton Creek Drive, traveling westbound on Wolf’s Crossing Oswego, at his residence March 20 at 6:30 Road when another vehicle driven by Bailey p.m. on a charge of domestic battery. Police Baker, 17, of the 2600 bock of Hoddamm said the suspect was detained at the County Road, Naperville, turned in front of it, Jail pending a court appearance April 17. causing a collision. Baker’s vehicle was

proceeding southbound on Fifth Street at the time of the crash, police said. Oswego Fire Protection District firefighters extricated Lynes and Cohen from their vehicle and transported them to Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora.

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

DUI arrest Oswego police arrested Daniel P. Rhodes, 34, of the 900 block of Wellington Circle, Aurora, after stopping his vehicle on Route 30 at Douglas Road March 21 at 3 a.m.

Police said Rhodes was charged with driving under the influence. The suspect posted bond and was released pending a court appearance next month.

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 23, 2017

| LOCAL NEWS

10

Montgomery Village Board Montgomery voters are being asked to cast ballots for up to three candidates seeking election to seats on the village board. Incumbent candidates are Steve Jungermann, Denny Lee and Theresa Sperling. They are challenged by William C. Keck, Jr., Glenn Macey and Thomas K. Betsinger. The successful candidates will serve four-year terms.

Visit KendallCountyNow.com/election/2017 to read all responses in this race, as well as more coverage of the April 4 election.

What differentiates you from the other candidates running for board seats?

If elected, what would be your top priority as a board member?

What projects would you like to see the village accomplish over the next four years?

I believe working as a public servant for two decades has helped me learn to listen first, seek to understand the unique perspectives and challenges our residents face, then respond with a decision that is best for the whole of the village.

I hope to see the connectivity of our community continued to be pushed to forward.

Let’s keep this great community moving in a positive direction that shows respect for our residents and village staff. One Montgomery.

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Experience. I have brought reason back to the village board. My experience as a plan commissioner and a current VB member means that I’m aware of the history of potential developed parcels, I have relationships and open dialogue with developers/ development opportunities and I believe in and back the MEDC.

There are many priorities for the next 4 years.

Holding the line on taxes and increasing the property tax rebate another 5 percent. Continued development of the Orchard Road corridor, Douglas Road corridor, and Mill District. The widening of US 30 from Briarcliff to US 47. Preventing the State of Illinois from balancing their budget issues on the back of local municipalities.

The continued redevelopment of the Douglas Road corridor. The continued development of the Orchard Road corridor. The widening of US Route 30.

Implementation of our Comprehensive Plan for our Mill District.

WILLIAM C. KECK

I have the correct temperament and lifetime of real-world business experience along with 20 years of previous village service. I could hit the ground running.

I just received notice from Kane County that my property taxes will increase by 14 percent next year.

This will create an extreme hardship as many village residents are on fixed incomes. Add to this, the state is talking about increasing the income tax. This will be devastating for many residents. Someone has to make the hard decisions to hold the line and to cut. It has to start at the local level.

The sugar dome and new truck terminal are a step in the right direction. More of these type of businesses have to be brought in. I think a “Shop Montgomery First” campaign would be good and cost very little.

Experience. I was first elected to the board in 2000.

Make sure the board continues its common sense direction.

Widen Route 30 to four lanes to Route 47, development of property along Orchard Road between Jericho Road and Route 30 and a new public works department building.

(Did not submit a response)

General Statement: I understand and am committed to actions that will continue to improve the quality of living here in Montgomery. I believe that a desirable central business district can enhance the overall property value of a community. I also feel the Village can better encourage more diversified development along its major corridors, beyond retail. This would provide a more stable, long term economic platform and improve the image of our community as a desirable place to live. Just as we all are, I am concerned about property taxes. I am opposed to anything of a nonessential or unnecessary nature that would result in a property tax increase.

In addition to the above statement, I always felt a central business district that is ‘alive’ makes a community. Abandoning that leads to some of the present things I see in Montgomery.

Additional officers and expansion of our Neighborhood Watch program.

Secure a plan for future water resources and funding for county/state roads within Montgomery.

Attract a hotel with banquet and meeting facilities.

TOM BETSINGER

Superintendent of Recreation, Oswegoland Park District

STEVE JUNGERMANN

Retired

DENNY LEE Part-time special needs bus driver

GLENN MACEY Risk Management Claims Administration

THERESA SPERLING Training Consultant

I listen carefully to residents and business owners.

Careful consideration, objectivity and what is best for Montgomery contribute to my decision making.

Oswego Village Board

11

What differentiates you from the other candidates running for board seats?

PAM PARR Self-employed Management Consultant

National New Business Manager for Ace Hardware

JUDY SOLLINGER Real Estate Broker

BRIAN THOMAS Small Business Owner

What projects would you like to see the village accomplish in the next four years?

What can and should the village do to foster local economic development?

Experience and a love of this community. I have started and sold four successful business, the last of which was Fox Valley Trophy in Oswego. Being a homeowner, volunteer, business owner, and elected official gives me great insight on all sides of any issue that comes before the board. My track record shows that I strive to be fair, impartial, and open-minded; yet, I always say what I think.

Continued economic development— specifically the downtown.

In addition to the downtown redevelopment mentioned above; completion of our Law Enforcement facility (I sit on the development team for this project); implementation and completion of the Enterprise Resource Planning software—this will bring us into the 21st Century and improve productivity and efficiencies (we are currently using 20-year-old software). Also, we should wean Oswego off of revenues from Springfield as much as we are able and diversify our existing revenues to reduce dependency on sales tax income.

As a board we have taken three major steps in this direction: 1) creation of a TIF district; 2) creation of branding and positioning plan; and 3) the hiring of an outstanding Economic Development Director Corinna Cole. Continuing the current board’s efforts is the only vision for fostering economic development. I will continue to work hard on behalf of our residents in this area.

Appointed by the Village President in 2015, I was brought in specifically to lead on growth and fiscal governance.

My professional qualifications in finance and development differentiates me from the pack.

My top priority as your Village Trustee will be to lead and manage our growth while maintaining our balanced budget and winning against the state of Illinois to make sure we receive our full share of local government funds that belongs to Oswego.

Downtown. You will be witness to the transformation of your downtown as it becomes a destination stop for our citizens and for visitors outside of Oswego for years to come. Stay tuned.

Re-invest in our police force: Oswego enjoys an outstanding relationship with local law enforcement. As Oswego grows, crime has gone down. The new Oswego law enforcement facility will properly accommodate our continued growth while serving the Oswego police department and our community for years to come.

By promoting our growth and investing in our downtown, Oswego will aggressively negotiate to bring in the type of business that our families desire. Special consideration will be given to small businesses which takes care of families while creating jobs.

We want to make it easy and desirable for families to start their business in Oswego!

Revitalization of our downtown and consideration of alternative revenue sources to maintain quality services to our residents while keeping our property tax rate flat

The creation of a TIF District will foster economic growth in the downtown and surrounding areas and bring diverse shopping, dining, housing and business opportunities to our community

I believe one project the village should discuss would be the Wolf Crossing Rd. expansion.

There will be no person on the board that will be friendlier to small/big business than myself, whether it is a new business opening for the first time, or an existing business wanting to expand because of growth. But, I Will Not do it on the back(s) of the resident(s) via increased taxes.

As a fifty year resident of Oswego, I bring a unique perspective to the board in that I have watched our community grow from 1,800 to 34,000 residents. As a real estate professional, I understand the changing demographics and am responsive to the needs of everyone from young professionals looking to locate here to active seniors who wish to retire here

I am a conservative Republican, I will bring something to the board that it hasn’t seen in some time: conservatism and fiscal responsibility.

Economic development

To reduce taxes, we need to repeal the three-quarters percent (sales) tax increase the board approved after their third meeting of the current administration.

Thursday, March 23, 2017

LUIS PEREZ

If elected, what would be your top priority as a board member?

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Oswego voters are being asked to cast ballots for a maximum of three candidates seeking election to four-year terms on the village board.

All three current incumbents, Judy Sollinger, Pam Parr and Luis Perez are seeking to retain their seats. They are challenged by Brian Thomas and Donnie L. Soard. Note: Soard did not return a candidate questionnaire to the Ledger.

Visit KendallCountyNow.com/election/2017 to read all responses in this race, as well as more coverage of the April 4 election.

Montgomery candidates invited to join mayor’s event

Easter egg hunt will take place in Montgomery Park OSWEGO LEDGER

OSWEGO LEDGER Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley will host a “Mayor on the Move” on Saturday, April 1, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Montgomery Economic Development Corporation office located at 200 Webster Street in downtown Montgomery. Candidates for the Montgomery Village Board also have been invited to attend. Light refreshments for this event will be provided by the MEDC. Residents are invited to drop by to meet the village president and village board candidates on an informal basis and discuss items of concern with them. This provides a great opportunity to get to know the six candidates running for three trustee positions and to hear their views on local issues.

President Brolley said he hopes this will help voters get involved so that they can make informed choices in the Consolidated Election on Tuesday, April 4.

“As village president, I enjoy visiting with residents and hearing what issues are important to them,” Brolley explained. “I hope this ‘meet and greet’ event with the candidates will encourage voters to participate in the upcoming local election.”

CLUB FILE Gardeners will welcome spring with herb growing program

In preparation for the upcoming growing season, Hilltop Gardeners Garden Club enlisted Joanie Rocchi of The Growing Place to present “Growing and Cooking with Herbs.” The program is on Thursday, April 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Little White School Museum, 72 Polk Street in Oswego. Rocchi will explain how to plant and maintain herbs for use in the kitchen. Herbs are also used to beautify the garden, whether woven into existing beds or added to containers.

They can also add flowers and fragrance.

Anyone interested in gardening or nature is invited to attend garden club meetings, held on the second Thursday of each month. More information is available by calling Diane at 630-551-1970.

For a complete list of 2017 meetings, email Valerie at vgierhart@aol.com.

– Oswego Ledger

Photo provided

The Oswegoland Park District will host the Saw Wee Kee Trail Run on Saturday, April 15.

Registration open for park district’s Spring Trail Run OSWEGO LEDGER The Oswegoland Park District’s three mile Saw Wee Kee Spring Trail Run Challenge will be held in Saw Wee Kee Park on Saturday, April 15.

Runners begin the challenge anytime between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the park located along the banks of the Fox River off Sundown Lane, south of Oswego.

The soft park path should make for a great all natural run for beginners and advanced runners. The race will conclude with a moisture wick trail run shirt and post-race chili from Pearce’s Pub and Grill. Overall male and female winners will be announced via the park district’s Facebook page by 9 p.m.

The Saw Wee Kee Spring Trail Run

Challenge is the first race in the Oswego Triple Race Series. Runners can earn the Oswego Triple Race Medal in 2017 by completing three of four athletic events hosted by the park district. Any registered participant who finishes in three of the following races – Saw Wee Kee Spring Trail Run Challenge (April 15), PrairieFest 5K (June 18), I Tried A Triathlon (Aug. 6), or the Gobbler Hobbler 10K (Nov. 12) – earns the coveted award. Make a goal to cross the finish lines in Oswego this year, and collect both the glory and the gold.

For more information about the Saw Wee Kee Spring Trail Run Challenge or any of the events in the Oswego Triple, visit oswegolandparkdistrict.org or contact Caroline Griffin at 630-554-4482.

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 23, 2017

| LOCAL NEWS

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630-553-7710 630-553-7710 630-553-7710

Kendall County

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The village of Montgomery and the Community Christian Church are again teaming up to offer a free Easter egg hunt and related events for children from 10:30 a.m. to noon April 8.

The egg hunt will take place at Montgomery Park at the corner of Mill and River streets, with more activities nearby at the Montgomery Village Hall, 200 N. River St. In case of inclement weather, the Easter egg hunt will take place inside the Village Hall.

The egg hunt will have three stages, based on age groups (ages 1-3 at 10:30 a.m., ages 4-6 at 11 a.m., and ages 7-10 at 11:30 a.m.). All participants should be at the park at least 15 minutes before their start time and bring a bag or basket to collect eggs.

Meanwhile, the Easter Bunny will preside over activities at the Village Hall, including popcorn and other free refreshments, a cake walk, cookie decorating, face painting, a police car and fire truck, crafts, and more.

There also will be an opportunity to take pictures with the Easter Bunny.

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Kendall County Board member Audra Hendrix addresses the board on Tuesday. go – whose revolving loan fund was depleted because of successful economic development projects.

Oswego Village Administrator Daniel Di Santo, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, confirmed later that the village had been approached by businesses asking for an economic development loan from the village.

“We’re thrilled with the decision that the county is willing to lend to municipalities,” Di Santo said.

“Oswego has had great success with the revolving loan program. Every one we’ve had has been successful, we

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

The Kendall County Board voted 5-4 Tuesday morning to allow the county to loan local governments – including the county – money through its economic development revolving loan funds.

Board Chairman Scott Gryder, Economic Development Chairman Audra Hendrix, and board members Matt Kellogg, Matt Prochaska and Elizabeth Flowers voted in favor of the measure, while board members Judy Gilmour, Robert Davidson, Lynn Cullick and John Purcell voted against it. Board member Tony Giles was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.

Those voting against the measure said they didn’t know the parameters of the loans to governments before voting on the measure.

However, Hendrix, who brought the measure to the board, argued that the measure only opened up the county to lending money to those government entities. She said rules are already in place for businesses wishing to get a loan from the county, and that any loan would have to be approved by the County Board.

Hendrix said when the county received its first money from the state for economic development loans in the 1980s, the money came with restrictions, one of which was that it could not be lent to local governments. The state has since rescinded those restrictions, she said.

“This is basically reverting back to the way we were doing it before” 1988, when the state gave the county the funds, Hendrix said.

Hendrix said that the county had recently been approached by a local government – the village of Oswe-

have many in play now. That’s also the reason we’re here, because we’ve lent out all the money; there’s not much left to lend. We do have a few projects that have expressed interest in additional loans, and since we didn’t have any, we directed them to the county.

That’s when we learned that the county was interested in lending directly to municipalities to reduce their risk.”

During a discussion on the measure, Davidson said there should be a limit set as to how much money the county would loan a municipality. However, Kellogg said the measure being voted on would just change the language of the county’s revolving loan policy to allow such loans, and that the county could “hash out those details” if a local government approaches them about a loan. Kellogg also said the measure would allow the county to access the funds in case of an emergency.

“This frees up the money so we can manage it more properly,” Kellogg said.

Hendrix said there are projects that could go forward but that their respective municipalities or other local governments have depleted revolving loan funds.

She referred to a loan from the county to a hotel complex in Sandwich in which the county only recovered 10 percent of its original $750,000 loan.

“Those private ventures could come to us and ask us directly, but we took a bath the last time we did that, and by loaning to municipalities we lower our risk to a point that makes it very, very comfortable, but also relieves us of the administrative burden of having to administrate those loans and it puts the expertise of what those communities need and want in their areas in the hands of the people that are closest to it,” she said.

13

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

County to lend economic development cash to towns

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 23, 2017

| LOCAL NEWS

14

KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS Respond to tavern fight County sheriff’s deputies responded to a fight involving five female subjects inside a tavern in the 300 block of South Church Street in Millington in Fox Township March 18 at 11:23 p.m.

Police said three of the combatants experienced minor injuries in the incident. Due to a lack of evidence or valid witness accounts, none of the individuals involved were willing to sign complaints and no arrests were made.

Garbage can stolen A garbage can valued at $100 was stolen from a residence in the 15000 block of Line Road in Seward Township near Minooka March 13, county sheriff’s deputies were told Monday.

License violation County sheriff’s deputies arrested Melissa Fae Lewis, 39, of the 700 block of Suzanne Street, Sandwich, after stopping her vehicle for speeding 75 mph in a 55 mph zone on Galena Road at Jones Road in Little Rock Township March 20 at 8:34 a.m.

Police said Lewis has been charged with driving on a suspended license.

Property damage reported County sheriff’s deputies took a report of criminal damage to property at a residence in the 1000 block of West Jones Street in Little Rock Township March 20. Police said someone broke out the window to a garage at the residence.

Motorist cited in crash A Bristol resident, Adam Wayne Howard, 31, of the 9000 block of Corneils Road, was transported to Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora for evaluation after the vehicle he was driving went off Galena Road east of Highland Road in Bristol Township March 18 at 5:09 p.m. and struck a mailbox and a cable TV box, according to the county sheriff’s office. Police said Howard was cited for driving without insurance and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

DUI among charges County sheriff’s deputies arrested Matthew B. Anderson, 48, of the 2700 block of Avalon Lane in Montgomery after the vehicle he was driving south on Eldamain Road in Bristol Township left the roadway and crashed into a utility pole March 18 at 9:58 p.m. Police said Anderson was transported to Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Police said Anderson faces charges of driving under the influence and driving while license revoked. In addition, he was cited for improper

lane usage and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

Juveniles arrested County sheriff’s deputies arrested two female juveniles after stopping their vehicle for an equipment violation on Route 126 at Schlapp Road in NaAuSay Township March 18. Police said a juvenile driver of the vehicle was found to not have a driver’s license and in possession of alcohol.

The juvenile passenger was also found to be in possession of alcohol.

Both suspects were transported to the County Jail in Yorkville and were later released to guardians.

Purse theft reported A resident of Meyer Road in Oswego Township told county sheriff’s deputies March 19 that someone had stolen her purse. Police said they are investigating.

Signs damaged Big Grove Township officials told county sheriff’s deputies March 13 that three road signs in the vicinity of Whitewillow Road and Town Road appeared to have been damaged by projectiles from a firearm.

on a prior charge of retail theft. Police said the suspect was transported to the County Jail in Yorkville pending court proceedings.

Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Kevin John Ode, 39, of the 100 block of Linden Drive, Oswego, March 16 at 4 a.m. in the 2000 block of Ogden Avenue in Bristol Township. Police said the suspect was taken into custody on a Kendall County warrant for failure to appear in court on a prior charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Police said the suspect was transported to the County Jail without incident for booking and bonding.

ID theft proves costly A resident of Miller Road in Little Rock Township told county sheriff’s deputies that someone used his personal information to secure a $770 loan on the internet. Police said they are investigating.

Bail bond violation County sheriff’s deputies arrested Michael Christian Duvall, 41, of the 40Th block of Afton Road, Boulder Hill, while responding to a report of domestic trouble at his residence Domestic incident March 13 at 5:08 a.m. Police said County sheriff’s deputies responded they arrested Duvall on a charge of to a verbal domestic situation that oc- violation of his bail bond. curred in the 0-100 block of Chatham Place in Boulder Hill March 15 at 11:40 Two juveniles injured p.m. Police said deputies learned that County sheriff’s deputies reported a male at the residence had broken that two female juveniles were injured items in the home that belonged to in a single vehicle crash at Walker and other family members. Police said Arbeiter roads in NaAuSay Township the family members refused to sign March 14 at 4:58 p.m. Police said complaints for the damaged property. Plainfield Fire Protection District paramedics transported the juveniles from Warrant arrest the scene, while Illinois State Police County sheriff’s deputies arrested assisted with the crash investigation.

Michael Edward Alcala, 18, no address, in the 0-700 block of West Vet- Damage reported erans Parkway Yorkville March 15 at Someone caused an estimated $500 3:54 p.m. on a warrant for aggravated in damage to a gate at a business criminal sexual abuse. Police said in the 15000 block of North Ridge the suspect was transported to the Road in Seward Township sometime County Jail without incident. Police between March 15 and March 17. said the suspect also faces a charge Boulder Hill burglary of possession of drug paraphernalia.

County sheriff’s deputies took a Warrant arrest report of a residential burglary that County sheriff’s deputies arrested occurred at a home in the 100 block Phillip M. Chandler, 21, of the 100 of Heathgate Road in Boulder Hill block of Colonial Parkway, Yorkville, March 16. Police said $70 in cash, an at his residence March 15 at 1:53 Illinois driver’s license and numerous p.m. on a Kendall County warrant for credit and debit cards were taken. sexual exploitation of a child.

Traffic violation Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies ticketed County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Enrique Morales, 31, of the 2900 block Jason E. Dodson, 42, of the 90th block of Courtney Street, Plano, for driving of Ashlawn Avenue, Oswego, at his on a suspended license after stopping residence March 15 at 11:30 a.m. on a his vehicle on Route 34 at Lew Street warrant for failure to appear in court in Plano March 17.

Father who shot girls had talked before of killing them

By BRENDA SCHORY bschory@shawmedia.com

ST. CHARLES – Randall Coffland had talked to his wife about killing his daughters in the past, and about killing himself the same day he took his own life and those of the girls, according to police reports released through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Coffland carried through his March 10 threat, shooting his daughters, Brittany and Tiffany, both 16, in the head, shooting his wife in the legs and then shooting himself in the head, at 450 S. First St., apartment 406, reports stated.

Coffland and his wife were living apart in St. Charles, reports stated. Prior to 2015, Randy and Anjum Coffland lived on Highview Court in Oswego. According to Kendall County property records, they bought their Oswego home in 2002.

Anjum Coffland served as a deputy county recorder in the Kendall County Recorder’s Office in Yorkville from September 2013 to September 2015, County Clerk and Recorder Debbie Gillette has confirmed.

Brittany and Tiffany Coffland attended Oswego High School until December of 2014, according to information provided by School District 308.

Coffland visited his wife at her place March 9, and relayed that he wanted them to get back together, but she didn’t. Instead, she told him she wanted a divorce, reports stated.

On March 10, he called his wife and said he was going to kill himself, and asked that she come to his place, reports stated.

She came into the kitchen and found Randall Coffland pointing a gun at her. He said the girls were already dead. He told her he wanted her to survive, so she could live with the situation the rest of her life, and he shot her, reports stated.

Anjum Coffland ran into a bedroom and locked the door, reports stated.

Both girls were found in separate rooms covered with blankets, reports stated. Randall Coffland was found facedown in water in a bathtub, with a cellphone on the edge of the tub dialed to 911, reports stated.

Financial assistance for Anjum Coffland has been set up by her neighbor on a YouCaring site for medical and funeral expenses at www.youcaring.com/anjumcoffland-775004, and now has been turned over to the family, Deputy Police Chief David Kintz stated in an email.

A GoFundMe account was created by a friend, Kathleen Panek-Rickerson, and her daughter at www.gofundme.com/help-st-charles-mother. That account also has been confirmed and turned over to the family, Kintz stated.

Another fundraiser has been organized for March 23 at Colonial Cafe, 552 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, where the restaurant will donate up to 20 percent of net sales to assist Anjum Coffland.

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16 GIRLS TRACK

PREP ROUNDUP

Battle giving high jump a try Oswego East’s Maya Taylor finishes the 400-meter relay with a first-place finish at the Oswego East Invite in 2016.

Taylor will be among the top performers for the Wolves this spring.

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@kendallcountynow.com She’s in a new place, but she’s definitely not a new face.

Oswego East lost all of its state point scorers from last year’s team that placed third in Class 3A track.

Guess who the Wolves found?

Ty Battle, the Ledger’s Player of the Year in girls basketball, has come out for track for the first time.

She’s taken to the high jump like a fish to water. Just three weeks after jumping for the first time, Battle cleared 5 feet, 1 inch in taking third at the Southwest Prairie Conference indoor meet Saturday, and nearly made state-qualifying 5-3.

“She’s been wonderful – she’s really taken to it,” said first-year Wolves coach Erik Aister, an assistant to Lisa Cook for the last five years. “With a couple more weeks and a bunch of training, she could be bumping up against that state mark which is pretty incredible. She’s just naturally blessed with athletic talent.”

Battle is one of the intriguing talents on a young, massive Wolves’ roster.

Oswego East is at about 100 girls, 70 percent of whom are freshmen and sophomores. Cook, who recently had a baby, will continue to coach the distance runners.

“Six years ago when Lisa started this program, we started with 40 girls,” Aister said. “I’m just trying to live up to her legacy.”

The Wolves graduated some stellar talent like Sade Akinfe, Morgan Harris and Tara Schumacher, but the cupboard of state experience isn’t completely bare.

Alexis Henz and Maya Taylor both ran on relays in Charleston last year. Taylor, the Wolves’ top returning sprinter, has long-jumped 17-8 indoors and will be Oswego

Shaw Media file photo

East’s lone representatives at the Top Times indoor championships this weekend at Illinois Wesleyan.

“She’s already jumped a foot and a half ahead of last year,” Aister said. “We expect her to be in the mix for a medal.”

Henz was fourth at indoor conference in the 800, and has already broken the school record with a 2:24. She’ll also run the 800, 1,600 and 1,600 relay. Emma McCullough is another with state experience in the 1,600 relay.

Among the newcomers, sophomore Meghan Stock was a soccer player who decided to do track and was third at conference in the 400. Junior Isabella Gyori, part of the Wolves’ distance crew, has already run a sub-2:30 800.

“We’re the two-time defending conference champions [outdoors], and we’d like to be back there,” Aister said.

“We’re starting to grasp what we have. The great thing is the young girls have bought into our culture.”

BOYS TRACK

Jimenez has busy season ahead of him Oswego senior has already run the sixth-best 400 time in Class 3A

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@kendallcountynow.com Brian Jimenez has a busy spring ahead on the track.

The Oswego senior has already qualified in the 400 for the Top Times indoor championships at Illinois Wesleyan this weekend. The Panthers plan to use him more in the 3,200-meter relay and the 800.

Plus, Oswego coach Jeff Edwards is trying to piece together a good 1,600 relay team.

“We’re hoping that he’s a threeevent qualifier for state,” Edwards said of Jimenez.

Jimenez leads an Oswego team close to 100-deep that is coming off a big second-place finish to Plainfield North at the Southwest Prairie Conference

indoor meet.

“That says a lot, for how good our conference is,” Edwards said.

Jimenez qualified for state in the 400 last year, running a 49.70 400 at sectionals, and ran in the 1,600 relay in Charleston. He ran a 51.30 400 indoors at the First to the Finish Charger Invite March 4, good for the sixth-best time in Class 3A. “He’s a little faster indoors than he was running last year. It’s always tough with the curves,” Edwards said.

“We’re hoping to get him down in the 48 range. He definitely has the ability to do that.”

Bennett Peterson could be another Oswego senior with a busy season ahead. His strength is in the 3,200, but he ran with the Panthers’ 3,200 relay at indoor conference and ran the open 800 in 2 minutes flat. Peterson has already run a 9:28.19 3,200, ninth-best in Class 3A. “He’s a lot more aggressive attacking the races, a huge improvement from last year – he’s really come to

compete,” Edwards said. “His speed is up. We’re hoping that he can be a twoevent state qualifier in the 3,200 and 1,600, possibly an alternate in the 3,200 relay.”

That 3,200 relay, which has Jimenez running anchor behind junior Joe Fioresi and seniors David Gaytan and Collin Boone, broke their own school record with an 8:10.62 at conference.

It’s good for fifth-best in Class 3A. Fioresi himself set a new 800 record.

At the same meet Jared Middleton and Matt Ogilvie, both juniors, went 13 feet, 6 inches in the pole vault. The Panthers figure to be strong in the jumps.

Nick Janca cleared 6-4 in the high jump in Champaign earlier in March.

“Nick had a little pain in his calf and achilles at conference. He cleared 6-1 but he struggled a bit at 6-3,” Edwards said. “We have to make sure he stays healthy. There’s no reason to push it this early in the season.”

Oswego opens its outdoor season April 5, a dual meet against Oswego East and Joliet West.

Panthers get season started by pounding Bolingbrook OSWEGO LEDGER

BASEBALL

Oswego varsity: Jeffrey Crafton had a triple, two runs scored and three runs batted in, Ben Graue went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs and Cody Peterlin went 2-for3 with two RBIs for the Panthers in an 11-0 season-opening win over Bolingbrook on Monday. Nathan Willig and Dustin Wayne combined for nine strikeouts.

Oswego East varsity: The Wolves (3-0) defeated St. Francis 3-1 on Tuesday. Winning pitcher Daniel Nelson struck out six in four innings of work and Shane Schaltz closed the game with five strikeouts in three innings. Garrett Goetz, BJ Graves and Dominic Zupo each had two hits.

The Wolves previously beat Kenwood 6-5 and DeKalb 7-4 over the weekend in Jacksonville.

Oswego sophomores: Matt Sorrells struck out 13 over five innings, Andrew Delphey fanned five in two innings of relief and Oswego beat Bolingbrook 12-0 in Monday’s season opener. Garry Maynard led the Panthers’ hitting, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs. Oswego East sophomores: Collin Witzke had three doubles at the plate, and struck out 10 over four innings to lead the Wolves past St. Francis 5-1 on Tuesday. Matt Jaros also had two hits.

SOCCER

Oswego: Riley Parker had a goal and an assist and Kaylee Zimbelmann added a goal for the Panthers in a 3-2 season-opening loss to West Aurora on Monday.

Oswego East: Taylor Peck had two goals and three assists and Maddy Lambert and Jasmine Ruiz each added two goals for the Wolves in an 8-0 win over Lake Park on Tuesday.

More on the web Check out our additional sports coverage at KendallCountyNow.com: • Oswego East boys track preview • Oswego girls track preview

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18

JACKIE MEIER SHELTER INSURANCE / LEDGER ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: GARRETT GOETZ

GOETZ MAKING WOLVES GO His hitting, pitching and baserunning has Wolves off to 3-0 start

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@kendallcountynow.com Garrett Goetz’s inner baseball clock said “go!”

The Oswego East senior was on third base during a game in downstate Jacksonville over the weekend.

When the ball scooted away on a throw back to the pitcher’s mound, Goetz bolted for home.

“I figured I was fast enough to beat the throw home,” Goetz said. “I was fortunate enough to make it.”

Goetz has been playing since T-ball, but it was his first steal of home.

“That was a cool one, something you never see,” Goetz said. “I was pretty pumped to score a run there and do it in dramatic fashion.”

Goetz did a little bit of everything for Oswego East in a great opening weekend.

Batting leadoff, he went 6-for-9 at the plate with a home run. He also struck out seven in four innings of work in the season opener for the Wolves, who are off to a 3-0 start.

For these efforts, Garrett Goetz is the Ledger Athlete of the Week.

Wolves’ coach Matt Engelhardt wasn’t at all surprised to see such great baserunning instincts from Goetz, a third-year varsity starter and returning all-conference player.

“The guy is constantly focused,” Engelhardt said. “He is a real student of the game. That play really turned the tide in our favor.”

Goetz’s baseball knowledge probably comes with the territory.

His dad, Barry, played collegiately at Dallas Baptist University. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers as a pitcher, and advanced all the way to Triple-A. Goetz was born in Texas, and a faint Texan twang is evident in conversation.

He’s inherited a live pitching arm, too. Goetz, a right-hander, has touched 88 miles per hour on his fastball, and pitched to a 2.00 earned run average in 54 innings as a junior.

“There wasn’t much that wasn’t working for him that first time out,” Engelhardt said. “He locates real well, and he’s in the mid 80s with his fastball consistently. When you put dominant location with multiple offspeed pitches for strikes, it’s tough to hit.”

Goetz is committed to play at Waubonsee, recruited primarily for his pitching.

“Thank God, I have a quicker fastball than most guys,” Goetz said. “Then I can break them off with a good curveball. That helps a lot. I just try to mix things up.”

Engelhardt recognized the baseball ability in Goetz right away.

He was pulled up to the sophomore team as a freshman, and made the varsity team the next year. Goetz can be plugged in at multiple positions, but it’s primarily at shortstop and pitcher that he plays for the Wolves. He hit .430 as a junior.

“He’s an unbelievable kid,” Engelhardt said. “He makes major-league plays at shortstop, he keeps the guys loose and he leads by example.”

The Wolves were 12-19 last season, but Goetz sees no reason why they can’t keep this fast start going.

“I’m excited,” Goetz said. “We went into the start of open gym, we knew we had a lot of talent. The guys have bought in and it’s carried over. We’re clicking on all fronts, especially the pitchers.”

Shaw Media file photo

Oswego East’s Garrett Goetz slides underneath leaping West Aurora third baseman Cody Wyeth (24) after hitting a triple during a regional game in 2016. Goetz’s pitching, hitting and baserunning has the Wolves off to a 3-0 start this year.

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PREP SOFTBALL

Panthers aim for better hitting, more consistency this spring

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@kendallcountynow.com

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Undersized Panthers not short on experience

By CHRIS WALKER sports@kendallcountynow.com The Oswego boys volleyball team is hopeful that its experience will allow it to overcome a lack of size and physicality.

“We have much more experience this season, returning three key starters from last season,” Panthers coach Zach Splitt said. “The leadership core of this unit is solid and it is our expectation to rely on their mental toughness to navigate us through a challenging season.”

Leading the way will be seniors Ben Ruggles, Jake Bentz and Jerell Rogers.

At 6-foot-3, Rogers is the tallest among the trio.

Ruggles had 560 assists last year as a setter to lead the team. Bentz, an outside hitter, was second on the team last spring with 128 kills. Rogers, a middle hitter, led the Panthers with 44 blocks and with a .372 attacking percentage.

He also had 127 kills.

along with top-notch first contact skills in order to facilitate our offensive opportunities.”

As hungry as the seniors are for success after a 16-18 mark in 2016, you could argue that Splitt, who is in his fourth season, is even hungrier.

It was just two years ago that the Panthers went 25-9.

“When I took over the program in 2013, we embarked on reinventing the Oswego boys volleyball program,” he said. “Over those years we have consistently set higher expectations for ourselves as a staff and as a program. Over Shaw Media file photo the offseason we overhauled our coachOswego’s Jerell Rogers (right) hits a shot ing staff and are poised once again to past Oswego East’s Max Behnke (center) take a meaningful step forward in the during a May 2016 crosstown volleyball performance and success of this program.” game at Oswego East.

While Splitt expects the Panthers to “We are lacking in overpowering be better than they were last spring, he physicality,” Splitt said. “Once again, also anticipates the Southwest Prairie we are on the shorter side of the vol- Conference teams to be better as well. leyball spectrum, so we will have to “As volleyball in the area continues rely on thoughtful offensive execution to grow and improve, it is essential

that our group cannot get comfortable in the former narratives of west suburban volleyball,” Splitt said. “With the expansion of the SPC along with the emergence and improvement of a number of other programs, it is important to push ourselves beyond the norm and stay ahead of the curve.”

Look for junior middle hitter Al Dunah and sophomore libero Ryne Anders to step in and contribute in their respective first seasons on varsity.

The Panthers will see a lot of action early, hosting their own Invite on March 24 before heading to the West Aurora Invite on Apr. 1. They’ll travel to Plainfield Central and Plainfield North to open the conference season before heading to the St. Charles East Invite on Apr. 8.

“Although we are returning a good deal of talent this season, we are taking nothing for granted,” Splitt said. “We are making sure to apply ourselves to the fullest in order to reach our ultimate goals.”

Thursday, March 23, 2017

No introductions necessary.

As Oswego coach Amanda Stanton begins her second season in the softball dugout, it’s just one reason why the Panthers have their feet further settled on the ground.

Two pitchers and a catcher are both back as sophomores among six girls returning from a 10-18 team that advanced to a regional final.

The Panthers opened their season Wednesday against Sandwich. Results were not available by press time.

“The girls are much more confident and much more ready to work hard,” Stanton said. “There’s a lot of positivity.”

It starts with senior first baseman/outfielder Ashley McCance, committed to Minnesota State-Moorhead.

McCance hit .309 with a team-best 25 runs batted in, while fielding at a .978 percentage last year, and brings a powerful bat at the plate and good range and a strong arm to the field.

“She’s the perfect example of what a senior leader should be,” Stanton said. “She’s always working hard, she always has a smile on her face.”

Natalie Etheridge, an outfielder who will play collegiately at Rock Valley College, is another lead-

with fellow sophomore Jenna Veber. Veber went 5-6 with a 2.66 earned run average as a freshman.

“They complement each other really well,” Stanton said. “Annie is a lefty, Jenna pitches right-handed. Annie pitches with more speed, Jenna has great movement on her pitches inside and outside. And they are each other’s biggest fans.”

They’ll both be throwing to a third sophomore who started as a freshman. Becky Pieroni hit .343 with five doubles and 12 RBIs. “She has grown so much after just one year,” Stanton said.

Junior lefty slapper Kayla Moky, who will play shortstop, hit .376 with a 929 fielding percentage and brings speed and swagger to Oswego’s team. Sophomore third baseman Raelyn Reichert and junior second baseman/outfielder are two newcomers who could contribute.

Stanton thinks Oswego’s hitting, up-and-down a year ago, could be much-improved this spring.

“Some of the girls’ swings look completely different. Whatever they did, it does look a lot better,” Stanton said. “We’ll see what happens when we face live pitching. We are trying to focus on consistency.

We don’t have to hit home runs, but we do want to Shaw Media file photo make contact.”

The biggest focus for a program that’s had little Oswego’s Ashley McCance hit .309 with a team-high 25 stability in the dugout is building a positive culture. runs batted in last season.

Oswego hasn’t had a winning season since 1994, but er. The speedy senior could hit ninth or leadoff, play Stanton sees no reason that the Panthers can’t do just that. center or right field.

“We are very excited to get our program moving Sophomore Annie Scaramuzzi packs power at the plate (.387 on-base percentage, 16 RBIs) at the plate in the right direction,” Stanton said. “The girls are and on the mound, where she’ll split pitching duties meshing well.”

SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Oswego team going in right direction

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, March 23, 2017

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SPORTS BOYS VOLLEYBALL

GOAL: A WINNING SEASON Lewis recruit Colin McClintic, Wolves aim to beat last year’s 16-16 record

By CHRIS WALKER

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sports@kendallcountynow.com When outside hitter Colin McClintic was just a freshman, Oswego East’s varsity boys volleyball team only won three games.

It’s something he’s never forgotten.

“It was tough because we’d get on the bus after road games and the coaches would be all mad and the guys would come on the bus with their heads hanging down all sad,” McClintic said. “Slowly we’ve been able to get better each year.”

That includes last season’s 16-16 campaign, the best in school history, and the first time the Wolves didn’t have a losing year.

The team lost eight seniors from that squad, including captains Adam Densberger and Max Benger, but the 6-foot11 McClintic and fellow senior Isaiah Robinson both return.

With such a change in personnel, the Wolves will be challenged to find a way to win consistently for second-year coach Brian Zerfas. Thankfully, they’ve been blessed with an excellent junior class.

“This group has extremely high expectations for the season but they know they have to learn how to win consistently and do it the right way if they want to achieve those goals,” he said. “How they come together as a team, their approach to practices and how they manage expectations and adversity throughout the season will be a strong indicator of just how much this group can achieve.”

Oswego East’s juniors won back-to-back conference championships as freshmen and a JV squad.

They’ll be needed to step in right away.

“They’re so used to winning so they have some cockiness,” McClintic said. “I’m trying to make sure that they

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“We’re excited for the season and the team we think we’re capable of being,” he said. “Playing in club I know a lot of the kids we’re going to play against and it’s going to be competitive.”

Colin McClintic Oswego East boys volleyball player

Shaw Media file photo

Lewis recruit Colin McClintic (16) and Oswego East, coming off the program’s best-ever season, are now aiming for the Wolves’ first winning season. don’t get caught in the hype just because they’ve won before. I think we have the talent to have a winning team for the first time.”

McClintic, who hadn’t played the game other than in P.E. class prior to freshman year, will play at Lewis next season and has been nominated for the American Volleyball Coaches Association High

Schools Seniors All-America watch list.

“We’re excited for the season and the team we think we’re capable of being,” he said. “Playing in club I know a lot of the kids we’re going to play against and it’s going to be competitive.”

Jahari Winkfield, Cade Harrison, Collin Harrison, Sam Behnke, Ben Jorgensen

and Zeke Rivera are part of the prized junior class and will need to step up right away in order for the Wolves to be successful.

“This is a group of guys that puts power behind the ball and backs it up with a tough net presence,” Zerfas said. “We have multiple hitters with phenomenal vision and shot selection at every position.”

The Wolves are finally poised to challenge for a conference title.

“It is new territory for our program but we are excited and ready for those expectations and are ready to embrace the challenge,” Zerfas said.

“More significantly, we talk all the time about leaving a legacy. This group knows they are helping to build a program, not just a winning season. It’s not just about one season to these guys, it is about establishing a winning culture and expectations for Oswego East boys volleyball.”