Lest 11 03 2016

TH UR SDA Y , N OV E M B E R 3 , 2016 • 75 ¢

OSW EGO LEDGER YOUR NEW LEDGER-SENTINEL • SERVING OSWEGO, MONTGOMERY AND BOULDER HILL FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY

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SOLEMN CEREMONY Graves of local Civil War veterans get new headstones

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, November 3, 2016

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OSW EGO LEDGER KendallCountyNow.com OFFICE 109 W. Veterans Parkway (U.S. Route 34), second floor Yorkville, IL 60560 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday 630-553-7034

NEWSROOM 630-553-7034 Fax: 630-553-7085 News@KendallCountyNow.com SUBSCRIBER SERVICES 866-445-6258 Circulation@KendallCountyNow.com 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday SUBSCRIPTIONS 866-445-6258 CLASSIFIED SALES 877-264-2527 Fax: 815-477-8898 classified@shawsuburban.com LEGAL NOTICES 877-264-2527 PublicNotice@KendallCountyNow.com RETAIL ADVERTISING 630-553-7034 OBITUARIES 877-264-2527 Obits@KendallCountyNow.com General Manager Steve Vanisko 815-280-4103 svanisko@shawmedia.com Editor John Etheredge 630-553-7034 jetheredge@shawmedia.com

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.

Subscription rates: One year, $28 in Kendall County; $36 elsewhere in Illinois and $47 outside Illinois The Oswego Ledger and KendallCountyNow.com are a division of Shaw Media.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2016

Teen shot, injured in Oswego Police seek more details on incident in downtown area

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com Oswego police are seeking information on the shooting of a teenager near the village’s downtown early Saturday morning, and the Kendall County Crime Stoppers organization has offered a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.

At 12:23 a.m. Saturday, Oswego police were called to the area of Tyler and Adams streets for a report of a disturbance and shots fired, according to a police press release.

ON THE COVER National Chaplain of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Jerome Kowalski provided a powerful invocation during a ceremony dedicating new grave markers for Civil War veterans in Montgomery’s Riverside Cemetery on Saturday.

See more photos on page 11.

Photo by Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

ed target. “ Anyone who may have information regarding the incident is asked to call the Oswego Police Department at 630551-7300.

Information may also be provided anonymously to Kendall County Crime Stoppers.

Anonymous tips can be submitted 24/7 by calling Crime Stoppers at 630553-5999.

Callers remain anonymous and are given a secret code number to be used for all future contacts. Crime Stoppers does not have caller ID and conversations are not recorded. Cash rewards are paid for information which assists local law enforcement agencies in the identification and arrest of a perpetrator of a criminal offense, or a fugitive from justice, or information leading to the recovery of stolen property.

All rewards are disbursed in a way that maintains the caller’s anonymity.

Man sentenced in St. Anne’s burglary

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com A Chicago man has been sentenced to 12 years in state prison after pleading guilty to stealing money from St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Oswego last winter.

Kendall County Judge Timothy J. McCann handed down the prison sentence to Kevin T. Johnson, 50, of the 4000 block of Malden Ave. in Chicago, on Wednesday, after Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of burglary. Johnson must also serve three years of mandatory supervised release as well as pay back $2,848 in restitution after his release, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Johnson was charged following an investigation into a Jan. 24 forced en-

CIVIC MEETINGS • Relevant information • Marketing Solutions • Community Advocates

“Officers responding to the location found a 16-year-old male juvenile on the ground with a gunshot wound,” according to the release. “Officers provided medical assistance to the juvenile until paramedics arrived.”

The juvenile from Aurora was transported to Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

“Oswego police learned that several individuals were in the area when a fight ensued,” according to the release. “The juvenile was then shot at which time the suspects fled the scene.

Oswego detectives are currently investigating the incident along with the Kendall County Criminal Intelligence Team. At this time there is no clear motive and no suspect information has been ascertained. It is believed that this is an isolated incident and that the juvenile may have gang related ties and may have been the intend-

WEEK OF NOV. 7-11 Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Kendall County Board Planning Building and Zoning Committee, County Office Building, Yorkville.

Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Oswego Township Board, Town Hall, Oswego.

Monday, 6:55 p.m.: Oswego Township Plan Commission, Town Hall, Oswego.

Wednesday: KenCom Operations Board, CANCELED. Thursday, 7 p.m.: Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission, Oswego Village Hall.

try into the church at 551 Boulder Hill Pass.

“Officers learned that Johnson gained entry into the church by smashing through a window located on an entry door,” State’s Attorney Eric Weis wrote in a press release. “Johnson was captured on video by a surveillance camera entering locked desk drawKevin T. ers by using a screwJohnson driver. Johnson also entered a room which contained the collections from parishioners where he emptied envelopes containing cash and left envelopes containing checks.”

St. Anne’s Catholic Church authorities reported the damage to Oswego police when they came in the morning

following the break-in, Weis said.

“Johnson’s image, captured by the surveillance cameras, was positively identified by Oswego police officers who made contact with him days later on another incident,” he said.

Weis commended the efforts of the Oswego Police Department in bringing Johnson to justice.

“These crimes affect not just the church but all the members of the parish. It is a theft from the church community as a whole,” Weis said.

Johnson received the prison sentence as a Class X offender because of his prior criminal record, which included a prior burglary of a church in Lake County in 2005, Weis said.

Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Dore prosecuted the case, and Johnson was represented by the public defender.

All lanes set to open soon on Route 71 OSWEGO LEDGER The Oswego Police Department have issued an alert for motorists traveling in the construction zone on Ill. Route 71 in the village.

The Illinois Department of Transportation was set to activate the new traffic signals along Route 71 between Orchard/Minkler Road and Wolf’s Crossing Road starting Wednesday, Nov. 2, weather permitting.

Police urge motorists to use extra caution as motorists become familiar with the new signals.

Police said IDOT officials are also anticipating removing the barrels on Route 71 in

the construction zone and opening all lanes of traffic on or before Nov. 14.

Police said they will be placing a message board on the roadway starting Nov. 6 as a reminder to travel the posted speed limit.

Police will be conducting extra patrols along Route 71 once the roadway fully opens.

Specifically, police said they will be focusing on violations involving speed, seat belts and cellphone usage.

Additionally, police said the public should anticipate a strong police presence enforcing safe driving in the school zone in front of Oswego High School due to a higher volume of inexperienced drivers that are in the area on a daily basis.

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Tony Scott - tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Democratic candidate Christine Benson of Ottawa (left) and incumbent state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, at the Kendall County Farm Bureau candidate forum last Thursday at the Kendall County Historic Courthouse in Yorkville. on the campaign trail.

“You hear from people over and over how horrible this is and why they’re leaving,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many people told me that they’re packed up and leaving or planning to leave to go to Tennessee, Arizona, New Mexico, somewhere where the taxes are a lot less.”

Burd said a progressive income tax would require an amendment to the state constitution, but that she’s talk-

ed with legislators in Springfield and that there could be ways around that by “putting loopholes in there for the middle class and the poorer people.”

“There are ways around this until we get a constitutional amendment passed,” she said.

Shugart said that even though she is a Democrat, she is not supported

by House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, or the state party.

“I run a very independent cam-

See FORUM, page 12

Early voting continuing in Kendall County Last day to cast ballots at Oswego Village Hall is Nov. 4; county office site open through Nov. 7

Street, Room 103, Yorkville; and Plano City Hall at 7 N. James Street.

Voting hours at Oswego Village Hall are today and tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 3, and Friday, Nov. 4, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voting hours at the county office building, Room 103, are today and tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 3, and SHAW MEDIA Friday, Nov. 4, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Early and grace-period voting is continuing at Saturday, Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; three locations in Kendall County.

Sunday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, Voters may cast ballots at Oswego Village Hall, Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

100 Parkers Mill at the corner of Ill. Route 31 and U.S. Voting hours at Plano City Hall today, Thursday, Route 34; the county office building at 111 W. Fox Nov. 3, will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Early voting at city

hall will conclude today.

Under state law, grace period voters seeking to register and cast their ballots will be expected to vote at the time of registration.

Poll places will be open throughout the county on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters can check their registration and the location of their local polling place by contacting the clerk’s office at 630-553-4104 or the clerk’s voter registration office at 630-553-4105.

Registration and polling place locations for individual voters is also available at elections.il.gov under “voters” followed by “Am I Registered to Vote in Illinois?”

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Candidates for the state legislature and U.S. Congress in the Nov. 8 election faced off last Thursday during a candidate forum at the Kendall County Historic Courthouse in Yorkville.

Appearing at the forum were U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Plano, and his opponent, Democrat Jim Walz of Gurnee; State Sen. Jim Oberweis, R-Sugar Grove, and opponent Corinne Pierog, a Democrat from St. Charles; State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, and her opponent, Democrat Christine Benson of Ottawa; State Rep. David Welter, R-Morris, and his opponent, Democrat Martha Shugart of Morris; and Democratic candidate Valerie Burd of Yorkville, who is running against state Rep. Keith Wheeler, R-Oswego. Wheeler was out of state and was unable to attend the forum.

During the forum, Burd said she was in favor of a progressive income tax, which she said will take the burden off the property taxpayers.

“I don’t want our residents to have to move because they can’t afford this burden, and many of them are moving,” she said.

Burd said property taxes are one of the most inequitable taxes that residents face, and said she hears from residents about the property tax burden

paign,” she said. “I am not supported

by Speaker Madigan, I’m not supported by the Illinois state Democratic Party.

You do not have a puppet, you have a leader who represents you here, sitting in front of you.”

Welter, who was appointed in July following the resignation of state Rep. John Anthony, also stressed his bipartisan bona fides, saying he was supported by Republicans and Democrats when he became the Grundy County Board chairman at the age of 23.

“I think that speaks volumes,” he said.

Both Welter and Shugart said they would support some kind of term limits for legislators.

“I definitely think it’s something needed,” Welter said. “I don’t think it’s something we should agree on in concept. I think it’s something that you need to say yes or no, do you support or not, and I do.”

Shugart said she is not a “career politician.”

“I think eight years is a suitable amount of time,” she said. “You can accomplish a lot in eight years.”

During their portion of the forum, Oberweis and Pierog discussed the issue of increasing the minimum wage.

Oberweis said he was a sponsor of legislation that would have increased

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Candidates state their case at forum

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, November 3, 2016

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OPINIONS OUR VIEW

Check Election Central for more info on candidates Have you voted early yet or are you planning to cast your ballot next Tuesday on election day? Here in Kendall County voters will find a relatively short ballot. At the top of the ballot is, of course, the race for President, followed by federal, state and county races.

Very unfortunately for Kendall County voters, the political powers that be in Springfield carved up the county into a very confusing maze of federal and state legislative districts back in 2010. The county now sits in two Congressional districts (the 11th and 14th), four State Senate districts (the 25th, 38th, 42nd, and 49th), and four State House districts (the 50th, 75th, 84th and 97th).

To further complicate matters, the county is also

divvied up into two county board districts.

If you are one of the many voters who may not be sure exactly which races you’ll be casting a ballot in, that information can be found on your voter registration card or by visiting the Illinois State Board of Elections voter registration look-up page at ova.elections. il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx. The site also provides voters with the location of their polling place.

Once you’ve found which races you’ll be casting your votes in, you can read the candidates’ positions on the issues by visiting “Election Central” on our website at KendallCountyNow.com/election-central.

Want to know where the state candidates stand

on such controversial issues as school funding reform and Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda? Want to know what the Congressional candidates think of the Affordable Care Act, immigration, paying down the national debt, and more?

Their responses to a questionnaire that we sent them can also be found on Election Central.

On election night, please check our website homepage at KendallCountyNow.com and Election Central for election results and more coverage.

We look forward to bringing you the results of what has been one of the more contentious political seasons for our nation. Be sure your voice is heard by casting a ballot either before the end of early voting or next Tuesday.

Sticky noodles? We’ve got the cure right here So, did you make it through Halloween trick-free?

We had our usual sparse costumed munchkins visit the Matile Manse front porch, which is to say hardly any at all.

Granted, there are no sidewalks and not many street lights down here in God’s Country, but when we were kids, we tried to visit the areas of Oswego where most kids didn’t go, on the theory (usually successful) that people who hadn’t had many trick-ortreaters would perhaps put two candy bars in our bags instead of closely rationing them to last all evening.

Apparently, that strategy is no long operable.

On the other hand, we count ourselves lucky that we don’t have any outhouses for pranksters to tip over these days. Not sure why it caused so much hilarity, but tipping outhouses was a real laff riot back in the day.

With Halloween wrapped up, we’re now looking forward to Thanksgiving, the all-time best holiday since there’s no gifts to find or give, but rather just a day of being thankful, which is something more of us could profitably spend more time doing.

This year, we can also be extremely thankful that campaign season will have been over for almost a month and that the airwaves will have been free of campaign commercials that spend most of their time tearing down opponents rather than explaining how they plan to make things better.

Also on the theme of thankfulness, I am extremely thankful the right wing caucus in Congress has thus far been unable to entirely destroy the U.S. Postal Service, meaning our faithful mail carrier shows up out in

give birth every 20 to 30 days. Just in case you’re wondering why there are so many house mice in the world.

Roger The largest member of the deer Matile family is the moose. It’s larger than any deer that lived in the past, too. front of the Matile Manse six days a Although he died before his 36th week and keeps us in contact with the birthday, Mozart was one of the rest of the world. world’s greatest composers, leaving a Granted, there’s a considerable legacy of more than 600 compositions. amount of junk mail mixed in with Looking to keep the old fridge free the useful stuff, but there are even of annoying odors? You can try gransome gems lurking among the junk. ulated charcoal; dried, used coffee For instance, here are a few things I grounds; a piece of vanilla bean or never would have found out if I hadn’t vanilla-soaked cotton; baking soda; or opened all the mail that showed up in a wad of crumpled newspaper. So, see? the mailbox here in Troy’s Loop: This here newspaper is really good Bet you didn’t know that 173 years for more than adding to your already ago today (Nov. 3), the statue of Admi- great store of knowledge. ral Nelson was winched into place on Stalks of bamboo can often reach a Nelson’s Column, Trafalgar Square, height of 120 feet.

London.

Some say the dollar sign looks the Famous people born in November way it does because it is a variation of include French Queen Marie Anthe 8 with which Spanish coins called toinette; frontiersman and explorer pieces of eight were stamped before Daniel Boone; journalist, author and the adoption of our federal coins and humorist Mark Twain; and Presidents currency in 1785. Some don’t.

Warren G. Harding, James K. Polk, We haven’t had many fat presiWilliam Henry Harrison, James A. dents in modern times. The fattest Garfield, Franklin Pierce, and Zachpresident was William Howard Taft, ary Taylor. My wife contends it’s all who (literally) tipped the scales at 352 due to excessive cuddling during the pounds. windy month of March.

One square inch of the sun’s Looking to avoid gummy noodles, surface shines with the intensity of rice, macaroni and spaghetti when 300,000 candles. cooking? Simple. It says here all you Always flummoxed by trying have to do is add two teaspoons of to remember the names of the five cooking oil to the water before cookGreat Lakes? Just use the mnemonic ing.

HOMES: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Speaking of noodles, pasta comes in Erie, and Superior. Simplicity itself! more than 100 shapes and sizes.

Speaking of the Great Lakes, Lake Most female house mice began to Michigan is the only one wholly lohave young when they are only about cated inside the United States. All the 45 days old. Litters number four to others project northward into Canada. seven little mice. From then on, they Keep this tip in mind for next sum-

REFLECTIONS

mer: Low-flying insects are said to be a sign of impending bad weather.

Greenland is a pretty fair-sized island, covering 840,000 square miles.

In comparison, Illinois is only about 58,000 square miles and Texas is 269,000 square miles in area. The entire North American continent covers 9.4 million square miles.

The world’s biggest continent is Asia. At nearly 17 million square miles, it covers nearly 30 percent of the Earth’s surface.

Not sure if you need to know this or not (one never really knows what random information may come in handy), but a newly hatched alligator is only 8 inches long. It grows about a foot a year until it reaches its full mature length of 6 to 8 feet.

Maine is the only state in the Union whose name has just one syllable.

The word “turnpike” originated in the days when toll collectors were armed with pikes, long-handled spearlike weapons. They used these weapons to block travelers who refused to pay to use the roads, but turned their pikes aside after tolls were paid.

Finally, from the “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby” folder: Susan B. Anthony, the great feminist and suffragist of the 19th century, was fined $100 in 1872 for attempting to vote in the presidential election. She and everyone else who have fought for our right to vote deserve your respect. We hope you are determined to cast your ballot this coming Tuesday; it’s your right and responsibility as an American to do so.

• Looking for more local history?

Visit http://historyonthefox.wordpress.com.

In my life, I have been a witness to generosity over and over again. My parents, Ingeborg and Joseph Vruno, were my first and most influential role models.

There is no greater legacy a family can have than learning to share what you have, even when what you have is small. They taught us to give our wealth, our time, our skills, our love, and our compassion to others.

Generosity is not something we do, it’s who we are. Oswego is generous.

In fact, we are overflowing with generosity. Here’s just few of the things I am aware of this year (disclaimer: I may

have forgotten or been unaware of other great feats of generosity, be assured any omissions were not intentional): Students collected more than

of events.

The Oswego Junior Women’s Club raised more than $5,000 (in its first Gail year) to promote school, libraries and Johnson reading.

Captain Leonard Wass (US Navy, 114,000 items for the Kendall County retired) served as chairman for the Community Food Pantry.

USS Illinois Commissioning Com100 Women Who Care donated more mittee, volunteering countless hours than $14,000 to local charities. making the USS Illinois, a reality.

The Rotary Club of Oswego donates A simple Facebook post brought time and dollars to projects in our more than 200 packages of stuffing community and around the world. and jars of gravy to my door for the The Oswegoland Optimist Club pro- Kendall County Food Pantry’s holiday vides holiday gifts to those who have baskets. the most need.

A large group of volunteers is Subdivisions partnered with the spearheading the efforts that will entire community to provide financial bring the Moving Vietnam Wall to and social support for several families Oswego next summer. who experienced an unexpected turn Girl and Boy Scouts who have com-

pleted volunteer projects too numerous to name.

Happy Helpers – a group founded to volunteer.

Oswego Chamber of Commerce raised funds for Mutual Ground and other charities.

These and many more acts of generosity in our community create an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the people who call Oswego home. As we enter this season of gratitude, I am thankful for your abundance of spirit, time, possessions, skills, and kindness that is shared throughout our community. It truly is more than what we do, it’s who we are.

leadership that will break up the monopoly created by the Washington-Wall Street-Hollywood cartel?

We can have more of the same that the establishment has given us for the last generation or we can have change that makes America work for all of us. That’s why I’m voting for Donald Trump for President.

Illinois Democrats.

In Illinois jobs and people are leaving, long controlled by Democrat Speaker Mike Madigan and his cronies, it is a critical year to move forward with reform and fiscal sanity.

Shall we continue in decline or reform?

Please vote for: Donald J. Trump for President, Leslie Munger for Comptroller. For U.S. Congress Randy Hultgren and Tonia Khouri, State Senators Jim Oberweis, Sue Rezin, and Michelle Smith, and representatives Keith Wheeler, David Welter, Mike Strick and Mark Batinck.

County Board candidates: District 1 John Purcell and Jerry Bannister; District 2 Diane Selmer, Tony Giles, and Matt Kellogg.

VIEWS

• Gail Johnson is the Oswego village president.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Drain the swamp

To the Editor: Headline: Top Democrat saws puppy in half. Republicans are clamorous. Top Republican saws puppy in half. Americans are horrified, outraged and saddened.

If you’re a journalist or went to college recently, you probably couldn’t spot the obvious bias in those two headlines.

Journalism and main street news in today’s realm is basically a continual promotion of a 50-plus year failed leftist ideological agenda. How’s that working out for our cities and country? Our media loves diversity. It’s part of their religion.

A core belief. They are very proud of diversity and will attack at anyone who questions it. But when you take time to investigate their ideological diversity, who they vote for, which candidates they financially support, up to 94 percent of Washington journalists are progressive voters.

So much for that glorious diversity? It’s really not better anywhere else throughout our Main Street, Mr. Stephanopoulos-type media.

Sadly, in 1998 only 52 percent of Republicans had trust in media according to Gallup. Today that number is 14 percent.

You might not know this fact as the journalist cabal is very good at not snitching on themselves. (But they will tell you till nausea that Donald Trump has an unfit potty mouth.)

Precious independents’ trust in 1998 was 53 percent. Now down to 30 percent.

Our honorable wonderful watchdog

media, almost always wrong and obviously, never ever right. How can anyone trust our journalists with its disgusting Klan-like bias?

Drain the swamp.

Ryan Koppes Oswego

Put people first

To the Editor: As we choose our next President, we need to ask ourselves about where we are and where we want to be. Do we like the current direction with declining wages, trade policies that take jobs away from American workers and immigration policies that seem to favor every country except our own?

How about a health care system that was sold on the basis of making healthcare more affordable, but which has given us much higher insurance premiums along with deductibles and co-payments so high that we can’t afford to go to the doctor? Do we like slow-growth economic policies that will cause our children to live in our basements indefinitely?

Do we like a ruling class in Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood that enriches themselves as they make the rest of us poorer and as they regard us with disdain and contempt?

Shouldn’t we have leadership that puts the interests of America and the American people first? How about leadership that will get the economy growing and that will fix the mess that has been made of the health care system? How about

Michael F. Becker Montgomery

A critical year

To the Editor: In Washington, D.C., we have a national debt spiraling out of control, bearing down upon each of us, as well as our children and grandchildren. The federal government is forcing ever increasing costs of health care to be borne upon us the working people, while government bureaucrats and their crony corporatists are profiting.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) or Obamacare is a disaster and every lie used to sell this unconstitutional “bill of goods” to the American people, like “every family will save $2,500 per year” and “if you like your doctor and your plan you can keep it,” have been proven lies.

We need those who: will repeal Obamacare; are pro-life and understand that “All Lives Matter”; will put American citizens first and enforce our laws and secure the border; and will protect our “right to keep and bear arms” from the likes of Hillary Clinton, Bill Foster and the

Jim Marter

Chairman Kendall County Republican Central Committee Oswego

There for you

To the Editor: Please join me in electing Diane Selmer to the Kendall County Board.

I am encouraging the Kendall County voters to really consider what Diane Selmer has to offer. She will speak up for the middle class in this county and also for the senior citizens. She knows what it means to struggle to conserve low and fixed incomes in order to meet payment of our high real estate taxes. She will not be a rubber stamp. She will question all expenditures and how necessary and • Continued on page 6

5 Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, November 3, 2016

FORUM Generosity not something we do, but who we are

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, November 3, 2016

| FORUM

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR • Continued from page 5

will begin.

Remember, it is unconstitutional for the government to dictate that U.S. citizens cost effective they really are. She has pledged to not take the taxpayer-funded purchase a certain product, but five (thousands of dollars) health care pack- justices said that the unconstitutional was constitutional and you now have age which most of your elected Kendall County Board members have tapped into. Obamacare. Think about the possible future for your children and grandchildren.

She will be there to serve you, not like some of the others who are running to Charles Christensen serve themselves.

Jan Alexander Oswego

One critical reason

To the Editor: Donald Trump may have some attitude problems in the eyes of some people, and Hillary Clinton may have some legal problems in the eyes of some people, but there is one extremely critical reason that voting for Trump is the better idea: Supreme Court appointees.

Justices appointed by liberals such as Obama, and which will be continued

by Hillary, interpret the validity of laws based on current social ideology. Once the court has one more liberal justice, I’m pretty convinced that the process of dismantling that worn out, dried up, old piece of paper called the Constitution,

generous donations, this event would have not been possible. We would like to thank following businesses: United Facilities North, Performance Foodservice, Eby-Brown, Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Ron Westphal Chevrolet, Engineering Enterprises Incorporated, La Chiquita, Jewel, Colonial Café, Chilis, TGI Fridays, Goodrich Kendall 10 Movie Theater, NCG Yorkville Cinemas, Aurora University, Oswego Parkside Lanes, Aurora Skate, Heaps Giant Pumpkin Farm, Rotary Club of Police send thanks Montgomery, McDonalds, Sam’s Club, To the Editor: Lakewood Creek HSO, Montgomery Fire The Montgomery Police Department Department, Crown Trophy, Heitkotter, welcomed visitors to the grounds of the Ty Company, Oriental Trading, Chickpolice department for an exciting Hallow- Fil-A, and Peaceable Kingdom. een Safety Event on Sunday, Oct. 23. This Several local residents contributed prizyear over 600 child participants were in es and games for this event and should attendance, not including their parents also be recognized. We would also like to thank the following residents: Erich, and other family members. Attendees were greeted by several officers dressed Charlene, and Emilee Franks, Gene and Colleen Franks, Kami Terry, Doug Marein costumes as well as an abundance of cek and Family, Brenda and Roger Keith, local residents who volunteered their Carolyn Leard, and the Bragg Family. time and really got into the Halloween Thank you to everyone who came out spirit. and had a part in making this event a The Montgomery police would like to great success. take a minute to extend our appreciation to all of the area businesses who Armando Sanders sponsored this event by donating items. Deputy Police Chief, Montgomery Police Department Without these sponsors and their overly Montgomery

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY, JACOB! You make us so very proud & we couldn’t love you more!

Love, Mom, Dad, Caitlyn & Josh

SM-CL0381453

Vote November 8, 2016 • Economic growth for our shared communities • Work with local and state agencies to create long-term solutions Re-elect Elect Elizabeth Flowers Kristine Heiman Kendall County Board District 2

Early voting at Oswego Village Hall October 14th - November 4th Call the County Clerk for more information at 630-553-4104 http://www.co.kendall.il.us/voter-registration/

• Build avenues of sustainability for generations to come Let’s work together to build a better quality of life for our shared communities.

Please join us on facebook Kendall County Democratic Victory 2016.

Elizabeth Flowers & Kristine Heiman Paid by Kendall County Democratic Victory 2016. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Boards official website www.elections.il.gov or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois SM-CL0405178

By LYLE R. ROLFE news@kendallcountynow.com

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Police investigating Montgomery home invasion

the items fled on foot.

The suspects were observed entering a white pickup truck and leaving the area, Montgomery police are seeking information concerning a home invasion according to police.

Police searched the area but were that occurred at a residence in the 0-100 unable to locate the suspects. They ask block of East Mill Street Oct. 29 at 5:36 that anyone with information regarding p.m. the incident contact Det. Villa at 630Police said two suspects wearing 897-8707. masks and brandishing firearms forced Police said the incident appears to be their way into the residence. The suspects then demanded specific items from isolated.

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The bridge across the Waubonsie Creek on the Fox Bend Golf Course’s Hole No. 5 in Oswego will be replaced next year, Oswegoland Park District Board members were told during an Oct. 20 meeting.

Rich Zielke, district executive director, said the bridge is starting to deteriorate and the supports are getting weak, causing a safety problem. On his recommendation, board members voted unanimously to hire Walter E. Deuchler Associates Inc. of Aurora to do the design work for the bridge. Zielke said he sent out a request for proposals to five engineering firms to do the design work.

“After reviewing and ranking the proposals, I selected Walter E. Deuchler Associates Inc. to do the bridge design, engineering and permitting,” he said in a memo to the board.

Deuchler proposes to do the work at a cost not to exceed $30,400. All costs for the design and construction of the bridge will be paid by the park district, he said.

Zielke said they are planning to build a new bridge next to the present one, which will be razed when the new one is complete. This will allow them to avoid rerouting golfers while the work is being done.

The cost of a new structure will not be known until Deuchler’s plans are complete and contractors submit their bids. Work is expected to be started in the spring and completed next year, Zielke said.

In other business, the board approved a new three-year lease contract with Nadler Golf Cart Sales Inc. to provide the district with 68 reconditioned 2016 Club Car President model tournament fleet golf carts to replace the district’s fleet of 2007-2010 model carts for use at Fox Bend. Zielke said they also will receive two reconditioned cafe express beverage carts and one reconditioned range ball-picker vehicle.

All the vehicles will be leased starting in May 2017 through September 2019 at an annual cost of $49,345.

He said all vehicles will have fuel-efficient gasoline engines, saving the district 30 percent to 50 percent on fuel costs compared to the present carts.

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New bridge coming to Fox Bend Golf Course

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County Board candidates discuss issues

By TONY SCOTT tscott@kendallcountynow.com Candidates running for Kendall County Board got a chance to state their case to the voters during a candidate forum held Oct. 25 at the Kendall County Historic Courthouse in downtown Yorkville.

The Kendall County Farm Bureau hosted the forum, and it was moderated and broadcast live by WSPY-FM. The general election is set for Nov. 8, although registered voters can currently early vote, and those not registered can participate in grace period registration and voting by visiting the county Voter Registration Office in Yorkville during regular business hours.

According to the County Clerk’s Office, a resident must be at least 18 years old, have lived in their voting precinct for at least 30 days prior to the election day, and bring two forms of identification when they participate in grace period registration and voting.

Voters in County Board District One will need to choose two candidates out of the three running: Republican John Purcell of Yorkville, Republican Jerry Bannister of Oswego, and Dem-

Tony Scott - tscott@kendallcountynow.com

Kendall County Board candidate Jerry Bannister (center) answers a question during the Oct. 25 candidate forum at the Kendall County Historic Courthouse, as board member John Purcell and candidate Audra Hendrix look on. ocrat Audra Hendrix of Yorkville. Purcell is an incumbent and running for re-election to his seat. Current Board Chairman John Shaw, a Republican who lives in District One, is not running for re-election.

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Voters in County Board District Two will need to choose three candidates out of the five running: Republican Matthew J. Kellogg of Yorkville, Republican Tony Giles of Oswego, Republican Diane Selmer of Oswego,

Democrat Elizabeth Flowers of Montgomery, and Democrat Kristine Heiman of Oswego. Flowers is running for re-election and was unopposed in the Democratic primary in March, and incumbent board member Dan Koukol lost in the Republican primary. Incumbent Jeff Wehrli has decided not to run for re-election.

State’s Attorney Eric Weis, Circuit Court Clerk Robyn Ingemunson, and Coroner candidate Jacquie Purcell, who won a contested Republican primary in March, are all unopposed for their respective offices. All three are Republicans.

All County Board candidates and Jacquie Purcell appeared at the Oct. 25 forum. Weis sent a prepared written statement. Ingemunson was absent.

The District One candidates and District Two candidates were questioned separately during the forum.

During the District One portion of the forum, board candidates answered questions on forest preserve purchases of agricultural land, health department funding, and other issues. Candidates also stated how they would work as a team as a member of a 10-person board.

See COUNTY BOARD, page 12

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Woosley and her passenger, a 5-yearold, were transported to Morris Hospital The Illinois State Police have released by the Minooka Fire Department with information on two crashes that occurred minor injuries, police said. recently at the intersection of Route In another crash at 10:09 a.m. Oct. 22, 52 and Grove Road in southern Kendall according to police, a 2010 Ford Fusion County. driven by Michael Cross-Clay, 20, of In one crash at 4:42 p.m. Oct. 25, police Matteson failed to yield the right of way say a 2012 Nissan Sentra driven by Saand was struck by a 2007 Volvo tractor vannah M. Woosley, 28, of Oswego, failed to yield the right of way, tried to proceed trailer driven by William Olin Joplin, 64, of through the intersection and was struck Gladstone, Mo. No injuries were reported. – Tony Scott by a 2010 Cadillac driven by Eric Thomas,

OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS Money clip stolen A money clip containing $50 was reported stolen at a business in the 200 block of Ogden Falls Boulevard Oct. 27, according to Oswego police.

Hits deer on Route 34 An Oswego resident told village police she was driving westbound on Route 34 at Pearce’s Ford Drive Oct. 27 at 6 a.m. when she struck a deer that was running northTheft investigation Oswego police are investigating the theft of bound across the highway. Damage to the resident’s vehicle was estimated at over a purse at the School District 308 Center on $1,500.

Franklin Street Oct. 31. Police said the purse is valued at $50.

Political sign stolen Oswego police received a report of a Juvenile cited in crash Oswego police responded to a two vehicle political sign being stolen from a residence in the 200 block of Morgan Valley Drive in the crash on Douglas Road at Wolf’s Crossing Road in the village Oct. 30 at 8:35 a.m. Police village Oct. 24 at 9:27 p.m. said both drivers were injured but were not transported to the hospital. Police said one of Colchester burglary Someone stole approximately $600 in cash the drivers, a juvenile, was ticketed for failure and tools from a vehicle parked in the 800 to reduce speed to avoid an accident. block of Colchester Drive in Oswego, village police were notified Oct. 25.

Retail theft among charges Oswego police arrested Kyle S. Muench, 18, of the 1400 block of Southfield Drive, Aurora, Burglary reported Oswego police are investigating a residenat a store in the 2300 block of Route 34 in the village Oct. 28 at 5:29 p.m. Police said the tial burglary that occurred in a garage at a home in the 400 block of Waubonsie Circle suspect has been charged with retail theft Oct. 27 at 10:20 a.m. Police said an unknown and unlawful possession of alcohol liquor. subject entered the opened garage and then rummaged through an unlocked vehicle. No Warrant arrest Oswego police arrested Lawrence R. Binns, items were reported missing.

20, of the 4100 block of South Indiana Avenue, Chicago, on a warrant on Old Post Road Protection order violation Oswego police are investigating a report at Douglas Road Oct. 29. Police said the susof a violation of an order of protection on pect was transported to the Kendall County Wolverine Drive in the village. Police said the Jail in Yorkville pending court proceedings. respondent had allegedly called the petitioner’s cellphone.

Motorist hits deer Oswego police took a report of a motorist hitting a deer on Route 71 at Regal Oaks Court Traffic violations Jennifer N. Vasquez, 18, of the 1300 block Oct. 30. of Park Drive, Montgomery, no valid driver’s license, speeding and operating an uninsured Cellphone stolen motor vehicle.

A cellphone valued at $700 was reported Jesus Davalos, 25, of the 1200 block of Covstolen from the bathroom of a gas station/ entry, Aurora, driving while license suspendconvenience store Oct. 26 at 12:10 p.m., ed, no insurance and no seatbelt. according to Oswego police.

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Deer hit on Rt. 34 Oswego police responded to a two vehicle accident involving a deer on Route 34 at Kendall Point Drive Oct. 31 at 11:30 p.m. Police said the motorists involved were not hurt.

DUI arrest Oswego police arrested Ryan P. Sullivan, 33, of the 700 block of Hickory Street, Lemont, after stopping his vehicle in the 2700 bock of Route 34 in the village Oct. 22 at 12:44 a.m.

Police said Sullivan was charged with driving under the influence.

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LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

State Police release details on crashes at Route 52, Grove Road

KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS Respond to battery County sheriff’s police were summoned to the 0-50 block of Aldon Road in Boulder Hill, Oct. 23 at 7:31 p.m. on a report of a battery.

Police, however, said the victim did not want to pursue charges and no complaints were signed.

Mutual battery reported Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a mutual battery between an ­estranged couple at a home in the 7000 block of Regal

Oaks Court in Oswego Township, Oct. 30. Po- nearby, police said. lice said the incident occurred during a child visitation. No arrests were made, according Boulder Hill bike theft to police.

A black and orange Mongoose bicycle was stolen from a residence in the 10-20 block of Vehicle burglarized Sonora Road in Boulder Hill Oct. 26 at 5 p.m., County sheriff’s police are investigating a according to the county sheriff’s office. burglary to a vehicle parked in the 20th block of Hickory Lane in Oswego Township Oct. Domestic battery arrest 25. Police said a backpack and keys were Sheriff’s deputies arrested Andre N. Harris, taken from the vehicle, which had been left 23, of the 0-100 block of Afton Road, Boulder unlocked. The backpack was later recovered Hill, at his residence Oct. 21 on a charge of

Oswego officials confirmed Wednesday that Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, is locating in a portion of the former Lowe’s Home Improvement store on Route 34.

Rod Zenner, the village’s community development director, said a lease has been signed for 44,000 square feet of space in the former store at 2404 Route 34. The Burlington store will be located adjacent to the existing Hobby Lobby store, Zenner said.

In related news, the Village Board approved a sign amendment for Burlington at its meeting Tuesday evening. The measure allowed the company to install a sign larger than what is allowed by the village, according to a village memo.

– Tony Scott

Fall cleanup days in Oswego coming up next week

Silk Screening & Embroidery, Inc. 1256 1256 S. Bridge St. (Rt. 47) Yorkville

The village of Oswego’s solid waste hauler, Groot Industries, will collect additional household waste, yard waste and bulk items for all village residents the week of Nov. 7 through Nov. 11 on their normal scheduled garbage day.

To participate in this fall cleanup event, residents must place yard waste in the 30-gallon paper yard waste bags. Plastic bags will not be accepted. Stickers will not be required this week only.

Appliances, televisions or other electronics will not be accepted.

Place all items, along with regular garbage and recycling, at the curb by 6 a.m. on their normal scheduled garbage day. For more information, call the public works department at 630-554-3242.

License revoked Montgomery police arrested Baron D. McClung, 26, of Aurora, after stopping his vehicle for having its bright lights on in the 1500 block of Douglas Road in the village Oct. 30 at 12:01 a.m. Police said McClung was charged with driving on a revoked license.

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information on the driver involved in a hit and run crash in a parking lot in the 800 block of Montgomery Road. Police said a silver fourdoor vehicle struck an occupied parked car and then left. A license plate number for the offending vehicle was obtained, police said.

Motorist arrested Montgomery police arrested Veronica Martinez, 30, of Aurora after stopping her vehicle Oct. 28 at 3:47 p.m. on Montgomery Road at Jackson Street. Police said Martinez faces charges of driving while license suspended and speeding.

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Purse lost A customer at a store in the 1900 block of Hill Avenue told Montgomery police that she lost her purse while at the store Oct. 28 at 6:43 p.m. Police said they were unable to locate the purse.

Respond to car fire Montgomery police assisted Sugar Grove firefighters who extinguished a car fire on Lakewood Creek Drive at Oakmont Drive Oct. 29 at 7:44 p.m. Police said the driver of the vehicle told officers that his vehicle had begun making weird noises and then began to smoke. Respond to domestic Montgomery police responded to a domestic He got out of the car to inspect and then dispute at a residence in the 2100 block of observed the flames, police said.

Jericho Road Oct. 29 at 7:32 a.m. Police said no arrests were made and the individuals involved Have info on hit, run separated for the rest of the day.

Montgomery police said they have suspect

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MONTGOMERY POLICE REPORTS Warrant arrest Montgomery police arrested Trestan Tanzy, 33, of Crest Hill while responding to a report of a loud party Oct. 29 at 11:36 p.m. in the 800 block of Victoria Drive. Police said they learned that Tanzy was wanted on a Will County warrant for driving while license suspended.

Vehicle burglarized A vehicle parked at a residence in the 0-100 block of Hickory Lane in Oswego Township was burglarized late Oct. 24 or early Oct. 25, according to the county sheriff’s office. Police said several items were taken, but some were later recovered. Police said their investigation is continuing.

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New headstones mark graves of local Civil War veterans

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LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Photos by Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

Thursday, November 3, 2016

The Philip H. Sheridan Camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) in conjunction with the Montgomery Historic Preservation Commission and Riverside Cemetery dedicated 17 new headstones on the previously unmarked graves of Civil War veterans buried in Montgomery’s historic Riverside Cemetery during a solemn ceremony Saturday afternoon. The ceremony marked the conclusion of a project undertaken jointly by the SUVCW, the Montgomery Historic Preservation Commission and Riverside Cemetery. The project was designed to rigorously identify and document all Civil War veterans buried in the cemetery, procure and install new grave markers on those graves needing them and straighten and clean the markers on other Civil War veterans’ graves in the cemetery. A total of 54 Civil War veterans are buried in the cemetery located off North River Street, overlooking the Fox River. ABOVE: Smoke from an artillery salute rises over a ceremony dedicating the new grave markers. TOP RIGHT: Members of the 10th Illinois Infantry and Boy Scouts from Troops 11 and 41 march towards the dedication area. BOTTOM RIGHT: Members of Montgomery VFW Memorial Post 7452 and Sheridan Camp 2 post the colors at Riverside Cemetery in Montgomery on Saturday.

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CLUB BRIEFS

• FORUM

Annual Club Ham Dinner set; will benefit Oswego Lions

The Oswego Lions Club is inviting area residents to their annual Fall Ham Dinner on Sunday, Nov. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Oswego American Legion located at 19 W. Washington Street in downtown Oswego.

The cost is $9 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased from any club member or at the door the day of the dinner. Proceeds from the event will be used to benefit the Club’s vision and hearing programs. Lion Dick Bark is chairing the dinner.

Anyone wishing to be of service to the community is invited to join the Oswego Lions Club. The Lions meet at the Masonic Lodge at 71 Main Street at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month.

For ticket information or to find out more about the Lions, contact Irv Collins at 630-554-3158.

Art in the Garden is next topic for Hilltop Gardeners

The next meeting for Hilltop Gardeners garden club will be Thursday, Nov. 10, from 9 to 11 a.m. For this meeting only, the club will meet at the Oswego Public Library, Oswego Campus, 32 West Jefferson Street in the second floor meeting room.

The program, “Art in the Garden,” will be presented by Mary Saba, a Landscape Designer with The Growing Place in Aurora. She will demonstrate how to add personality to your garden by setting up focal points and accents, enhancing the views and creating pleasing vignettes.

There is no cost and anyone who is interested is invited to attend. Please direct questions to Diane at 630-551-1970 or Valerie at vgierhart@aol.com.

Oswego Optimists Club’s Pumpkin Races a success

The Oswego Optimists Club’s sixth annual Pumpkin Races held in downtown Oswego Oct. 15 were a big success this year, with so many creative Pumpkin Race Cars, imaginative costumes, delicious chili and fun trick-or-treating.

The fierce competition between the Oswego police and Oswego fire departments ended as the police department pumpkin race car crossed the finish line first. Tremendous work and long hours go into putting this greatly enjoyed event together. Overseeing the effort for the club was Sandy Tartol. To find out how to become an Optimist member, or how the club programs can benefit you, visit the website, oswegooptimists.com.

– Oswego Ledger

Continued from page 3 the minimum wage over a three-year period to $10 an hour for those age 26 and older. The age of 26 was chosen because that is the age at which people can stay on their parents’ health insurance plan via the Affordable Care Act. He said it was a “compromise” bill but was not supported by Democrats.

Pierog said most minimum wage jobs are held by young women who may be supporting a family.

“Living on minimum wage if you happen to be 18 or 19 with a child, you may not have a husband, is untenable,” she said. “You cannot support a child living on minimum wage, and you may have two children. So it’s very important that a person who works, does an honest day’s job, they get an honest pay, and that pay is not determined by your age. Because, to me, that’s reverse age discrimination.”

During their portion of the forum, Rezin and Benson reflected on the best way to keep businesses from leaving Illinois and attracting new business.

Rezin said companies looking to move to a state look for stability.

• COUNTY BOARD

Continued from page 8 Hendrix said working with the other board members should involve some debate.

“A healthy team should involve debate, there should be some disagreement, because that’s what fosters the best results,” she said.

Purcell said being the chairman of the budget and finance committee, putting a budget together every year, means working with other people to get a budget passed.

“Every year, it doesn’t go exactly how you want it to,” he said. “I always say, if I were king, I’d change this, this, this, this, this, and about 10 other things, but I’m not the king. You need to have 10 people on the board, have the majority of those 10 people agree on the budget. That’s at least six; most years we have 7, 8, or 10 people agree on the budget. There’s a little bit of give and take.”

Bannister said he had managed McDonald’s and Wendy’s restaurants when he was younger, and currently sits on the Kendall County CASA board, so he was familiar with being a leader and being part of a “pack.”

“If we disagree, it’s going to be left in that room,” he said. “We’re going to voice our opinions, we’re going to get mad at each other, and we’re going to walk out of there friends. Because regardless of the configuration of the board, we still have to work for the people of Kendall County.”

On the issue of the county using

“Do you have a budget? Do you spend within your means? Is your budget balanced?” she said. “Do you have unfunded liabilities, a lot of debt? Because companies know they will have to pay for it.”

Rezin said the other part of the equation is regulation.

“Half of my district is agriculture, which lives and dies by the EPA, and the other half of my district is an energy-producing district, with nuclear power plants and natural gas plants, and they still live and die by regulation,” she said.

Rezin said she sponsored legislation which streamlines the permitting process so businesses looking to invest in Illinois will get answers to their questions in a timely manner.

Benson also said the state needs stability to attract businesses. She said she is in favor of reducing costs and fees for small businesses, which she said are “onerous at times.”

“They’re looking to be able to grow their business, which in turn grows jobs for the state of Illinois,” she said.

During the 14th Congressional District portion of the forum, Hultgren and Walz voiced their opinions on the Affordable Care Act, also called

Obamacare.

Hultgren said he was in favor of some parts of the act, such as ensuring coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and allowing those 26 and younger to stay on their parents’ insurance, but said the measure has increased costs and should be replaced.

“We didn’t have to destroy a system that 80 percent of the public liked,” he said. “What we really need to do is go after cost-drivers of medicine, to give more options to states. I’ve introduced a piece of legislation called the State Healthcare Options Act, which would allow states to be able to create their own marketplaces, and to be able to show that they can do that within the state, to be able to be exempted from a lot of the onerous requirements of the Affordable Care Act.” Walz said he is an advocate of a “Medicare for all” system, noting that the United States is the only industrialized nation that does not offer basic medical care for their citizens.

“In a country that proclaims to be the richest country in the world, nobody in America should have to decide between paying for their medicine or putting food on their table or a roof over their head,” he said.

Health Department funds to reduce its budget deficit, which occurred last year, Bannister said the numbers are still in flux but that “a lot of people are going to be asked to contribute a lot of money back toward the budget.”

Hendrix said the department is called upon at times to handle emergencies, as well as other topics such as heroin and tuberculosis.

“It would be unwise to hastily hobble the public health department, particularly because it’s you that they’re going to save should there be a problem,” she said.

Purcell said the county is looking at a $2.1 million deficit, and that a few years ago the county agreed to a fund balance policy where the county maintains enough funds for six to seven months of expenses. He said the health department’s fund balance grew this year, and they also get grants. He said the board asked them to contribute the $350,000 last year because of that.

“As long as I’m on the board, I’ll continue to suggest that’s the way we should get it,” he said. “We get contributions from other [departments], why should we not get contributions from the health department?”

One particular issue that was brought up was that of the Ellis House and Equestrian Center. Candidates offered up a variety of opinions on the facility, which is owned and operated by the county forest preserve district.

Bannister strongly suggested that he wants to shut the facility down.

“All those types of places are competing against their own government,” he said. “I can’t wait to try to close El-

lis. I really can’t. And maybe we can take some of that money and open up some of these other lands so that people can enjoy them instead of subsidizing people’s weddings and hobbies.”

Giles suggested that Ellis be converted to a public-private partnership, where the county carries none of the liability but “still can make a profit.”

Selmer said “government should not be in a business like that,” and that there are other businesses in the area for horseback riding and wedding venues.

Flowers said she has been a supporter of Ellis, and that she is glad people from other counties come to use the facility.

“It’s a boon for us,” she said.

Flowers also countered the suggestion that Ellis competes with other businesses, stating that, for example, the center only offers basic riding lessons.

“We allow children to explore the sport,” she said.

Kellogg said if Ellis were located in Oswego Township, closer to a more populated area, the county would “brag about it” and consider it a gem. He said the county needs to pick, should they “invest in it and make it successful” or “continue to just drag our feet and not put money into it.”

“We can’t sell it – that’s off the table, you can’t sell forest preserve property,” he said. “So if we decide not to go forward with improvements and we’re not going to make it something viable, can we rent it out to somebody? We need to look at those options, and what we can do with the property.”

GIRLS SWIMMING

13

By KRISTIN SHARP ksharp@kendallcountynow.com

good goals and we’re working towards those.”

While some teams opt to taper and rest before sectionals to produce season-best marks, Oswego and other elite programs choose to rest in the week between sectionals and state to allow for top times at state.

“Our focus is on times. With our sectional, it comes down to who is tapering. We’re tapering our group for state, not sectionals,” Leubner said.

“Teams that taper for sectionals have an edge, so we’re all in for the week after sectionals. We’re not overly concerned about places.”

Last Saturday, Oswego won six individual events and three relays to finish nearly 50 points ahead of the Plainfield co-op team, 325-276.

The 200 medley relay of Emily Giles, Alyssa Shugarman, Joy Padua and Cooper clocked in at 1:49.95 and White won the 200 free in 1:55.79 while Kraus had the top time in the 200 IM at 2:08.46.

Cooper won the 50 free (24.28), Riley Evans won the 100 fly (1:00.11) and White won the 100 free (53.42) while the 200 free relay team of Cooper, Kraus, White and Shugarman clocked in a winning time of 1:38.56.

Kraus won the 100 back (58.94) while Giles was second (1:00.32), and the 400 free relay team closed the day with a winning time of 3:37.12 behind the efforts of White, Cooper, Giles and Kraus.

“All season long it was a matter of our second swimmers stepping up, and at the conference we needed our first swimmers to step up and win events to get the most points,” Leubner said.

A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for the Oswegoland Park District for 2016 will be held on November 17, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. at the South Point Center, Multi-Purpose Room, 810 Preston Lane, Oswego, IL 60543.

Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Nancy Zenner, Treasurer of the Oswegoland Park District, 313 E. Washington Street, Oswego, Illinois 60543 (630) 554-1010.

The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended for 2015 were $4,806,745. The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2016 are $5,281,391. This represents a 9.87% increase over the previous year.

The property taxes extended for debt service for 2015 were $1,337,341.

The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service in 2016 are $1,336,750. This represents a .04% decrease over the previous year.

Montgomery senior lunch to feature overview of park district’s amenities OSWEGO LEDGER Randy Caho, a 20-year veteran with the Fox Valley Park District Public Safety Department, will give an overview of the park district and the amenities it offers for citizens of Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery and unincorporated areas at Montgomery Village Hall next Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m.

The village’s monthly Senior Lunch and activity for ages 55+ will begin at 11 a.m. after Caho’s presentation at Riverview Diner, 1420 S.E. River Road. There is a $4 cost for the lunch and pre-registration by Nov. 1 was re-

quired.

Caho will distribute handouts and discuss the Fox Valley Park District’s senior programs and activities that are available and will answer any questions. Caho served 24 years with the Montgomery Police Department, including six years in Investigation and Juvenile, before retiring in 2006 as a Patrol Sergeant. In addition, he served on the Kendall County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy sheriff for ten years.

The event is free and handicapped accessible. For additional information on this event, call the Montgomery Village Hall at 630-896-8080 ext. 9023.

The total property taxes extended for 2015 were $6,144,086. The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2016 are $6,618,141. This represents a 7.72% increase over the previous year.

Oswego Ledger November 3, 2016 SM-CL0409050

Thursday, November 3, 2016

After a successful finish to the regular season that included a ninth straight Independent Conference championship, the Oswego-Oswego East co-op girls swim team turns its focus to state.

The team will begin its two-week training session before the Metea Valley Sectional arrives on Nov. 12.

“Right now we are all focused on sectionals and state,” Oswego coach Deryl Leubner said. “It’s what we’re all about.”

Oswego is currently ranked No. 3 in the state behind Rosary and Loyola Academy and holds top times in eight events.

Junior Georgia White holds the No. 9 time in the 200 free (1:54.38) and ranks 11th in the 100 free (52.66). Junior Mari Kraus is ninth in the 100 backstroke (58.32) and ninth in the 200 IM (2:08.30).

Freshman Grace Cooper is ranked No. 11 in the 50-free with her time of 24.36 seconds.

Oswego’s 200 medley relay is 13th (1:50.95), the 200 free relay ranks sixth (1:38.74) and the 400 free relay holds the ninth-best time (3:36.13).

“We’re trying to have high IQ practices, so everything has a lot of mental work, attention to details, trying to clean up the starts, turns and streamlines that you lose in the course of the season,” Leubner said. “We’ve got a great group of girls. They’re an experienced group, even though they’re young. We only have two seniors on our sectional lineup, but we have some

Notice of Proposed Property Tax Increase for the Oswegoland Park District, Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois

SPORTS & LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Panthers celebrate 9th straight conference title

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, November 3, 2016

| SPORTS

14 BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Two from local squads headed to state

By KRISTIN SHARP ksharp@kendallcountynow.com

Racing against the state’s topranked team in Neuqua Valley, there were only four other remaining spots to claim a team bid to the Class 3A state cross country meet in Peoria.

Just 35 points separated the next four in the team standings behind West Aurora Sectional champion Neuqua Valley, and neither Oswego East nor Oswego were able to fight their way into the top five.

Marmion Academy, Geneva, Naperville North and St. Charles East will join Neuqua Valley at the state starting line, while Oswego East placed eighth overall and Oswego finished 10th. Neuqua Valley, which won the title with five runners in the top 11, was led by race winner Jackson Jett (15:12).

Oswego East senior Dylan Zangri and Oswego senior Bennett Peterson helped ease the heartbreak with a pair of individual state qualifications with their top-10 finishes. The duo will race at Detweiller Park in Peoria at 2 p.m. Saturday in the state race.

Zangri battled his way through the first two miles to emerge near the front of the race and eventually finished fourth overall with a time of 15:22. This will be his second trip downstate in his second cross country season at Oswego East.

“The goal is go out a little slower but still out toward the front.

When you take the first right, there’s a Bennett series of turns before Peterson you get to the first mile and it gets closed up so we knew we needed to be in a better position at that point,” Zangri said. “I feel like there was more there at the finish. I finished, and I’m going to state again, so I’m happy about that. I just wish the team could have made it too.”

Peterson also makes his return to Detweiller Park after finishing 10th at the sectional race with a time of 15:36.

“I was pretty happy with the first mile. The race started moving through and I kept up with that top group,” Peterson said. “The third

mile I’ve been struggling with the last few weeks, but I feel like I moved through it well. I felt like I was maybe eighth coming through when some Geneva kids started moving, so I went with them and held on for as long as I could.”

Oswego East’s Matt Blanco and William Roeder crossed the finish line side-by-side with a time of 16:20 to place 40th and 41st, respectively, before Luke Wentz (16:34), Chris Luz (16:41), Chris Smith (16:54) and Jake Klancir (19:54).

“The pack was close together, but they were just a little off of where we needed to be go get out of her today,” Oswego East coach Jim Milner said. “The positive thing is Dylan is a senior, but up in that top five he was the only senior so we’ve got guys coming back. The future is bright, but we’re disappointed today. We’re so close, just on the outside looking in.”

Oswego’s Mitch Bradford was 49th overall in 16:23 followed by Joe Fioresi (16:38), Corey Saelens (16:41), Brendan Pope (17:20), Erik Kivela (17:27) and David Gaytan (17:38).

Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

Oswego East’s Dylan Zangri runs at the front of the pack during the class 3A sectional hosted

by West Aurora High School at the Stuart Sports Complex in Montgomery on Oct. 29. Zangri came in fourth and qualified for state.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Christiansen on pace to hit big goals in Peoria

By KRISTIN SHARP ksharp@kendallcountynow.com Racing in a talented sectional field, Isabelle Christiansen left no doubts she would return to the Class 3A state starting line.

The Oswego sophomore established her place among the race leaders in Saturday’s West Aurora Sectional at the Stuart Sports Complex and gave chase to eventual winner Sarah Schmitt of Naperville North to secure a runner-up finish and guarantee a trip to Detweiller Park as a two-time state qualifier.

“The race started off well, and that’s always one of the focuses – a strong first mile,” Christiansen said.

“After Grace [Pagone] and I went 1-2 at the regional, I really saw that as a good gauge for where we’d be in this sectional. It was really exciting to see I’d be towards the top and I set a goal for myself to get second.

I’m super happy with that.”

Christiansen crossed the finish line in 17:43 – a full eight seconds ahead of the next runner.

“Isabelle is coming on really nicely. We had some hiccups early in the year so she’s definitely building some great momentum,” Oswego coach Eric Simon said.

Now, Christiansen’s next goal is an All-State finish – something that eluded her as a freshman in Peoria last fall. She will run on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Detweiller Park.

“I’m going to use all the experience and knowl-

Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

Oswego’s Isabelle Christiansen comes in second and qualifies for state during the Class 3A sectional hosted by West Aurora High School at the Stuart Sports Complex in Montgomery on Oct. 29. edge of racing that I have. Last year I was 26th at the state, which is one place off All-State, so this year I’m definitely motivated to finish in an All-State posi-

tion,” Christiansen said. “I have a time goal, but I’m more concerned with my place.”

In the end, Oswego fell 57 points shy of repeating last year’s top-five finish and returning downstate.

Naperville North won the sectional title with 50 points and four runners in the top 11, while Neuqua Valley (101), Geneva (105), Metea Valley (138) and Batavia (146) round out the top five. Oswego finished eighth overall.

Grace Pagone finished 25th with a time of 18:41 and Caitlin Guist clocked in at 19:30 to take 54th. Megan Berg (19:43), Ava Weyrich (19:56), Kacie Moran (20:04) and Jaycie Simon (21:05) also raced on the Panthers’ sectional team.

“I saw them just after the mile and I felt like we lost momentum before that and just separated,” Simon said. “We never pulled things together. It’s disappointing, but overall it’s been a good season. It’s a young group of underclassmen and hopefully we’ve learned from this.”

Oswego East finished 13th overall, led by Kendra Standish (19:32) and Alexis Henz (19:33), who placed 58th and 59th, respectively. Abby Flammersfeld (19:48), Amanda Bonczkowski (20:04), Isabella Gyori (20:04), Elyssa Gall (20:04) and Morgan Ede (20:04) also raced for the Wolves.

“Our split was still close, so this is a little underwhelming,” Oswego East coach Lisa Cook said. “This didn’t feel like they wanted it to feel. The girls are disappointed, but they’ve had a really good season and they’ve been a great group to coach.”

PREP FOOTBALL: OSWEGO EAST 54, CURIE 14

By KRISTIN SHARP ksharp@kendallcountynow.com

Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media

Oswego East receiver Stephon Harris (right) makes a touchdown catch against Curie defender Jaki McNeal on Oct 29. to face a tough opponent,” Banks said.

“No different from today; we have to go out there and execute. I have confidence in my guys that we can keep this going.”

Banks’ first pass completion put Oswego East at the Condors 3, and Kelly-Martin (12 carries, 50 yards) scored

and a 15-yard pass play from Banks to Devin Riley before Kelly-Martin scored his second touchdown of the afternoon from the 4-yard line. The Wolves took a 35-7 lead into halftime.

Banks and Harris nearly connected for another touchdown two minutes into the second half, but Harris was tackled at the Condors 12. After a 5-yard gain by Kelly-Martin, Banks found Harris for the 7-yard touchdown.

Defensive end Elijah James added to the highlight reel with 6:55 left in the third when he recovered another Curie fumble at the 27-yard line and returned the ball to the end zone for another Oswego East score to put the Wolves ahead 49-7 to keep the clock running through the final horn.

With Piatek now under center, Oswego East’s final score was set up by an 11-yard pass to Trent Taylor and Tyran Bailey scored from the 2-yard line for a 55-7 game. Curie added a final score with Steven Cheek’s 2-yard touchdown run with 3:54 to play.

“At this point it’s survive and advance, and we were fortunate to get a big win here and not just survive but get an impressive win,” LeBlanc said.

PREP FOOTBALL: CLASS 8A SECOND ROUND PREVIEW

Edwardsville, Loyola take note of upcoming opponents

By KRISTIN SHARP ksharp@kendallcountynow.com The 32-team Class 8A playoff field was loaded with so much talent this season that even with an 8-1 record, Curie was given a road game in the first round.

The depth is still obvious in the bracket, with just eight of the top 16 seeds still alive in the postseason. Two of those include No. 5 Oswego, which moved to 10-0 with a 10-9 win over No. 28 Joliet West, and No. 16 Oswego East, which topped No. 17 Curie, 56-14.

Here’s a look ahead at the second round matchups for the District 308 teams:

No. 16 Oswego East (9-1) at No. 1 Loyola (10-0)

Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 5, 1 p.m.

The Wolves travel to Wilmette to face the defending 8A state champion Ramblers, which topped visiting O’Fallon 42-14 last Saturday.

The first round playoff game was an opportunity for Loyola coach John Holecek to see just what the Ramblers’ offense looked like without running back Hamid Bullie. The junior tore his ACL in his right knee during Loyola’s

Week 9 win over Brother Rice and will miss the remainder of the season.

Now, the load falls on senior running back Kyle Rock, with help from senior teammate Chris Novo in the backfield.

Even without Bullie, Loyola remains a dangerous team, with senior quarterback Tommy Herion, who went 19-of-25 passing and threw for 283 yards against O’Fallon last week. Herion primarily targeted David Terrell Jr. who had eight catches for 112 yards. The Ramblers average 44 points per game, while the defense has allowed 16.8.

“They were really a one-two punch, so it’s not like we lose a ton from the other guy, but with both of them healthy it was a great combination. It obviously hurts us,” Holecek said. “The quarterback is surrounded by good receivers and a strong offensive line. We’ve been scoring a lot of points and this offense has been very efficient. It starts with not turning the ball over; that’s been key.”

Now, Loyola’s next step at a repeat state title goes arrives with Oswego East.

“On film, they’re extremely explosive and it starts with their terrific running back and run game and athletic quarterback who makes the throws and

beats you with his feet, big receivers with speed and a solid offensive line that creates holes,” Holecek said. “No one is going to stop Oswego East completely. There’s almost no chance. You can limit the playmakers on the field.

You hope to contain them and maybe force some key turnovers.”

No. 12 Edwardsville (9-1) at No. 5 Oswego (10-0)

Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 5, 6 p.m.

The Tigers hosted the Panthers for a 2002 Class 7A state quarterfinal game, and now they meet again 14 years later – this time at Ken Pickerill Stadium.

“We have to find a way to limit them on offense because they don’t give up a lot of points,” Edwardsville coach Matt Martin said. “Teams that have been able to limit their offense contain [Oswego’s] run game and don’t give up big plays. If we can do that, that puts us in a good position to win. We’re going to have to find ways to score points off a pretty stingy defense.”

Both Edwardsville and Oswego narrowly escaped its first round games, with the Tigers securing a 23-20 overtime win against Oak Park-River Forest last Friday night just before Oswego kicked a 19-yard field goal with 18.9 sec-

onds in regulation to knock off Joliet West, 10-9.

Edwardsville’s win came with a 26-yard field goal by the University of Memphis-bound Riley Patterson, who had two other field goals in the postseason opener.

“You don’t know all the teams and don’t get a chance to watch them all, but based on tradition, we told the kids it’s going to be a tough fight all the way through 8A and most of these games are going to come down to four or five plays,” Martin said. “If you look at Oswego’s game with Joliet West and our game, that held true. I just think everyone is so similar and competitive that there’s just going to be four or five plays that changes the outcome.”

Sophomore running back Dionte Rodgers headlines the Edwardsville offense. Rodgers had two big TD runs of 55 and 72 yards against OP-RF and now has 1,530 yards rushing on 180 carries, and leads the Tigers with 26 touchdowns.

“We try to be balanced, but a lot of times it’s what defenses are doing to you. You try to take what the defense gives you,” Martin said. “Dionte Rodgers has really matured this year, and he’s a good football player.”

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Jaylon Banks stepped back to throw his first pass of the afternoon, found Colin O’Reilly near the Oswego East sideline and connected for the 56-yard gain.

Clearly, it was going to be that kind of day for the Wolves quarterback.

Banks was a perfect 9-for-9 passing for 221 yards and four touchdowns to help lead Oswego East to a 54-14 win in Saturday’s Class 8A first round playoff game over visiting Curie.

“When you get into the playoffs, everything goes up to a whole other level,” Banks said. “Their defense was pretty good and they have some athletes, but we did our job to be able to score.

The coaches put together a great game plan. The receivers made plays, the line blocked and Ivory [Kelly-Martin] did his thing as usual. I’m just proud of my boys.”

With the win, Oswego East (9-1) will travel to Wilmette to face Loyola Academy (10-0), which defeated O’Fallon 42-14 on Saturday.

“We understand we’re going to have

on the next play. Then, Jackson Piatek found Stephon Harris for the two-point conversion to give Oswego East an 8-0 lead just 1:20 into play. The next scoring drive was even shorter, as Banks connected with O’Reilly on the first play from scrimmage for a 52-yard touchdown run for a 15-0 lead.

“The first drive really set the tone,” O’Reilly said. “That second touchdown up the middle was just a knockout punch and we were going from there.”

Curie (8-2) put together an 80-yard scoring drive that ended with Anthony Watson’s 6-yard touchdown run, and the extra point was good for a 15-7 game with 29 seconds to play in the opening quarter.

That was the only offensive spark for the Condors for the rest of the afternoon.

Banks threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Kijana Caldwell in the early minutes of the second quarter, Garrett Fiduccia recovered a Curie fumble, and Banks cashed in on the turnover with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Harris to give the Wolves a 28-7 lead.

Oswego East’s next score was set up by short field position at the Curie 45

SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Big plays lead Wolves past Curie to round 2

15

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, November 3, 2016

16

SPORTS PREP FOOTBALL: OSWEGO 10, JOLIET WEST 9

DOWN TO THE WIRE

Mitch Blocker nails game-winning field goal in final seconds

By DICK GOSS dgoss@shawmedia.com Mitch Blocker kicked a 19-yard field goal with 18.9 seconds left Friday night to give Oswego a 10-9 come-from-behind victory over Joliet West in the opening round of the Class 8A state football playoffs.

With the way the West defense was playing, that seemed like an improbable outcome after the Tigers’ Terrence Neal blocked a punt into the end zone that Adonnis Lee recovered for a touchdown with 9:32 left to stretch West’s 3-0 lead to 9-0. Matthew Prieboy’s extra-point attempt was blocked, however, and that wound up huge.

Oswego then drove to what would have been the West 16, but wide receiver Elliott Pipkin fumbled the ball after making a catch and Tigers linebacker Julius Garrett, who was all over the field all night, recovered and returned the ball to the Oswego 18 with 6:56 left.

West (6-4) punted it back to Oswego with 5:07 left, and the Panthers (10-0) drove 34 yards in three plays, with quarterback Levi Olson hitting Pipkin with an 8-yard touchdown pass. Blocker’s extra point made it 9-7 with 4:32 left.

One play after a roughing-the-passer penalty on Oswego kept West’s next possession alive, Tigers running back Kendrick Roach was stripped as he plowed forward, and the Panthers’ Julian Bell recovered at midfield.

A couple of plays later, Marcus Blackmon came up with West’s third interception – Justin Painter had the first two – and the Tigers had a first down at the Oswego 47 with 2:57 left.

The Oswego defense stepped up again, however, and a West punt into the wind rolled dead at the Oswego 41 with 2:04 left.

With no timeouts remaining, Panthers quarterback Levi Olson completed passes of 9 yards to Tanner Sohst, 18 to Benjamin Graue and 12 to Jamal Fomby Jr., then ran for 18 yards on a keeper to set up first-and-goal at the 5.

Drew White went up the middle to the 3, then Olson spiked the ball to stop the clock with 0:23 left.

Photos by Eric Ginnard - eginnard@shawmedia.com

Oswego’s Joe Bostic hugs his teammates Oct. 28 after the Panthers defeated Joliet West during the first round of playoffs in Oswego.

Aiden Avalos, Oswego’s other kicker, was on the field on third down when West called timeout.

Oswego switched to Blocker, and after a West encroachment penalty moved the ball to the 1 1/2-yard line, he nailed the game-winning field goal from 19 yards.

“We put our regular extra-point guy [Blocker] in because it basically was an extra point,” Oswego coach Brian Cooney said. “We tried to tell him it was business as usual, but I’m not sure he was seeing it that way. Mitch is great.”

At the time West scored on the blocked punt, Olson was 1 of 13 passing for 6 yards with two interceptions. He went 8 of 13 for 107 yards and the big touchdown after that, although he also suffered the third interception. Pipkin caught four passes for 43 yards and was targeted much more often than that.

Olson said “six seconds” had much to do with the fourth-quarter comeback.

“We have a phrase, ‘six seconds,’ ” he said. “My quarterback coach tells me if I throw a pick or a touchdown, to walk off the field the same way. If it’s a bad play, it’s over in six seconds, it really didn’t happen, don’t dwell on the past.”

The Panthers rushed for only 93 yards in 36 carries but their defense limited West to a net of 92 yards in 29 attempts. Tigers quarterback Jaxon Aubry completed 10 of 20 passes for 60 yards with one interception.

“I think this game showed us how tough the playoffs will be,” Oswego defensive lineman Noah Shannon said.

“A game like this shows us that anything is possible,” Olson said.

“As coach said, it’s never over until the last whistle.”

Oswego’s Riley Whiting raises his arm in victory Friday night after the Panthers won, 10-9. The Panthers’ defense limited Joliet West to a net of 92 yards in 29 attempts. Up next for the team is Edwardsville, on Saturday night. Read more on page 15.

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