Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press December 4, 2014 Volume 157, Number 11 - $1.00
Girls Tournament
Watercolors
50 Year Plan
The annual Polo Holiday Tournament will begin on Dec. 13 in Polo. A11
Pinecrest has received a grant to help memory loss by painting. A9
The Ogle County Board has plans for property acquisitions over the next 50 years. A7
Man requests funding to open a grocery store By Vinde Wells Editor The days of Polo residents having to go out of town for groceries may be numbered. A Rock Falls man is interested in opening a grocery store in Polo. Mayor Doug Knapp told the city council Monday night that Ahmad Farraj has filed a request for an economic development incentive to open a store at the former Polo Super Valu building at 203 S. Division Ave. (Ill. 26). Farraj, who did not attend the meeting, has asked for a portion of the city’s share of the sales tax to be refunded to him for several years. Knapp said he and Don Vock, a member of the Polo Economic Development Committee, recently met with Farraj. “From what he told us, he intends to hire local people,
and he plans to have a good meat department and a produce department,” Knapp said. “It seems like a pretty good fit.” Aldermen voiced their support for the store. “I certainly would like to see a grocery store in this town,” said Randy Schoon. “I would certainly be in favor of giving him 70 percent of the sales tax,” said Louise Hall. “We’re not out anything.” Troy Boothe agreed. He said because the city currently receives no sales tax from the store, he would favor giving up a portion of it for a few years to help the store get on its feet. Schoon suggested offering Farraj a 100 percent sales tax reimbursement. Under the sales tax incentive, Farraj would still pay the State of Illinois the required 6.25 percent sales
tax. Of that, the city normally gets one percent from the state. If the council approves the request, a portion or all of the city’s one percent would be returned to Farraj for an agreed upon number of years, probably 10, 15 or 20. Polo has been without a grocery store for approximately seven years. Polo Super Valu was owned and operated by Paul and Terri Koenck for many years. They sold the store to Yong Shim in 2007, and it closed several months later. Knapp said the building will require major repairs before it can be reopened. He said the roof leaks, the floor and ceiling tiles need to be replaced, and the refrigeration units need repairs. Farraj has estimated the repair cost at more than $70,000, Knapp said.
Hi Santa
Gouker elected to second term as board chairman By Vinde Wells Editor
History was repeated Monday evening when Ogle County Board Chairman Kim Gouker, Byron, was elected to his second two-year term as chairman by the same vote margin as two years ago. Gouker, a 16-year board veteran, was elected by a vote of 13-11, the same vote he received in December of 2012. He also faced the same opponent as two years ago. Board member Lyle Hopkins, Polo, was also nominated for chairman. “We have a lot of work to do in the next couple of years,” Gouker said. “I
elected to his second twoyear term as vice chairman. The vote for Finfrock was unanimous. Before Gouker and Finfrock were elected, Judge Robert Hanson swore in eight recently elected board members: J. Nick Bolin, Holcomb, in District 1, Pat Nordman, Oregon, in District 2, Bobbie Colbert, Rochelle, in District 3, Bruce McKinney, Rochelle, in District 4, Dan Janes, Stillman Valley in District 5, Lee Meyers, Byron, in District 6, Rich Gronewold, Kim Gouker appreciate the opportunity to Forreston in District 7, and Hopkins in District 8. lead.” The eight all ran unopposed Board member John Finfrock, Mt. Morris, was in the Nov. 4 election.
Above, Santa Claus breaks the ice with a slightly hesitant Bryce Verhulst, Rock Falls, by offering the youngster a candy cane Nov. 29 at the Polo Senior center. Breakfast with Santa was sponsored by the Polo Chamber of Commerce. At left, three-year-old Joelle Baker was all smiles Nov. 29 when she visited with Santa during Polo’s tree lighting at Louise Quick Park. Photos by Chris Johnson and Vinde Wells
Sheriff VanVickle takes the oath of office Dec. 1 By Chris Johnson Reporter
Recently elected Ogle County Board members raise their right hands to take the oath of office to begin new terms Monday evening at a special meeting. Pictured left to right are: Rich Gronewold, Forreston, Bruce McKinney, Rochelle, and Lyle Hopkins, Polo. Photo by Vinde Wells
Filing date is approaching Polo City Clerk Susie Corbitt would like to notify the citizens of Polo that Monday, Dec. 15 through Monday, Dec. 22 is the candidate filing period for the April 7 Consolidated
Elections. Petitions are to be filed at the Polo City Hall, 115 S. Franklin Ave. City Hall office hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m Monday through Friday.
In This Week’s Edition...
Offices to be elected are: one alderman each for Wards I, II and III, which are all for four-year terms and one alderman for Ward II for a two-year unexpired term.
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B8-B12 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B6 Marriage Licenses, A4
There is a new sheriff in town now that Brian VanVickle took the oath of office Monday morning. VanVickle, Rochelle, defeated Michael Harn in the spring primary and was elected in November. VanVickle was a Rochelle Police Officer before becoming Ogle County’s newest sheriff. He was sworn in by Ogle County Judge John B. Roe in front of a crowd of more than 80 friends, family, and supporters. “We have worked so hard. Everyone has been so supportive,” said VanVickle Monday morning. “I can’t say anything but thank you. Thank you for coming out today. I am at a loss for words.” Following VanVickle’s swearing in, Ogle County Clerk Rebecca Huntley was sworn in by Roe. Huntley ran unopposed. In a separate courtroom,
Oregon Police, B6 Polo Police, A2 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B7 Sheriff’s Arrests, B6
“I am at a loss for words,” Brian VanVickle Ogle County Treasurer John Coffman, was also ran unopposed was sworn in by Ogle County Judge Robert Hanson. A crowd of more than 80 was in this courtroom to witness the swearing in ceremony. Following his swearing in Eric Morrow, Oregon, was sworn in as the new State’s Attorney. He is taking over the post previously held by Mike Rock, who Morrow defeated in the primary. “I want like to thank my family and everyone that supported us, and the members of the bar,” said Morrow. “I don’t take this office lightly. This is a responsibility I take seriously. I want to work with my staff to represent Ogle County well.” His assistant state’s attorneys, Ann Switzer, Joshua Versluys, Robert
Social News, A4 Sports, A11, B1-B3 State’s Attorney, B6 Weather, A2
Brian VanVickle takes the oath of office Monday morning. Photo by Chris Johnson
Schuman, and Andrew Wilt were also sworn in by Hanson. Later in the day members of the Ogle County Board took office.
Deaths, B5 Richard F. Lee, Prudence F. Peterson
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com