JULY 2013
FROM WHERE WE’VE BEEN TO WHERE WE’RE GOING
A Message from your Village President
| As we approach the mid-way point of the year, it feels as if we have a great deal to share with you regarding our recent accomplishments. To begin with, we hope you have taken notice of our new name and design for this newsletter. The new name, Gateway, aligns nicely with our recently introduced slogan, Gateway to Opportunity. It also represents an open door in terms of communication between your village government and local residents and businesses. The changes are also consistent with the overall rebranding of our village. We hope you have noticed our new wayfinding signs and banners as well as improved street signs throughout town. All of our materials now have a clean, consistent look which we believe will serve us well as we continue to improve our presence throughout the region and country. However, our recent success, and that which we hope to experience in the months ahead, must stand on more than just improved graphics and a catchy slogan. It is in that regard that I think we have a great deal to report on throughout this issue of Gateway. The growth and stabilization of our community will be based on developing and executing a sound strategic plan that incorporates fiscal responsibility, a meaningful relationship with local businesses, and a constant and productive dialogue with our residents. To that end, one of the highlights of this year has been the strengthening of our Village Board. In April, voters elected former Village Clerk Susan Janowiak to the Board, and Ilsa Rivera-Trujilo to the Clerk’s office. I am pleased to welcome them to these positions and have been very encouraged by the way in which the new Board has immediately rolled up their sleeves and begun addressing some of our most pressing issues. As we continue to hold to our pledge to operate under a balanced budget, we remain intensely focused on key infrastructure projects and new business initiatives that will strengthen our community. The Irving Park and York Road grade crossing continues to proceed on schedule, and we are moving toward a set of changes that should improve and enhance traffic around the Route 83 and Foster Avenue intersection. Both projects will improve our ability to serve residents and local commerce. Inter-governmental partnerships continue to improve as evidenced by the outstanding cooperation exhibited in working with School District 2 to address flooding issues during the construction of the new Tioga Campus. We think residents in that area will benefit significantly due to the manner in which both government bodies worked together. Similarly, residents on the north side of Bensenville will soon enjoy an improved Mohawk Park which will enhance the quality of life and property values in the area. Our thanks to the Park District for their cooperation in making that project a reality.
VILLAGE PRESIDENT Frank Soto BOARD OF TRUSTEES Morris Bartlett Susan Janowiak Robert Jarecki Martin O’Connell, III JoEllen Ridder Henry Wesseler CLERK Ilsa Rivera-Trujilla VILLAGE MANAGER Michael Cassady
Finally, I encourage everyone to get out and enjoy all that Bensenville has to offer during the summer months. There are a number of great activities for families all summer long which also provide a nice opportunity to meet and enjoy some time with your neighbors. From the recent visit of the Healing Wall to our newly improved Music in the Park concert series we hope to see as many of you as possible around our wonderful town this summer. Please keep it safe for yourself and those around you.
FRANK SOTO | VILLAGE PRESIDENT
P.S. While we consider ourselves a friendly and welcoming community, here’s a tip of the hat to all of the youngsters who came out to show their support of the Blackhawks while watching the now dethroned 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings as they practiced at the Edge Ice Arena. We were pleased to serve as hosts to the visitors, but a bit more pleased that they went home empty-handed.