Aurora Mayor Thomas Weisner

Aurora

Thomas Weisner will step down as Aurora’s mayor

Mayor Tom Weisner announced his intention to step down as Mayor of Aurora effective October 30, 2016. Mayor Weisner explains his decision in the following statement:

“Today, I am announcing my decision to step down as Mayor of Aurora and retire within the next few weeks. I do this with considerable reluctance, as I have dearly loved my job as Mayor of this wonderful city that opened its arms to me and my wife some 43 years ago.

“I have made this decision based on my sense that I cannot continue much longer to serve our city at the same level I worked to maintain over the past 11-plus years.

“I have been dealing with cancer most of my three terms as mayor. Despite regular chemotherapy, I have been able to fully function within our ‘strong mayor’ form of government, which unlike most cities, includes the day-to-day management of City operations, as well as the other duties most mayors perform. I have recently begun to feel that I cannot continue to perform at the level I expect of myself and I do not wish to remain as mayor if I can’t. For these reasons, I am today announcing my intention to step down as Mayor of Aurora, effective Oct. 30, 2016.”

The next general municipal election for Mayor of Aurora is scheduled to take place in April 2017. Per state law, the City Council will be responsible for selecting an Acting Mayor from among its members to fulfill the remainder of Mayor Weisner’s current term.

Legal Counsel is currently reviewing the laws and procedures for selection of an Acting Mayor and was expected to provide further direction to the City Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting of the City Council on Sept. 6.

For additional details about Mayor Weisner’s tenure, visit www.aurora-il.org/mayorsoffice.

Kendall County

Free haircuts for blood donations

The American Red Cross and Sport Clips Haircuts are teaming up to offer a free haircut coupon to those who come out to donate blood or platelets during September.

“The Red Cross and Sport Clips have partnered for several years to help ensure blood is available for patients in need leading into fall,” said Donna M. Morrissey, director of national partnerships, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “We are excited to partner once again for this year’s Saving Lives Never Looked So Good campaign and offer a coupon for a free haircut to volunteer blood and platelet donors in appreciation for their lifesaving gift.”

Those who come out to give blood or platelets Sept. 1-30 will receive a coupon for a free haircut via email several days after their donation. The coupon is valid through Nov. 6 at participating Sport Clips locations, and donors must have a valid email address on record to receive the coupon.

Donors of all blood types are urged to give.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce wait times.

Deputies seek information about damage to property

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information in reference to damage to a portable toilet at the Waa-Kee-Sha Park in Oswego Township. The incident occurred between 2 p.m. on Aug. 16 and 2 p.m. on Aug. 17. The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office report numbers are 2016-2587.

Anyone with information on this or other crimes is urged to call Kendall County Crime Stoppers at (630) 553-5999. Callers remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest of the offenders.

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is also seeking information in reference to graffiti on the sidewalk at the entrance to the Winrock Park pool in unincorporated Montgomery. The incident occurred between 2 p.m. on Aug. 19, and 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 20. The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office report numbers are 2016-2629.

Fall Fox Fest returns to in downtown Oswego from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18. (Photo courtesy of Downtown Oswego)

Oswego

Fall Fox Fest in downtown Oswego

Head to downtown Oswego for the family friendly Fall Fox Fest. Join the downtown businesses from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18, as they host this fun, free event on Main Street.

The event will include plenty of children’s games and activities including; a giant slide, photo booth, live music, and a special Hand-Made on Main craft marketplace.

There will also be a special touch-a-truck area featuring tractors and emergency vehicles. Face painting will be available for a small donation throughout the day. The downtown businesses will be hosting special sales and promotions and food will be available for purchase from Cupcakes for Courage, Wurst Kitchen, The American Legion, the Country Market and local restaurants throughout downtown Oswego.

For more information, call (630) 554-4636 or email info@oswegoil.org. 

Regional weather trends topic of September program

Historical trends of temperature and precipitation including droughts, floods, winter storms, and tornadoes will be discussed during the program “Our Climatological History: Weather and Climate Extremes of Northeast Illinois” on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Little White School Museum in Oswego.

Featured speaker Dr. Jim Angel, Illinois’ state climatologist, will highlight several local and regional events including droughts in the 1930s, record rainfall in 1996, the Groundhog Day blizzard of 2011, El Niño, and other events. Angel also will talk about ways to track down historical climate information for the region from a number of sources.

The program is sponsored by The Conservation Foundation, Oswegoland Heritage Association, and Oswegoland Park District. There is a $5 per person registration fee, payable at the door.

Angel has been at the Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, since 1984 and has been state climatologist since 1997. He has worked on a number of research projects. He maintains a public weather blog (https://climateillinois.wordpress.com/author/jimangel/).

Those attending can also explore the historic building and its many historical artifact exhibits while attending the program.

The Little White School Museum is at 72 Polk St., Oswego. For more information, call (630) 553-0687, Ext. 204, or (630) 554-1010.

Oswego Seeks Help With Image Poll

The Village of Oswego needs your help to identify the Village’s civic image by completing and online survey posted below. The Village Board recently approved a $60,000 budget to work with a firm to help the Village of Oswego create/distinguish an identity through a regional positioning/branding plan. Business Districts, Inc. (BDI) will be working with the village’s stakeholders including the Village Board and staff, residents, and business owners to help identify and create a unique identity for the village of Oswego.

That information gathered will be used to attract businesses, visitors, and new residents. Follow this link to complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/imagepoll

The scope of the project will include the following elements:

• Current logo review
• Review of current marketing methods
• Community survey/input
• Motto and tagline
• Branding and Identity Plan
• Marketing Strategy
• Graphic Design Templates
• Style guides
• Website content
• Length of the project
• Scope of implementation

Plainfield

Healthy Driven Harvest 5K

Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome for the 18th annual Healthy Driven Plainfield Harvest 5K Run/Walk and Kidz Miler on Sunday, Sep. 25 in downtown Plainfield. The Kidz Miler begins at 8 a.m. followed by the 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m.

The online registration fee for the 5K (adults and children 13 and older) is $35 and the Kidz Miler (children 6-12) is $15. The deadline for online registration is Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. After that and on race day, 5K registration will be $40 and the Kidz Miler will cost $18.

For more information or to register for the 5K Run/Walk and Kidz Miler, visit www.plainfieldharvest5k.com or call the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce at (815) 436-4431.

All pre-registered runners/walkers will receive a T-shirt and goody bag during the pre-race packet pick-up on Friday-Saturday, Sept.  23-24 at the Edward Plainfield campus, 127th Street and Van Dyke Road.

The Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce will award prizes at the post-race party, which will be held at Tap House Grill.

Overall winners in the men’s and women’s divisions will each receive $100, second place finishers will get $50 and third place finishers $25.

Plano

Police announce Safe Exchange Zone

In order to ensure that the citizens of Plano are safe while making prearranged and lawful exchanges, the Plano Police Department will now be known as a safe exchange zone. Events from child custody exchanges to seller/consumer online transactions may occur anytime between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. any day of the week.

The designated area will be in the parking lot of the Plano Police Department which offers a safe location for all citizens and remains under constant video surveillance. The goal of this new program is to help facilitate an area that transactions can occur safely and all citizens feel safe while they are being conducted.

The Plano Police Department will remain neutral during these exchanges and will not get involved in any civil litigation. A visible sign will be posted in the parking lot designating the two parking spaces as a safe exchange zone and citizens are urged to call 911 if they do not feel safe during the exchange.

–Kendall County News Briefs–