On the first day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave me a 14% tax levy.
On the second day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave me 2 fine generating red light cameras.
On the third day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave me 3 new utility taxes.
On the forth day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave 4.5% union raises.
On the fifth day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave me a 5 minute limit when requesting to be heard at a board meeting.
On the sixth day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave me talk of a $6,000 aluminum water bottle program.
On the seventh day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave me 7 good ole boy board members.
On the eighth day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave me 8 months of Julie Voss in office without following through on 1 campaign promise.
On the ninth day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave me ordinance 09-11 Granting an Extension for the Establishment of Special Uses, Final Plan Approval, and Filing of the Final Plat of Subdivision for the Wal-Mart Supercenter PUD.
On the tenth day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave me 10 months of the year without a Planning & Zoning meeting because there has been absolutely nothing happening in the village to warrant one.
On the eleventh day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave me a 1.1 million dollar projected revenue increase from our new taxes for 2010.
On the twelfth day of Christmas the West Dundee village board gave me twelve more months of the same ole same thing.
Keeping The Residents Informed
The most recent village board meeting I attended on Monday night was what I would call your typical meeting - approval for St. Catherine's Irish Fest, approval of previous meeting minutes, approval of the daily liquor permit request for Heritage Fest, approvals of new zoning ordinances and discussions about traffic signal upgrades.
One item of interest happened during the "miscellaneous" discussion at the end of the meeting. Trustee Gillam brought up a concern about the meeting minutes not being informative enough; only showing what decisions had been made and not including anything related to the discussions about that topic. She asked whether the minutes could be more informative. The general consensus from what I could ascertain was that the minutes only needed to include the final decision and that if people wanted more information they should attend board meetings. Trustee Voss even mentioned that one of her neighbors was asking her similar questions about how a certain decision had been made. Trustee Voss then told her neighbor that she should come to a meeting to stay informed.
Well Julie, how many meetings did you attend before you decided to run for the position you currently hold? While we're at it, didn't you say while you were running that you wanted to "be a voice for the people"? Well here's your chance to step up and become that voice. We have busy lives and the residents of this village expect the board to keep us informed and not just through your completely uninformative meeting minutes or by having the entire town show up at a board meeting. Get out there and talk to us. Continue to improve the utilization of the village wide e-mail alert system. Have those neighborhood meetings at resident’s houses (you know the only campaign promise you didn't steal from other candidates). Be a voice for your people Julie.
One item of interest happened during the "miscellaneous" discussion at the end of the meeting. Trustee Gillam brought up a concern about the meeting minutes not being informative enough; only showing what decisions had been made and not including anything related to the discussions about that topic. She asked whether the minutes could be more informative. The general consensus from what I could ascertain was that the minutes only needed to include the final decision and that if people wanted more information they should attend board meetings. Trustee Voss even mentioned that one of her neighbors was asking her similar questions about how a certain decision had been made. Trustee Voss then told her neighbor that she should come to a meeting to stay informed.
Well Julie, how many meetings did you attend before you decided to run for the position you currently hold? While we're at it, didn't you say while you were running that you wanted to "be a voice for the people"? Well here's your chance to step up and become that voice. We have busy lives and the residents of this village expect the board to keep us informed and not just through your completely uninformative meeting minutes or by having the entire town show up at a board meeting. Get out there and talk to us. Continue to improve the utilization of the village wide e-mail alert system. Have those neighborhood meetings at resident’s houses (you know the only campaign promise you didn't steal from other candidates). Be a voice for your people Julie.
Village of West Dundee grants Walmart an extension
This past Monday night the village board voted unanimously (that's a surprise) to grant a one-year extension to Wal-mart for their planned 24-hour 186,000 s.f. Super Wal-mart.
The extension was given to allow all the work that was previously done by the planning and zoning commission, the (village) board, Wal-Mart and other petitioners to finish what they started," Trustee Norm Osth told the Courier-News. "We had no recourse but to grant an extension."
Well Norm, the plaintiffs asked for a 30-day extension last year and were told, by you, just to let this pass and then sue. So they did. Please stop complaining about the outcome of the advice you gave them.
We pride ourselves with the quality of buildings in the community and are confident that the building won't be as deleterious to their lives as they may think," Village President Larry Keller also told the Courier-News. "The overwhelming majority of those I have talked to are anxious for Wal-Mart to come to West Dundee."
Hmmm, Wal-mart and quality, isn't that an oxymoron Larry?
That's surprising Larry, the majority of people that I've spoken to are not in favor of this development.
There has been a lot of finger-pointing on the part of the board and its representatives claiming that the plaintiffs in the lawsuit are costing the village a lot of money. Not to discount the fees they are paying to the village attorney (who is most likely on a retainer), but I'm guessing Wal-mart is shouldering the burden of cost of the lawsuit. Will the village lose sales tax revenue because the store is unable to generate any? Sure, but it isn't an immediate loss as the village is portraying.
The extension was given to allow all the work that was previously done by the planning and zoning commission, the (village) board, Wal-Mart and other petitioners to finish what they started," Trustee Norm Osth told the Courier-News. "We had no recourse but to grant an extension."
Well Norm, the plaintiffs asked for a 30-day extension last year and were told, by you, just to let this pass and then sue. So they did. Please stop complaining about the outcome of the advice you gave them.
We pride ourselves with the quality of buildings in the community and are confident that the building won't be as deleterious to their lives as they may think," Village President Larry Keller also told the Courier-News. "The overwhelming majority of those I have talked to are anxious for Wal-Mart to come to West Dundee."
Hmmm, Wal-mart and quality, isn't that an oxymoron Larry?
That's surprising Larry, the majority of people that I've spoken to are not in favor of this development.
There has been a lot of finger-pointing on the part of the board and its representatives claiming that the plaintiffs in the lawsuit are costing the village a lot of money. Not to discount the fees they are paying to the village attorney (who is most likely on a retainer), but I'm guessing Wal-mart is shouldering the burden of cost of the lawsuit. Will the village lose sales tax revenue because the store is unable to generate any? Sure, but it isn't an immediate loss as the village is portraying.
Motion to Reconsider Filed
The attorneys representing abutting homeowners (some of us) filed a Motion to Reconsider with the Kane County Court today. We didn't make this decision lightly, but after consulting with our attorneys and other attorneys, we felt this was best course of action. The fact remains that we do not believe the Village enforced its own ordinance, and the we think the Judge may have overlooked some issues that were not addressed in his order. We'll keep you updated as things develop--thank you so much for the support!
I attended the village board meeting on Monday, April 20, 2009 and was pleasantly surprised to hear about ways that the village has decided to cut costs in their 2009-2010 budget.
1. No economic adjustment will be given to non-union employees this year (though from my understanding this will be reviewed in 6 months). Union employees received a 4.5% increase per their contract.
2. We have signed a contract for tree services, but the contract is for emergency removals only, there will be no parkway tree trimming this year.
3. A new janitorial company was hired.
Items 2 and 3 should save the village approximately $65,000 this year. No numbers were reported on item 1.
What I was upset to hear about was that they will be raising property taxes 18%. That 18% comes out to about $110 a year on a $250,000 home. I'm glad to see that the village isn't only about raising taxes, but also in cutting expenses, though I was hoping they would not raise taxes in these tough economic times.
1. No economic adjustment will be given to non-union employees this year (though from my understanding this will be reviewed in 6 months). Union employees received a 4.5% increase per their contract.
2. We have signed a contract for tree services, but the contract is for emergency removals only, there will be no parkway tree trimming this year.
3. A new janitorial company was hired.
Items 2 and 3 should save the village approximately $65,000 this year. No numbers were reported on item 1.
What I was upset to hear about was that they will be raising property taxes 18%. That 18% comes out to about $110 a year on a $250,000 home. I'm glad to see that the village isn't only about raising taxes, but also in cutting expenses, though I was hoping they would not raise taxes in these tough economic times.
Village newsletter
I received my quarterly village newsletter the other day and was anxious to read the article on the 2009/2010 Village Budget.
I was extremely disappointed by comments that were made in this article "Additional revenues projected last fiscal year would have included new sales tax in excess of one millions [and that is their own grammatical error] dollars that would flow to the community from the proposed new Wal Mart facility. These funds would have assisted in paying for the increased cost of municipal service levels of this community and eliminated last years' deficit. The construction and predicted opening has been delayed by the litigation initiated by the seven adjacent homeowners. The building plans have been approved and engineering and design is nearly complete for the project."
Wow, I'm impressed that the village was expecting to get the store built and generate new sales tax revenues in excess of one millon dollars in 6 months time because the plans were only just approved in June, 2008. Expected construction time is 18 months. Even with pushing to get the construction finished ahead of that time frame (and when has that ever happened), the village shouldn't expect to start receiving sales tax revenues until December, 2009, but clearly they are counting their chickens before they hatch.
As a member of Dundee Neighbors I would be more than willing to add my name to the lawsuit, unfortunately the law only allows "adjacent" homeowners to litigate.
I was extremely disappointed by comments that were made in this article "Additional revenues projected last fiscal year would have included new sales tax in excess of one millions [and that is their own grammatical error] dollars that would flow to the community from the proposed new Wal Mart facility. These funds would have assisted in paying for the increased cost of municipal service levels of this community and eliminated last years' deficit. The construction and predicted opening has been delayed by the litigation initiated by the seven adjacent homeowners. The building plans have been approved and engineering and design is nearly complete for the project."
Wow, I'm impressed that the village was expecting to get the store built and generate new sales tax revenues in excess of one millon dollars in 6 months time because the plans were only just approved in June, 2008. Expected construction time is 18 months. Even with pushing to get the construction finished ahead of that time frame (and when has that ever happened), the village shouldn't expect to start receiving sales tax revenues until December, 2009, but clearly they are counting their chickens before they hatch.
As a member of Dundee Neighbors I would be more than willing to add my name to the lawsuit, unfortunately the law only allows "adjacent" homeowners to litigate.
Voter registration cards
Did you receive a new voter registration card in the mail recently? Did you look it over to see what, if anything was different? I know I didn't, I stored it and didn't think about again until my neighbor mentioned that our polling location has been changed. I pulled my card out and yes indeed my polling place has been changed. Please take a moment to pull out your card and verify your polling location.
Keller seeks re-election in West Dundee
Ask yourself, is the Village better off now then it was a decade ago? Higher taxes-- both sales and property, no Randall Road business, a divided community, more traffic and congestion, retail outlets moving OUT of our town, budget shortfall. I am not saying this is ALL his fault but the phrase asleep at the wheel does come to mind.
We need new people at the helm of our village. People that are willing to be be a part of a fiscally responsible open government and embrace smart growth.
We need new people at the helm of our village. People that are willing to be be a part of a fiscally responsible open government and embrace smart growth.
Another Store Leaves.. TJ Maxx
Labels:
TJ Maxx
The list continues to grow. TJ Maxx will be moving from West Dundee to Randall Road. Their new location will be next to Toys R Us, another store that we lost recently.
General Growth Misses Deadline
AP
General Growth shares fall after missed deadlineTuesday December 16, 9:51 am ET
General Growth shares fall after missing debt repayment deadline, ratings downgrade
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Shares of troubled shopping mall owner General Growth Properties Inc. dropped Tuesday after the company missed a crucial deadline to repay $900 million in debt and saw its debt ratings downgraded further into junk status.
Its stock shed 15 cents, or 8.2 percent, to $1.70 in morning trading.
Credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service on Monday downgraded the debt ratings for Chicago-based General Growth, which said earlier in the day it is still negotiating for an extension on the maturity date mortgage loans for two Las Vegas malls.
After General Growth's announcement, Moody's pushed the debt ratings for General Growth and its subsidiaries further into junk bond status. Both senior secured and senior unsecured debt were downgraded to Ca, two notches above default from Caa2. Moody's said the ratings "remain on review for possible downgrade."
Earlier this month, Chicago-based General Growth received a two-week extension on the loans for two Las Vegas properties, but has yet to receive another extension.
Moody's said the failure to repay the debt "will most likely lead to an imminent acceleration" of debt payments on bonds issued by The Rouse Company, a shopping center owner acquired by General Growth in 2004.
The country's second-largest mall owner is saddled with a huge debt it acquired during the real estate market's boom years when it aggressively bought up assets. Refinancing that debt has proven difficult amid a global credit crunch.
General Growth has a stake in more than 200 shopping malls in 44 states
General Growth shares fall after missed deadlineTuesday December 16, 9:51 am ET
General Growth shares fall after missing debt repayment deadline, ratings downgrade
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Shares of troubled shopping mall owner General Growth Properties Inc. dropped Tuesday after the company missed a crucial deadline to repay $900 million in debt and saw its debt ratings downgraded further into junk status.
Its stock shed 15 cents, or 8.2 percent, to $1.70 in morning trading.
Credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service on Monday downgraded the debt ratings for Chicago-based General Growth, which said earlier in the day it is still negotiating for an extension on the maturity date mortgage loans for two Las Vegas malls.
After General Growth's announcement, Moody's pushed the debt ratings for General Growth and its subsidiaries further into junk bond status. Both senior secured and senior unsecured debt were downgraded to Ca, two notches above default from Caa2. Moody's said the ratings "remain on review for possible downgrade."
Earlier this month, Chicago-based General Growth received a two-week extension on the loans for two Las Vegas properties, but has yet to receive another extension.
Moody's said the failure to repay the debt "will most likely lead to an imminent acceleration" of debt payments on bonds issued by The Rouse Company, a shopping center owner acquired by General Growth in 2004.
The country's second-largest mall owner is saddled with a huge debt it acquired during the real estate market's boom years when it aggressively bought up assets. Refinancing that debt has proven difficult amid a global credit crunch.
General Growth has a stake in more than 200 shopping malls in 44 states
General Growth in Debt Talks
General Growth says still in debt talks
Friday December 12, 10:25 am ET By Alan Zibel, AP Real Estate Writer
General Growth Properties says still in talks to extend $900 million debt repayment deadline
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Troubled mall owner General Growth Properties, trying to stave off bankruptcy, said it is still trying to negotiate an extension on $900 million in debt that is due to be repaid Friday, but warned there can be "no assurance" it will get a reprieve.
Investors, however, appeared optimistic that bankruptcy would be avoided as shares rose 37 cents, or 25 percent, to $1.81 in morning trading.
The mortgages cover two Las Vegas malls, Fashion Show and Palazzo. Earlier this month, Chicago-based General Growth received a two-week extension on the loans.
General Growth Properties Inc. also said in a prepared statement issued that it refinanced a separate $896 million worth of loans, retiring a $58 million bond that matured Thursday and $814 million of debt scheduled to mature next year.
Chicago-based General Growth, the nation's second-largest shopping mall owner, has been hit hard by the credit crunch, as it piled up a staggering debt load during the real estate market's boom years. Analysts are unsure whether new managers, installed in late October, will be able to keep the company afloat as the recession drags on and U.S. retailers struggle. The company last month hired law firm Sidley Austin as an adviser.
General Growth has a stake in more than 200 shopping malls in 44 states. It is trying to sell its Las Vegas locations.
Shares of General Growth have lost 95 percent of their value over the past six months.
Last month, the company reported disappointing third-quarter results and cut its year-end forecast, weeks after the mall owner's board removed its chief executive, president and chief financial officer.
Their ouster came after the company disclosed that former CEO John Bucksbaum's family trust provided $90 million in personal loans to cover margin debt for the former chief financial officer and president.
Friday December 12, 10:25 am ET By Alan Zibel, AP Real Estate Writer
General Growth Properties says still in talks to extend $900 million debt repayment deadline
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Troubled mall owner General Growth Properties, trying to stave off bankruptcy, said it is still trying to negotiate an extension on $900 million in debt that is due to be repaid Friday, but warned there can be "no assurance" it will get a reprieve.
Investors, however, appeared optimistic that bankruptcy would be avoided as shares rose 37 cents, or 25 percent, to $1.81 in morning trading.
The mortgages cover two Las Vegas malls, Fashion Show and Palazzo. Earlier this month, Chicago-based General Growth received a two-week extension on the loans.
General Growth Properties Inc. also said in a prepared statement issued that it refinanced a separate $896 million worth of loans, retiring a $58 million bond that matured Thursday and $814 million of debt scheduled to mature next year.
Chicago-based General Growth, the nation's second-largest shopping mall owner, has been hit hard by the credit crunch, as it piled up a staggering debt load during the real estate market's boom years. Analysts are unsure whether new managers, installed in late October, will be able to keep the company afloat as the recession drags on and U.S. retailers struggle. The company last month hired law firm Sidley Austin as an adviser.
General Growth has a stake in more than 200 shopping malls in 44 states. It is trying to sell its Las Vegas locations.
Shares of General Growth have lost 95 percent of their value over the past six months.
Last month, the company reported disappointing third-quarter results and cut its year-end forecast, weeks after the mall owner's board removed its chief executive, president and chief financial officer.
Their ouster came after the company disclosed that former CEO John Bucksbaum's family trust provided $90 million in personal loans to cover margin debt for the former chief financial officer and president.
General Growth Default Imminent
AP
Fitch says General Growth's default is imminentTuesday December 9, 3:01 pm ET
Fitch cuts ratings on mall owner General Growth Properties, seeing imminent default
NEW YORK (AP) -- Fitch Ratings downgraded General Growth Properties Inc.'s credit ratings Tuesday, saying default may be imminent for the shopping mall owner.
Fitch noted General Growth's recent move to extend the amount of time it has to repay debt, and said it thinks the company may need to restructure its debt to avoid bankruptcy. Fitch considers a distressed debt swap, in which a company exchanges its debt for new bonds at a heavily discounted rate, to essentially be a default.
Fitch also said conditions in real estate debt capital markets are hurting General Growth's ability to raise money to repay about $600 million in 2009 maturing unsecured debt.
As one of the nation's largest shopping mall owners, General Growth has been hit hard by the deteriorating U.S. economy and problems at struggling retailers. It also has taken on massive amounts of debt -- last month in a regulatory filing, General Growth said nearly $3.1 billion worth of debt will come due next year.
Earlier this month, General Growth reached an interim agreement to extend the time it has to pay back $58 million in notes to Thursday, just days after the Chicago-based real estate investment trust got a two-week reprieve to pay off $900 million in mortgages.
Fitch downgraded the issuer default rating to "C," it's lowest junk rating, from "B" for General Growth Properties Inc., GGP Limited Partnership and unit The Rouse Co. Fitch also downgraded the revolving credit facility, term loan and exchangeable senior notes ratings for GGP Limited Partnership to "CC/RR5" from "B-/RR5."
General Growth remains on "negative watch," meaning further downgrades are possible.
Last month, the company reported disappointing third-quarter results and cut its year-end forecast, weeks after the mall owner's board removed its chief executive, president and chief financial officer. Their ouster came after the company disclosed that former CEO John Bucksbaum's family trust provided $90 million in personal loans to cover margin debt for the former CFO and president.
New management has warned that crushing debt combined with the declining economy bring the company's viability into question.
Shares of General Growth rose 3 cents to $1.58 in afternoon trading.
Fitch says General Growth's default is imminentTuesday December 9, 3:01 pm ET
Fitch cuts ratings on mall owner General Growth Properties, seeing imminent default
NEW YORK (AP) -- Fitch Ratings downgraded General Growth Properties Inc.'s credit ratings Tuesday, saying default may be imminent for the shopping mall owner.
Fitch noted General Growth's recent move to extend the amount of time it has to repay debt, and said it thinks the company may need to restructure its debt to avoid bankruptcy. Fitch considers a distressed debt swap, in which a company exchanges its debt for new bonds at a heavily discounted rate, to essentially be a default.
Fitch also said conditions in real estate debt capital markets are hurting General Growth's ability to raise money to repay about $600 million in 2009 maturing unsecured debt.
As one of the nation's largest shopping mall owners, General Growth has been hit hard by the deteriorating U.S. economy and problems at struggling retailers. It also has taken on massive amounts of debt -- last month in a regulatory filing, General Growth said nearly $3.1 billion worth of debt will come due next year.
Earlier this month, General Growth reached an interim agreement to extend the time it has to pay back $58 million in notes to Thursday, just days after the Chicago-based real estate investment trust got a two-week reprieve to pay off $900 million in mortgages.
Fitch downgraded the issuer default rating to "C," it's lowest junk rating, from "B" for General Growth Properties Inc., GGP Limited Partnership and unit The Rouse Co. Fitch also downgraded the revolving credit facility, term loan and exchangeable senior notes ratings for GGP Limited Partnership to "CC/RR5" from "B-/RR5."
General Growth remains on "negative watch," meaning further downgrades are possible.
Last month, the company reported disappointing third-quarter results and cut its year-end forecast, weeks after the mall owner's board removed its chief executive, president and chief financial officer. Their ouster came after the company disclosed that former CEO John Bucksbaum's family trust provided $90 million in personal loans to cover margin debt for the former CFO and president.
New management has warned that crushing debt combined with the declining economy bring the company's viability into question.
Shares of General Growth rose 3 cents to $1.58 in afternoon trading.
General Growth Properties in Trouble
Labels:
general growth properties
Dundee Neighbor Jean Van Gaston emails in with this update:
Yikes.
So General Growth's bad decision making is putting our community in jeopardy. It's time our community looks to the future, to smart growth decisions that will never hold us hostage to this kind of incompetence again.
Five Stocks That Look Completely Worthless
Matthew Coffina
Wednesday
November 12, 2008, 7:00 am EST
General Growth Properties (NYSE:GGP - News)From the Analyst Report:
"Punch-drunk on easy credit, retail real estate investment trust (REIT) General
Growth Properties is now staggering under the weight of its massive debt load.
Raising capital or finding buyers for its commercial real estate assets may be
difficult in the current credit-constrained environment, so we think it's likely
that General Growth's equity value will fall to $0."
Yikes.
So General Growth's bad decision making is putting our community in jeopardy. It's time our community looks to the future, to smart growth decisions that will never hold us hostage to this kind of incompetence again.
Updates
Freinds,
Thank you for checking in on the website. We receive a lot of questions about the lawsuit some families have filed against the Village and Wal-Mart, asking for updates and more information. As it is an on-going legal proceeding, unfortunately we can't really comment too much on it except to say that it is moving forward and we're confident in our case.
People also ask, "How are you paying for it?" We were thankful to find attorneys who represent families and homeowners and understand the limitations of what we, as opposed to megacorporations like Wal-Mart or General Growth Properties, can afford. By sticking together and working together we have been able to stick up for the rule of law and demand that our argument be given a fair hearing--when it wasn't by the Village. It is sad that it had to come to that.
People also ask, "Who are the Dundee Neighbors?" There are a handful of families that got the ball-rolling, but during the Wal-Mart hearings, hundreds of families signed petitions and joined email alert lists in support of our vision of an open government and smart growth policies.
So don't listen to the rumor mongerings and slanderers out there who, out of ideas, are once again falling back on the same tired "NIMBY" argument they used during the Wal-Mart issue. Dundee Neighbors is made up of families with an interest in smart growth and open government issues all over the Village--in the old Dundee, in Tartans Glens, south of 72, you name it. We have knocked doors and talked to folks in every part of town.
That's who we are.
We are all volunteers, not professionals. We're learning as we go, and giving of our spare time to bring some accountability to local government--we'll try to more regularly post here to keep you all updated, and encourage you to engage in dialogue in the comments.
Thank you for visiting! Check back often.
Thank you for checking in on the website. We receive a lot of questions about the lawsuit some families have filed against the Village and Wal-Mart, asking for updates and more information. As it is an on-going legal proceeding, unfortunately we can't really comment too much on it except to say that it is moving forward and we're confident in our case.
People also ask, "How are you paying for it?" We were thankful to find attorneys who represent families and homeowners and understand the limitations of what we, as opposed to megacorporations like Wal-Mart or General Growth Properties, can afford. By sticking together and working together we have been able to stick up for the rule of law and demand that our argument be given a fair hearing--when it wasn't by the Village. It is sad that it had to come to that.
People also ask, "Who are the Dundee Neighbors?" There are a handful of families that got the ball-rolling, but during the Wal-Mart hearings, hundreds of families signed petitions and joined email alert lists in support of our vision of an open government and smart growth policies.
So don't listen to the rumor mongerings and slanderers out there who, out of ideas, are once again falling back on the same tired "NIMBY" argument they used during the Wal-Mart issue. Dundee Neighbors is made up of families with an interest in smart growth and open government issues all over the Village--in the old Dundee, in Tartans Glens, south of 72, you name it. We have knocked doors and talked to folks in every part of town.
That's who we are.
We are all volunteers, not professionals. We're learning as we go, and giving of our spare time to bring some accountability to local government--we'll try to more regularly post here to keep you all updated, and encourage you to engage in dialogue in the comments.
Thank you for visiting! Check back often.
Election Results: Real Estate Tansfer Tax Fails
The referendum on the proposed real estate transfer tax has failed by a nearly two-to-one margin. The wisdom of the people of West Dundee shines! Now we need to harness that wisdom to move our Village in a new direction.
From the Courier-News:
For the record, President Keller didn't just "want to" let the voter's decide the real estate transfer tax requires a popular vote.
In other news,
From the Courier-News:
“It’s always a tough sell to raise a tax, but we wanted to let the voters
decide,” Village President Larry Keller said. He said the transfer tax would
have been paid only by newcomers and business people, because any home being
bought by somebody who already lived in West Dundee would have been excluded
from the tax.
For the record, President Keller didn't just "want to" let the voter's decide the real estate transfer tax requires a popular vote.
In other news,
Nominating petition forms for the village president and three open trustee
positions in West Dundee are available at West Dundee Village Hall, 102 S.
Second St.
Dundee Neighbors Monthly Meeting!
Labels:
dundee neighbors,
monthly meeting
Friends and Neighbors,
Our block party was a big success--and the question we were most asked was, "What can I do to help?"
The first step is to discuss with each other our vision for the future of West Dundee. We are all Dundee Neighbors!
So join Dundee Neighbors for our village-wide kick-off meeting. We can only succeed if we work together. So this meeting is an opportunity for us all to get together so we can all work together!
What: Dundee Neighbors Monthly Meeting
Where: R Bar's upstairs meeting room (101 W Main St).
When: Tuesday, October 21st, 7:00p.m.
*We are proud to patronize a local business that stood with us when we opposed Wal-Mart.
*Sorry, we're all on our own for food and drink!*
RSVP by commenting or e-mailing, and please, tell your friends and neighbors!
Our block party was a big success--and the question we were most asked was, "What can I do to help?"
The first step is to discuss with each other our vision for the future of West Dundee. We are all Dundee Neighbors!
So join Dundee Neighbors for our village-wide kick-off meeting. We can only succeed if we work together. So this meeting is an opportunity for us all to get together so we can all work together!
What: Dundee Neighbors Monthly Meeting
Where: R Bar's upstairs meeting room (101 W Main St).
When: Tuesday, October 21st, 7:00p.m.
*We are proud to patronize a local business that stood with us when we opposed Wal-Mart.
*Sorry, we're all on our own for food and drink!*
RSVP by commenting or e-mailing, and please, tell your friends and neighbors!
Dundee Neighbors Block Party - A Success!
Labels:
block party,
community,
dundee neighbors,
events
Thank you to everybody who came out for our block party last Saturday. Great times and conversation, about the future of our community, were had by all.
E. Dundee Store Closing -- What a Surprise!
Labels:
east dundee,
wal-mart
Why are we doing business with these people? This is unbelievable.
During the West Dundee Supercenter fight, Wal-Mart refused to confirm what they were going to do with the old store if they opened the new one. As if they weren't sure. Now that they got their approval a week and a half ago, suddenly they're announcing closure of the disgusting East Dundee store.
What dishonest brokers and bad neighbors.
During the West Dundee Supercenter fight, Wal-Mart refused to confirm what they were going to do with the old store if they opened the new one. As if they weren't sure. Now that they got their approval a week and a half ago, suddenly they're announcing closure of the disgusting East Dundee store.
What dishonest brokers and bad neighbors.
Wal-Mart officials have confirmed that the world's largest retailer will
close its East Dundee store once the company opens a Supercenter in neighboring
West Dundee.
Though East Dundee officials and residents had speculated on the store's
demise for months, Wal-Mart had not previously given definitive word that it
would shutter the store that has stood on Route 25 for the better part of two
decades.
But village officials said they were told Friday that their largest sales
tax generator would be moving out of town.
"They have now taken the official position that they are going to leave
East Dundee," Village President Dan O'Leary said. "It had been the case where
they had been hesitant to give us a definitive answer."
Though Wal-Mart did not give a specific timeline, O'Leary believes it would
take at least a year for the West Dundee store to open.
Stabbings at Spring Hill Mall
Labels:
crime,
general growth properties,
spring hill mall
What is General Growth Properties doing over there? Are they taking care of that property?
It is unbelievable that we are being asked to accept a known crime risk in the form of a 24-hour Supercenter in order to help GGP (the "gem" of our village, apparently) when they can't even keep their supposedly "high-end" mall safe from stabbings.
Geez.
Four Teens Injured
Four Cited For Fighting
Sigh.
It is unbelievable that we are being asked to accept a known crime risk in the form of a 24-hour Supercenter in order to help GGP (the "gem" of our village, apparently) when they can't even keep their supposedly "high-end" mall safe from stabbings.
Geez.
Four Teens Injured
Four Cited For Fighting
Sigh.
Dundee Neighbors Families File Complaint Against Village, Wal-Mart
Dear Friends and Dundee Neighbors,
Last Friday, Dundee Neighbors filed a formal complaint against the Village in regards to the decision made on June 16th to grant a Special Use for a Planned Unit Development and Variances for the Wal-Mart Supercenter.
This decision was not made lightly and due diligence was put into making sure that all options were considered. We are moving forward with this complaint to send a message, that development decisions have a real personal, financial, and social impact on communities, and shouldn't be treated like a business decision made by a closed club. The entire Wal-Mart development process began shrouded in secrecy and was kept private as possible for as long as possible, and then rushed through to avoid too much community participation. When we raised these concerns to Trustees, we were advised to take legal action.
We don't relish this decision, but we are not apologetic for it, either. The fact is that if the Village had acted responsibly and given over more time for review of the proposal by independent experts, we would not have had to take this critical step. Dundee Neighbors is planning a series of community events over the next few months to bring the residents and homeowners of West Dundee together to discuss a new direction for this village. We thank you for your continuing support and encourage you to communicate with each other and with us regarding how we can move this village in a positive new direction.
Your Friends
The Dundee Neighbors
Last Friday, Dundee Neighbors filed a formal complaint against the Village in regards to the decision made on June 16th to grant a Special Use for a Planned Unit Development and Variances for the Wal-Mart Supercenter.
This decision was not made lightly and due diligence was put into making sure that all options were considered. We are moving forward with this complaint to send a message, that development decisions have a real personal, financial, and social impact on communities, and shouldn't be treated like a business decision made by a closed club. The entire Wal-Mart development process began shrouded in secrecy and was kept private as possible for as long as possible, and then rushed through to avoid too much community participation. When we raised these concerns to Trustees, we were advised to take legal action.
We don't relish this decision, but we are not apologetic for it, either. The fact is that if the Village had acted responsibly and given over more time for review of the proposal by independent experts, we would not have had to take this critical step. Dundee Neighbors is planning a series of community events over the next few months to bring the residents and homeowners of West Dundee together to discuss a new direction for this village. We thank you for your continuing support and encourage you to communicate with each other and with us regarding how we can move this village in a positive new direction.
Your Friends
The Dundee Neighbors
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