2009 Reflections
As we reflect on the past and look forward to the future we find that one thing remains constant throughout the years. The Board and I are proud to be a part of Sugar Grove and prouder yet of the people who call Sugar Grove their home. We are a Village of hardworking people, people who volunteer and who take pride in their family and their community.
This past year Sugar Grove received the Governor’s Hometown Award for youth involvement. This award was received for the Kaneland School District Alive at 25 Program, a joint effort of the Village, Kane County, Waubonsee Community College, and Kaneland School District. The efforts of community volunteers spurred the opening of the Between Friends Food Pantry, and volunteers successfully hosted the 2009 Corn Boil, the Library Holiday Designer Showcase, Pondemonium, Christmas in the Grove, and showcased Sugar Grove during the 2009 Solheim Cup.
2009 brought an expansion of commercial and retail services to our community with the opening of; Sugar Grove Medical Associates, Vision Plus, the Book Nook Café, Source Therapeutic Massage and the Open Range restaurant (located at the Bliss Creek Golf Course). Local business expansions include the Sugar Grove Animal Hospital which opened its doors to a new state of the art expanded facility, and the Spee-Dee Delivery Co which moved to a larger facility. In addition to these business ventures, there were a variety of local government building and expansion projects including; the Sugar Grove Public Library, the Student Center at Waubonsee Community College, the Kaneland Harter Road Middle School, and the expansion of the Sugar Grove Township facilities.
We as a Board firmly believe that local programs and construction projects will stimulate development and in turn these local projects will stimulate the local economy. This belief is evidenced in the many local projects completed in 2009 including the expansion of Municipal Drive and Galena Boulevard, the extension of water and sewer service, and the many local road improvement projects. Other roadways throughout the Village were also improved, most noticeably Route 47, Route 56, I-88, and Bliss Road. Additionally, in 2009 the Board recognized that the housing industry had been adversely affected by the economic downturn and began a short-term stimulus program.
2009 was economically challenging for our residents, businesses, and the Village. The Board has been financially proactive and taken steps to reduce the budget including; the layoff of four (4) full-time and one (1) part-time employees, elimination of three (3) additional positions through attrition, implementation of a wage freeze, increased the employee portion of healthcare premiums, instituted furlough days, and reduced a number of other budget line items (i.e. certain programs and supplies).
We look forward to a better 2010 and continuing to enhance our community. We encourage you to help us in our efforts by attending Board and Committee meetings and becoming involved in the community. As always please feel free to contact us at any time with your feedback and comments.
Sincerely,
Village President P. Sean Michels
Trustee Robert Bohler Trustee Kevin Geary Trustee Mari Johnson
Trustee Rick Montalto Trustee Thomas Renk Trustee Melisa Taylor
Requests for Information and the Freedom of Information Act
Census Job Openings and Testing Information
Between Friends Food Pantry
In 2000, 25% of Sugar Grove residents did not respond to the Census survey. While this does not necessarily mean that Sugar Grove was not correctly counted it did require additional work by the U.S. Census Bureau. Work for Americans is a great thing; however, additional work to achieve a complete count is not necessary. If you return your census form via the mail system, enumerators do not have to be sent out. When enumerators have to be sent to go door-to-door, this causes the cost of the census to rise.
The 2010 Census will be the shortest questionnaire in history. The 2010 Census will ask for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home. It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. All responses are used for statistical purposes only and are strictly confidential.
We are reaching out to each household in Sugar Grove and reminding you that the foundation of our democracy is dependent on fair and equitable representation in Congress. In order to achieve an accurate assessment of the number and location of the people living within our nation’s borders, the U.S. Constitution calls for a census of the population every 10 years. The census population totals determine representation in Congress and determines the allocation of state and federal funding.
The 2010 Census data will directly affect how much is allocated to Sugar Grove over the next 10 years. Sugar Grove receives a share of income, use, and MFT taxes on a per capita. In addition, the library and other agencies receive a portion of its funding based on population. Lastly, grant dollars are allocated to the County and State based on census data as well (i.e. low income, seniors, etc). In order to insure that this funding allocation to be fair and accurate, it is important that everyone respond. We are asking that when you receive your form in the mail, take 10 minutes, fill it out, and immediately return it. Do you part to achieve an accurate 2010 Census and return your census survey. The U.S. Census 2010 Logo, says it all, it is our hands.
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