At Positively Naperville, we aim to highlight the bright side. We consider the power of the press in terms of mostly full buckets of ink, no matter how you print it. Over on the digital side, our interactive website links to posts of local news you can use in between issues.
The group picture above features members of the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation Board of Directors as well as presenters who participated in the NAHC March monthly meeting at the Municipal Center.
The meeting focused on many park district projects and electricity rate hikes. Finance Director Karen DeAngelis, who is leaving her post after five years on April 29, was lauded for her important part in the city’s current financial well-being as she helped guide the municipality through challenging economic times.
Whenever possible, PN will use its energies to remind residents to shop locally, mindful of the value of local revenues that help sustain this city’s culture and quality of life.
What may shock some readers is this front page commentary that intends to enlighten readers about the possible impacts on your lifestyle and your pocketbook regarding proposed plans of local governing bodies. Without paying attention or providing public comment to stimulating discussions at City Council, Naperville Park District, the school districts and other taxing bodies in charge of balancing budgets, the higher cost of living and doing business in River City could spark surprise.
Simply put and just for starters, over at the Naperville Park District, plans are moving forward for Phase II of remediation at Sportsman’s Park at 725 S. West Street with proposed new amenities at a cost of up to $574,130; an activity center at the corner of Fort Hill Drive and Quincy Avenue, with a cost of $23 million and a goal to open it in late 2016; as well as the 5,000 sq. ft Knoch Knolls Nature Center, a $5.5 million construction project, now in progress, expected to open with a staff in September 2014 at 336 Knoch Knolls Road in south Naperville.
The subject of electric rate increases has been among hot topics at recent City Council meetings and workshops as well as covered in other print media. The city’s fiscal year runs May through April.
The percentage of the rate increase over a two-year period is at the heart of it. City staff recommends increases of 6 percent May 1 and 7 percent May 1, 2015, while residents who serve on the Public Utility Advisory Board suggest raising it 7.86 percent the first year and 7 percent the second.
The city’s plan would cost the average homeowner $97.79 more for the first year and $103.75 more for the second. By contrast, the advisory board plan prefers yearly hikes of $99.21 and $105.37.
In brief, Naperville owns its own electric utility and since 2007 has been part of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, a 32-member consortium of municipalities that purchase energy from various sources, including Prairie State Energy Campus.
While building to increase operating capacity, Prairie State experienced construction cost overruns, delays and a variety of miscalculations including low natural gas prices in recent years. The bottom line is that Naperville is operating about $14 million in the red.
No one can predict the future and our city does its best to hedge its bets on electric contracts. Individual residents are encouraged to participate and provide positive feedback.
The next Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation meeting will be held at 7PM Mon., April 21, at the 95th Street Library. NAHC President Bob Fischer will introduce members of the Naperville City Council as featured presenters, eager to engage and address the community with civility. Fischer also said the NAHC seeks new members to serve on its board. So there you go.
Spring, spring, spring!
Spring offers opportunities for renewal, reflection and regrouping in order to get down to basics and back to business. Considering whatever challenges and happenings faced us during the bone-chilling winter, we look forward to better, brighter and blossoming days.
After the expected light turnout for the Primary Election, we updated our online Voter’s Guide with the candidates who advanced to the Gubernatorial Election on Nov. 4. We hope you’ll get to know them.
During these uncertain and distracting times when more energy seems to be devoted to partisan politics than successful job creation and reasoned solutions, we are grateful for individuals who instead of being turned off, stepped up with initiative, striving to be informed for a brighter future.
We’re also mindful of a powerful message attributed to Plato (429–347 B.C.E.): “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”
New solutions. New ideas. New energy. Spring to make it happen here, there and everywhere. Thanks for reading. Happy springtime!
