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8 | October 11, 2018 | The Mokena Messenger news mokenamessenger.com Fire department hosts info sessions, outlines referendum details Amanda Stoll, Assistant Editor This November will mark the sixth time New Lenox Fire Protection District has placed a referendum on the ballot. The previous five times the measure failed to pass. The district has known for years that its operating costs were increasing at a rate faster than its income from tax levies were. But, in lieu of failed referendums, Fire Board Trustee Joe Leavy said the department has continued to tighten its belt. “We’ve cut absolutely everything you can cut out of the budget,” said Levey, who serves as vice president on the board. “We do our own lawn maintenance, our own fertilizer [and] a lot of our own station maintenance. We work on our own vehicles. There’s really no fluff.” After the fifth failed referendum in March of this year, the board voted to close Fire Station No. 2 on North Cedar Road because of the increasing deficit. “The hardest meeting that I ever sat in as a public official was voting to close a firehouse because heaven forbid someone dies across the street from that firehouse because we didn’t get there in time. That’s a gut wrenching thing,” Levey said. “... We take our position on the board at the fire district extremely seriously because it deals with lives.” After public outcry and Voters in the New Lenox Fire Protection District will be asked the following question on the Nov. 6 ballot: Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the New Lenox Fire Protection District, Will County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.2021% above the limiting rate for the purpose of fire protection and ambulance service for levy year 2017 and be equal to 0.59% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for the levy years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021? Upcoming information meetings All meetings will be held at New Lenox Fire Station No. 1, 261 E. Maple St., in New Lenox 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 7 p.m. Oct. 23 11 a.m. Oct. 24 widespread concern about the closure, the Village of New Lenox voted to loan the fire district $450,000 — an amount that would allow the district to operate the station through the end of the year. Without a passing vote on the referendum, Levey said the board will again be forced to close Station No. 2 until a time when the district can fund it again through a referendum. He said getting information out to voters this time around has been the top priority, especially after the district got feedback that voters felt like they were not well-enough informed about the previous referendum and the consequences of a failed vote. “We want to be able to get all the information out to the voters as we possibly can,” Levey said. “...After the last referendum failed, we did a survey. We went to great extents to find out [why].” A passing vote will allow the district to keep all four of its stations open and fully manned, while putting money toward replacing some of the aging vehicles in the fleet and beginning to pay back the interest-free loan from the Village. It will not, however, create any sort of surplus, Levey said. “To live within our means basically,” said New Lenox Fire Chief Adam Riegel, “...Unfortunately there’s no other way to make that drastic of a cut is through closing a station [and reducing] manpower. “Limiting little programs just aren’t going to make a dent in that.” New Lenox Fire Protection District’s Station No. 2 status will be in question once again as voters will weigh in its fate in November. 22nd Century Media file photo For owners of a $200,000 home, that increase is estimated at $135 per year. For a $300,000 home, the cost increase is estimated at $202 per year; and for a $400,000 home, $270 per year. Since most homes do not fall into one of the exact values outlined in their referendum guide, which is available on their website, the district had a tax calculator added to the referendum page that will allow homeowners to get a more accurate estimate that is based on their actual home value. The New Lenox Fire Protection District’s service area includes a vast majority of the New Lenox Township, which includes some neighborhoods in Mokena and Homer Glen. In addition to allowing the district to keep Station No. 2 open, the referendum guide outlines vehicles that will soon require replacing and programs that cost money to offer at low or no cost to residents, including CPR and first aid classes, babysitting classes, car seat inspections and installations, the fire cadet program, soldier welcome home events, and having an ambulance on standby at community and youth sporting events. The district has recorded a 378 percent increase in workload from increasing call volumes. In 2010 the district received 2,802 calls for service, and in the last seven years those calls for medical help and fire calls have increased to 4,252. Closing a station would trigger a layoff of about 25 percent of the district’s first responders, as well as some ancillary staff. Levy said having those first responders are crucial to keeping response times low and operating effectively and safely at a structure fire. “That manning allows us to effectively operate at a structure fire,” he said. “That’s really what we base things on, is being able to operate at a structure fire. You need 17 guys to operate safely, and that’s the number we [currently] have.” Please see station, 16 donate From Page 6 able to afford to do.” Kittler donates year round and looks for donations from the community to continue spreading the joy of cycling. His business, FnA Bicycles/FnA Outdoors, started out of a combined passion for cycling and the outdoors. Kittler serviced bikes on the side at first, but once it picked up he decided to make it a business. “I’ve been cycling my whole life and I love it, so I turned it into a business,” Kittler said. “Then, boom, it just blossomed.” Kittler said that he often sees bikes in the trash, and he wants to change that by not only recycling bikes that have life left in them, but giving back to the community that has helped his business grow. “People, they have no idea what a bike will do for them,” Kittler said. “We know that this is going to change their life... That’s why we do this. It is a business and we do the business side of things, too, but doing this is intangible.” The bikes were wheeled into the backstage auditorium of Oster-Oakview School one by one to be stored until the recipient families could be notified by the district to pick them up. The bikes were dispersed throughout the district of New Lenox D122 to families who were identified as families who would benefit the most from the donation. “We’ll be driving down the street and see a bike we donated. That right there is it, that’s all we need,” Kittler said. Kittler urges families that are cleaning out their garages for the winter to donate outgrown bikes rather than leaving them on the curb for garbage so that he can continue to pay it forward to those who need it across the community. For more info on how to donate a bike, visitfna-outdoors.com/donate-bicycles
mokenamessenger.com news the Mokena Messenger | October 11, 2018 | 9 Magical night for a cause at St. John’s UCC Megan Schuller Freelance Reporter Thanks to the world-wide fan base of Harry Potter, a local man is throwing a fundraiser to raise money for a young Harry Potter fan in Crest Hill recovering from acute myeloid leukemia. New Lenox native Johnny Frank saw a Facebook post from a family member of 13-year-old Kayla Zbroskewich, who urged members of the cosplayer Facebook group to send positive messages and photos of their Harry Potter costumes to Kayla to help lift her spirits during her recovery. The fundraiser is scheduled to be held on Oct. 20 at St. John Church in Mokena, with all the proceeds going to Kayla’s family for medical expenses. Cosplayers are coming from around the nation to be involved. Even local actors from All About Music will be participating. Todd Beebe, owner of All About Music and Children’s Theatre, said that he is proud of their participation in the fundraiser because it is a great way for the young actors to give back to their community. “We try to be community minded and donate to causes,” Beebe said. “It’s great to use your talent to help out others in any way you can. It’s great to see because that’s something we try to instill in them.” After realizing that Kayla was local, Frank reached out to the family and decided he wanted to do more than send some encouraging words. He wanted to bring the wizarding world of Harry Potter to life. “When I saw her on the Facebook page, a picture of Kayla in a hospital bed with Kayla Zbroskewich, who is recovering from acute myeloid leukemia, at Luries Children’s Hospital. A fundraiser for her is scheduled for Oct. 20 at St. John’s UCC. Photo submitted medical machines around her, it broke my heart and put things into perspective,” Frank said. “It just kind of hit me hard because I have three daughters and a son. Next thing I know it’s four in the morning, I’m in the garage covered in foam and paint.” Kayla was diagnosed five months ago after having had a stroke and near heart failure. After undergoing chemotherapy and rehabilitation, she is back home and continuing with physical and speech therapy rehabilitation. “She has clung onto life for the past five months,” her mother, Amy Zbroskewich, said. “She is in remission up to 0.1 percent. If there is even one bad white blood cell, it can mutate in to 400,000 cells again like it was.” Amy said that Kayla’s love for things like Harry Potter and music have been positive for her during her recovery. The community is joining in on paying it forward by contributing to the fundraiser. Raffy Candy Store is donating ice cream, and many residents have donated their time and supplies. Frank has even made full-sized store fronts to recreate sets from the Harry Potter movies. “Social media makes it seem like people are divided, but it makes you realize that people can truly come together and be wonderful,” Frank said. “Everyone steps up and pulls together. The amount of people from the community who have come forth, its just amazing.” More than 20 vendors are scheduled to be at the fundraiser. Harry Potter-themed drinks, such as “Butterbeer,” will be available, as well as a live sorting hat and more than 20 live characters to take photos with. The first main event begins at 9 a.m. Frank advises people to bring their dancing shoes because the venue will transform for the “Hogwarts Witches and Wizards Ball” from 7-9 p.m. “We just want to have a good time and raise some money for the family,” Frank said. “We want people to have a good time, smile and forget their worries, and embrace the spirit of the event. Whether you like Harry Potter or not, it’s definitely going to be fun.” Tickets are on sale via eventbrite.com/e/magicmarket-and-fair-witches-and-wizard-ball-tick ets-47099854934. OAK FOREST |5459 W.159TH ST. |708.535.8905 PALOS HEIGHTS |12727 S. RIDGELAND AVE |708.293.0121 TINLEY PARK |9400 W. 179TH ST. |708.580.0305 www.cnbil.com There’s never been abetter time tobuild or remodel your kitchen or bathroom with Seigle’s New Lenox! Spend $5,000 or more in cabinetry and/orcountertops and receive afree $500 gift card from Crest Lighting. Better hurry, this offer ends September 30th! CREST LIGHTING Learn more at Seigles.com/Crest ADivision ofParamont EO OPENING THE DOOR TO earn more. 9-MONTH TERM Interest compounded and credited at maturity. Automatically renews into 9-Month CD. CD SPECIALS 2.59 % *APY 2.77 % *APY 13-MONTH TERM Interest compounded and credited semi-annually and at first maturity. Automatically renews into 12-Month CD. *Annual Percentage Yield. $5,000 Minimum Deposit. Rate effective: 10-05-18. Some restrictions may apply. Limited time only. Substantial penalty for early withdrawal. Fees could reduce earnings. Consumer only. Opening Doors Since 1854 New Lenox 1918 Ferro Dr • 815-723-7000 M-F 9am-5pm • Sa 9am-3pm *Cannot be combined or used with any other offer.Valid at New Lenoxlocation only.All purchase amounts arebefore Tax-Delivery-Installation. Customer is responsible for redemption. Previous purchases excluded. Limit 1offer per residence/contractor/builder.Not redeemable for cash. Ends September 30, 2018.
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