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4 | March 14, 2019 | the lockport legend Election 2019 lockportlegend.com Library takes sixth crack at tax rate increase referendum Max Lapthorne, Editor Ballot Question What Lockport residents will see on their ballots April 2 Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the White Oak Library District, Will County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.0296% above the limiting rate for levy year 2017 and be equal to 0.215% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2019? The upcoming April 2 Consolidated Election is to be the sixth time since the start of 2016 that a White Oak Library District referendum requesting a limiting tax rate increase will appear on Lockport residents’ ballots. The proposal would raise the tax rate to 0.215 percent, a 0.0296 percent increase over the existing rate of 0.1854. For the average home in the White Oak Library District, this would mean a tax increase of approximately $1.40 per month, totaling $16.80 per year, according to White Oak Library District Director Scott Pointon. If the referendum were to pass, the District plans to use the additional funds to increase hours, increase senior outreach services and build a digital media lab at the Romeoville branch, Pointon said. The library is currently open 60 hours per week, and that would be increased to more than 70 hours per week should the referendum pass, with hours increasing every day of the week. The library currently closes at 5 p.m. on Fridays, but that would be extended to 7 p.m. should the referendum pass. “That’s going to be huge for us, because there’s so many people that can’t get off of work and get to the library before we close on Fridays,” Pointon said. The library will also look to increase its outreach services, primarily for seniors. One in four residents in the district are senior citizens, so the District is looking to increase its services for that demographic, Pointon said. “We’re not complaining about that, it’s just a fact of life,” he said of the large senior population in the district. “And we want to increase the services we provide to those folks.” The final part of the District’s “three-point plan” should the referendum pass is the creation of a new digital media lab at the Romeoville branch. It is to include 3-D printers, audio/video recording booths and a place where residents can convert old VHS tapes to DVDs. “There’s definitely a bubbling need out there for these types of services,” Pointon said. Pointon said the District has been requesting the same percentage increase since the 2016 Primary Election, and he believes there was confusion last year as to whether the increase would be $16.80 per month or per year. To clarify, he said they are referring to the $1.40 per month number this time around. “We find it extremely difficult to market or spread the word in our area about anything, but especially this referendum,” Pointon said. “... Unfortunately, it’s almost like we’ve marketed it through the ballot.” On the district website — www.whiteoaklibrary. org — under the “About Us” tab, there is a “Referendum 2019” page that is dedicated to supplying information about the referendum. There is also a Referendum Tax Calculator tool on the front page of the website that allows residents to determine exactly how the referendum would impact them financially. In its first five appearances on the ballot, support for the referendum has fluctuated between a low of 34.55 percent in favor the first time it appeared to nearly passing in March of 2018 when 46.19 percent voted “yes.” In the other three years it has been on the ballot, it has received “yes” votes tallying 39.82, 39.46 and 40.88 percent. The last time voters approved an operating rate for the library district was 1929 when the Lockport Township Government took over operation of the library from the Lockport Woman’s Club, according to Pointon. The rate approved in 1929 was 0.18. “I hear a lot of folks saying ‘work within your means,’ and ‘tighten your belt a little tighter’ and ‘make it work within the budget you have,’” Pointon said. “... This library district has been making due and getting by and finding ways to get it done within our means for 90 years.” Lawsuit forces reordering of LTFPD ballot Jessie Molloy Freelance Reporter Early voting for the April 2 election has started at the office of the Will County Clerk, but the ballot for the race for Lockport Township Fire Protection District Trustee was not finalized until the last possible minute because of a challenge to the candidates’ order on the ballot. John Batusich, one of four candidates running for two seats open in the race, filed suit in January visit us online at www.LockportLegend.com challenging the proposed ballot order. According to election rules, candidates are put on the ballot in the order in which they submit their candidacy paperwork. If more than one candidate is present at the clerk’s office before it officially opens at 8 a.m. they are entered into a lottery for ballot placement order. On Dec. 10, Batusich arrived at the clerk’s office shortly before 8 a.m. and handed his paperwork in when the office opened. A few minutes later, video footage shows incumbent trustee Henry Meader arrived to submit his candidacy paperwork. Despite arriving first and Meader arriving after 8 a.m. the election official handing the paperwork, Diane Schmidt, claimed that both had arrived at 8 a.m. and initiated a lottery, which placed Meader first on the ballot. Batusich took the issue to court arguing that time stamps from an office security camera, as well as the receipts received by himself and Meader, proved that he had arrived and filed his papers first, and should, therefore appear first on the ballot. The time stamp on Batusich’s receipt placed his filing at 8 a.m. while Meader’s showed a time of 8:02 a.m. Additionally, the video time stamp, which had its accuracy called into question, showed Meader arriving at 8:00:27 a.m. as opposed to Batusich, who was seen arriving at 7:58:58. After reviewing the evidence, Judge John C. Anderson ruled that, “while seemingly well-intentioned,” Schmidt made a mistake in initiating the lottery, and issued an order to reorder the ballot placing Batusich first and Meader second. Compared to the evidence of the receipt times, it was deemed that Schmidt’s “current recollection of the times was less reliable.” “I didn’t want to sue my employer, but it was a matter of principle,” Batusich said. “People usually line up when the petitions are due in order to be first, so I believe it makes a difference.” Batusich and Meader are joined on the ballot by Rhonda Casagrande and incumbent trustee Dave Palya. Batusich has served as a firefighter for the District for 32 years since his graduation from high school. He is retiring from the department in May, after the election but before the new members of the board would be inaugurated on May 20. “I’ve given my life to this department and I just wish to continue to do so after retiring,” Batusich said. He would not be alone in becoming a trustee after being a firefighter in the district, as current trustee Todd Randich is also a retired fireman.
lockportlegend.com news the lockport legend | March 14, 2019 | 5 Special Games build support for students with disabilities Green &Gold are not healthy colors for teeth.... Time for adental cleaning? Lockport Township takes part in annual event Jennifer McCall Freelance Reporter Intense school pride, playful competition and a chance to visit another school were just some things that made attending the 18th annual Special Games at Lincoln-Way Central fun. But participants from Lockport Township, Andrew and Sandburg high schools say it is the family atmosphere and building of new relationships among students with varying abilities that keep them coming back year after year. Students from Sandburg, Andrew and LTHS, along with seven other schools, flooded Lincoln-Way Central’s campus Thursday, March 7, to compete for the chance to win awards and the coveted traveling Spirit Stick. “The excitement from the kids and the opportunities they get creating relationships with students from different schools, are the biggest takeaways for me,” Lockport special education teacher Hannah Hollatz said. “The energy during the bus ride over here was amazing.” “It’s an outstanding opportunity for our students [with disabilities] to experience some success,” added Angela Huntington, director of special education for Lockport Township. She explains that the special games give other participating students insight into the lives of students with disabilities. They get to see that students with disabilities have the ability to compete and can be quite competitive. The agenda for the day was packed full of activities. The games kicked off with an opening ceremony that included a parade of all athletes and volunteers involved. Next was the lighting of the torch and the mascot relay race. After that, the athletes displayed skills in sports such as basketball, football and bowling. “I’m excited; I like hockey,” said Jacob Gibbons, Special Games athlete and Andrew sophomore. Thursday was Gibbons’ second time competing in the games. A fellow student and friend of Gibbons, Lily Darman, could be seen standing with him showing support. Darman said she met Gibbons after joining her school’s tutoring program at the beginning of the school year. This year is her first year attending the Please see Games, 7 Evening & weekend hours Dr. Mary Ellen Hoye 15927 S. Bell Rd Homer Glen, IL 60491 (708)301-3444 www.drhoye.com ONLY 3 LEFT! Express 10- Minute And yourWhitening teeth be free of plaque! No Insurance? No problem May your teeth be free of plaque! FINAL OPPORTUNITY HOMER GLE Our open floor plans allow you to customize your home to fit your dreams and desires. 2-story townhomes feature a first floor master along with additional bedrooms. Walk out or look basement included. TOWNHOMES FROM THE MID $400’s Model is located at 14713 Astor Lane, Homer Glen Lockport’s Hannah Borello throws a ball at a target Thursday, March 7, during the Special Games at Lincoln-Way Central. Adam Jomant/22nd Century Media Phone: 630-323-7600 Open Sat. & Sun. 11-4:30 or by appointment.
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