It has been about 5 years since becoming your Will County Representative for District 7.  I sincerely appreciate the opportunity you have given me.  The first several months were more of a learning period than anything.  I needed to understand how the County works behind the scenes in order to pursue goals for Homer and Lockport Townhips.

Once elected, I realized that the sub committees for the County Board are very important and that most of the important decisions are made at the committee level.  Therefore, I felt it was important to have a representative from our District 7 on two committees which effect us most; the Land Use and Zoning Committee, and the Public Works Committee.  At Land Use, we vote to recommend to the entire County Board all zoning and land use matters.  While on the Public Works Committee as Vice Chariman, we vote on all County highway maintenance and improvements.  In October 2002, I was honored with being named the Chairman of Public Works.  Being a first year Commissioner, I was very honored that my fellow board members felt I was capable of this very important job.

Homer and Lockport Townships have a tremendous need for zoning control in our unincorporated areas since many of our County roads run through Homer and Lockport Township.

In January of 2003, I was appointed by the Will County Board to represent us on the Northeasten Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC).  With the incredible growth we are experiencing here in Will County this appointment is very important.  I am honored to be respected enough by the other County Board members to select me as our representative.

In Homer Township, Will County has jurisdiction over Bell Road and 143rd Street.  Bell Road is one of our top priorites and we will be and have been applying for federal and state funds to widen this to four lanes.  In the Fall of 2004, the dangerous intersection of 151st Street and Bell Roadwas imporved 1000' in all directions.  In the future, a temporary stop light signalization will be installed on 143rd street and Golden Oak Drive.  Once this is complete I will be pursuing a stoplight at 143rd and Parker Road.  Will County is also participating with the Village of Homer Glen for a stoplight at 143rd and State (Lemont) Road.  This will not be complete until 2006.  Weber Road in Lockport Township is of high priority.  A phase II study has been completed to interconnect the signalization along Weber.  Sometime in May or June of 2005, the phase III portion of this work will be started with the hopes of having all the stoplights interconnected by the end of 2005.  This will help move traffic more efficiently until we get federal money to do a major expansion.

I will continue to lobby for improvements to our District.  You will really start seeing some major improvements over the next three to five years -- one step at a time.

For over fifty years many of us have driven by the SHADY OAKS CAMP on Parker Road just south of 159th Street in Homer Glen.  Shady Oaks Camp is a special place for persons with Cerebal Palsy and Autism.  This camp enables these special people to interact with others while enjoying the great landscape this forty-acre paradise offers.  Several friends and I have started a special committee to benefit Shady Oaks.  Our goal is to assist in fundraising and the community awareness to spearhead a major capital improvement program for Shady Oaks.  Shady Oaks is in great need of repair and if something isn't done over the next couple of years the camp will be in jeopardy of not opening it's doors for their campers.  If anyone is interested in helping or finding out more please email or call me.