Document

autumn
Construction starts
for new library in Lynwood
A
new Glenwood-Lynwood
Public Library is under
construction at 19901
Stony Island Avenue, just north of
Glenwood-Dyer Road, in Lynwood.
The 19,005-square-foot
building will replace the current
3,800-square-foot library located
in Glenwood.
The present library building
has the least space per capita of
any library in Illinois, and there
is a lack of parking space at the
current location.
The facility’s site in Lynwood
also will be more convenient for
patrons from both communities.
These were major reasons for
building a new library here.
The construction of a larger
library was approved by voters in
a referendum.
Dara Gocheski, assistant
library director, said that
depending on construction
progress the new facility could
be open for patron use in late
summer or early fall of 2008.
The new Glenwood-Lynwood
Public Library will have features
that the current building does
not, such as quiet study rooms,
a community room for programs,
space for a larger collection
and displays, and a computer
Internet lab.
Smiles and ceremonial shovels were the order of the day when
Glenwood-Lynwood Public Library officials and supporters held a
recent ground-breaking ceremony for a new library facility in the
Village of Lynwood.
Mayor Williams serves
on regional committees
M
W
hat housing slump? Construction of new housing
continues throughout Lynwood. In this photo,
workers are busy with the landscaping at a
new residence in Wellington Court, a Montalbano Homes
subdivision at 201st Street and Torrence Avenue. See page 7
for an update about home building in the Village.
ayor Eugene
Williams is serving
on a number of key
South Suburban Mayors and
Managers Association (SSMMA)
committees.
Mayor Williams is the Cook
County At-Large representative
on the Executive Committee of
the SSMMA.
In addition, the mayor
is a member of the
SSMMA’s Legislative and
Intergovernmental Committee
and the Transportation
Committee.
He also represents the
Mayors and Managers
Association on the Workforce
Development Board.
Look inside for the Mayor's Message
www.lynwoodil.us
TORRENCE AVENUE l LYNWOOD, IL
Wellington Court offers 186 luxury
single family homes on 76 acres
with a centrally located park.
Decorated Models Open
Call for Viewing Times
708-418-7365
SALES OFFICE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
MON 12-6 & TUE-SUN 10-6
2
Lynwood Community Update | autumn 2007
Message from Mayor Eugene Williams
V
illage government is
responsible for providing
residents with local
services they expect and deserve.
On a daily basis, Lynwood
municipal employees in the Public
Works, Police, Fire and Building
Departments along with those
working in the Mayor’s and
Village Clerk’s Offices are serving
residents and meeting the various
needs of the community. I believe
that all of the services our Village
provides have a positive impact
on the quality of life that we enjoy
in Lynwood.
As you read through this
edition of our Lynwood newsletter,
you will find other examples
of why our community offers
opportunities for experiencing a
good quality of life. A partial list of
the Village’s quality of life assets
includes:
• New residential development
throughout the community, a
telling sign that families wish to
move into Lynwood.
• A new public library building
with many amenities, now under
construction.
• Improvements in Village
water and sewer infrastructure
and equipment.
• Well-trained and professional
public safety personnel.
• Good schools, proudly
demonstrating student success.
• Well-maintained parks and
Need Rehab Money?
• Our Re-Development Program offers little to
no down payment
• We lend up to 70% after repair
value
• 100% financing available
• Competitive interest rate
• One year term
• No pre-payment penalty
• Interest only payments
• Weekly construction
draws
• Quick closing (about two weeks)
• No so perfect credit? We work closely with you to
improve your credit rating
recreation areas.
• A Senior Citizen Center
offering a variety of activities and
a residential complex exclusively
for senior citizens.
• Activities for our children,
including Little League and other
sports, and programs provided
through our Youth Center.
The Village also is attracting
new businesses and commercial
development. A major commercial
project is planned for the north
end of the community, and we
anticipate additional development
to be generated by the Joe Orr
Road extension project. The
Village has been informed by
Cook County that construction
contracts could be let in 2008 to
extend Joe Orr Road through the
TORRENCE
DISCOUNT
LIQUOR
& DELI
eastern section of Lynwood to
Main Street in Munster, Ind. The
new Joe Orr Road thoroughfare
will provide motorists with a
direct east and west route through
our community. I believe the
extension project will be a catalyst
for additional development and
Joe Orr Road will be an important
commercial corridor here.
I hope that you agree with me
that we are enjoying a very good
quality of life in Lynwood. As
always, if you have suggestions or
comments, please contact me at
708-758-6101.
C’s
JJust
Cutting
Barber Shop
19950 Torrence Ave.
Lynwood, IL
(708) 474-6060
19757 Torrence Ave.
Lynwood, IL 60411
(708) 474-4699
Hours: Tues. thru Sat 9am-7pm
PRIMARY
MORTGAGE CORP.
Call Us Today at 708-743-3395
Ask for Dave
Primary Mortgage Corp.
An Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee
2345 Glenwood-Lansing Road, Lynwood, IL
(708) 895-3032 / Fax (708) 895-0918
24 HOUR Towing Pager (708) 737-9600
Lynwood Community Update | autumn 2007
3
Bettina Grivetti, Youth
Program Director
708-758-7512
Variety of activities at the Youth Center
T
he Lynwood Youth Center
will be offering a new
activity during the winter
months.
Bettina Grivetti, youth
program director, said the Center
will provide youngsters an
opportunity to build their own
remote control (R/C) cars. An
interest in the remote car hobby
has increased since the Lynwood
R/C Dragway this year began
attracting remote control car
enthusiasts to its track just south
of the Ho Chunk Sports and Expo
Center on Stony Island Avenue.
The Youth Center is open
in the late afternoons Monday
through Friday. Grivetti said
the Center will be open during
daytime hours when children have
school holidays. The Center has
computers, video games, arcade
style games, air hockey and
other activities for youth. Also,
homework help is provided daily
during 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
sessions. The fee is $5 per session.
A Tae Kwon Do martial arts
instruction program is offered on
Fridays at the Youth Center. Tae
Kwon Do beginner classes start at
Christina Doran (left) and Courtney
Uza hold up fan rally signs while
rooting for the White Sox at U.S.
Cellular Field in Chicago. The
youngsters were part of a group
outing to a recent White Sox
baseball game. The outing was
sponsored by the Village through
the Lynwood Youth Center.
5
OFF
$
Oil Change
w/this ad
CHILDCARE
Monday
to Friday
5:30 am
to 6:00 pm
Accepting
enrollment now
Government
assistance
accepted
• State/City Licensed
• CPR & First Aid Certified
• Before and After School
Programs
• Full-Time Program
• Educational Activities
• Computer Activities
• Affordable Rates
• Nutritional Meals/Snacks
• And More
LYNWOOD, IL
(Near the Expressway)
(708)-757-4299
A martial arts competition takes place
at a New Beginnings Tournament
held recently at the Ho Chunk Sports
and Expo Center. More than 200
competitors from youth through adult
participated in the annual martial arts
disciplines event, sponsored by Dion
and Susan Strowhorn of Lynwood.
Dion Strowhorn Sr. is the instructor
for the Tae Kwon Do program offered
at the Youth Center.
6:30 p.m. and intermediate classes
start at 7:30 p.m. The fee for
lessons is $60 per month.
Residents may phone 708-7587512 for more information about
Youth Center activities.
New zoning board member
L
ee Hurston is
sworn in as a
new Lynwood
Zoning Board
member. Officiating
is Penny Zarris,
Village deputy clerk.
The newest member serves on
the Zoning Board with Chairman
Bob Westfall and fellow Board
members Greg
Callaway, Carniel
Carter, McKinley
Dillingham, Tom
Skoglund and
James Smith. The
Zoning Board meets
at 7 p.m. on the first Monday
of the month at the Village
Municipal Building.
Your Dream Home is Out There
is Here to Help You Find It
And Sell Your Current Home Too!
LYNWOOD TIRE
CENTER, INC.
2390 Glenwood-Dyer Road
Lynwood, IL
708.474.2070
fax 708.474.9952
Monday–Friday 7:30-5:30
• BOWLING
• GAME ROOM
• LOUNGE
• SNACK BAR
• AUTOMATIC SCORING
Louis Jamison
Broker / Owner
2581 Glenwood/Lansing Road,
Lynwood, IL • (708) 895-6633
4
Lynwood Community Update | autumn 2007
19962 Torrence Avenue, Lynwood, IL
(708) 889-1500
louis_jamison@yahoo.com
cell: (708) 826-5022
fax: (708) 889-2930
Bulletins from the
Lynwood Police Department
Police Chief David S. Palmer
708-758-6100
VEHICLE BREAK-INS
TINTED PLATES, WINDOWS
LIGHT TIMER ADVICE
The Police Department has
been receiving numerous reports
of vehicle break-ins. Recently there
were 12 break-ins in a one-week
period. More than one-half of the
crimes occurred when vehicles
were left unlocked, easy targets
for thieves. Police warn residents
to lock their vehicles and not leave
valuable articles in them.
Illinois law does not permit
tinted vehicle license plate covers
that obscure the state plate. Also
illegal are tinted driver and front
passenger side windows on a
vehicle. The Police Department
will issue a citation to an owner
of a vehicle in violation of these
state laws.
The Police Department
recommends that residents
use electric light timers in their
homes, especially at this time of
year with its early sunsets. Timers
should be set to turn on lights at
dusk to make a residence appear
occupied. "Darkness is a friend of
burglars," police officials warn.
Dive Team News
L
ynwood hosted its seventh
Dive Team Challenge
competition in September
in the pond at Liberty Memorial
Park on Glenwood-Dyer Road.
More than 120 divers from 21 fire
departments, including participants
It’s Just So Easy!
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from other states, were involved
in the event. Divers competed in
simulated emergency situations
such as rescuing victims trapped
underwater in a plane and in a car
and recovering crime evidence
from the pond. A team of divers
that included Lynwood Dive
Team members won first place
in the event. The photo display
shows divers conducting a rescue
operation on a plane that had
been submerged in the lake and
a closeup of a diver in full gear.
Lynwood Public Safety Director
Rich Eriks, who serves as the
Village's Dive Team leader, said
the Dive Team conducts regular
training sessions to be prepared
for underwater emergencies.
J
eff Hinkens, a Lynwood Fire
Department captain and a
member of the Village Dive
Team, continues to be in contact
with a little girl who was the
subject of a massive river search
in June.
Hinkens was a member of
a divers rescue team looking
for the girl who was missing
after a swimming accident in
the Kankakee River. Hinkens
spotted the child emerge from
the woods after the body of her
grandfather, who drowned in the
river, was recovered.
Patrolman Michael Mears and
Arras, a German shepherd, are the
Police Department’s new canine
team. Officer Mears and Arras
recently completed canine training
school and are assigned to patrol
duty in the Village. The police dog
will be used to track suspects,
search buildings, detect narcotics
and in crowd control operations.
Mears has been with the police
force for four years. Arras is new
to the Police Department.
Sgt. Denis Tatgenhorst was
honored at a recent Lynwood
Village Board meeting for his
30 years of service to the Police
Department. Tatgenhorst,
accompanied by his wife Denise,
holds the trophy that was
presented to him by Police Chief
David S. Palmer. Also recognized
at the Board meeting was Sgt.
Tim Smith, who received a plaque
for his 21 years of service with the
Police Department.
"I ran up to her and asked
her what her name was, and she
answered ‘Hannah’," Hinkens
said. The girl was five-year-old
Hannah Klamecki, who rescuers
had feared had drowned along
with her grandfather. "That
moment will be in my heart
forever," Hinkens said about
seeing the girl alive. The child
had survived two days alone in
the woods.
Since June, Hinkens has
visited with Hannah and her
family and has received phone
calls and mail from her.
Lynwood Community Update | autumn 2007
5
Helpful tips from
the Public Works Department
YARD WASTE & BRANCH
PICKUP SERVICES
The yard waste and branch
pickup services provided by the
Public Works Department and
Homewood Disposal Company
will end Thursday, November 29.
No yard waste will be collected
after that date. If residents have
additional yard waste after
November 29, it will have to be
stored for pickup in the spring.
MAILBOX MAINTENANCE
The Public Works Department is
NOT responsible for a mailbox that
was knocked down or damaged
due to normal winter snow
plowing or due to snow being
pushed or thrown into them. The
Department recommends that
residents inspect their mailboxes
for rotted wood and/or damaged
steel and properly repair and
secure the mailboxes. Mailboxes
held together with screws in
rotted wood or rusted out metal,
or with bungee cords, wire and
tape, are not secure. Please make
all necessary repairs now to avoid
inconvenience during winter
months. Also, make sure that the
mailbox is not hanging over the
curb into the street.
UTILITY UPGRADE WORK
NEARING COMPLETION
Projects to upgrade the
Village's sanitary sewer and water
systems are continuing and are
expected to be completed soon.
The improvement project for
the Village’s sanitary lift station
includes new sanitary main
construction, new and more
efficient motors and a backup
generator to better protect
residents in the event of an
electrical power outage.
Water pump station
improvements include a new
water line connection to the
The newest members of the
Village Board of Trustees, Tim
Dunlap and Susan Strowhorn,
review a map of waterways
that impact Lynwood. Trustees
Dunlap and Strowhorn were
voted into office in the spring
municipal election. They took
the seats of William Lebeter and
William Ryan, who did not seek
re-election to the Village Board.
Village of Lansing, which will be
Lynwood's new supplier of water
when the project is completed.
Additional pump station upgrades
include a new power supply, a
backup generator, variable speed
motors, an additional pump that
will increase pumping capacity,
chlorine room improvements and
a new computer system to better
control and monitor the entire
operation. These improvements
will greatly increase both water
supply and emergency response
capabilities.
RADIO SIGNAL METER
READER INSTALLATION
Water Department employees
are continuing work to install new
radio signal water meter reading
devices. With the installation, the
Water Department will be able
to read meters by driving down
streets and receiving a radio
signal from each water meter.
In most cases the installation
can be completed from the
outside of a home or business
place by attaching the new device
to an existing touch pad. However,
the Water Department may need
access to an interior meter. In
those cases, a home or business
owner will be notified in writing
that an appointment for entry
is required. Once the process is
Robert Myers,
Director of Public Works
708-758-8434
completed, the Village will be able
to read meters faster and establish
a regular monthly billing cycle
instead of bimonthly bills.
DOG WALKING WARNING
The Village will begin enforcing
ordinances that require residents
who walk their dogs in or around
parks to immediately clean up
after their pets.
Warning signs concerning this
issue are posted. The Village is
receiving numerous complaints
about dog waste in parks and
along park walking paths.
Residents will be asked to
show proof of cleanup materials if
they are found walking dogs in or
around Village parks. Please help us
keep our parks clean for all to enjoy.
STREET PARKING
PROHIBITED AFTER
TWO-INCH SNOWFALL
Village ordinance does not
permit parking on Village streets
during the hours of 2 to 6 a.m.
daily. When there is a snowfall of
two inches or more, the following
additional parking restrictions are
in effect: Parking on streets any
time there is such a snowfall and
during the subsequent plowing
process is prohibited. No parking
is allowed until the streets are
cleaned of snow.
Be a solution to water pollution
T
he Village requests that
all residents do their part
to reduce contaminants
entering the storm system
and eventually our
community’s lakes,
ponds and streams.
Each year in the
U.S. millions of
gallons of used motor
oil are disposed of
6
Lynwood Community Update | autumn 2007
improperly by being spilled or
poured on the ground or directly
down storm drains.
Did you know that one
pint of oil can cause an
oil slick that will cover the
area the size of a football
field? Low concentrations
of other vehicle fluids can
cause substantial damage to
waterways by first leaking
onto driveways or streets. The
next time you are working under
the hood of your vehicle follow
these simple "Be a Solution to
Water Pollution" suggestions:
• Inspect and maintain your
car regularly to prevent leaks.
• Take motor oil, antifreeze
and other fluids to designated
collection areas.
• Use sawdust, oil dry or kitty
litter to clean up leaks and spills.
Never hose down spills into
streets.
• Don’t dump oil or antifreeze
in the streets or any drains.
• Service cars regularly to
prevent leaks.
• Contact the Village if you
see anyone dumping anything
into any storm drains.
No slump in home building in Lynwood
D
evelopers continue to
find that Lynwood is an
attractive community for
new housing construction.
The photo display on this page
shows new homes sprouting up
throughout the Village.
Recent residential development
is occurring in these subdivisions: Excalibur Estates model home
• Spring Meadows, a singlefamily home subdivision on the
west side of Torrence Avenue
south of Glenwood-Lansing Road.
• The Meadows of Lynwood,
a major residential project that
includes single-family homes,
condominiums and town houses.
The subdivision is located
on Burnham Avenue north of
Glenwood-Dyer Road.
• Excalibur Estates, an upscale Spring Meadows residence
single-family development west of
Burnham Avenue between 198th
and 201st Streets.
Meadows of Lynwood
single-family homes
A ground-breaking ceremony was held October 6 for the Timber
Ridge condominium development, part of the Meadows of Lynwood
residential project at 20913 South Burnham Avenue. Village officials
along with representatives of developer RJR Construction and
Development LLC, and Van Witz Real Estate Services, Inc., participated
in the ground breaking.
Recognized for Offering you Excellence.
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19960 Torrence Avenue
Lynwood, IL 60411
(708) 474-2055
dmalcom@amfam.com
American Family Mutual Insurance Company and its Subsidiaries
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Lynwood Community Update | autumn 2007
7
Senior
Citizen Center
Village of
Lynwood
21460 Lincoln Highway
Lynwood, Illinois 60411
Mayor
Eugene Williams
Clerk
Roy Valle
Trustees
Robert Carducci
Tim Dunlap
Irv Nicholson
Willie Sims
Rich Stephens
Susan Strowhorn
S
enior residents are
invited to enjoy relaxing
activities, socializing
and fitness workouts at the
Village’s Senior Citizen Center.
Philip Mascarello, seniors
program director, said the
facility is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday through Friday. "The
Center is a comfortable place to
have some fun with other senior
citizens," Mascarello said.
"And, we serve free rolls,
coffee and soft drinks," he said.
The Senior Citizen Center
has a 65-inch big screen
television set, a pocket billiards
Directory
Village Clerk . . . . . . . . . . 758-6101
Fire Department
Nonemergency . . . . . . . . 758-6102
Building Department . . . 758-6380
Public Works . . . . . . . . . . 758-8434
Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1-1
Village Web site
www.lynwoodil.us
Village Clerk’s Office hours:
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday
Cook County Sheriff
Thomas J. Dart
(standing on right in the
background) presents
his Senior Citizen Law
Enforcement Academy
at the Lynwood Senior
Citizen Center. The Village
hosted the six-session
Academy program this
past summer.
table, a juke box that plays
dance music and exercise
equipment.
Activities include
bunco games, free movies
and programs such as the
recent Senior Citizen Law
Enforcement Academy.
The Senior Citizen Center
is located at 21460 Lincoln
Highway just south of the
Lynwood Municipal Center.
The phone number is 708758-7512.
Young ‘astronauts’ at space camp
Mayor’s Office . . . . . . . . 758-6101
Police Department
Nonemergency . . . . . . . . 758-6100
Philip Mascarello,
Seniors Program Director
708-758-7512
T
hree Sandridge School
students spent a week
this past summer
participating in the Space Camp
Astronaut Training Program
at the U.S. Space and Rocket
Center in Huntsville, Ala.
The students, Skye
McNutt, John Powers and
Abigail Ramey, were awarded
scholarships to attend Space
Camp based on teacher
recommendations, essays they
wrote about space exploration,
interviews and performance in
Sandridge students Skye
McNutt, John Powers and
Abigail Ramey in their Space
Camp uniforms.
six Space Explorers Summer
Camp sessions offered at the
University of Illinois Extension
ECRWSS
Village of Lynwood, IL
Incorporated in 1959: 48 years of progress
facility in Matteson.
Dr. Leilah McNabb, science
educator with the Extension
program, said that the
youngsters were involved in
hands-on learning activities that
simulated space exploration
while at the Space Camp in
Alabama. The students were
involved in daily astronaut
missions such as shuttle craft
control. They also had the
opportunity to experience a
simulation of walking on the
Moon and the forces of gravity.
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Lynwood, IL 60411
The Lynwood Community Update is circulated quarterly to all residents and businesses in the Village of Lynwood, Illinois. Comments or questions can be directed to:
Lynwood Community Update Editorial Staff - 21460 Lincoln Highway - Lynwood, Illinois 60411
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