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Crete Gets New Village Clerk and Trustee  Share
Deborah S. Bachert, the new village clerk, and Larry Bellar, Crete's new trustee, were sworn in at the May 11 village board meeting. Retiring Clerk Kathleen A. Wantuch swore-in Bachert, who then administered the oaths of office to Mayor Michael Einhorn, and Trustees Robert Gaines, Mark S. Wiater and Bellar. Trustee Sue Rossi did not run for re-election. All of the candidates ran unopposed. Clerk Wantuch was honored for her many years of service. The Manhattan water tank purchase is moving along. Crete-Monee School District U-201 is okay with the tank being placed on its property. Soil boring tests indicate that the ground can handle the tank and water. Meetings are ongoing with the Village of Manhattan and Pittsburg Tank Company. Financing is being lined up. Mayor Einhorn has been meeting with public and elected officials at the state level and Congresswoman Halvorson to insure Crete is included in the state Capital Bill and the Economic Stimulus Package. The TIF Advisory Board recommended approval of the Edge Coffeehouse Project. Trustee Wallace supports the Edge Coffeehouse in principal but questions whether the Edge Project ''is a conduit for building that has already received TIF benefits to receive more TIF benefits.''
There were discussions about the appropriateness of TIF applications coming from building owners and then applications coming from building tenants. The question was raised about whether current market conditions and a new appraisal support the expenses being allowed? The concern was also raised about the length of time the village should hold on to TIF dollars for a particular project. Staff was instructed to review all TIFs for outstanding balances. Another concern raised was: should TIF dollars be used to raise the market value of a property that was originally purchased at a discount because of the condition of the property? Where do you draw the line betweem using TIF money on blighted/distressed property; or using TIF money to bolster investment risks? The board was introduced to and discussed at length the in-house adjudication process of local ordinances and municipal offenses. These cases now go to Peotone and Joliet and fines assessed don't come to Crete. Municipal Services Inc. (MSI) is the software provider being considered by the village. Trustee Wiater has been the leader on this and says, ''in-house adjudication will give better control over compliance.'' Mayor Einhorn wants to be sure that the costs of this initiative is reasonable, will pay for itself, and bring revenue to the village. MSI may be asked to attend the next village board meeting. Police Chief Paoletti reported on an arrest of someone who was growing and selling cannabis. Cash, cannabis and other drugs were confiscated. The offender said his loss of employment and the worsening economy were the reasons for his illegal activities. The Main Street Association will sponsor a village-wide garage sale with fees going to the association. The next village board meeting, scheduled for Memorial Day, will be moved to May 27 or cancelled. Trustee Wallace proposed establishing a capital account for future village hall improvements. Cornell Hudson is a reporter for Russell Publications.
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