Illinois Trails

Fwd: Special Open House & Evening Meeting on 2/14?

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:15:19 PST

You are welcome to pass along and/or publish my email below about the bad decision (or clever decision if they want to lower attendance) to have a special evening meeting and open house for the DuPage County Forest Preserve District on the evening of Valentine's Day.

If you agree or just want to send your Valentine Day wishes to the Commissioners and President of the DCFPD send them to their general email address box at forest@dupageforest.com or call them at phone #: (630) 933-7200.

And I hope everyone has a sweet Valentine's Day!

Don Kirchenberg
mobile 630-853-7650
Don't forget the annual all volunteer trails cleanup will be on Saturday, April 28th RAIN or SHINE!
> Info about the Great Western Trails is available at the following webpage: http://www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com/

-----Original Message-----
From: frndsgrtwstntrl <frndsgrtwstntrl@aol.com>
To: linda <linda@lindapainter.com>
Sent: Mon, Feb 13, 2012 5:48 pm
Subject: Re: Special Open House & Evening Meeting on 2/14?

Commissioner Painter

Thank you for the email and your regular email news blasts about the forest preserves in DuPage County. I would like to continue to receive your email news even after I make the following comments...

The Commissioners and President of the DuPage County Forest Preserve district has decided to have the special evening meeting and open house for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County on Valentine's day evening? Isn't that a bad date of all the dates during the year you could possibly meet on? I think it is a bad date because traditionally most folks try to spend some time together with the ones they love on 2/14.

I love the forest preserves and love the time I spend in them or trying to protect them but with all due respect the DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioners and President aren't on the top of my list ( I am being nice here) of the people I plan to be with on Valentine's Day. Hopefully you can repeat this event. And when the Commissioners decide to begin taping and rebroadcasting your meetings on the web and cable tv we can get many more people informed and hopefully involved.

Don Kirchenberg
mobile 630-853-7650
> Info about the Great Western Trails is available at the following webpage: http://www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com/

> Join us on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=69&sfxp=1&c1=3&c2=45

> We need safer roadways in our communities. See the webpage for all volunteer group Safe Roadways for more info. go to the SafeRoadways webpage http://saferoadways.net/

-----Original Message-----
From: linda <linda@lindapainter.com>
To: linda <linda@lindapainter.com>
Sent: Mon, Feb 13, 2012 12:02 am
Subject: Special Evening Meeting

From the Desk of Linda Painter . . .

I am informing you about an open house, Tues. Feb. 14 at 6:00 p.m., at the Forest Preserve Headquarters. Recently the financial department has determined that the Forest Preserve District could save a substantial amount of money by refinancing some of its bonds. At the open house, there will be information provided on special projects at two of the forest preserve facilities. There have been several suggestions as to how to fund these projects through the proposed refinancing of bonds and possibly adding additional dollars through the refinancing process. You are invited to view the projects and the proposed funding of them. Following the open house, there will be time for public comment during our planning meeting. See the NEWS RELEASE below for more details. You are welcome to email me your comments. If you would like your comments to be included in the public record, please specify that in your note with your name and address, and I will submit them.

NEWS RELEASE
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's Board of Commissioners invites the public to a special open house and planning session on Feb. 14 at the District's headquarters building within Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton at 3S580 Naperville Road.

Beginning at 6 p.m., staff members will showcase recently approved master plans for Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn and St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville. Developments at these locations will provide improved visitor access, additional amenities and, at Willowbrook, much-needed enhancements to animal-rehabilitation facilities. The public will also learn about a nonreferendum bond issuance to refinance debt that may also fund work at the two facilities.

The board's planning session will then begin at 7 p.m. and will include staff reports, the opportunity for public comment and discussion of upcoming initiatives.

According to Forest Preserve District President D. "Dewey" Pierotti Jr., "The public is always welcome at meetings of the Board of Commissioners, and this special evening session will provide a great opportunity for residents to review two master plans, ask questions on planned developments and gain insight to our proactive financial management."

Good things happen when you explore nature at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's 60 forest preserves and five education facilities. For information on ways to experience conservation, education and recreation in your neck of the woods, call 630-933-7200, or visit www.dupageforest.org.

Linda Painter
DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner

linda@lindapainter.com

P.S. For those of you on Facebook & Twitter, I am posting updates and info on both sites. Look me up, follow & friend request me, and stay informed.

NOTE: I respect your privacy. If you would like to opt out of this mailing list please click here and send a blank email and I will honor your request

About Linda | Contact Me

Trail funding stopped by Congress!

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:05:09 PST

TRAIL FUNDING STOPPED in Congress!

Unfortunately, by a vote of 27 to 29, the first week of February 2012 the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted down the bipartisan Petri/Johnson/Lipinski amendment that would have fixed many of the deficiencies in the House transportation bill, particularly as they relate to the Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School programs. The amendment would have also restored eligibility of rail-trails.

But all is not lost. The many thousands of you who contacted your representatives during the past few days about this amendment made a strong and powerful statement that Americans from all across the country want, need and deserve more trails and walking and bicycling opportunities.

See how your representative voted now. Click here: http://support.railstotrails.org/site/PageServer?pagename=20120202_Petri_amdt_vote_results&autologin=true&AddInterest=1481

Consider contacting your Representatives in the House and Senators about restoring support for the trails and safe roads for everyone! Get their conatct info here: http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByAddress.aspx

Thank you again for all of your actions, time and energy!

You are encouraged to pass along this email. Don't forget the all volunteer trails cleanup is Sat. 4/28 rain or shine!

Don Kirchenberg Voluntary Chairman

Friends of the Great Western Trails
mobile 630-853-7650

> Info about the Great Western Trails is available at the following webpage: http://www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com/

No federal grants equals unsafe roads for walkers, bike riders and everyone else

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:08:32 PST

Since 1991 Federal grants have helped the trails with safety projects like the new bridges on the GWT in Lombard that will benefit the entire community. The Federal government is now considering a budget plan with no more support for walking, bicycling and trail improvements.

Here is the info from the League of IL Bicyclists. Please act on it and PASS IT ON!

Dear LIB members and others,

2 minutes of your time is needed – please help!

... Since 1991, Congress has dedicated a tiny fraction of federal transportation spending to bicycling and walking, providing a needed bit of balance. This has funded most of our new trails and bikeways over that time (partial Illinois listing here).

The US House has just introduced a new multiyear transportation bill completely eliminating this funding! We're part of a national push to restore it in a committee amendment next week.

Please leave a quick phone message with your US Representative's office (by Tuesday). Reps. Hultgren, Johnson, Costello and Lipinski are on the committee. If one is your Representative, ask for a Yes vote on the amendment to preserve dedicated funding for bicycling and walking in the transportation bill. Otherwise, ask your Representative to contact the four on the committee in support of the amendment.

Another option: an editable email letter and more details are here. (If needed, also click there to learn who is your Representative.)

Thank you!
Ed Barsotti, LIB

US Reps' phone numbers:
Biggert 202-225-3515
Costello 202-225-5661
Davis 202-225-5006
Dold 202-225-4835
Gutierrez 202-225-8203
Hultgren 202-225-2976
Jackson 202-225-0773
Johnson 202-225-2371
Kinzinger 202-225-3635
Lipinski 202-225-5701
Manzullo 202-225-5676
Quigley 202-225-4061
Roskam 202-225-4561
Rush 202-225-4372
Schakowsky 202-225-2111
Schilling 202-225-5905
Schock 202-225-6201
Shimkus 202-225-5271
Walsh 202-225-3711

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PASS ALONG THIS MESSAGE. Thanks!

Don Kirchenberg

Voluntary Chairman, Friends of the Great Western Trails
630-853-7650 Mobile
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com
Join us on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=69&sfxp=1&c1=3&c2=45

14 Pictures From Autumn In Plainfield, 2004

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:06:40 PDT

DuPage River at Eaton Preserve

Heritage Meadows at 119th & Rte 59

Eaton Preserve

Heritage Meadows at 119th & Rte 59

Eaton Preserve

Heritage Meadows at 119th & Rte 59

Eaton Preserve

Heritage Meadows at 119th & Rte 59

Eaton Preserve

Fwd: Pedestrian from Glen Ellyn hit by truck on North Ave. in Glendale Heights

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 11:35:21 PST

Dan see the email below and attached one page flyer about a very dangerous problem related to safe roads and access to the nearby Great Western Trail.

Don Kirchenberg
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com
Join us on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=69&sfxp=1&c1=3&c2=45

From: SAFERoadways@aol.com
BCC: FrndsGrtWstnTrl@aol.com
Sent: 11/10/2010 5:51:24 P.M. Central Standard Time
Subj: Pedestrian from Glen Ellyn hit by truck on North Ave. in Glendale Heights

Pedestrian from Glen Ellyn hit by truck on North Ave. in Glendale Heights and is now in critical condition.

Here is the news article: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101110/news/711119895/

Pedestrians should but don't have to wear reflective clothing. We need crosswalks. Without crosswalks people try to cross where ever they can which makes the roads more dangerous for everyone. At Bloomingdale Rd. sidewalks lead up to North Ave but there are no crosswalks. People have to walk or ride a bicycle when they cannot afford a car or second vehicle to get to work, buy groceries at Valle Produce or pickup prescriptions at CVS. With multiple turn lanes North Ave is now expanded up to 9 lanes wide and there are coordinated turn sequencing lights which endangers pedestrians and bicycle riders every day.

Contact your local officials and county board members asking them to get crosswalks added to the intersection at Bloomingdale Rd and North Ave.

Many more intersections east and west of Glendale Heights need crosswalks along North Ave too. Get more info at www.saferoadways.net Click here to get the names and contact info. for all your elected representatives at the website for the IL Board of Elections: http://www.elections.state.il.us/DLS/Pages/DLSAddressCrit.asp

GO TO THE ATTACHED ONE PAGE FLYER for more information.

a clean creek after the 10/10/10 Global Work Day

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:31:46 PDT

The photo is of a clean creek with only leaves in the water after the cleanup on 10/10/10 for 350.org's Global Work Party sponsored by Ben Lowe and the Friends of the Great Western Trails.

At the beginning of the day on 10/10 this section of the creek had 22 tires, a dishwasher, one large tank and too much trash. As of 10/12/10 it was still clean!

The creek parallels the Great Western Trail in Carol Stream, IL. This section is close to the intersection of Mantle and Burns. Special thanks to Ben Lowe for his support and to Jeremy Burke for extra help with hauling out the trash.

Feel free to pass along this message.

Don Kirchenberg
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com
Join us on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=69&sfxp=1&c1=3&c2=45

Press Release/Letter to the Editor

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:03:41 PDT

Press Release/Letter to the Editor: For Immediate Release, October 11, 2010

Bob Mueller, the Green Party candidate for Illinois State Representative in the 47^th District continues to support the community's ongoing efforts to protect the trees and trails from Com Ed's tree butchering and spraying of herbicides.

"As a state representative, I would work to make the Illinois Commerce Commission - (ICC) – enforce their regulations that require the healthy trimming of trees by Com Ed and all its contractors. The maintenance performed by Com Ed and its contractors damage and kill trees on and along private property and on the taxpayer-owned trails in DuPage County. The Governor and our current representation in the state legislature have failed to act to protect our public areas" stated Bob Mueller.

Bob Mueller continues "The ICC has failed to respond ...

See the attached one page press release for further information. Please call me at 630-280-0546 with any questions.

--
Bob Mueller

DuPage County Green Party Political Director

Green Party Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 47
www.votemueller.org

Westmont, IL 60559

630-280-0546

Fwd: Today is International walk to school day

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:13:17 PDT

See the info in the email below and at the website for the SafeRoadways group www.saferoadways.net

We need safer roads to get around including to/from the trails without having to get behind a steering wheel.

Don Kirchenberg
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com
>>> Join us on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=69&sfxp=1&c1=3&c2=45

From: SAFERoadways@aol.com
BCC: FrndsGrtWstnTrl@aol.com
Sent: 10/6/2010 2:03:53 P.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: Today is International walk to school day

Today 10/6 is International walk to school day http://www.walktoschool-usa.org/ and there is a lot to do to make that walk a safe one. Get more information at our website: www.saferoadways.net Please pass along this information and see the opportunities below FYI.

#2 Last minute reminder:

You can still register for either of the two free, half-day workshops on "How to Apply" for Safe Routes to School funds in Illinois (information below). Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funds help communities put infrastructure and programs in place to facilitate walking and cycling to school. SRTS projects and programs are typically funded without local matching funds required.

The Illinois SRTS program has just issued a call for projects, and school travel plans (required for SRTS funding) and project applications are due by November 12 and December 15, 2010, respectively.

The workshops will be conducted by Megan Holt Swanson (IDOT SRTS Coordinator) and will start with a one-hour mini-workshop on the "5 Es" of Safe Routes to School (engineering, encouragement, education, enforcement, and evaluation). Following the "5 Es" presentation, Megan will go through (1) step-by-step instructions for the development of the school travel plans (required for SRTS funding), (2) step-by-step instructions for the application for funding, (3) best practices, and (4) next steps for potential applicants. The workshop will end with a Q-and-A session. IDOT District 1 staff will also be on hand to answer questions with Ms. Holt Swanson.

If you are interested in applying for Safe Routes to School funding, please attend. Here are the workshop times, dates, and locations:

October 7, 2010 from 12:45 to 4:30 at the Bolingbrook Town Center, 375 W Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, Illinois

October 8, 2010, from 8:45 to 12:30 p.m. at CMAP, 233 S Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, Illinois

The workshops are free, but registration is required. To register today, visit http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/SafeRoutesRegistration.aspx .

Hope to see you there!

___________________________________________

#3 Also, please join CMAP and our friends and partners for the official launch of the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan!

This very special event will mark the beginning of the all-important implementation phase of the GO TO 2040 plan and will take place 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 13, 2010, at the Harris Theater's Rooftop Terrace in Millennium Park. Earlier that day, the CMAP Board and MPO Policy Committee will vote on adoption of the plan. This event will be to thank and inspire all who have participated in GO TO 2040to date and who will now help CMAP to lead its implementation.

Please RSVP via the web or by phone 312-676-7459.

For more information on the plan, visit the GO TO 2040 website

___________________________________________________

This email and information is being provided to you by Safe Roadways.
Safe Roadways is an all volunteer group promoting safe roadways for all users including pedestrians and bicycle riders.
Get more info here www.saferoadways.net

Special Environmental Presentation on Tues. 10/5 and Action Day on Sun. 10/10

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 13:37:20 PDT

This Tuesday there will be a presentation about...
How Can Politics Rise to the Environmental Challenges Before Us?
Featuring: Dr. Fred Van Dyke
Followed by Q&A with local environmental leaders

Do you care about the health of our planet? Frustrated at the political gridlock that keeps good clean energy legislation from passing year after year? Interested in exploring solutions to move us forward?

Then bring your friends and join us and other local environmental leaders for an evening of discussion and action in collaboration with 350.org's Global Work Party. Congressional Candidate Ben Lowe will be present and there will be information on local environmental efforts, along with light refreshments.
When: Tuesday, October 5, 7-8:30pm
Where: 26 N Park Ave, Lombard, IL
1 block west of Main St and 1 block north of St Charles Rd
and only 1 block north of Lombard's Metra station

Who: It is free to attend and ALL are WELCOME.
_____________________________________________________
And in honor of 350.org's Global Work Party there will be an Environmental Work Day on Sunday 10/10/10 at 2PM at the Great Western Trail in Carol Stream, IL.
Volunteers are needed for the trail cleanup.
Garbage bags will be provided. Please bring work gloves because some litter has sharp edges. Wagons or carts to help move the filled bags would be appreciated.
The Great Western Trail at Schmale Rd in Carol Stream, IL parallels North Ave to the south by approximately 1/2 mile.
Parking is available east of Schmale on Burns Street in Carol Stream, IL.
For more information on the Great Western Trails and ongoing efforts to protect them go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com For more information about Ben Lowe and his campaign for Congress go to www.loweforcongress.com

All are welcome to join us!

For more info about the Environmental Action Day please contact Don Kirchenberg, Voluntary Chairman Friends of the Great Western Trails email frndsgrtwstntrl@aol.com mobile 630-853-7650

Please pass along this email and the attached one page flyer.

Get more information on efforts to protect our trees, trails and trail users including the wildlife at these sites on the web:

important safety project needed along the GWT

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 10:56:51 PDT

3 Pedestrian bridges needed along the GWT

Get the news here http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/willowbrook/newsnow/x723436016/Three-pedestrian-bridges-to-be-built-on-Great-Western-Trail

As Lombard's Mayor Mueller says in the article "When the Great Western Trail
reaches Lombard, it has a spot that becomes very dangerous," We agree!

Thank you again to the Village of Lombard for their support of this important safety
improvement for the trail users, pedestrians traveling north south through Lombard
and the thousands of folks that use the upgraded community water park along the
GWT on the south side of the tracks and St Charles Rd.

Please thank Mr. Bill Mueller the Village President of Lombard who has always
been quick to follow-up on trail concerns for his support of the GWT bridge project.
Contact him at email address: muellerw@villageoflombard.org

To ensure this project is completed we need your emails to support this project.

Keep updated on the trails at website www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com

__________________________________________________________________________________

See the attached one page word doc for info about this important trail safety improvement project. Feel free to distribute it and include it in news articles, websites, blogs, etc.

Remember to ensure this project is completed we need your emails to support this project.

Don Kirchenberg

Voluntary Chairman

Friends of the Great Western Trails
630-853-7650 Mobile
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com
Join us on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=69&sfxp=1&c1=3&c2=45

Navistar news and a DuPage update

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 09:38:00 PDT

While Navistar has been suspiciously silent here in DuPage there continues to be news about their activities in Fort Wayne, IN. Click here: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=402206

Note the heavy industrial diesel engine testing they do in Fort Wayne was what they have wanted (and have not canceled their deal with Lucent) to bring to Lisle next to homes for thousands, a school for children and beautiful forest preserve. Remember Navistar has not canceled their deal with Lucent or the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Their plans are still on to "steal 4 acres of our forest preserves" in a first time ever deal to have our forest preserve land taken away for commercial enterprise.

Go to this site http://www.citizensforhealthydevelopment.org/ to be kept abreast of the latest news regarding Navistar's terrible plans for DuPage County.

Please note my comments above are independent of the hard working group Citizens for Healthy Development but I certainly support all their efforts.

You are encouraged to pass along this email.

Don Kirchenberg
630-853-7650 Mobile
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com
Join us on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=69&sfxp=1&c1=3&c2=45

Thank you to the citizens that stopped the bad project in the wrong place.

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:00:27 PDT

May 27, 2010

Letter to the editor

The concerned citizens from all around DuPage County that spoke up to stop the giveaway of 4 acres of our forest preserve land along with an uncapped number of heavy industrial diesel engines running 24/7 365 days a year next to a school for children with autism and the homes of thousands should be applauded.

Navistar wanted and got a beautiful building and corporate campus for 1/3 of the asking price, a recently approved 43 Million dollar tax break (called EDGE credits) from the state and a planned TIF (property tax break) worth an estimated 100 Million dollars and that wasn't good enough? I think they pulled out of this great deal because they just did not want to testify under oath at the meetings that were to start this week about the number of jobs and exact operations they planned at this site.

Navistar has continued to take multi Million dollar tax breaks from communities across North America and leave them with polluted sites the communities are left to cleanup - if they can. I'll bet anyone that Navistar's next step is to begin to ask for millions of our tax dollars from Warrenville and DuPage County to stay at their offices on Winfield Rd.

Don Kirchenberg

Mobile 630-853-7650

247 E Lincoln Ave., Glendale Hts, IL 60139

Check out info. on the trails at www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com

Feel free to pass along this email or the single one page attachment.

Don Kirchenberg
630-853-7650 Mobile
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com
Join us on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=69&sfxp=1&c1=3&c2=45

Meeting 6/9 at 7PM in the City of Wheaton for trail users and bicycle riders

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Wed, 19 May 2010 18:37:47 PDT

All bicycle riders and trail users that travel in and through the City of Wheaton should attend a mtg. on 6/9 at 7PM to help create Wheaton's bike plan.

WHEATON, Ill. – Wheaton officials want to hear what you think would make your community more bicycle-friendly. Attend a public meeting at 7 p.m. June 9 in the Gamon Room of City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St., to tell them where you are already biking and where you wish you could bike.

City officials are particularly interested learning about common roads used for cycling in the city and potential bicycling programs that the city could establish.

All Wheaton residents are invited to attend. This is your chance to help shape Wheaton's first bike plan.

Representative from the Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission, various City departments, the Wheaton Park District, DuPage County Forest Preserve District and Community Unit School District 200 have formed a task force to develop the Wheaton Bike Plan.

____________________________________________________________________

For those that can not attend the meeting you are encouraged to contact Mayor Michael Gresk via email at mgresk@wheaton.il.us

____________________________________________________________________

FYI www.saferoadways.net has a lot of good info and links to issues related to the trails and safer travels for folks wanting to travel without having to get behind a steering wheel. Pass it on.

Feel free to pass along this email.

Don Kirchenberg
630-853-7650 Mobile
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com
Join us on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=69&sfxp=1&c1=3&c2=45

Finally - alternatives to Com Ed!

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Fri, 14 May 2010 07:54:58 PDT

IDEA read this article and bookmark it as a favorite site. It is something to pass along to others concerned with Com Ed and its contractor Asplundh. Click here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0516-blue-star--20100516,0,7114543.story

Consider changing to what can be a "better renewable sourced electricity" at competitive rates.

And yes Com Ed would be "delivering the electric power" over the same power lines. But when they lose customers and customers tell them they are leaving because of their "deadly tree management practices" they will get the message and begin to change.

Please note efforts by DuPage County Board member Rita Gonzalez and the Friends of the Great Western Trails are still underway with the IL Commerce Commission to set a real tree maintenance standard that will be enforced for all power companies across IL.

Feel free to pass along this email.

Don Kirchenberg
Voluntary Chairman, Friends of the Great Western Trails
630-853-7650 Mobile
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com
Join us on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=69&sfxp=1&c1=3&c2=45

press release thanking a Boy Scout & Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Mon, 03 May 2010 08:49:18 PDT

The Friends of the Great Western Trails would like to thank Boy Scout Tyler Dugan, his mother Sandy, the 14 volunteers from Troop 34 including Mr. Mike McPherson the Eagle Scout coordinator for a job well done today Saturday. May 1. For Tyler's Eagle Scout project on Bloomingdale Road at the Great Western Trail (GWT) in Glendale Heights, IL they cleaned a section of the GWT, planted a Royal Star Magnolia tree and several Cheddar Pink perennial flowers. In addition, they improved the area by spray painting the trash can, cleaned the vandalism off the wooden bench and stained it. Boy Scout Troop 34 is sponsored by St Michael's Catholic Church in Wheaton, IL and is led by Scoutmaster Dr. Kozeny.

We also want to thank the Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage led by its President Richard Dunn for sponsoring the project and for the generous donation of $250.00 from the Kiwanis. Without the idea, money and support of the Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage we would not have an improved Great Western Trail. Also donating to this project was the Jewel Food Store in Wheaton (at Main and Geneva) and the Home Depot store in Wheaton (on Main Street just north of Geneva). We also had the event photographed by a professional photographer Bonniejean Alford Hinde which was arranged by the Kiwanis Club.

See the attached press release for more information and a couple of photographs.

Don Kirchenberg
630-853-7650 Mobile
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com
Join us on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/search/?o=69&sfxp=1&c1=3&c2=45

Fwd: Thank you to Deputy Kotovsky and the employees of DuPage County's Sheriff's Department

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:50:32 PDT

See the email below and attached letter to the Sheriff of DuPage County about a very dangerous site found during the annual trails cleanup on 4/24/10 along the Great Western Trail.

Please feel free to post it and/or pass it along to anyone in the area that is concerned with the trails, Ackerman Park and the Glen Ellyn/Lombard area.

To continue to protect trail users and the trails we need everyone's continued cooperation to keep both eyes looking for any other illegal activities, structures, etc. As always please be sure to contact the Sheriff's Dept using the 911 emergency number and then let us know what you find. Also advise folks they can call about these problems while remaining anonymous if they wish.

Again thank you for your time and attention to the Great Western and related trails in the area.

Don Kirchenberg

Voluntary Chairman

Friends of the Great Western Trails
mobile 630-853-7650

>Info about the Great Western Trails is available at the following webpage: http://www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com/

-----Original Message-----
From: frndsgrtwstntrl@aol.com
To: sheriff@dupageco.org
Cc: Chairman@dupageco.org; jredick@dupageco.org; dpuchalski@dupageco.org; dolson@dupageco.org; geckhoff@dupageco.org; jmcbride@dupageco.org; forest@dupageforest.com; e.hess.gepd@gmail.com; CAtwell@gepark.org; ctokarski@dupageco.org; thesun@scn1.com; editorial@mysuburbanlife.com; Lombardian@sbcglobal.net; news@dailyherald.com; fencepost@dailyherald.com; news@tribune.com; news@examinerpublications.com; QuestPublishing@aol.com; metro@suntimes.com
Sent: Mon, Apr 26, 2010 5:13 pm
Subject: Thank you to Deputy Kotovsky and the employees of DuPage County's Sheriff's Department

Dear Sheriff Zaruba and employees of the Sheriff's Department:

In the past ten years plus as Voluntary Chairman of the Friends of the Great Western Trails and past President of the IL Prairie Path not-for-profit association I have had the pleasure of working with many different employees of the Sheriff's Department. During these many years working on the annual trail cleanups and many dozens of improvement or restoration projects I have passed along our concerns and thanks from time to time.

On Saturday, 4/24/10 during the annual all volunteer trails cleanup of the Great Western Trail in DuPage County we had another excellent experience working with the Sheriff's office. This experience was excellent because it involved many different employees and major concerns that were solved with one call to your office.

During the annual trail cleanups we have hundreds of volunteers from Villa Park to Sycamore IL but I always go to an area where we have had complaints or know that it will be more difficult to get volunteers to clean. This year I picked the section of the Great Western Trail west of Swift Rd. It has a large natural area on the south and even larger area with transformers and miscellaneous electrical equipment to the north. The East branch of the DuPage River crosses through this section of the trail.

It was at the east side of the East branch of the DuPage River and south of the GWT where we found a large and semi-permanent encampment with furniture (a 3 section sofa, table, BBQ grill, swing & portable toilet), cooking equipment and many damaged trees cut for firewood. Near this area were the remains and trash from two other older and possibly abandoned encampments. As I and another volunteer began to cleanup this area I called the DuPage County Sheriff's Department using the 911 emergency number. The dispatcher (name?) quickly understood the need but that it was not an emergency. She stated that they would send a Deputy to the site. Within a reasonable amount of time Deputy Kotovsky came out to the site along the GWT. He identified the need for additional help in clearing out this large amount of furniture and to fill in the large campfire pit, etc. He then contacted the Sheriff's office knowing that the Sheriff's Work Alternative Program -SWAP unit was out and cleaning another section of the trails in DuPage County. He arranged for this crew to come to the site with a trailer to get everything taken away. As I cleaned along the trails and picked up some additional trash the SWAP unit arrived. Deputy Kotovsky directed the crew where to go. As he walked back to the site he assured me that all the illegally placed furniture, etc would be removed.

Please note what also adds importance to getting this illegal activity stopped is because the encampments are immediately east of Ackerman park of the Glen Ellyn Park District where hundreds of children play soccer and baseball year round.

Now the employees of the Sheriff's Department may say "we were just doing our job." I want to be sure to say it "was a job well done." What also made this experience with Deputy Kotovsky and the Sheriff's Department a pleasant and effective departure from dealing with government agencies in general was that no inefficient government rank and file procedural prerequisites or bureaucratic formalities were required to solving this problem. The Deputy understood the problem, found a solution to it and assured us that it would be corrected. He also volunteered to contact the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and Commonwealth Edison since they may some jurisdictional responsibilities for this area.

I left the site concerned with how this encampment and the surrounding ones further south in the trees could have developed with the amount of furniture, damage to the trees, etc but knowing it was taken care of.

Thank you again to Deputy Kotovsky and all the other employees of the Sheriff's Department along with the SWAP unit participants that solved this big problem and carried all the furniture, etc away from the site.

We always encourage anyone involved with the Friends of the Great Western Trails including trail users and neighbors to contact the Sheriff's Department of DuPage County without hesitation. We want them to call 911 and ask to speak to the Sheriff's Department directly about any concerns related to the trails. The quick response, hard work and cooperation that everyone from the Sheriff's Department but forth on 4/24/10 is one example of why we do.

Sincerely

Don Kirchenberg

Voluntary Chairman

Friends of the Great Western Trails

Email: frndsgrtwstntrl@aol.com Mobile: 630-853-7650

Website: www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com

CC: Chairman's office DuPage County

Members of the DuPage County Board

DuPage County Div. of Transportation

Commissioners and President of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Glen Ellyn Park District

Daily Herald

My Suburban Life newspapers

The Sun newspapers

The Lombardian

Examiner Publications

Quest Publications

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Sun Times

______________________________________________________________
>Info about the Great Western Trails is available at the following webpage: http://www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com/

Fwd: Thank you to Deputy Kotovsky and the employees of DuPage County's Sheriff's Department

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:10:07 PDT

See the email below and attached letter to the Sheriff of DuPage County about a very dangerous site found during the annual trails cleanup on 4/24/10 along the Great Western Trail.

Please feel free to post it and/or pass it along to anyone in the area that is concerned with the trails, Ackerman Park and the Glen Ellyn/Lombard area.

Again thank you for your time and attention to the Great Western and related trails in the area.

Don Kirchenberg

Voluntary Chairman

Friends of the Great Western Trails
mobile 630-853-7650

Info about the Great Western Trails is available at the following webpage: http://www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com/

Dear Sheriff Zaruba and employees of the Sheriff's Department:

Sincerely

Don Kirchenberg

Voluntary Chairman

Friends of the Great Western Trails

Email: frndsgrtwstntrl@aol.com Mobile: 630-853-7650

Website: www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com

CC: Chairman's office DuPage County

Members of the DuPage County Board

DuPage County Div. of Transportation

Commissioners and President of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Glen Ellyn Park District

Daily Herald

My Suburban Life newspapers

The Sun newspapers

The Lombardian

Examiner Publications

Quest Publications

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Sun Times

______________________________________________________________
>Info about the Great Western Trails is available at the following webpage: http://www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com/

Diesel and a forum about our health, environment & taxes

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:44:40 PST

The dangers of diesel exhaust is something we should all know more about. Brian McClure is the host of a weekly radio show and he helps make it an interesting subject: http://www.universalflag.org/radio-shows/A-Call-To-Consciousness02-20-10.html To get more information about Brian's radio show and Universal Flag idea please check out this site: http://www.universalflag.org/av.html

#2 And note that the Citizens for Healthy Development will be having a special forum on this topic and the Navistar project this MONDAY night. It will be held at the library in Lisle. Monday March 1, 2010, 7 – 9 pm, Lisle Library, 777 Front Street, Lisle, IL

The forum will include discussions on the Environmental and Economical Impacts
of Navistar's proposed heavy industrial Diesel Engine & Truck Testing Facility in Lisle, with a focus on
the Increased Property Tax Impact of the recent tax appeal and proposed TIF on
the local taxing bodies.

See the attached and please pass it along.

Don Kirchenberg
630-853-7650 Mobile
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com
The 2010 Annual all volunteer Trails Cleanup will be held on Saturday, 4/24/10 RAIN or SHINE! Email frndsgrtwstntrl@aol.com for more info.

Additional Information For Those Opposed To Navistar Deal

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 05:07:16 PST

Hello friends,

As you know Navistar has been redeveloping their plans for the Lucent/Alcatel site and, according to the Village of Lisle, they should be submitting those plans very soon. After that, the Village will set up a date to resume the planning and zoning hearings.

Until then, you have several opportunities to learn more about how the proposed development will impact you personally.

Please plan to attend:

1. DuPage County Board Meeting
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
7:30 pm

How to get there:
Meetings are located on the 3rd floor of the DuPage Center Administration Building. 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. The easieist way to get there is to park in the garage directly North of the building and go up to the third floor. From there you can walk across the enclosed bridge directly to the meeting room.

Why is this meeting going to be interesting:
With the recent reduction in the assessed value of the Alcatel-Lucent building at 2600 Warrenville Road, School District 203 looses hundreds of thousands of tax dollars annually. This is the first meeting following the re-assesment so there will be lots of concerned citizens who will be speaking out against all things Navistar.

Why you should attend:
To show the DuPage County Board and the press that opposition to Navistar's plan for a Heavy Industrial Diesel Testing facility has not gone away. It has grown.

2. Navistar: Healthy Development?
Community Forum on Increased Property Tax Impact on Citizens

Lisle Public Library, 777 Front Street, Lisle, IL (630‐971‐1675)
Monday, March 1, 2010
7:00 pm

Citizens for Healthy Development is hosting a community forum to inform and discuss the proposed Navistar project in Lisle. The forum will include discussions on the environmental and economical impacts of the proposed Diesel Engine & Truck Facility in Lisle, with a focus on the increased property tax impact of the recent tax appeal and proposed TIF on citizens in Lisle and Naperville School District 203 and the local taxing bodies.

Participating in the forum:

Brian Costin, Illinois Policy Institute in Chicago;
Dr. Amy Sun practicing physician in Park Ridge;
Shawn Collins, Collins Law, LLC of Naperville;
Mark Daniel, Daniel Law Office of Elmhurst;
Terry Pastika, Citizen Advocacy Center, Elmhurst

Hear the latest on Navistar and join in the discussion with our panel of experts.

What you can do NOW!

York Township Democrats Adopt Resolution Opposing Navistar Deal

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:59:23 PST

At our last meeting, on Wednesday 2/17, York Township Democrats passed a resolution in opposition to Navistar. If you are not familiar with Navistar, some details are below.

If you are and are opposed to it, please let the county board members know by attending the next county board meeting:

County Board Meeting
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
DuPage County Board Room
Jack T. Knuepfer Administrative Building
421 N. County Farm Road
7:30 P.M.

Lobbying efforts start at the grass roots level. This our opportunity to make a change!

Carol Davis, York Township Democrats Chair

----------------------

Press Release For Immediate Release February 19, 2010

At the meeting on 2/17/10 the York Township Democratic organization took a position opposing the proposed Navistar heavy industrial diesel engine testing complex that is being supported by $1 Million of our tax dollars from DuPage County, to be built in Lisle, IL at the northeast corner of Naperville and Warrenville Roads.

Carol Davis Chair of the York Township Democratic organization explained that the resolution passed is as follows:

Whereas Navistar proposes to store nearly 160,000 gallons of diesel fuel in an environmentally-sensitive location and near numerous residential domiciles, and there are numerous risks associated with such storage, including large scale loss of life and destruction of property,

Whereas Navistar's proposed activities would cause long-term disruption of the peace and environmental damage risks, and definite long-term air pollution in residential and environmentally sensitive areas,

Whereas Navistar's proposed activities would destroy many living trees and reduce precious forest preserve acreage,

Whereas Navistar would have to transport explosive hazardous materials near residential areas on a long-term and ongoing regular basis,

Whereas Navistar's proposed facility would require major zoning variances to re-purpose technical corridor land,

Whereas Navistar's proposed activities and actions would seek special tax exemptions and likely have a negative impact on the local tax base for a long time to come,

Whereas Navistar's proposed facility would likely result in the consolidation and elimination of other existing facilities and operations, including the removal of existing jobs in other financially-challenged areas in an extremely-stressed macro-economic environment with little or no guarantee of any permanence at the proposed new facility,

Be it hereby resolved and affirmed that the York Township Democratic Organization opposes the proposed new Navistar Facility, and will not grant aid nor comfort to such a proposition at the expense of local security and environmental quality, nor at the expense of Navistar's existing employees at other locations, wherever they may be.

Approved by YTDO on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010.

Carol Davis explains ”The York Township Democrats have a tradition of supporting good government while seeking protection of our environment. This deal proposed by the DuPage County Chairman Schillerstrom and supported by DuPage County Board members Jeff Redick, Brien Sheehan, Patrick O’Shea and all the other Republican Board members is not good government and is bad for our environment.”

She concludes “The York Township Democratic Organization supports the efforts of the Citizens for Healthy Development that is leading the fight to stop this terrible deal for Navistar and encourages everyone to get more information at their website: www.citizensforhealthydevelopment.org”

More information about the York Township Democratic Organization can be found at: http://www.yorkdemocrats.org/contact.php

annual all volunter trails cleanup date set 4/24 rain or shine!

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:29:51 PST

Attached is the flyer with the details on the annual all volunteer trails cleanup set for Saturday April 24th rain or shine. Your assistance in helping promote the cleanup would be appreciated. You are encouraged to pass along this email and the attached flyer.

Please call with any questions.

Don Kirchenberg
630-853-7650 Mobile
For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com

The 2010 Annual all volunteer Trails Cleanup will be held on Saturday, 4/24/10 RAIN or SHINE! Email frndsgrtwstntrl@aol.com for more info.

Progressive Democrats of Illinois Press Release - Navistar Test Complex

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:13:42 PST

Press Release For Immediate Release December 4, 2009

The Progressive Democrats of Illinois (PDI) have taken a position opposing the proposed Navistar heavy industrial diesel testing complex that is being supported by $1 Million of our tax dollars from DuPage County, to be built in Lisle, IL at the northeast corner of Naperville and Warrenville Roads.

Dan Stafford, Co-Chair of the group, is opposed to this project because:

1. The air quality in DuPage County has already been certified by the EPA as poor, and adding the continuous testing of dozens of heavy industrial diesel engines will only make our air more dangerous to breathe.

2. Forest Preserve land, and therefore native wildlife habitat, is scarce and precious, and should NOT be diminished for industrial projects, especially projects that pose a serious risk of polluting or contaminating adjacent Forest Preserve or Park lands, and Illinois water tables and bodies of water.

3. The storage of massive amounts of diesel fuel in one place presents a serious risk of massive explosion or environmental contamination.

4. The continuous running of diesel engines will present significant noise pollution issues right next to adjacent forest Preserve property, which diminishes the Public’s ability to experience our natural heritage in anything close to its original parameters and soundscape. A visit to the Forest Preserve should allow you to hear natural sounds, not constant diesel noise.

PDI has already taken positions supporting efforts to protect our environment. They believe that “giving away any of the precious forest preserve land that we have is a bad precedent and should not have been approved (unanimously) by the Commissioners and President of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.” concludes Dan Stafford.

PDI is a grass-roots, all-volunteer organization working to elect those Democrats who, through their platforms and records, have shown a true commitment to peace and social and economic justice.

“Our goal is to do for the state of Illinois what Progressive Democrats of America is doing on a national level.” States Stafford. “While PDI as an organization currently has no official connection to PDA, our leaders serve as state coordinators, chapter leaders, and in other capacities with PDA.”

PDI meets every month, and all interested parties are welcome to participate. To get more information please go to website: http://www.illinoisprogressives.org

Com Ed and Asplundh Endangering Trees and Trails

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:21:37 PST

In early 2010 Com Ed's contractor Asplundh chopped the tops off trees by the thousands. This photo was taken along the IL Prairie Path in Glen Ellyn, IL

Use this one page flyer to advise others of the community's ongoing efforts to protect the trees everywhere and stop Com Ed from spraying herbicides and clearcutting the trees, bushes and wildlife habitats on 4 miles of our trails in DuPage County. Please make copies and distribute them. Also post them on bulletin boards too but NOT on public or private property without permission.

(Source: http://www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com/ )

Don Kirchenberg Will Now Be a Contributor to Illinois Trails

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:33:37 PST

Don Kirchenberg ( www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com ) will now be contributing posts of interest to Illinois Trails readers and trail system users.

Also, the blog has been been updated and re-vamped top provide a full-featured feed,pings, podcasting, and more.

Don is also a DuPage County candidate for 4th-district Forest Preserve Commisioner.

Don is intimately familiar with the DuPage County Forest Preserve system, Illinois Trail System, and an avid environmental advocate.

Expect a lot of interesting items from Don's pen.

I will also continue posting video, photos, and audio to the site.

For more information on Don's candidacy, please visit http://www.kirchenberg4forestpreserves.org

Regards, and thank You for reading,

Dan Stafford

Thank you to Dan for the IL Trails site!

aqmstaffo@mailbag.com (Dan Stafford, Don Kirchenberg) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:49:48 PST

The Friends of the Great Western Trails are happy to now be an official part of the IL Trails site. More information about our efforts can be found at our website linked below.

Don Kirchenberg
Voluntary Chairman

Friends of the Great Western Trails

For news on trails and the environment go to www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com