The Other Public Safety Department P7
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May 2009 News from the Village of Hoffman Estates The other public safety department The mission of the Code Enforcement Division is to safeguard and protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the residents of Hoffman Estates. They do this through application of the adopted codes and For example, Village building inspectors are considered fi rst ordinances in an effi cient and effective manner, through the preventers. They inspect structures during construction use and management of all available resources. in accordance with an approved set of construction docu- ments, and then issue a “Final Certifi cate of Occupancy” Most people understand the concept of “fi rst responders,” after a fi nal inspection has been passed. Although no code primarily in the context of Sept. 11, 2001, as those who can eliminate all risks, this process helps to reduce risks to an respond to emergencies. But the same cannot be said for “fi rst acceptable level in order to prevent and minimize accidents preventers.” First preventer is a new term used to describe in buildings. anyone that is in a position to prevent an accident, attack or disaster. First preventers keep us from being involved in or [continued on page 3] from being victims of an accident. In this issue Historian’s notebook . 2 Health and Human Water Quality Report . 7 p7 p10 Toll violation Services news . 5 Growing to Greenness! . 10 spring cleaning . 2 Clerk’s corner . 5 Emerald Ash Borer A message from Free drainage response plan . 10 Mayor McLeod . 3 investigation service . 6 May calendar . .11 Historian’s Toll violation notebook By Pat Barch, Hoffman Estates Village Historian spring cleaning Residents who have lived here families, but later reduced it ship increased, fundraisers The Illinois Tollway is offering a one-time for a number of years (or “old to 150 families. The initia- helped keep the swim club Toll Violation Spring Cleaning program timers,” as I like to call them) tion fee was $150. operating. Everyone pitched that will give drivers with violation no- probably remember the in with maintenance, repairs tices the opportunity to pay outstanding Tropicana Swim and Tennis Over the next 48 years, the and whatever needed to be missed tolls and accompanying $20 fi nes Club. It was a privately Tropicana was the center of done. The members had while additional penalties are put on hold owned club that served the social get-togethers, as well as their individual talents, and over the next three months. community before there a fun place to swim and lay worked as a team to keep was a Park District. in the sun. In 1971, tennis things shipshape. courts were added to the On Nov. 1, 1959, a charter pool space. If you couldn’t The members of the meeting was held, and 84 fi nd your kids on a summer Tropicana Swim Club have families began the Tropicana afternoon, you can bet they’d remained friends long after Swim Club. The land at 680 be at the pool. they moved away from Audubon St. was donated by Hoffman Estates. The stories F&S Construction. By the The club had themed parties, about the parties and the spring of 1960, the pool was cookouts and pig roasts. Dur- Fourth of July fl oat decorat- under construction. When ing the 1970s, some of the ing that went on all night completed, the 130 foot by Chicago Bears came out for a are still recalled by the older 143 foot site would have a 20 pig roast after the pool closed members. foot by 60 foot adult pool, a in September. Matt Einecker, Effective Thursday, March 26, the pro- bathhouse, refreshment area Larry Fridae, Dave Arnison As costs rose and member- gram is available to any toll violator with and a children’s wading pool. and Russ Calona all tell of ship dropped, it became clear notices dated prior to June 30, 2009. It Water went in the pool in the great times they had that the pool wouldn’t be offers a limited-time opportunity to waive September 1960, allowing for entertaining the team. Walter able to stay open. It closed in $50 fi ne escalations and defer license just a few weeks of swim- Payton, Dan Hampton 2007, and the buildings were plate/driver’s license suspensions – provid- ming before it closed for the and Gary Campbell were torn down the following year. ing violators more time to come up with winter. Families formed the mentioned as some of the It’s gone, but those special funds to resolve outstanding violation nonprofi t swimming club to guys who enjoyed the parties. memories live on for all the accounts before additional penalties are provide a place for recreation families. applied. By 1974, it cost $175 for a and social gatherings. The family to join and $100 for E-mail Pat Barch at founders set a limit of 200 Fine escalation and suspension of driving dues. As costs and member- [email protected] privileges will apply if violators do not pay tolls, original $20 fi nes and any associated fees full before the June 30 program dead- line. Participation in the program will not Welcome new businesses! reduce the total amount of $20 fi nes or original tolls due to the Illinois Tollway. AMCOL International The Little Gym Sedgwick Claims Management Specialty minerals producer Children instruction/gym Insurance claims administration The Tollway is offering online 2870 Forbs Ave. 1614 W. Algonquin Road 5500 Trillium Blvd., #301 (www.illinoistollway.com) and phone Credit Union 1 Mechanical Service Industries Skin Care by Camy (800-UC-IPASS) options with evening Financial services Heating/air conditioning Skincare and weekend availability for violators who 2000 W. AT&T Center Drive, 2A01 2105 Stonington Ave. 990 Grand Canyon Parkway, #215 use a credit card to clear their slates and Center for Natural Health Medcoa Dental Care Vizioncore, Inc. pay off their toll violation notices. Pay- Medical offi ce Dental offi ce Software solutions ments also will be accepted at any Illinois 3200 W. Higgins Road 1000 Grand Canyon Parkway, #308 2300 Barrington Road, #700 Tollway Customer Service Center during regular weekday business hours. Empower Professionals, Inc. Realty Executives Experts Willow Creek Care Center IT consulting Real estate Nonprofi t food pantry 2500 W. Higgins Road, #580 2300 N. Barrington Road, #400 2080 Stonington Ave. India House Resins, Inc. Restaurant Resin manufacturing 721 W. Golf Road 2200 W. Higgins Road, #204 The CITIZEN is published monthly by the Village of Hoffman Estates as a public information service for residents and businesses. Editor: Doug Schultz Previous editions are available online at www.hoffmanestates.org. This publication may not be reprinted or reproduced as a whole Telephone: 847-781-2609 2 or in part without written permission from the Hoffman Estates Village Manager. © 2009. All rights reserved. [email protected] Code Enforcement [continued from cover] Fire sprinkler systems, fresh air circulation, exit signs, emer- gency lighting, aisle widths, fi re extinguishers and the direction of how a door swings open are just a few things no one really thinks about, but together they combine to increase and ensure the health and safety of building occupants. Who needs building codes and permits? We all do – whether in our homes, offi ces, schools, retail stores A message from Mayor McLeod or places of entertainment. We rely on the safety of structures that surround us every day. The need for protection from a It gives me great pleasure to commend three area heroes disaster due to fi re, structural collapse or general deterioration who used an automated external defi brillator (AED) to underscores the need for adoption of up-to-date building codes, save the life of their coworker. their administration and inspection by certifi ed professionals. The rescuers, David Van Lieshout, Mandy Kline and Tony Five reasons to obtain permits: Avello, work at the headquarters of W-T Engineering, Inc., 1. Safety – For your family and home in Hoffman Estates’ Prairie Stone Business Park. W-T’s 2. Inspections – Performed by certifi ed professional inspectors three-story facility is home to 100 employees. There are three AEDs in the building, one on each fl oor. 3. Value – Protects your largest investment 4. Peace of mind – Knowing the project was done right and to code On July 30, 2008, David noticed one of his male cowork- ers in distress in the second fl oor men’s room. He alerted 5. Sets consistent standards – Ensures safe construction standards Mandy, the leader of the offi ce’s safety team, and she grabbed the AED near the men’s room. Mandy started CPR while David deployed the AED. Tony then entered the men’s room and took over compressions, while Mandy continued providing respirations. The remaining members of the safety team directed the paramedics to the scene, who arrived just as the AED administered its fi rst shock. Thanks to these individuals, the victim is alive today. Re-roofi ng your home requires a building permit Today is the perfect time to reinvest in your Hoffman Estates From left to right: Mayor William D. McLeod, David Van Lieshout, home by making improvements that will add value during Governor Pat Quinn, Mandy Kline, Lt. Don Richter, Tony Avello the current housing market. Projects such as remodeling your kitchen and adding a bathroom have been shown to double the Illinois Governor Pat Quinn held a special press confer- cost of the improvement when the home is sold. ence on Friday, Feb. 13, in the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago to pay tribute to those who made a save on a In Hoffman Estates, building permits are required for many cardiac arrest victim with an AED in 2008.