FREE COUNTY LOCAL NEWS, OPINION & HISTORY Real Journalism for a Real Democracy www.boonecountyjournal.com Published Every Friday • June 8th, 2012 • Vol 17 • Issue 7 No. 840 The Town Thomas Madison Found By James Middleton Thomas Madison was a veteran of the Revolutionary ages across Europe. A city-state was an independent and Nichols and they built a hotel near where Thomas Madison War and was born in Ashtabula Ohio but he decided to move autonomous entity with their territory encompassing the had his store. The pair prospered as the territory of Texas west. From his home he continued moving west until he scope of the city even though, the city is not necessarily became irresistible for Thomas Madison. He thought that crossed the Kishwaukee River and decided that where he governed as a part of any other local government. Monaco, Texas could provide him and his family with a brighter stopped would be his new home in northern Illinois. Where Singapore and Vatican City are three examples of city- future and he left Genoa in 1837 after selling his property Thomas Madison settled along the banks of the river became states that exist to today while most of the city-states down for $2,800. attractive to others that were also moving west. They came through the ages have disappeared or were consolidated into By 1876 Genoa was incorporated as a village and by and they stopped and they stayed and soon, the settlement larger governmental entities. 1911 the village became a city. of Genoa resulted. After becoming a city-state, Genoa thrived and prospered It is appropriate that a photograph of the Genoa Fire The settlement that became Genoa developed in 1835 anew with an economy that rapidly expanded and the city Department highlight this piece because from Wednesday and the collection of people along the river was named by grew over the following 200 years until 1347 when Black June 13 through Sunday June 17, the City of Genoa will Thomas Madison in memory of a town in New York by Death was imported into the city. Historians claim the celebrate the 77th Annual Genoa Days event that continues the same name. Yet, though the name, Genoa, identified a plague-like disease came from the Genoese trading post of to be sponsored by the Genoa-Kingston Fire Department. town in New York for Thomas Madison, for many others, Caffa in Crimea on the Black Sea. The spread of the disease Genoa Days will be highlighted by the King & Queen the name Genoa goes back much further into history than decimated the population and by 1409 Genoa came under Contest on Wednesday, rides and attractions all day and merely to the late 18th Century. the rule of the Visconti of Milan. every night. On Friday Genoa Days will hold their huge The name Genoa is an Italian name for the city that once Today Genoa is a component of what is called the fireworks display. was the capital of Liguria, the smallest of the Italian regions. “Industrial Triangle” in Italy that is made up of the seaport Saturday has the 5-K Run and Walk, the Genoa Days Genoa Italy was also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus of Genoa, the industrial capital of Milan and Turin where parade followed by the annual Water Fight downtown and and had been known for centuries as an international seaport. Fiat S.p.A. the parent of Chrysler Group, LLC is found. the group “Shooter” will entertain onstage. Today the city has a population of over 608,000 and there are Genoa remains a pivotal component in the economies of Genoa Days is the largest event of the year in the city more than 800,000 people living in the immediate vicinity Italy and of Europe. and offers entertainment for all ages. It makes no difference of the city. Soon after Thomas Madison arrived at the site where what ones’ nationality might be, if they come from Genoa A cemetery still exists in Genoa that dates to the 5th or Genoa Illinois would be found, he built the first structure New York or Genoa Italy, everyone will enjoy the 77th 6th Century, BC that attests to Greek settlements and Greek there, a log cabin. At about the same time, with the help of Annual Genoa Days, sponsored for the 77th year by the influence in the city. But Genoa thrived from far earlier, his expanding family, Thomas Madison opened a general Genoa-Kingston Fire Department. perhaps dating to the Etruscan’s. Down through the ensuing store and also established himself as the first postmaster of The Journal wants to thank Michael Cirone of the Genoa- ages the city rose and fell in response to one marauding the developing village. However, Thomas Madison soon Kingston Fire Department for providing the photograph used band after another that sacked the city, depending upon the had plans to travel further west. He had heard from those here and we also want to acknowledge research assistance era. But by the late Roman Empire, the city was in decline passing through Genoa of the opportunities found in a place provided by Vatican City, the city of Genoa Italy, The Library though Genoa still offered easy access to the sea. called Texas. of Congress and Genoa New York. By 1100, Genoa had become a city-state. The city- Soon after Thomas Madison built his log cabin and state is a form of government that was popular through the store, another pair of settlers arrived, H.N. Perkins and Luke Mr. Thornberry concluded, “Morris and Ward want you Referendum Resolution to believe you will save money but you will spend more money… If you want to know why the township has money, By James Middleton meet with them to find out how they got $7 million.” The vote on the matter that had hung like a fog in the The meeting opened with public comment from local Later Boone County Board representative Cathy Ward Belvidere City Council chambers since February 27th resident Marion Thornberry who described himself as (District 2) said, “I hope you give your full support to totaled 5 in favor and 5 opposed. In that case, Parliamentary someone that knew what he was speaking of due to his Alderman Morris to give the people a voice. This measure Procedure provides the chairman with the tie-breaking experience serving the public. He said, “The people trying allows the citizens to have their voice to be heard. Any vote. To comply with procedure, Belvidere Mayor Frederic to dissolve Belvidere Township, Morris and Cathy Ward are alderman that votes No is sending a loud message to his Brereton cast the deciding vote opposed to the measure and going to cost you a lot of money.” constituents.” the effort to move the City Council to enact a resolution to He added, “They can only see the $7 million and they Near the close of the meeting Chairman of the finance have an advisory referendum added to the November ballot won’t get that money it will go to the state, the state controls and personnel committee of the City Council, Michael failed. The subject matter of the resolution would have called the money.” Mr. Thornberry also said, “State awards and Chamberlain (Ward 3) placed a motion on the floor to for an advisory referendum to be placed on the November state grants that might be held in the township money must approve having “(a) n advisory referendum question to be general election ballot asking Belvidere residents if they be delivered to the state. Any money that is left will go to submitted to the electors of the City of Belvidere to permit favored or opposed the dissolution of Belvidere Township. the school district and not to the city or the county.” Continued on page 2 2 June 8th, 2012 The Boone County Journal 815-544-4430 In Our 17th Year www.boonecountyjournal.com LETTER TO THE EDITOR HUGE Our Policy on Letters to The Editor PUBLIC AUCTION Our policy on Letters to The Editor is that all letters must Something For Everyone!! be signed and will be verified, profanity is unacceptable. To Sunday June 10th submit letters to the editor please e-mail to: boonecounty- [email protected] 10 AM Culver’s of Belvidere DISCLAIMER: The views written in the Letters to The Edi- Woody’s Auction House tor do not necessarily reflect the views of The Boone County 1635 Big Thunder Blvd. Across from Shopko Journal, nor does Boone County Journal take any responsi- 415 E. Pleasant Street bility for the views stated by those who write to the editor. Belvidere, IL 61008 BRING IN THIS AD FOR F or Complete Listing & Photos Visit Guest Editorial AUCTIONZIP.COM $1.00 OFF ANY VALUE BASKET or phone Expires 6/22/12. Not good with any other offers. Valid at Belvidere Belvidere Township Leaders Quash location only. Not valid on Snack Pak meals Public Input on Budget 815-544-0249 BELVIDERE: Belvidere Township trustees, under From Front Page... Referendum the leadership of Supervisor Pat Murphy, unanimously passed their two multi-million dollar appropriations budgets in less than two minutes each on May 22, giving Jeanette Garza them to determine whether the Belvidere City Council no explanation for the figures, no discussion among should continue to pursue the issue of dissolving Belvidere members and giving taxpayers attending the meeting no Licensed Massage Therapist Township.” chance to discuss the budgets before the vote. Clint Morris (Ward 1) the alderman that brought Picture this. Murphy called the meeting to order.