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Wheeling Village News
May/June 1998 Edition

Coming Up: the Fourth of July!

Special Events 4th Of July Committee

Trustee Judy Abruscato

Police Chief John Popadowski

Fire Chief Keith Maclsaac

Michelle Bobbora

Linda Bressett

Mark Cacchione

Otto Cacchione

Judie and Mark Colliander

Pam Dorband

Patricia Dzierzynski

Jim Grabowski

Alberta Klocke

Jim Lederer

Oraila Lumbrera

Jack and Virginia Metzger

JudyNelson-Foy

Elaine Pilka

Pamandla Pistorius

Maria Rotas

4th of July Co Sponsors

Addolorata Villa
Bob Chinn's Crab House
Cano Packaging
Circle M Daycare
Corus Bank
Crawdaddy Bayou
El Famous Burrito
Feed Flavors Inc.
Garden Fresh
Golden Chef
Guardino's
Hoyne Savings Bank
Hackney's
Jack Metzger
Joe's Pizza
La Baguette Bakery
Lupitas Bakery
Remark Paper Co.
Rexnor
Slide Products Inc.
Taqueria Alamo
Taste of Hunan
Tom Todd Chevrolet
Valspar Corp.
E. H. Wachs Co.
Wa-Pa-Ghetti's Pizza
Waste Management Northwest
This year, when the Independence Day "spirit" strikes, it will be met in Wheeling with a "taste," a parade and skyrockets in flight. The gala coming up promises to be a blend of the patriotic, the musical, the zany and the spectacular, according to Trustee Judy Abruscato, long-time spearhead of the event.

She and 20 other members comprise the Wheeling Special Events It's of July Committee. Working against a themed backdrop of "Wheeling on the Move," this group has organized a three-part festival.

"Taste of Wheeling" will begin at 4 p.m., at the big tent behind the Park District Recreation Center. Leading off: the mischief of Paul Nielsen's Blues Band comic band. Another feature: ethnic-dance troupe Alegria Mexicana. Food to excite the palate will be presented by Wheeling restaurants throughout the evening's events.

Wheeling will get on the move at 6 p.m., when Police Chief John Popadowski, acting as grand marshal, will step off on the traditional Independence Day Parade. He'll be followed by units from the Shriners; Medinah Oriental Band; Tabala Motor Patrol; and Medinah Motor Club, a precision motorcycle drill team.

A variety of floats sponsored by the business community will add color to the event. When the parade is over, the "spectacular" part begins. At 9:15 p.m., in Heritage Park, the fireworks technicians will go to work. The display is being underwritten by residents of the Village, who so far have contributed over $4,000.

Wheeling Police Department
PART II IN A SERIES

"Inter departmental cooperation is integral to the Wheeling Police Department's fabric... One phone call can bring out 20 cars from different communities during disasters, hostage situations. . ."

Controlling crime, sustaining quality of life and creating a sense of security are top priorities of the Wheeling Police Department. The March/ April issue of Village Views highlighted the department's community policing program. This second in a two part series features other innovations the department uses to achieve its goals.

As members of the Wheeling Police Department's Bicycle Tactical Unit, Doug Kaiser end Jeremy Hoffman were certified by the International Police Mountain Bicycle Association. They completed a thorough a 32-hour training program, where they learned how to use their bikes as shields, ride down steps and turn up in unexpected places. "I was on North Wolf Road," Kaiser recalls, "leaning against a car to rest. A guy came along, bottle raised, ready to smash the car window. I was on him before he even knew I was there."

The Bicycle Tactical Unit is staffed in warmer months by three full-time and six alternate officers. They sometimes make traffic stops but "of course we can't do any high-speed chases," Hoffman grins. That's left to the Patrol Division, where Commander John Stone's crew of 18 wrote more than 6,000 traffic citations during 1997, another 3,500 parking tickets and made 114 drunk-driving arrests.

With such major thoroughfares as Milwaukee Avenue, Dundee Road and Lake Cook Road bisecting the Village, Wheeling can sometimes be a traffic choke point. Corporal Michael Rompala, who heads the traffic unit, observed that "an accident at a major intersection can back up traffic in almost every direction." He sighed in relief over the completion of the Milwaukee Avenue reconstruction project.

"We have a breather now," he said. "Traffic is flowing much more smoothly."

Rompala pointed to the unique Accident Reconstruction Unit as yet another department specialty area. Three certified officers have had more than 700 hours of training in such areas as mathematics and vehicle dynamics. "It's not hard to figure out what happened during a daytime accident," Rompala said. "But it gets technical when a wreck occurs at 2 a.m. and there are no witnesses."

The unit has occasionally been loaned to other departments to help reconstruct accidents in Northbrook, Lincolnshire and other communities. Such interdepartmental cooperation is integral to the Wheeling Police Department's fabric. It is a member of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System involving a group of communities that share personnel during such emergencies as the 1996 plane crash at Palwaukee Airport.

"One phone call can bring out 20 cars from different communities during disasters, hostage situations or when suspects barricade themselves," said Commander Eric Larson.

Wheeling also contributes four officers to the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force, which handles major crime cases. "When these situations arose in the past," Larson said, "we'd look around and ask who we could spare. Now when we make the call, we know how many people we'll get and in what specialties - such as team leaders and evidence technicians."

In 1997 the four-person Records Unit, headed by Sgt. Rich Poppenga, processed an estimated 25,000 complaint cards. About 15,000 resulted in formal reports, which are concurrently entered into the computerized Police Information Management System to provide access for other police departments around the state.

May is Bicycle Safety Month

The Polite Deportment, in cooperation with Village businesses, will furnish bicycle helmets to children, ages 5-10, coming from lower-income families. Helmets will be available on a first come-first serve basis. For information or to register for helmet/ bicycle safety classes, contact Sgt. Terrie Wisnewski, Crime Prevention Unit, at 459-2990. Stop Behind Crosswalk
Motorists can do their part to help keep cyclists safe by stopping behind crosswalks.

Please don't block the sidewalk!
A Village ordinance requires that parked cars remain clear of sidewalks.

Working For Wheeling
Judy Abruscato, Trustee

Length of Service: 11 years, Board of Trustees
Birthplace: Chicago
Family: Husband Mario; son Anthony; daughter Valerie; son-in-law Scott; grandson Nicholas
Employment: Assistant vice president, Corus Bank
I've lived in Wheeling: 31 years
I ran for public office to: Give back to my community
Before I was a trustee, I was: A member of the 4th Of July Committee; Wheeling Parent Teacher Organization; Wheeling High School Instrumental League; Wheeling Lioness Club; Wheeling Historical Society
The most important thing I do as a trustee is: Work for the people and the business community
I would like people to remember me for: Understanding, gentleness, and kindness
The accomplishment I'm most proud of: Development of Milwaukee Avenue
My favorite Village event is: 4th Of July
My favorite place in Wheeling is: Village Hall, Restaurant Row and work
When I'm not working, I like to: Spend time with my family and friends.
My idea of a great day is: Being able to help my community
The one thing few people know about me is: I always wanted to be a Salvation Army officer.
I wish I had more time to: Spend with my family
People who know me well say I'm: Always working
My favorite quotation is: "The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials but the ones with the concern." Graduation Day:
Citizens' Police Academy

Sixteen residents graduated from the fourth Wheeling Citizens' Police Academy, April 9. The 10-week educational program is offered twice a year to provide residents with a deeper understanding and more accurate perspective of suburban police services. Wheeling police officers serve as classroom instructors covering a range of topics, including all the general and specialized duties performed by members of the Police Department.

New 1998 graduates include:

Michael LaScola    Didi Hoskins
Rosa Bledsoe    Estelle Hieber
George Hieber    Edward Malicki
Luis Serrano    Patricia Hembd
Linda Accetta    John Reynen
Donna Vallas    Ron Berrie
Judy Nelson-Foy    Jim Scotellaro
Joyce Kurps    Deborah Mossman

Building Permits Help Ensure Quality Workmanship, Protect Homeowners' Interests

It's spring, and our little corner of the world is specified stages to ensure structural safety. filled with melodic birdsong, searing breezes and the unmistakable clamor of busy homeown ers hammering and sawing as they build and remodel their homes. Do-it-yourselfers and residents hiring contractors for annual spruce-ups can ensure their projects comply with Village codes and are completed safely by obtaining required building permits from the Village's Community Development Department. .

When residents obtain the proper permits, the "Obtaining a permit affords homeowners access to nationally and statelicensed Village experts," said Tom Fennell, licensed architect and head of the Building, Housing and Zoning Division. "Professionals on our staff review all construction, including plumbing and electrical, and provide how-to advice where applicable. Zoning regulates land use and ensures properties conform to Village ordinances." Village becomes their partner and consultant, ensuring quality workmanship is maintained throughout the project and looking out for the homeowners' best interests. Licensed architects and professionals on staff in the Department's Building, Housing and Zoning Division review plans for code compliance and inspect work at

Obtaining a building permit provides a safeguard against unsafe or inferior workmanship and code violations. All structural and some nonstructural work requires a permit. Call the Community Development Department at 459-2620 to determine if your next improvement project requires a permit.

Briefs and Anouncements

Aquatic Center Opens May 23

Pre-season hours: May 23-June 7, weekends and holidays, noon-8 p.m. Regular season hours: June 8-August 24, daily, noon-8 p.m. Post-season hours: August 29-September 7, Saturday, Sunday & holidays only, noon-8 p.m.

Relay for Life—May 15-16

The American Cancer Society is staging an 18hour walk/run event from 6 p.m., May 15 - noon, May 16. Teams of 10-15 members will seek to raise a minimum of $100 per team. An opening ceremony at Buffalo Grove High School will recognize and honor cancer victims and introduce the participating teams. The event is sponsored by Northwest Community Healthcare, First Midwest Bank end Jewel Osco. Call 1-800-ACS-2345.

Family Fun Faire—May 30, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

This half-day community experience will feature both silent and live auctions of gifts and services, clowns, the Pocket Lady, a raffle, art and craft faire, home bakery, luncheon bar, and dessert bar at the Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First Street. The silent auction will take place all day; the live version goes under the gavel from 12-1 p.m. Co-supported by First American Bank; Hoyne Savings Bank; First Chicago Bank; American Enterprise Bank; Bronson Gore Bank; Corus Bank; Wheeling Countryside/Pioneer Press; TCI of Illinois.

Annual Village Bicycle and Surplus Equipment Auction

The annual Village bicycle and surplus equipment auction will be Saturday, June 13, behind the Police Station, 255 W. Dundee. Items to be suctioned include numerous bicycles, police recovered merchandise, and surplus equipment from the Village. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. The auction will begin at 10 a.m. All items are sold as-is and must be removed from the premises at the end of the auction.

Pencil In The Date
Community Calendar

Residents are invited to attend public meetings of the following Village boards and commissions . Most meet in the Village Hall Council Chambers (unless otherwise noted).

Village Board- Every Monday, 7:30 p.m.
Plan Commission - Second and fourth Thursdays of the month, 7 p.m.
Human Rights Commission - Second Tuesday of the month, Village Hall lunch room, 7:15 p.m.
Zoning Board of Appeals - Second Tuesday of the month, 7:30 p.m.
Senior Citizens Commission - Third Monday of the month, Pavilion Senior Center, 10 a.m.
Fire and Police Commission - Third Tuesday of the month, Fire Department Conference Room, 7 p.m.
Palwaukee Airport Commission - Third Wednesday of the month, 7:30 p.m., Airport offices, 1020 South Plant Rd.

May 1998 (Bicycle Safety Month)
5 - Special Events Committee, 7 p.m.
15-16 - Relay for Life, starts 6 p.m., May 15, Buffalo Grove High School
19 - Special Events Committee, 7 p.m.
23 - Aquatic Center opens (weekends only through June7; daily "hereafter)
27 - PeerJury, 7 p.m.
30 - Family Fun Faire 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Pavilion Senior Center
30 - Open House, Wheeling Township Transfer Station, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
30 - "Brooms & Blooms" Wheeling clean-up campaign, 9 a.m. - noon, Milwaukee Ave. from Hintz to Lake Cook Roads. Call 240-3086 for information.

June 1998
9 & 23 - Special Events Committee, 7 p.m.
24—PeerJury, 7:30 p.m.

Garbage: Where Does It All Go?

Getting rid of things we don't want is a heavy lifting job for the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC). The agency normally functions as most people wish: quietly, efficiently, effectively - in the background.

But once a year, SWANCC opens its Wheeling Township Transfer station to give area residents a "look under the hood." There, at Three Providence Drive, Glenview, the agency's operations will be available for observation on May 30 from 10 a.m. – l p.m.

Visitors can also view SWANCC's 1998 Art of Garbage display, more than 60 collages and drawings by area children. SWANCC's Recycle House exhibits will also be on display, along with stationary plastic and steel-can recycling exhibits. Drawings will be held for t-shirts and other prizes made with recycled materials.

Information is available from SWANCC Executive Director C. Brooke Beal or Assistant Executive Director Ann Tennes at 847-296-9205.

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