“Fearlessness means taking the first step even if you don’t know where it will take you.  It means being driven by a higher purpose, rather than by applause.  It means knowing that you reveal your character when you stand apart, more than when you stand with the crowd.” – Chadwick Boseman

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished gruntleman from Connecticut, Ed Perry)

Mary asked everyone to reply to the survey that she recently sent out. She will review the survey results with the board.

 

PROGRAM

 

Mary Ellen Wuellner and Andrew Kerins presented information about the Champaign County Forest Preserve District’s request for an increase in revenue on the ballot this November. Mary Ellen is the Executive Director of the Champaign County Forest District (CCFPD) and Andrew has served eight years as a CCFPD board member. 

 

Andrew provided information on each of the county’s Forest Preserves with what they provide to the public and what is needed. We are fortunate to have six forest preserves scattered throughout the county which provide a variety of recreational and educational services. Andrew listed Lake of the Woods, Homer Lake, Middle Fork, Sangamon River, River Bend, and the Kickapoo Rail Trail, and gave examples of what activities were offered in each. He noted that the mission of the District is to connect people to our natural environment treasures.

 

Mary Ellen emphasized that the Forest Preserve District has continued to provide careful and responsible management. Since the district was formed in 1948 there has never been a successful referendum to increase taxes for the district. Old shelters need to be replaced, water spillways need to be rebuilt, trails and roads need to be upgraded, equipment needs to be brought up to date, roofs need to be replaced and educational centers need updating.

 

Today the yearly capital budget is capped at approximately $240,000 which is simply not enough to keep up with the district’s maintenance backlog.  Some major parts of the preserves are deteriorating, and they need immediate work or services, programs, and facilities will start to be shut down.

 

The increase being asked for on the ballot is 1.6 cents which translates to a yearly increase of $5.33 per $100,000 home assessment. The increase would generate a little less than $700,000 for the district. This money would begin to address the current backlog of needed work which is estimated over $3,700,000. It is critical that this referendum passes this November.

 

Additional information can be found at https://www.yestoforests.org.

 

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  Sept 3rd Sept 10th Sept 17th Septh 24th
         
Reflection Ed Perry Rod Roberts Tod Satterthwaite Jarrod Scheunemann
Notetaker Penwell Hodson Conforti Perry
         
         

 

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

*All meetings via Zoom*

 

September 3rd – Caleb Miller, Senior Vice President of Surgical Services, Carle Foundation Hospital, will speak about the impact COVID-19 has had on their hospital, including health care workers, patients, and how the hospital has had to adjust procedures due to this virus  (Bob)

September 10th – Bryant Seraphin, Chief of Police, City of Urbana  (Cary)

September 17th – Robert Lawless, Max L. Rowe Professor of Law, UIUC  (Tom)

September 24th – Sarah Livesay, Executive Director, Grand Prairie Friends (Andrew)

October 1st – TBD 

October 8th – Dr. Barbara Jones, Chair of the Urbana Rotary Peace Building Committee (Mary)

October 15th – TBD (Ondine)

October 22nd – TBD (Tom)

October 29th – TBD 

November 5th – TBD (Bob)

November 12th – TBD (Cary)

November 19th – TBD (Charlie)

November 26th – No meeting – Thanksgiving

December 3rd – TBD