City of Geneseo, Illinois

Mayor

August 20 , 2010

Since we talked the last time, it has been a couple of weeks of ups and downs.  First, did everyone see the double rainbow that domed this great city?  It was awesome and I was only disappointed that I could not capture the entire rainbow in a single picture.

I laughed until I cried.  I went to the Richmond Hill Theatre over the weekend and saw “Christmas Belles”.  What a great reminder of the talent of our citizens who call Geneseo home.  It is also an event that welcomes actors and actresses as well as visitors from many of our surrounding community.  The Richmond Hill Theatre is a great ambassador for our community.   

Did you see all of the British cars in town?  If you missed them, mark your calendars for the weekend of September 11.  The Geneseo Chamber of Commerce will be hosting Planes, Trains and Automobiles and the mini Coopers will only be a small part of the event.  At our recent City Council meeting, Chamber Director Rhonda Ludwig shared an itinerary packed with activities both in the downtown area and at the Gen-Air Airport.  Make plans to take in all the festivities.

Also, on September 11, the Geneseo VFW auxiliary will salute our Veterans. But the auxiliary needs your help now.  They would like to become part of a nationwide salute to feed our veterans for free.  In order to accomplish this goal, each of us needs to vote online at www.refresheverything.com/salutetothemilitarypastandpresent.  It will only take a minute to Thank the Veterans of Henry County.

A local businessman has purchased Legend’s and a new medical supply business and an engineering firm has requested information on the downtown/TIF incentives as well as other financing options.   The City has been working with contractors to get construction started at Hammond Henry Hospital and we are anticipating the City will be presented the complete plans for the Library in September.  The City is hoping to soon see the complete plans for the soccer complex at Richmond Hill.  Country Market will be opening at the end of the month.  We need each citizen who patronized a surrounding business to now shop locally.

Citizens are beginning to hear more about the upcoming elections.  November and February are going to be important months for the State of Illinois as well as the City of Geneseo.  Can the State of Illinois and the City of Geneseo move forward without fiscal responsibility and maintaining the status quo?

I am so proud of the efforts of each city employee who has worked tirelessly through 3 major storms.  City crews are now able to accomplish many of the tasks that have been delayed.

Unfortunately, we are learning that Weber Meats will not be reopening in Geneseo and Rubino’s may be closing.  I shared the news of Weber Meats with my father and mother over dinner on Sunday.  As a former meat processor, my parents easily recognized how difficult it is for a retail processing plant to reopen again especially following a fire.  Even with TIF money, loans and insurance, the cost of the rebuild is incomprehensible.  On behalf of the City of Geneseo, I wish the Weber family richest blessings as they return to the plant where Weber Meats got their start in Cuba City Wisconsin.  And to the Rubino’s the best of luck in each of their endeavors.  You will be sorely missed!

In closing, I am reminded to take care of an important thank you.  I greatly appreciate the efforts of the Geneseo Republic to be a catalyst for this communiqué with the citizens and the community.  Thank you.  Linda Van Der Leest, Mayor for the City of Geneseo