March 29, 2024
Kane County News


News

Former Elburn Trustee David Anderson sworn in as village's planning commissioner

Trustees also approve picnic shelter for Elburn Station park

ELBURN – Former Elburn Village President David Anderson was sworn in as the village's new planning commissioner at the village board meeting Sept. 21.

In 1972, Anderson, then a village trustee, made a motion to create the commission.

"The motion that I made was, I believe, in 1972. It was made in the basement of the Elburn American Legion," Anderson said in remarks after being sworn in. "I will ask this question. I believe some of you have heard me ask this before: 'Can you get where you're going by looking in the rear-view mirror?'

"You think immediately 'no.' Well, yes, you can," Anderson continued. "But wherever you're going, it's going to take you a lot longer and your mode of transportation is probably going to be a mess. So there is a reason that the rear-view mirror is [small] and the windshield is [big and wide]. I think that the village has had the opportunity with this planning commission to be looking out that windshield. And that is my intention."

Anderson succeeded James Willey as village president in 2009 and served eight consecutive years in that role.

Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals board member Chris Gould also is retiring from his post and was honored by Village President Jeff Walter for his service.

Gould, a 1987 Kaneland High School graduate, played a big role in managing growth in Elburn, including the Elburn Station subdivision and the recently approved Fox Pointe subdivision.

Walter read a proclamation that recognized Sept. 21 as Chris Gould Day in Elburn.

"I do appreciate the opportunity [to serve]," Gould said. "I [initially] knew nothing about how this sort of thing operated from the village to the interactions in the committees and the planning. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have had a chance to learn how it all plays out.

"Hopefully, I was a contributing member. Thank you very much."

The board in a 4-1 vote approved the purchase of a picnic shelter to be placed in Elburn Station Community Park. The shelter, expected to be 24 feet by 34 feet, will be made with a steel frame and roof. The cost of the shelter is $19,464.

The board approved a license agreement with the Kaneland United Soccer League for the use of soccer fields at Blackberry Creek Fields.

In other items, the board approved the renewal of Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance for village employees.

The board approved reinstalling an amendment that was inadvertently eliminated from an ordinance regarding leaving unattached trailers and inoperable vehicles on public streets in excess of 12 hours.

"There had never been any discussion on eliminating that. It was simply left off when we made a previous change," Elburn Police Chief Nick Sikora said. "We definitely want to put that back in."

Jacob Bartelson

Jacob Bartelson

Jake is a full-time sports reporter writing primarily for the Kane County Chronicle covering preps. His collective work is featured across several Shaw markets and platforms, including Friday Night Drive and Bears Insider. Jake began full-time in 2017.