May 18, 2015 Villa Park News Vol. 1 Issue 1

Please, enjoy the first issue of Villa Park's e-newsletter. If you would like to receive future issues, please follow this link to subscribe to "Villa Park e-newsletter" under "Notify Me."

Newly elected Villa Park Trustees take Oath of Office

Newly elected Villa Park Trustees Chris Aiello (left), Albert Bulthuis, Donald Kase and Nick Cuzzone celebrated with cake after taking the Oath of Office on May 11th, 2015.

VILLA PARK – Judge Robert Kleeman swore in four trustees at the Villa Park Village Board meeting held Monday, May 11^th.

“Congratulations to everybody. I’m looking forward to working with you very much,” Village President Deborah Bullwinkel told the Board.

Villa Park voters re-elected Trustees Chris Aiello, Albert Bulthuis and Donald Kase to four-year terms. Newly elected Trustee Nick Cuzzone will serve a two-year term. Each Trustee expressed his gratitude to the voters for electing him, including newcomer Nick Cuzzone.

“I’m excited about working with the Board for the next two years,” said Trustee Cuzzone after thanking the voters and all of the candidates who ran in the most recent election.

Villa Park Commissioners Anthony Oddo, Sid Bergh, Marianne Greco and Jennifer Burns were also sworn in to serve commission terms during the May 11^th Village Board meeting. Oddo will serve on the Economic Development Commission. Bergh and Greco will serve on the Cable TV Commission, and Burns will serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission.

Those interested in serving on a commission can download a form from the Villa Park Village website at www.invillapark.com.

The next Board of Trustees meeting will be June 8^th, 2015.

Villa Park has been named a Tree City USA 30 years in a row.

Photo courtesy of Al Stasch

Villa Park celebrates 30 years as Tree City USA

VILLA PARK – The National Arbor Day Foundation has named the Village of Villa Park Tree City USA. It is the 30th consecutive year Villa Park has received this National recognition.

The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service sponsors the Tree City USA program.

To become a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards. The community must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.

“Trees in our cities and towns help clean the air, conserve soil and water, moderate temperatures and bring nature into our daily lives,” said John Rosenow, president of The National Arbor Day Foundation. “Tree City USA designation recognizes the work of elected officials, staff and citizens who plant and care for the community forest.”

The Villa Park Forestry and Park Divisions celebrated Arbor Day by planting a tree at the intersection of Park Boulevard and Villa Avenue on the morning of April 24^th.

Villa Park Police cookout for Law Enforcement Torch Run

Photo courtesy of Al Stasch

Villa Park Police host cookout for Special Olympics Illinois

VILLA PARK – In support of Special Olympics Illinois, the Villa Park Police hosted a cookout May 9^th at the Villa Park Walmart.

Police officers transformed the parking lot into a good old fashioned cookout complete with grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. In addition to cooking up some delicious grub, officers also provided free car seat installations and inspections.

All proceeds raised from food, raffle ticket and Torch Run apparel sales during the event will benefit the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1986 to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an intrastate relay consisting of various fundraising projects. For more information about how the Villa Park Police Department supports the Torch Run and upcoming events, visit the department's website.

2015 Seniors of the Year announced at first Villa Park Senior Fair

Villa Park 2015 Seniors of the Year: Jeanie Nicholson and Peter Kurasz

The Villa Park Senior Concerns Commission named Jeanie Nicholson and Peter Kurasz Seniors of the Year for 2015 during the first Villa Park Senior Fair held May 7th at the Community Recreation Building.

VILLA PARK – While the first Villa Park Senior Fair hosted 18 vendors who provided everything from information on assisted living and senior programs to blood pressure tests and shingles shots, the 2015 Villa Park Senior of the Year awards stole the show.

"Words cannot describe it," said Jeanie Nicholson who was named one of two 2015 Seniors of the Year during the fair held May 7^th at the Community Recreation Building.

The Senior Concerns Commission chose Jeanie and Peter Kurasz from a pool of nominations submitted by community members. Both Jeanie and Peter received several nominations.

"It was a big surprise," said Peter after receiving his award.

The Senior Concerns Commission sponsored the brand new event and contest. As part of their award, Jeanie and Peter have been invited to be in Villa Park's VFW 4th of July parade.

Villa Park Fire Department holds 2nd annual Citizens Fire Academy

Villa Park Citizens Fire Academy 2015 participants try out their gear. Photo courtesy of Al Stasch

VILLA PARK – For those of you who may not know, the Villa Park Fire Department offers a unique hands-on program for residents called the Citizens Fire Academy(CFA).

In the first few weeks, participants have learned about fire behavior, fire department operations and paramedic duties. In addition to classroom instruction, academy participants have all been loaned a set of protective gear, which weighs about 60 pounds. They practiced navigating a smoke-filled room while wearing the heavy equipment and breathing through a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

While CFA participants won't be qualified for real fire fighting by the end of the course, they will be prepared for other emergencies they may encounter. The group completed a CPR certification course, which covered how to perform CPR as well as how to recognize signs and symptoms of heart attacks and strokes.

The academy even provides participants with the opportunity to experience live fire training. To keep up to date with CFA news, subscribe to receive Villa Park Fire Department News Flashes.

Photo courtesy of Jamari Roberts-Brooks

Villa Park welcomes The Landings on Villa

VILLA PARK – The Landings on Villa held an official ribbon cutting on Monday, April 27^th at 39 South Villa Avenue. The Landings on Villa is a 16-unit apartment building for adults with disabilities or mental health needs. Most funding to sustain the project comes from the Illinois Department of Human Services – Division of Mental Health. Trinity Services helps manage this program with their philosophy of helping others before helping oneself.

The Landings on Villa includes four studios, 10 one-bedroom units, and a pair of two-bedroom units. The first floor features an office and a community room for residents’ use.

During the ribbon cutting, Village President Deborah Bullwinkel welcomed The Landings on Villa to the community.

"We consider you a part of our family. We're all about integration. We're all in this together. All for one and one for all," President Bullwinkel said.

State Representative Deb Conroy also attend the ribbon cutting and touched on the importance of providing housing for those with disabilities.

"When I'm in Springfield, I'm talking about Trinity quite a bit. This to me, is a model of where we need to go for all disabilities going forward. To me, a disability is an ability, and we need to be very inclusive with that. There are so many people that this type of housing can help," Rep. Conroy said.

Art Dykstra Executive Director of Trinity Service, Inc. talked about Trinity’s mission.

"One of our missions is to help people with disabilities live full and abundant lives, and having an appropriate home is part of having an abundant life," Dykstra said before two residents of The Landings had the honor of officially cutting the ribbon.

Business is Booming

Village Officials and Villa Park Chamber of Commerce members welcome Trust Lending (left), Midas, and Keyway Lock & Security to Villa Park May 15th.

VILLA PARK – Villa Park welcomed a few new businesses and new owners to town with a trio of ribbon cuttings hosted by the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce along North Avenue on Friday, May 15^th.

Trust Lending kicked off the festivities at their new 1015 W. North Avenue location, followed by another ribbon cutting at Keyway Lock & Security at 39 West North Avenue. Lastly, the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce and Village officials celebrated new ownership at the Villa Park Midas on the Southeast corner of North and Ardmore avenues.

Be sure to shop local and check out these new businesses.

Villa Park provides meeting place for Craigslist transactions

VILLA PARK – After a handful of high-profile crimes involving Craigslist buyers or sellers being victimized, the Villa Park Police Department is joining departments around the country by providing a designated location for such transactions.

In an effort to reduce the chance of those incidents, the Village of Villa Park will offer its Police Department lobby as a meeting place to complete online transactions. A staff member is at the front desk from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, and even if the staff member at the desk is busy, there are other department staff members around at any given time.

While the Police Department lobby is available, staff recommends that people arrange their transactions during the day and bring a buddy.

Although the police department is being used as a venue to conduct transactions, this does not guarantee the validity of any merchandise or payments made as a result of Craigslist transactions. Police department personnel will not document the identity or specifics of any transaction taking place at the police department.

Upcoming events

May 18 - 23

Free Fitness Week, at the Iowa Community Center, 338 North Iowa Avenue.

May 24th

French Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gazebo on Park Boulevard and Ardmore Avenue.

May 25th

Memorial Day Service, noon to 1 p.m. at the Villa Park VFW Post 2801, 39 East St. Charles Road.

May 29th

Cop on a Rooftop, beginning at 5 a.m., at Dunkin' Donuts, 1 West St. Charles Road.

May 30th
Kiwanis Giant Yard Sale Fundraiser, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at North Park Mall parking lot, North Addison Road and North Avenue.

May 31st

Summer Reading Kickoff Concert: Tropixplosion, 1 to 3 p.m. at the Villa Park Public Library, 305 S. Armore Avenue.

May 31st

French Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gazebo on Park Boulevard and Ardmore Avenue.

June 8th

Village of Villa Park Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 20 South Ardmore Avenue.

June 14th

Chicago Double Road Race, 7:30 a.m. at the Odeum, 1033 North Villa Avenue.

Connect with Villa Park

Questions, comments & concerns

Please contact, Mari Grigaliunas, the Village's Public Information Officer at mgrigaliunas@invillapark.com or (630) 592-6082.