Tri-Cities residents, Patch wants to hear from you on the issues that affect you and your neighbors.
Welcome to Tri-Cities Talk—a new feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on current issues facing Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked the Tri-Cities community the week before on local Patch Facebook pages. We've heard complaints from residents of all three towns about the level of local property taxes. That brings us to this week's question. Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section. Florence Runquist: street cleaning. it was 2 times a week last summer. it must cost a lot to run that sweeper. — Batavia Patch Facebook Jo Dennis: Cut the publicly-funded pensions and make government …
We've got to uncouple property taxes and teachers' salaries.
If there actually is a woman out there who’s had to put up with me almost as much as my longsuffering wife, it’s gotta be Chronicle Managing Editor Kathy Gresey. The sad thing is, unlike my beloved spouse, she didn’t sign on for the job. For the record, Ms. Gresey, the only person on the planet with more energy than me, is a supremely talented journalist and editor. Given a bit more latitude, she could turn that newspaper into something really serious. And the fact that my too-frequent attempts to goad her into seeing things my way are patently unfair hasn’t prevented me from pressing my point. Now that you’re armed with that information, you’ll understand the irony of what I’m about to say. Because when I read Brenda Schory’s piece on the…
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8:12 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
Good idea Jeff. A number of economists have proposed the transaction tax as a means of calming the computer trading frenzy that makes today's markets so unstable in the first place. We could also consider capital gains taxes. I like the idea of those who profit from an educated population paying a bit more toward education. I would not want to leave school funding in the hands of Springfield or … more ›
With a tentative agreement established between the School Board and Geneva Education Association, the Monday night agenda turns to an important topic: the tax levy.
During teacher contract negotiations, hundreds of people packed School Board meetings to state their point of view, show solidarity and participate in the process of local government. Wouldn't it be wonderful if as many of us paid as much attention to all aspects of local government? The Geneva School District 304 Board of Education will be addressing the 2012 tax levy during its meeting at 7 p.m. (Monday, Nov. 12) at the Coultrap facility. The meeting is open to the public. Yes, the topic might sound dry compared to the emotion of a contract dispute, but when it comes to impacting students, educators and taxpayers, the levy decision is where the rubber meets the road. It's popular these days to label an issue as a "crisis," and it's a …
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4:28 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
We have the same problem on our board as our federal government. No business backgrounds. I would be curious to know exactly how many of the board members have run a multi-million dollar company before. If they had, they would understand that in order to stay alive for long, you can't spend more than you bring in. Again, just like our wonderful Fed's, they just keep on taxing the residents to pay… more ›
Treasurer reminds taxpayers of pending Sept. 4 deadline for second installment of property taxes.
Kane County Treasurer David J. Rickert on Tuesday reminded taxpayers that the second installment of property taxes is due Sept. 4. If you are a new or existing homeowner and need a copy of the bill to remit payment, you may print off a bill from the Internet by going to KaneCountyTreasurer.org or by contacting the treasurer’s office at 1-630-232-3565. Taxpayers can make payment by:
A quirky article, and some fuzzy feel good photos of baby animals means nobody will yell at me this week.
(Note: the following column contains significant amounts of hyperbole, outright fabrication and silliness, none of which we apologize for.) I found an unusually perfect bird’s nest in a planter on my front porch—the kind you could buy at Michael’s for $5.99. It wasn’t until I saw mud splatters around it that I realized the little mass of twigs was organic. The nest and its three perfect, blue eggs were too close to the house. We were one careless exit away from a twig omelet. The proximity unnerved us. My husband was convinced the protective momma would fly through our front door, dive-bomb the dog and strafe our hardwood floor with sticky white dappled droppings. My daughter was afraid of a Hitchcock-inspired ornithological attack. She …
I'm getting so aggravated, I may just run for mayor!
To ensure my fingers are squarely on the pulse of the public, at least once a week I call state Sen. Chris Lauzen’s Aurora office to ask his eminently capable administrative assistant Kim Murphy the following question: “What are the fine citizens of Kane County calling about this week?” Though it’s generally a random assortment of regular issues, sometimes there’s a theme. And last week’s theme was property tax bills, as in no one was happy with what they were asking for the first 2012 installment. I suppose we could consider ourselves fortunate not to live in Elburn or Sugar Grove, the loci of this spring discontent. Apparently, some of those bills skyrocketed by 8 percent! That said, I’m not sure if anyone already paying $9,000 in …
12:41 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Here is the real problem...Kane County had a 21% voter turnout. Until the payers have had enough the band will play on. Two elections ago the Kane County Forest Preserve passed a $34 million bond and only 15% voted on it. How much did the KCFP portion of your bill go up? The payers continue to let things happen to them. more ›
Geneva Township residents have until Thursday to file an assessment appeal with the Kane County Board of Review. (Calling the township assessor's office might be a good first step, however.) Coincidentally, a county taxpayer clinic is on tap for Tuesday e
Genevans unhappy with their property assessment have only a few more days to do anything that could impact the tax bill they’re going to receive next May. Thursday, Nov. 17, is the deadline for filing an appeal on assessments in Geneva Township with the Kane County Board of Review. Geneva Township Assessor Denise Lacure said to date, only 32 appeals by township residents have been filed with the county, far less than usual. And township residents may want to start with her office, instead of going right to the county level. “If we find an error, if their assessment is not equitable, if there’s an exemption they’re entitled to, we make the change” quickly, she said. “Our philosophy is to work with the taxpayers.” This year was a …
It's back-to-school night for parents of Geneva elementary school students.
Bed bugs have become a serious issue throughout the Chicago area. Keep reading to find out more about National Bed Bug Awareness Month. Also, the Cultural Arts Commission meets tonight to discuss all things art in Geneva. Here are five things going on today, Thursday, Sept. 1: 1. Geneva's Cultural Arts Commission meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall. The aim of Geneva's Cultural Arts Commission is to engage the community by creating diverse cultural art experiences. This commission meets the first Thursday of every month to discuss matters pertaining to active participation and cooperation of the art community, government, business, education, and private sector. The Cultural Arts Commission also provides resources and opportunities …
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7:37 am on Friday, September 2, 2011
Frank the BedBug Chaser again and I saw this in Pest Management & Green Lodging. There is now an economical way for hotels, exterminators or anyone for that matter to use clean 100% Chemical Free & Green electric heat to get rid of bedbugs http://www.mypmp.net/pest-mgmt-content/news/bedbug-chasers-announces-nationwide-rental-program-7894 or http://www.greenlodgingnews.com/bedbug-chasers-announces… more ›
We ask a lot of of School Board members and aldermen. Rather than just complain, how can we be part of the solution?
So last week I painted a rosy picture of living in Geneva. I was simply trying to point out all of the good things that we have during a time that's really hard for 99 percent of Genevans: when we pay that first installment of our property taxes. And yes, we have to pay for the good things, and I will stand by my article and still proclaim that I love living in Geneva ... not at all costs (I am not made of money), but I truly value what we have here. Now that we have covered my response to last week's Mom's Talk article, I would like to address what the Patch readers had to say. Many of you commented (thank you) and voiced your opinions in regard to living in Geneva or, more to the point, PAYING to live in Geneva. One of you addressed …
4:39 pm on Monday, August 15, 2011
Can anyone tell me why my property taxes are $4000 higher then my neighbor -- 3 doors down, same model -- only they have a finished basement with an extra bath and I don't??? I went to "fight" my property taxes and won. Winning to the county board was "splitting the difference" between the two board members which resulted in lowering my taxes by 2%. Then, guess what - 4 months later, they went up… more ›
John R
12:25 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
@Jan.... Monday at 1215 no problem finding a parking spot on James St. Majority of the tables available for patrons. Six of the ten computers available for use. I've never used the computers here but it's a nice area so thought I would give it a whirl. @ Michael Mak. Michael I'm just tossing idea's around. From my experiance and obsearvations a lot of the playgrounds are under utilized. I think I… more ›