Updated 3/28/09

Preserve Virgil supports 3 Village Board Candidates

Statements from the candidates Bob Neisendorf I have been a Village of Virgil Trustee since 2005.  I am 56 years old and have lived most of my life in the Virgil area except for a 15-year period when I was serving in the Army and was first married. My wife Jane and I built our house in the Virgil Meadows subdivision 23 years ago, intending to move within 3 to 5 years.  We’re still here!  We stayed because we wanted to raise our children in the rural atmosphere and with the community values of a small town like Virgil. I have been a member of Preserve Virgil since 2004, and know that in spite of the current economy, future growth is inevitable, although at a smaller scale than the recent past. I feel Virgil’s future growth needs to be compatible with the existing homes and that we need to utilize the unique opportunities that the Kane County Forest Preserve presents to our village.  My vision for Virgil is to see future growth focus on agriculture and equestrian         type development.  Therefore, I oppose the small lot/high density type growth proposed previously by the Founders Creek development. Dave Kosarek I have been a resident of Virgil for over 10 years, and I currently serve as a member of the Virgil Village Plan Commission. I am running for Trustee in an effort to aid in the decisions that affect our rural community.  I am happy to volunteer my time and efforts, and share my knowledge in the construction trades, for the benefit of our village, and have no vested interests or personal gain in mind.  Instead, my efforts have been to step in and do what I can for the benefit of the entire village and its residents.  As an example, in recent months, as a private citizen, and in collaboration with our Village President Debbie Washburn, we realized there was a flaw in our village zoning ordinance regarding pole barn construction on residential lots.  She invited me to speak to the village board and explain the details, after which the board agreed, and amended the zoning ordinance. This amendment allows home-owners to construct a stronger, safer outbuilding, at less cost, yet it conforms to the uniformity standards in likeness to the home’s exterior.      I look forward to continuing this good working relationship as a member of our village board, and likewise with the members of our community, in order to preserve the uniqueness and tranquility of the country town we live in. Penny Dyer I was born and raised in Aurora, IL.  I have been married for 12 years and I have 2 boys, 16 and 12 years of age, who have gone to Kaneland Schools since kindergarten and are active in football, basketball and track.  We have lived in Virgil for 14 years, and moved here because of the country feeling of living, but not too far away from neighbors and shopping.  I work for The Elliott Donnelly Group, a manufacturer sales rep for fire and safety products, located in Elburn, IL. I currently serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Village of Virgil. I am running for Village Trustee to be more involved in our community. I would like to       learn more of what our village is looking for and help to make our small village a beautiful place to live, a small country village. I would love to see a village hall built with a playground for the kids to have a place to play or hang out. I would like everyone to know that I am here to listen and will be here to discuss anything that is on their mind.

See Preserve Virgil Election Flyer In 2005, Virgil voters elected three Preserve Virgil supported candidates to the Village Board to halt consideration of the proposed 2,670-home Founders Creek development – and, in a special advisory referendum, voted more than 2 to 1 against the proposed development.  Preserve Virgil helped initiate discussions with the Kane County Forest Preserve District to acquire the land in the proposed development as the Virgil Forest Preserve – now a 1,100-acre recreational and natural asset for our village. Two years ago, Virgil elected Debbie Washburn as Village Board President and Jamie LeBlanc and Peter Walker as Village Trustees – all supported by Preserve Virgil.  Now Bob Neisendorf, an original Preserve Virgil supported Trustee, is running for another four-year term.  Joining him on the ballot are two more candidates who share the tradition of preserving our small town atmosphere:  Dave Kosarek and Penny Dyer. Special thanks to James Giannini who has served on the Village Board for the past four years but is not seeking reelection. Virgil's newest asset: 1,100 Acre Forest Preserve The Kane County Forest Preserve District announced in July 2006 that it had completed the purchase of 1, 100 acres of woods, wetlands, and farmland on the north edge of Virgil.The acquistion, to be called the Virgil Forest Preserve, is the first forest preserve property wholly within Virgil Township. In announcing the purchase, Forest Preserve District President John Hoscheit credited the efforts of Preserve Virgil with focusing the district on preserving open space in the township. The 1,100 acre preserve was formed from adjoining properties owned by seven landowners generally north and west of the existing village. Much of the land involved had been part of the proposal for the 2,600 home Founders Creek development. The land purchase was financed by part of a $75 million open space bond issue approved by Kane County voters in 2005. Prior to settlement and cultivation, the Virgil area was characterized by seasonal  marsh land and grasslands.  As such, the new forest preserve represents an important opportunity to recreate wetlands and grasslands on a scale that will encourage wildlife and outdoor recreational uses. As development in Kane County proceeds westward, it was crucial that property in the western townships be acquired to set it aside as open space and natural areas.