Clerk, PRISCILLA H. ROSE

With no scheduled election until March 21, 2006, now is a good time to make sure your voter registration is up to date.  College students, home for the summer who have not yet registered to vote,  should be encouraged to do so.  If you have changed your name or moved since the last election, you will need to re-register.  Anyone 18 years of age is eligible to vote, provided they register properly.

To register to vote you must:

1. Be 18 on or before the next election on March 21, 2006

2. Have resided at your current address 30 days prior to the election

3. Provide 2 forms of identification with your current address;  one must be a photo i.d.

 

Voter registration is available at the Township office Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.   Please feel free to contact me  at (847) 381-1924, should you have any questions regarding voting or registration.

 

 

Officials

David F. Nelson, Supervisor

Priscilla H. Rose, Clerk

Rebecca M. Tonigan, Assessor

Thomas W. Gooch, Hwy. Commissioner

Donald F. Griffith, Trustee

Richard J. Kosner, Trustee

Arthur L. Rice III, Trustee

Roberta A. Svacha, Trustee

To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers.  One who does not vote has no right to complain.

Louis L’Amour

Supervisor, DAVID F. NELSON

Summer 2005

Cuba News

 

Township board meetings are held

the second Thursday

of each month at

7:00 pm at the

Township office,

28000 W. Cuba

Road, Barrington.

All meetings are

open to the public

 

Office hours-

Monday—Friday

9:00am—3:30 pm

 I am pleased to present the Cuba Township mission statement above, as directed by your Township board of trustees. 

 

The Township’s main source of revenue comes from property taxes, paid by Township property owners.  As such, the responsibility of your Township officials and employees is to use these funds to the utmost level of efficiency to benefit Township residents.  We strive, everyday, to this end, and welcome your comments regarding the services we provide to you, our residents.  Please feel free to contact  any of your Township officials using the phone numbers listed on the back side of this newsletter. 

 

Summer is a glorious time of year, and we are working hard to ensure all can enjoy it.  Our mosquito abatement program with Clarke Mosquito is underway (see more information on page 4) and our Road District under the direction of Highway Commissioner Tom Gooch, is working hard to ensure the safety and integrity of all Township roads.  As you can see, your tax dollars are hard at work!

 

Other services provided by the Township are listed in more detail inside this newsletter.  Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions or concerns.  Enjoy a safe summer!

 

 

Mission Statement

To help create and maintain a high quality of life for Cuba Township residents, while providing Township services such as Road Maintenance, General Assistance, Property Assessment, Voter Registration and Absentee

 Voting , in a fiscally responsible manner.

RULES OF THE ROAD CLASS

 

Presented by Secretary of State,

Jesse White’s office

 

August 11

&

October 12th

Cuba Township office

28000 W. Cuba  Road

 Barrington

9:30 am—11:00 am

 

Please call (847) 381-1924

to make a reservation

 

SENIOR LAW DAY

Why:  To learn more about the courts and the legal system

When:  Thursday, September 22, 2005

Where:  Lake County Courthouse

18 N. County, Waukegan

Who:  Any Lake County senior

Time:  8:30 am—noon

How:  Sign up for this event with your Township supervisor (847) 381-1924

Questions:  Call Diane Flory

@ (847) 377-3818

 

 

Most residents of Cuba Township either pass or stop in at one of the diverse businesses in The Foundry of Barrington.  While a bronze plaque in the northeast corner commemorates the origins of naming the center, it can tell only a small part of the story.

 

In 1892, a syndicate, including Messrs. Bulmer and Smith purchased large acreage along both sides of the Northwestern Railway tracks (now the Union Pacific) and built The American Malleable Iron Works.  The land included the area known as the Highlands, to the west of what is now Hart Road and north of the highway (not there at that time) which was platted out to build worker housing there.  Several hundred men were employed by the Iron Works, and while many traveled out from Chicago every day, others preferred to live with their families in the small bungalows that were built for them.  Many of the workers were Hungarians.

 

Hobein’s General Store had stood at the northwest corner of Hart Road and Northwest Highway since the 1880’s.  The late Bill Klingenberg also remembered that there was a saloon building nearby, which he described as “having steps and a large front porch similar to those in the old West movie towns!”  Records show that Hobein’s store housed a branch of the United States Post Office from 1902– 1906 to serve the “mushroom” community.  There was a scheduled rail stop at Hart Road for the workers, and the area promised to become a small town.

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The following information has recently been released by the State Department regarding passports.

 

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all travelers to and from the following areas to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States.  This is a change from prior travel requirements.

December 21, 2005– Requirement applied to all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.

December 31, 2006– Requirement extended to all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada

December 31, 2007– Requirement extended to all air, sea and land border crossings.

 

The Township office is an authorized Passport Agent.  Applications for passports can be made at the office with an appointment.  For more information, or to make an appointment, please call (847) 381-1924.  Information can also be obtained at the State’s Department’s website at www.travel.state.gov.

By Barbara Benson

As far as we know, the foundry, the first industrial enterprise in the Barrington area, was in production from around 1900 to 1903.  Unfortunately for all involved, they apparently made faulty castings and gradually went bankrupt.  When the business closed, most of the Highlands houses were abandoned.  Later, some of them were moved into the Village of Barrington and recycled as residences.  Two of them are located on the west side of Dundee Avenue nos. 200 and 216.

 

The platform fell into disuse, and the wooden footbridge across the tracks was dismantled.  The foundry buildings deteriorated, but some are still in use today, and can be seen along Northwest Highway between Hart and Cuba Roads.  Hobein’s store later became a feed store, and burned in the mid-1980’s.

 

When the developers of the new center approached the Barrington Area Historical Society in the mid 1980’s about the history of the area and this story was presented to them, they liked it, and thus was created The Foundry of Barrington, certainly more attractive and successful than the earlier business proved to be!

 

A correction is needed for my previous Cuba Heritage article:  The house in which Bill Klingenberg was born in 1904, is located at the southwest corner of Harbor Road and Henry Lane, and not the southeast corner as inadvertently stated.

PASSPORT SERVICES UPDATE

Handicapped parking placard applications are available at the Township office.  Once approved by a physician, the Township can provide a temporary parking card for up to 90 days.  If a permanent card is required, obtain a temporary from the Township, then mail the application to the Secretary of State’s office for a permanent card.

 

R.T.A. applications for passes for senior citizens and the disabled are available at the Township office.  Proof of age is required- a driver’s license or state identification card is acceptable.  The pass is good for half fare on trains and buses in the Metra system.

 

The Township will take the required photo, complete the application and mail it to the R.T.A.  The R.T.A. will complete the application, then mail the pass to you.  There is no charge for this service.

 

Half fare taxi program is available for Township residents who are 65 years of age or older.  The Township will subsidize half of your taxi fare up to $6.00.  Please stop in the office to sign up for this program.  Proof of age is required.

 

Notary public services are offered at no charge.

 

The Cuba Township food pantry is available to any Township resident indicating a need.  Please call the office for more information.  Donations are always welcome.

 

KidCare is a State of Illinois sponsored health insurance program for children and pregnant women not covered by other insurance and who meet the qualifying income guidelines.  Please call the Township office for more information or to schedule an appointment for application.

 

The General Assistance and Emergency Assistance programs offer limited financial assistance to Township residents.  Income guidelines determine eligibility.  Additionally, limited financial assistance is available through the Salvation Army.  Please contact the Township office for more information.

 

LIHEAP (low income home energy assistance program) and SHARING applications are available at the Township office.  These programs offer limited financial assistance, based on income, for heating and electric bills.  Funding for these programs begins in late October/early November and continues through the heating season.  Please contact the Township office for more information.

 

Township vehicle stickers are available at no charge for residents living in unincorporated areas of the Township.  There is no charge for the stickers and they are not required- they are offered as a courtesy.

 

A drop-off box for used eyeglasses is at the Township office.  Eyeglasses are collected by the local Lions Club and given to health care professionals for distribution to the needy.

 

Warning sirens are located throughout the Township to warn residents of dangerous weather conditions.  These sirens are intended to be heard outside to warn residents to take cover.

 

Mosquito abatement services are provided by the Township through a contract with Clarke Mosquito.

 

White Memorial Cemetery is owned and operated by Cuba Township.  A limited number of grave sites are still available.  Please call the Township office for more information.

 

Voter registration is available at the Township office.  For more information on voter registration, please refer to the Clerk’s column on the back cover of this newsletter. 

 

Absentee voting is available at the Township office approximately two weeks prior to any election.  You must be Cuba Township resident to vote absentee at the office.  The next election is April 5, 2005.

 

The Cuba Cares Fund is a 501 (c) (3) charitable fund formed in 2003.  Monies donated to this fund are administered by the Supervisor and General Assistance Coordinators to assist Township residents in need of assistance, but who do not qualify for other resources.  After determination of need, disbursements can be made to a vendor to assist an individual or family in maintaining self-sufficiency.  Disbursements are available to any individual or family only every 12 months.  To make a donation or to inquire about assistance, please call the Township office.  Information regarding disbursements is kept confidential.

 

Passport processing services are available at the Township office by appointment.  We can accept your completed application for a new passport or renewal.  Please call the township office for more information or to make an appointment.  Information can also be obtained at www.travel.state.gov.

 

Retired flags can be dropped off at the Township office.  The VFW Post #7706 and the  American Legion Post #159 will collect these flags and dispose of them at periodic flag burning ceremonies conducted by the American Legion and VFW.

 

For services provided by the Cuba Township Road district, please refer to their website at WWW.CUBAROADS.COM.  The phone number for the Road District is (847) 381-7793

 

The Assessor’s office offers information on Cuba Township properties through the Township website at WWW.CUBATOWNSHIP.COM.  Click on “Assessor” to find this information.  The Assessor’s phone number is (847) 381-1120.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please keep this convenient list of Cuba Township services.  Questions regarding any of these services can be

 answered by the township office at (847) 381-1924.  Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am—3:30 pm.

MOSQUITOES BEWARE !!

Cuba Township’s mosquito control program is already underway, with inspection and treatment of breeding sites throughout the Township in retention ponds, drainage ditches, wetlands and low areas that tend to hold water.  Services are provided to the Township through a contract with Clarke Mosquito.  Thousands of acres will be treated within the Township this summer to reduce nuisance mosquito populations and prevent the spread of West Nile Virus.

 

Homeowners in incorporated (villages) and unincorporated Cuba Township are encouraged to report standing water (more than 3 days) on their property to the “Mosquito Hotline” at Clarke Mosquito.  The hotline also provides information on West Nile Virus and mosquito control.  The “Mosquito hotline” can be ached toll-free at 800-942-2555.

Assessor, REBECCA M. TONIGAN

Illinois statues provide that the role of the Township Assessor is to establish the fair market value of all properties in a township.  The Assessor does not set tax rates, estimate taxes or collect taxes.  The Assessor establishes the fair market value of individual properties from which the assessed value is set at 33 1/3% of the market value.  Municipalities, fire, park and library districts, forest preserves, counties and schools determine and set their tax rates.  The County Clerk and Treasurer’s offices process the tax bills and collect the taxes.

 

As required by law, reassessment of property in Cuba Township should occur once every 4 years.  2004 was supposed to have been a “quadrennial” reassessment year in Cuba Township.  This was not the case due to the absence and illness of the former Assessor.  In fact, a true quadrennial reassessment has not occurred in Cuba Township since 1996. 

 

Given the large increases in market values over the past 10 years, many properties throughout the township are grossly under assessed and in very few cases some are over assessed.  One example of the former, is a house in the township that sold recently for $445,000.00. The attorney for the seller called my office and asked why the tax bill for the property in question was only $2,600.00.  I researched the issue and found the value on the township books was only $182,000.00, (this is full market value, not assessed value). Obviously this house is truly undervalued and the assessment needs to be increased. 

 

Because of the approximately 9,000 properties within Cuba Township, and despite a yeoman’s effort by all of my staff, we have come to the conclusion that we will not be able to perform a quadrennial reassessment this year.  We are in the process of converting to a County supported mass appraisal system which requires inputting each individual parcel into the new system and in many cases going out and re-measuring the properties in the field.  I am sure many of you have encountered some of my staff out in your areas. These tasks must be completed before a quadrennial reassessment can be performed. We will ,however ,be reassessing in limited areas, such as home improvements, new homes and some areas where we know there are gross inequities. 

 

Once my part of the process is completed, my books get turned in to the Supervisor of Assessments of Lake County where he looks at the completed figures and then applies an “equalization factor” to the final assessment on each parcel.  I was told this year the factor would be approximately 4%.  This will be reflected on your blue assessment card.

 

When you receive your “blue assessment card” in the mail, if you feel that your house is truly over-assessed (you don’t think you could sell it for what it is valued at or your house is the same as your neighbors but theirs is valued lower) please contact my office and set up an appointment to see me.  I am always willing to listen with an open mind to your concerns.  This could eliminate your having to file an appeal with the Lake County Board of Review.  Please do not contact me until you receive your blue cards and the assessments have been published in the Barrington Courier Review.  This should be some time in September. 

 

 

 

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Highway Commissioner, THOMAS W. GOOCH III

Hi - it’s summer again,!  But think of this– I just ordered our allotment of salt-  2,200 tons plus 10,000 gallons of liquid chloride . . .  it will be time to use it before you know it !   I’m already thinking of those fun nights and 24 hour work days.  Now that you’re cheered up, on to some more news.

 

CUBA ROAD-   By the time you read this, Cuba Road should be substantially complete between Routes 59 and 14.  This was a project that had to be undertaken due to the serious deterioration of drainage swales and the asphalt surface.  We will be working on landscaping and striping throughout the summer, but take a look now, it turned out really good.  In coming years, we will continue to remove dying and undesirable trees and replace them with young, healthy hardwoods.  We have a tree inventory and are working with a forester on this issue.  We worked very hard to preserve desirable trees and believe this “signature road” turned out as well as any project could have.  Drive on it and take a look- I think you’ll be pleased.

 

DON’T GAS US! - sounds like a slogan fit for a sign or a flag, but it has some reality with the latest attack by NICOR, the friendly natural gas supplier.  About three months ago, we were advised that NICOR intended to install a 12-inch high pressure gas line from Route 22 and Harbor Road, south on Harbor crossing Cuba, and then east on Cuba to the intersection of Cuba Road and Ela Roads.  All this on our brand-new Cuba Road.  They said they “probably” would directionally bore “most” of it.  I said directionally boring doesn’t work and trenching ends up occurring, they said give us a permit and I said NO.   They then began issuing numerous threats including their lawyer’s threat of putting my name on your gas bill as a reason for high gas costs.  That threat really didn’t have much of an impact, although I did ask if they could use big letters for my name.  The Township has by resolution determined to prevent this project by all means possible.

 

Since then, NICOR tried to ignore the Township and instead obtain permits from Lake County and The Village of Lake Barrington for portions on either side of the area in the Township.  I must say the level of intergovernmental cooperation from County Board Member STEVE MOUNTSIER in obtaining Lake County’s refusal to allow this pipeline on their right of way has been commendable. Without his timely intervention, the permit might well have slipped through the County. Hats off also to KEVIN RICHARDSON, the very active Mayor of the Village of Lake Barrington.  Both Steve and Kevin know the real meaning of intergovernmental cooperation and prove, time and again,  their desire to operate in partnership with the entire community.  Lake Barrington also has declined to automatically issue a permit and has indicated a desire to stand with the Township on this issue. Kevin has spearheaded more then one drive to protect our way of life in the Barrington area and Steve, for years, has stood out in his efforts for our community.

 

NICOR , however, isn’t finished yet in their attempts to force this high pressure transfer line on us.  We get absolutely no benefit from this line.  There are no planned lateral connections in our Township from it.  It is designed to provide more gas volume to satisfy rampant development in Lake Zurich and points south and east.  NICOR has some real “spin doctors” out on this one.  I need your help and support. They have a new spin doctor, “community relations manager’ on this one, his name and number are Jim Tanzer at 708 544 5707 x 292.  Tell him what you think and be sure to tell him I said Hi.

 

Enjoy your summer and call me if I can help with anything.   My office number is 381 7793 and home is 382 1224.

FOOD DRIVE UPDATE

Pictured at left are Cuba Township officials assisting at the February 2005 Have a Heart Food Drive.  More than one thousand pounds of food was collected benefiting Cuba and Barrington Township food pantries.  Many thanks to all who donated.  Your generosity benefits many in our community.

 

L to R:  Township Trustee Dick Kosner, food drive coordinator; Township Clerk, Priscilla Rose; Township Highway Commissioner, Tom Gooch;  Township General Assistance Coordinator, Cheryl Tanaka;  Township Supervisor Dave Nelson; Township Trustee Don Griffith

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