Heather thanks FHN Foundation, Freeport Community Foundation, Highland Community College Foundation, and the Stephenson County Farm Bureau for sponsoring this program.  She is looking forward to participating in this program with the other outstanding speakers.

The Freeport City Council will meet at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, 2018, in the City Council Chambers at 314 West Stephenson Street, Freeport, Illinois.   On the agenda is one item of special interest.  A resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement for pothole reporting software which will cost $32,250 the first year, and $19,250 a year thereafter.  That’s over $205,000 for pothole reporting software in 10 years.  For $205,000 you could fix a lot of potholes, but Freeport doesn’t care about fixing potholes.  Freeport’s goal is to be sure all potholes are reported.  Were bids taken on the pothole software, or is this just another “Illinois” sweetheart deal?   How fast our council members have learned from our political leaders in Springfield and Chicago.  No one should say our council members are stupid.  They are fast learners when it comes to spending our money!

Gold Medal 100
Shaun White, halfpipe (snowboarding)
Feb. 14, 2018:  PyeongChang, South Korea

White won Team USA’s latest and, to date, most significant gold medal in terms of milestones. But the nation’s 100th winter gold wasn’t his first. He also won men’s halfpipe gold in 2006 and 2010, which marked Team USA’s 71st and 83rd gold medals. White finished fourth at his third Olympic appearance in Sochi and reached redemption in PyeongChang. The 31-year-old is second in terms of U.S. winter athletes with gold medals, behind speed skaters Bonnie Blair and Eric Heiden, who have five apiece.

When the Freeport City Council met as the Committee of Whole on Monday, February 12, 2018, there was discussion of an Agreement for an Application for Reporting Potholes and Nuisances and Tracking Work Orders.  It would only cost $32,250 the first year, and thereafter $19,250 per year.  This must be a joke.  With this $32,250 software program, citizens would be able to report potholes online.  There are potholes and horrible roads all over Freeport, and these have been reported for years.  Little has been done.  Woodside Drive for example in “Do Nothing” Alderperson Klemm’s Ward has deteriorated to the point that it is dangerous to travel on.  A computer program will not fix the potholes and the streets.  No more computer programs.  No more consultants.  Just department heads who will at least attempt to address the problems facing this City.  How many potholes can be repaired for $32,250?