| The Sun-Times Serving Williamsville and Sherman |
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Friends of Sherman Parks response mostly
positive
By Byron Painter
Editor
The first meeting of the Friends of Sherman Parks private organization was positive, according to Brad
Welker, point man for the group.
Most of the comments he has heard have been positive, though some people spoke against the plan to
try to disconnect the Sherman residents from the Springfield Park District.
Welker has gone to Sherman village board meetings to present the case.
Roughly $40,000 goes to the Springfield Park District from Sherman residents each year, and Welker
believes that is a huge reason why SPD does not wish to allow the disconnect.
Noting that SPD has been taking Sherman residents money for a few decades, Welker wonders why
SPD just does not build Sherman residents a park or pool better than the current facilities, one of which
was just included in a prostitution sting.
The first goal is to form a 501(c)3 foundation, and Welker is working with a Bloomington attorney on that.
There is a chance that this situation could end up in court, though the hope is that it does not get to that
point.
At the meeting, Welker announced a request of financial support, which would be tax deductible; there
are roughly 400 homes in the Williamsville-Sherman school district but in the Springfield Park District, and
he asked for $100 from each home. For other residents, Welker asked for $50 per household, which could
raise another $60,000 or so.
If all contributed, funds raised could approach $100,000, which short term could be used for
disconnection purposes and long term be used for park improvements or acquisitions, noted Welker, or
“whatever legally we could use the funds for.”
One focus long term would be to have the ability to have room to expand and not have a park be
landlocked.
“We have to be in a position to have another 20 or so acres set aside with a right of first refusal,” Welker
asserted.
There is not an exact timetable on the next step, according to Welker; it will be largely based on
discussions with the attorney, which he planned to have this week after press time.
Until the foundation is formed, however, any donations would not be tax deductible.
Mayor Trevor Clatfelter, who emphasized that this is not a village-sponsored action, was at the meeting
and noted the village’s plan to contribute a donation to the foundation once it was up and running.
But not everyone is in favor of the disconnect; one of the speakers at the meeting was Donna Catlin.
One of her main reasons is to not have another separate taxing body (which would be needed if a
separate Sherman Park District was formed), like for the schools, library and fire protection district.
“We have elected officials that will be spending our money for us every year, and it is staggering,” she
said. “Not everyone wants this.”
While understanding why the movement has started, Catlin said “now is not the time to spend any
money.”
“We should spruce up what we have,” she added.
Welker noted that there is not a date set for another meeting.
positive
By Byron Painter
Editor
The first meeting of the Friends of Sherman Parks private organization was positive, according to Brad
Welker, point man for the group.
Most of the comments he has heard have been positive, though some people spoke against the plan to
try to disconnect the Sherman residents from the Springfield Park District.
Welker has gone to Sherman village board meetings to present the case.
Roughly $40,000 goes to the Springfield Park District from Sherman residents each year, and Welker
believes that is a huge reason why SPD does not wish to allow the disconnect.
Noting that SPD has been taking Sherman residents money for a few decades, Welker wonders why
SPD just does not build Sherman residents a park or pool better than the current facilities, one of which
was just included in a prostitution sting.
The first goal is to form a 501(c)3 foundation, and Welker is working with a Bloomington attorney on that.
There is a chance that this situation could end up in court, though the hope is that it does not get to that
point.
At the meeting, Welker announced a request of financial support, which would be tax deductible; there
are roughly 400 homes in the Williamsville-Sherman school district but in the Springfield Park District, and
he asked for $100 from each home. For other residents, Welker asked for $50 per household, which could
raise another $60,000 or so.
If all contributed, funds raised could approach $100,000, which short term could be used for
disconnection purposes and long term be used for park improvements or acquisitions, noted Welker, or
“whatever legally we could use the funds for.”
One focus long term would be to have the ability to have room to expand and not have a park be
landlocked.
“We have to be in a position to have another 20 or so acres set aside with a right of first refusal,” Welker
asserted.
There is not an exact timetable on the next step, according to Welker; it will be largely based on
discussions with the attorney, which he planned to have this week after press time.
Until the foundation is formed, however, any donations would not be tax deductible.
Mayor Trevor Clatfelter, who emphasized that this is not a village-sponsored action, was at the meeting
and noted the village’s plan to contribute a donation to the foundation once it was up and running.
But not everyone is in favor of the disconnect; one of the speakers at the meeting was Donna Catlin.
One of her main reasons is to not have another separate taxing body (which would be needed if a
separate Sherman Park District was formed), like for the schools, library and fire protection district.
“We have elected officials that will be spending our money for us every year, and it is staggering,” she
said. “Not everyone wants this.”
While understanding why the movement has started, Catlin said “now is not the time to spend any
money.”
“We should spruce up what we have,” she added.
Welker noted that there is not a date set for another meeting.
Issue Date: Sept. 18, 2008