The reason they are building all those traffic roundabouts on and nearby Hunt Club Road is now clear. They are circling the wagons in Old Mill Creek.
Ha ha, as readers of this blog are redundantly aware ...
The Roundabout Runaround
the Villages of Lindenhurst and Old Mill Creek are engaged in a non-shooting war over the proposed trajectory of the Route 45 bypass. The citizens of Lindenhurst would prefer to see the bypass routed through the valuable undeveloped real-estate in Old Mill Creek. While the citizens of Old Mill Creek would prefer to see the bypass routed through the valuable sub-developments in Lindenhurst.
The theater of battle, so far, has been the op-ed pages, lately inundated with salvos of angry letters to the editors. The balance of power in this war of words would seem to favor the more numerous troops of Lindenhurst, however the opposing forces of Old Mill Creek (pop 178) have not been silent.
All of which is the premise for this week's
Cadge & Release™:
The Cadge:
Daily Herald
Support Route 45 bypass plan
The traffic congestion that will be alleviated by the U.S. Route 45 bypass will benefit thousands of people in the region daily - not just the residents of the Heritage Trails and Forest Trails subdivisions. U.S. Highway 45 is a major arterial used by thousands of motorists daily. The current traffic jams impact people from the entire region.
I trust the expertise of the Lake County Division of Transportation and the professional engineers hired to work on the project, and their ability to consider the factors as they relate to the transportation needs of the entire region, not just the immediate area. There are many more reasons to support funding the proposed bypass than to oppose it.
The proposed bypass is a better alternative for the region than no bypass at all. I hope that our Lake County Board members will support the recommendations made by the Lake County DOT regarding the transportation project that will benefit thousands of motorists who suffer through the Millburn Strangler day after day - and vote to fund the U.S. Route 45 bypass.
Jennifer D Andrew
Lindenhurst
Support Route 45 bypass plan | The Release:
News-Sun
Growth of sprawl
I am one of many area residents who has contributed to the suburban sprawl in northeastern Lake County. When I moved to Gurnee in 1987, there was no traffic. Grand Avenue was a country road with a stop sign at Hunt Club Road.
It took me 15 minutes to get to work in Libertyville. There was no rush hour. That was then. I built a house in Heritage Trails in Lindenhurst in 1996. It then took me 20 minutes to get to work.
It now takes longer and longer to get to and from work — anywhere from 40 to 75 minutes each way depending on the day and the weather. I adore my job, but I detest the commute. A significant portion of my commute is often spent just trying to get out of my neighborhood, Heritage Trails, and through the "Millburn Strangler."
I first learned of the proposed Route 45 bypass 15 years ago in the sales office of the Heritage Trails subdivision before purchasing my home. Yes, everyone who bought in Heritage Trails knew that a future bypass was planned, and that it was supposed to be located adjacent to our subdivision.
People who chose to build in the Forest Trails subdivision were also well aware that a future bypass would bisect their subdivision. People chose to build homes there anyway.
I was elated when Lake County decided to proceed with the Millburn Bypass, even though it is not a county highway. I participated on the Route 45 Bypass Citizen's Advisory Committee as the representative for the Historic Millburn Community Association, Inc. CAG members were told at the first meeting that we would be asked to provide input, but that we would not be voting to determine the location of the bypass.
Some members of CAG believe that the chosen bypass alternative will best resolve the traffic congestion and improve the traffic flow in the area. Other members were upset with the selected route. Emotions are escalating.
The sentiment expressed by those opposing the western bypass route appears to be that they would rather have no bypass at all if they can't have the location they desire. There are many more reasons to support the proposed bypass than to oppose it.
The proposed bypass is a better alternative for the region than no bypass at all.
Jennifer Durot Andrew
Lindenhurst
Growth of sprawl |
Operatives will recognize the tried & true technique of the letter-blitz: send the same letter to multiple newspapers. Editors, happy to publish free content, typically play along. And if they like your letter, send it out again in a week or two, signed by someone else.
Operatives however may not recognize the identity of the author of the above letters, who is also an employee of the village of Old Mill Creek ...
Village of Old Mill Creek
By your LakeCouyntyEye's rough estimate, Old Mill Creek is trailing Lindenhurst in published missives by a factor of five to one. Government operatives in Old Mill Creek are encouraged to quickly convene a letter writing committee if they hold any hope of closing their missive gap.
Not since Sarah Palin abruptly quit being a Governor, not even since Edward VIII abruptly quit being a King, has Lake County been this surprised over a resignation statement. Your LakeCountyEye of course refers to Island Lake Trustee Laurie Rabattini's sudden announcement that she will no longer chair her village finance committee.
