LOCAL NEWS – WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16th 2019
Jim Leach
The DeKalb Park District’s Board of Commissioners are meeting Thursday to hear a consulting firm’s report on the district’s golf courses, however the Daily Chronicle reports that no vote will be taken. The Chronicle reports that the firm could recommend the Park District close the River Heights Golf course. While there is no immediate plan to close, a message was written on a whiteboard at the course last weekend indicated that it was indeed closing. Thursday’s meeting will include a presentation about the golf markets in and around DeKalb, as well as recommendations for capital improvements and a marketing plan. Revenue at River Heights and Buena Vista golf courses have been declining in recent years.
A 10 year old child was hit by an SUV Monday afternoon. The Daily Chronicle reports that the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, which happened around 5 p.m. in Kirkland. A news release states that the SUV was westbound on Main Street and the child ran into the road as it approached Second Street. The child was taken to a Rockford hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police continue to investigate.
DeKalb City Clerk Lynn Fazekas is saying that she won’t comply with an ordinance approved on Monday that gives some of the clerk’s responsibilities to the executive assistant to the city manager. According to the Daily Chronicle, Fazekas says she plans to seek legal action against the city. The ordinance also eliminates the deputy clerk position and assigns the duties to whoever fills the executive assistant role, currently held by Ruth Scott. Also under the ordinance, the clerk will remain a part-time elected position.
DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith and NIU President Lisa Freeman solidified their commitment to working together at the 10th annual State of the City breakfast hosted by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday morning. According to the Daily Chronicle, Freeman commented that the two entities must continue to move forward together and to capitalize on shared interests. NIU is the city’s largest employer and both Smith and Freeman agreed that the university substantially impacts the local economy. Freeman highlighted efforts to recruit more students to campus, while Smith touted ongoing downtown redevelopment also makes DeKalb attractive to young professionals.