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The HimtleY Faraisi
Thursday, December 23,1999
A Press Publications newspaper a/ serving the Huntiey community
Volume 39, Issue 51
County paves way for road revision
By Christopher Petersen
Press Publications
What is now an outdated nightmare in asphalt will soon become a much easier driving experience.
The county has announced plans to deal ¦with the Mare- ngo-Hemmer-Harmony inter¬ section outside Huntley, straightening it out and rac¬ ing it much more straight¬ forward.
According to county engi¬ neer James Stahlecker, the McHenry County Highway Department will undertake a project to remove the curves in Hemmer and Marengo roads, creating a T- intersection between Marengo and Hemmer; and removing the curve in Hemmer to cre¬ ate another three-way stop between Hemmer and Har¬ mony.
The curves are pretty old in their design and the radius is pretty small, Stahlecker said.
He said that the changes were necessary due to in¬ creased traffic from the high school/middle school along Harmony Road, and confusion resulting from the inter¬ sections.
The entire project will cost
the counly near $1.5 million,
Stahlecker said. The county is ¦   ROAD, Page 2
Speaker visits Sun City; highlights future plans
United States Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-14th District) addresses Sun City residents Dec. 15.
By Christopher Petersen
Press Publications
United States Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-14th District) told his constituents at Sun City Dec. 15 that he wants to save Social Security and return more power to the states.
Delayed slightly by the sleeting weather, Hastert arrived at Del Webb's Sun City to a room of almost 250 Sun City residents. Hastert was on hand to address issues of concem to the Sun City Community, such as Medicare and Social Security.
Hastert began his remarks by noting that the one-year anniversary of Pres¬ ident Bill Clinton's impeachment was approaching. That was also the day that then-Speaker Bob Livingston re¬ signed from the House due to his own admitted improprieties. Hastert was named speaker soon afteiwards.
"I think the American people wanted the Congress to go to work," Hastert said. The speaker called this a unique time in America, a time that has seen welfare reform, a balanced budget and a budget surplus that he sees as a way to rescue Social Security. Previously, Hastert said, the funds for Social Se¬ curity came from the general fund, meaning that money for Social Security was adding to the national debt.
Hastert said that now that the surp¬ lus can be used to lessen the debt, he wants to set Social Security aside from the general fund, one of four goals he wishes to accomplish as Speaker of the House. The speaker said that he wants to see investment programs for Social ¦   HASTERT, Page 2
Village lowers next year's tax cut by 9 percent
By Christopher Petersen
Press Publications
The village of Huntley has approved a tax cut for next year, dropping the rate about 9 percent from last year.
The tax cut means that for the owner of a $150,000 home, their taxes
will go down to $290, just 58 cents per $100 of assessed value. The previous tax rate had those same homeowners paying $315, or 64 cents per $100. Revenue for the village from taxes will go down as well as a result of the cut, from $698*905 to $626,100.
However, other resources will make up for the loss, such as vehicle stick¬
ers and building permits, according to village officials. The assessed value of all the land in the village could rise dramatically from $69 million this year to almost $99 million next year.
Large developments such as Sun City are responsible for the rise' in value, as much of their new develop¬ ment is not on the village's tax rolls
yet, and figure to have a large impact on revenue when they do next year. The village's population growth means a greater spreading out of the tax burden, as well, officials said. Nearly 2,000 people moved into the village this year alone, bringing the popula¬ tion up to 6,400 from the 3,200 who lived in the village just four years ago.