Community: September 2008 Archives

It's over. The question about whether the historic Hammerschmidt mansion at 432 E. Chicago Ave. should receive landmark status is settled, and in the end it came down to a debate about property owner rights.

The council voted 5-3 not to grant landmark status. Doug Krause, Kenn Miller, Darlene Senger, James Boyajian and Richard Furstenau voted in the majority, while council members John Rosanova and Robert Fieseler and Mayor A. George Pradel were in the minority.

What's next? Will the house be razed by the owners? What's the status of that effort to sell shares and raise money to buy and restore the home? What do you think of the council's decision--did it get it right?

The sound of gushing water filled the basement of Benjamin Moore Paints around noon Monday. Manager Louis Kussman had rushed to move boxes of drapes and paper products to high shelves when water started leaking into the downtown Naperville store Sunday morning. Even after the rain stopped early Monday morning, the water continued to creep up. "Until the river goes down, this ain't going down," said Kussman, standing on the fourth step of the basement stairs and looking at the two feet of water covering the floor. While water was just below the first step around 9 a.m., it had nearly reached the third step 3 ½ hours later, he said.

Stories like this one told by staff reporter Paige Winfield paint a vivid picture. We'd like to share your story about the weekend flooding. Was your wedding or birthday party put on hold? What's the situation at your house, and in your neighborhood? Do you have water in your basement? Are you affected by closed roads, or flooding in your neighborhood? (If you have pictures, send them to photooftheday@scn1.com.) What do you think of the response by city and other emergency officials?

Northern Illinois remained under a flash flood watch Saturday, as Naperville activated its Emergency Operation Center and reported some roads were impassable due to heavy rains.

Still, other communities appear to be much more affected by the flooding Saturday. Naperville is experiencing some problems, but the situation here does not appear to be as bad as it is in other towns.

More rain is forecast for Sunday, as Illinois is expected to be hit by the remnants of Hurricane Ike.

What's the situation at your house, and in your neighborhood? Do you have water in your basement? Are you affected by closed roads, or flooding in your neighborhood? (If you have pictures, send them to photooftheday@scn1.com.) What do you think of the response by city and other emergency officials?

On this solemn day, we pause to remember those who lost their lives during the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and the many patriots who have perished in the conflicts in Iraq and Afganistan since that terrible day. We reflect on our nation, our freedom, and the common bonds we share as Americans.

How has 9/11 changed or affected you, and the way you and your family lead their lives? Please be respectful with your comments.

Organizers are set to kick off Naperville's second annual Celebration of Peace. It will run Sept. 15 through Oct. 16 and feature lectures and discussions, a film fest, a charitable drive to collect art supplies for children, and keynote addresses by Robert Thurman (father of actress Uma) and Martin Luther King III.

We encourage everyone in Naperville to embrace the spirit of the Celebration of Peace. To your best to peacefully resolve conflicts for the next few weeks. If you want to support the drive to collect art supplies, contributions such as chalk, crayons, markers, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, scissors, paints, brushes and rulers are most needed. Used and partial contributions are welcome as long as they work. Drop-off sites include the following Celebration of Peace Community Partners:

District 204 elementary schools
District 203 Administration Center, 203 W. Hillside Road
Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Avenue
School of the Performing Arts, 200 E. 5th Avenue, #132
Trader Joe's, 44 West Gartner Road
Whole Foods, 2607 W. 75th
Kroehler Family YMCA, 34 S. Washington Street
Fry Family YMCA, 2121 W. 95th Street
St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1500 Brookdale Road
Wesley United Methodist Church, 21 E. Franklin Avenue