A whole ..... of dimes?

I’m beginning to think the Village Board does not always see an opportunity to boost the village’s bank account.

            The proposed reconstruction and enhancement of Wieland Road, which has all the sex appeal of the Mathon Expressway in Waukegan or the Henry Maier Bridge to nowhere in Milwaukee, has potential for the village. 

Governor William J. Lepetomane

            While the road needs enhancements and improvements, with its proposed multilane configuration and proposed extension, the village could come take a page from Governor William J. Lepetomane and have its very own tollway.  Yes, a tollway.

            There are several unique opportunities associated with this potential project.  Take for example:

·        Funding – Just call the Illinois Tollway Authority – it would love to have yet another project on the books.  Just tell ‘em it would provide access to an extended Rt. 53, another useless project, and would generate more revenue, which would help it pay for the Mecca the authority call a headquarters.  With the recent revelation that the tollway authority wants to raise tolls – another source of revenue would just add more change to its accounts.

·        Naming rights – Rather than Weiland Road, let’s jazz it up and name it after a village luminary – look at the past Board members and community personalities who would be thrilled to have a road named after them.  Maybe the village could get a corporate sponsor to generate revenue -- the possibilities are endless.

·        It could generate jobs – the village could have its own toll collectors.

·        It would save energy – Instead of street lighting, the village could give the OK to a boost in power of the recently approved sign at the Twin Rinks ice skating facility.

Of course, a tollway could pose problems for residents and students attending Aptakisic Junior High School.  But no doubt the impact of a multilane road on both groups has already been addressed.

            It has, hasn’t it?