Ken Arnold is the Republican Party's Precinct Committeeman for the Westgate Subdivision here in Gurnee, Illinois (Precinct #305).  As such, he provides the following benefits to his neighbors and fellow voters:

Benefits

A new, additional feature Ken Arnold is adding here and to his "Neighbor News" is the feature:  "Westgate Tips...".  This feature is to share with neighbors any tips on living.  This can be on subjects ranging from internet/telephone deals discovered to how to use compact florescent bulbs in many of our Westgate outdoor entrance fixtures.  Please email Ken on any suggestions you have for our neighbors!  And read Westgate Tips... here for some great ideas!

Current Events

Majestic Springs Hotel and

Waterpark Development

 

Ken Arnold has been on this proposal since he was confidentially given a "heads up" on it in January, 2004.  Numerous concerns and issues were developed and publicly stated at hearings by both he and several other residents including the President of the Westgate Condominium Association.  Among these were the high profile of the building to the multifamily unit residents, and traffic congestion that would affect all Westgate residents.

The project was originally approved in late, 2004 by the Village.  However:  Some months later the development company came back with a changed project name and slightly changed development plans.  These were again brought before the Village and approved in the Fall, 2005.  Lastly, final approval was given mid-April and building is expected to commence in May, 2006 with completion in June, 2007.  There STILL may need to be further work at addressing traffic concerns with the County and the Village.  Otherwise, our occasional area traffic problems will only grow worse with this development.  Your Republican Precinct Committeeman will continue to be on top of this development issue.  And please contact him should you have any further concerns or questions - especially now that this facility has opened up in early March.

We must particularly be on guard for any traffic problems in June after school has let out and people are on their Summer Vacations.

Tollway Soundwall Status

    There is GOOD NEWS on this subject of concern to many of our Westgate Residents!  Ken Arnold was informed by Mayor Rudny in 2004 that due to the recently approved Illinois Tollway toll increase/road construction proposals, Westgate will likely have a soundwall constructed sometime around 2007 or 2008.

The reason for this is that the Tollway proposals are for numerous expansion and reconstruction projects along much of the Tollway system.  In this case, the Tollway is planning to add a lane each way from Route 22 north to the Wisconsin border.  This major construction is now underway -- and it will continue the summer of 2008 and 2009.  The Tollway is obligated to put up the sound wall at this time.

Early March, 2008, Committeeman Ken Arnold took it upon himself to approach the Village of Gurnee so as to get a re-confirmation that the current construction will not be considered completed without the sound wall for Westgate.  He is pleased to inform Westgate residents of the following, confirmed arrangement over the next 1 plus years:

During this summer (the summer of 2008), the "northern half" of this sound wall will be built starting from the Stearns School Road area and proceeding south.  This has both been engineered and let out to a major contract.  But it only completes HALF of the entire length.

During 2008, the Southern half of the sound wall will then be engineered and bid out with a requested construction completion date of March, April, or May of 2009.  So the bottom line is that my next summer (the summer of 2009), Westgate would have their complete soundwall!

Another "good news item" is it was Ken Arnold's fear that, due to Key Lime Cove, the sound wall would not continue far enough South to truly deaden all sound into the multifamily area of the development.  Ken Arnold is pleased to report that that concern has apparently been addressed.  He has been assured that the South leg of the sound wall will start at the interchange area -- plenty of space away from Westgate that it should maximize the stopping of sound from the Tollway.

This road has in some ways been long and hard for Committeeman Ken Arnold.  However:  I believe we can shortly see the "light at the end of the tunnel..."  Stay tuned...!

Stearns School Road Sidewalk

to Gurnee Mills

 

GOOD NEWS!!!  The sidewalk was finally opened mid-2005!  The lawyers are still settling who was at fault (i.e. the soil filling contractor or the construction contractor) -- but for citizens the sidewalk is open!!!

 

It was unfortunate that the County planning department PRESUMED that our community would prefer the sidewalk to be on the north side of the road and didn't ask us.  This necessitates our children to cross busy Stearns School Road TWICE to get to Gurnee Mills from our community.  To avoid potential accidents, Committeemen Ken Arnold urges all Westgate parents to sternly emphasize with their children that they should:

 

A)  Never cross Stearns School Road without the light being with you.

 

B)  Always walk your bike across the intersection before, again, riding.

 

Hopefully, with the above two tips. we will have our children safely traverse the area between Westgate Subdivision and Gurnee Mills.

 

For asking any questions, or getting any further information, please call Ken Arnold at 847-207-1167 or use the form below...