Comments on: Budget levy set next week

By: Chad D. Walz

Chad D. Walz — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:17:54 +0000

Why not make it a taste of Downers Grove. You can still call it HF. It would be a good way to show case our food and beverage establishments!!

By: KellyDGM

KellyDGM — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:45:51 +0000

I think only “cyclists” really care about the bike race, we have had people ask us to park at our house etc. but on the whole I could live without it. Heritage Fest includes more of the overall community and could stand to be scaled back to a less carnival cheesy event and more of a taste of event with rides, booths and activities from local businesses, churches, and the like – without 4 carny food stands and 20 rides and a midway. Some fests only charge admission to non-locals. Charging admission and/or parking keeps some of the riff raff out.

By: ckfred

ckfred — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:19:13 +0000

Meat,

Yes, there are other corney, lame, hair-band events around, but I like having one in DG. I used to go to Ribfest in Naperville. However, the parking is far worse than for Heritage Fest in DG. The cost of just getting into the park is pricey, whereas Heritage Fest is free. And as much as I love ribs, I do enjoy the variety of food at Heritage Fest.

Plus, Ribfest has no craft show.

By: Mark Thoman

Mark Thoman — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:53:14 +0000

As of 11/13 the funding for the annual USA Cycling Professional Criterium Championship held here has been taken out of the budget. That does not mean it is gone, just that the item was de-funded. There may be efforts to find alternate support to keep it here. The race had an expense to the village of $37,000, and direct revenues of $2,500. The decision was made knowing a downside was:

Loss of major exposure for Downers Grove and loss of Economic Impact.

Thank you Martin for the larger background information.

By: Martin Tully

Martin Tully — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:29:19 +0000

The annual National Championships of Cycling held in DG have appeared in the past on ESPN and Comcast SportsNet.

No question, deep cuts should be made in many areas. But keep in mind that: (i) the bicycle races are conducted under multi-year agreements with third-parties, such as Chicago Special Events; and (ii) other communities have vigorously competed with DG to host this event. Thus, unlike other events that the Village can skip and resume whenever it wants, this one really can’t be turned on and off like a light switch. If the bicycle race moves elsewhere, everyone should understand that it might be a long time (if ever) before it sees the streets of DG again. Not second-guessing anyone, I’m just sayin’.

By: Chad D. Walz

Chad D. Walz — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:44:42 +0000

I never saw the bike race on TV. Show me the link JJ!! Please don’t tell me it was on Ch6 so 2 people in DG watched it.

By: Jimmie Johnson 48

Jimmie Johnson 48 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:20:48 +0000

The Bike Race is an event that is broadcast nationally. If the Village and the Businesses actually put their heads together they could really benifit from this event. I have seen pictires and articles in major publications across this country covering this event. I have Family out of state that have watched coverage of this event on TV. As far away as Hawaii……………….

Good Bye Heritage Fest and the bad carnival food and rides!

By: Meat

Meat — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:04:03 +0000

The bike races are synonymous with Downers Grove, its an event that is uniquely ours. Heritage Fest is the same lame carny/bad 80′s hair band/something-on-a-stick fest that every town has in the summer.

By: ckfred

ckfred — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:04:17 +0000

Here’s one thing that we can get rid of, and might actually increase revenue in the long run, the bicycle races in August.

Think how much the Village spends to close off the streets, direct traffic, and such. For all of the spectators who do come to watch, think how much revenue the businesses downtown lose, because residents can’t get anywhere.

You can’t even get to the Post Office, and churches downtown will tell you that Sunday is one of their worst for attendance.

It seems to me that in the long run, the sales tax revenue for that weekend might increase, because downtown streets are open.

By: Sideline Observer

Sideline Observer — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:14:27 +0000

Too complicated, but it’s good to know he’s got a heart. We all currently have our wealth redistributed plenty by the fed and state, DG can take a pass.

Hey MT when you gonna write about the cell tower going in at Whittier Park? You’re on a roll with wrong names lately.

Just kidding you.