Board Meetings are usually held at 8 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at Village Hall.
The next meeting will take place on May 16, 2005 at 8:00PM at the Community Center.

Calvary Academy student Elliot Barney, who attended the Village Board meeting with his mom Cheryl Barney, will participate in the 17th Annual Student Government Day.  Elliot is one of nineteen 8th grade students from various South Holland schools participating in the program.  In addition to Calvary Academy, students from Calvin Christian, Christ Our Savior, Christian Home Educators of the South Suburbs (C.H.E.S.S.), Coolidge Middle School, McKinley Junior High, and Protestant Reformed, have been assigned to interview a Village official and represent them at a "mock" Board meeting on May 16th.

Community Coordination

Trustee Doorn encouraged residents to come out and enjoy the Annual Celebration of Education in conjunction with the South Holland Lions Club Pancake Day to be held in the Thornwood High School cafeteria on May 7 at 8:00am.  South Holland schools will showcase educational excellence through innovative and informative displays for parents and children.  Lions Pancake Day will start at 6:30am.  Tickets are available at the door for $5.  Kids 4 and under are FREE!

Come out and join fellow residents to "Take a Bite Out of Grime" on May 14 beginning at 8:30am.  Participants will plant a tree with the Village Arborist and go out in teams to create a cleaner and safer South Holland.  A continental breakfast and lunch will be served.  Please call 210-2904 to volunteer.

Mayor De Graff, the Board of Trustees, and host Pastor Georgina Ayala invite South Holland residents to a Hispanic Forum (El Foro Hispano) at Life Builders International Church on May 20 at 7:00pm or May 21 at 10:00am.  Life Builders is located at 315 E 161st Place, South Holland.

Parks & Recreation

Trustee Bennett reminded residents to participate in the Annual Memorial Day Parade to be held Monday, May 30.  Please contact Ed Stewart at 331-2940 for details on how to sign up for the parade.

The Summer Recreation Program Book, which has a fresh new look, will be mailed to South Holland residents the week of May 16.

Rubber playground mulch donated by Advanced Ground Care Products has been installed at Riverview Park on Cottage Grove and Riverview Drive.  This innovative product significantly enhances playground safety.

Community Development

The Board approved Building Permits No. 2005-0278 through 2005-0347, representing $219,179 of investment in the community.  Included in those permits, according to Trustee De Young, is new signage for Cavo Communications and Treasure Tours, and pylon signs for the Hilton Garden Inn.  In addition, Jewel Foods will make paving upgrades.

Trustee De Young thanked Ralph Edgar for facilitating the successful Open Houses held last week showcasing the much anticipated Town Center.  He also thanked the Star Newspaper for its editorial on the project.

Other Notables:

Servant James McKinney from Kingdom Ministries opened the meeting with prayer.

Village Board Officers were sworn in for their new terms, and appointments for various commissions and committees were approved by the Board.

The Board approved Register No. 505 for $926,230.39, covering day-to-day operations, vendor payments, and salaries.

Village Board President Don A. De Graff proclaimed May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day and the month of May Older Americans Month.

The Board approved an engineering agreement for the reconstruction of Cottage Grove Avenue.  The $3.5 million project is anticipated to begin in 2006.

The Board approved the sale of property west of MB Bank, near 162nd Street and South Park Avenue.

Trustee Chambers reported that the Fire Department recently received 2 grants: a $100,828 grant from FEMA and a $10,810 grant from the Fireman's Fund.

Trustee Bennett reported that students from Illiana Christian High School volunteered to help clean brush, weeds, and branches along the fence line at Riverview Park.