Crystal Lake Tax Hike: The Vulcan Lakes Project Bad Idea, Conservation Area Instead
For over 7 years Crystal Lake’s Vulcan Lake Project has gone nowhere. To help it along, the officials propose a sales tax increase to get the money needed to create this magnificent recreational area. Wasn’t part of Vulcan’s tax put aside to buy the land back? What happened to the money? Did Crystal Lake blow the money on something else? As far as I am concern, using the Vulcan Lakes Project as the city’s escape goat to raise taxes is getting old. I say "Let go of the dream!"
The price of this project will probably hit near the 30 million dollar mark. That is 10 million more than originally estimated. Why waste that kind of money on a project that will be ruined by people anyway? Once you have the beach and the boats, the water will be polluted and the beach will not look any better than the one that is there now. In the end, Crystal Lake would take an area of beauty and turn it into a dump. I think Vulcan Lakes would serve the community better as a conservation area. "I Propose that McHenry County should buy the land." Not only that, there are enough empty stores in Crystal Lake as it is. There is also another factor: the economy. I am sure a place like this will cost the public something…. nothing is free.
Red = Hiking/Bike Path Blue = Boat Launch
I would very much like to see a large hiking path around Vulcan Lakes and a boat launch (no motors allowed). Sure, The Hollows does not allow boat motors (unless you are the Cary Fire District- those bozos sure messed up that lake with their drills!)
For 30 million dollars, Crystal Lake could put the money where it is really needed.
I know! How about here:
The library, for one, is too small. I have seen how many people visit the library on a daily basis, it is just not large enough. The librarians complain that there are too many inter-library loans. Well, the Crystal Lake Library does not have enough materials due to it’s size and lack of funding. Even after the remodeling there is not that much of a difference…. maybe a little, but not a lot.
I say let the Vulcan Lakes be what it is…which is to say a “lake” (I know that is such a novel idea for some politicians that wish to leave a grandioso legacy). I do know that “we the sheeple” are tired of paying for expensive studies. Turning Vulcan Lakes into a fair or circus will not serve our City well. We need this area to be preserved for families (as promised) as a conservation area. I couldn’t agree with your comments more so forgive my echoes. I wish the Vulcan Lakes were resembled the Hollows , where families can take their children and enjoy nature.
At one time, the City proposed residential units to be developed alongside the Lake. Has anyone seen a proposal for Central High School’s much needed renovation? If we are to develop residential units I hope we can accommodate the families. Central is overcrowded now and I am perplexed as to why a much needed school bond has not been an issue for the City. I digress educational needs are always the last then it is like putting out an out of control fire.
How much would it cost for park benches? I believe we have already paid for them. In fact, I know I have after 10 years of paying CL property taxes.
Anita
May 10, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Crystal lake should let Vulcan Lake be. You are correct that there are more important issues that need to be addressed. Building more unnecessary amenities, I feel, will just add to a higher tax burden on the residents, since there are already so many empty stores and lost tax revenue. An example is the downtown area, where there are currently many empty storefronts, as well as the whole entire shopping center where the old Walmart is at. That whole area is like a ghost town, with an empty grocery store and department store. Crystal Lake is so worried about the outskirts of the City, while they should worry what is INSIDE the City limits.
MCMB
May 11, 2008 at 9:55 am
Hello I’m new here
:):)
And it looks like a great forum, so just wanted to say hello!
And looking forward to participating.
Going on vacation for a few days, so i’ll be back
Forkengaree
December 17, 2008 at 2:19 pm
over time the vulcan lakes will bring more money to crystal lake than what it costs to build the park.
money should not be spent on the library. libraries were replaced by the internet in the 1996.
jimmy
September 18, 2009 at 11:37 am