Kane County Forest Preserve District Referendum

A last minute reminder from Dan Lobbes of The Conservation Foundation.

As you probably know, The Conservation Foundation is helping run the campaign for the Kane County Forest Preserve District referendum on April 5. That’s next Tuesday! We are encouraging everyone to not only vote in the election, but hopefully to vote Yes for the referendum. Would you help us get out the vote?

Whether you are conservative, liberal, Republican, Democrat, Independent, old, young, a woman, a man, thoughtful or impulsive, you should vote Yes for the Kane Forest Preserve referendum on April 5.

But I hate taxes. You should vote yes for the referendum. The Forest Preserve District typically buys land that could be developed into residential subdivisions. The $1.10 per month for a fixed time period is far less than the many dollars per month permanent cost for a new school, roads, sewer, water, fire, police, electricity, etc. to service the new subdivisions.

But I think we should concentrate on improving the economy. You should vote yes for the referendum. Scenic beauty equals a stronger economy. You can see evidence of that in the stores and restaurants in the towns up and down the Fox River valley. Also, studies throughout the country have shown that managed open space equals better and more stable property values.

But I want our tax money used in the wisest way possible. You should vote yes for the referendum. The Forest Preserve District has had overwhelming public support in its previous open space referenda. The District has made careful, strategic acquisitions and leveraged the funds with more than $45 million in earned interest as well as private, state and federal grant funds. A powerful combination of factors makes this the right time for a modest referendum: the low cost of this referendum ($1.10 per month for the average home) will yield a very high return, as land prices and interest rates are the lowest they’ve been in many years.

Well, I do like to be outdoors sometimes. You should vote yes for the referendum. Acquisitions and improvements will mean more hiking, biking, fishing, birding, wandering, gazing, listening, wondering, laughing, appreciating, and just-plain-breathing opportunities for Kane County residents.

And I do think a healthy environment makes our quality of life better. You should vote yes for the referendum. Clean water, clean air, enhanced flood control, wildlife habitat, more recreational opportunities – these are all good for us now and leave a better world for our children and grandchildren.

You should vote yes for the Kane Forest Preserve referendum on April 5. You can’t afford not to.

Dan Lobbes
Director of Land Protection