Burlington expands gaming
By Denise Moran For The Courier-News September 5, 2012 12:34PM
Updated: October 9, 2012 2:21PM
BURLINGTON — More local businesses will be allowed to have video gaming after the village board this week amended the ordinance regulating the activity.
“We’re doing this because (according to the original ordinance) Mott’s Lounge could have video gaming terminals, but Art & Alma’s Century Inn could not,” said Village President Kathy Loos. “The revised ordinance allows for both businesses to have video gaming.”
The ordinance permits video gaming terminals in establishments holding a current liquor license, by fraternal organizations, in veteran’s establishments and in truck stops. Village officials said that if a bowling alley were to open in Burlington, it could have video gaming.
The business owner must pay $25 per video gaming terminal annually as required by the state.
Burlington resident Dana Getzelman, who owns Mott’s Lounge with her husband, Kurt, said their business plans to have two or three machines.
“We’re excited that the village is allowing us to have them,” Dana said.
No texting
In other action this week, the board took steps toward improving driver safety.
The Illinois Municipal League has partnered with AT&T to promote AT&T’s national “No Text on Board — Pledge Day” on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Illinois communities have been asked to join the effort to stop texting while driving.
A proclamation read before the village board presented information on why texting while driving is dangerous.
“Text messaging is the main mode of communication for most American teenagers, with half of all teens sending between 21 and 70 texts a day,” the proclamation says. “Ninety percent of American teenagers expect a reply to a text message within five minutes. Texting takes one’s eyes off the road for an average of five seconds.”
Yellow dots
The board also approved having the village join the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Yellow Dot Program.
“We were asked if we could be a support center for information on the Yellow Dot Program,” Village Clerk Mary Ann Wilkison said. “I think this is a good idea.”
According to IDOT, the program provides first responders with information to improve emergency care for persons involved in vehicle crashes.
Yellow Dot participants are asked to put a Yellow Dot decal in the lower left-hand corner of the rear window on the driver’s side. The decal signifies that there is a folder in the glove compartment containing information with the participant’s name, a close-up photograph, emergency contact information, the name of the participant’s physician, medical conditions, recent surgeries, allergies and a list of current medications.
According to IDOT, “having access to this information allows first responders to make important decisions regarding emergency medical treatment. They can better prepare emergency hospital staff in the receiving room.”
Carp coming
Going from improving conditions for drivers to improving a local fishing hole, Loos announced that the village will purchase four grass carp for the Burlington Meadows subdivision pond.
Village officials hope the carp will eat the pond’s overabundance of lily pads. The pond covers 2.33 acres with a maximum depth of 9 feet under normal conditions, according to Village Engineer John Whitehouse.
The carp are sold by the Kane DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District for $12.50 each. Loos said the carp will be purchased and released into the pond in the near future.
