This has been a busy first year and one that has me striving to bring to life my promise of bringing "Vintage Values For A Better Elgin" into reality.

FIRST-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

* Initiated increased enforcement of our policy requiring all city contractors to ONLY employ workers who are citizens or those who are legally allowed to work in the USA by increasing audits of contractor hiring records. Two audits have been done in my first six months as a councilman with more scheduled in the next six months.

* Initiated one of the strongest animal control ordinances in the state effective June 1, 2010, that dramatically increases fines from their 1986 level, adds tethering restrictions and sets restrictive provisions for owners of dogs declared dangerous.

* Co-initiating with fellow councilman Mike Warren a comprehensive committee to improve Lords Park with consistent, all-encompassing measures.

* Appointed as the city council representative of the Enhancing Elgin committee, the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce's largest committee, designed to continually improve on Elgin's image through positive branding.

* Voted for the odd-even parking bans increasing residential street safety, less congestion and allowing for better city services to take place.

* Voted for city business licenses effective in 2010 for economic development and to use its revocation provision as a tool against non-conforming businesses including those with local, state and Federal law enforcement issues.

MORE TO BE POSTED SOON...