Disc golf flies into Kirkland

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

By Marian Collins The Kirkland Village Board meeting of Nov. 6 included a brief presentation on the low impact aerobic sport that is coming to Kirkland's Pioneer Park. Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, is a popular game that can be played by all ages on all types of terrains. "You don't have to be athletic," said Cathy Kamm of Midwest Disc Golf, "and it's a lot of fun." She and husband Mike Kamm expounded on the value of having a course in Kirkland adding that, much like traditional golfers, disc golfers are always looking for a new course to play. The only courses nearby are in DeKalb and Rockford. The game is free to play and discs, which are heavier than the average Frisbee, can be purchased for as low as $8. The new disc golf course and skatepark are the result of trustee Joann Behnke's efforts to bring more youth activities to the neighborhood. While discussing new business, the board listened to Bob Fleury of Hiawatha Development express his displeasure with the village's seemingly languid interest in moving forward with the proposed housing development and new waste water treatment system. "What that would do for the village is eliminate any need in the immediate future to have to update your system, both for capacity and also to meet the changing requirements of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)," said Fleury of the Schaeffer Wastewater Treatment System that is being considered. "It frees Kirkland for the next 20 or 30 years from any major waste treatment expenditures." Fleury added that he has put $175,000 and more than four years of time into his plans for developing a a senior community of 88 homes. He also gave a summary on the negative impact the current treatment system and others like it have on the environment. The Schaeffer System is designed to generate water use for agricultural irrigation from the treated waste water. While the village board agreed they are interested in the Schaeffer System, they weren't entirely interested in having it installed on Fleury's property. Fleury asked for "a written committment that this process is going to move along so that by the end of the year we are able to do a final plot plan." "What's best for the village is what matters, not what's on the plate for Hiawatha Development," said trustee Dale Miller who feels the system should be located west of town. "I have a real problem with locating any kind of land application uphill of our town," Miller added regarding the Scheaffer System. "I can't see spraying effluent on fields that'll wash through our front doorsteps in a heavy rainfall event." Fleury believes his property, located on high ground with good clay and gravel underneath, is the only place for the system. He also reminded the village that they previously turned down two other legal septic applications which were both approved by the county. "I need your cooperation," said Fleury. "I don't have something I can move ahead on, I don't have something I can sell." Mayor Becker presented a letter he received from Fleury that stated, "we withdraw our participation of the proposed project in the village of Kirkland." Fleury said that was issued only to stop the engineering charges he was receiving after the project was previously "rejected and stopped." "Once again your approach to this is less than desirable," responded Mayor Becker in an effort to end the lengthy discussion. The board voted to actively seek further knowledge of the system and the best location for it. Kay McNeal announced her resignation from the position of village clerk as of December 15th when she will move out of Kirkland where she has resided for over fifty years. The mayor will appoint somebody to carry out the duties of the position until April of 2009 when a new clerk can be elected.