Durbin Calls For Senate Action On Gun Violence
The real estate numbers for August are in. Last month, 34 homes were sold and closed with prices from $2,800 to $185,000, making the average sale price $84,000, and 84 days on the market was the average and continues to decline as inventory continues to decline. Interesting fact: 14 buyers paid cash, pricing up to $149,000; and every business day, 1.5 homes are sold in the city of Freeport. These statistics are compiled from all three area multiple listing services.
I would like to thank the organizers of the Freeport Rockford Kennel Club for once again having their dog show here at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds. It will be held on Sept. 28 and Sept, 29. They anticipate 900 dogs at this two-day event. They have judges that come in from all over the country. 6th Ward Alderman, Sally Brashaw will be assisting in presenting the Best in Show on Saturday and Senator Brian Stewart on Sunday. Entry is only $5 per car and each day starts at 8 am. This event brings much to the area in tourism dollars from hotel rooms to restaurants to gasoline purchases. Thank you, Kennel Club.
This week I met with two ladies from My Brother’s House. They are looking at a location in Freeport with the mission of providing safe, supportive housing for veterans of the five US Armed Forces, and their families, with ongoing faith-based counseling and social referral services. Nationwide, My Brother’s House seeks to vigorously address the problem of veteran homelessness through the services and facilities they provide.
They firmly believe that those who keep us living without fear on the battlefields and oceans of the world, should be free from fear when they return to civilian life. My Brother’s House is dedicated and committed to the understanding that All Veteran’s Matter! If you would like further information on supporting the Freeport Veterans Home Project, please go to mbhouse.org.
This past week I had the pleasure of visiting Presence Saint Joseph Adult Day Care and read a proclamation declaring Sept. 15–23 “National Adult Day Care Services Week.” I would like to thank all the employees and volunteers that are dedicated to the care of our elderly in the many facilities within our community. Every day they impact someone’s life with kindness and for that, we are thankful.
I would like to give a shout out to Carl Cole for being recognized by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Gov. JB Pritzker for the 40th anniversary of Sounds of Good News Productions, his inclusion in the Illinois Bicentennial Celebrations and for the success of another group, the Young Eagles Success (YES) Club Character Excellence Program. Congratulations, Mr. C and your wife, Dianna, and thank you for inspiring our youth to stay out of trouble with drugs and violence and instead focus on using positive attitudes towards improving their personal and academic lives.
I had the pleasure of attending an “Influential Women in Business” luncheon with several fellow Freeportians in attendance. Diane Hendricks, owner of ABC Supply, was the key note speaker, and she spoke about Dare to Dream. I sat there thinking about the how Freeport was based upon the entrepreneurial spirit and where some of the largest companies in the United States were started right here in Freeport like Honeywell and Newell.
Even today, we have so many that think outside the box, have started new businesses and continue to think about and implement how to do things better and be more efficient. At the end of her session, Hendricks talked of her love for this county and said that in every meeting, it’s important to her that they end with something patriotic.
One of her favorites is the song by Lee Greenwood, “God Bless the USA.” It was then that she introduced Greenwood and we had the pleasure of listening up close and personal to a song sung by a great artist that reminds us that we should be proud to be an American.
I am proud to be an American, I am proud to be a Freeportian. Freeport is a great place to live, work and play. I am glad to be a part of it and hope you are too.