From Our Mayor:

This year, the citizen committee who organizes the July 4th parade regretfully published a letter saying that after 2008 the parade could not continue because of lack of manpower. This volunteer committee is made up of just a few Blue Island citizens who successfully brought our traditional parade back a number of years ago but found that good intentions were not enough when it came to the jobs that needed to be done to stage and launch a parade.

The response to their letter was swift, as determined people from all over town responded to say they could be counted on to stand with the committee and carry on with this great old Blue Island tradition. Because of the community's response and help, there can again be a parade in 2009. I'm reminded of the words to an old song, “We can be heroes, just for one day.”

I salute Blue Island's heroes and encourage everyone here to believe in our town's future, value its past, and join with each other to make Blue Island's present the very best it can be. I sincerely thank everyone who helped bring the parade and fireworks show to Blue Island this year: Mark Adent, Mike Anastasia, Beverly Baranowski, Ald. Carmine and Irene Bilotto, Jessica Blanchard, Greg Borys, Boy Scout Troop 788 and parents, Lori Castine, Chris Bucknen Cheatle, Jim Deiters, Jim Deiters Jr., Mark and Robbi Deiters, Nancy Dornhecker, Toni Ebeling, Ald. Dale Elton, Sandy Erft, Jim Erickson, John and Pam Frasor, Henry Gauthier, Calvin Guthrie, Johnan Guthrie, Lorretta Hauschild, Bruce Hofman, Ald. Carlee Jackson, Ethel Jebens, Bob Jones, Phil Kaleta, Jim Korbakes, Scott Lardenoit, Greg Lochow, Andrea Mann, John Martinez, Sandy Martinez, Pat McAllister, Ald. Jerry Natalino, Ald. Jan Ostling, Tony Pogorzelski, Jim and Carol Reihel, Dominic Ruiz, Lupe and John Ruiz, Joe and Sherry Schmitz, Ald. Marcia Stone, Terry Sullivan, Emily Tate, Josh Tate, Martha Tate, Erica Tello, Steve Tessicini, Peter Tilleman, Ald. Lettie Vieyra, Bob Walshon, Kayla Woods, Cathy Zylman.

The tremendous support given by Chief Hoglund and the Blue Island Police Department, Chief Copp and the Blue Island Fire Department, Supt. Stachulak and the Department of Public Works, and Eisenhower High School is very much appreciated.

Thank you. Mayor Don Peloquin