Articles about Richmond, Illinois, from the Richmond Report in McHenry County, Illinois

Police Officers Honored for Outstanding Service
by Greg Cryns
Richmond Report correspondent

October 17, 2002

At the Village Board Meeting October 16, 2002 Police Chief, Roger Szewczyk, presented Letters of Commendation to officers John Pikrone, Brian Quilici, Daniel Wroblenski and to Community Service Officers Terry Weinberg and George Anderson, Jr. for excellence in the line of duty.

Pikrone, Quilici and Wrobleski intervened in a potentially fatal domestic disturbance on September 1, 2002. The officers observed a man with a gun seated on the front deck of the residence at 10606 Main Street. Wrobleski and Pikrone took up tactical crossfie positions to cover Quilici who approached the man to try to diffuse the situation. After five minutes, the man became enraged and loudly exclaime, “I’m gonna kill myself, man!” He stood upright and placed a .357 magnum revolver to his head. Quilici told the man that his wife and children were watching everything unfold and asked if he wanted his children to see him kill himself and remember that for the rest of their lives. The man then pointed the gun straight up into the air and looked over his shoulder at his children in the window. Quilici took that opportunity to rush the man and subdue him as Wrobleski and Pikrone assisted.

On August 25, 2002, a theft was reported at Emporium Antiques. Anderson pursued the offender on foot through the streets and then made a lawful detention of the offender; Weinberg also pursued and notified other police officers who made the arrest.

In summary, the commendation letters said, “This Letter of Commendation is to recognize your dedication and professionalism to the Richmond Police Department and the citizens of the Village of Richmond.”

Tattoo Salon Approved

The Richmond Village Trustees had the recommendation from the Zoning Board in hand when they granted a conditional-use permit to Underground Tattoos to open the shop.

The owner is David Russell and his shop will be located at the Caravelle Lighting retail mall on Route 12 just south of the main part of town.

Village Attorney, John Roth, said, “The Ordinance was drafted exactly as the Zoning Board recommended.”

The only nay vote came from Village President Kevin Brusek who said, “"I've thought about this long and hard, and I don't know if the village of Richmond is ready for a tattoo parlor on Route 12. Our business district is having a hard time right now and personally I don’t think this is the direction I want to see things go.”

However, after the vote was tallied, Brusek announced warmly to Russell, “Welcome to the Village.”

Previously at the Zoning Board meeting on Monday, October 15, 2002, Doreen Paluch, the attorney for Russell, questioned the reasons why the zoning hearing was necessary. “What is so different about this business from other businesses in any town?” said Paluch. “It is just the perception of a Tattoo parlor that brings us here.”

The village board added some stipulations to acceptance. No one under 18 will be allowed in the business without a parent present, and a neon sign may not be displayed with the word “tattoo” on it.

In other business, the Julie 1 Call System will be employed by the village. Also known as the “Illinois One-Call System,” Julie 1 is a not-for-profit corporation that provides contractors/excavators, homeowners, and others who may be disturbing the earth, with a free service through a single toll-free phone number (1-800-892-0123) to call for the locating and marking of underground utility facilities. In September, 2002, McHenry County placed 4,891 into the system.

The hiring of a consultant to study the downtown Richmond area was highly recommended by Brusek. The purpose is to attempt to revitalize the area. “This is a massive task,” said Brusek. “We need expert help. We are looking for the downtown businesses to help us with this project. Each business will benefit.”

McHenry County, Illinois

Your banner here!