A revised oval design for a proposed veterans memorial was unanimously approved by the Antioch Village Board on Wednesday.
Its location on the William E. Brook Wetland Sanctuary has been opposed by former members of the committee spearheading the effort, who were seeking to find a more suitable place.
The Antioch Veterans Memorial Committee, a non-profit organization, initially included members of Antioch VFW Post 4551 and Antioch American Legion Post 748. They have since dropped their participation from the project, with roots starting in 2014.
“Both organizations are 100% behind the memorial, and there is confusion as to what committee is doing what,” said Jay Jozwiak, the American Legion post commander. “I walked away, and told Mayor Scott Gartner this is not what was expected.
“People normally work together for a common ground, not alienation,” Jozwiak said.
The Village Board chose the wetlands in the 990 block of Skidmore Avenue in April, with one dissenting vote. Two previous sites were considered, one next to a World War II-era tank on Toft Avenue near Orchard Street, and the other at the northeast corner of Main and Orchard streets, where the village clock tower now stands.
Antioch owns the selected property and will donate $60,000 in a private-public partnership toward the memorial, subject to a full board vote. The funds will come from VIP ticket sales to last year’s “Thursday Night Concert” kickoff, with Chris Cagle, and a Lake County-related property tax disbursement related to veteran home ownership.
“This memorial is more than a project,” Gartner said. “It’s a promise from the village of Antioch to never forget the courage, sacrifice and service of our veterans. After decades of talk, I’m proud to see our board, staff and community volunteers come together to finally make this project a reality.”
Letters from the VFW and the American Legion opposing the location were not included in the Wednesday meeting agenda packet. By Thursday, village Trustee Ed Macek had filed a “trustee’s request,” comparable to a Freedom of Information Act inquiry, for those letters to be distributed to board members. He is also seeking tax filings for the committee.
“The oval design I voted for, since it was less obtrusive on the wetland area, although mine was the only ‘no’ vote on the location,” Macek said. “The request was made because items were withheld from the board in making an informed decision. This location will force chopping down trees, something against the village code.
“There’s a lot of information missing, such as tax records for this committee, environmental reports from the Lake County Stormwater Commission, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” he said. “It’s wetlands. This all because someone wants their name put on a plaque.”
Village Public Works Director Dennis Heimbrodt, indicated that no issues have been brought forward by the engineering firm, according to a statement. The village would abide by any regulations that are required, if issues arise. No permits have been applied for at this time.
Trustee Mary Pedersen said, “With the new park, the bandshell, the new village hall and the memorial … it would be a complex. Antioch is what it is because of Bill Brook, a great man who helped people get into business. With the bank, he backed them to ensure success. He is the catalyst behind so many young people staying in town.”
Pedersen also said dirt cannot be moved without permits. “In my opinion, if they said something is wrong with it, I would vote to move the location,” she said.
The site is adjacent to Sequoit Creek, and already has four free-standing markers, each representing a branch of the military.
