A 70's child, I recollect with pleasure a favorite family road game. Its objective was simple: whoever spotted the most windmills prior to arrival at our destination won.

Even as a child I sensed something rugged and independent about the windmill – almost romantic. Seeing them often in serious solitude against the background of bare winter fields would at times invoke images of my grandfather. He was a strong independent farmer whom I was told installed these energy-producing units at a time when rural electricity could only be imagined.

Over time, we played the game less, primarily due to aging - the aging of the windmills as well as us. I watched their number decline over the years with sadness, punctuated only by short bouts of interest when one could be found still sporting all of its fins.

We stand today at the dawning of a new age. It is an age punctuated by the detachment of the common man's table from the farmer labors. It is an age of shrinking natural resources, great and fearsome advances of technology, global warming debates, urban sprawl, and post-911 insecurities. Yet into this age is being reborn the aged and defiant windmill, honed by technology and rechristened the "personal wind turbine."

Its rebirth brings both cheers and concerns, depending upon perspective. Yet might I suggest that for some it represents something a bit more nostalgic, perhaps even fundamentally American? And that is the desire for fierce independence, undying determination, and a duty to nurture the land that for so long has helped define us.

For further information on personal or residential wind turbines:

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES: The February 28th Tele-Institute entitled "Bringing Energy Independence Home" highlighted different ways to increase energy independence.

TAX CREDITS: Senate bill 2242 "Small Wind Systems Tax Credit." Proposed federal legislation that provides an investment tax credit for small wind systems used to power homes. http://capwiz.com/windenergy/home

ZONING: Model zoning ordinance designed by American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) to help local government officials update permit requirements for personal wind turbines: www.awea.org/smallwind/documents/modelzo.html

PROPERTY VALUES: Toolbox Fact Sheet, "How do small wind turbines affect property values?" http://www.awea.org/smallwind/
CONSIDERATIONS:
http://www.awea.org/windletter/wl_03feb.html
PICTURE IT: The 33' turbine of former President George Bush (Sr.): http://www.blog.thesietch.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/1088865-l.jpg

- Heather Coyle, Community & Economic Development Educator, Whiteside County

The contributions of local government officials were celebrated March 2-8 with activities locally and at the Illinois Sate Capitol.

Efforts of the Partnership for Local Government Education, a collaboration among the Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners, the Illinois Municipal League, the Township Officials of Illinois, and U of I Extension, led to the passage of legislation in 2007 designating the first full week of March as Local Government Week.

Local government profoundly influences our daily lives in ways most of us forget to notice. We expect local governments to solve the problems closest to us, such as police protection, well-maintained roads, and a safe and plentiful water supply.

Local officials are our neighbors, our friends, or our relatives. Most of them serve without compensation, or very little compensation. Public service tends to be the primary motivation of local officials. If you ask a local official why he or she ran for office and the response will be something like 'I wanted to help' or 'I saw a problem and I thought I had a good solution in mind.' A democratic society is only as strong as its roots.

Good government is the result of an active and watchful citizenry. It is important that citizens understand the duties and responsibilities of the public offices in their local governments. Most of us take local services for granted as long as everything is working and we have the services we need and want. But what happens when they quit working, or we want a new service, or a different service, say a library or a recycling program? This is why it is important to understand how local government works.

Local Government Week was celebrated in Illinois with several local governments hosting open houses for citizens to tour governmental buildings and facilities. Other local government officials spoke at local schools and community groups about their roles and responsibilities as a local official.

County Extension Units acknowledged the efforts of local government officials with thank you notes, news releases, and small gifts of appreciation.

Sixteen local governments, associations, and state agencies highlighted the services of local governments with exhibits in the State Capitol Rotunda between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 6. Participants included:

County Assessment Officer's Association
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Grundy County Extension Office
Illinois Association of Circuit Clerks
Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners
Illinois Area of Regional Councils
Illinois Association of County Officials
Illinois City/County Management Association
Illinois Department of Central Management Services--Local Government Health Plan
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Illinois Finance Authority
Illinois Municipal League
Peoria County Government
Township Officials of Cook County
Township Officials of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension
Village of Hanover Park

The plan for future Local Government Week is to grow the participation in activities locally and at the Illinois State Capitol to highlight innovative local governments and the programs and services they provide, along with showcasing state agencies that provide services to Illinois local governments.

To learn more about Local Government Week, contact Jessica Van Tine, Program Coordinator for Extension's Local Government Information and Education Network at 217-244-3735 or at tinevan@uiuc.edu.