So Mr. Rabchuck where will all this money come from to pay for this? We already have plenty of bike trails that take you North, South, East & West. From all the cyclists I see on our trails and streets we already are a hub. Why not first look at upgrading our current miles and miles of trails with the air stations and repair stands before this big expansion which will end up costing tax payers in the end with many who will never receive a benefit of higher taxes.

Well at least Rabchick as some specific ideas which is more than can be said for the other candidates

What I have read from other candidates actually deal with issues that are important, like building a better business climate, revamping liquor laws and finding ways to lower resident's property taxes. An issue like this bike trail, is something that should be pitched for public imput and find out if there is support, not be already trying to purchase the land and forcing our taxes to be raised to pay for it. We have much bigger fish to fry in the City which are of way more importance.

Does anybody know when the City discussed purchasing this land? I would have thought that would have merited an article in the paper.

Sounds like Mr. Rabchuck has inside information that the rest of us are not privy too. He after all is backed by our current Mayor.

FYI: Goals and objectives for trails and bike mobility are included in Chapter 7 of the city's draft Comprehensive Plan, based on citizen input collected during multiple public workshops. See: http://www.hlplanning.com/dnn/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F%2fvMYgKkB5A%3d&tabid=1769&mid=2216

Attract cyclists and out of towners to the downtown area's shops, hotels & restaurants, with the "If you build it, they will come" mentality, Mr. Rabchuck's idea would bring additional revenue to St. Charles. That is what the town is in desperate need of.
The Fox River Trail and the other various trails are an asset to St. Charles and the Fox Valley as a whole. With minimal investment St. Charles could become the premier cycling community in the state. We already have a very active cycling base. By improving signage, reducing speed limits or radar surveillance and bike path/trail connectivity, residents would use green transportation for errands into town. We would reduce emissions, noise, congestion on Main St. and promote healthy lifestyles. When out-of-towners visit St. Charles they could rent bicycles, ride the trails and stop for lunch or dinner, maybe even stay the weekend. That's what attracted my family to St. Charles 21 years ago. Paul P.

I agree with you we have great trails already and let's enhance them first. To Brian, nobody authorized the City to purchase land at tax payer expense in the Comp Plan to buy the railroad right of way. Also the Comp Plan is merely an outline and not even approved as of yet. It doesn't say the only use is or for the City to buy that land. There were others who had other ideas for that land as a bypass and to try and get commuter tains going someday. We lose that opportunity, well it's not worth another bike trail you can already go west on the IC Trail.

A great idea. In a city that can seem to only attract bars as new businesses, why would anyone complain about a new idea to help revitalize our donwtown? Because the old ideas work so well? There are no DUI issues with cyclists, and since they are travelling at slow speed and don't have the parking issues a car does, it is far more likely that they will stop and patronize local businesses at a time when they are actually open! As a longtime cyclist, I can tell you that many towns across the country our size that promote cycling that have retail busiensses that cater directly to the cycling community and they seem to be doing well. I know I have helped support these businesses and towns during my visits to them. And to be honest, we are a good demographic to bring into any town- largely middle aged people with disposable income. And, rural western Kane County is already a haven for cyclists that come all the way from the city, so St. Charles its not a hard sell. But, given the "progressive thinking" of our city government, this idea will likely go nowhere. Too bad.

I agree when we have a vibrant downtown, but now it's 1/2 empty and not an attraction with only a few shops, 1 hotel and a couple actual restaurants. Before spening $ on the" build it they will come" dream, there are plenty more important issues like our depressed commercial dilema on both ends of the City and in in Downtown. I want our town turned around before spending money something like more bike trails. As you agree we already have great trails and are a hub for cyclists. They are all over in the warm months. I think we are years away from your green dream of residents using bikes to run most of their errands. We have had some of the best biking for almost 20 years and it hasn't happened yet. As to the Com Plan, it isn't even been approved for use and then it is only a bague outline of dreams and possibilites for the future. It's not the road map that must be adhered too. It also doesn't give the City any approval to spend tax payer money trying to buy the railroad at this point. There were other ideas for that as well, like a bypass for traffic and also trying to get an actual train service out here. That would be the best thing that could ever happen to St. Charles, having a train people could at least get into W. Chicago to catch another downtown. Way better investment than a bike path for the future of St. Charles and it's growth and commercial expansion.

Sine he sat on the Comprehensive Plan Task Force, I would not be so quick to credit Mr Rabchuk with this "specific idea". The Comp Plan is a vision document, not a mandate nor enforceable, but a 3o year projection. And the point is, Mr. Rabchuk is presenting his initiatives as his own, original, visionary....rather than an outgrowth of existing dialogue among business owners, residents, cyclists, community groups, commissions. It's already a mention in the Kane County 2040 Plan. Credit your sources Mr Rabchuk. As for the other candidates, they all have websites, they all have ideas-but I am wary of showy new promises - let's address the most immediate need- getting our fiscal balance, paying down the debt, keeping property taxes liveable, attracting and retaining home ownership, rewarding stakeholders in our neighborhoods. Improving existing infrastructure to attract good development....as for your "St Charles Corps"- another existing initiative...would'nt you like to be our drill sargeant, Mr Rabchuk. Instead of creating your own little army, why not relate and connect with the existing coimmunity groups who have already demonstrated their commitment to their City through years of effort? Too uncomfortable considering your comments and past demeanor? Thought so.