The top two stories in the April 5th consolidated election for the area were the Senior Assistance Referendum and the village president race. The Senior Assistance Referrendum requested  .15% increase in Oswego Township taxes to pay for senior programs and maintenance of senior facilities. According to Ballotpedia, this referendum was soundly defeated by a margin of 64% to 36%. The other highly contested race lots of people were watching was the race for Oswego Village President. Running for the spot was incumbent Brian LeClercq and challengers Judy Sollinger and Philip Smith. Also according to Ballotpedia, Brian LeClercq finished with 46.5% of the vote, retaining the position over Sollinger with 36.7% and Smith with 16.8%.

Today was the 2008 installment of the Wine on the Fox festival. The event featured perhaps 10-15 different wineries from around Illinois. As a wine lover, I tend to focus my drinking and buying in the typical directions – California, France, Australia etc. However, there’s something great about being able to support the local winemakers. The festival got out to a slow and wet start – temperatures didn’t get above the low 50′s and a brisk wind was present through most of the festival. When we got there around 3:30, the crowds were small but lively. It was great to be able to taste through some of the local wines from grapes such as Chambourcin and Niagra – grapes that your typical “serious” oenophiles have probably never heard of.

Despite the weather, this was a great festival to kick off the spring and summer festival season in the Fox Valley. If you’re looking for a fun event next year, definately check out Wine on the Fox.