Historical Hennepin Canal Is The States Problem?

Hi Friends,
I have heard many local city officials say that the Canal is the States problem and we cant do nothing about it! Did I hear that right? We all pay local, state and federal taxes along with many other usage taxes, boating, water usage, gas tax and many other fees and licenses on top of the taxes we already pay. I argue this is whats wrong with our country as a whole. Not taking responsibility for our own backyards and how they look. And the hennepin is literally in Rock Falls back yard. The States problem has become our problem here in Rock Falls and the neighboring cities and communities. Sterling & Rock Falls spent money, effort and time in employees salary to get the Sinnissippi Dam Walkway built. Why? Because of the connection to the Hennepin. The value of Nims Park, Centennial Park and Crystal Lake Rv Park were great ideas because of their locations next to the Hennepin Canal Feeder Trail. Arduini boat launch area park also was built knowing that the Hennepin Canal enhanced all of these efforts and was either the main reason or one of the reasons for building these parks. So why have we all neglected the very source that connects and enhances all of them? Take out the Hennepin Canal and how does all of these places look, would they have been built if it were not for the Mighty Beautiful Historic Hennepin Canal Feeder, and the beautiful buildings that line her banks. Why are we looking away and doing other projects that only seek to duplicate what the Hennepin already has in place and so much more? The River Fronts which will cost all of us millions of dollars that we do not have and will take years. With the dams in the way no boat traffic will ever get to pass by the River Fronts and into businesses like Dixon. The only way that we can get the boat traffic is to open the Guard Lock gate! To much duplication and to much money being spent in the wrong places.

Who Is Dave Druen Creator Of Daves Outdoor World?

I am the youngest of 7 children of Alice & Oden Druen from Kentucky. We lived in a small two bedroom house in a small sub division east of Rock Falls on Rt 30. My dad was employed at North Western Steel & Wire for 25 years. My mom and dad believed in God as I do and we grew up in church. After school at Rock Falls High I left for Texas for 18 years. Returned in 2004 and married my wife Monica Gallentine. She is a Traveling Occupational Therapist. We purchased a travel trailer and now travel from Sterling in the fall to Texas in the winters. My background is in Retail Sales Management & Sales. Spent many years managing for, Walgreens, Albertsons, Kroger and Convenience store supervisor over several stores.The last several years I have been self employed and currently am owner & Creator of Daves Outdoor World. I  have always been active on the Hennepin Canal and since 2004 have biked, kayaked, walked and researched the Hennepin Canal. Because of my love for the Hennepin Canal and wanting to be a part of revitalization and a renaissance of this beautiful and Historical Multi Recreational Trail that has been such a big part of my life. I created my own volunteer group. at one time there were 5 of us called the Rock Falls Canal Trail Blazers. Soon I realized I wanted to represent the whole area including Sterling and Dixon and beyond. We are all connected and need each other to create a large enough theme for tourist to want to stay for the weekend or a vacation. So I sat out to not only promote the Hennepin but the Rock River and all recreational opportunities in the 50 to 100 mile radius. During this time I joined the Friends Of The Hennepin Canal in Geneseo and attended meeting once a month for over a year or two. I have walked the west end of the main canal and learned much about the efforts of the Friends and other groups. I then also joined the Rock River Development Authority in Rock Falls that is part of the Canal & Rock River cleanups and part of the Rock Falls Trails. Former Mayor David Blanton was a member along with other city officials. I once tried to get the RRDA to team up with the Friends Of The Hennepin and things got crazy as they thought I was trying to take them over, which I was not. Just wanted them to partner together, but I was told by the new president James Marks that they did not have enough members and did not want to be part of the whole canal only their small area which I understood and moved on. I wanted to support the whole canal. I even tried to get the Friends to partner up with me and tried to connect them with other groups in our area by inviting them to town hall meetings on the creation and start of the Rock River Trail Initiative where I was asked to be the Illinois Coordinator of the Rock River Trail Organization.I tried to get these groups together along with asking the Blackhawk Hills organization to help us bring all these groups together and nothing ever happened here either. No one had the desire or will to have one group bringing many together. During this time I had many town hall meetings in Rock Falls, Sterling, Dixon with all officials from Sterling, Rock Falls and Dixon there.No one stepped up and wanted to form this new River Action Group.They all agreed that it would be good but nothing ever came out of it. Everyone went back to their individual ways. I will not get into all my travels and all the people that I met and emails and phone calls I made. I have been very active over the years trying to bring people together but no one wanted to and now you can see why many years later while we are making progress that progress could have been much faster. I am still a council member on the Rock River Trail in which in 2013 was designated as a National Water Trail . The RRTI formed partners and have had success in bringing people together. Today many have still not utilized this Organizations efforts to promote tourism and help promote their communities . After creating Daves Outdoor World because I wanted to promote Rock Falls and the Hennepin and the surrounding area including the Rock River I still have hope. Some think I am pushy or they say that I need to attend meetings, well I have and years later not much has gotten done. That's why I decided to go out on my own and I believe by myself I have been able to bring awareness, education and fun to many many people...

Rock Falls City Sues Rock Falls Tourism 2014, Today Battle Not Over? Councilman lashes Out!

After the City of Rock Falls sued the Rock Falls Tourism to get back over 600,000 dollars and tourism records because of lack of transparency by the Rock Falls Tourism department, a member of the Rock Falls City Council lashes out with personal attacks against a local businessman Dave Druen of Daves Outdoor World when he ask for proof of how the tourism money was spent in the past, and how it will be spent in the future. All this after no audits had been done from 2008 to 2012 per city agreement. Some council members stepped down during this battle. But some are now lashing out at a business man Dave Druen for asking questions about the spending of tourism monies. Dave Druen accused the Rock Falls city and Rock Falls tourism of wasting and losing millions of dollars by not spending the tourism money on promoting, marketing  of the Hennepin Canal. He also claims that Rock Falls will be  partially to blame if the IDNR closes the 104 mile long multi trail system. The State has no money and has laid off or not hired maintenance workers to replace the workers lost. The canal use to have up 13 workers and now is down to 3 for the whole 104 miles. Druen has asked the Rock Falls tourism and city to spend the money on the Hennepin. Druen believes that the Hennepin is close to dewatering due to erosion of the banks and deterioration of the locks and the State will have no choice but to close the trail. Below are the links to the debate....

http://www.saukvalley.com/2015/08/31/use-tourism-funds-to-repair-hennepin-canal/a2bakbn/



http://www.saukvalley.com/2015/09/08/accusations-false-toward-city-canal/af4n23b/

Daves Outdoor World Blog: Jim Shuneman Attacks Tax Payers & Volunteers?

Daves Outdoor World Blog: Jim Shuneman Attacks Tax Payers & Volunteers?

HIT AND RUN CRASH, DRIVER HIDING OUT, POSSIBLE SUSPECT

Hi Friends,
The person who crashed into the side of my garage is hiding out at a girl friends house. We are waiting for this person to come out of hiding. Please share this with your friends. The driver of a Dodge Intrigue who crashed into my garage over the weekend. His front end is smashed in and he will soon need to take it in for repairs. I think he should come out....

Jim Shuneman Attacks Tax Payers & Volunteers?

I Dave Druen am responding to Jim Shuneman a City Council Member for Rock Falls. He says that I am,
1. Preposterous in my allegations that Rock Falls has wasted millions of dollars in tax payers money!
2. Jim Shuneman says I live in a fantasy world!
3. Jim Shuneman says that I exaggerate everything!

I say to Jim what is preposterous is your defending yourself and Rock Falls Tourism handling of the tourism money. That if it would have been invested properly instead of saving it and earning only 2% interest on the money and could  have earned upwards of 500% return back to the tax payers money.  increased the hotel tax collected yearly, increased the retail business to local businesses and helped to offset the continuing need to raise taxes on the citizens of Rock Falls and Sterling. By spending the money on Rock Falls tourism and tourist coming and spending money in Rock Falls we relieve the tax burden on businesses and citizens by more sales tax. But instead you and the City decided to save it where it earns little or nothing and promotes no one,  and can be spent where it should not be spent on a large business or developer like the hotel, Where are the signs in the area for recreation or pointing to trails and parks? I see them in other towns.
I find it preposterous that the Tourism Department and the Rock Falls City before Bill Wescott did not ask for the Audits from 2008 to 2012 per the agreement. I find it preposterous that the Rock Falls tourism thought that 600,000 in tourism money was theirs and no longer the tax payers!   WHAT!
So I am wrong as a Tax Payer and business man to ask questions, to dream and he says, I live in a hyperbowl. I ask where has Jim been living!!

Response to Jim Shunemans column in Sauk Valley News Opinion Page

In Response to Jim Shuneman saying I live in a fantasy world, I am preposterous, Exaggerates and deals in a hyperbowl. I just do not know where to begin. Fantasy? Hmmm lets see my fantasy must be that there was a Economic Impact Report that says if 4 locks were restored that the impact to communities would be 45 million dollars! That many men smarter and wiser than Jim said that the Hennepin is a gold mine just waiting to be tapped into. Jim needs to point out my fantasy world! On preposterous I think I can answer. Depending on what Rock Falls has spent on the Hennepin in tourism dollars and that is the question. Over lets say the last 10 to 15 years what monies by the city and tourism have been spent on the canal?  So lets say this money has been saved sitting in a bank collecting on the higher side of interest at 10% for ten years. . Ok so if for every dollar spent on tourism you spend 1 dollar you make 6 dollars that is 500% return on your money and that does not include the extra heads in the beds and the business retail that also would have been generated. Lets ask Jim to do the math here. 500% verses 10% return on the tax payers money> So if we take 10% from the 500% that leaves us at 490% loss. Equate that into dollars lost and there is where ya have millions. Not only the tourism dollars but what about the local businesses money that has been lost due to not spending the tourism money to generate visitors. So how much has the yearly hotel tax total increased since tourism department was created? How can we determine if spending 80,000 on a tourism director has benefited the city and the community? Could millions save the Hennepin, yes! This is what I posted in the Opinion section of the Sauk Valley News. Fantasy world? Well I believe that the Hennepin can be a Huge powerhouse when it comes to drawing tourist and tourism money I think the Hennepin alone if a commitment was made to spend tourism dollars to open the guard lock gate, clean the banks, clear the trees from the canal, add docks add events and promote the Hennepin the city could fill the hotels and increase jobs and businesses all from the Hennepin.Guard Lock gate opening 300,000 dredging, 100,000 cleanup 2.5 miles high end 250,000 docks 300,000 these are ruff estimates that I need to research but could be done over short time. This is a 5 year plan possibly. But first you promote events, clean up, add docks, remove trees, then the Guard Lock Gate and dredging and then the buildings. This is just a very ruff idea just to get some numbers out there. This maybe where Shuneman thinks I have a pipe dream.

Hennepin Hundred Set To Make Canal History?

Hennepin Hundred! The Event Of The Year? Things are getting exciting as the race day gets closer and runners, volunteers, spectators and media personal make their way to the Sterling Rock Falls area. large crowds are expected as runners and spectators come from many miles away. Here is a clip and some information.

Hartwig and the race’s co-producer, the non-profit Trails for Illinois, hope to use proceeds from the race to improve all visitors’ experience on the Hennepin Canal Trail year-round.

“The Hennepin Canal State Trail is over 100 miles long—that’s a Wisconsin- or Minnesota-scale trail,” says Trails for Illinois executive director Steve Buchtel. “But the state starves all of its state parks and trails for funding, so even Illinoisans travel elsewhere to run and ride great trails.”

With runners traveling from 34 states and four countries, the Hennepin Hundred has already brought international attention to the Hennepin Canal, says Buchtel. “The money we raise can help Illinois improve the trail and promote trail-oriented tourism along the Hennepin Canal.”

Find more information on the Hennepin Hundred at muddrunner.com, on Facebook @hennepin100, e-mail Michele Hartwig at dirtrunner100@yahoo.com.

The mission of MUDD Ultra-running Dudes & Dudettes is to bring trail runners together for training, events, education and community service. More information is available atmuddrunner.com.

Trails for Illinois is a statewide non-profit organization whose mission is to connect Illinois and its communities to a network of non-motorized trails. “We want your home to be your trailhead,” says Buchtel. More information is available at trailsforillinois.org and on Facebook @trailsforillinois, or e-mail Steve Buchtel at steve@trailsforillinois.org.

Exciting Times in the Tri Cities!! Crystal Lake Rv Campground & Resort.

Wow there are a lot of things going on, and I mean exciting times for Rock Falls and surrounding area. I will be attending council meetings the remainder of time that I am here until Oct 30th. I really want to support and to voice my opinion and tell them what all my friends want also. Even if you all cant make it, I can. P.M. me or connect with me and tell me your opinion so i can forward that on to those that need to hear it most. If you tell me I will be sure to let them know your feelings. I guess I have to get with the process.I just hate how slow it moves and at times lack of just getting something done so others can see that something is being done. A little of something is better than nothing. People just want to see things happening. It can be very small things that do not cost much money. Anyway I think we are getting closer to what I believe we have and what we can be!!

Crystal lake Campground & Rv Resort now ready to accommodate Motor Homes and Rv's... With Full Hookups, large spacious sites and beautiful large private bathrooms, showers and Club House you will get first class all the way. beach and lake to do some swimming and a Go Cart track to keep the kids entertained and well, even the adults, lol. Food and plenty of water toys for the kids and family to play on. Want to go bike riding or kayaking, well just with in walking distance is the Historical National Multi Trail Hennepin Canal with over 30 miles of biking and kayaking. Oh ya and take your fishing pole along to because there are some big fish with your name on it just waiting for you. You and the family will have hours and days of fun in the sun with plenty of places to eat and historical places to see. Even Hotels near by right on the trail in case family wants to come visit, but they don't have a Rv, no problem.See ya soon....

For My Lady Anglers - What the Heck is an FUD?

For My Lady Anglers - What the Heck is an FUD?

Sign The Petition, Save The Hennepin Canal

https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/stop-the-neglect-save-the-hennepin-canal

Rock Falls Tourism Money What does it mean?

It means it can be a Economic Stimulus package for local businesses! We can increase this money by spending it. Tourism money was meant to be spent. Rock Falls has a 5% hotel & Motel tax that we all pay when we stay there. That money can be used to promote tourism like , recreational or Arts, Culture, historical places and much more. It is documented that for every dollar spent you make 6 dollars back and more at times. So if I can spend a dollar and make 500% back why would I not spend that money. At the same time I can make even more money! I wish we could do that in our own finances. But most banks and investments only return about 1 to 6% maybe. So if I told you Mr. Citizen you could make 500% on every 6 dollars you spend over 1 to 6% what would you choose? Would you instead save it? Heck no! If also, I told you that the local businesses would also make money and be supported, WOW and that we could relieve you, the tax payer of some of the tax burdens you are incurring now, then what would you say? Then if I told you that very same money would create jobs and businesses, then what would you say? By not spending these tourism dollars we are saying no to all that my friends. A small town of Rock Falls size has so so much power! We have a huge advantage here! Promote Sterling trails, Westwood, Main Street etc and even Dixon if ya want. Maybe not that far as they have Hotels too....lol. I argue do not save this for the big deal with a big corporation and then also give them huge tax breaks and then end up with a empty building a few years later. Invest in us and tourism! My Mom always said David don't you go out looking like that, clean up before you go out and see people. Well the same goes for our city. Clean it up, take ownership like you are presenting us and our community to the world and asking them to come visit us! You will have so much fun and so many exciting things to do and be welcoming as a city and as a people. Be proud of what we have tell others and share it with them. We are the salesmen and women. We must be excited about our own place and our own town because others can see if we are excited or ashamed! The atmosphere and attitude must change from a hard working tuff steel town to active recreational river community. Then we will start to see things change....