Mr. and Mrs. James J. Hackett

We moved to Naperville two years ago because we were very impressed with Naperville's reputation as a family oriented town. We wanted to live in a traditional small town, downtown. And we wanted a local government that encouraged residents to participate in community affairs.

In the past two years, we have been very pleased with our decision to live in Naperville. We enjoy the multitude of public events that take place right on our doorstep at the Naper Settlement and in Downtown Naperville.

Last month, I walked over to see the dedication of the Millenium Carillon. This event established a new standard of excellence for public events.

As the evening progressed it one could sense the "Spirit of Naperville" emerge in the symbol of this new Tower. You could feel it in the air. You could see it on the faces. You could hear it as the bells tolled.

This "Spirit of Naperville" ties the past generations 6f Naperville to the future generations. Fifty years from now, in 2050, the Naperville's elders will talk about their night in June 2000 when they attended the dedication.

We, of today's generation owe a debt of gratitude to the City Council for enthusiastically supporting this endeavor and to the hundreds of volunteers who gave so much time to plan for the development of this Tower and who raised to money to build it.

This Tower, this new symbol of Naperville, is a gift of the present generation to future generations.

I was very surprised to read in the newspaper accounts of the dedication, that the City provided a loan to the Foundation so the Tower could be ready for the dedication, and that phase two of the building project would require more than a million dollars. I naively thought that all the money had been raised.

Now is the time for all Naperville residents who appreciate the benefits of living in our community to pay for our new Tower. Think of this as paying back the previous generations that sacrificed so much for our benefit, and our gift to future generations.

Millions of dollars are needed to complete this project, and to pay back the City's loan. I want to pay my share. I am pleased to present this personal check for $1,000.00 in recognition of all the Millenium Carillon Volunteers.