CHICAGO: "You are the backbone of our village. You are the golden goose and we want to make sure that you are happy and prospering," said CraigJohnson, a long term Mayor of Village of Elk Grove as he was addressing a group of Elk Grove businesses, including many Indian Americans, here last week.

The leaders and owners of businesses having offices or factories in Elk Grove Village, which is the largest business park in the US, had gathered in the banquet hall of the Chicago West Hotel at Elk Grove Village to honor the Mayor on August 15 which incidentally happened to be the 60th Independence Day of India. The function was hosted by Dr Rashmi Patel, who owns the Chicago West Best Western of Elk Grove Village.

An entrepreneur and a community activist Dr Patel is currently engaged in building a state of the art 165-bed hotel in Des Plaines.As he paid complement to the Indian Americans the Mayor assured that "Elk Grove Village is highly business friendly and considers the safety, security and public health as very important and actions by the officers of the village are guided to safeguard these concerns. It was therefore necessary for the village inspectors who come to inspect the compliance of these rules by the workshops, stores or offices, to be firm. But we are very flexible and make sure that businesses are not hurt."

Answering a question about the need of taxation, the mayor explained that taxes were the necessary evil, but governments should use taxation as the last resort. He added that the tax rate in Elk Grove Village was the lowest among all the neighboring villages at least by 15 per cent. But in some cases it could be as much as 30 per cent. "We still provide the best possible public services, keeping the village clean and safe," he insisted.

The Mayor drew the attention of the businessmen to the fact that the village had spent 40 million dollars in beautification for better streets, better lights and landscaping. He also said the village had been the largest tax exporter in the nation but wanted to reverse the trend and become tax importers so that the excellence of the village in every field of public service activities will remain intact.Leading the village in modernization of facilities and convenience he said plans are afoot to make all services available at "one spot" so that residents of the village need not spent time traveling all over for payments for many services of the village like fire, finance, permits or taxes.

The Mayor asked businessmen to call him wherever necessary and he would help to speed up the process of executing the required services. It was a delightful opportunity, said many business leaders, and offered their support and cooperation in all his plans, including his bid for re-election.Among the several distinguished members of the community and business, who attended the function were, Bhagu Patel of Ametron, HC Patel, who owns a PC Board business, Nitin Patel, owner of several Dunkin Donut stores and Pranjivan Patel, a good friend of Mayor CraigJohnson. Many businesses, especially Circuit Board industries owned by Indian Americans are located here in addition to several other business like motels, convenient stores and Dunkin Donut franchises.Earlier, Mardu Peterson, General Manager of the Chicago West Best Western Hotel of Elk Grove Village, welcomed the Mayor.