Friends of the Fox River thank Carpentersville for support of inaugural El Cardenal event

Representatives of Friends of the Fox River thanked the Village of Carpentersville trustees for municipal support of El Cardenal, a community paddle and celebration organized to mark newly free-flowing stretches of the Fox River after recent dam removal. Gary Swick, speaking during public comment, described the Fox River watershed as a multi-jurisdictional resource and credited the village's public works, police and fire departments for cooperating with neighboring municipalities to stage the event. "Friends of the Fox looks at the watershed as a watershed. It's 200 miles long... a lot of groups that attend to that," Swick said. Bob Sutton, also with Friends of the Fox River, said the event began as a small paddle and grew into a community celebration intended to spotlight recreation and economic development along the river. "We greatly appreciate the efforts of the police, fire department, public works. Y'all were just super to work with, and we greatly appreciate it, and the board for supporting us as well," Sutton said. Organizers said they hope to hold the event again next year. No formal action was required by the board; the remarks were delivered during the public comment period.