Leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mike, Commander, excuse me, if you'd like to come down and uh lead us in the pledge.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God and divisible with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, sir.

Roll call, please.

President Kaufman.

Here.

Trustee Cooper.

Here.

Trustee Hughes.

Here.

Trustee Koenig, here.

Trustee McCarthy Lang.

Here.

Trustee Novi.

Here.

Trustee Torres.

Here.

All right.

Uh first up, we're going to kick off with some proclamations this evening.

And we have uh a bait with us.

If you could come down and join me in the front, please, okay.

First up is our proclamation for motorcycle awareness month.

This is for May of twenty twenty-six.

Whereas safety is the highest priority for the highways and streets of our village and state.

The great state of Illinois is proud to be a national leader in motorcycle safety, education, and awareness.

Motorcycles are a primary common and economical means of transportation that reduces fuel consumption and roadware and contributes in a significant way to the relief of traffic and parking congestion.

It is especially meaningful that the citizens of our village and state be aware of motorcycles on the roadways and recognize the importance of motorcycle safety.

The members of Abate of Illinois, a brotherhood aimed toward education, continually promote motorcycle safety, education, and awareness to high school drivers, education programs, and to the general public in our village and our state, presenting motorcycle awareness programs to over twelve a hundred and twenty thousand participants in Illinois over the past nine years.

All motorcyclists should join a bait of Illinois in actively promoting the safe operation of motorcycles, as well as promoting motorcycle safety, education, awareness, and respect of the citizens of our village and state.

The motorcyclists of Illinois have contributed extensive volunteerism and money to national and community charitable organizations.

During the month of May, all roadway users should unite in the safe sharing of roadways within the village of Oswego and throughout the great state of Illinois.

Now therefore, I Ryan Kaufman, Village President of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Oswego, Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois, in recognition of thirty-nine years of a bait of Illinois, and the over three hundred and fifty-two thousand five hundred registered motorcyclists statewide, and in recognition of the continued role Illinois serves as the leader in motorcycle safety, education, and awareness do hereby proclaim the month of May as motorcycle awareness month in the village of Oswego, and I urge all motorists to join in an effort to improve safety and awareness on our roadways.

All right.

Next up, we have our business of the month.

Can I have uh Nate Damont and Kevin Lighty and any members of our EDC come forward and join me down first?

All right.

Each month, the economic development commissioners nominate and vote on a business to feature, which has demonstrated significant involvement in the Oswego community.

This month features DeMont Guitars, which is represented here tonight by owner Nate Damont.

Damont Guitars is a guitar shop right here in Oswego at sixty-one Stone Hill Road.

They specialize in the restoration, repair, and sale of vintage guitars and parts.

Nate himself is an Oswego high school graduate who has honed his early interest in woodworking to what his business has become today, which he thinks thanks in big part to OHS's highly regarded career and technical education program.

Shells from the Fox River used for beautiful instrumental inlays, and recycled materials, which are melted down to form ornate sought after plating and parts.

Water is a valuable, limited natural resource.

Conserving and protecting water supplies is of benefit to all residents of the village of Oswego.

Rain barrels are an economical, convenient method of collecting rainwater runoff for future uses.

The Village of Village of Oswego endorses such best management practices to help protect our local water resources and wishes to promote the use of such practices to our residents.

Now, therefore, I Ryan Coffin, Village President of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Oswego, Kendallinwell Counties, Illinois, do hereby recognize May as Rain Barrel Month.

Laurie, could you uh come join?

Come join me down front, please.

Next up, we have a proclamation for National Poppy Day.

Whereas America is the land of freedom, preserved and protected willingly and freely by citizen soldiers.

Millions who have answered the call to arms have died on the field of battle.

A nation at peace must be reminded of the price of war and the debt owed to those who have died in war.

The red poppy has been designated as a symbol of sacrifice of lives in all wars.

The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary have pledged to remind America annually of this debt through the distribution of this memorial flower.

Now, therefore, I Ryan Kaufman, Village President of the Village of Oswego, Kendallinwell County, do hereby proclaim May 22nd, 2026 as National Poppy Day in the Village of Oswego.

And I ask that all citizens pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom by wearing the memorial pop poppy.

Revitaling neighborhoods, fostering local pride, and maintaining community character while enhancing livability.