Don Lowe First Selectman Column 04/06/2026
Our Hometown Heroes Banners have arrived, and we will be putting them up on April 28. Just in case you’re not familiar with this program, these are banners of people who served and, in some cases, currently serve in the military. You have seen these in other towns, and I am so proud that we will be doing this in Sherman too. The banners will be attached to poles in the Town Green area, which is a great location because drivers will be going by slow enough to truly see them and take them in. Sometimes, in other towns, they are located along main roadways, and one goes by too fast to really see the veterans’ photos. There is a dedication ceremony planned for May 16 at 11am on the Town Green in front of the Daily Market. This event, featuring guest speakers along with hot dogs and hamburgers, is a wonderful time to truly reflect on Sherman’s military personnel, both active and past. All are invited.
Last week I attended the “beam raising” event on the Sherman School construction site. This starts a new phase in construction for this critical project as the building begins to take real shape. In attendance were the Sherman School officials, the building committee, the building construction officials, and State Representative Pat Callahan. The work there is ongoing and coming along very nicely. A great amount of inside work has been completed along with the framing that you can see from the road when you go by.
Please be patient regarding our roads as we move into springtime after one of the toughest winters our area has had in decades. Some roads developed potholes and on others there is damage to some curbs. All of this is being taken care of by our public works in the time allotted for this work. In addition, road sweeping has begun and will continue through April. Your own yard, probably, has its usual need for repair and recovery this time of year and the same goes, except on a much larger scale, for Town roads and property.
The Annual Town Budget Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 18 at 10am in Charter Hall. This is where both the Town and Board of Education budgets are presented and people can ask questions and learn about the budgets’ details. Previous to this meeting is another Town Meeting to be held on April 18 at 9:30am in Charter Hall and this one will be asking voters to approve three separate Happy Acres Farm expenditures and also to approve changes in building fees.
Sherman’s own, Ryan Fitzpatrick, who plays for the University of Illinois was named “Player of the Year” by the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. This national notoriety is an incredible accomplishment, and the Town of Sherman extends a heartfelt congratulations to Ryan for his dedication and drive to become such an accomplished athlete. I know Ryan through his work for our Parks and Recreation Department and he is the nicest young man there is. Way to go, Ryan!
