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Features
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Affordable,
high-speed Internet
access finally comes to Lincoln
[MARCH
5, 2001] More
than a year and a half after the first plans were laid, Lincoln’s
major Internet provider, CCAonline, has broken ground for a new
tower that will provide Lincoln with broadband-wireless Internet
access. "Lincoln can now compete with surrounding larger cities
such as Springfield and Peoria that have DSL and cable modems,"
says Curt Schleich, webmaster and co-owner of CCA Wireless.
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This
new wireless service will offer high-speed Internet service at
reasonable prices that businesses and individuals can afford. While
the service is new to the public, the technology has been around
since the ’60s. It was previously used only by the military.
Wireless solves the "last mile" communications problems
that occur between house and main source, as in between house and
local Internet server.
Why
wireless?
The
consideration to add wireless began more than two years ago when
Computer Consulting Associates owners Jim Youngquist and Curt
Schleich began researching for an improved means to provide better
quality high-speed Internet access. Without the use of big company
equipment, our area telephone lines cannot support DSL or cable
modems that are used by other larger communities.
Where
do you go to buy a tower and what tower do you choose?
CCA
investigated "getting an antenna into the air using downtown
buildings or current towers," informs Schleich, but those
choices proved to be either quality or cost-prohibitive, or lacked a
place for nearby equipment storage. It was soon recognized that a
tower was the only option.
The
quest for a tower source was the first step. After some searching a
company was located that had been building towers since 1949. Plans
were drawn up and engineer approved. All was falling in line with
the timing of the city building code and special use applications.
Then a sad thing happened. One of the partners in the tower company
died suddenly. The company was shutting down. After a new search was
begun, it took many months to find another provider at a much higher
cost. Then there would be the special application for engineering
approval, more time and fees again. Just as another company that
could do the job was found, CCA received word that the original
tower company was resuming business with a new assistant. The
original plans, already drawn up with engineering approval, could be
used.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Dotting
their i’s and crossing their t’s
In
the meantime, there was also some time involved in getting approval
from the city to erect the tower. Soon, CCA was approved as one of
several tower sites under the city’s new Telecommunications Tower
Ordinance. CCA is open to adding other antennas for other
businesses. At this time the tower will sport two antennas. One will
be for CCA Wireless and they have one renter, Illinois Paging,
scheduled to go up later. Currently, there is room for one more
antenna on this facility.
New
technology
Schleich
is excited about bringing this new technology to Lincoln. Because it
is new technology he could not say just how many users the wireless
will be able to support on the first antenna. As with their online
business, he plans to "closely monitor equipment for bandwidth
and how much the service is used."
When
asked about what this project has cost besides a lot of patience and
planning, Schleich responds, "By the time we’re all done it
will have cost between $20,000 and $25, 000."
You
can log on to www.ccaonline.com
for more information about wireless technology. Schleich says you
can also find cost and sign-up information. There are already about
70 sign-ups on the waiting list. The sign-ups will be notified via
e-mail when the tower is up and service has been initialized. Then
"sign-ups will be contacted in turn for site evaluation and
equipment setup," he says.
Welcome
to the 21st century, Lincoln!
[Jan
Youngquist]
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Farmers
Bank in Mount Pulaski will grow
 [MARCH
1, 2001] Both
Farmers Bank and Citizens National Bank are excited about a recent
transaction. Mount Pulaski’s Farmers Bank committed to buy the
liabilities and assets of the Citizens National Bank branch in Mount
Pulaski. The sale will be finalized after regulatory approval, which
should take 90 days. At that time, Farmers Bank will acquire
approximately $6 billion in deposits.
Richard
Volle, vice president of Mount Pulaski’s Farmers Bank branch, and
Timothy C. Flemming, president and CEO of Citizens National Bank in
Macomb, announced that both banks will work to "provide a
smooth transition for the customers of the branch." According
to Volle, "The additional deposits and assets would allow
Farmers to more effectively compete in the Logan County market
area." Flemming believes the sale "would allow Citizens to
better emphasize its presence in its McDonough, Macoupin and Henry
County markets."
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Davis
presents Lincoln landmark ideas
[FEB.
22, 2001] Pastor
S.M. Davis, a local resident, presented slides last night to the
Looking For Lincoln meeting under the administration of Main Street
Lincoln. The town of Lincoln was named in honor of Abraham
Lincoln before he became president, but Davis mentioned that it
seems apparent that most people in the United States are not aware
that the city was named in honor of Abraham. The slides presented
interesting ways in which the city could advance the Looking for
Lincoln program in our town.
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Davis
suggested that a large landmark is a positive way to attract
tourists and inform them of the Lincoln heritage. He suggested that
a huge statue of Mr. Lincoln could be built, like that of Lincoln
christening the city with the juice of a watermelon, as shown in the
painting by Lloyd Ostendorf.
Davis
named monuments which attract a large number of visitors every year,
such as the Statue of Liberty, the St. Louis Arch, the presidential
carvings at Mount Rushmore and many more. He suggested that Lincoln
could have a visitor's center, souvenir shops and a watermelon
playground to entertain children. Also an art gallery might be
included, showing the character and qualities of Mr. Lincoln, such
as truthfulness, fairness and charity, and perhaps there would be a
fireworks display on the Fourth of July.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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The
Looking for Lincoln committee members seemed interested in Davis'
plan. The committee feels there is enough merit to the plan to
pursue the idea. A motion was made by the committee to go on to the
next step.
The
next Looking for Lincoln meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March
21, at 7 p.m.
[Kathleen
McCullough]
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Announcements
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Sandy
Morse, ALMH Employee of the Month
 [FEB.
16, 2001] Congratulations
to Sandy Morse (Rehabilitation Services), who was named ALMH
February Employee of the Month. Sandy’s nominators say,
"She is the best, and we thank her for the positive effect
she’s had on our lives. She is obviously conscientious about her
role in the Physical Therapy Department, and proud of ALMH’s
presence in the community."
Sandy
has been with ALMH for six years. Sandy was born in Canton and
raised in San Jose. She currently resides in San Jose with her
husband, Matt, and their two children. In Sandy's spare time she
enjoys spending time with her family, reading and working on their
new home.
What
she enjoys most about ALMH is the great staff she works with.
Sandy says, "It is nice to be a part of an organization that
puts people and families first."
[ALMH
news release] |
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 The
Chamber Report
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Upcoming
events
March
14
—
Job fair
March
21
—
Logan County Ag Day breakfast
April
10
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Customer service seminars
April
18
—
Legislative breakfast
April
26
—
Office professionals luncheon
[to top of second column in
this section]
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The
Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst for community progress, bringing
business and professional people together to work for the common
good of Lincoln and Logan County.
Lincoln/Logan
County Chamber of Commerce
303
S. Kickapoo St., Lincoln
(217)
735-2385
Fax
(217) 735-9205
www.lincolnillinois.com
chamber@lincolnillinois.com
[Provided
by Bobbi Abbott, executive director of Lincoln/Logan County Chamber
of Commerce]
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Honors
& Awards
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Central
Illinois Ag president elected to dealer council
[MARCH
1, 2001] Steven
P. Schmidt, president of Central Illinois Ag, formerly Schmidt-Marcotte
and George H. Dunn, has been elected into the Case Dealer Council
to represent all the Case IH dealers in Illinois. The Case Dealer
Council is a very select group of 15 dealers from across North
America that meet with upper-level management from Case IH to
discuss ways to improve their businesses and deal with pertinent
issues of the day. Topics discussed also include new product
issues; concerns in parts, service and whole goods areas; and
financial matters as well. Members of the Case Dealer Council
serve a two-year term and meet biannually. Central Illinois Ag has
business locations in Atlanta, Clinton, Pekin and Farmer
City.
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Main
Street Corner News
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• AS ALWAYS, Main
Street Lincoln is working with you to make downtown a great place to
work, shop and socialize. Got a suggestion? Call us at 732-2929.
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