Features

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.

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.

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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]


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."


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.

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.

 

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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]

 


Announcements

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]


The Chamber Report

[MARCH 6, 2001]  For the week of March 5-11:

• Government/Education Committee meeting

Thursday, March 8

7:30 a.m., Al’s Main Event

Anyone involved in a governmental agency or educational facility is welcome to attend. Joycelyn Sebens will give a brief presentation on the Education to Careers program. Dutch treat breakfast.

• Healthcare Committee

Thursday, March 8

Noon, ALMH Conference Room A

Committee-as-a-whole meets to hear subcommittee and task force reports of progress and identify timely issues in serving the health-care needs of the community.

• Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony

Team Express grand opening

Saturday, March 10

11 a.m., 411 Pulaski St.

 

 

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Upcoming events

March 14 Job fair

March 21 Logan County Ag Day breakfast

April 10 Customer service seminars

April 18 Legislative breakfast

April 26 Office professionals luncheon

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]


Honors & Awards

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. 


Main Street Corner News

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.


Job Hunt

Now Lincolndailynews.com makes it easy to look for a job in the Logan County area
with our new Job Hunt feature in the Business section.

Employers, you can list available jobs by e-mailing ldn@lincolndailynews.com. Each job listing costs $10 the first week, $20 for eight days to three months. There is a limit of 75 words per announcement.


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