LDN - Top Stories

Board earmarks $1,000 for disaster relief

[SEPT. 14, 2001] As "a token from one government to another," in Rod White’s terms, the Logan County Board said it plans to send $1,000, from the County Farm Fund surplus, for disaster relief in New York City and Washington, D.C., to be administered by the American Red Cross.

At the beginning of its board of the whole meeting at the courthouse Tuesday night, the board held a moment of silence for the victims of Tuesday’s attack and announced a service at 4:15 p.m. Friday to express feelings of patriotism. The service will be at the Broadway side of the courthouse.

Logan County ESDA Director Dan Fulscher announced that the LEPC-ESDA yearly exercise will still be held on Sept. 29, but the Mount Pulaski safe school exercise is canceled because the SWAT team is occupied elsewhere. Roger Bock, chairman of the Airport Committee, said the airport was briefly reopened Thursday and then closed again by the FAA. An ultralight fly-in is still expected to take place on Saturday and Sunday, drawing 30-50 aircraft.

Lloyd Evans, administrator of the Logan County Health Department, said he has been informed that blood donations are not needed at the present and, rather than collect a "glut of blood" now, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital laboratory is keeping names of those interested in donating blood as need arises.

In tentative votes the 12 board members, including newly seated member Thomas Cash, indicated that on Tuesday they will approve bids of $8320.50 from Stewart’s Carpet Center in Mount Pulaski for carpet and installation and $8,900 from High for bird repellent for the courthouse. They also indicated they would accept these bids for the Dr. John Logan County Building: $2,937.46 from Gossett’s Decorator Studio for vertical blinds, $5,460 from Gossett’s for carpet and installation, $2,982.50 from Lincoln Office Products for 10 tables and 24 chairs, and $6,350 from Ushmann Communications for a phone system. A sign for the building has been ordered from Mr. Hickey at a cost of $969.

Lloyd Evans of the Logan County Health Department discussed several proposed changes to the food inspection ordinance. These changes would restate inspection frequency as "at least as often as the state requires," change response period from 10 days to 10 working days and allow for a temporary permit with a termination date.

[to top of second column in this article]

Board member David Hepler questioned a provision requiring that a food service establishment have a person able to understand and speak English available for routine inspections and other health department business. Since inspections and other business are not announced ahead of time, this would mean having an English-speaking person present whenever the restaurant or other establishment is open. Hepler suggested instead adding a provision for the use of an interpreter, with the establishment bearing the cost.

Kathy Waldo, Health Department director of environmental services, said it is impossible to conduct an inspection, train on food safety issues or investigate food-borne illnesses if no one in the restaurant speaks English. State’s Attorney Tim Huyett said his personal reaction was, "It’s a cost of doing business in a predominantly English-speaking country." Evans said that in Chicago an applicant can take the test for a food handler’s license in a variety of languages, and Cook County hires personnel who can act as interpreters. However, it is cost-prohibitive for a smaller county to employ interpreters. The Logan County Health Department does have food-handling videos available in several languages.

Dale Voyles, chair of the Legislative Committee, reported a proposal to enlarge the Zoning Board of Appeals from five to six members in coordination with the coming transition to board districts. The additional member plus others to fill vacancies would be appointed from districts not currently represented.

Repairs to the Indian maiden statue are expected to be completed by the end of October, according to Building and Grounds co-chair Terry Werth. The statue will be set on the Pulaski Street side of the courthouse.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

CEFCU accepts contributions to
Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund

[SEPT. 14, 2001] Donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund can be made at the CEFCU Member Center, 341 Fifth St. in Lincoln. CEFCU is proud to help support the Red Cross in efforts to cope with Tuesday’s national tragedy.

Light a candle

[SEPT. 14, 2001] A nationwide show of solidarity is planned for this evening, Friday, Sept. 14, at 7.

Every American is being asked to step out of your door, stop your car, or step out of your establishment and light a candle. We will show the world that Americans are strong and united against terrorism.

The message: We stand united — We will not tolerate terrorism!

Large attendance at
Mount Pulaski prayer vigil

[SEPT. 14, 2001] Approximately 400 people attended a candlelight prayer vigil on the Mount Pulaski square on Thursday evening, Sept. 13. Pastor John Robertson of the Mount Pulaski Christian Church organized the event.

A group of children began the vigil by singing "God Bless America." Prayers were offered by Pastor Robertson; Sally Litterly, Logan County clerk; Bill Glaze, mayor of Mount Pulaski; Ron Bowles, Mount Pulaski fire chief; Greg Maus, father of a U.S. serviceman; and Karen DeVault, a Mount Pulaski resident who offered a prayer for all medical personnel.

All Mount Pulaski firemen, EMS personnel and police officers attended in full dress uniform. It was very emotional and patriotic ceremony.

The service concluded with everyone singing "Amazing Grace."

[LDN ]

Community services planned for Friday

Special hours at Logan County Courthouse

[SEPT. 13, 2001] The president has proclaimed Sept. 14 a National Day of Prayer. The president is "encouraging employers to permit their workers time off during the lunch hour to attend the noontime services to pray for our land."

Communitywide prayer service

Lincoln Christian Church

204 N. McLean St., Lincoln

Noon - 1 p.m.

Public Expression of Patriotism

At the Logan County Courthouse

4:15 p.m.

By order of the Logan County Board chairman, the courthouse and all county offices will be closed from noon to 1 p.m. to allow employees to attend a communitywide prayer service at the Lincoln Christian Church.

The courthouse and county offices will re-open at 1 p.m. and close Friday at 4 p.m. for a "Public Expression of Patriotism" service at 4:15 p.m. at the Broadway side of the courthouse. Logan County government and emergency workers request your attendance to do our part for those suffering in the eastern United States.

[to top of second column in this article]

Agenda for Public Expression of Patriotism

Welcome by Logan County Board Chairman Dick Logan
Pledge of allegiance to the flag
Prayer led by the Rev. Larry Maffett
"Star-Spangled Banner," performed by LCHS Choir
County board resolution read by Sally Litterly, county clerk
Remarks by state Rep. Jonathan Wright
Letter from U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood read by Carla Bender, clerk of the Circuit Court
"God Bless America," led by Dick Logan
Song by LCHS Choir
Remarks by Dan Fulscher, Logan County ESDA director
Closing prayer
"Proud to be an American" recording

[LDN and news releases ]

Blood donors will be needed
in future, Hester says

[SEPT. 13, 2001] The local supply of blood is adequate now, but more may be needed in the near future, according to Woody Hester, CEO of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

After the terrorist act that leveled the World Trade Center, the hospital had people standing in line to donate blood, he said. "So many people here in the first several hours volunteered to give blood that we have all the blood we need for the moment."

But, he added, it is "critically important" that blood donors come forward within the next two, three or four weeks, because blood is good for only 42 days.

"The extraordinary need for blood will continue for some time. Burn patients especially have a great need for blood," he explained.

On the day of the terrorist attacks, ALMH was asked to keep a running inventory of its blood supply. He said the hospital has not yet been asked to ship blood out east but is prepared to do so if necessary.

[to top of second column in this article]

He said he hopes that when people get back to their ordinary routine they will remember that blood donors are still needed. He asked potential donors to call the hospital and put their names on a waiting list. They will then be called when a need for more blood arises.

[Joan Crabb]

Tell a friend about

Lincoln Daily News.com

Our staff offers more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry.

Greyhound Lube

At the corner of Woodlawn and Business 55

No Appointments Necessary

Advertise your

Garage Sale in

Lincolndailynews.com

-- It's FREE! --

Click here

Students grapple with terrorism

[SEPT. 13, 2001]

Tuesday

At Lincoln Community High School, social studies teacher Stephen Sauer attempted to put the events of the day in perspective for students as they sat watching history unfold live on Channel 1.

He told his students, "This is history you are living in. You are seeing something which is unprecedented in history."

Sauer went on to say all of the following:

"I have told kids in the past, ‘Because we are a free society, we are vulnerable.’ I never imagined that something would happen on a scale like this.

"The kids seem be responding really well. They've asked questions like, ‘Who’s responsible?’

"We had just watched as a plane flew into the building, and a plane flew by over here. We all made eye contact. You just get heightened, you get a little more sensitized when you watch these things happen.

"They’ve been handling it well though — asking good questions and watching pretty attentively."

Like other past catastrophic events, such as the assassination of JFK, Waco, Columbine, and when the Challenger blew up, it is expected that this week’s events will have an impact on our children. When they travel to D.C. or New York, or wherever they go, they'll be thinking twice about what happened on Sept. 11, 2001.

[to top of second column in this article]

When asked what the influence he thought this event might have on the students’ political involvement, Sauer responded, "I'll be curious to see in the days ahead what they think once we know more about what happened — their reaction: Are we supposed to go out with guns blazing or do we use diplomacy? How are we going to handle that?"

Wednesday evening

Lincoln College students, faculty and staff gathered in regard for the national events that occurred on Tuesday. Student housing director Steve Snodgrass, creative writing instructor John Means and religion instructor John Welter spoke on a variety of topics dealing with how we as a community can cope with what has happened. Mr. Welter’s speech was moving because he compared the events to what he witnessed during the race riots of the ’60s.

[LDN ]

The day after ‘Attack on America’

Area leaders respond to national tragedy

[SEPT. 12, 2001] Sympathy for the victims and their families and a sense that America has reached a turning point were among the reactions that Logan County officials had to Tuesday’s acts of terrorism that destroyed the World Trade Center and part of the Pentagon.

Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis expressed the sympathy that so many are feeling for the victims and their families.

"I feel really bad for people who died or were injured. I look at this as a significant turning point, worse than Pearl Harbor, because of all the civilians who were killed."

"It’s a sad day for America," County Board President Dick Logan said. He also sees it as a turning point.

"I think the terrorists have proven a point, that point being that they can get you when they want to.

"We take a lot of things for granted in this country, one of them being freedom. We think we’re secure and we’re not. I think you’ll see a heightened security nationwide. It will probably take away a little of our freedom, but I think it is necessary."

Violence can occur anywhere, even in Logan County, and it may be necessary to increase security right here at home, he said.

"People come into the courthouse and complain because they have to go through the metal detector. But judges are dealing with possible violent situations every day. Every time people go into a courtroom, somebody wins and somebody loses. We were discussing just last week putting X-ray machines at the entrance to the courthouse."

Logan County Sheriff Tony Soloman also cited the need for extra security around the courthouse.

"It’s a shame we have to live this way, but I’m hoping we can tighten up security there. I’m requesting an X-ray machine, which I’ve thought we’ve needed for a long time. Disgruntled people may want to take it out on the courthouse because that’s where something unpleasant happened."

He said that on Tuesday he had put extra security at the courthouse and a patrol at the Logan County Airport. Patrol units were also on the lookout for anything suspicious and checking out electrical and natural gas substations around the county, he said.

"This country thought we were prepared for something like this, but what happened Tuesday goes to show us that we were not," he said.

"It’s a tragedy. And on top of that, I perceive it as an act of war," said Jonathan Wright, Lincoln attorney who was recently appointed to the 90th District Illinois House seat.

"Our priority has to be finding out who or what organization or, potentially, what country, is responsible.

‘Then I believe the United States has to strike back militarily and do so in a very severe manner. If we do anything less than that, I believe, the kind of event we’ve seen Tuesday will become more commonplace.

"The president has already commented on this, and I agree with him that the federal government should provide all resources necessary to help and assist the people and the families caught in this tragedy.

[to top of second column in this article]

"This act of war should cause us to re-evaluate our security at every level, whether it be federal, state or local. Certainly at the national level we need to re-evaluate our intelligence agencies and how we gather information."

"My heart goes out to my fellow medical professionals who are, I’m sure, working around the clock under circumstances extremely challenging, frustrating and disappointing," said Woody Hester, CEO of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

"We need to support those working so hard to help those who are injured. They may want to be at home with their families and to know what’s going on in the world, but they have to go on doing the work that only they can do."

He said some ALMH staff members had friends in downtown Manhattan or family members in the military, but they continued to do their jobs at the local hospital. A meeting was held late yesterday morning to inform workers what was going on. He also said some caregivers at ALMH had volunteered to go to New York if they were needed.

Hester expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, and in particular for the many paramedics, firemen and other professionals trying to help others who were killed when the second tower of the World Trade Center collapsed.

"Almost nothing good comes out of something like this, but we must, when it is over, take advantage of any lessons we in the health-care field can learn from it," he said.

ALMH was notified Tuesday morning by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency that if an emergency occurred in Illinois, they might be called on to support the large hospitals in Peoria and Springfield, either by sending staff or by accepting patients. That alert ended at 10 p.m. Tuesday, and the hospital is back to normal now but still prepared to help if needed.

"Here at ALMH, this is the first time we have been asked to consider sending any of our clinical staff to another hospital." He said hospital officials had to consider how they could do that and still take care of patients and staff the emergency room here.

ALMH was also asked to keep a running inventory of its blood supply in case blood was needed. Hester said no more blood is needed now, but new donors may be needed within two to four weeks.

Police Chief Rich Montcalm and Fire Chief Bucky Washam said Tuesday night both departments were on the alert and ready to respond to any emergency.

In a prayer offered before the Lincoln City Council meeting Tuesday evening, the Rev. Glenn Shelton, who is also an alderman, asked that Americans "grow closer and closer together as a result of this tragedy."

[Joan Crabb]

Tell a friend about

Lincoln Daily News.com

Our staff offers more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry.

Greyhound Lube

At the corner of Woodlawn and Business 55

No Appointments Necessary

Advertise your

Garage Sale in

Lincolndailynews.com

-- It's FREE! --

Click here

City says ‘no’ again to taking
over problem culvert

[SEPT. 12, 2001] A proposal that the city of Lincoln take over and repair a deteriorating box culvert north of the Cracker Barrel Restaurant near Allison Lake got the same answer it got last November — a resounding "no."

In what was almost a replay of a request made late last year, the Springfield engineering firm of Greene and Bradford, representing Gene Burwell as developer of the North Heitmann Park subdivision, addressed the work session of the council Tuesday evening, asking that the city take over the problem culvert.

Jay Jessen of the engineering firm estimated it would take at least $20,000 to repair the culvert, while Joe Greene of the same firm thought the figure would be more like $25,000.

Members of the sewer and drainage committee, headed by Bill Melton, once again declined to accept the eroding culvert. Once again, Jessen maintained that only an oversight in completing paperwork back in 1997 when the subdivision was completed had kept the city from accepting the culvert and the easement where it is.

And once again, Jessen pointed the finger at former city engineer Dennis Hartman, even bringing in photocopies of a letter Hartman sent to Gene Burwell in 1997, listing items that required correction before acceptance of the subdivision.

"At the end of that construction season I sent Hartman the easement. I didn’t check to see Dennis got it. I didn’t follow up and see that it got done. Had Hartman done his thing I wouldn’t be here," Jessen told the council.

However, Grant Eaton, sewer plant manager, said he had talked to Hartman, and Hartman told him there was never any plan for the city to take over the box culvert.

Alderman Benny Huskins also confirmed that Hartman had never presented anything to the council about the city accepting the culvert.

Because of the sandy soil in the area, the soil is washing out underneath the culvert and it is pulling apart, according to Melton.

Greene also addressed the council, pointing out that the culvert was "all along" considered part of the subdivision.

[to top of second column in this article]

He said Bob Orr, who granted the easement to Burwell, wants the culvert repaired so he can have access to the Lake Allison area. He also quoted Burwell as saying, "I think I’ve paid all I need to pay," regarding the problem culvert.

Greene also noted that Burwell has "done a lot for this community, bringing in new business here."

Eaton said the council was aware of Burwell’s contribution, but the city does not take care of culverts for any other business. "Right now I see no benefits, just costs to the city, just future problems," he said.

Donnie Osborne, street superintendent, also said he didn’t believe it was in the best interests of the city to take over the culvert.

"In three years I can’t believe the damage that’s gone on out there," he said. "If the ground is sandy, why wasn’t that looked at when this was designed? It should have been looked at at the time of construction."

City Attorney Bill Bates said the culvert was not shown as dedicated to the city on the plat and that there was no liability on the city’s part.

Alderman Joe Stone summed up the committee’s position. "I think we made our position clear. I don’t see any reason to change it."

Bates also reported that he is still seeking to get a clear title to the used leaf vacuum the city is considering purchasing. He said the city has already spent $300 for title searches with the wrong companies, because the firm selling the leaf vac gave him incorrect information. If the city cannot get a clear title, they will not purchase the machine, he said.

Eaton reported that the final design for the sewer treatment plant upgrade has been sent to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for approval. He said he still plans to go out for bids on the work in November.

[Joan Crabb]

U.S. under terrorist attack
How is Logan County affected?

[SEPT. 11, 2001] The terrorist attacks that have destroyed New York’s World Trade Center buildings and part of the Pentagon, shut down air traffic in the United States and Canada, closed trading on Wall Street, and brought military bases throughout the country on high alert are being monitored closely here in Logan County.

"There are no reports in central Illinois of any terrorist acts," Dan Fulscher, Emergency Services and Disaster Agency director, told the Lincoln Daily News at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Fulscher had just been in contact with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Operations Center in Springfield.

However, ESDA’s Crisis Management Center in the Safety Complex was open, and the staff, along with fire and police officials, was in "a heightened state of awareness," according to ESDA’s Assistant Director Terry Storer.

"All agencies are aware of what is going on right now, and we are keeping our eyes wide open," Fulscher said. He said the IEMA would be keeping the Logan County agency posted on any new developments.

Although the Illinois Statehouse was closed and legislators sent home as a precautionary measure, public buildings in Lincoln, City Hall and the Logan County Courthouse, remained open.

"It’s obvious that we are very vulnerable to terrorism," Fulscher said. "This event today may change the perception of the man on the street, but agencies like ESDA, fire and police departments, EMS, the health department, and others have been working very hard to prepare for such an emergency.

[to top of second column in this article]

"Now when we talk about being prepared for terrorist attacks, people will understand better what we’ve been working toward," he added

He said the local ESDA has put in requests for state funding for specialized terrorism equipment and training for the next three years, and that he now intends to ask for funding for the next six years.

The Logan County ESDA has been working hard for the past year, especially the past summer, to prepare an emergency terrorism task force. "Most task forces in the state of Illinois have been working hard to prepare for such an event," he added.

"People here in Logan County want to send their deepest sympathies to victims, their families and the emergency workers involved in this terrible event," he said.

[Joan Crabb]

Chamber of Commerce Week

Local organization has contributed to community since 1913

[SEPT. 10, 2001] Gov. George Ryan has proclaimed Sept. 9-15 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois. The Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce has joined the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce in celebrating this special recognition of the contributions chambers of commerce make to American civic and economic life.

Chambers of commerce have contributed to the civic and economic life in Illinois for 163 years. The chamber in Lincoln was incorporated in 1913 as The Lincoln Commercial Club. The purpose of the club was "to procure factories and manufacturers, public improvement, celebrations, and benefit."

In 1922, the name of the organization was changed to Chamber of Commerce of Lincoln Illinois, under the presidency of William Hodnett. In 1970, the name was changed to Greater Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce, with Jack Hodgson as president of the board and Charles Isley as executive director.

[to top of second column in this article]

The current name of the local chamber, Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, was approved in 1987, when Dave Hawkinson was executive director. The name change reflected the mission to represent the total business community in Logan County, and that mission remains in effect today.

"Our board of directors represents small and mid-size private business, manufacturing, agriculture, education, finance, tourism, not-for-profit and real estate. And we have representation from the two larger commerce communities of Mount Pulaski and Atlanta," reports Bobbi Abbott, executive director. "We are proud of the diversity of our board and the chamber’s many positive contributions to this community."

[News release]

Announcements

LCHS budget hearing and board meeting on Monday

[SEPT. 14, 2001] A public hearing on the 2001-2002 budgets of the Lincoln Community High School and Lincolnland Technical Education Center, as well as a regular meeting of the Lincoln Community High School District 404 Board of Education, will be on Monday, Sept. 17, in the Instructional Materials Center at LCHS. The budget hearing will be at 6:45 p.m. and the board meeting at 7 p.m.

Back to top