Lincoln Fire, Police Department members volunteer to help New York

[SEPT. 18, 2001]  Members of Lincoln’s fire and police departments have volunteered to go to New York City to help rescue workers with the task of cleanup and recovery, Alderman Verl Prather told the council Tuesday night.

So far, Police Chief Rich Montcalm said, there is not a need for more help at the site of World Trade Center, but there might be in a week or two.

So that fire or police personnel would continue to get their salaries and have help with expenses, the council passed a resolution to provide these funds if the need arises.

Fire Chief Bucky Washam said he has six volunteers willing to go and could send two of them if needed.

"We’re going to stay in touch and do whatever we can to help," he said.

Montcalm said he could spare one officer if there is a need but also noted that another officer is in the military reserves and might be called to active duty.

He said it is possible a member of each Lincoln department might attend a Sept. 23 memorial service in New York City’s Central Park to honor the fire and police personnel who died in the collapse of the second World Trade Center building.

 

In other business concerning the fire and police departments, City Treasurer Les Plotner gave the council a long look ahead at the fire and police pension funds.

The financial services firm of Larry F. Mosier of Chicago has made a study of the funds, projecting them for the next 30 years, until 2030, and showing revenue expectations versus expenditures.

 

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"If there is not enough interest on the money, revenue will drop as expenditures are going up, and we will be dipping into the principal," he said.

"Interest rates are miserable," he told the council, and the pension funds need a 7 percent return to keep up with projected expenses. He quoted current rates on CDs at under 4 percent.

At this time, the policy for investing pension funds allows investments only in treasury bills and notes. The pension boards may have to look for some other types of investments, such as carefully chosen equities or bonds, he said.

Another suggestion would be the state-run Illinois Public Treasurer’s Investment Pool, which invests funds for municipalities in the state.

Plotner emphasized that the funds are not in any immediate trouble, with almost $8 million in each one.

He noted that other sources of funds for the city are lower as well, including sales tax receipts. At the end of June 2000, receipts were $835,119, but at the end of June this year they had dropped to $781,394, a loss factor of 6.3 percent. Projected income tax revenue also shows a decrease from last year.

"It’s not a bright picture, and when you look at the stock market, it’s not bright at all." he said.

[Joan Crabb]

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Word from local military
man serving overseas

From Sgt. Brad Boss

CH-47D Flight Engineer

U.S. Army in Macedonia

[SEPT. 18, 2001]  Before going out to do preflight on his assigned aircraft this morning, Sgt. Boss took a few moments to answer the following questions for Lincoln Daily News.

Q: How are the troops dealing with this (the attack on America) there? Are they worried, saddened, feeling strong?

A: All the people I work with are saddened, but I think it gave us a new resolve to try and do our jobs better. I think that it has strengthened not only our unit, but our military as a whole, as the whole country rallies in support.

Q: Is there a chance you will be sent elsewhere?

A: There is always a chance we could be sent, but we (my unit) will be redeploying home prior to going anywhere else.

 

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After looking at the pictures from Friday afternoon’s expression of patriotism on the square, Sgt. Boss wrote home saying how much he appreciated seeing his community’s support: "It's so great to see the community gather together in support of our nation. It really gives me a sense of pride to sit here and show my friends and co-workers those pictures, and be able to point out people I know, and to know that we have their support, as we get ready for whatever the future brings."

[LDN]


Message from our congressman

[SEPT. 17, 2001]  Message from U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, 18th District, Illinois, on Sept. 14, 2001:

To the people of Lincoln and Logan County:

"The Union, in any event, won’t be dissolved. We don’t want to dissolve it, and if you attempt it, we won’t let you." Abraham Lincoln

Just as Abraham Lincoln uttered the words above regarding the greatest threat to our country’s unity, the American people will not let the terrorist events of Sept. 11, 2001, dissolve our Union. Nor will these depraved acts of inhumanity alter our country’s resolve to spread the idea of free and democratic societies around the globe.

Never before in the 225-year history of this great nation have our citizens suffered an attack on our soil with the magnitude we experienced on Sept. 11, 2001. Never before in our history have we witnessed such a brutal assault on innocent civilians as was carried out by the terrorist pilots who used commercial airlines as missiles. Never before have the American people felt the helplessness experienced in the minutes during which this terror from the sky rained down.

 

America is strong. Our enemies, whether they are known or faceless, are wrong about the people that make up the melting pot of the United States. The greatness of the United States is not seen in our successes, but in our determination in the face of adversity. We have survived a revolution, a civil war, two world wars, race riots, presidential assassinations and many other hardships. We will survive and gain strength from this tragedy.

We will not be intimidated by the attempts to disrupt our governmental, economic or societal activities. We will not engage in, or promote, the dastardly conduct that was enacted upon our citizens.

 

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As a member of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, I feel assured we will find answers and solutions. We will find those who committed this heinous crime against life, and we will administer swift and appropriate justice. We will thoroughly question and examine our intelligence procedures that allowed four airliners to be hijacked almost simultaneously within our borders without forewarning. We will scrutinize our transportation systems that allowed these terrorists to evade all security measures, and we will provide President Bush with the means to find these answers and fully protect the American people against future terrorism.

I join all citizens in expressing our grief and condolences to the victims and the families of victims of this attack. I urge all our friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens of central Illinois to donate blood and fly the United States flag to show unity for this country.

Continue your prayers for the victims, their families and the public service officials in their rescue and recovery efforts. Over the days and weeks to come, I am sure we will hear many stories of tragedy, as well as heroism, that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. I urge everyone to remember these stories and grow stronger in their memory.

God bless America.

Congressman Ray LaHood

100 N.E. Monroe

Peoria, IL 61602

 

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Speech by our state representative

[SEPT. 17, 2001]  Speech made by Jonathan Wright, state representative for the 90th District, on the Logan County Courthouse lawn on Friday, Sept. 14:

On behalf of people I am privileged to represent, not only in this community but in the 90th District, I want to extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to anyone who has lost a family member, or a friend or acquaintance in the tragedy that occurred on Tuesday.

I also want to express condolences and sympathies to the families of the firefighters, the rescue workers and the police officers who paid the highest price they could to save the life of another.

As I look here at the police officers, and firefighters, and rescue workers, we have in our community, I want to say, "Thank you for being ever ready to pay that same price."

 

In the midst of this tragedy — make no mistake, it has been a tragedy — I have seen the brilliance of this country shine in a way I have never seen in my life. You see, I think the cowards who committed this act made a big mistake. They underestimated the greatness of this country and the greatness of this people. They expected us to respond in selfishness, as they are apt to portray us as a bastion of nothing more than greed and materialism. Yet they have seen selflessness as we watched the police officers, and the firefighters, and the rescue workers, work to the point of exhaustion, risk their lives and tragically give their lives for another. They expected us to respond in fear, and yet they’ve seen our greatness shine through as we respond with the courage forged in the belly of this nation, beginning with the American Revolution all the way to Operation Desert Storm, as we hear of military recruiting officers talk of telephone lines being flooded with volunteers wanting to join the military and defend and fight for their country.

 

They expected us to respond with regionalism — to say in the Midwest, and the South, and the Great Plains, and the West Coast, "Well, that’s New York City’s problem! That’s Washington D.C.’s problem!" And yet they’ve seen every citizen in this country step forward and say, "How can I help? Where do I go? Where do I give money? Where do I give blood?" They don’t understand that our bonds are not made by proximity of residence but by the bonds of freedom, justice and democracy.

 

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They expected us to respond in apathy — to say, "Well it doesn’t affect me personally. So I go on with my life." And yet they’ve seen this country, in communities all over this great land, come together for prayer vigils night, after night, after night; and patriotic meetings like this one on courthouse steps all across the country. As I look at this group and as I thought about visiting the Statue of Liberty last year — and I thought about the landscape of New York City’s skyline that I looked at last year that is not there today — I also couldn’t help but think of the statue and what she stands for — liberty, freedom, democracy, justice — and I realize the beacon of freedom never shines so brightly as in the darkest of hours. Just like that beacon on the shore never shines so brightly as it does in the middle of the night, in the midst of this tragedy we’ve seen the greatness of our country shine with a brilliance I’ve not seen in my lifetime.

Let me close with these thoughts because I think they are all our thoughts.

I always flew my flag at home, but now I’ll fly it more often.

I always prayed for this country and its leaders, but now I will pray more fervently and earnestly.

 

I always loved my country, but now I love it with a deeper passion than I’ve ever had.

I’ve always been proud to be a citizen of this country, but I’ve never been more proud than I am here today — to be a citizen of the greatest country, the greatest land, the greatest nation, the greatest political experiment the world has ever seen, the United States of America.

Thank you all for coming, for showing your patriotism, your love of country; and God bless America!

 


Stirring 'Public Expression of
Patriotism' held on the square

[SEPT. 15, 2001]  Americans young, old, and in between gathered on the Logan County Courthouse lawn Friday afternoon to be, for a little while, part of a larger community that cared and wanted to show it.

[Click here to view more pictures]

Like so many other Americans in so many other towns and cities, those who took part in the ceremony in Lincoln were a living proof that enemies who think acts of terrorism, no matter how heinous, can divide and conquer America have made a tremendous mistake. 

As Illinois Rep. Jonathan Wright put it, “They have underestimated the greatness of our country and our people.

“The enemy,” he said, “expected us to respond selfishly.  Instead, Americans are giving their lives to try to save others.

“They expected us to respond with fear, but we responded with courage.

“They expected us to respond with regionalism, saying, ‘That’s New York City’s problem.’  Instead, citizens have stepped forward, saying, ‘How can I help?’

“They expected us to respond with apathy because ‘This doesn’t affect me personally,’ but instead we have come together for prayer vigils and patriotic meetings,” Wright said.

Selfishness, fear, regionalism and apathy were simply not in the picture on Friday.  Instead, in a show of support for their fellow firefighters, emergency medical technicians, police and other rescue workers in New York City, firefighters from all over Logan County, and a few from beyond the county’s borders, lined the walkway on the Broadway side of the courthouse during the ceremony.  A few had tears running down their cheeks, as did many in the audience.

 

A further show of respect and brotherhood was “the last alarm,” the ringing of the bell three times in honor of the fallen firefighters on the East Coast.

The question “How can I help?” is being answered with a fund drive for the families of the firefighters and rescue workers who died trying to save the lives of others  in the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings on Tuesday.  

Those who want to help may drop off donations at the Lincoln Safety Complex and Wal-Mart from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, and at the same two locations on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or they may call the Emergency Service and Disaster Agency (ESDA) at 732-3911.  Hours for donation drop-offs in other Logan County fire districts will be announced later.

Dan Fulscher, ESDA director, can attest that Lincoln residents are not responding with selfishness.  He has already had donations of $62, just from the few people who heard the planning committee discussing the fund drive.   When the drive ends Sept. 30, Logan County Board Chairman Dick Logan will mail the contributions to New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to give to the New York City Fire and Police Fund.

 

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Logan, who served as master of ceremonies for the occasion, said, “Our hearts are heavy, but our spirits are high.”

The Lincoln Interveterans Council carried the colors, and World War II veteran Arnold Haak asked that American veterans be remembered along with others who had made sacrifices for their country.

County Clerk Sally Litterly read a resolution by the county board, presented by historian Paul Gleason. These “overt acts of terrorism” which were unprovoked, are “a threat to the civility of the American way of life and a violation of the safety and security of our citizens,” the resolution said.

It expressed the board’s “condemnation of the attacks, our support of the President and Congress, and our concern for the injured and the families of those lost.”  A copy of the resolution will be sent to the president of the United States and to representatives in Washington.

Carla Bender, who is clerk of the Circuit Court and serves as Logan County coordinator for 18th District U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, read a letter from LaHood to Logan County residents.  That letter will be reprinted in its entirety in Monday’s issue of the Lincoln Daily News, as will the speech given by Wright. 

Wright thanked the assembled firefighters, police and rescue workers for being “ready to pay the price” and expressed his condolences for the lost and their families and friends.

“In the face of tragedy, I have seen the brilliance of our country shine,” he said.  “Freedom never shines so brightly as in the darkest hour. . . . I have always been proud to be an American citizen, but I have never been so proud as I am today.”

The Rev. Larry Maffett of the First United Methodist Church gave the opening and closing prayers, and the Lincoln Community High School choir sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.”  At the close of the ceremony, the community of those who cared joined hands and sang “God Bless America.”

 

[Joan Crabb]


Young, old and in between
come together on Friday

[SEPT. 15, 2001]  Mary Olson, who remembers Pearl Harbor, was one of the 1,200 to 1,500 folks who attended the ceremony Friday at 4:15 p.m. on the lawn of the Logan County Courthouse to show her patriotism and her sympathy for the rescue workers in New York City.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said.  “Everybody’s coming together.  That’s what we’ve got to do to get back at the terrorists.  We’ve got to stick together, through thick or thin.

“Pearl Harbor was terrible,” she remembers, “but that was away from us.  This is worse.”

Tim McCormick came alone.  The reason?  His wife was still in New York City.  She was four blocks away, standing on the sidewalk, when the hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Buildings.  She was, fortunately, not hurt, and she rented a car and will soon be home, but Tim was still feeling outrage, anger and fright.

He was grateful for the public ceremony, which he said was helping him during the time he has such concern about his wife.  The ceremony is the kind of thing he expects in the city of Lincoln.  

 

 

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“We haven’t had anything like this since Pearl Harbor.  I think its terrific that politics has been put aside.”

The four Bone children came to the ceremony with their mother, Jennifer, who is a teacher at Elkhart.

“I think it’s important that my children come and see our community pull together,” she said.  “The two oldest ones understand the loss of life of the firemen in New York.  They see the firemen pulling together like an extended family.

“They have had programs at school, but as a family we haven’t had a chance to be part of a program together until now.”

Camillia, age 9, and Brittney, 7½, “will remember where they were when all of this happened,” she said.  They will be able to tell Allison, age 4, and Quentin, 3, how it was in Lincoln on Sept. 14, 2001.

[Joan Crabb]


Make a Blanket Day for national disaster

[SEPT. 15, 2001]  Project Linus is a 100 percent volunteer nonprofit organization.  It is their mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are ill, traumatized or otherwise in need, through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer blanket makers.

On Tuesday, Sept. 18, the Bloomington, Normal, Peoria and Decatur Project Linus chapters will be having a Make a Blanket Day at Eastland Mall in Bloomington from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The group is asking for volunteers to help them make as many blankets as possible to be sent to the three areas in need: Washington, New York and Pennsylvania. Project Linus chapters in each of those areas are ready and willing to help distribute the blankets to those children who have been traumatized. 

Blankets can be quilted, knitted, crocheted; made of cotton, flannel or fleece; and may be of any size, any style, as long as they are new and handmade. You are invited to come and sew, knit, or crochet with the group at the mall; or if you are not crafty, there are plenty of other jobs you can help with. Project Linus volunteers will show you how to tie a quilt, cut batting,  pin quilts; or you can help people bringing in their sewing machines and ironing boards to load and unload. Help will be needed with tally boards, picking up finished quilts, at the check- in table or running errands for those sewing.  There are a variety of ways you can assist.

There is no need to register in advance; just show up at the check- in table, located at the Sears entrance inside the mall.  You can help for one hour, a half day or the whole day. Any time you have available will be greatly appreciated.  This will also be the drop- off site for supplies and new handmade blankets. Donations will be accepted on Tuesday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the check- in table.

 

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If you will be sewing quilts, here's a list of items to bring: sewing machine, extension cord, scissors, thread, pins, cutting mats and cutters, ironing board and iron, fabrics, batting, etc.  If you plan to knit or crochet, the group asks that you bring your equipment as well: yarn and needles.

Donations needed

• fabrics (cotton, flannel, fleece, etc.)

• thread

• quilt batting

• quilters' safety pins

• straight pins

• masking tape

• hand sewing needles

Terri Hoffacker, Project Linus coordinator for the Bloomington-Normal and Peoria Chapter, says: "I am very proud of the way our community has come together to support this national disaster!  We have heard that people want to know how they can help; here's one more way to help our nation!  Let's not forget about the children who have been traumatized by this tragedy."

If you have questions or concerns, you may call Hoffacker at (309) 663-1077 or contact her by e-mail. See http://www.tjhoffacker@aol.com/.

[News release]

 


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.

 

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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.

 

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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]


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]

 


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]


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