Brainard
Landing development
back on council agenda
[SEPT.
19, 2001] Brainard
Landing, a 56-unit apartment complex to be developed on property at
21st and State streets, will be on the agenda at the next Lincoln
City Council work session, on Tuesday, Sept. 25.
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Thomas
E. Koontz, senior vice president, and Kitty Campbell, development
assistant, of Pedcor Investments of Indianapolis, Ind., will appear
before the council to give an update on plans for the project.
The
special use permit to build the apartment complex was approved 7-3
by the previous city council on March 6, 2000, after being approved
earlier 5-3 by the planning commission.
Campbell
told the Lincoln Daily News that Pedcor has no definite date
yet to start construction, but the firm hopes to break ground at the
beginning of next year. She said the planning commission and the
council must still approve building plans for the complex. The site
is a 7.85 acre tract of land between North Monroe and North State
streets, just north of 21st Street.
The
56-unit apartment complex will offer median income housing within
strict income limits, Campbell said, but it is not public housing
and is not federally subsidized. There will be no rental subsidies
and no Section 8 vouchers accepted in the proposed units.
According
to a handout presented at Monday’s council meeting, Pedcor will
finance the apartment community with tax credits issued though the
Illinois Housing Development Authority. The Federal Income Reform
Tax Act of 1986-87 established income tax credits for building
affordable housing projects, and Pedcor has specialized in taking
advantage of these credits to build apartments that can be rented
below market rates.
Campbell
said the tax credits allow for financing at a lower interest rate,
which makes it possible to build affordable housing. The proposed
development is also within an enterprise zone, but she said Pedcor
was not seeking a tax abatement and will pay its fair share of
property taxes.
A
one-bedroom, one-bath apartment with 574 to 676 square feet of space
will rent for $350 to $395, according to the handout. A two-bedroom,
one-bath unit, with 817-839 square feet, will rent for $445-$450. A
three-bedroom, two-bath unit, with 1066-1115 square feet, will rent
for $500 to $505.
Income
guidelines are $18,550 to $22,260 for one occupant, $21,200 to
$25,440 for two people; $23,850 to $28,620 for three, $26,500 to
$31,800, family of four; $28,600 to $34,320, family of 5; and
$30,750 to $36,900, family of six. All 56 units will be targeted to
the above income groups.
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The
eight-unit development will also have a clubhouse with fitness
facilities, a computer center, a playground and an on-site laundry
facility. Units themselves will have washer-dryer hookups, storage,
window blinds, gas heat, central air conditioning, carpeting, stove,
dishwasher, disposal and refrigerator.
"This
will make it possible for a divorced mother with a couple of kids to
live in a quality community and not pay as much as the going market
rate in the area," Campbell said.
Pedcor
expects the apartments to be rented by young professionals and
families, service and blue-collar workers, senior citizens on fixed
incomes, and beginning wage earners. She said the company saw a need
for this type of housing in Lincoln.
Pedcor
has on-site management at all units and does not turn the management
over to outside agents. The company manages at least 6,000 units in
the Midwest, in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and
Nebraska, Campbell said.
Although
approved by the planning commission and council, the proposed
development has been controversial. Opponents cite increased traffic
flow, the lowering of property values of homes in the neighborhood,
increased competition for local apartment owners, possible
deterioration of the units and in general negative impact for the
neighborhood.
Those
in favor cite the need for more affordable rental units, the
opportunity to develop land that has been idle for many years,
attractive housing to bring more people to the community, temporary
construction jobs as well as permanent jobs managing and providing
services for the development, and long-term growth and economic
development.
Prior to the
committee-as-a-whole meeting at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25, there will be a
public hearing at 7 p.m. on the community development loan of
$100,000 requested by Integrity Data of Lincoln.
[Joan
Crabb]
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County debates policy on
restaurant health inspections
[SEPT.
19, 2001] Rejecting
a proposal to offer translators as an option, the Logan County Board
voted 9-4 Tuesday night to require restaurants to have someone who
can communicate in English present when inspections are made. Since
inspections are not announced, this amendment to the food service
policy of the county’s health board appears to require employment
of an English-speaking person at all times.
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Health
Committee chair David Hepler moved to add this provision to the food
service policy amendment under discussion: "If the Logan County
Health Department Inspector has reason to believe bilateral
communication does not exist, the LCHD shall have the right to make
such an inspection with an appropriate translator, whose fees for
professional services shall be paid to the LCHD by the food
establishment."
Board
member Terry Werth said that Lincoln Christian College has people
able to translate in many languages, and Clifford Sullivan added
that two potential translators told him the fee would be low or
nothing. Paul Gleason said the Health Department should pay for
translators since it is responsible for making inspections. Hepler’s
amendment failed 3-10, with Hepler, Sullivan and Werth voting in
favor.
Health
Department administrator Lloyd Evans stated, "The question is
the timeliness." He said translators could be employed for
regular inspections, which are primarily educational, but would be
more difficult to find in time to respond to a complaint of
food-borne illness or a product recall. Both emergencies have
occurred during the past year at a restaurant where language
differences make communication between inspector and employees
impossible, according to Evans.
Hepler,
Sullivan, Werth and Jim Griffin voted against the four-part
amendment to Health Department food service policy, which passed
9-4. Besides the requirement for an English-speaking person, it
specifies that inspections must occur at least as often as state law
requires; the department can issue a temporary operating license;
and the Board of Health has 10 working days to hold a requested
hearing regarding a suspension.
In
other business the board voted 12-1 to add the mayor of Elkhart to
the ex officio members of the Regional Planning Commission. Other ex
officio members include the chairman of the Logan County Board, the
superintendent of highways, and the mayors of Lincoln, Atlanta and
Mount Pulaski. In addition there are 10 appointed members, making 16
voting members. Rod White, the sole dissenter, asked whether there
would be a vote to amend the ordinance every time a new community
decided to participate. Dale Voyles said such future votes are
possible because the ordinance must be amended every time the board
chooses to add a voting member to the commission.
Voyles
read a resolution, written by Paul Gleason, condemning the attacks
on the World Trade Center and Pentagon as threats to the basic
freedoms America stands for and supporting President Bush and
Congress in their efforts to retaliate. The board unanimously
adopted the resolution. All 13 members also voted to send $1,000 to
the American Red Cross to aid in disaster relief.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Also
unanimous was the decision to expand the Board of Appeals from five
to six members, effective in December. At that time two appointments
will be needed, one for the new member and one to fill an expired
term. The goal is to coordinate the appeals board with the new
county districts, so that each district will have one representative
on the appeals body. To reach this goal, the new appointments will
be from districts not represented by current appeals board members,
and as terms expire or members retire, the board will eventually
come to represent the six districts.
Finance
Committee chair Rod White distributed a list of departmental budget
requests for fiscal year 2002 showing an increase of $220,200 over
this year’s allotments. Some of the budget requests have been
adjusted by the board committees that oversee them, and all may be
further modified. White said revenue projections following the first
nine months of this year show a potential $21,000 shortfall in sales
tax receipts. He anticipated that the $70,000 currently in the
contingency fund will be transferred to Building and Grounds.
"We do have healthy balances," White said. "We hope
we don’t have to go into them too deep."
The
board let bids to Stewart’s Carpet Center in Mount Pulaski for
replacement carpet in the county clerk’s and Judge Coogan’s
offices at a cost of $8,320 and to R. L. High for bird repellent for
the courthouse at $8,900. Four bids were let for the Dr. John Logan
Building: to Gossett’s Decorator Studio, $2,937 for vertical
blinds and $5,460 for carpet and installation; to Lincoln Office
Products, $2,982 for 10 tables and 24 chairs; and to Ushman
Communications, $6,350 for a telephone system. The votes for
courthouse items were unanimous; those for the Logan Building were
12-1, with Jim Griffin dissenting.
By
a vote of 12-1 the board authorized $29,400 to employ Hanson
Engineering for continued work on the right of way of the
westernmost five miles of Fifth Street Road. Jim Griffin dissented.
Board
chairman Dick Logan announced that all county fire departments will
participate in a drive on Sept. 21-22 to collect money for New York
City firefighters and possibly for police as well.
Board
members unanimously reappointed Cynthia Bowns and Dr. Malou Laya to
new terms on the Logan County Board of Health.
Law
Enforcement Committee chair Doug Dutz said negotiations for deputies’
salaries and benefits will begin Oct. 17.
[Lynn
Shearer Spellman]
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Hartsburg-Emden
FFA
sponsors patriotic assembly
[SEPT.
19, 2001] The
Hartsburg-Emden FFA chapter will sponsor a patriotic assembly this
Friday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. Rep.
Jonathan Wright and ESDA Director Dan Fulscher will participate,
plus the color guards from the Hartsburg and Emden American Legion,
as well as the fire and rescue units from Hartsburg and Emden. The
public is invited and encouraged to attend.
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Anyone
attending is asked to bring pictures of family members or friends
who are veterans or currently serving in the military. If a picture
is not available, names of these people may be written on a
"Remembrance" display.
Monetary
donations will be accepted to aid the victims in this time of
national tragedy.
Further
questions may be directed to Betsy Pech at Hartsburg-Emden High
School, 642-5244.
[News
release]
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Spotlighting
homes of the past
to promote town’s future
[SEPT.
19, 2001] The
mayor’s office was full of inspiring ideas during the Lincoln
Historical Homes and Buildings Committee meeting on Monday, Sept.
17. The focus was on networking current goals.
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Mayor
Davis served as a valuable voice of leadership in directing
attention to Lincoln’s many historical homes as a source of future
tourism popularity.
"It’s
like a treasure hunt exploring these homes — an actual gold mine
for the city," said Betty York, the committee chairperson.
In
this, just the third meeting of the committee, a workshop and a
website were already in the works for the coming months.
The
next meeting will be in the mayor’s office at 5 p.m. on Oct. 15.
[Colin
Bird]
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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.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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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.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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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]
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Message
from our congressman
[SEPT.
17, 2001] Message
from U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, 18th District, Illinois, on Sept. 14,
2001:
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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.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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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.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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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!
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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]
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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.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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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]
|
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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.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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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, 7˝, “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]
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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.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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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]
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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.
[to top of second column in
this article]
|
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.
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 ]
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