[OCT. 27, 2005]
Flu shots are now available at the Logan County
Health Department. Administrator Mark Hilliard said that there are
no restrictions on the vaccine this year. Everyone is encouraged to
get vaccinated, he said.
Inoculations began Monday at the Logan County Health Department, 109
Third St. in Lincoln. Shots are available from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday-Friday.
Last year the major vaccine manufacturer had a
contamination that caused a nationwide shortage, and the vaccine was
given to the most vulnerable populations first. The flu season was
nearly over when the vaccine became available to the general
population. There were late outbreaks in parts of the state that
made getting even a late one a good choice though.
He added that there were no reports of West Nile in Logan County
this year.
Road and bridge upgrades
Repair work is under way on a Sheridan Township bridge north of
New Holland. The acting county engineer could not give a time
estimate on when that work will be completed, as chillier
temperatures influence the application of some road materials.
Tentatively, 2000th Street will be closed for a few more weeks.
The county assisted with a portion of the resurfacing of County
Highway 1, Mount Pulaski.
Aukamp reports that all seal-coating that the county highway
department assists townships with throughout Logan County has been
completed for the year.
Aukamp said that the county is ready and waiting to go ahead with
the planning process for the Fifth Street Road project. The road is
considered a gateway to commercial and residential development for
Lincoln. The county will meet with the city of Lincoln to work out
details of the city assisting with portions of the project.
The section of road that is ready to be redeveloped extends from
Business 55-Route 66-Lincoln Parkway to Middletown. It includes an
undefined "urban section" that the city would help finance and say
what they want done and rural areas to the west that the county will
take charge of.
Road and bridge chair Terry Werth brought forth three bids.
The following lowest bids were accepted:
Culvert replacement for Orville Township went to County
Contractors, Quincy, for $45,149.20.
Bridge repair in Sheridan Township went to Laverdiere
Construction, Macomb, for $24,146.
Culvert replacement in Sheridan Township went to County
Contractors, Quincy, for $15,258.70.
These are the total costs for the projects. The county pays 50
percent and the township pays the other half.
The Logan County Courthouse windows will be winterized at a cost
of $1,100. Repairs were made Oct. 4-25. Temporary repairs to a
cracked seam at the edge of the roof will be made next week.
Paul Gleason reported that the Central Illinois Economic
Development Corp., which oversees the local Head Start program, has
met with a new success. For the first time they have had 100 percent
enrollment in all six counties that are involved. The program admits
economically and socially disadvantaged children and is funded by
federal dollars through the state.
This is good news, Gleason said, because if you don't meet goals,
you get dinged (in points) and that results in a reduction in
funding. This is often beyond anyone's control, such as when
students are a distance from the school that is hosting a program.
Tourism support taxes fall off
Questions were asked earlier this year about why the county is no
longer seeing taxes that support tourism in the county collected
from two local motels. John Stewart and Paul Gleason observed that
hotel-motel taxes have not been coming in since January from Budget
Inn. The other business in question is the Redwood Motel.
Ruben said he had information from the treasurer that probably
answers that. When hotels and motels provide a weekly rather than a
daily rate, they do not charge that tax. A lot of the clientele at
the places in question are staying on weekly rates.
Insurance premium money back
On a positive note, an audit by the Illinois Public Risk Fund
revealed overpayment on workers' compensation insurance premium from
Dec. 15, 2003, to 2004. Paul Gleason said that the county has
received a reimbursement check for $9,284.
Emergency response operations
Logan County paramedic Steve Siltman has returned from
Mississippi and New Orleans, where he and fellow paramedics treated
and transported victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The ambulance that went there is in need of repairs.
Logan County Emergency Management Agency director Dan Fulscher
said that Lincoln Fire Chief Bucky Washam has returned from
assisting with Hurricane Katrina. He borrowed the county-owned
trailer for the trip.
Dick Logan serviced the trailer at no charge after it was
returned.
Committee chairman Dick Logan said that a three-year Emergency
Operations Plan has been updated and is on disk.
Also, the Logan County Emergency Management Agency has a
three-year plan for its annual practices. Emergency response agency
chiefs, support agencies and community leaders from all over the
county gather together for several hours each year and practice
collaborative decision-making. Developing good communication is
always the most important lesson learned.
Next year will be a tabletop practice. The following year will be
a functional drill, and the third year will be a full-scale
operation, opening the Emergency Operation Center and going to the
field. All three will maintain the same scenario, a hazmat-school
incident, which provides an opportunity to hone the most commonly
needed skills.
