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* Truancy Michael McIntosh, chairman of the law enforcement
committee, brought forth a new truancy ordinance for consideration.
The revision will make it a violation for students to be absent from
school and out in a public place. Violators would be issued
citations and processed through the legal system. A straw vote
indicated this would be approved at Tuesday's voting meeting.
* No smoking on county grounds
Tentative approval was also given for amending the no-smoking ban
for county buildings and properties to include all county buildings
and properties. The ordinance currently covers the courthouse only.
* Financial year-end procedures
The finance committee brought forth an amendment to year-end
financial procedures. The new cutoff date for financials will be
Dec. 31. Anything brought in after that date will go in the new
year, whether it was in the old budget or not, finance chair Chuck
Ruben said. This is merely a housekeeping measure that was
recommended by the auditor, Ruben said.
* Tourism, in the black and busy
Tourism director Geoff Ladd began his post just as the agency was
climbing out of a financial hole. Ladd made monthly reports to the
county finance committee as the county helped bail the tourism
bureau out, loaning them $10,000 during the rough period. Last fall
that debt was paid back in full, and he began reporting in every
other month. It was Ladd's pleasure to report this month that they
have money in the bank -- $10,000 -- enough for a contingency of two
months.
Those funds in the bank will provide some sense of security as
the state continues to pull unprotected funds. Last year the state
siphoned off tourism grant funds that were at $5 million a year,
knocking them down to $300,000. Rep. Rich Brauer has put forth a
bill that puts it back into tourism and preservation, Ladd said.
Meanwhile, Ladd had the sad news that a major Logan County Route
66 site that had been up and running for a couple of years, the Pig
Hip Restaurant Museum at Broadwell, was a 98 percent loss in the
recent fire. (See
article.)
Ladd had some good news in spite of the terrible loss. He said
that the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency has been asked for
their help in maintaining something at the site. Maybe the front
wall could be kept and photos of how it used to be, he said.
There were some benefits to the fire. With the Internet, news
goes all over the world, Ladd said. The loss gained a lot of
attention.
[to top of second column] |
 The Mill becomes more important with the loss of the Pig Hip.
Save The Mill planning is in full swing. The EPA is allowing a wet
demolition. This will help keep the asbestos abatement cost down to
$12,000.
April is a big month with a lot of volunteers coming in, Ladd
said.
(Save
The Mill group announces two fundraising events)
Pig Hip
Ladd said that with the fire destroying most of the Pig Hip
Museum contents, including valuable papers such as letters signed by
presidents, memorabilia is being sought to be used in future
displays that will commemorate the site.
Abraham Lincoln headed northwest
There's a new attraction in town that can't be missed. Abraham
Lincoln seated on the world's largest covered wagon will have a
split-rail fence distinguishing it soon. It was determined that
utility poles would provide the closest to scale material. Ameren
will be donating the poles as they become available.
The display is the generous gift of a private citizen, Larry Van
Bibber. Van Bibber wished to enhance the community and business with
the tourist attraction.
Ladd fielded a question from board member Pat O'Neill. O'Neill
wanted to know if there's been any talk about changing the direction
of the new Abraham Lincoln and covered wagon.
Ladd chuckled and said, "Oh, there's lot's of talk." He then
explained that the position was chosen so that people traveling on
Route 66 from the Chicago direction would be greeted with Abraham
Lincoln facing them.
"Some have asked
why Mr. Lincoln isn't facing Lincoln itself and the answer is
simple. The majority of visitors who come through Lincoln on Route
66 start in Chicago and head south. Mr. Lincoln is ready and
waiting, facing the visitors as they come to our fair city." -- on
the tourism website
("The Railsplitter Covered Wagon")
*
Due to the consolidated election, next month's adjourned board
meeting scheduled for April 17 will be moved to April 19.
[Dale Voyles;
Jan
Youngquist] |
