 Emergency communications keeping on the cutting edge
Progress continues in the development of the new 911 communications
room. The upgrades will feature fully integrated new computers and
software systems addressing the needs of multiple departments. The
system will speed communications between telecommunicators and
callers, law enforcement, and all first responders in the field, as
well as providing immediate access and exchange of information with
pertinent offices.
Airport business
A request by Chuck Holzwarth for additional space to expand his
business at the airport is being negotiated. Holzwarth runs an
aerial farm chemical and seed application business. He had as many
as 13 planes in the air over Logan County this last summer,
committee chairman Bill Sahs said. The committee is examining
several options that will allow Holzwarth the added space he has
requested.
County highways
The Logan County Highway Department has received maps of the 2006
traffic count from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The
maps have numbers on them that represent the average number of
vehicles traveling on a particular road each day.
Federal highway bridge program funds will be used for biennial
bridge inspections next year.
The county will be receiving funds for the replacement of box
culverts on Fifth Street Road between 225 and 500 avenues. This work
will complement the work that is to be done later when the road
between Interstate 55 and Middletown is fully renovated. Funds are
coming from a federal grant in the amount of $324,500. The estimated
total cost is $360,000. This is a 90/10 agreement. The county and
possibly the township will supply the remaining 10 percent.
An increase in coal sales has county officials scrambling to find
funding for renovation to County Highway 10. The roadway that serves
the coal mine needs thicker pavement to endure heavy trucks and
increased traffic. The increase in coal sales is not anticipated
until late 2008 or early 2009.
Zoning matters
Windmill ordinance -- A newly written ordinance that regulates
variations of windmills is in the process of approval. It is
expected to be presented to the Logan County Board for review on
Oct. 13.
New Logan County zoning officer Will D'Andrea has defined a couple
of big projects for his office. In processing rezoning applications
he has found that the county zoning map has not been kept updated
since about 2000 or 2001. D'Andrea observed that this is a process
that needs to be re-implemented, particularly as it ties into
keeping accurate records for GIS.
[to top of second column] |
 A problem recently was discovered on a property that was rezoned
last year from B-1 to B-3 for a business expansion. However, B-3
requires setbacks, and according to the property owner, with those
setbacks, there isn't room for the expansion. The property will now
be rezoned back to B-1.
D'Andrea is also planning to reorganize records in his office for
easier identification. Building permits are currently organized by
name. He would change nearly 6,000 records over to "by address."
This will be a time-consuming project that he will do over a period
of time.
Buildings and grounds
The roof of the bandstand in Latham Park has been repaired by R.L.
High.
Pictured are Eagle
Scout Corey Bell, holding a certificate of appreciation for his work
in renovating the historic bandstand; Logan County Board Chairman
Dick Logan, with a pictorial gift; and John Stewart, board vice
chairman and grounds chairman.
(Historic
Latham Park band shell renovations completed)
Animal control
The animal control committee is gathering information from other
counties to update the local ordinance.
Additionally, Dr. Sanborn reports that there are 851 delinquent
rabies registrations. This equates to $49,300 in lost revenue for
the county. A letter is being generated
Appointment
Geoff Ladd, executive director of the
Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County, welcomes Stacie
Wachtel to the tourism board of directors.
The board approved the appointment of Stacie Wachtel to the board
of directors of the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County.
[Jan
Youngquist] |
