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County
briefs
Bids for
prep work on Elkhart-Mount Pulaski blacktop approved
Movement
toward future development, flu vaccines available, union contracts
and other county actions
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[December
10, 2008]
Logan County received five bids
on a nearly half-million-dollar highway project. Board member George
Mitchell was impressed that the top three bids, at $412,459.55,
$413,536 and $416,700, were so close that they took close scrutiny
to decide. The Logan County Board approved the lowest bidder, Entler
Excavating Co. of Decatur. The company will supply work and
materials for a culvert extension and replacement that is part of
the preparations for the overlay project planned for Logan County
Highway 10, better known as the Elkhart to Mount Pulaski blacktop.
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 CEDS moving forwardBill Martin told the county board that
Logan County's request to join the Peoria Regional CEDS passed their
full Economic Development Council. He said that after all five
county boards -- Logan, Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford and Mason
counties -- pass a resolution, we would be in their economic
development district. Next, Logan County would write a CEDS, and that
would be attached to their document and sent to Chicago for federal
approval.
Finance chairman Chuck Ruben thanked Bill Martin for his
leadership in the CEDS. "He's done a wonderful job on that," Ruben
said and thanked development director Joel Smiley for his work on
that as well.
A foot in the door on future developments
Smiley, executive director of the Lincoln & Logan County
Development Partnership, told the board that he had been to a trade
show in Chicago and picked up five leads for wind farm-related
businesses last month. He has been keeping follow-up going with
these contacts that are looking for sites and expects to schedule
representative visits to the area soon.
Ruben commended Smiley for being the only economic development
director present at the gathering in Chicago. "It gave him an open
field," Ruben said. "That doesn't happen very often."
Public transportation development moves to third of five phases
Board member Pat O'Neill reported that the future of public
transportation is progressing. The Transit Partnership Group has
completed the first two of five phases that would access Illinois
Department of Transportation funds for public transportation use.
Logan, Mason and Menard counties are working together to create a
coordinated public transportation system.
A recent poll of 1,400 people showed that 72 percent said they
would use public transportation if it were available. Most common
needs identified were for shopping, medical appointments and
visiting.
The next step is to plan for a coordinated transportation
service. The public is invited to the next meeting, scheduled for
Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Mason City American Legion.
Help with heating
O'Neill said that Community Action is now helping over 500
individuals get help with their heating bills through Illinois' Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The program is directed at
seniors and disabled and pays utility companies directly.
No public dental clinic, yet
Hopes for grant funding that would establish a dental clinic in
the Logan County Department of Public Health facility were quashed
last month. Health department administrator Mark Hilliard said they
were informed that they would not be receiving the needed grants
through the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation, but he was
encouraged by the agency to apply for the next round of grants that
would be coming out in February.
Union contracts
Hilliard said that union negotiations for the health department
were started.
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Flu vaccines available and encouraged
As of Nov. 13 the health department had administered 2,200 flu
vaccines since the beginning of October. One case of flu had been
lab-confirmed. Hilliard said it was hoped that as the weather
gets worse and the season progresses, more people would get in and
get vaccinated.
Flu shots are recommended for people age 6 months to 18 years,
pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older, anyone with
certain chronic medical conditions, and people who live with or care
for those at high risk for complications from the flu.
Flu shots are $30 and pneumonia shots are available for $45 at
the health department. Hilliard encouraged anyone who has not been
vaccinated to come in.
Hilliard said that they did something new this year. They asked
clinics and hospitals to compile who was given the vaccines by sex
and age range. This is so we'll have an idea how good a job we're
doing protecting the citizens of Logan County from the flu, he said.
Pay to use some polling places to stop
A resolution was read saying that the county board will no longer
pay to have polling hosted in a public building: "On request by the
Logan County Board an agency of government shall make a public
building under its control available for use as a polling place on
election day and for a reasonable period of time before or after
election day without charge."
County law enforcement union contracts
Board member Rick Aylesworth announced that county Fraternal
Order of Police three-year contract negotiations were completed,
with correctional officers receiving 3.5 percent pay raises, and
staff, maintenance and cooks receiving 3 percent raises.
Building improvement
The smoke alarm system at the Logan County Public Safety Complex
will be upgraded. Bid was awarded to Simplex in the amount of
$16,561. That cost will be offset by a $7,600 grant secured from
Public Risk by county board administrative secretary JoAnne Marlin.
Appointments
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Paul Kasa, M.D.;
Logan County Board of Health, three-year term
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Mike Rohrer, R.Ph.;
Logan County Board of Health, three-year term
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Todd Walker, D.M.D.; Logan County Board
of Health, three-year term
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
Hours at the Logan County Department of Public Health are
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with walk-ins welcome. The
facility is located at 109 Third St. in Lincoln. Phone 217-735-2317. For further information from the health department on preventing the flu, see
http://www.logancountyhealth.org/.
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