Paul
Gleason -- candidate for Logan County Board
"A
lifetime of dedicated public service to the citizens of Logan
County" could be used to describe the life of Paul E. Gleason,
a Republican candidate seeking reelection to the Logan County Board.
In his life he has served as a 4-H leader, church leader and 15-year
Sunday School teacher. He held a position as an instructor of
American history and American constitutional government for 37 years
in Logan County.
Currently
Gleason is a Logan County historian and a writer, researcher and
lecturer as well as U.S. Heritage Consultant. Since 1973 he has
collected artifacts and other materials on the American presidency
which have been utilized in displays throughout the county. This
latter work is done when he is not attending to county business.
Gleason
chairs the county's Insurance/Legislation Committee and also serves
on the Liquor Committee. He also represents the board on the
following committees and boards: Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau,
chairman of the Community Action Board, Job Training Partnership Act
(Job Training Board), Land of Lincoln Workforce Investment Area #20
board, Logan County Historic Preservation Commission, Illinois
Counties Risk Management Trust board, United Counties Council of
Illinois, Governmental Inter-Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee,
chairman of the Illinois Coalition of Community Action Agencies and
is on the Illinois Community Action Association board.
In
addition to those committees Gleason is active in the Knapp, Chesnut,
Becker Historical Society (Middletown), Elkhart Historical Society,
Friends of Historic Atlanta, Logan County Genealogical and
Historical Society, Main Street Lincoln board, government/education
committee of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, Illinois
Route 66 Association board. Other organizations include the U.S.
Capitol Historical Association and the White House Historical
Association.
Being
a lifelong resident of Logan County has helped Gleason to develop a
knowledge about the concerns of the citizens of the county. Through
his years of public service he has been able to develop a rapport
with the citizens. Prior experience on the board has allowed Gleason
to understand the functions of each of the committees and to extend
his leadership beyond the county.
There
are several issues which face the Logan County Board. First, there
is a need to continue to maintain a balanced budget and yet continue
county services for the citizens. Second, there is a need to
encourage protection of the county's farmland and wetland areas.
Third, Logan County has even greater tourism potential than is being
developed at this time. Fourth, economic development continues to be
an issue, and a well-equipped labor force to meet the new technology
being developed in this new century will be an issue. Fifth,
environmental concerns, pollution, and further recycling programs
will be topics of concern.
County
board candidate Gleason is seeking your vote and support as he seeks
reelection to the Logan County Board. As in the past, his promise to
the citizens of Logan County is to do his best to enhance the
quality of life in the county. During his tenure on the board he has
witnessed lean years financially speaking. Then, too, there have
been years of prosperity. His goal has been and will continue to be
getting the best services for the citizens for the tax dollar spent.
To provide government services costs money. Thus it is essential
that the board always strive to get the best services for the money
spent.
Gleason
stated to his constituents in his first election campaign for the
board, "My promise to you is to listen to your concerns and do
my best to resolve them, and in the meantime spend county resources
wisely." During the 2000 campaign it remains the same: "To
do my best."
Jim
Griffin -- candidate for Logan County Board
I
am often asked for my position on government issues. (And have been
asked on occasion, will I say one thing to get votes and become like
some elected officials and vote with the "good old boys.")
My positions or planks are as follows.
For
the last five years or so I have written many letters to papers,
attended numerous school board, city council and county board
meetings for the purpose of reducing the spending habits of
government. Then property taxes could be lowered. One way to help
would be for the county board to let contracts for any amount over
$2,500. The county board should also encourage taxpayers to attend
official meetings. I also feel the Logan County Board must adhere
closely with the state statutes for Open Meetings Act and the
Freedom of Information Act.
I
have successfully run a small business for the last 12 years. I need
to know how to spend money in a fashion to receive a good return on
my investment. If I don’t have it, I don’t spend it. If I don’t
need it, I don’t buy it. We need people who have good business
sense to run government. Government should be a business and should
be run so that there is a good use of the money (tax dollars). Then
taxes do not have to continuously go up and we can have a real
balanced budget.
Another
thing that has bothered me for some time is the financial position
we are leaving our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We have
all heard the phrase, "spending our children’s future."
A recent article in the Bloomington Pantagraph stated that 11
surrounding counties had gained from six percent to 35 percent voter
registration from 1996 to 2000, except for Logan County, which had
lost 12 percent. We need to turn this around and make Logan County
an active, growing place for ourselves and generations to come.
Lloyd
Hellman -- candidate for Logan County Board
I
am a candidate for a second term on the Logan County Board. I am
presently chairman of the Road and Bridge Committee and also a
member of the Airport-Farm, Law Enforcement-ESDA, Building and
Grounds and Finance committees.
I am a native of Logan County, a
veteran and a member of various organizations including the American
Legion and Logan County Farm Bureau. My wife and I are members of
the St. Peter Lutheran Church located in Emden.
I believe in a
responsible county board that spends our tax dollars carefully,
resulting in a balanced budget. If elected, I would continue to work
to limit expenses and tax increases.
Logan County needs more
industry and businesses. It is a complex issue, though. Perhaps the
city government, county board and enterprise groups will see some
success in this area before long.
My qualifications are based on
past experiences on the board, and I will always consider any issues
brought before the board.
Tim
Huyett -- candidate for state's attorney
Tim
Huyett, the former Logan County State’s Attorney, authored his
goals for the office of state’s attorney in the upcoming March 21,
2000, Republican primary election. As a challenger to the incumbent,
he intends to demonstrate to Logan County citizens why their county
needs a change in the office of state’s attorney.
Huyett’s
background includes more than courtroom battles. He served in the
Army National Guard from 1983 to 1989. He counseled troubled youth
at the Dixon Group Home and has spent time in a teaching capacity at
Lincoln College and Lincoln Correctional Center.
In
1988, Huyett came to the Logan County State’s Attorney’s Office,
joining then State’s Attorney John Turner. Huyett served as Turner’s
assistant until 1995, when the Logan County Board appointed him to
fill the remainder of Turner’s unexpired term.
Since
leaving office, Huyett has worked as a special prosecutor for the
State’s Attorney’s Appellate Prosecutor’s Office. In that
position, he has been entrusted with and successfully prosecuted
many high-profile cases. He is called into these cases because
special expertise is needed.
His
successful jury convictions and sentences include the following:
-
Death
penalty for triple murder
-
100-year
sentence for rape
-
95-year
sentence for rape
-
75-year
sentence for murder
Huyett’s
platform for change includes the following:
-
Make
charging decisions on a timely basis instead of months after the
crime was committed
-
Make
a priority of returning phone calls to victims to advise them of
the status of their cases and to county board members to help
them address the needs of our constituents
-
Provide
factual and truthful information to victims of proposed
dispositions of cases involving their rights and restitution
-
Try
cases on time and not lose them because of speedy trial
violations
-
Restore
confidence in the Logan County prosecutor’s office with police
officers and the general public
-
Improve
the current conviction rate for felony jury cases from 36
percent to above the statewide average of 70 percent
-
Protect
seniors and other citizens from white collar crime
-
Reestablish
and coordinate efforts to work with DCFS and the Department of
Mental Health
Huyett
concluded by saying, "I am humbly requesting the voters of
Logan County to consider my candidacy. I offer in return my best
effort. I fully recognize the challenges and demands of the state’s
attorney’s office. My absolute and solemn commitment is to provide
the best service possible to the citizens of Logan County."
Bill
Workman -- candidate for state's attorney
Logan
County State’s Attorney Bill Workman is proud of the achievements
of his office in his first term of service to the people of Logan
County as their chief law enforcement officer. Workman believes his
proactive approach to his job has enhanced his office’s
effectiveness, not only in the prosecution of criminal cases, but in
all aspects of his job.
"As
state’s attorney, I am committed to continue working closely with
the law enforcement officers of our community and to continue our
relationship of mutual respect and trust," Workman said.
Workman is known for participating directly with the police on a
regular basis, as demonstrated by frequently going on "ride-alongs"
with officers during their duty shifts.
"I
view our roles as a team effort in controlling crime in Logan
County," Workman said. "I always have my pager or cell
phone close by, and the police officers know that no matter the time
of day or night, they can reach me to answer a question, help solve
a problem or obtain a needed search warrant from a judge,"
Workman stated.
"In
my 1996 campaign, I told the people of Logan County that it was my
intention to establish a victim/witness advocate as a full-time
staff member in the state’s attorney’s office to assist those in
need. Within the first year in office, we were successful in doing
just that, through a grant funded by the Illinois Attorney General’s
Office," Workman said. "That first year, the position was
funded only as part time. Through continued work, we gained further
funding from the state, and the position is now full time. Without
cost to the citizens of Logan County, we are providing services to
victims of crime.
"Any
domestic violence victim can now receive assistance in my office.
This was one of our priorities early on, and it is now available to
anyone who is in need of services. My office also works closely with
the Sojourn Center advocate for Logan County. The Sojourn Center is
a safe house for victims of domestic violence. We stand as an
available resource to assist anyone requiring help in obtaining an
order of protection when the Sojourn representative is
unavailable," Workman explained.
"As
state’s attorney, I believe it is important to be open-minded and
receptive to new ideas and approaches. Two other examples of our
newly created programs addressing needs in Logan County are Teen
Court and Traffic Safety School.
"Early
in my term I was approached by the American Legion Auxiliary to help
establish a ‘Teen Court’ program in Logan County. After a great
deal of preparation, work and coordination, Logan County now has
Teen Court, which serves the youth of Logan County," Workman
said. Teen Court is a diversion program for first-time offenders.
Another
new program that has been in operation since December of 1999 was
developed in collaboration with the clerk of the circuit court,
Carla Bender, and Judges David Coogan and Don Behle. A Traffic
Safety School, developed and run by Northwestern Illinois
University, has been providing traffic safety instruction as an
alternative method of dealing with traffic cases.
"This
Traffic Safety Program will deter minor traffic offenders out of the
courtroom, thereby allowing prosecutors, judges and court personnel
to direct more court time toward the more serious offenders, and
refer them instead to a four-hour traffic safety course,"
Workman said.
"When
I was elected state’s attorney, I made some commitments to the
citizens of this county, and that has meant treating every case with
the same fairness and thorough consideration. However, I recognize
the state’s attorney’s job does not end in the courtroom or in
the courthouse. I have attended the majority of the county board
working sessions. As part of my job, I provide advice and counsel to
the board and other entities and municipalities on a very regular
basis," Workman stated. "In the course of my first term in
office, I have gone to literally every community in Logan County to
attend various municipal, township and agency meetings when a
question has arisen that involves my office or the county’s
relationship with that community," Workman said.
Looking
into the future, Workman said he looks forward to continuing to
serve the people of this county as their state’s attorney. "I
want to continue preserving and protecting citizen’s rights,
improving the services we provide to the law-abiding people of Logan
County, and making Logan County a safe place to live by prosecuting
those who choose to violate the law," Workman concluded.
Chuck
Fricke -- candidate for coroner
The
trauma of losing a loved one can happen to anyone. Having a
professional coroner who operates the office with integrity is
essential in reducing the anxiety families encounter in these
situations.
I
have the experience and the leadership to be that kind of coroner. I
graduated from the Chicago School of Mortuary Science with high
honors and I have been a funeral director in Logan County for 27
years. I also received high honors in my business management degree
from the University of Illinois and served as the youngest president
of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association.
The
coroner must have a good working relationship with local medical and
law enforcement personnel. In the last four months I have talked
with the Logan County Paramedics, the Lincoln Rural Fire Department,
area doctors, fire and rescue squads from rural communities, law
enforcement, county board members and ESDA to learn how the coroner
can be of better service to the public and the professionals. The
following goals are a result of those discussions:
Office
in Public Facility
1.
I will move all coroner records from a private business to the Logan
County Courthouse. In order to avoid any conflict of interest, I
intend to move the coroner’s office from a private business to a
public facility as well. Negotiations are underway to determine the
best location.
Quicker
Response Time
2.
Rescue squads in outlying areas would like quicker response time to
the scene of an accident. Sometimes they have to wait two or three
hours at an accident before the coroner arrives. Having to wait adds
to the stress of the families in these tragic situations. It also
ties up the volunteer rescue squads at the scene and the law
enforcement agencies that must wait and protect the accident scene
until the coroner arrives. My solution would be to deputize
qualified key personnel in the areas of ambulance, rescue, law and
ESDA.
These
deputy coroners, when they are already on site, would act in my
place until I arrive.
Coroner’s
Medical Advisory Board
3.
I plan to establish a Coroner’s Medical Advisory Board. Doctors Dru
and Marcia Hauter have agreed to serve as co-chairmen. The cause of
an individual’s death is recorded on either a medical certificate
or the coroner’s certificate of death. Consulting with the family
physician in determining whether an autopsy is necessary may result
in alleviating unnecessary work. These will also keep the coroner’s
budget more realistic.
Public
Notification of Inquests
4.
I would conduct all inquests in the Logan County Courthouse with
proper notification to the public. If a public hearing is to be
conducted, then an announcement through the local media is
essential.
Local
Transportation of Victims
5.
I would seek to arrange transportation of victims by local
providers.
Currently
the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District personnel transport from
the scene of an accident to Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.
However, when an autopsy is required, Mason City Ambulance Service
is employed to transport to Springfield. In accordance with my
discussions with them, Lincoln Rural’s Board of Directors have
tentatively agreed to provide that service. This would keep the
money in Logan County.
Sharing
ideas for improving the office of coroner make the office more
responsive to the needs of the public and the agencies that deal
with the coroner. I encourage anyone interested in this race to
attend the March 14 “Meet the Candidates” night at Adams School
to ask me questions and share their ideas.
I
pledge to operate the coroner’s office with integrity. I would
appreciate your vote.
Paul
Hennessy -- candidate for coroner
Paul
Hennessy, Republican candidate for Logan County coroner, announced
today his plans for operating the office if elected. The first issue
to be addressed will involve relocating the office from its current
location at Holland & Barry Funeral Home to a location of the
county board’s choosing. " I don’t own
a funeral home," stated Hennessy, "so the office will be
moved to a public building which will house all
of the records and equipment that are needed to carry out the duties
of the office."
Hennessy,
currently a deputy in the Logan County Circuit Clerk’s Office,
will leave his position in the child
support division in order to serve as a full-time coroner. He will
perform all of the duties of the office,
from going to the death scene to conducting the inquests. "I am
currently a deputy coroner in Logan
County, so I know the job from start to finish. I will appoint two
experienced deputy coroners, Rick Bacon and Steve Dahm, to assist
me," Hennessy stated. Hennessy feels that his own experience as
a deputy coroner combined with that of trained deputies will ensure
that the citizens of Logan County will have a the quality of service
that they need.
The
coroner’s inquests, which have been held at the courthouse for
several years, will continue to be
conducted there. "I see no reason to move the inquest
proceeding to another location. The courthouse is the
logical and appropriate place for inquests to be held," said
Hennessy.
Transporting
the deceased from the location of death was also addressed by
Hennessy. "I will continue
to call on the Lincoln Rural Fire Department to perform this duty
for the coroner’s office.
"The
crew that is dispatched has always been prompt and very professional
in what are sometimes difficult circumstances," Hennessy
stated.
Hennessy
feels that his experience as a Lincoln city alderman and a county
employee gives him a
decided advantage over his opponent when it comes to dealing with
budget issues." As an alderman, I had the opportunity to sit on
the other side of the table listening to budget requests. As an
employee of the county, I have known the members of the county board
in a working relationship for some time. I feel that this experience
will help make the budget process go smoothly from both the coroner’s
and county board’s perspective."
Hennessy
also stated that he will work within his budget. He does not see the
need for creating committees
to advise the coroner. "Logan County has had the good fortune
of having a working relationship
with a board-certified forensic pathologist, Dr. Travis Hindman, who
has years of experience in his
field. Dr. Hindman’s reports are clear, concise and he is always
available to answer questions or appear at an inquest if the need
arises."
Hennessy
is the only candidate in the coroner’s race with actual experience
in the coroner’s office. "As a
deputy coroner I have been involved in virtually every aspect of the
coroner’s duties. I will make the job
of coroner my full-time, primary responsibility," Hennessy
said.
|
