Family
Fun Day at Latham Park
[SEPT.
8, 2000] A
Family Fun Day will take place this Saturday, Sept. 9, at Latham
Park from 3 to 8 p.m. Everyone is invited to come out and have lots
of fun.
The
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force of the Healthy
Communities Partnership is hosting Family Fun Day. This
event is free and substance-free for you and your family. [LDN] ![](../../images/ads/maple/MapleRdg-AUG.jpg)
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Looking
for Lincoln,
off and
running
[SEPT.
8, 2000] Members
of the community came together the evening of Wednesday Aug. 30, to
discuss successes and future plans for the newly formed Looking for
Lincoln project. Looking for Lincoln is the latest part of the
Illinois Heritage Tourism package initiated by the state of
Illinois. The local project is sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln
Tourism Bureau of Logan County and is led by Thressia Usherwood. The
project is intended to boost economy by bringing tourism to Illinois
communities with historical ties to Abraham Lincoln.
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The
local project has been broken into several committees. Each committee
provided updates as follows:
Downtown
Cluster – chaired by Larry Crisafulli
The
meeting began with a review of the re-enactment of the christening of
Lincoln that took place at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug, 27. Larry Crisafulli
reported his satisfaction with the performance and the number of
people who came out to watch it. The original christening was
recounted by the Stephens boy, and included four men, the Stephens boy
himself, and a group of women onlookers. Appearing in period dress,
they spoke and acted out what are believed to be the very words and
actions of those at the original event.
![](../../images/090800pics/abe1.jpg)
[Standing from left to right: Robert Latham (portrayed by Daris
Knauer), Abraham Lincoln (Charles Ott), Virgil Hickox (Dean Tibbs),
John D. Gillett (Robert Presswood), and sitting is the Stevens boy
(Cary Bell) re-enacting the town's christening]
![](../../images/090800pics/abe3.jpg)
[Of
particular note was the fine antique wagon that was present as part of
the props, lending a genuine air of authenticity. The wagon was
generously loaned for the event by John Gehlbach.]
Plans
to perform future re-enactments of the christening were discussed,
with an anticipated three-year buildup to our sesquicentennial in
2003. Each year it is hoped to add to and modify the activity. It will
continue to take place on the original site at the Depot.
Crisafulli
went on to discuss numerous other possible activities that he and his
committee are considering. Some of the ideas include an interactive
display for picture taking, other exhibits and developing a rustic
tavern. He also expressed the hope for a tourism building that
visitors could go to in the downtown area at some time in the future.
All activities are intended to draw people into the downtown area to
share our history and give visitors something to do.
An
idea was presented to have downtown businesses host lighted window
displays for the holidays using an 1853-1860s Christmas theme.
This
committee will be meeting again Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. in the
second floor conference room at Union Planters Bank.
Postville
Cluster – chaired by Shirley Bartelmay
Richard
Schachtsiek, site manager for the Lincoln and Mount Pulaski
courthouses, reported that the Lincoln Postville Courthouse is
undergoing major renovations. The siding has been removed so that new,
specialized protection recommended can be installed underneath. The
new windows are going in now. The building has new plumbing, wiring
and heating/air-conditioning system. Schachtsiek says, "The new
breed of tourist likes to be comfortable. They like to be warm in the
winter and cool in the summer. They will be happy with the new
changes."
![](../../images/090800pics/postville1.jpg)
[New walnut siding sporting saw lap marks like the
original building will replace the cedar boards on the Postville
Courthouse. The new windows are also six-pane like the original,
rather than four-pane. "We hope to be done by the end of
September, but there's always a few more nails to pound," quips
project supervisor Will Olson from RJS Constructors, Inc.]
This
property is owned and maintained by the Illinois Preservation Society
and is being included for use as part of the Looking for Lincoln
project. Plans are being made for volunteers to help keep the site
open more hours. Shirley Bartelmay believes they have a plan coming
together in which volunteers will donate only four hours per month.
Volunteer activities will include everyday maintenance and other
duties.
(To top of second
column in this article)
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![](../../images/ads/MErealty/me_realty.jpg)
In
an update from other communities – chaired by Gillette Ransom
It
was emphasized that there continues to be a search for Abraham Lincoln
information and artifacts.
Ed
Busch from Middletown is coordinating themes and signs.
Local
historians Paul Beaver and Paul Gleason announced that Charlotte Keys
has provided some wonderful old postcards of the surrounding
communities. From 1900 to 1910 there was a postcard craze. Plans are
to make reprints and package them to promote all our towns. It is
believed that the postcards will make wonderful tourist items. The
historians also came into possession of a lovely old Broadway Street
postcard, which may be remade.
Wendy
Bell supplied additional discussion. Bell told of her fact-finding so
far for gaining signage. She explained that the state of Illinois
rules that there should be at least 200,000 visitors to a location to
qualify for interstate signs. She is gathering visitor information
numbers now. She also explained the current locations of signs
directing traffic into the downtown area off the local highways. She
made a proposed a plan of action for gaining new signs and their
locations.
Thressia
Usherwood announced the acceptance by the state of Illinois of the
proposed design for a new exhibit. The exhibit is a storyboard which
tells the story of Abraham Lincoln christening the town of Lincoln. It
features a Lloyd Ostendorf print, just as all the Logan County
exhibits will. Using all Ostendorfs throughout the county will provide
consistency from one site to another. Ostendorf (who is now in his
80s) made prints for each town in Logan County. He is very pleased the
project will be using his artwork.
![](../../images/090800pics/lookforabe2.jpg)
Another
feature of the exhibit is the watermelon imprint, which is part of all
Looking for Lincoln displays statewide. It is there for kids to make
etchings. The display will be located at the original site of the
christening event.
When
finished, the $10,000 sign will replace the one currently on the exact
spot of the occurrence at the Depot. The older sign will be relocated
a few feet away. The state of Illinois will split the funding of the
display with a matching grant. They will pay $5,000 of the $10,000
expense.
Gleason
reported that the Genealogical and Historical Society will moving to
114 N. Chicago St., across from the Depot. Papers are expected to be
signed Sept. 15, and the move is expected to be completed by Oct. 1.
Phyllis Bryson of Mount Pulaski said, "We've outgrown the space
in the Arcade Building. We will have space for a visitor center. We
have museum artifacts; we'll be able to have schoolchildren come in to
learn there, and we'll have the research center there."
Upcoming
events include displays by the clusters at the Harvest Fest in
downtown Lincoln. Harvest Fest, on Sept. 22 and 23, will coincide with
Lincoln Community High School homecoming events. There will be
displays and activities at Scully Park on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m.
If
you wish to become involved in any of these activities, all of the
committees welcome you. It promises to be a rewarding experience, as
well as providing a service to your community. Mark your calendars now
for the next meeting at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 27. The next meeting
will take place on the second floor at the Union Planters Bank
building.
To
find out where cluster meetings will be or if you have any other
questions, you can contact Thressia Usherwood, executive director of
Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County at (217) 732-8687.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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Bird
banger alert!
[SEPT.
7, 2000] Residents
in Mayfair are seeing some action toward relief from the dirty, noisy squadrons
of birds that have invaded their neighborhood. Wednesday evening police began an
attack on the flocks of birds using "bird bangers." The birds come in
from feeding in the fields and roost for the night in the neighborhood trees. The
bird bangers can be used to directionally scare off the birds. The goal is to
send them back out into the countryside. It will take some time to shake the
birds out and keep them from coming back into the neighborhood. The
loud bangs are shot off at intervals until they stay away. Chief Richard Ludolph
said last night's shooting was a start in the war. The birds were very resistant
and some kept coming back. The war was started to bring some immediate relief to
the residents. It is unknown how many nights it will need to take place to gain
control over the birds. However, there are only enough explosives to last
through tonight. More have been ordered and are on their way. LDN will post the
status of their arrival and the next planned shoots when that information is
available.
[LDN]
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Council
tables rezoning
of Woodlawn property
[SEPT.
7, 2000] A
motion to rezone the property owned by Glenn and Marilyn Buelter at
416 and 422 Woodlawn Road from residential to commercial was tabled
at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting by a one-vote margin.
Mayor Joan Ritter cast the deciding vote to table, saying she would
like to get the prospective developer to answer the concerns of
residents of the area before a final vote is taken.
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The
rezoning would permit the construction of a 6,080-square-foot auto
parts store with 27 parking spaces on the road between Kroger’s and
Palmer Avenue. The developer of the property has asked that his
identity remain confidential.
Residents
who have spoken against the rezoning say there is already traffic
congestion on Woodlawn and another commercial establishment will be a
safety hazard and devalue their property.
Perry
Harris, who lives at Fourth and Pine, not near the area, spoke in
favor of rezoning, saying encouraging business is good for the
community.
![](../../images/ads/doug_demay/dougdemay.gif)
Gary
Johnston, who lives at Woodlawn and Palmer, said that expanding
commercial zoning into residential areas "doesn’t make
sense."
Realtor
Dan Bock cited many areas once zoned residential that are now
successful commercial enterprises. He said people living in the
416-422 Woodlawn area told him they would not want to buy new houses
on Woodlawn because of the traffic congestion.
Alderman
Benny Huskins said he thought there was "a lot more available
property" on Woodlawn Road that could be used for business.
Alderman Patrick Madigan said infringing on residents’ quality of
life was a more important concern than building a new business.
Alderman
Steve Fuhrer said although he did not like the secrecy about the
identity of the developer, he would vote yes because he believes the
best use of the Kroger block is commercial. However, he would like to
see some type of easement so the new business and the Kroger store
could use the same access.
Alderman
Glenn Shelton said he wanted to encourage business and the area would
look "a whole lot better" with the auto parts business than
it does now. "No one wants to put a house there because of the
traffic," he said.
(To top of second
column in this article)
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"I
wish we could make it safer," Alderman Michael Montcalm told the
council. "I think it could be developed so everyone would be
happy."
City
Attorney Jonathan Wright reminded the council that the plan commission
rejected the request, and therefore the council would have to pass it
by a two-thirds margin. He also pointed out that if the council denies
the rezoning, the owners cannot petition for another zoning change for
one year.
Voting
against tabling the motion were Aldermen Huskins, Madigan, Montcalm,
Stephen Mesner and William Melton. Aldermen Shelton, Fuhrer, Gerald
Dehner, George Mitchell and Joseph Stone voted to table.
The
council also passed resolutions of gratitude and appreciation for
retiring
Fire
Department employees Captain Terry Lessen, who has served 20 years and
six months and Assistant Chief Don Buss, who has served 31 years and 9
months.
![](../../images/ads/MErealty/me_realty.jpg)
Mayor
Ritter announced the appointment of two new planning commissioners:
Mike Miller, to replace Alderman Shelton, and Bob Wood, to replace Tom
Bevard.
Prior
to the meeting, the finance committee discussed increasing salaries
for the mayor, the city clerk and the city treasurer for the first
time since 1989. The recommendation sent to the ordinance committee
asks that the mayor’s salary be increased from $10,000 to $12,000,
the treasurer’s pay from $3,000 to $5,000, and the city clerk’s
starting salary from $32,000 to $37,000. The clerk is the only
full-time position.
Aldermen
agreed not to recommend raising their own pay, which is $75 for a
regular meeting, $50 for a work session and $25 for special committee
meetings, not to exceed $300 per year for special meetings.
"I
think the token amount we get is fine," Alderman Montcalm said.
"This is true community service to me. We are not in it for the
money."
[Joan
Crabb]
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Unlawful
possession
with intent to deliver
[SEPT.
7, 2000] It
started in January, eight long months ago. The watch, the build, the
wait — there were reports, investigations, contacts and resources
set up. He gathered evidence; then day by day they watched, waited
until there was enough evidence and the time was right. Then they
made their move. Such is the standard scenario for any good drug
sting. At the end of August, Lincoln Police Department and Logan
County Sheriff’s Department snagged three people on drug charges.
The arrests were made on warrants stating unlawful possession with
intent to deliver. Out of the four warrants issued, three were
brought in. The one not brought in has moved out of state.
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A
task force provided the information leading to the arrests. The task
force is a Central Illinois Enforcement Group made up of 12 officers
from city or county agencies of seven central Illinois counties. It
was formed in 1990 as a division of District 9, Illinois State Police.
Mostly,
"we work street level to mid narcotics," explains the
undercover officer, who must remain anonymous. "It depends on the
sources, but we prefer to target cocaine and meth; there’s more jail
time on cocaine."
Setting
up for a sting takes lots of time, resources, and interdepartmental
and external cooperation. You can lose a few leads when you don’t
act faster, as people often travel back and forth to bordering
counties, but the wait generally pays off.
![](../../images/ads/medicap/medicap_ad.jpg)
The
agent in Lincoln, who began his position in 1997, has seen 50 cases,
with only two no-convictions. There were 12 caught last summer. A year
and a half ago they were able to uncover a conspiracy involving eight
people. It resulted in the interception of 20 pounds of cocaine and 40
pounds of marijuana coming down from Chicago.
(To top of second
column in this article)
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Statistics
like these are the result of diligent case buildup and a supportive
legal system. "We work to build a good case that will lead to a
conviction," the task force officer says.
"When
we have a good case built, we can go to the state’s attorney, get
grand jury indictments, and then warrants are issued. Then we can go
pick them up. We are lucky to have great judges and state’s
attorney," praises the officer. "As a result, Logan County
sentencing is one of the strongest in the area."
It is
good to know we have a system that seems to be working for our
protection.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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Committee
mulls city
liquor code revision
[SEPT.
7, 2000] Work
continued on amending and updating Lincoln’s liquor code at a
meeting of the City Council’s ordinance and zoning committee
Wednesday evening. At least two more meetings will be needed before
public hearings can be scheduled, according to ordinance committee
chairman Glenn Shelton.
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Until
the entire liquor code is revised, the meetings are not open for
public discussion, but after the rough draft is completed, public
hearings will be scheduled and comment from the public invited,
Shelton said. He said he especially wants comments from current liquor
license holders. Target date for the public hearings is October.
Much
of the work on the liquor ordinance is "housekeeping,"
according to City Attorney Jonathan Wright, updating the city code to
make it conform to state liquor statutes. The committee is studying
the liquor codes of two other Illinois municipalities, St. Charles and
Galena.
![](../../images/ads/neal_tire/Neal3.gif)
Liquor
license provisions have been the subject of controversy between the
city and Eckert’s/Steffens Inc., which operates Eckert’s Fine
Dining and the adjoining Grapes and Grounds shop. Eckert’s/Steffens
Inc. holds a Class C liquor license for the restaurant, which the
owners believe also allows them to sell wine in the Grapes and Grounds
shop. The city contends that the firm needs a second license to sell
the package liquor. Eckert’s/Steffens Inc. filed a lawsuit against
Mayor Joan Ritter, who is also liquor commissioner, but recently
dropped the suit.
One
revision to the city code up for discussion Wednesday was tavern
licenses. At present the city has only one type, which requires that
50 percent of liquor sales must be consumed on the premises. The
revision suggested would be a Tavern 1 license which would only allow
consumption of liquor on the premises, and a Tavern 2 license which
would also allow the sale of package liquor. Neither license would
hinge on the sale of food.
Club
licenses also came up for discussion, with Wright noting that to
qualify as a club, the organization had to have been in existence for
six months and maintained rooms or premises. A club can sell liquor
anywhere on its premises as long as its premises are described legally
in the application, Wright said.
(To top of second
column in this article)
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Also
proposed was an extra license to allow live entertainment in an
establishment selling liquor. Wright said this would permit the city
to pull the entertainment license without closing the entire
establishment if the entertainment, such as bathing suit contests or
lingerie showings, became a problem.
The
question of whether to prohibit a restaurant that does not sell
alcohol from allowing customers to bring in their own beverages, which
is not addressed by the current code, also came up for discussion.
"It
has been brought up to the liquor commissioner that in all fairness to
establishments that do have a liquor license, restaurants which do not
have a license should not allow people to bring in their own
liquor," Mayor Ritter told the committee.
"It’s
been done without a problem, but some people complain," Alderman
Fuhrer noted.
Alderman
Patrick Madigan said he did not have a problem with allowing liquor to
be brought in if the establishment monitors the situation and is
properly insured.
Wright
reminded the committee that they may establish as many classifications
of liquor licenses as they wish, as long as they are not inconsistent
with the state liquor code. He pointed out that the city can make its
liquor code more restrictive than state statutes, but not less.
"If the state code says you can’t sell liquor within 100 feet
of a church, you can make that 150 feet, but you can’t make it 25
feet."
![](../../images/ads/Row/Row2.gif)
The
next discussion of the liquor code is scheduled for Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.
at the council chamber.
[Joan
Crabb]
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Police
to fire noisemakers
to rid Mayfair of birds
[SEPT.
6, 2000] A
program to disperse the large flocks of birds that have become a
nuisance and a health hazard in Mayfair may begin as early as this
evening, with the firing of "bird-bangers" that explode
with a loud noise, according to Lincoln Police Chief Richard Ludolph.
The noise-making devices will be fired approximately every five
minutes from about 6:40 to 7:20 p.m. to discourage the birds from
roosting in trees in Mayfair and send them out into the countryside.
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The
area in which police will be working is from Regent Street to Mayfair
Drive and south of Northgate, Ludolph said. Police officers will
conduct all the firings. The cartridges will be fired above the trees
and will not injure or kill the birds.
![](../../images/090600pics/birds1.jpg)
[Hardly a lawn is spared the leftovers as evidenced by
feathers sticking up in most lawns]
The
police chief said he had contacted the USDA and was told using the
bird-bangers "in an orderly and planned way over time" was
the most effective way of getting rid of the birds. He said it may
take a week or two of regular firings to keep the large flocks of
starlings and grackles from coming back.
The
problem was brought to the attention of the City Council last week,
when Mayfair residents spoke before a council work session. The
residents themselves had been firing the bird-bangers but had learned
that the devices violated a city noise ordinance. The City Council
amended the ordinance Tuesday evening to allow the police department
to fire the pyrotechnic devices in the city.
![](../../images/ads/Edward_Jones/BobNeal.gif)
Ludolph
said he had visited the area and seen thousands of birds coming in to
roost and the leaves of the trees white with bird droppings. He told
the council the police department would assume the expense of
purchasing the "bangers" and the launchers. Several Mayfair
residents who attended the meeting said they would be happy to give
the police department the launchers and cartridges they have already
purchased so the program can start immediately.
(To top of second
column in this article)
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The
council’s action amends the ordinance so that the police department
may use the noise-making devices whenever they determine the birds are
a health hazard. The public is to be notified ahead of time whenever
possible. Some residents have complained that the noise frightens pets
and prevents them from sitting outside.
Mayfair
resident John Brown said the bird situation has become worse over the
years and residents can no longer handle it alone. Patricia Birk, who
spoke last week, said she and her husband had to use masks and rubber
gloves to clean up the leaves in their yard. She suggested residents
be allowed to use the bird-bangers if the police department did not
have enough manpower to carry out the program.
![](../../images/ads/gcs/GCS.jpg)
One
Mayfair resident, Mary Gupton, objected to the program. "It’s
very annoying to sit outside in the evening and hear shotgun shells. I
think this is unnecessary. They should either cut the trees down so
the birds don’t have a place to roost, or move out."
[Joan
Crabb]
|
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Mayor
Joan Ritter
seeks second term
[SEPT.
6, 2000] Lincoln’s
current mayor, Joan C. Ritter, announced this morning she will run
for a second four-year term in the upcoming election Feb. 27, 2001.
She made the formal announcement at a brief press conference at 8:30
a.m. under the arch at the newly restored Scully Park.
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Ms.
Ritter introduced her re-election committee: Judy Awe, chairman; Fuzz
Werth, publicity director; Gary Beaver Newman, field operator; and
John Beard, treasurer. About a dozen supporters also turned out for
the announcement.
![](../../images/090600pics/mayor1.jpg)
[Mayor
Joan Ritter presented a plaque to Dave Campbell at Tuesday’s City
Council meeting to thank him for his 12 years as chairman of the
annual Balloon Fest.
Campbell said he and his wife (right) were not natives but had
chosen to live in Lincoln and wanted to help “showcase the place we
are proud of.” ]
Ms.
Ritter said she has found it "an honor and a privilege"
serving as mayor and called Lincoln "a great place to live and
raise a family."
She said
she would run on her record and cited several projects she had enjoyed
being part of, such as working to bring in new businesses to the
community and helping current ones expand and progress.
She said
she had enjoyed working with community-based organizations like the
Healthy Communities Partnership "to help improve the quality of
life for all Lincoln’s citizens" as well as "helping to
complete much needed infrastructure projects," such as the
current road construction program.
(To top of second
column in this article)
|
She also
said she had enjoyed "being part of the process to advance and
upgrade our city police, fire, street and alley, sewer treatment
plant, engineering and zoning departments." She pointed out that
the city had received several grants for police equipment and for the
violence prevention program sponsored by the police department, as
well as grants for fire department equipment and street improvements.
She
cited helping with "efforts to expand our local colleges"
and noted that the city had assisted Lincoln College in getting
revenue bonds to finance its current building projects.
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"But
most of all, it is the enjoyment of working with the greatest people
around as we strive to reach common goals," she told the group.
At a
recent City Council meeting, Ritter said she believed Lincoln
was "large enough to have a full-time mayor" and might need
one in the future. The position is currently considered part time and
carries a salary of $10,000 a year, although the City Council is
considering raising that figure to $12,000.
"I
think the people in this community know that I am a full-time
mayor," she said. "I will do that no matter what the salary
is. If the hours happen to be 10 to12 a day, that’s what I will put
in."
The only other mayoral
candidate who has announced as of now is Stephen Mesner, second ward
alderman.
[Joan
Crabb]
|
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