Part 1
Choices for your child's care

An overview of local day cares and preschools

[APRIL 10, 2001]  Choosing your child’s day care or preschool can be a difficult decision, considering location, hours, curriculum, staff experience. To make the best choice, parents have to locate each day care or school and interview the directors or teachers. This is a lot of work!

To help parents reduce some of their research time, LDN began to research local day-care centers and preschool programs.

[Click here for local day care and preschool directory]

Day Care

Before delving into the programs, facilities and hours of operation, a few common misconceptions need to be corrected. More than one day-care director stated that day care is not just baby-sitting. Yes, the children are being watched; but day-care workers also teach the children through play, love the children and provide a sense of security for the young ones.

One director said parents believe that because day care is so costly, day-care workers make a lot of money — when in fact, the day-care profession is one of the lowest paid careers. The average salary, even for those with college educations, is $6 per hour!

Listed below are brief descriptions of the day-care centers found in Logan County.

Child Development Center

Joni McAllister directs the Child Development Center, which began in July. They have four day-care classrooms, for children who are 15 months to 5 years old. They also have two Head Start classrooms, for students ages 3 to 5.

The day-care workers have either 30 college credit hours (with six in early childhood development) or 60 college credit hours (with 18 in early childhood). The Head Start teachers and assistants have either degrees in early childhood or CDA credentials—meaning they have 12 college credits and plenty of on-the-job training.

Joni McAllister is in the child-care profession because she enjoys it. As a mother of young children, she understands how difficult it is to find day care and how costly day care can be.

Child Development Center is slightly more expensive than the other Logan County day cares because the center adjusts rates to the state level. McAllister is also trying to pay her staff little more, since she believes most child-care workers are underpaid. The Development Center’s Head Start program is a granted program, so families who qualify can get financial help for their child-care expenses.

McAllister recognizes that many day cares in Logan County have quality programs and people, just like her center. She also knows that "every center in town struggles to keep qualified staff." McAllister advertises the Child Development Center as a fun, quality program that offers an additional choice to Logan County’s parents for child care.

Applications are accepted year-round at the Child Development Center; just stop by.

Christian Child Care

Ruth Ann Hart is the director for Christian Child Care (CCC). She works with CCC because she loves children and believes it is "one of the gifts God gave me—to work with children."

CCC has 13 teachers and eight teacher assistants—many of whom are also qualified to be teachers. According to Hart, the teachers are more than baby sitters. They educate and love the children and offer a sense of security.

Director Hart encourages parents to choose CCC because it shares the love of God with the children and provides high-quality day care.

CCC does have a waiting list, so interested parents need to call as soon as possible. Some parents put their child on CCC’s waiting list before he or she is born!

 

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Little Lambs Day Care

Little Lambs Day Care is a ministry of New Wine Fellowship and has been serving Lincoln since 1984. All of their teachers are state certified, and several of their teachers meet or exceed the DCFS standards.

Gretchen Jones is the day-care director. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Jones is in the day-care profession because she loves the children and believes that it is a pleasure to work with them. She knows that parents must leave their children for extended periods of time during the day, so she is happy to provide a safe, fun and enjoyable atmosphere for the children.

Jones knows that parents want the best care for their children; for example, that their infants are held regularly. Many parents have complimented Little Lambs’ cleanliness and adult-child interaction. When there is an opening for a child at the day care, Jones calls the parent or parents to come to the center, inspect the facilities and talk to the teachers. The staff wants to be sure that parents recognize Little Lambs as an "environment where parents feel at peace and comfortable with leaving their children."

Noah’s Ark Nurturing Center

Brenda Lynch is the director of Noah’s Ark Nurturing Center. She loves children, likes working with them and enjoys watching them grow in a day-care setting; that is why she completed an associate’s degree in early childhood development.

Noah’s Ark has four qualified teachers, three teacher aides and two directors. The center offers educational activities and toys but does not have structured class sessions.

Brenda Lynch believes that Noah’s Ark is important to the children who attend because it is a Christian day-care center. Many of the families of the children who come to Noah’s Ark do not attend church, so the teachers capitalize on their opportunity to teach the children about Jesus and Christian values.

Noah’s Ark is located in a building that used to house a church, but the day care is not affiliated with any particular denomination.

 

(To be continued.  Part 2: Preschools)

[Jean Ann Carnley]

 

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Illinois Senate approves help for uninsured people

[APRIL 10, 2001]  The Illinois Senate gave unanimous approval Friday to legislation, sponsored by Sen. Bob Madigan, to provide assistance to Illinoisans in need of insurance coverage…

Under Senate Bill 1505, the state would create an ombudsman to coordinate information about the various government and non-government insurance plans that are available.

"Many uninsured people, or those who are about to lose their health insurance coverage are simply not aware of the various programs that exist to help them obtain insurance," said Madigan (R-Lincoln). "For example, there are several state programs, such as KidCare and the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan, which were specifically created to help those who are uninsured because of an inability to afford coverage."

 

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Additionally, the ombudsman would provide information on private-sector insurance plans. Madigan’s legislation also would allow counseling for the uninsured in the discovery, evaluation and comparison of options for obtaining health insurance coverage. Counseling could be one-on-one or through public forums.

The Senate approved the proposal on a 55-0 vote, sending the measure to the House for consideration.

[News release]

 

Residents continue to MAP Elkhart

[APRIL 9, 2001]  Thursday was Elkhart’s Action Planning Session—the fourth meeting of their MAPPING process. For the past three months Nancy Richman and Steve Kline, of the Management And Planning Projects Involving Nonmetropolitan Groups program, have been guiding the community of Elkhart through the planning process for community improvement.

During the first three planning sessions, residents vocalized four main goals for improving their town, listed projects to reach those goals, and prioritized the suggested projects. The agenda for the Action Planning Session was twofold: List informational resources the community needs to begin the projects and plan the presentation for the entire town.

The meeting began with four different groups summarizing the projects they want to implement in the next three to five years in order to reach one of the specific goals. The four groups even separated those projects they definitely plan to pursue from those they hope to pursue.

 

The first goal the resident planners vocalized is to increase Elkhart’s population. In order to do that, the planners want to bring businesses to the town and expand the town’s utilities for businesses and homes. Other projects the group hopes to work on are advertising and community beautification.

The second goal, high-quality K-12 education, will be met by creating a community task force and ensuring the schools get proper funding. The group hopes to expand technology, begin a tutoring program and add to the extracurricular activities at Elkhart Grade School.

The third goal is to create a stable business environment. The one project slated to reach this goal is a new power generation plant. Other projects the group hopes to begin are a town grocery store and tourist or recreational attractions.

The fourth goal of a competitive, sustainable, convenient community will be met by increasing the amount of family housing. The group also hopes to begin a community day care center and welcome wagon.

Richman and Kline shared with Elkhart’s planners how impressed they were with each group’s detail. Not only had the groups brainstormed many community-improvement projects, but they also vocalized ways of measuring their progress.

 

 

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Following the four group reports, Richman and Kline introduced Robin Hanna of Rural Economic Technical Assistance Center (RETAC). RETAC, just like MAPPING, is a branch of Western Illinois University’s Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA). RETAC is a funding resource for small Illinois towns. RETAC does not write checks but tutors communities in economic matters and points them to groups that do write checks.

Hanna’s experiences provide him with ideas for helping communities. Throughout his presentation he shared stories of how other communities accomplished the same goals Elkhart wrote. He described how those towns overcame challenges in the same projects Elkhart envisioned.

Based on Hanna’s funding presentation, the planners noted resources he mentioned that they wanted: guidelines for zoning, information on attracting businesses, plans for developing housing and much more.

During one of the breaks, Lincoln Daily News was able to ask some of the planners why they had become involved in the MAPPING process. Jeff Gustafson, an Elkhart resident for three and a half years, believes that Elkhart is a special town and friendly community with a lot of potential. He sacrificed some of his vacation days from work to help other residents turn Elkhart’s potential into reality.

Another longtime Elkhart resident sees the MAPPING project as a key to the town’s growth. She said that there was a need to pull ideas, because in the past residents have held different opinions about community improvements. She believes that the MAPPING process will help to unify residents around one comprehensive plan.

 

That theory will be tested in the upcoming town meeting. On Thursday, May 10, the resident planners will present their goals and project ideas to the entire community. The planners hope to rally full community support for their vision and ideas. All Elkhart residents are invited to the 6:30 p.m. meeting at the grade school.

If the town meeting goes as well as all of the planning meetings, Logan County will see Elkhart begin to grow over the next three to five years.

[Jean Ann Carnley]

 

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Elkhart Easter egg hunt brings smiles

[APRIL 9, 2001]  What do smiling faces and eggs have in common? The annual Easter egg hunt in Elkhart.

This year’s hunt was Saturday, April 7, in the Village Park of Elkhart. Over 950 eggs were hidden for the nearly 75 youngsters to find. Each egg contained candy and, in some cases, certificates for prizes.

Prizes included play dough, bubbles, jumbo boxes of crayons, sidewalk chalk and hula hoops, walkie-talkies, water cannons, assorted board games, and cameras.

Cash prizes included $5, $10 and $20 awards in each of the four age groups.

Les Reeley, village board trustee, chaired the event, with Ann Curry, Charlie Matthews, Cherri Reeley and Hallie Reeley assisting.

Funds for the Easter egg hunt were contributed by the Needs and Goals Club of Elkhart and the village board.

Thanks to the generosity of these volunteers and others, lots of smiles and happy faces were seen throughout Elkhart.

[Dayle Eldredge, village president]

ABATE Easter egg hunt adds another year of success

[APRIL 9, 2001]  Take hundreds of youth, place them in a large sunny park and say, "GO!" Then sit back and watch the fun. Within moments kids start popping up with brightly colored plastic eggs filling their baskets. They’re so fast it’s almost like watching the rabbit himself.

With only one rainout in its history, A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education hosted its ninth annual Easter egg hunt at Kickapoo Creek Park Sunday afternoon. The children were divided age groups: ages 1 to 3, 4 to 8 and 9 to 12. In less than 30 minutes the 158 dozen (that’s nearly 2,000) brightly colored plastic eggs ABATE put out had been found. The eggs were filled with certificates and candy. The certificates were turned in for cash, other candies and grab-bag prizes.

ABATE of Illinois is a neutral nonprofit organization that allows all riders to unite in A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education. ABATE works to safeguard motorcycling rights, while allowing members to be individuals with different views.

[LDN]

Lincoln video project outlined

[APRIL 7, 2001]  A video featuring young lawyer Abraham Lincoln as he was when he lived in and visited the area is in the works. The plans are being put together by volunteers in a subcommittee of the Looking for Lincoln project. The project will be funded by a grant from the state of Illinois.

The video is intended promote Lincoln as a tourist destination. It will be distributed through varied tourism channels to encourage tourists to come visit Logan County. Videos will also be made available to purchase for those who are interested in owning a copy.

Members of the subcommittee putting the video together are Paul Beaver, Paul Gleason, Steve Sauer and Charles Ott. 

Listed below is a sequence of the towns where Lincoln visited and worked in Logan County before he was elected president. The video will present these sites and the related history.

 

Middletown — Lincoln's first visit to Logan County was as a surveyor. He first surveyed a site to the east of Rocky Ford on Salt Creek in June 1836. He also witnessed the sale of the first lot in Middletown in June 1833. Middletown was laid out in 1832 as a midway point on the stagecoach route between Peoria and Springfield. This stagecoach stop led shortly thereafter to the construction of the Dunlap Tavern, or Stagecoach Inn, as it is commonly referred to today. The restored building stands one block south of its original location in Middletown

Postville (Courthouse) — Lincoln was an attorney at Postville during the spring and fall sessions of court in the new Logan County Courthouse (Postville) in the new county of Logan, which was created in 1839 by Lincoln when he was a state legislator.

Lincoln often played "townball" and marbles with the local children in nearby Postville Park. He stayed at the Deskins Inn, which was across the street. The well from which he drank is still there.

Mount Pulaski (Courthouse) — During the 1840s Lincoln often was an attorney for local citizens and handled their legal matters. Mount Pulaski was the county seat of Logan County from 1848 until 1854, when the newly constructed courthouse in the city of Lincoln was completed and became the county courthouse.

 

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Drawing by Lloyd Ostendorf

Atlanta — While Lincoln traveled the judicial circuit, he often stopped in Atlanta on his way to Bloomington after the conclusion of court in Logan County. Two of Lincoln's friends in Atlanta were Sam and John Hoblit, with whom he often stayed the night. One night in 1858, Lincoln stayed in a carriage house on the Hoblit farm when all the rooms in the main house were occupied. This small building still stands on the farm.

On July 4, 1859, Lincoln spoke at a large Fourth of July celebration in Turners Grove (near the Atlanta Cemetery). He was presented a silver-headed cane at this time. One year later, he was nominated for the presidency.

Lincoln, Ill. — Before Lincoln was famous, he was involved in helping create the first town to bear his name. In the summer of 1853 the Chicago and Alton railroad line was constructed and ran directly through Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln christened the town of Lincoln at this site. This was also the site of Lincoln's farewell speech in Lincoln and the site where his funeral train passed in May 1865.

He appeared in Lincoln as both a lawyer and judge on many occasions in 1858 after the completion of the Logan County Courthouse.

Lincoln College was officially named in his honor on the day he gave his second inaugural address, March 5, 1865. The Lincoln College Museum now contains many items relating to his life in Illinois

.

 

Elkhart — Some 10 miles south of Lincoln rises Elkhart Hill, scene of one of the county's earliest settlements, where the James Latham family lived. Most of this landmark became the property of John D. Gillett. Gillett was born in Connecticut in 1819 and moved to Logan County in 1838. He established a farm at Bald Knob near Cornland. After Abraham Lincoln was selected as a presidential nominee, he visited his good friend Gillett in Elkhart to ask him to help in the upcoming election. After Lincoln's election, he also asked Gillett to attend his inaugural. Gillett accepted the invitation and attended the inaugural in Washington, D.C.

[Kathleen McCullough]

Three projects, a dinner
and a birthday party planned
for J. H. Hawes Grain Elevator

[APRIL 6, 2001]  Three restoration projects for the J. H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta are planned for this spring and summer, two of them funded by a matching grant from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

In March the IHPA approved a 60/40 matching grant totaling $16,200, with the local share being $6,480. This money will be used to tuck-point the inside foundation of the elevator and to install electricity for lighting to bring out the architectural features.

Sunday, April 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Atlanta firehouse there will be a spaghetti dinner to support the Hawes elevator. The menu offers spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, drink, and homemade pie and cake, all for a donation. Proceeds will be used to meet the local portion of the matching grant.

The third project expected to be completed this summer is construction of a railroad siding next to the elevator. Bill Thomas, chairman of the J. H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum board of directors, said the time frame for a wooden boxcar to sit on the siding is less certain. He has contacted several railroad museums and associations but has not yet found an available boxcar.

 

The J. H. Hawes Grain Elevator, built in 1904 and operated as a commercial enterprise until 1976, is the only fully restored wooden grain elevator in Illinois listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. The museum was dedicated on July 17, 1999. On March 4, 2001, the Illinois state organization of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) also recognized it as a historic site.

The DAR dedicatory plaque describes how the elevator operated: "This restored elevator demonstrates the general handling and storage of grain of that era [early 1900s]. Grain was dumped into a pit and, by a system of belts and pulleys powered by a single cylinder engine, was elevated to storage bins and eventually moved out to rail cars." DAR State Regent Mrs. Robert W. Mitchler dedicated the marker before a crowd of 150.

Thomas said one goal of the museum board is to develop a plan for conducting field trips for elementary and middle school students. Though volunteers have guided many adult groups through the elevator, elementary students are considered a special audience requiring a different approach. Thomas, a former elementary principal and middle school history teacher, said the tours will be "a very active experience" for the students. He hopes to start the school tours in the fall.

 

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Thomas said a long-range goal is to erect or acquire a second building to house agricultural exhibits. According to the museum brochure, grain storage facilities first became important as pioneer farmers produced crops beyond the needs of their families. By the mid-1800s milling and distilling industries created a market for the excess grain, and the railroad built through Atlanta in the 1850s provided a means of transportation. First flat storage warehouses, then bridgelike granaries built over the railway provided facilities to store and transfer the grain.

Responding to the need for new technology, John H. Hawes, a farmer and grain dealer, built his elevator between April and August 1904. He used a gasoline engine to power the vertical bucket conveyor system that raised the grain to the top of the 60-foot elevator and dumped it into vertical storage bins. The brick engine house has been reconstructed with period materials and a 1920 Fairbanks Morse gasoline engine donated by Eminence Grain and Coal Company of rural Atlanta and restored by Deane May of Atlanta.

A period wooden scalehouse, originally used at the CrackerJack Company in Chicago, illustrates the way grain was weighed by the wagonload. The Stanford Grain Company of Stanford donated the scalehouse, and Eugene Craft of Atlanta donated the period scale mechanism.

The elevator’s 97th birthday will be celebrated on Sunday, June 3, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Atlanta Community Band will provide music, and refreshments will be served. A special highlight for the day will include an authentic re-enactment of the elevator's early days. A team of horses will arrive delivering a grain wagon, to demonstrate the elevator’s operation.

 

The birthday celebration also opens the summer tour season. The elevator, engine house and scalehouse are open to the public on Sundays during June, July and August from 1 to 3 p.m. Special tours can be scheduled by calling (217) 648-2056 or (217) 648-5077. All tours are free, and donations are accepted.

[Lynn Spellman]

Walkers support MS research

[APRIL 5, 2001]  More than 100 registered participants came out to Kickapoo Creek Park on a wonderful spring day Sunday to fulfill their commitment in support of MS research.  Despite winterlike weather predictions, chairperson Brenda Centers said, “I knew it would be nice. I’m a positive thinker.” 

Facts about MS

• The National MS Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.

• Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling, disease of the central nervous system.

• The symptoms of MS vary greatly and may be mild or severe.

• Some symptoms are numbness in the limbs, paralysis or loss of vision.

• Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, but the unpredictable physical and emotional effects can be lifelong.

• Every week about 200 people are diagnosed with MS — more than one person every hour.

• There are one third of a million Americans who have MS.

• Twice as many women as men have MS.

• Dollars raised by MS Walk support research efforts and local programs.

• Significant advances in research and treatment are giving hope to those living with multiple sclerosis.


[Hayden Zimmer sports his new, well-earned T-shirt. It covers the T-shirt he earned last year. As a veteran walker he said he was happy to be there walking on Brenda's team, and that was just after he finished his three miles!]

Centers has been involved with the nationwide fund-raiser since she was diagnosed with MS in 1994.  She used to go to the Springfield walk and then decided Lincoln needed its own walk. Last year Centers organized Lincoln’s first walk, and she’s already planning for next year.  She says each year gets better.  Last year’s walk raised $10,000.  The hope is that this year’s total will be higher.

An inspirational leader, Centers had 30 enthusiastic walkers on her team alone this year.  There were 112 registered participants and some last-minute additions.  Everyone was welcome.  They walked approximately three miles — or two times around the park.  Republican mayoral candidate Beth Davis started the walk.

Teams participating were Mac's Attack, Sunglow Challenge, Scooby Doo's, Penny's Angels II, Sharp Team, LCHS Letterwinners and Wild Stallions.

Team captains were Gene McDonald, Brenda Centers, Harrison Turley, Dawn Gleason, Eleanor Sharp, Brittany Buck and Katie Bottrell.

On a wall of hope displayed at the registration area participants hung their personal messages of encouragement, thanks or dedication to friends or loved ones with MS.

Local committee members for the walk were Gene and Toni McDonald, Jeanne Handlin, Jim and Nancy Ireland, and Greg Campbell.  

Over 350,000 walkers nationwide, in over 700 sites across the county, participated in this year’s MS Walk 

 

 

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Local businesses and organizations supporting the walk

• Burwell Oil

• Key Printing — Tom Seggelke                       

• Eagles — Greg Campbell                       

• Woody Jones — State Farm Insurance

• Darrell Vermeire — Nabisco                       

• Perry Groves — Music 4 U

• American Express — Jim Leisinger

• State Bank of Lincoln

• Jim Sparrow — Edward Jones

• Franz Express — Internet Cafe

• J M Abbott & Assoc.

• Warren Peters, attorney

• R. Todd Nobbe, O.D.

• Kenshalo-Rousey

• Apple Dental Center

• George Janet, Regional Superintendent of Schools

• Bob Neal — Edward Jones

• Meier Accounting

• Guzzardo’s Italian Villa

• Kiwanis Club

• Century Dental Center

• Ron Hall Painting

• Gold Springs Water  

• Bonanza

• Images — James Coop

• Culligan Water

• Graue Inc.

• NAPA

• Dairy Queen  

 

National MS Walk sponsors

• American Family Insurance

• Coca Cola

• Mercedes Benz

• Jewel-Osco

• American Airlines

[LDN]

Elkhart woman honored in statewide award program

[APRIL 5, 2001]  Mary Ginter of Elkhart was among 218 recipients of the 2001 Illinois Woman of Achievement awards. Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood and mayors from Illinois communities recognized Women's History Month in March by presenting the awards to leaders from around the state.

The Illinois Woman of Achievement award recognizes women who demonstrate excellence in their professional or volunteer work and who dedicate their time and effort to enhance their communities. All Illinois mayors and village presidents were invited to select a woman from their community to receive the award.

"Women's History Month is not just about honoring the great women who came before us, but is a time to recognize the women of today who are making history in their own right," Lt. Gov. Wood said. "With boundless energy and limitless generosity, the recipients of this award have committed themselves to improving our schools, hospitals and families, and I congratulate them on their achievements."

 

 

 

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Two ceremonies were held this year to recognize these outstanding women. Alison Rosati of NBC Channel 5 News served as the mistress of ceremonies at the Chicago event, at the Union League Club on March 19. Elizabeth Wooley of WICS Channel 20 served as the mistress of ceremonies at the Springfield event, which was at the State Library on March 21. Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood provided welcoming remarks for both ceremonies.

The award program is sponsored by Walgreens and is a collaborative effort of the lieutenant governor’s office, Illinois Municipal League, League of Women Voters of Illinois and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This is the second year the lieutenant governor has hosted the Woman of Achievement Awards.

[News release]

Contests decided in six
Logan County municipalities

[APRIL 4, 2001]  Tuesday’s general election decided contests in six municipalities in Logan County.

In the only contest in Lincoln, Republican candidate Elizabeth "Beth" Davis won hardily over Democratic contender Kenneth S. Gray, with 1,458 votes to Gray’s 130.

Running unopposed for city clerk, Juanita Josserand got 1,357 votes. Les Plotner got 1,332 votes for village treasurer. In Ward 1, Benny L. Huskins Sr. got 280 votes; Ward 2 candidate Verl A. Prather got 269; Ward 3 newcomer David R. Armbrust got 215 votes; Ward 4 Alderman Glenn Shelton got 225 votes; and in Ward 5 Michael T. Montcalm garnered 341 votes.

Mount Pulaski

In the three-way mayoral race in Mount Pulaski, William C. Glaze, former Ward 1 alderman, won with 333 votes. Delmar L. Stewart, a former mayor but not an incumbent, came in second with 240 votes, and Robert W. Letterle came in a distant third with 41 votes.

Marla K. Durst, running unopposed for clerk, got 566 votes, and Dee A. Anderson got 539 votes for treasurer. John W. Poffenbarger was also running unopposed for a four-year term as Ward 1 alderman, garnering 122 votes, and John N. Bates Jr., running unopposed for a two-year term, got 94 votes. James P. Fuhrer won the Ward 2 seat with 212 votes, beating incumbent James R. Jackson, who got 99 votes. In the Ward 3 race, incumbent Rhonda Ann Mattern kept the seat with a total of 70 votes. Challenger Robert L. Bates got 29 votes and Thomas A. Gupton Jr. 48 votes.

Atlanta

Atlanta voters decided the mayoral contest in favor of the incumbent, Republican Bill Martin. Martin got 262 votes to challenger Taplia (Jack) Renfrow’s 208. Republican clerk candidate Kenneth R. Martin got 385 votes, and Republican treasurer candidate Vicki Martin got 387 votes.

In the Ward 2 contest, former county board member Darrell Deverman, Republican candidate, won the seat with 106 votes, while Democratic candidate Ricky S. Lynch got 70 votes. In Ward 1, Republican Fred R. Finchum ran unopposed, gathering 109 votes. Ward 3 incumbent Billie J. Cheek, also unopposed, got 121 votes.

Latham

In the Latham mayoral race, independent candidate Jim Altig won with 119 votes to incumbent Gary A. Letterly’s 19 votes. Letterly is a member of the Anti-License Party. Latham clerk Pam Coogan, running unopposed as an independent, got 110 votes. Incumbent trustee Beverly K. Altig got 107 votes, David Woodside got 112 votes, and Staci A. Cheseldine got 89 votes to win the three trustee seats. Steve Coogan polled only 80 votes. All are independent candidates.

 

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New Holland

In New Holland, independent candidate Jeffrey P. Mammen, running unopposed for mayor, polled 113 votes, and Jennie L. Dean, independent candidate for clerk, polled 97. In the race for three four-year trustee terms, Suzanne Aper led with 112 votes, Judith Funderburg was a close second with 111 votes, and Jennifer Tobias polled 64 votes. They won the three seats. The other candidate, Timothy F. Merriman, got 39 votes.

In the race for one two-year trustee vacancy, Frank Reliford polled 84 votes to Guy F. Podbelsek’s 39. All candidates were listed as independents.

San Jose

Final results for San Jose show that Citizens Party mayoral candidate Duane Worlow polled 159 votes to beat independent Ida M. McWilliams, who got 21 votes. Joy Zimmerman, running unopposed for clerk, got 181 votes. Citizens Party trustee candidates Raymond Satchfield, with 132 votes, Jim Higdon, 118 votes, and Ken Kastner Jr., 134 votes, defeated the three independent candidates, Billy Blackstock, 70 votes, Danny McWilliams, 11 votes, and Larry Andereck, 29 votes.

The referendum to support a tax to fund the police department in San Jose passed by a 100-73 vote.

Other communities

Elkhart, Broadwell, Emden, Hartsburg and Middletown had no contests for village offices.

In Elkhart, Dayle Eldredge was elected mayor, Gwen Rosenfeld clerk, and Dan Durchholz, Timothy Gleason, Joseph Olson and Charles Matthews trustees.

In Emden, Ivan Rademaker was elected mayor, Frank D. Pieper village clerk, and Joseph Hackett, Crystal Flatley and Key Melton trustees.

In Broadwell, Warren Bradley is village president, Deanna Bradley is clerk, and Paul Muchow, Darrell "Lee" Benner Jr. and William H. "Bill" Kennett are trustees.

Hartsburg mayor is Thomas B. Anderson, and Doris Last is village clerk. Philip R. Langley, Thomas P. Mikelson and Dean Leesman are trustees.

In Middletown, John R. Renfro, Harold S. Stout and Dale K. Nelson were elected trustees. Middletown’s president and clerk were not up for election this year.

[Joan Crabb]

Voters favor district representation
on county board

[APRIL 4, 2001]  At Tuesday’s general election Logan County voters spoke up loud and clear for electing their county board representatives by districts instead of at large. The advisory referendum passed by a ratio of slightly more than 3-to-1 — 3,281 "yes" votes to 1,042 "no" votes — and won in each of the 44 precincts in the county.

The question voters answered was: "Shall Logan County be divided into districts equal in population for the purposes of electing county board members to serve on the Logan County Board commencing in the year 2002?" At present the 13 board members are elected at large, with voters all over the county casting ballots for all members.

The referendum is only advisory, however, and the county board itself will make the final decision.

"This is exactly what the public has been telling me for years, and now the public has spoken," said Rodney White, county board member from New Holland who favors the districtwide option and helped circulate petitions to get the question on the ballot.

Several months ago, the board voted to continue at-large elections, but White says he will ask for that vote to be rescinded. "I asked them to let the public have a chance to speak and they said ‘no’," he said.

Although the turnout in the April 3 election was only a little over 26 percent, White said he thought it was "a very representative vote." "It won in every single precinct," he said.

If the county board votes to change the election method, the new districts will have to be determined by July of this year, he said.

 

 

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Clifford Sullivan, a county board member from Lincoln who wants to continue the present system, says he believes voters were "misinformed." People were led to believe that every community would have a representative on the board, but that would not happen unless the number of board members is increased, he said.

"We think people will get just as good representation with at-large board members," he said. "People from Lake Fork and Cornland and other communities call me, and I live in Lincoln."

On a recent trip to Springfield, he stopped 55 people and asked them if they could tell him the name of their Sangamon County board member. "None of them knew who their county board member was," he said.

Dick Logan, a board member from Lincoln, said he had voted at the board meeting against staying with at-large elections because he wanted to wait until after the election to see what the voters wanted.

"I’m not really in favor of it, but I don’t object to it either," he said. "Running for election should be easier. If you run at large, you have to cover the whole county."

[Joan Crabb]

Contests decided in eight townships

[APRIL 4, 2001]  Contests in eight of Logan County’s 17 townships were decided in Tuesday’s general election.

Lake Fork

In Lake Fork Township, three Republicans and one Democratic candidate were elected to trustee posts. Richard L. Seefeldt, with 31 votes, Charlotte Baldwin, with 32, and Franklin Gaisler, 24 votes, all Republicans, won trustee seats, as did Democrat John S. Grathwohl, with 25 votes. Democrats Herbert J. Seitzer and Jennifer K. Proctor got 17 and 11 votes, respectively. Robert H. Davis, Republican, got 35 votes for supervisor; Jean E. Davis, Democrat, got 39 votes for clerk; and Robert W. Westen, Democrat, got 33 votes for highway commissioner.

Aetna

Contests for all posts were decided in Aetna Township. Republican Alan R. Roos defeated Democrat Pamela S. England 157-50 for supervisor. Republican Kevin Coers defeated Democrat Dale Karrick for clerk, 151-49. Republican John W. "Bill" Howe defeated Democrat Dennis D. Karrick 172-42 for highway commissioner.

The four trustee seats were won by Republicans Mary E. Hamilton, 166 votes, and Mark Carlin, 140 votes, and Democrats Linda L. Rentmeister, 155 votes, and Dale Maxheimer Sr., 111 votes. Republicans Edwin Dahmm and Jacob D. Johnson got 110 and 75 votes, respectively.

Oran

In Oran Township, Dan White, unopposed, got 93 votes for supervisor; Emil Walker, also unopposed, got 86 votes for clerk; and Jerry Overbey got 89 votes for highway commissioner. All are Democrats.

In the trustee races, eight candidates were running for four seats. Three Republicans and one Democrat were elected: Randy Wolf, 50 votes, Ed Voyles, 68 votes, Harold Drake, 63 votes, Republicans; and Dave Lock, 43 votes, Democrat. Republican Connie Snyder got 38 votes, and Democrats tallied as follows: John Roche 21, Tom Ramlow 16 and Jack Welch 36.

Atlanta

L. Randall Geddert, Republican candidate for supervisor, ran unopposed and garnered 438 votes. Atlanta had no candidate who filed for clerk. Democrat T. R. (Junior) Renfrow ran unopposed for highway commissioner and received 416 votes.

In the trustee races, seven candidates filed. Winners were Republicans Rodney Leesman, 370 votes, Ronald Kindred, 361 votes, and F. Alex Hoblit, 271 votes, along with Democrat Leo J. Mayberry, 251 votes. Republican Robert Johnson got 242 votes, and Democrats Everett Renfrow and Mary Powell got 152 and 203 votes, respectively.

 

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Mount Pulaski

Republican Diane S. Blaum, running unopposed for township supervisor in Mount Pulaski, got 717 votes, and Republican Shirley R. Schaal, running unopposed for clerk, got 690 votes. Independent candidate Leslie "Foxie" Hild defeated Republican Dale E. McCain for highway commissioner, 413-369. Republican trustees Carl E. Oglesby, with 614 votes, Ronald R. Leesman, 610 votes, and Kent Brooker, 665 votes, along with Democrat Scott A. Faith, 663 votes, were unopposed for the four seats.

Chester

Chester Township voters chose three Republicans and one Democrat to fill the four trustee seats. Republicans Eugene Hassebrock got 72 votes, David Klockenga 66 votes and Harold Strampp 79 votes. Democrat David Gleason got 79 votes and Republican Gregory Bradley trailed with 41 votes. Lowell "Bud" Petty, Republican, was re-elected township supervisor, with 93 votes; Republican Laura L. Slayton was elected clerk, with 101 votes, and Democrat Homer S. Sheley was elected highway commissioner, with 95 votes.

Orvil

In Orvil Township, voters chose Scott Behrends, Republican, over Richard Reiners, Democrat, for highway commissioner, 181-120. William Boerma, Democrat, ran unopposed for supervisor and received 263 votes. Roberta Rademaker ran unopposed for clerk, receiving 268 votes. Two Democrats and two Republicans were elected to the four trustee seats: William Rademaker and Bruce Struebing, both Democrats, got 194 and 174 votes, respectively, and Republicans Dale Eeten and Luther Leesman got 220 and 190 votes. Democrats Ivan Rademaker and Clarence Duane Melton trailed with 172 and 86 votes.

Prairie Creek

Voters in Prairie Creek Township chose four trustees from a field of five candidates. Winners were Republicans William Zimmer, 79 votes, Lisa Wrage, 65 votes, and Blair Hoerbert, 88 votes, along with Democrat Keith Rummell, 80 votes. Republican David Parr trailed with 43 votes. Township clerk Julie Cross, Republican, who ran unopposed, was elected with 90 votes, and highway commissioner Kevin R. Ubbenga, Republican, also unopposed, got 87 votes. No candidate filed for township supervisor.

There were no contests in Broadwell, Corwin, East Lincoln, Elkhart, Eminence, Hurlbut, Laenna, Sheridan and West Lincoln townships.

[Joan Crabb]

Chester-East Lincoln, Mount Pulaski school board races decided

[APRIL 4, 2001]  Voters saw few contests in area school board races in the April 3 general election.

In Chester-East Lincoln School District 61, five candidates ran for the four four-year terms. Winners were Jim Meyrick, 280 votes; Jennifer Dalrymple, 250 votes; Aaron Leesman, 292 votes; and Bob Buse, 278. Gladys Elkins trailed with 208 votes. No candidate filed to fill the unexpired two-year term.

Mount Pulaski Community Unit District 23 also had five candidates to fill four seats. Winners were Deron Powell, 997 votes; John V. Olson, 1,021 votes; Julie A. Milner, 913 votes; and Raymond R. Smith, 748 votes. Trailing was Cheryl D. Roberts with 659 votes.

 

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Heartland Community College District 540 elected three trustees from a field of five: Larry L. Littell, 7,950 votes; Robert L. Tuttle, 11,293 votes; and Harry Dunham, 9,141 votes. Trailing were Charles Sila, with 7,412 votes, and V. L. "Budd" Fairfield, 7,043 votes.

There were no contests in Lincoln Elementary School District 27, West Lincoln-Broadwell District 92, Lincoln Community High School District 404, New Holland-Middletown Elementary District 88 or Hartsburg-Emden Community Unit District 21.

[Joan Crabb]

Health Department presents
awards to city officials

[APRIL 4, 2001]  Three city officials — Mayor Joan Ritter, Fire Chief Kenneth Ebelherr and Police Chief Richard Ludolph — were recipients of the year 2000 Goodwill Awards given by the Logan County Health Department. The awards are given annually to individuals who have assisted the Health Department in continuing or advancing its programs, projects or services.

Health Department Administrator Lloyd Evans presented the awards at a recent meeting of the Lincoln City Council. The awards, which have been given for the past four years, also help commemorate Public Health Week, which this year is April 2 through 8.

Evans commended Mayor Ritter for her participation in many health-based programs, including her co-chairmanship of the Healthy Communities Partnership (HCP), a Logan County umbrella organization that coordinates the work of a number of community service agencies, as well as her membership on the Chamber of Commerce Health Care Committee and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force (ATOD).

"She not only attends but contributes in the meetings, and she follows up on everything she says she will do," Evans said. "She also allows others on her staff to participate in the work of health care organizations."

Chiefs Ebelherr and Ludolph follow her example and also allow their staff members to participate in community projects, Evans added. He thanked Ebelherr for his and his staff’s participation on the Safe Schools Task Force and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and for helping the Health Department get its safety system working in its new quarters. The Police Department, Evans said, participated in the Safe Schools, LEPC, ATOD, and the Domestic Abuse and Violence Task Force and also helped the Health Department compile statistics to apply for grants for prevention programs.

He commended the police and fire departments for their efforts in prevention programs. "The only thing harder than preparing for a disaster is explaining why you didn’t," he said.

Although the awards were given to individuals, the entire city council shares the honor, he said. "The council and the city of Lincoln have a philosophy of supporting local organizations. In most communities, the fire department fights fires, the police department gives tickets, and the mayor cuts ribbons and signs things. Lincoln is exceptional. People here have gone beyond their local duties."

He used the example of a city built at the top of the cliff. "Most cities would see their duty as providing ambulances for people who fall off the cliff. Public health departments see their duty as building fences to keep people from falling off in the first place. But the people in this city help build the fences, and not all cities do that."

 

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He said that even at the state level Lincoln and Logan County are acknowledged as being ahead of many other communities in having organizations work together to improve public health and raise public awareness of health issues.

"To find an organization like Healthy Communities Partnership is rare," he said. "We are often told at state meetings that we’re ahead of the curve.

"There are countless examples of community cooperation that people don’t realize, because our local organizations — Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital and the rest of the medical community, the Public Aid staff, and the Chamber of Commerce, for example — work so well together."

Along with the Goodwill Awards, the Health Department also gives a Partnership Award, which this year will go to the Lincoln Park District. "We work so well together that we almost overlook them," Evans said.

In previous years, Goodwill Awards went to Police Officer Rich Montcalm; Kristi Simpson of Logan-Mason Mental Health; Woody Hester, CEO of ALMH; Dayle Eldredge, chairman of HCP; Alan Markwood of the Chestnut Health System, for helping with an ongoing ATOD grant; Mary Amberger, formerly of Logan-Mason Mental Health; Carolyn Webster, former member of the Board of Health and of the Logan County Board; and former local radio station WVAX.

Partnership Awards in previous years went to the local Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, the Department of Human Services, the Lincoln-Logan Chamber of Commerce’s Health Care Committee, and Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

"We started giving these awards to show these people that we do appreciate them and that they are doing something out of the ordinary," Evans said.

[Joan Crabb]

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