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Features

[DEC. 8, 2001]  NORMAL — The Nov. 20 meeting of the Heartland Community College board of trustees included the exit of its founding chair, Ms. Sharon J. Tarvin, and the seating of newly elected member Larry Littell. Topics covered at the meeting included reports on instructional innovations and special populations as well as the Illinois Community College Board 2003 budget requests and the resolution on an estimated tax levy for 2001.

President Jon Astroth hosted a brief reception in honor of Tarvin’s last board meeting. Ms. Tarvin served as a founding member of the Heartland board of trustees for 11 years. She is director of financial services at State Farm Insurance Companies, Bloomington.

Larry Littell of Danvers was seated as a new board member. Littell is a retired Bloomington Junior High School math teacher.

Instructional innovations

Stacie Chismark’s Biology 191 students are taking part in a unique lab experience that relates to the recent national anthrax outbreaks. Chismark, an assistant professor of biology at Heartland, played a key role in bringing this lab to the college.

Adapted from a high school-level lab developed by the Chicago Science Explorers, this five-session lab recreates a disease outbreak situation and allows students to take on the role of a disease-hunting epidemiologist. Students learn how scientists from several disciplines work together to determine what caused the outbreak, from the organism involved to exactly why the outbreak occurred.

Special populations

The Special Populations Program at Heartland serves nearly 700 academically or economically disadvantaged students. This program provides resources such as in-class note takers, a textbook loan program, use of adaptive computer equipment and furniture, books on tape or CD, tutors, and career and academic counseling. As part of the college’s strategic planning process, the program issues reports addressing underrepresented groups.

According to census data and the college’s Continuous Quality Improvement Report, the growing Latino population in District 540 is underrepresented within HCC’s student body. To better serve and recruit this population, the college identified six high student-contact positions to participate in required occupational Spanish instruction. In addition, the Special Populations Program has increased its recruitment efforts, and HCC’s board of trustees has approved a new bilingual academic advising position.

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ICCB FY2003 budget requests

The budget request for FY 2003 by the Illinois Community College Board does not specify individual community college district allocations but gives an overall view of the proposed budget request for the state. Total operating grants to community colleges have been requested at an amount 4 percent greater than funds for fiscal year 2002, for a total of approximately $344 million. The funding request will next be considered by the Illinois Board of Higher Education prior to making its recommendation (typically released in late December) to the governor of Illinois.

The capital budget request for FY 2003 was also presented in the ICCB document. Heartland’s Workforce Development Center request is among the 54 projects recommended in the FY 2003 request that totals $430.3 million. The ranking of Heartland’s project moved up slightly from No. 21 to No. 17.

Resolution on estimated tax levy 2001

The 2001 property tax levy being considered operationally supports the FY 2003 budget of the college. The resolution considered was predicated on a 6.3 percent increase in the equalized assessed value of the district over 2002. Based on that assumption, the $9,512,545 tax levy of the district reflects an increase of approximately 14.9 percent over the total property taxes extended or abated in 2000. The anticipated change in the Heartland Community College tax rate would be an increase of approximately 2.5 cents to an estimated rate of $.3088. For the owner of a $130,000 home, the estimated levy would increase taxes payable to HCC by $10.74. This represents approximately 4.3 percent of the total estimated taxes payable for a resident of Bloomington/Normal.

[Heartland Community College news release]

[DEC. 5, 2001]  It’s a win/win. You can help boost the local economy and increase your chances of improving your personal economy. The Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Lincoln are once again sponsoring a Christmas giveaway. You can win $5,000 cash.

How do you get in on the action? Simply by patronizing local businesses. You don’t even have to make purchases to get ticket chances. Not only do you help boost business sales locally, but when you spend your hard-earned dollars locally the local sales taxes also stay in your community, furthering the benefits of your dollar. While you’re shopping you’ll see friends and neighbors, and that will boost your holiday spirits too.

Do you want to live in a thriving community? Where you shop makes a difference. Show your local merchants and service providers your support, and you improve local economy.

See you all on the north side of the courthouse Thursday, Dec. 20, when someone standing in the crowd will win $5,000.

Get your tickets at the following participating businesses:

Receive one ticket for each $10 spent at:

Abe’s, 117 N. Kickapoo

Apollo Mart, 725 Broadway

Beans ’n Such, 115 S. Kickapoo

Becherer’s Jewelry, 520 Broadway

Big R of Lincoln, 1250 Woodlawn Road

Burwell’s Travel Plaza, 2903 Woodlawn

Cookie’s Bakery, 604 Broadway, Suite 2th

GB Oil, 511 Keokuk

Glenn Brunk Stationers

Graue Pharmacy, 602 Keokuk

Green Oil Inc., 2005 N. Kickapoo

Guzzardo’s Italian Villa, Arcade Building

J C Penney Catalog Sales, 602 Keokuk

Kathleen’s Hallmark, 610 Broadway

McEntire’s Appliance, 403 Broadway

McQuellon’s Appliance, 414 S. Kickapoo

Medical Center Pharmacy, 515 N. College

Mission Mart of Lincoln, 819 Woodlawn

MKS Jewelers, Ltd., 614 Broadway

P & M Communications, 527 Woodlawn

Steak ’n Shake of Lincoln, 2901 Woodlawn

That Place/Merle Norman Cosmetics, 600 Broadway

The Courier, 601 Pulaski

Three Roses Floral, 429 Pulaski

Wibben Computer Services, 113 S. Kickapoo

Additional restrictions may apply within each business to ensure fairness and make sure undue burden is not placed on participants.

No purchase necessary. However, merchants will issue only one ticket per person per week without a transaction.

Receive ticket(s) each time you patronize the following:

Advanced Eyecare Center of Lincoln, 623 Pulaski

Blue Dog Inn, 111 S. Sangamon

Brandi Patterson State Farm Insurance, 200 S. Chicago

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CEFCU, 341 Fifth St.

Century Dental, 207 S. McLean

Coy’s Car Corner, Inc., 1909 N. Kickapoo

Curves for Women, 230 S. Logan Suite 1-A

Graue, Inc., 1905 N. Kickapoo

Harris-Hodnett Agency, Inc., 119 N. Sangamon

Insight Communications, 1102 Keokuk

Jim Xamis Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, 2301 Woodlawn

Key Printing, 1112 Keokuk St.

Lincoln IGA, 713 Pulaski

Lincoln Printers, 711 Broadway

Meier Accounting & Tax Service, 519 Pulaski

Row Motor Sales, 222 S. McLean

State Bank of Lincoln, 508 Broadway

Sun Loan Company, 130 S. Chicago

Tarter Brothers, Inc., 600 Broadway

Union Planters Bank NA, 303 S. Kickapoo

Edward Jones Investments

Dr. Robert Miller, DMD

1.  A person will receive a ticket for each $10 spent in participating retail businesses; or, a person will receive ticket(s) each time he or she patronizes one of the participating service or professional businesses.

2.  The winning ticket holders must be present at the drawing. The drawing will be held Thursday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. on the north steps of the Logan County Courthouse.

3.  Two (2) minutes will be allotted for the holder of the winning tickets to claim their prize. If after two minutes no winner has stepped forward, another ticket will be drawn. This procedure will be repeated until a ticket is drawn whose holder is present. Age and employment eligibility will be verified before the winner is officially declared.

4.  Winners must be 18 years of age on or before Nov. 1, 2001.

5.  The contest will begin on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2001, and end at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001.

6.  No purchase is necessary. Participating businesses will issue only one "free" ticket per person per week. A person must request the "free" ticket and sign for it at a central location in participating businesses.

7.  Owners of participating businesses (or, in the case of a chain or absentee owner, the manager) and their immediate families (spouse and children living at home) are not eligible to win prizes. Employees of a participating business cannot win with the tickets carrying their employer’s number but are eligible with tickets from other participating businesses. Employees at the Lincoln/Logan Chamber of Commerce and their immediate families are not eligible to win.

[LDN and news release]

[NOV. 26, 2001]  Terry J. Brown, president and chief executive officer of State Bank of Lincoln, will retire the first of January. Chosen to be the new chief executive is Steve Aughenbaugh, currently department head for commercial and installment loans.

A Dec. 14 open house from 1 to 4 p.m. at the bank’s main building, 508 Broadway, will honor Brown and his years of service. It will be "Terry’s afternoon" at State Bank, Aughenbaugh affirmed.

Brown said his most significant achievement is the growth the bank has experienced during his 17-year tenure. When he was appointed president and CEO in November 1984, the bank had total assets of $61.6 million, total deposits of $52.4 million and total loans of $27.7 million. These have increased to assets of $168 million, deposits of $140 million and loans outstanding of $106 million. During the same period, total equity capital, or net worth, of the bank has more than quadrupled, from $5 million to $22 million.

Aughenbaugh said of Brown’s success, "The big benchmark is in the numbers, the growth and the performance of this bank since Terry has been at the helm." Though Brown gives credit to many others, Aughenbaugh added, "He has been the president all those years during that growth."

Brown noted that the bank is nearing its centennial. Founded in 1904, it has "never, ever missed" paying an annual dividend, he said, even during the Depression.

Brown plans to continue to live in Lincoln and stay active in the community, including continuing on the board of State Bank. His community activities include being a member and former board member of the Elks, past board member of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, former chairman of the board of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, board member of Memorial Medical Center in Springfield and past board member of St. Clara’s Manor.

While maintaining their home in Lincoln, he and his wife, Kay, have also bought a condominium in St. Petersburg, Fla., where they plan to spend the cold weather months. Brown said he also expects to travel and to work on his golf game.

The Browns are members of Holy Family Church. They are the parents of Julie Brown of Washington, D.C., and Troy Brown of Lincoln.

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in finance at Millikin University and, like his successor, studied at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Before coming to Lincoln he was senior vice president of Corn Belt Bank in Bloomington.

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Aughenbaugh has been at State Bank of Lincoln slightly longer than Brown. He was named agricultural loan officer in October 1984. In 1990 he became the bank’s farm manager and in 1999 was promoted to department head for commercial and installment loans. Since joining the bank, he has helped the bank become an important agricultural lender in central Illinois.

"We consider agriculture the main industry in our community," Brown said, "The ag business is very, very important to us because that’s where the growth has been. Steve has a really good background in agriculture."

Aughenbaugh said he intends to "continue to see that State Bank of Lincoln remains as the top financial institution in Logan County, providing banking services to our communities." Emphasizing his intention to retain hometown commitment, he said local ownership plays a big part in the strength of the bank.

Noting that his entire career to this point has been in lending, Aughenbaugh acknowledged that his duties will change to include other aspects of the banking business. As president he will oversee the deposit side and day-to-day operations as well.

Aughenbaugh grew up on a farm near Kenney and graduated from Warrensburg-Latham High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Illinois State University. Before coming to Lincoln he worked for Pittsfield Production Credit Association, an agricultural lending institution. In 1997 he graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

He is currently treasurer of Logan County Fair Association board of directors and a member of St. Clara’s Manor board of directors, Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee, Lincoln Elks Lodge, Lincoln Masonic Lodge 210, Valley of Springfield Scottish Rite, Ansar Shrine of Springfield, Logan County Shrine Club and American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He is a past treasurer of Logan County 4-H Foundation and former director of Alpha Gamma Rho Beta Delta Chapter Alumni Board.

Aughenbaugh and his wife, Sarah, have two children, Laura, 11, and Evan, 8, both students at West Lincoln-Broadwell Elementary School.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

[NOV. 24, 2001]  Construction has begun on a Russell Stover Candies store on Lincoln’s west side, and the company expects to open it around Feb. 1. The site is at 901 Heitmann Drive, along Route 10 between GB Oil Travel Plaza and Holiday Inn Express.

[Click here to visit the Russell Stover website]

Barry Eastham, western regional manager for Russell Stover, said original plans called for opening by Christmas, but progress has been slightly delayed. He said it normally takes two months to open a new store. The Lincoln store should definitely be in business by Valentine’s Day, he said.

Lincoln is outside the region Eastham normally manages, but because several eastern stores are currently in progress and none in his territory, he is in charge of the Lincoln location.

The company intends to employ 10 to 15 people locally, with the store manager to be hired first. Eastham said that Russell Stover would hold a job fair for prospective employees. No workers will be brought in from outside the area.

The store will carry the company’s full line of first-quality boxed chocolates as well as intermediates and seconds, both to be sold at discounted prices. Intermediates are overstocks or nearly outdated first-quality candies. Eastham said that seconds, which do not meet quality-control standards for appearance, offer a good value for those primarily interested in taste.

Seasonal items will include candies created and packaged to relate to specific holidays, especially Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter.

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The store will include a candy kitchen, which will feature hand-dipped candies, peanut brittle and cookies with Russell Stover candies baked in. "They’re really unique. Where else can you get a coconut cluster cookie?" asked Eastham. Another special treat is what the company calls a Storm, ice cream with candy mixed in.

Eastham said Lincoln was chosen as a location because it is a "nice town with highway access." Russell Stover Candies does not locate in major malls but prefers stores with direct access to parking. "Easy in, easy out" is convenient for customers, Eastham said.

Six new Russell Stover stores are currently in the pipeline. One in Lawrence, Kan., will open in two weeks. The others besides Lincoln are in Manchester, Tenn.; Shawnee, Kan.; and two in Alabama. At least six other stores have already been constructed, remodeled or expanded this year, Eastham said. The company headquarters is in Kansas City.

Roger Webster Construction, Inc., is at work on the Lincoln building.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

[NOV. 17, 2001]  Over 50 people gathered for the ceremonial groundbreaking for a new warehouse at Willamette Industries, Inc., at the intersection of Lincoln Parkway and Fifth Street Road. Willamette General Manager Joe Nemith thanked dedicated employees for the company’s 8 percent increase since last year in a time when the industry in general is down.

"Willamette has been a member of the community for a long time," Nemith told the group of company employees, Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and others. "It’s very easy to do business in Lincoln."

The 70,000-square-foot warehouse and manufacturing space is roughly triangular in shape and is expected to be completed in April, according to Nemith. It is being added on the south side of the existing building, where the railroad spur used to be located. The spur is being relocated to make room for the addition.

Nemith said Willamette has built three expansions since purchasing the plant in 1992. The plant itself has been in continuous operation since 1947. It is one of three Willamette facilities in Illinois, the other two being in Chicago. The company has spent over $50 million improving the three Illinois plants in the last five years, according to Nemith.

"Five competitors have closed their doors in the last two years," Nemith said. He credited dedicated employees and the resultant good customer base for Willamette’s growth in a period of industry decline. "We hope to be here another 53 years," he added.

Though not yet built, the addition has already increased the number of local employees. "This expansion will provide the Lincoln facility the necessary room to add additional converting capacity to the plant in 2002," Nemith said. "In anticipation of this, we have already added six new employees, who are now undergoing training. We expect to add an additional four employees after the new equipment arrives." Willamette employs about 100 people in Lincoln.

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General contractor for the addition is H & H Construction Services, Inc. of Carlinville, which also handled Willamette’s two previous expansions. Jim Hudson, president of H & H, said, "We are very excited to be working again for Willamette Industries. This company has been a strong asset to the Lincoln community."

Nemith stated that the expansion of the Lincoln facility "is due to the faith Willamette has in both the Lincoln work force and the community in which it is located. The dedication of our employees to Lincoln’s success and the community’s support has made this major capital expenditure a very easy decision to make."

Willamette Industries is an integrated forest products company with 105 plants located in the United States, France, Ireland and Mexico. The company owns 1.7 million acres of forestland in the U.S. and manages it sustainably to produce building materials, composite wood panels, fine paper, office paper products, corrugated packaging and grocery bags.

The groundbreaking was ceremonial and took place around a company sign on the east side of the building. In fact, ground has already been broken and leveled for the warehouse.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

[NOV. 15, 2001]  On Tuesday and Wednesday, Lincoln Daily News conducted an e-mail poll. The poll’s intent was to get a general feel from the community for their first responses to the proposed industrial park. Some have said with wisdom that the economy is not conducive at this time. Others feel there is no time that is going to be good. The results are as follows:

Citizens of Lincoln and Logan County:

Are you in favor of the proposed new industrial park?

Yes — 91 percent

No — 9 percent

No:  The events of September 11 make the timing of a new industrial park a very poor decision. With the current economy, it will only be a matter of time before all segments of government will be running out of money. Not one dollar of taxpayer money should be spent on this project.

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Yes:  If you stop growing and changing you begin to DIE.

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Yes, I think we NEED to get moving and progressing! It is so sad to see our younger generations who go off to college, leave to never return to Logan County as their home county and possibly even leave the state. I know that not all leave the county, but IMHO, a high percentage do. We are in need of jobs in this area, and hopefully jobs that will support families ... not what happens in much of the service industry. These industries are needed, but we need a variety of jobs available.

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Yes, it will take some risk, but dreaming and never working toward those dreams is something like hiding our heads in the sand and hoping that we don’t suffocate or get forgotten about, while other communities grow and prosper.

I attended a meeting where Mark Smith gave an excellent presentation: Well thought out, researched, and input from some wise people, at least IMHO. He made a lot of sense.

The question of "Is this the right time to do this?" (meaning build the industrial park) reminds me of something I heard long ago in reference to a young couple — educated and in a good, stable marriage — wanting to put off having children "until we can afford them." The answer from wise older lady was, "My dear, if you wait until you can afford children, you never will have them."

Sometimes we have to just decide what it is that we want, make a feasible plan, set our minds to it, and follow through by working for it! If we can unite on a common goal and agree to work toward it, we CAN do it!!!

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Lincoln is long overdue for this type of thinking!! Building an industrial park makes far more sense than a statue of Abe Lincoln.

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[LDN]

Announcements

[NOV. 29, 2001]  A supply of the city’s official Christmas ornament for 2001 is now available at several locations in downtown Lincoln.

 This year’s ornament depicts the Lincoln Public Library.  Made in the United States, the 24 karat gold-over-brass ornaments come in a blue velvet folder stamped with the city’s corporate seal and a numbered certificate of authenticity, including the city proclamation and history of the building.

They are available for $15 at Eckert’s, Inc., Merle Norman Cosmetics/That Place, Inc., and MKS Jewelers. Ornaments that have been pre-ordered need to be picked up at the Main Street Lincoln office, located on the second floor at 303 S. Kickapoo (Union Planters Bank). 

Logan County Courthouse pillows have also arrived. The 16-inch, full-color tapestry pillows are backed and corded in dark green.  They also are made in the United States.

Supplies are limited, and the cost is $29.95.  Currently, the pillows are available at Beans ’n Such, MKS Jewelers, Eckert’s and at the Main Street office.  Pre-orders must be picked up at the office.

[Main Street Lincoln news release]

[NOV. 23, 2001]  New tax legislation signed by President Bush this year offers investors numerous opportunities to reduce their taxes as they prepare for their financial futures.

A.G. Edwards’ annual tax-planning guide, "Tax Saver," can help you uncover potential tax savings hidden within your investment portfolio. The guide — available at no cost — provides key information about income taxes, education planning, retirement and estate planning, as well as 10 tips to help reduce your tax liability this year.

Anyone interested in obtaining a free copy of "Tax Saver," which offers a complete list of tax-saving strategies available to investors and a calendar of important tax deadlines, should call the Lincoln A.G. Edwards office at (217) 732-3877 or (800) 596-0014 or see the website at www.agedwards.com/fc/tom.kissel.

[A.G. Edwards news release]

The Chamber Report

All meetings are in the chamber of commerce conference room, 303 S. Kickapoo St., unless noted otherwise.

Saturday Dec. 1 — Festival of Trees Kid’s Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Logan County Courthouse

Monday, Dec. 3 — Economic Development Council, 5 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 6 — Chamber board meeting, 11:45 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 7 — Chamber holiday open house; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. lunch; 1-5 p.m. refreshments

Tuesday, Dec. 11 — Chamber Marketing Committee, 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 13 — Government/Education Committee, 7:30 a.m. at Al’s Main Event

Wednesday, Dec. 19 — 3^rd Wednesday Morning Mixer, 7:30 a.m. at Al’s Main Event; Chamber After-Hours Mixer at Midwest Records Storage

Thursday, Dec. 20 — Ho Ho Dough holiday cash giveaway, 6 p.m., downtown

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Friday, Dec. 21 — Membership and Mixers Committee hosts holiday happy hour at 4 p.m. at the Depot

Tuesday, Dec. 25 — Merry Christmas

Thursday, Dec. 27 — Chamber Executive Committee, noon-1 p.m. at Blue Dog Inn

The chamber of commerce is a catalyst for community progress, bringing business and professional people together to work for the common good of Lincoln and Logan County.

Bobbi Abbott, Executive Director

Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce

303 S. Kickapoo St.

Lincoln, IL 62656

(217) 735-2385

chamber@lincolnillinois.com
www.lincolnillinois.com

Honors & Awards

Main Street Corner News

Main Street Lincoln

303 S. Kickapoo

Lincoln, IL 62656

Phone: (217) 732-2929

Fax: (217) 735-9205

E-mail: manager@mainstreetlincoln.com

Job Hunt

Lincolndailynews.com makes it easy to look for a job in the Logan County area.

Employers, you can list available jobs by e-mailing ldn@lincolndailynews.com. Each job listing costs $10 the first week, $20 for eight days to three months. There is a limit of 75 words per announcement.

OFFICE ASSISTANT: Area Manufacturer is growing! Need bright, self-motivated individual for Office Assistant position. Computer knowledge in Microsoft Word & Excel programs a must; attentive to detail mandatory. Competitive wage, based on experience, and benefits package offered. Send resume & information to: ATTN:  PERS1116, P.O. Box 457, Lincoln, IL  62656.

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