[DEC. 20, 2001]  The long-debated increase in city sewer bills got its final stamp of approval Dec. 17 when the Lincoln City Council passed an ordinance that will put the new rates into effect as of Jan. 1, 2002.

The increase is necessary to qualify for a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade the city’s sewage treatment plant. If the plant is not upgraded so it complies with state regulations, the IEPA can refuse to permit new hookups and will thus stop residential, commercial and industrial growth in the city.

A two-step plan will raise rates for city residents from $11 a month to $14 a month for the first 18 months, and for the few homeowners who live outside city limits but are hooked up to the sewer system, from $12 a month to $17.52 a month for the first 18 months.

After 18 months, unless the city gets grants that reduce of amount of money it must borrow to fund the $9.8 million plant upgrade, fees will go up to $16.39 a month in town and $22.31 for the out-of-town users.

City Clerk Juanita Josserand pointed out that because residential users are billed on a rotating schedule every four months, the cost of service rendered in 2001 will not be billed at the new rates. For example, a resident who gets a bill for service from November 2001 through February 2002 will be billed for $11 for the first two months and $14, the new fee, for January and February.

She said it will take seven months to reach the point where the last section of residents billed will see the total rate increase.

Commercial users are billed every two months, and they, too, will be billed under the old rate for all services in 2001. Industrial and institutional users are billed each month.

Fees for commercial, industrial and institutional users will also rise, under a complicated formula that lowers the fixed monthly charges but increases fees for actual use.

Fixed rates for commercial users inside the city limits will drop from $5.45 to $2.22 per month for those inside city limits, and from $5.95 monthly to $2.81 monthly for those outside city limits. However, other charges will increase based on usage. For example, the volume charge for commercial users in the city will go from $.86 per 100 cubic feet to $1.32 for the first 18 months, then to $1.55 per 100 cubic feet. For commercial users outside the city, volume charges will go from $.94 monthly to $1.67 monthly for the first 18 months, then to a final charge of $2.13 per 100 cubic feet. Other surcharges will also increase.

Industrial and institutional users will also see drops in fixed monthly charges and increases in charges based on usage. Environmental Management Corporation, which operates the sewage plant, recently projected the cost increases for various types of firms in the Lincoln area.

For example, increases will bring the monthly cost to a commercial user, Cracker Barrel Restaurant, from $172.65 to $304.29; for Eaton Corporation/Cutler Hammer, an industrial user, from $3,060.25 per month to $6,955.09 per month; and for Logan Correctional Center, an institutional user, from $11,550.27 per month to $26,772.74.

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In other business, the city’s streets and alleys and finance committees held the second of two combined meetings to discuss a mandatory drug and alcohol testing policy to be put into effect for streets and alleys employees who drive vehicles.

At a former meeting, the committees heard a presentation by Candy Wendt, a certified substance abuse program administrator from Mid-West Truckers Association, Inc., a drug and alcohol testing consortium.

Wendt said that because the 11 drivers in the streets and alleys department have not been in a testing program, all will have to take the tests when the policy goes into effect. Ordinarily testing is done on a random basis, with 50 percent of drivers in the consortium being tested for drugs each year and 10 percent tested for alcohol.

Most of the ordinance that the city is considering is based on federal mandates, with very little that the city can change, according to Bill Bates, city attorney. The joint committee decided that under the proposed city ordinance an employee will be required to tell his supervisor if he is taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs that could affect the outcome of the test and also voted 4-3 for a zero tolerance policy. The ordinance will be discussed at the next work session of the full council on Jan. 7.

Fire Chief Bucky Washam announced that probationary firefighter Darrin Coffey has successfully passed his one-year probation as of Dec. 1 and will receive his permanent appointment as firefighter in the Lincoln Fire Department.

Josserand announced that by entering into a three-year agreement with Independent Risk Managers, Inc., an insurance consultant firm that assesses the city’s insurance needs and finds the best coverage at the best cost, the city can get a lower yearly fee.

Cost for the service had risen to $4,200 a year, but the three-year contract brings the firm’s retainer fee down to $3,906 per year, she said.

Alderman Joe Stone asked if the city is saving enough money to offset the cost of using the management company.

Alderman Michael Montcalm replied that the firm is "making sure we are properly insured."

"I doubt if any of us here are capable of sorting out what we need," city attorney Bates added.

The council also adopted a $1,415,071 property tax levy for fiscal year 2002. This is about 3.5 percent higher than the fiscal 2001 extension of $1,376,331.

The council also approved early pay for employees before the Christmas holiday and changed the date of the December committee-of-the-whole meeting from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, prior to the regular council meeting.

[Joan Crabb]

[DEC. 20, 2001]  SPRINGFIELD –– Secretary of State Jesse White has announced that his office issued an order prohibiting the Oasis Savings Club and its promoters from selling unregistered securities in Illinois.

The Oasis Savings Club company is alleged to be offering above-market rates of return on "Growth Certificates" and "Turbo Growth Certificates," and guaranteeing the return of the principal after a five-year period. The temporary order of prohibition issued by White’s Securities Department, alleges that the certificates are not registered with the secretary of state as required by law and prohibits the company from offering or selling these investments.

The promoters of the certificates have held seminars in the Rockford area and various communities throughout northern Illinois. Investors were told that their money would be invested in Internet businesses, satellite communication systems, high-yield trading programs and offshore investments involving the rebuilding of the infrastructure of Latvia.

People who have been solicited to invest in the Oasis Savings Club, or those who have actually invested money, are encouraged to contact the Illinois Securities Department at 1 (800) 628-7937. Those with Internet access can also submit an inquiry through the Internet using the consumer complaint form.

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White urges investors to ask the following questions before making an investment:

•  Is the investment registered and is the person selling the investment properly licensed in Illinois? Illinois investors may call the Illinois Securities Department’s toll-free number to find out or submit an inquiry via the department’s online complaint form.

•  Are the claims made for the investment realistic? If the investment sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t legitimate. Use common sense and get a professional, third-party opinion when presented with investment opportunities that seem to offer unusually high returns in comparison with other investment options.

For more information on investing and investment fraud, contact the secretary of state’s Securities Department or visit the Securities Department online.

[News release]

[DEC. 19, 2001]  The Logan County Board voted unanimously to expand the Lincoln/Logan County Enterprise Zone to include property near the Turris Coal mine in rural Elkhart. Corn Belt Energy Corp. requested the change for its planned coal-fired power plant. The Lincoln City Council voted to approve the same change Monday. The board vote confirmed a tentative vote taken last Thursday night in workshop session.

By votes of 7-5 and 6-7 the board on Tuesday reappointed the animal control warden for only 30 days and narrowly missed doing the same for her deputy. After the votes, board member Clifford Sullivan offered his immediate resignation as chair of the Animal Control Committee.

Sullivan had made the standard motion that each animal control employee be rehired for one year. Saying, "We’ve got a problem [with animal control]; we need to address it," board member Jim Griffin moved to reduce reappointment periods to 30 days for both Animal Control Warden Sheila Farmer and Deputy Warden Polly Farmer.

Griffin’s amendment regarding Sheila Farmer passed, with Doug Dutz, Paul Gleason, Dick Logan, Gloria Luster, Dale Voyles and Terry Werth also voting to shorten her contract. Dave Hepler abstained. The same majority passed the amended motion specifying Sheila Farmer’s 30-day appointment. In a month the board will have to decide whether to hire her again.

Griffin’s amendment regarding Polly Farmer failed 6-7, with Roger Bock, Tom Cash, Gleason, Lloyd Hellman, Hepler, Sullivan and Rod White voting no. She was subsequently appointed to a one-year term as deputy animal control warden. The two women are not related.

Veterinarian Lester Thomson was unanimously granted a one-year term as animal control administrator. Board chairman Dick Logan said he would address Sullivan’s resignation later.

Griffin, a member of the board’s Animal Control Committee, said he thinks most of the problem is communication. The committee has had complaints that when people call animal control the line is busy, they get an answering machine and their call is not returned. "We’re getting a lot of complaints," he said. "We need to sit down with them and get it solved."

Among complainants are members of the Lincoln council, and a January meeting with the city is scheduled. One concern that surfaced in a recent council workshop session involves animal control wardens’ failure to catch stray cats. Instead the wardens make traps and bait available to citizens and pick up cats once they are caught. Griffin said he agrees with Sullivan that you can’t catch a cat that doesn’t want to be caught. Still, he said, "If we just hired the wardens back, we’re saying to the city we don’t have a problem."

In other business, the board passed the first increase in building permit fees since 1973, when the zoning ordinance included a $35 conditional use fee. The new rates, effective immediately, are $50 for new construction, $25 for remodeling and $100 for conditional use permits. Conditional use permits ask for variances or amendments to the ordinance and incur costs of newspaper announcements and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings.

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Regional Planning Director Phil Mahler, speaking for zoning officer Bud Miller, called the building permits a user fee, needed because of expenses incurred. The annual yield is expected to be about $2,000, which will not cover costs. He said that according to his and Miller’s research Logan County was the only county around not to charge for building and remodeling permits. Cities including Lincoln and Elkhart also charge for such permits.

Mahler said the remodeling fee will not be assessed on improvements like siding and shingles but on "anything that adds square footage." The $50 permit applies to any new permanent structure, whether a home or a business.

Dissenting votes were cast by Griffin, Dutz and Gleason. "We call it a fee," said Griffin, "but it looks like a tax to me."

Other unanimous votes also confirmed the board’s straw votes on Thursday:

•  A resolution to support Lincoln Developmental Center in its care for the "most challenged persons" in our society. The resolution affirms the mission of LDC and asks for state and federal funding to keep the facility up to date.

•  A vote to accept the $14,623 bid of Pemco Service Co. for a credit card gas pump at Logan County Airport. Wiring expenses were limited to $1,000.

•  A vote to pay Illinois Public Risk Management $21,404 for the first quarter’s workman’s comp insurance for county employees. The annual cost has increased about $2,000 since a year ago.

The board decided to purchase a Norstar voice mail system for the courthouse at a cost of $3,782. The system will keep a separate file of recorded messages for each person in each courthouse office. Board chairman Dick Logan said that a standard phone will not work on the courthouse system. Griffin voted against the expenditure.

Finance Committee chair Rod White announced that duties of the committee have been divided, with Roger Bock assuming responsibility for county revenues and Dale Voyles for expenses. He asked that the committee and the full board be involved in any salary changes of county employees from budgeted amounts. White indicated that some salaries had been "adjusted" during the past year, resulting in salaries and benefits going over budget, but did not name the departments and offices in which those changes were made.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

[DEC. 19, 2001]  A powdery substance found in an envelope sent to the Lincoln Correctional Center, which set off a brief anthrax scare Monday (Dec. 17), turned out to be nothing more threatening than baby powder, according to Sergio Molina, chief of communications for the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Mailroom workers found the substance in a Christmas card addressed to one of the residents, he said. The card had a return address and a name.

Officials talked to the recipient of the card, who said she knew the sender, and determined there was no threat associated with the card, Molina said. "The staff was pretty much assured that the substance was baby powder.

"We have seen people put scented powder in cards or letters before," he said.

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The mailroom staff, which examines every piece of mail that goes to residents, found the substance at about 12:30 p.m., he said. The mailroom was sealed off until it was determined the substance was not a threat.

Molina said the officials at the correctional center did not call in any local officials to handle the incident.

"There are guidelines for the way we process theses things, and absent a threat, there was no call-out of any other agencies," Molina said.

[Joan Crabb]

[DEC. 18, 2001]  At its Dec. 17 meeting the Lincoln City Council moved Corn Belt Energy’s planned power plant at the Turris coal mine one step closer to becoming bricks and mortar, with unanimous approval of an extension of the city’s enterprise zone.

Plant officials now have only to get the approval of the Logan County Board for the enterprise zone extension, expected to come tonight at the board’s regular meeting. Elkhart officials have already approved the extension, as have the Logan County Planning Commission and the Economic Development Council.

Inclusion in the enterprise zone means that state sales taxes will be abated on any purchases of equipment made in the enterprise zone. Since Elkhart does not have dealers who carry the needed supplies, the purchases will be made in Lincoln, according to Tony Campbell, Corn Belt’s vice president of generation and distribution. He said small items will be purchased at local businesses, while big equipment will be ordered through local distributors, such as hardware stores and lumberyards.

Bill Bates, Lincoln city attorney, said that although the city will be giving up sales taxes on the millions of dollars worth of equipment purchased in Lincoln, being in the enterprise zone means that the equipment will be bought here and not somewhere else.

The city loses sales taxes of 1 percent, the county loses sales taxes of .25 percent, and the state loses 5 percent, according to Phil Mahler, Logan County planning commissioner.

However, building and running the new coal-fired, high-tech, environmentally friendly power plant will bring new jobs to the area, some of them permanent, and also bring income from temporary housing, food and entertainment for the construction workers, officials of the Bloomington-based energy cooperative said. Expected salaries, overtime and benefits during the 2.3-year construction period are projected at $13.8 million, and revenues from housing and food will bring an additional $2.53 million, according to Corn Belt projections. Construction is expected to start by next summer.

In addition, 45 permanent jobs will be created, 25 in operations and maintenance of the power plant and 20 in increased coal mining at Turris. This will bring Logan County another $3.45 million dollars a year. The plant will be built adjacent to the coal company to save costs of transporting coal.

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Although the energy company could also ask for an abatement of real estate taxes, it will not do so, officials said, but will pay about $325,000 yearly in property taxes to Logan County.

The vote Monday evening amended the legal description of the enterprise zone to connect the site east of Elkhart where the mine is located to the existing zone in Lincoln. This connection includes a 3-foot-wide, 10-mile-long strip along Interstate 55, which connects to Township Road 600 N. in Elkhart.

If the plant’s new environmentally friendly low-emission boiler system succeeds in reducing emissions of nitrous oxide as expected, it could provide benefits for Lincoln and Logan County far into the future, Mahler and plant officials said.

"Illinois has huge coal reserves, an abundance of coal, and Logan County has huge deposits that haven’t been tapped," Mahler told the Lincoln Daily News. But because of the high sulfur content in Illinois coal, much of the coal burned in Illinois plants has been brought in from Western states.

Sulfur is one of the gases that produce acid rain, Campbell said, and nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer and the warming of the planet.

The state-of-the-art low-emission system is designed to reduce nitrous oxide, and scrubbers will reduce sulfur emissions. In case the system doesn’t work as anticipated, scrubbers to reduce those emissions are in the design.

"If this plant works as well as we think it will, it will be a model for others," Campbell said. The concept plant is partly funded by the federal and state Departments of Energy — 19.5 percent from the federal agency and 16.75 percent from the state agency.

"We’re going to prove that Illinois coal can be burned efficiently and in an environmentally friendly way," Campbell said. "We are hoping that a byproduct of this plant will be the revitalizing of the Illinois coal industry."

He said the model plant is being built in Illinois in part because of the help of U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, many local officials and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.

[Joan Crabb]

[DEC. 18, 2001]  All but one of the six new Logan County Board districts will have contests in the March 19 Republican primary, and four Republicans are vying for the opportunity to challenge incumbent Sheriff Tony Solomon. The close of filing Monday also shows two Republican candidates in both the regional superintendent of schools and District 100 General Assembly races.

Republicans James J. Pinney, Henry Bartman, Robert J. Brandt and Steven G. Nichols are lined up for the chance to oppose Solomon, a Democrat, in November. In the new General Assembly District 100, which includes Lincoln and southwestern Logan County, Gwenn Klingler of Springfield and Rich Brauer are the two candidates.

Vying for regional superintendent of schools in Logan, Mason and Menard counties are Jean R. Anderson of Lincoln and Robert P. Turk of Topeka. Incumbent George Janet has announced his retirement.

In countywide races County Clerk Sally Litterly and Treasurer Mary Bruns, both Republicans, face no opposition in either party. Neither does Bill Mitchell, a Republican from Forsyth, running in General Assembly District 87, which includes the majority of Logan County.

In response to an advisory referendum in which voters supported election of county board members from districts rather than at large, six districts of approximately equal population have been created. The districts, which vary between 4,690 and 5,100 registered voters, will each elect two board members. Candidates include 20 Republicans and one Democrat.

At least one incumbent will be unseated in District 5, where the four candidates include three current board members: Jim Griffin, Clifford "Sonny" Sullivan and Dale A. Voyles. Opposing them for the GOP slots is Patrick L. O’Neill. District 5 includes West Lincoln precincts 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10.

[click on map to enlarge]

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Only District 3 sports a two-party field. Incumbents Tom Cash and Gloria Luster, both appointed in 2001 to fill vacancies, will compete with John L. Stewart for the two Republican slots. Democrat Harold G. Dingman will be the Democratic opponent in the November general election. District 3 is composed of the four Mount Pulaski precincts plus Aetna, Chester, Lake Fork, Oran and Laenna.

The District 4 field of Republican candidates includes incumbents Terry "TW" Werth and David R. Hepler and challengers Stephan A. Mesner and Julia Pegram Gerardot. The winners will represent West Lincoln 1 and East Lincoln 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and East Lincoln 8 north of LaDue.

[click on map to enlarge]

The remaining East Lincoln precincts form District 6, for which the three candidates, all Republicans, are incumbent Paul E. Gleason plus William "Mitch" Brown and Veronica Board Hasprey.

In District 2 incumbents Richard E. "Dick" Logan and Roger W. Bock face Scott E. Doerr and Robert D. Farmer in the Republican primary. The district includes Broadwell, Corwin, Elkhart, Hurlbut and West Lincoln 6 and 7 south of Route 10 West and Interstate 55.

District 1 has no contest, with only Republicans Charles E. Ruben and incumbent Lloyd Hellman filing. They will represent the voters in Atlanta, Orvil, Eminence, Prairie Creek, Sheridan and West Lincoln 7 north of Route 10 West and I-55.

Two of the current 13 Logan County Board members have not filed. Finance Committee Chairman Rod White and Law Enforcement and ESDA Chairman Doug Dutz are retiring from the board at the close of the current term. White is the lone Democrat on the board.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

Main Street director announces departure

[DEC. 17, 2001]  Three-year Main Street Lincoln Director Wendy Bell has announced that she will soon be leaving the Lincoln program. She has accepted a position with the state of Illinois Main Street program as program associate.

[Wendy Bell stands with Burnetta DePuy at the rededication of the Indian statue.
Photo by Bob Frank.]

Both honored and excited about joining the program at the state level, Bell says that nationwide the Illinois program has a great reputation. They service more programs and have a larger budget than other states. Illinois Main Street has 59 designated communities. "It provides lots of training, reviews and other support, helping them have better programs," she said.

Bell made the announcement Friday, saying she was waiting for the right time to let everyone know. Main Street activities are at a low time of the year right now; the organization is between events. Bell observed that this is a good time to make her move, as it is quieter than other times of the year when lots of community activities are taking place.

Bell leaves the Lincoln program in peak condition. Most importantly, she wants it understood by all those that she has worked with, "I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished!"

Logan County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bobbi Abbott praised Bell saying, "Wendy’s resignation leaves me with mixed emotions. Of course, I’m happy for her success and wish her well with her new career move. She’ll take her expertise to the state level, which will benefit communities throughout Illinois. On the other hand, Lincoln is losing an energetic, positive leader, and it will be a challenge to replace her. She’s a great office partner and friend, and we’ll all miss her."

She will stay in her position until Jan. 4, then take the rest of the month for her vacation. With a chuckle she explained, "I won’t really be on vacation." As is customary for this energetic leader, she will assist with the Illinois State Pageant for one week in Springfield.

Bell begins her new position in the downtown Springfield office on Feb. 1.

She says an interim director will probably be appointed to fill in until a permanent replacement is found. Possible candidates include Jan Schumacher, who has been served before.

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Bell says one of the things she has appreciated most has been having "a positive working relationship with both the city and the county." Since working with Main Street Lincoln, Bell has been involved with numerous projects and programs, including lots of grant writing, that have been completed under her directorship.

Some of the highlights of her leadership have included the restoration of Scully Park, the completed mural on the back of the Neal Tire building, the restoration of the sculpture of the Indian woman and plans for a park setting around her on the Logan County Courthouse lawn. Main Street has also designed and sold the first official City of Lincoln Christmas Ornaments, "now in its third year as a collectible series." Added to collectibles for this year is a full-color tapestry pillow for holiday giving, which features an aerial view of Logan County. She has also been a strong leader in the Looking for Lincoln program and plans to remain involved with this important aspect of our community history and tourism development.

Main Street conducts many annual community activities, the most recent of which is quickly becoming a favorite Lincoln holiday tradition. ’Tis the Season and the Festival of Trees are done in partnership with Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation.

Having invested herself wholeheartedly in Lincoln, it is no surprise that she says she will remain involved with the community, particularly the Looking for Lincoln program, as much as her new job allows. Bell intends to remain living here with her sons, Corbin and Carrington, and husband Terry.

[http://www.mainstreetlincoln.com]

Thank you for all your dedication and perseverance, Wendy. Lincoln Daily News wishes you the very best!

[Jan Youngquist]

County moves toward
expanding enterprise zone

[DEC. 14, 2001]  Last night, Tony Campbell and Gary Barnhart, representing Corn Belt Energy, gave a Power Point presentation to the full Logan County Board. Corn Belt Energy, a Rural Electrical Cooperative serving central Illinois since 1939, wishes to build a low-emission boiler system in Elkhart at the mouth of the Turris Coal Company. The plant, which will be able to burn Illinois coal within EPA guidelines, is an important first step in proving Illinois coal can be harnessed into energy in a clean and efficient manner.

The plant, with a price tag of $140 million, will use 380 to 420 thousand tons of coal per year, yielding an output of 82 megawatts — an amount of energy sufficient to meet the needs of 27,500 residences.

Corn Belt expects to employ up to 200 construction workers during the 2.5-year building phase of the operation. The finished plant will employ 25 and create an additional 20 jobs at the Turris Coal Mine.

The energy corporation is seeking inclusion in the enterprise zone to become eligible for sales tax exemption on materials, as well as other funding programs. Corn Belt has not asked for any financial concessions from the county and has estimated the completed operation will create $325,000 per year in real estate taxes. A unanimous straw vote by the board moved the request onto next week’s agenda for board consideration.

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In other matters, Roger Bock, chairman of the airport committee, recommended the board move to vote on a bid by Pemco Service Co of Sherman to install a computerized credit card system for the airport fuel pumps. The bid of $14,623.60 will make the pumps available for aircraft use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bock stated that with Logan County Airport prices as much as 60 cents a gallon cheaper than surrounding area pumps, the ability to sell larger quantities of aviation fuel could be a strong revenue producer for the county. The move to forward the proposal to a voting session was unanimous.

In animal control, the committee has recommended that all three employees be retained for next year. They are: Dr Lester Thomson as Logan County Animal Control administrator, Shiela Farmer as animal control warden and Polly Farmer as assistant animal control warden. The report received no objections at the workshop.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.

[Mike Fak]

County moves toward
expanding enterprise zone

[DEC. 14, 2001]  Last night, Tony Campbell and Gary Barnhart, representing Corn Belt Energy, gave a Power Point presentation to the full Logan County Board. Corn Belt Energy, a Rural Electrical Cooperative serving central Illinois since 1939, wishes to build a low-emission boiler system in Elkhart at the mouth of the Turris Coal Company. The plant, which will be able to burn Illinois coal within EPA guidelines, is an important first step in proving Illinois coal can be harnessed into energy in a clean and efficient manner.

The plant, with a price tag of $140 million, will use 380 to 420 thousand tons of coal per year, yielding an output of 82 megawatts — an amount of energy sufficient to meet the needs of 27,500 residences.

Corn Belt expects to employ up to 200 construction workers during the 2.5-year building phase of the operation. The finished plant will employ 25 and create an additional 20 jobs at the Turris Coal Mine.

The energy corporation is seeking inclusion in the enterprise zone to become eligible for sales tax exemption on materials, as well as other funding programs. Corn Belt has not asked for any financial concessions from the county and has estimated the completed operation will create $325,000 per year in real estate taxes. A unanimous straw vote by the board moved the request onto next week’s agenda for board consideration.

[to top of second column in this article]

In other matters, Roger Bock, chairman of the airport committee, recommended the board move to vote on a bid by Pemco Service Co of Sherman to install a computerized credit card system for the airport fuel pumps. The bid of $14,623.60 will make the pumps available for aircraft use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bock stated that with Logan County Airport prices as much as 60 cents a gallon cheaper than surrounding area pumps, the ability to sell larger quantities of aviation fuel could be a strong revenue producer for the county. The move to forward the proposal to a voting session was unanimous.

In animal control, the committee has recommended that all three employees be retained for next year. They are: Dr Lester Thomson as Logan County Animal Control administrator, Shiela Farmer as animal control warden and Polly Farmer as assistant animal control warden. The report received no objections at the workshop.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.

[Mike Fak]

Jonathan Wright steps out
of legislative races

[DEC. 14, 2001]  Jonathan Wright, current state representative for the 90^th District, has announced that he will not run for a legislative seat next term. He was appointed last summer to fill the unexpired term of John Turner of Atlanta, who accepted a seat on the Appellate Court.

Wright, R-Hartsburg, who made the decision yesterday, could have run in either the new 87^th or 100^th Districts. He told the Lincoln Daily News that he had decided not to run because, "There are conservatives representing my ideology running in both districts. I would have run if I had felt there was a need to on the issues."

Wright said that Bill Mitchell, R-Forsythe, an incumbent running in the 87^th District, and Rich Brauer, a newcomer from Petersburg, who is challenging incumbent Gwenn Klingler in the 100^th District in next spring’s primary election, represent his conservative philosophy.

Wright lives in what will become the 87^th District, but because the 100^th District in the new Democratic-drawn legislative map contains part of the current 90^th District, he is eligible to run in that district as well.

Wright said he had considered running in the new 100^th District against incumbent Klingler to give the voters a "clear choice" of political philosophy.

"I don’t think her views reflect the views of the 100^th District," he said. "I am pro-life, pro-Second Amendment and pro-family values."

However, when Brauer announced he was running, Wright said he reconsidered because he thought he and Brauer might split the vote and give Klingler a win in the primary.

Wright also cited his young family as another reason for not running. He has three daughters, age 5, 4 and 2.

"I don’t want to sacrifice them on the altar of politics," he said.

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"I don’t bring the same perspective to political office as many others do," he added. "It’s not a career for me. I’m not looking forward to the pension. But someday, if the opportunity and the need for public service presents itself, I would run again."

After December of next year, when his current term expires, Lincoln and Logan County will be without a representative in the Statehouse for the first time in many years.

Wright will continue to represent the 90^th District until the end of his term, continue to live in Hartsburg for the foreseeable future and continue his law practice in Lincoln.

Asked if there was anything he would like to accomplish while still in the state legislature, he said, "I would like to think we could bring fiscal responsibility back to the state of Illinois, because I think that’s the most pressing issue we face. We are in the situation we are now because we have been irresponsible in the past."

Some of his constituents were sorry he had decided not to run, he said. "I’ve already had some people express some disappointment and I’m humbled by that, but I think I’ve made the right decision."

He also said he wanted the public to know that the fund-raiser scheduled for Dec. 14 at the Lincoln Recreation Center has been canceled.

[Joan Crabb]

Wright announces his election decision

[DEC. 14, 2001]  In a fax received by Lincoln Daily News on Thursday afternoon, state Rep. Jonathan Wright announced and explained his decision about whether to run in the next election.

From Rep. Jonathan Wright

For several weeks, I have been contemplating all of my options with regard to the next election cycle. My decision is difficult. The redistricting process has divided my home county, Logan County, into two different districts — the 87^th and the 100^th. I have considered running in both districts. I have also considered my other option, to fulfill my current duties as state representative without seeking re-election. After much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to fulfill my duties as state representative of the 90^th District without seeking re-election in any representative district.

My guiding principle in making this decision is my motivation for seeking the office. The important issue is not whether I choose to run or whether I choose not to run. The important issue is why I choose a certain path. Running for election in the 87^th District would pit me against another conservative Republican. Running for election in the 100^th District would pit me against another conservative Republican in Rich Brauer. Against this backdrop, I determined that running for election — the time, the cost, the sacrifice — is only justified if the need is present. Elected positions must never become careers or avenues to pursue personal ambitions. Elected positions are about public service. Therefore, I am choosing to decline the many kind requests to pursue the election. I am continually honored and humbled by the office I hold and consider it a great honor to carry out those responsibilities.

Please also announce that the fund-raiser scheduled on my behalf for Friday, Dec. 14, is canceled.

[News release
from Rep. Jonathan Wright]

Holiday safety tips to protect yourself and your property from crime

[DEC. 14, 2001]  As the holiday season gets into swing, the Lincoln Police Department and Lincoln Daily News are providing you with some safety tips on protecting yourself and your property during this time of year.

There are some times of year that seem to attract more crime than others — during the warm or summer months, and then this time of year, the Christmas and New Year season. Crimes that occur during this season range from damage to property, such as Christmas lights and decorations, and residential burglaries. The Lincoln Police Department would like to give you a few safety tips to help prevent crimes that would affect you and your family.

The police receive a large number of damage reports from the community during this time — damage such as cutting lights, knocking over displays and even stealing displays from the front yard. With these crimes, it is difficult to catch the person responsible because of the short time that it takes for the crime to happen. Residents can take a few simple steps to reduce the risk of being vandalized. Residents can put decorations close to the house and when they are not being used at nighttime, remove them from the yard, or leave house lights on.

Thefts also account for a large number of police reports with the department. Thefts from your vehicle can leave you with a sense of being unsafe. These thefts can be drastically reduced by not leaving your keys in your car and by locking your doors. If you are somewhere that you cannot see your vehicle, put your holiday shopping items in your trunk and make sure that it is locked. Don’t leave items such as cell phones, purses, wallets, pocket change, or cassette tapes or compact disks lying in your vehicle. Items like these only tempt the less honest person into committing a crime against you. It is always best to lock items like that in your trunk when you get out of your car. Believe it or not, someone will break into your car for $3 in pocket change.

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Residential burglaries are rare but do occur in your area. These crimes leave you not only with property missing but also with a feeling of being insecure in your own home. These crimes cause victims to lose sleep and have new fears of being in the home, as well as fears of going outside of the home. To reduce the risk of being burglarized, there are several things that you can do. You should always lock your doors and windows, even the ones that you don’t think anyone could get into. Trim your bushes and trees so that they do not cover up your windows. Leave lights on inside and outside, and have a friend or neighbor look after the house while you are gone. Try to avoid leaving high-value items near windows or doors where someone could easily see the valuables from outside.

If you see something strange or out of place in your neighborhood, call the police. The Lincoln Police Department is there for you and wants to help. Even if you think that something is minor and is not worth calling about, some crimes are solved or prevented by people calling and reporting something just a little odd. Please don’t hesitate to call.

There are other things that you can do to reduce crime in your neighborhood. The Lincoln Police Department offers a Neighborhood Watch program that you can start in your neighborhood. It has been shown that an active Neighborhood Watch program will reduce the risk of crime in your area.

If you have questions about any of the safety tips suggested or would like to become a member of the Neighborhood Watch program, please contact the community policing division of the Lincoln Police Department at 732-2151.

If you wish to report a suspect in a crime, you can call the Lincoln Police Department at 732-2151 or call the Lincoln/Logan Crime Stoppers at 732-3000.

[Tim Butterfield, community policing officer,
Lincoln Police Department]

Military addresses sought

It is a year like no other. Since Sept. 11 we are a changed nation. Individually, our daily sensitivity toward whom and what we have in our lives has been heightened. We are more conscious and appreciative, first about those we love and see everyday. Next, we have a newfound appreciation for those who risk their lives every day as rescue workers and protectors of life and property in our communities. We also now think more about our military men and women who are committed to serve and protect our country. Many are away engaged in battle, some are in waiting to go, all are ready to lay their lives on the line in defense of our freedom.

Lincoln Daily News is seeking the names and addresses, including e-mail addresses, of friends and relatives who are serving in the armed forces. They need not be from here in Logan County. If you know someone serving, please send the information to ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com. A complete list will be made available and kept updated through the site so we might all hold them in our thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

[Click here for names available now.]

Name of person in military:

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[LDN]

It’s on the radio, TV, in all the media. You hear it in the office, on the street and maybe at home — threats of terrorism. America is on high alert. Here in central Illinois, away from any supposed practical target areas, perhaps we feel a little less threatened, but we are still concerned. So how concerned should we be, and how prepared are we for the types of situations that could occur?

Whether the threat is domestic or foreign, violent, biological or chemical, our public health and rescue agencies have been preparing to respond to the situations. Lincoln Daily News has been at meetings where all the agencies gather together as the Logan County Emergency Planning Committee to strategize for just such a time. Our reports have not even provided every detail that every agency has reported; i.e., a number of representatives from differing agencies such as the health and fire departments, CILCO and ESDA went to a bioterrorism and hazmat (hazardous materials) seminar this past August.

Here are some of the articles that LDN has posted pre- and post-Tuesday, Sept. 11. Hopefully you will see in them that WE ARE WELL PREPARED. At least as much as any area can be. Every agency has been planning, training, submitting for grants to buy equipment long before Sept. 11. We can be thankful for all of the dedicated, insightful leaders we have in this community.

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• LEPC hears plans for annual exercise

• U.S. under terrorist attack
  How is Logan County affected?

• The day after ‘Attack on America’
  Area leaders respond to national tragedy

• ESDA and LEPC conduct successful hazardous materials exercise at water treatment plant 

• Logan County ready for action if terrorist event occurs - Part 1

• Logan County ready for action if terrorist event occurs – Part 2

• Clinton nuclear power plant safety measures in place

• Logan County agencies meet to discuss protocol for suspicious mail

As promised, the United States led an attack on Afghanistan. The attack began Sunday, Oct. 7. American and British military forces made 30 hits on air defenses, military airfields and terrorist training camps, destroying aircraft and radar systems. The strike was made targeting only terrorists.

More than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East have pledged their cooperation and support the U.S. initiative.

Online news links

Other countries

Afghanistan

http://www.afghandaily.com/ 

http://www.myafghan.com/  

http://www.afghan-web.com/aop/ 

China

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/

http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/

Germany

http://www.faz.com/

India

http://www.dailypioneer.com/ 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/ 

http://www.timesofindia.com/ 

Israel

http://www.jpost.com/ 

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/ 

England

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/ 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/ 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/

Pakistan

http://www.dawn.com/

http://frontierpost.com.pk/ 

Russia

http://english.pravda.ru/

http://www.sptimesrussia.com/ 

Saudi Arabia

http://www.arabnews.com/ 

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United States

Illinois

http://www.suntimes.com/index/ 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/ 

http://www.pantagraph.com/ 

http://www.qconline.com/ 

http://www.pjstar.com/

http://www.sj-r.com/ 

http://www.herald-review.com/

http://www.southernillinoisan.com/ 

New York

http://www.nypost.com/

http://www.nytimes.com/

Stars and Stripes
(serving the U.S. military community)

http://www.estripes.com/ 

Washington, D.C.

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