Keith Ray, president of Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, and Kevin Crawford, financial officer, showed the council drawings of the new 30,000-square-foot athletic facility, the biggest part of the new construction program. It will include locker rooms, training rooms, a weight room, offices, a lobby and concession area, and seating for 1,000, and will allow LCC to host regional and national volleyball tournaments and other sports events.

The building program also calls for converting the present service building, which is located in the middle of the campus, into a student center with offices, reception and conference rooms, a game room, and a student lounge. A new service building will be constructed at the edge of the campus.

Also in the plans are renovations of dormitories and student apartments, including new siding, furniture, carpeting and light fixtures, and replacing flat roofs with new gabled roofs that will match those of the new athletic building. Updating building exteriors and interiors also includes staining yellow exterior brick to match the other brick on campus.

College officials asked the city to pass an inducement resolution, which is an expression of the intent of the city to aid the college by issuing Economic Development Revenue Bonds and lending the proceeds of the bond issue to the school. These bonds are exempt from federal taxes, though not from Illinois taxes, and will result in a considerable savings to LCC, officials said.

Mike Southworth, an attorney with the Springfield law firm of Hart, Southworth and Witsman, a firm that practices tax-exempt bond law, said the city would have no liability to repay the bond except from moneys the college gives to the city. The college already has a purchaser for the bonds, Central Illinois Bank of Lincoln.

In answer to a question from Alderman Joseph Stone, Southworth said, "If the college should default, the bank would look only to the college for payment. It would pursue the college, not the city."

The inducement resolution allows the college to get started on the project using tax-exempt dollars to pay expenses, Southworth said. Construction is scheduled to start in mid-March and to be completed by late fall of this year.

LCC officials told the council they would keep as much of the construction money in Lincoln as they could by using local firms whenever possible and provided a list of the local firms they expect to use.

Crawford also pointed out that the economic impact of LCC on the Lincoln community is a little less than $15 million a year, considering the money paid to employees and spent locally. He said the new athletic facility would increase that economic impact by bringing people to town for athletic events such as the volleyball tournaments.

The construction firm for the project is P. J. Hoerr of Bloomington and Peoria, which has been in business for 86 years and recently constructed Eastview Christian Church in Bloomington. Crawford described the firm as doing "quality work."

The council agreed to put the resolution on the agenda for next week’s meeting, with Mayor Joan Ritter noting that LCC is "a big asset to the community."

Application for another grant was also put on the agenda for the next meeting. Mike Gleason, who operates the Gleason Dairy Bar at 102 Fifth St., wishes to buy the property he is leasing, but to obtain a bank loan he needs assurance that the ground is not contaminated by a gas station formerly on the site.

Grant Eaton, sewer plant manager, said Gleason could apply for a Brownfield grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. This grant will pay for studies to determine whether the site is contaminated as well as help in cleaning up the site if that is needed. Eaton said the IEPA will send a representative to Lincoln to help fill out forms for the grant, and the matter was put on the agenda for the next regular meeting.

The council also put on the agenda a request from Police Chief Richard Ludolph for two new color video cameras to be installed in the two new patrol cars the department is purchasing. Cost will be $7,790. The cameras provide good evidence to use in court regarding traffic stops, DUI cases and other police work, Ludolph said.

Next week’s regular meeting will be on Tuesday, Jan. 16, rather than Monday, Jan. 15, because of the Martin Luther King Day holiday.

[Joan Crabb]

Alderman Steve Fuhrer said he would not agree to any increase in fees. "I think with all this restructuring we’ve done, we’ve done enough. I cannot honestly say I know the reason we’re increasing the fees," he said.

Alderman Patrick Madigan also objected to raising fees for liquor licenses without raising other city fees. "The city does need money to run. Maybe we do need to raise fees," he said. "But it is not fair to license holders right now to raise only liquor license fees. We need a comprehensive view of what’s going into the general fund."

Alderman Glenn Shelton, chairman of the committee, said he agreed that the council should have a comprehensive view of the general fund, but he did not agree that liquor license fees should not be raised at this time. "We are modifying the liquor code now. We can’t do all the codes at once," he said.

William Melton, also a member of the committee, suggested raising the fees by $100 each. "That’s a way of saying to license holders, ‘We want to work with you,’" he told the council.

Shelton pointed out that the council had heard the comments of the license holders and responded to some of them. "We took their comments, read them, discussed them and said, let’s see if we can compromise. We gave them an hour Sunday and lowered the cost of one license," he pointed out.

The council had previously agreed to allow license holders to begin serving liquor at 12 noon on Sunday instead of 1 p.m.

"I’m hearing the committee going back on what they verbally agreed to do," Shelton said.

He also said he had had license holders come to him who didn’t complain about the increase.

Fuhrer said he wished to keep the fee for a Class A license, which allows package liquor sales but no consumption, at $1,250, and a Class B license (a new category), which allows liquor to be sold for consumption on the premises only, at $1,000. A Class C license, which allows consumption of liquor on or off the premises, would be either $1,000 or $1,250. The Class C license replaces the old tavern license.

Shelton said he would not go along with a new code that did not have some fee increase. "License holders expect a license fee increase, and the city needs the money," he said. The fees have not been increased since 1989.

The committee has been working on the new liquor code since late summer and has had one meeting at which all license holders were allowed to give their opinions about the proposed new code, which they had received before the meeting.

Shelton asked that the committee meet again next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., before the regular council meeting. "I suggest we look at this again and come back next week," he said. The fifth member of the committee, Alderman Michael Montcalm, was not present at Tuesday’s meeting. The next regular Lincoln City Council meeting will be on Tuesday instead of Monday because of the holiday, Martin Luther King Day.

[Joan Crabb]

Chaired by Phil Mahler, members Paul Gleason, Doug Dutz, Dave Hepler, Dick Logan and T.W. Werth discussed the matter and had voted 6-0 at their last meeting to agree to stay with the current "at-large" system.

However, no motion was made to recommend this position to the board, which meets in a working session Thursday night.

Board members Rod White and Roger Bock attended as guests to discuss the issue.

White, from New Holland, has advocated a system of districts in the county, with board members coming from those districts.

"I would like to ask the committee two things," White said. "One, do you plan to recommend to the board that this is your position; and, two, would you hold off on the board's vote until after the April election in order to find out what the voters prefer?"

The board must vote by July whether to continue the present system or change to electing by districts.

According to state law, the advisory referendum can be placed on the ballot in two ways. The board can vote to have the question placed on the ballot, or a petition drive — which must obtain approximately 2,000 signatures, based upon a percentage of registered voters — can have the measure placed before the voters through a court order.

Bock, who farms in the Elkhart area, asked board member Paul Gleason how the decision had originally been made to elect representatives by the "at-large" system.

Gleason said it stemmed from the 1970 Illinois constitution, and the decision at that time was made by the former township supervisors.

Bock told committee members that he had no problem with the way the board functioned but felt that the public should have this opportunity. "The public has never had an opportunity to give their opinion on the type of election process we have," he said.

Both White and Bock expressed their concerns that they weren't advocating any particular form at this time. They mainly want the issue placed on the ballot in order to get input from the voters.

Gleason said that if it is placed on the ballot, two questions could be placed along with it, asking if the voters want the chairman of the County Board elected and if they want the number of members on the board reduced.

"There are other counties that are able to operate with a fewer number on their boards," Gleason said. "It would also help by saving tax money with fewer board members," he said.

Since no motion was made to make this recommendation to the full board, White said that he would bring it up to the board at their Thursday meeting.

"I want to go through the appropriate channels," White said. "This committee is where the issue should be addressed first," he added.

[Fuzz Werth]

East Lincoln Township Republicans will have their caucus at 7 p.m. in the third floor courtroom at the Logan County Courthouse. Democrats will caucus at the same time in another courtroom.

West Lincoln Republicans will meet at 7 p.m. in the West Lincoln Township garage at 651 Stringer Ave. at 7 p.m. The Democrats will caucus in the same place at 8 p.m.

In Broadwell Township, Democrats will meet at the township hall at 6:30, while Republicans will meet at the same location at 7 p.m.

The Chester Township Democrats will caucus at the Chester Town Hall at 7 p.m., and the Republicans will meet at the same location at 8 p.m.

Both Atlanta Township caucuses will be held at 6:30 p.m. Democrats will meet at the Atlanta City Hall, and Republicans will meet at the firehouse.

In Aetna Township both caucuses will be held at the Chestnut firehouse. Democrats will meet at 6 p.m. and Republicans at 7 p.m.

In Eminence Township, the Democrats will meet in the Eminence Town Hall at 6 p.m. and the Republicans in the same location at 7 p.m.

In Corwin Township, the Republican caucus will be at the Middletown Middle School at 7 p.m., and the Democrats will meet at the Town Hall at 6 p.m.

In Elkhart Township, Democrats will meet at the Elkhart Town Hall at 7 p.m. and Republicans at 7:30 in the same location.

In Lake Fork Township, Democrats will meet at the Lake Fork Town Hall at 6 p.m. and Republicans at 7 p.m.

Hurlbut Township Democrats will meet in the Hurlbut Township building at 6 p.m., while Republicans will meet at the same location at 6:30 p.m.

Mount Pulaski Republicans will meet at the Mount Pulaski Legion Hall at 7:30 p.m. Democrats in Mount Pulaski Township will meet at the Township Office at 7:30 p.m.

In Prairie Creek Township, Democrats will meet in the garage of Blair Hoerbert, 2506 100th Ave., San Jose, at 7 p.m., and Republicans will meet at the same location at 7:30 p.m.

In Sheridan Township, Democrats will meet at the New Holland Village Hall at 6:30 p.m., and Republicans will meet there at 7:30.

In Laenna Township, Democrats will caucus in the township office at 6:30 p.m., and Republicans will caucus in the same location at 7:30 p.m.

Orvil Township Democrats will meet in the Emden Firehouse at 7 p.m., and Republicans will meet at 7 p.m. at the Emden Village Hall.

Oran Township will have its caucus on Jan. 16, with Democrats meeting at the Township Hall at 7 p.m. and Republicans meeting at the fire station at 7 p.m.

A caucus is one method towns and villages with a population under 5,000 can use to nominate candidates for local offices. At a caucus, established political parties name candidates who are then approved by one of several methods of voting: either by ballot, voice vote or standing vote.

In Atlanta, the Republican Party named incumbents to run again: Bill Martin, mayor; Kenneth Martin, clerk; and Vicki Martin, treasurer. The party also named Fred Finchum to run as alderman in the first ward, Darrell Deverman to run as second ward alderman, and Billie Cheek, incumbent, to run as third ward alderman.

The Democratic Party in Atlanta named Taplia (Jack) Renfrow, former first ward alderman, to run for mayor, and Ricky G. Lynch to run as alderman in the second ward. No other candidates were named. Incumbent aldermen whose terms run until 2003 are Mark Flynn, first ward; Adam McVey, second ward; and Dale Colaw, third ward.

In Hartsburg, the Citizens Party slated Thomas Anderson for village president, Doris Last for village clerk, and Thomas P. Mikelson and Philip Langley for trustee. They are all incumbents. Dean Leesman was named as trustee to replace Lois Sherwood, who is retiring. Three other trustees, Ruth Aper, Norma Bathe and Bob Detmers, are serving terms that do not expire until 2003. No other party in Hartsburg named candidates.

In Emden, the People’s Party slated three incumbents: Ivan Rademaker as village president, Frank Pieper as village clerk and Joe Hackett as trustee. Also slated for trustee are new candidates Kay Melton and Crystal Flatley. Incumbent trustees whose terms will be up in 2003 are Gene Cross, Nick Rohlfs and Ron Barry. No other party named candidates.

In Broadwell, the People’s Party named Warren Bradley, a former village trustee, as village president and Deanna Bradley as village clerk. They will replace retiring D. Keith Hunter as president and Ruthann Ridgeway as clerk. Named to run for trustee were Paul Muchow, Bill Kennett and Lee Benner. Incumbent trustees whose terms will be up in 2003 are Roger Reeves, Bill Hilgendorf and Charlie Ridgeway. No other party nominated candidates.

In Elkhart, a large number of people turned out for the Citizens Party caucus. They named incumbents Dayle Eldredge to run for village president and Gwen Rosenfeld for village clerk. Four trustees were slated: incumbents Tim Gleason and Dan Durchholz, and new candidates Joe Olson and Charles Matthews. The additional trustee was slated to run this year because Eldredge, then a trustee, was appointed mayor after the resignation of former mayor Terry Moore. Two trustees, Jeff Kutz and Tom Moore, have terms that will expire in 2003. No other party fielded candidates.

In San Jose the Citizens Party nominated Duane Worlow for village president, replacing George Weyhrich, who is stepping down after serving two terms. Incumbent Joy Zimmerman was re-slated for village clerk, as were incumbent trustees Jim Hidgon and Ray Satchfield. Ken Kastner Jr. was named for the third trustee seat on the Citizens Party slate.

The Independent Party also chose candidates. Ida M. McWilliams was slated for village president and Danny McWilliams, Billy Blackstock and Larry Andereck as trustees. The Independent Party did not nominate a candidate for village clerk.

Incumbent trustees in San Jose whose terms will not be up until 2003 are Brent Coburn, Bradley Martin and Joe Elks.

The candidates for offices in Latham were not immediately available but will be announced later.

Three municipalities in Logan County — Mount Pulaski, New Holland and Middletown — will nominate their candidates using the petition method. Under this method, candidates file petitions on a nonpartisan basis with local election officials, usually city or village clerks. Any number of candidates may file petitions as long as the petitions contain enough signatures: 10 percent of the votes cast for that office in the previous election. Petitions may be filed between Jan. 15 and the Jan. 23 deadline.

"Unfortunately, if you mail a letter with a 33-cent stamp any time after the last pickup at your post office Saturday, Jan. 6, you will get your letter back," said Jane Baize, postmistress at Atlanta. "You will have to add a one-cent stamp. But the post office has printed a great supply of peel-off one-cent stamps."

[The American kestrel, formerly known as the sparrow hawk, is pictured on the new one-cent stamp.]

She expects to have a busy morning Monday at the Atlanta facility selling the one-centers. "It will be the busiest day of the entire year — busier than Christmas or income tax time. I’ll see people from out in the country that I don’t see all year. It’ll be a big occasion."

However, people who live on rural delivery routes don’t even have to come to the post office. Their mail carrier has both penny stamps and the new 34-cent stamps, Baize said. Also, postage can be ordered over the post office’s website, www.usps.gov, or by calling their toll-free number, 1-800-STAMPS-24.

"Most of our small businesses here buy their postage online," Baize said. "It’s great for small businesses. The search engine at the website explains it all step by step."

The 34-cent first-class stamps will have pictures of the Statue of Liberty and some attractive florals, Baize said, and a new love stamp will be out later this month. The one-cent stamp carries a picture of a sparrow hawk (also called a kestrel).

Baize is looking forward to greeting her customers Monday morning, but she’s sure she will hear some complaints about the higher prices.

"I’m the closest thing to the federal government most of my customers see. Some of them think I have control of all areas of the government. The truth is, I don’t even have much control over the post office."