Amtrak
drops 9:20 a.m. Lincoln-
Chicago run for the summer
[JUNE
9, 2001] Thinking
about a train trip this summer? If you want to leave from Lincoln,
don’t plan to ride Amtrak’s 9:20 a.m. Texas Eagle to Chicago.
|
To
accommodate work on the track, the northbound Texas Eagle from
Springfield to Chicago has been rerouted on weekdays, beginning on
May 30 and continuing until at least Labor Day, according to media
relations representative Kevin Johnson.
The
Texas Eagle, which operates between San Antonio and Chicago,
connects Lincoln to both Chicago and St. Louis. The southbound
train, which leaves Lincoln at 6:25 a.m., will not be affected by
the schedule change. The train will also operate on its normal
schedule on weekends.
Lincoln
riders who want to get to the Windy City or other points north have
several options. They can catch the State House, which heads north
at 6:40 a.m., or, if they want to arrive at stations north of
Lincoln late in the day, they can board the Ann Rutledge, which
departs from Lincoln at 4:27 p.m.
![](../images/ads/neal_tire/neal_04_01_oillube.gif)
Those
who want to leave later in the morning can go to the Normal Amtrak
station, where they can get express bus service to Chicago.
They
may also go to Springfield, where the northbound Texas Eagle will be
rerouted northeast toward Clinton and Gilman and will continue to
Chicago on tracks owned by the Canadian National/Illinois Central
Railroad. The rerouted train will take about 1½ to 2 hours longer
to reach Chicago.
[to top of second column in
this article]
|
![](../images/ads/logan_cty_health_dpt/smoke%20free%20ad%206_01a.gif)
Travelers
arriving in Springfield on weekdays from destinations to the south
will be bused to stops in Lincoln, Bloomington-Normal, Pontiac and
Joliet.
The
work on the railroad track is necessary to permit faster train
speeds, according to an Amtrak press release. Amtrak is working
toward bringing high-speed passenger rail service to the Midwest,
with speeds of up to 110 miles per hour, and construction work to
improve the line will require some service disruptions. Summer
schedule changes are likely for the next three years, Johnson said.
Delays of 15 to 30 minutes can also be expected in the Chicago-St.
Louis corridor.
![](../images/ads/crisis%20pregnancy%20center/crisis_04_01.gif)
For more information about
schedules, fares and reservations, visit Amtrak’s website at www.amtrak.com
or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
[Joan
Crabb]
|
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Madigan
to head panel studying insurance program for retired teachers
[JUNE
9, 2001] Sen.
Bob Madigan has been named to a special, temporary Senate committee
which is being asked to find solutions to the financial crisis
facing the Teachers Retirement Insurance Program.
|
Madigan,
who chairs the Senate Insurance and Pensions Committee, was named
chairman of the special panel by Senate President James
"Pate" Philip on Wednesday. Retired teachers covered by
the program are facing the prospect of significant premium increases
because of the plan’s financial problems.
"It
will be our task to assess the financial health of the
program," said Madigan, R-Lincoln. "Once we get an
accurate picture of TRIP’s status, we can begin offering proposals
to address the problem. Our goal should be to keep TRIP a viable,
stable plan that offers affordable health-care coverage. Hopefully,
we will be ready to take specific action during the fall veto
session."
[to top of second column in
this article]
|
In
addition to Madigan as chairman of the Special Senate Committee on
the Teachers Retirement Insurance Program, President Philip
appointed Sens. Stan Weaver, R-Urbana; Tom Walsh, R-LaGrange Park;
and Dave Syverson, R-Rockford to the panel. Four additional senators
are to be named to the committee by the Senate minority leader.
Other committee members will include representatives of the Illinois
Retired Teachers Association, the Illinois Education Association,
the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Illinois Association of
School Boards, the Illinois Association of School Administrators and
the director of the Illinois Department of Central Management
Services.
The
committee is directed to discuss options
for the financial future of TRIP and report its recommendations to
the Senate no later than
Nov. 1.
[News
release]
|
|
|
History
is where the action is
in Logan County
[JUNE
8, 2001] Paul
Beaver, chairman of the Video Committee for the Looking for Lincoln
project, announced at the meeting on Wednesday, June 6, that he has
interviewed three good video companies that have the potential to
complete a video by September. Another company from Springfield has
also applied for an interview.
|
Plans
are under way to solicit local residents to participate in the
video, decide on local sites and also locate pictures that depict
Lincoln’s involvement in Logan County. The video is expected to
last 15 to 20 minutes. Scenes which will be in the video include
Postville Courthouse where Lincoln practiced law, the Stage Coach
Inn in Middletown, Edwards Trace on Elkhart Hill, Mount Pulaski
Courthouse, the Lincoln Depot and many other locations.
![](../images/060801pics/postville%20people.jpg)
[Pictured with Richard Schachtsiek, Postville
Courthouse site manager (center), are Cathy Hawkinson, wife of Dave
Hawkinson of Corn Belt Energy Corporation, and Stu Churchill of
Menard Electric Cooperative. Hawkinson and Churchill are involved in
the volunteer program at the Postville Courthouse in Lincoln.
Photo and caption courtesy of Illinois Country Living magazine.]
Shirley
Bartelmay, chairman of the Postville Cluster Committee, reported
that Postville Courthouse Site Manager Richard Schachtsiek, Cathy
Hawkinson and Stu Churchill are involved in the volunteer program at
the Postville Courthouse and were recently featured in the Illinois
Country Living Magazine. Schachtsiek, Illinois Historic Preservation
Agency’s site manager for both the Postville Courthouse and Mount
Pulaski Courthouse, states as following in the article: "Mount
Pulaski was the first county seat and was used in the circuit for
approximately seven or eight years in the 1840s. In 1853, the county
seat was moved to Lincoln because it was the largest and busiest
town in Logan County."
[to top of second column in
this article]
|
![](../images/060801pics/lincoln%20wagon.jpg)
[Lincoln College Museum]
Lincoln
College has received a grant of $1 million to use for expansion of
the Lincoln College Museum. Ron Keller, museum director, advised the
group the new museum will be 6,000 square feet in size. He has
already received two new Lincoln items to place in the museum. It is
expected that many additional visitors will stop at the museum,
which is currently located in the Lincoln College McKinstry Library
building about a mile south of Old Route 66 at the Nicholson Road
exit.
Larry
Steffens, chairman of the Lincoln Statue Committee, reported that he
has contacted many representatives in the county, covering different
areas, such as tourism, city and county government, Chamber of
Commerce, motel owners, service stations, retailing, and engineering
and structural firms. The committee has estimated that 150 to 250
acres will be needed for an appropriate site for the theme park.
The
next Looking for Lincoln meeting will be Wednesday, June 20, at 7
p.m.
[Kathleen
McCullough]
|
|
A
crowning achievement -- Part 2
The late Larry
Shroyer
remembered at ESDA dedication
[JUNE
8, 2001] The
Logan County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency celebrated the
completion of its facility at an evening dedication Wednesday, May
30. The Crisis Management Center was dedicated in the memory of
Larry Shroyer. A number of people came forward at the dedication to
offer words of reflection and praise about the development of the
new ESDA program and facility.
[Click
here for more photos from the ESDA dedication]
|
[click
here for Part 1]
Larry
Shroyer was posthumously honored for the night
Fulscher
struggled, obviously overwhelmed by the memory of this uncommon man,
Larry Shroyer. Shroyer had much to do with the development of our
disaster agency as it is today and, on a personal note, was a
longtime family friend and personal model of community service to
Fulscher. The plans, the acquisition of equipment and the building
space all had Shroyer’s visionary hand on them. "If not for
Larry Shroyer, this entire lower-level floor of the Safety Complex
which is used for the disaster agency, including this Crisis
Management Center meeting room, would not exist," proclaimed
Fulscher.
Shroyer
was credited for using his many talents, his foresight and ambition
toward helping many community projects, and, above all, he was noted
for "getting things done." He solicited federal funds and
volunteer help. Some of his accomplishments include gaining $200,000
for the airport, funding and organization for the local blood bank,
and he is known honorably for reporting a murder as a witness. The
accused was found guilty.
Schroyer
developed the first
emergency operations plan
His
model decision-making thought, "What’s best for
citizens?" has led to practices that are still followed today.
Fulscher marveled, "It amazes me that to this day much of the
planning that Larry Shroyer did in the ’50s through the ’70s
are still what we use today. He knew people, and he put that much
thought into his plans that they only need to be changed into
modern-day application."
Logan
County Board member Doug Dutz, in charge of the Logan County ESDA/Law
Enforcement Committee, spoke a few words. He recounted what was once
said here, "Things happen, but we don’t have a way to deal
with them."
"At
one time we had no dive equipment," said Dutz. "Larry
Shroyer saw that need and was instrumental in getting
equipment."
Those
plans continue to be
amplified today
Today
Dutz heartily credits Fulscher for his leadership, saying,
"Working with Dan, we’ve really gotten a lot done!"
Lincoln
Mayor Beth Davis praised Fulscher, saying, "We are really
fortunate to have such an honorable and public servant."
Macon
County ESDA Coordinator Phil Anello complimented Fulscher for all
his assistance, saying, "I have gained about 90 percent of my
training working with Logan County ESDA during my four years as
Macon County coordinator." Anello first came over to meet with
Fulscher and gain some information and training due to the numerous
disaster incidents in Logan County.
In
the last four years Fulscher has also called on Anello to come help
us. Fulscher said, "He has been a great help coming over
assisting with a number of Logan County disasters." Anello and
Fulscher have it worked out that should either county be affected by
a disaster, the other county would have somewhere to go for
assistance.
"I’m
sure this room is going to be useful. Of course, we all hope this
room will never be used, but we all know this is not so,"
Anello stated. "We can’t keep tornadoes or anything else from
striking."
Fulscher
said that he relied heavily on the leading of Pat Keane, regional
coordinator of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. Keane was
invaluable in getting Fulscher going in the right direction when he
first stepped into the job. Keane assisted Fulscher with developing
training for departments and laying out a five-year plan for ESDA.
"Pat led me to where grant money could be found and told me how
to get it," Fulscher acknowledged. He added, "We were just
the soldiers."
[to top of second column in
this article]
|
Anello
stated that he has been impressed with the project support by local
government in Lincoln and Logan County and praised them saying,
"They really deserve the credit for their commitment."
Shroyer’s
nephew, Darwin Shroyer, was present to receive the honorable
acknowledgments of Shroyer’s efforts that continue to benefit all
of us in Logan County to this day.
Fulscher
took a moment to appreciate the wonderful talents of the people who
are manning the office on a day-to-day basis. Diane Ruff was
recognized for her diverse abilities, willingness to take care of a
multitude of tasks and keeping the office running smoothly. Terry
Storer, who started in December, provides a great counterbalance
with his "patient, calm, reassuring, dedicated manner."
In
closing, Dan Fulscher said, "I’d like, as my goal, to be
remembered as Larry Schroyer is remembered. I’d like to share with
you 13 characteristics that were attributed to him."
- Hard worker
- Professional
- Kind
- Nice
- Strong
- Determined
- Sinner
- Powerful
- Leader
- Fun
- Never forgotten
-
Friend
But
the 13th is Larry in a nutshell, the way he would like to
be remembered:
13. A GOOD MAN
Additional
Shroyer tributes
Paul
Beaver recalled with humor the intensity that Shroyer had when he
saw a thing that needed to be done. The time was the ’70s, and
Beaver was sitting on the Logan County Board with Shroyer. Shroyer
recognized that coordinating an ambulance service between city and
county would have benefits to all. He arranged to meet with
representatives from both sides, knowing that such a concept was
likely to meet with great differences of opinion, and he prepared
for it.
Present
for the meeting were Everett Cherry, Logan County Board member in
charge of Civil Defense, and board member Bud Behrends. Joining them
from the city were Harold Fulscher and Rene Hoagland. Shroyer
presented his plan, it was discussed and voted on in 10 minutes, and
it was over! Having prepared to battle for it, it was very strange.
"He really didn’t know what else to do when it was
done!" Beaver chuckles.
While
many may not know whom to credit, one of Shroyer’s most notorious
contributions to Lincoln’s legends is the fabled telephone booth
that sits atop Lincoln City Hall. Also known as one of Lincoln’s
"Seven Wonders," it was Shroyer's practical idea of
tornado protection. Joanne Marlin laughs as she recalls when Shroyer recruited her as a volunteer for ESDA. He said to me,
"The first thing to learn is to go up on the roof, and if you
see bad weather, you get in that phone booth and call me. I’ll
sound the siren!"
City
Hall has been remodeled around that telephone booth, and the roof,
the telephone and his method of person-to-phone booth-to-person
communication is still used to this day.
Some
things never change, and some things shouldn’t. Mr. Shroyer saw
to that.
Thank
you, Larry!
[News
release]
|
|
A
crowning achievement -- Part 1
Larry
Shroyer Crisis Management
Center dedication completes ESDA plan
[JUNE
7, 2001] The
foresight and steady efforts of many Logan County public servants
have brought forth a facility and agency that we can take great
pride and assurance in. With the completion of the Crisis Management
Center in the lower level of the Logan County Safety Complex, our
county has become one of the most disaster-prepared counties in the
state. The room has been dedicated in memory of the late Larry
Schroyer. It brings to completion a long-worked-at, multi-stage
project.
|
Logan
County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency Director Dan Fulscher
spoke with obvious enthusiasm and appreciation for all those who
have had a hand in the development of the agency, equipment and its
facility. He spoke of many wonderful people who had vision for the
future, assisted in disaster planning, aided in acquiring federal
funding, and lots of interagency cooperation between city, county
and state.
![](../images/060701pics/esda%201.jpg)
[New Crisis Management Center room]
Some
history
Emergency
Services and Disaster Agency, once called the Civil Defense,
provides training and coordination between city, county and state
emergency agencies. They serve as incident coordinators for police,
fire and ambulance/paramedic services in disaster situations. The
present-day institution serves to protect and aid Logan County
citizens in the event of a manmade or natural disaster.
When
Fulscher first took over the work at ESDA as director, Logan County
had its share of disasters, but since that time we have become the
highest disaster-struck county in the state south of I-80. Since
1993 we have had 13 disaster declarations: five gubernatorial, seven
local and one presidential (the snowstorm of Christmas ’97).
![](../images/ads/maple/maple_ridge_4_01.jpg)
Recent
ESDA goals and developments
The
latest protocol began when Fulscher stepped into the position of
director. He first sought the guidance of several experienced
authorities and developed a working plan.
Step
1
Train
all local government leaders to work together in case of an
emergency. The new Lincoln mayor, Beth Davis, will soon undergo her
training for city leadership in the event of a disaster.
Step
2
Hazardous
material management has become included in all today’s training.
[to top of second column in
this article]
|
Step
3
Emergency
management training for all individual agencies as well as combined
departments is accomplished through regularly scheduled mock
disaster exercise days with all the agencies and departments working
together.
Step
4
Remodel
the lower level of the Safety Complex (CMC) to be ready after the
training and planning is completed.
![](../images/060701pics/esda%202.jpg)
[Dan Fulscher]
Fulscher
explains that before beginning his task of meeting the ESDA goals,
he chose a model structure: "I learned something; if you look
at this as an arrow, the government — state, county and city —
officials are the straight body of the shaft; all the
crisis-activated supporting agencies such as the police department,
fire department, sheriff’s department and so on are the feathers
on the arrow; ESDA is the arrowhead. It becomes a workable
model."
The
entire lower level of the facility now fully supports emergency
disaster efforts for Logan County, and in particular it is the newly
dedicated room that is of specific value as a central command center, a
location for leadership to meet and communicate effectively in an
emergency disaster situation.
Fulscher
says, "Larry Shroyer brought this diamond to our county, and
now we are just shining it up!"
(To
be continued)
[News
release]
[click
here for Part 2]
|
|
Homeowners
cite sewage problems,
ask for city hookup
[JUNE
7, 2001] Citing
"problems that can’t be solved," two homeowners on
Campus View Drive are asking the city of Lincoln to provide them
with hookups to the city’s sewer system.
|
"Wastewater
is coming up in my back yard," Mike Robbins of 450 Campus View
told the members of the city’s sewers and drainage committee
Monday night. "I can’t let my 4-year-old play in our back
yard."
"When
we have a 2-inch rain, I have sewage in my downstairs bathtub,"
said Kevin Bateman of 455 Campus View.
Bateman
and Robbins are two of the 12 homeowners on Campus View Drive who
have septic systems, even though their homes are in the city of
Lincoln and they pay city taxes. Other homes on Campus View Drive, a
dead-end gravel street that curves behind Lincoln Christian College
(LCC), are hooked up to the college’s sewer system.
![](../images/ads/neal_tire/neal_04_01_oillube.gif)
Robbins
said he had gotten advice from a sewer contractor about putting in
more laterals to make a larger septic field. However, since he has
only a 100-by-100-foot lot, adding 80 feet of laterals is still
"just a temporary fix."
Bateman,
who has a bi-level home, said his yard is "mostly clay"
and even if he dug up the entire back yard he could barely fit
enough laterals in it to fix the problem. He said rainwater also
flows into his yard from the street, adding to the overflow.
"We
need city sewers for the 12 houses out there," he told the
committee. He said he pays city taxes but gets no city services.
"We have no fire hydrants and no sewer. Finally last year we
got the city to plow the snow."
![](../images/ads/Key%20Printing/key.gif)
Grant
Eaton, sewer plant manager, said hooking up to the city’s sewer
system would solve the homeowners’ problems but pointed out there
are some questions that must be resolved first. Campus View Drive
belongs to the college, not the city, and the city cannot run sewer
lines down the road without permission. "The homes have been
annexed to the city, but the road isn’t a city road. It’s a
weird situation," Eaton said.
Bateman
said the college is willing to sign over the road to the city, but
only "as is," without making any improvements. Eaton noted
that the road does not meet city code, and the city would have the
expense of upgrading it. Also, the 2,300-foot sewer line that would
be needed to connect the homeowners to the city sewer would cost
$200 a linear foot, or about $460,000.
He
also said he believed LCC would like the city to take over their
sewage system and hook onto the city’s system, which could be
another expense. "The bargaining chip is on their side
now," he said.
![](../images/ads/prairie_years/Prairie_years_small_ad.gif)
[to top of second column in
this article]
|
![](../images/ads/logan_cty_health_dpt/smoke%20free%20ad%206_01a.gif)
"How
could this be paid for?" asked Bill Melton, chairman of the
sewer and drainage committee.
"Your
revenue is limited," Eaton answered, "and other people are
asking for an extension of the sewer system. Revenue has to be
looked at."
Eaton
and Melton said they would get in touch with the college to begin
working on some kind of solution, though Eaton warned the homeowners
that before any action can be taken the city must get permission
from the Illinois Environmental Protection Association, which could
take up to 90 days.
In
another matter involving costs to the city, aldermen debated paying
West Lincoln Township $16,000 for damage done to Connolley Road,
then decided to table the motion pending further communication with
the city’s insurance company.
The
damage was done in February when a sewer main break on Route 10 in
front of Greyhound Lube resulted in closing a section of the road.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) ordered that
eastbound traffic on Route 10 be rerouted down Connolley Road to
Fifth Street. Connolley Road was damaged by the unusually heavy
traffic, which included truck traffic.
Alderman
Steve Fuhrer asked if the insurance company had agreed to help pay
the costs of repair work.
"The
insurance company said that since we more or less agreed to reroute
traffic that way, we more or less agreed to be responsible for
it," City Clerk Juanita Josserand told the council.
"We
did not agree to reroute traffic. We questioned the state about
it," Grant Eaton, sewer plant manager, said. "That was
where we were told by the state to go. We did not agree to it and
did not like doing it."
"Can
we go after the state to share the costs?" Alderman Glenn
Shelton asked.
"We
can certainly try," City Attorney Jonathan Wright answered.
The
council asked Wright to contact both IDOT and the insurance company,
and on his advice tabled the motion to reimburse West Lincoln
Township.
"If you voluntarily
pay it, the insurance company may say you agreed to pay it,"
Wright explained.
[Joan
Crabb]
|
|
|
Bender
withdraws
candidacy for
state rep.
Statement
from Carla Bender
[JUNE
5, 2001] With
John Turner's recent acceptance of the opportunity to serve as an
Appellate Court justice, a vacancy was created for an appointment to
fill out his term in the Illinois General Assembly as state
representative. I have been encouraged and supported by a great many
people to participate in the process as a candidate to fill that
vacancy. Over the last month I have wrestled with the decision as to
whether to accept the appointment if chosen by the county chairmen
to fill the vacancy.
|
![](../images/060501pics/carla%20bender.jpg)
[Carla Bender]
It
is indeed a great honor to be considered for this appointment, and I
want to sincerely thank Justice Turner for his recommendation of me
to continue his work in the General Assembly. I also wish to thank
Congressman Ray LaHood, Republican Central Committee Chairman Ron
Sparks and all of those who have voiced their support for me for
this appointment. It has been a truly humbling experience to have so
many colleagues and supporters, people whom I have admired
professionally and personally and whose examples I have tried to
follow in my own public service career, offer their support and
commitment to me for the appointment to the office of state
representative. It is, for me, a personal reward to have received so
much encouragement and support, and I thank each and every
individual for their faith and confidence in me.
As
the mother of a 3-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son, a change
in careers such as this opportunity would present would bring with
it significant changes in my family's life. The demands and rigors
of a six-county campaign in the upcoming March primary to retain the
seat if I am appointed to it would impact my time with my family
greatly. After much heartfelt consideration and consternation my
husband, David, and I have decided that the timing of this
opportunity, given the youth of our children, is just not right for
our family. Therefore I would have to decline the appointment,
should I be fortunate enough to receive it. My children are my
highest priority, and I believe this is the best decision to make
for our family at this time.
[to top of second column in
this article]
|
I
have not completed all I've set out to do in the Circuit Court
clerk's office. Since being elected as Circuit Court clerk I have
worked very hard toward the goals and initiatives we've set in the
office. I am extremely proud of my staff and what we have
accomplished together over the last nine years, and it is a job in
which I feel I am making a difference. There is more work yet to be
done. I intend to continue to champion the cause of parents and
families in the still unresolved problems in the issue of child
support in this state.
Next
year I will serve with pride as the president of the Illinois
Circuit Clerks Association. We will continue our work on this and
other legislative and policy issues that affect our court systems
across the state. I intend to continue to provide the level of
quality service to the people of Logan County in my capacity as
Circuit Court clerk. It is truly my honor and privilege to serve the
people, and I love doing the people's work every day.
Again,
I offer my sincere thanks to the many citizens and fellow elected
officials who have expressed their support of me for this
appointment to the office of state representative. The gravity of
this decision is the only reason that I have not made it before now.
It has been an incredibly difficult decision to make.
I
wish the best to the other candidates in the appointment process and
know that the Republican Central Committee chairmen in the six
counties that comprise the 90th Representative District
will carefully consider all of the candidates and make a wise
decision. I sincerely thank each of them for the important work they
are doing. I look forward to the future challenges in my current
office, and I thank the people of Logan County for the opportunity
to serve them.
[News
release from Carla Bender,
clerk of the Circuit Court]
|
|
College
receives grant for new museum
[JUNE
5, 2001] Lincoln
College will benefit from Illinois lawmakers’ approval of the
state budget. Lincoln College will receive a $1 million grant from
the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. The grant is made
possible through bonds by the Build Illinois program.
|
Lincoln
College President Jack Nutt says the money will go toward building a
new Lincoln College Museum. "Our museum contains many
historical pieces of our namesake, Abraham Lincoln. We have joined
forces with the Looking for Lincoln project and are aiming to create
an environment that one day will complement the Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Library in Springfield. The money will allow the
Lincoln College Museum to increase its size from 1,200 to 6,000
square feet and will be the focal point of the new Lincoln
Center."
[to top of second column in
this article]
|
Nutt
said he appreciates the efforts of Sen. Bob Madigan, Rep. John
Turner and Gov. George Ryan. "This is a first for Lincoln
College. We are a private school and receive no direct tax dollars
from the public, so this is a real boost to our total program."
The
Lincoln Center, the new capstone building of Lincoln College, will
be located on the northeast side of campus. A fund-raising campaign
is currently under way to build the new Lincoln Center. Nutt said if
campaign goals are met, construction could begin as early as this
fall.
[Lincoln
College news release]
|
|
Salaries
set for city department heads; committee appointments announced
[JUNE
5, 2001] Salaries
for department heads as well as new committee appointments were
announced at Monday night’s Lincoln City Council meeting.
|
Police
Chief Richard Montcalm, appointed by Mayor Beth Davis to replace
former chief Richard Ludolph, will receive $48,834, a 4 percent
raise. Assistant Police Chief Harley Mullins will receive a 3
percent increase, bringing his salary to $47,566. Fire Chief Robert
"Bucky" Washam, appointed to replace Ken Ebelherr, will
also receive a 4 percent raise, to $48,834.
The
city’s three assistant fire chiefs, Donald Fulk, Larry Fulk and
Steve Dahm, will receive 3 percent raises, bringing their salaries
to $44,206.
Street
Superintendent Donnie Osborne’s salary will be $52,621, also a 4
percent raise; Les Last, head of the building and zoning office,
will receive a 4 percent raise to $34,869. Dave Mitchell, part-time
assistant in the building and zoning office, will receive $9.75 per
hour.
City
Attorney Jonathan Wright will get a $1,200 increase, bringing his
salary up to $64,200.
After
a brief executive session to discuss contracts for police
dispatchers, new annual salaries were announced for Jack Bishop,
$27,275; Larry Otte, $22,911; and Kevin Sampson, $21,820.
Dispatchers work 180 hours per month.
All
raises are retroactive to May 1, 2001.
Mayor
Davis also announced several new committee appointments. Saying she
believed the Liquor Commission needed to have three members, she
announced the appointments of Dave Story and City Treasurer Les
Plotner. The mayor is by law a member of the Liquor Commission.
John
Guzzardo, a former mayor, was appointed to be a member of the
Lincoln Planning Commission; Betty Story and Rex Mallekoote were
named to three-year terms on the Civil Service Commission; Dallas
Millard, retired Lincoln fire captain, was appointed to the BOCA
Board of Appeals; and Bob Johnson was appointed to the Zoning Board
of Appeals.
Davis
also named the members of the Lincoln Sesquicentennial Committee,
saying she wanted to begin planning for the Aug. 27, 2003,
celebration. Members are Davis; Aldermen Steve Fuhrer, Bill Melton,
Pat Madigan and Verl Prather; Wendy Bell of Main Street Lincoln;
Thressia Usherwood and Gillette Ransom, both members of the Logan
County Tourism Board; and historian Paul Beaver.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Members
of the city’s Historic Preservation Committee, whose goal is to
promote restoration of historic homes and other structures, are
Mayor Davis; Alderman Verl Prather; Betty York, chairman; Shirley
Bartelmay; library head Richard Sumrall; Lincoln impersonator
Charlie Ott; Brenda French; Julie Geradot; and historian Paul
Gleason. Davis said she hopes to locate and research more old homes
and other structures and expand the city’s historic district.
Representatives
to the Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities, Seniors, Veterans and
Youth will be Aldermen Joseph Stone and Bill Melton, as well as
Betty Verderber, Pat O’Neill, former mayoral candidate Jason
Harlow, Jeremy White and Bob Shanle.
Several
changes to the council’s committee assignments were also
announced. Alderman Glenn Shelton, not David Armbrust, will be the
representative to the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce;
Armbrust will be a voting member of the Logan County Economic
Development Council and also of the Logan County Development
Foundation.
In
other business, the city approved spending $7,800 for rifles and
clothing for the city police department’s first Emergency Response
Team. The funds will be taken out of the drug and alcohol fines.
Police Chief Richard Montcalm said the fund has more than $10,000 in
it and is replenished regularly from the fines. He said it is
appropriate to use funds from this source because, "If we didn’t
have a drug problem, we probably wouldn’t need the Emergency
Response Team." The six police officers on the team will
receive special training for the assignment.
The
council approved going out for bids for a skid steer loader for the
sewage plant, equipment which will also be used by the street
department.
Council members also heard
from Bill White of Insight Communications that rates for cable
television service will increase by 25 cents to $1.55, according to
the type of service, as of July 1. He also noted a $4.95 fee has
been added for payments received more than 45 days late.
[Joan
Crabb]
|
|
Giant
ladybug not a science
experiment gone haywire
[JUNE
5, 2001] Jason
Harlow, chief pilot of Skycruiser Balloon Promotions in Lincoln, has
announced a partnership with LTA Marketing in Murphysboro, enabling
Skycruiser to lease "She’s A Lady," a 75-foot-tall,
ladybug-shaped hot-air balloon.
|
"This
is a very exciting time for our company to move from the
conventional-shaped balloons to the exotic, crowd-pleasing
special-shaped balloons," said Harlow.
"She’s
A Lady" sports six 12-foot long legs and a 15-foot-tall head,
complete with antennas.
The
balloon will be making appearances at festivals across the United
States, Mexico, and Canada this summer and fall.
Some
locations include Quebec City, Canada; Juárez, Mexico; El Paso,
Texas; Canton, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Okla.; and Albuquerque, N.M.
It
is still unknown if the balloon will be appearing at the Lincoln Art
and Balloon Festival in late August, as negotiations are still
taking place.
Future
plans by Skycruiser do include the acquisition of more
special-shaped balloons, as company focus is shifting from private
and corporate functions to partnerships with various balloon
festivals.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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![](../images/060501pics/ladybug1.jpg)
"People
in Lincoln should not be surprised to possibly see 110-foot-tall
cactuses, 75-foot-tall ladybugs, or any other odd-shaped creations
floating over Lincoln in the future," said Harlow.
[News
release]
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