[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.

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[Joan Crabb]

[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."

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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]

[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.

[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."

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[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]

[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."

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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."

1. Hard worker
2. Professional
3. Kind
4. Nice
5. Strong
6. Determined
7. Sinner
8. Powerful
9. Leader
10. Fun
11. Never forgotten

12. Friend

But the 13^th is Larry in a nutshell, the way he would like to be remembered:

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]

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.

[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).

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.

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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.

[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]

[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.

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[Joan Crabb]

[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.

[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.

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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 90^th 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]

[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."

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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]

[JUNE 5, 2001]  Salaries for department heads as well as new committee appointments were announced at Monday night’s Lincoln City Council meeting.

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[Joan Crabb]

[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.

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"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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