[JUNE 25, 2001]  A decision on the video production of Looking for Lincoln will be made Wednesday, June 27, according to Paul Beaver, committee chairman. A final meeting of the committee will determine which company will complete the documentary.

The committee has presented to the production companies the information requested to be included in the documentary. The planners feel they have many photographs, local people and stories of incidents that will make an interesting historical panorama. The video will include scenes of the Middletown Stage Coach Inn, conversation with Mr. Lincoln and John D. Gillett in Elkhart, a courtroom scene in Mount Pulaski and pictures by Lloyd Ostendorf, as well as other photographs and paintings which will convey everyday scenes and events in the life of Abraham Lincoln in Logan County. Local residents who have any historical photographs or paintings of Abraham Lincoln are asked to contact Paul Beaver.

Shirley Bartelmay reported that during the month of May over 200 visitors stopped at the Postville Courthouse to discover the history of Abraham Lincoln's work as a circuit lawyer in Logan County. She said that 123 visitors came individually and 96 school children arrived in three separate groups.

 The site is looking for more volunteers, as occasionally some of the present volunteers go on vacation or have other necessities arise. The training is entertaining and interesting. The 47 current volunteers include schoolteachers and many senior citizens. Richard Schachtsiek, site manager, is present at the courthouse every Friday and Saturday. Volunteers may contact him there and also have a chance to see the courthouse if they have not visited in the past.

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The Lincoln College Museum has also shown an increase in attendance due to the Looking for Lincoln activities. Museum curator Ron Keller reported that attendance and sales have increased. Over 400 people have visited the museum recently, among them a woman from York, England, and a group from Virginia, as well as many other tourists.

Larry Steffens, chairman of the Lincoln Statue Committee, reported that a short video has been made to provide information to the public regarding the proposed living history theme park, including wagon rides, split rail fences, 1850 manned and working mills and barns. The videos have been distributed for public viewing at the following businesses: Wal-Mart, Bonanza, IGA, Kroger, video stores, Lincoln Public Library, City Hall, Franz Express and others.

[Kathleen McCullough]

[JUNE 25, 2001]  Community leaders here are continuing to bring the construction of a 305-foot statue of Lincoln artist Lloyd Ostendorf’s depiction of Abraham Lincoln closer to reality. Videotapes explaining their plans and answering the many questions that residents of this historical city have posed are being shown throughout the area. The videos have been distributed for public viewing at the following businesses: Wal-Mart, Bonanza, IGA, Kroger, video stores, Lincoln Public Library, City Hall, Franz Express and others.

Committee members feel that educating the residents of the city as to the benefits to be derived from this project is an important first step in securing the support of the entire community for honoring the city’s connection to Mr. Lincoln.

Mayor Beth Davis and the Lincoln City Council overwhelmingly back the project and believe that the increased popularity of the city of Lincoln as a national tourist destination could answer many of the area’s economic woes.

One of the prime concerns of the committee is to maintain control of the project and constantly work to make the statue and the adjacent theme park area a family-oriented destination that will honor and display the values and ideals for which Abraham Lincoln was famous.

The theme areas at the park could encompass the statue as the centerpiece, with outdoor theatre, IMAX theatre, art gallery and animatronic displays of Lincoln’s famous moments in history.

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Other areas could be dedicated to an early 1800s working farmstead, an area for period arts and crafts with costumed workers lending authenticity to the attractions, a water park which would be a summer attraction, and many more.

The next committee meeting, for voting members only, will be at 7 p.m. June 26 at the Union Planters Bank. This session will work on the prioritizing of the proposed sites for the park in conjunction with the city’s managers and engineers.

The statue committee is actively seeking endorsements from all of the area’s civic groups and will be glad to make presentations of the project upon request. Larry Steffens says that many of the little issues have been resolved following the original presentation of the project, and a new PowerPoint presentation has been prepared. You can contact Larry Steffens at 732-6102 to schedule a presentation.

[News release]

[JUNE 23, 2001]  ^"This is your next state representative. He emerged from an outstanding field of candidates after a deliberate and thorough process. He is articulate, sincere, honest, intelligent, blessed with common sense and a strong work ethic."

With these words John Turner of Atlanta, for almost seven years the state representative from the 90th District, introduced his successor, Jonathan Wright. Turner, now a 4th District Appellate Court Justice, wore his robes as he administered the oath of office to Wright in a standing-room-only second-floor courtroom in the Logan County courthouse Friday afternoon. 

"You are embarked on a great journey. You will have good days and bad days. But the honor of representing the 105,000 people of this district is one you will never forget," Turner said. 

"I am honored and humbled to receive the appointment from among so many fine, strong candidates. I know it was a difficult decision," Wright told the crowd. "John Turner has been a fine representative for this district and set a high standard. I will try to meet it." 

Wright was chosen from a field of seven candidates by the Republican Party chairmen of the six counties that are in the 90th District. He will complete Turner's unexpired term and will run again for the seat in November of 2002. 

"We had a lot of good candidates. I think we made a good selection," said Ron Sparks, Logan County GOP chairman. 

"It was the right choice," affirmed Jered Hooker, DeWitt County GOP chairman and at one time a contender for the office. He and Sparks both said the six GOP chairmen, whose choice was unanimous, and the other candidates would support Wright in his election bid next fall.

Wright said he would assume his new duties immediately, with a high priority on getting out into the district and getting to know his constituents. He said he has already informed Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis that he will be resigning as city attorney, although he will stay until the city finds a replacement. 

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Asked if he would continue with a private law practice, Wright said he might practice some real estate law but would not be involved in litigation and would not serve as city attorney because of the time commitment necessary. 

Wright was appointed city attorney by Lincoln's former mayor Joan Ritter when she took office in 1997. Ritter attended the swearing-in ceremony along with a number of other city, county and 90th District officials. 

"I think they selected a man of good character and morals. He's not abrasive, and he will do well serving the citizens of the 90th District," Ritter said. 

Turner resigned after his appointment to the Appellate Court, and the GOP chairmen of Logan, Mason, DeWitt, Tazewell, McLean and Piatt, which are all or in part in the 90th District, had the job of choosing a successor. 

No one knows whether or how much the upcoming redistricting will change the 90th District before Wright runs for the seat, according to Sparks.

"The map has moved northward after the last census. The last two times they've remapped, the district has moved north," he said. A further move north might remove some of Logan County from the district. 

Although Wright himself has never run for political office, politics runs in the family. His father, Harold Wright, a former high school teacher in Wheaton, was a precinct committeeman in Bloomingdale Township in the western suburbs of Chicago. 

"I've done my share of walking door to door, and Jon carried pamphlets, too," the elder Wright said. 

After retiring as a teacher, Harold Wright was appointed regional representative for the Department of Education for Region 5, which includes the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

He later served as administrator of management services for the Department of Education during the Ronald Reagan administration, working under both Secretaries T. H. Bell and William Bennett. 

Wright's parents, his sister, his wife and three daughters, along with many friends, attended the ceremony.

[Joan Crabb]

In memory of Dan Bird

[JUNE 23, 2000]  A gentle soul, one who truly loved mankind, has slipped from our presence here on earth. Dan Bird passed away on Wednesday evening this past week.

Bird granted Lincoln Daily News an interview for our Thanksgiving issue last year. In his memory and in honor of his wife, Elaine, we offer this re-posting of that interview. Our condolences to the family of this wonderful man.

[Originally posted NOV. 22, 2000]  Thanksgiving. We pause now to offer thanks. On the eve of that big thankful day of the year, what are your thoughts? Are you too preoccupied thinking of all there is to do for the holiday — all the shopping, fixing meals, taking care of kids, running around on errands, cleaning, company coming over — all the proverbial ups and downs of the holidays.

Whether you are simply wondering what someone else finds to be grateful for on this chilly day here in the heartland, or are on a quest to sort out your own thankfulness, you are sure to glean something from the insights gained by one local man’s experience. He shares from the heart his profound experience. He has boiled it down to the most important of the important.

Dan and Elaine Bird came to Lincoln four years ago for Dan to study at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He graduated in May with a master of arts in counseling ministry. The following is an account of his unique experience that brings him to say, "I’ve just got to be the most grateful person in Logan County."

Wouldn’t we all like to say that? If we could take heed of the lessons he so graciously shares with us here, we could all be living much fuller lives.

After about five years of battling prostate cancer we’d exhausted most of the traditional methods, and one year ago tomorrow, the day before Thanksgiving, I got the bad news that the cancer had spread from small spots on the bones to all over the bones from head to toe — from my skull to down near my ankles and all points in between, and, something it doesn’t normally do, it even went to the liver.

I was pretty shaken up. It was a rough Thanksgiving and a rough Christmas. At that point, since we had exhausted everything that is considered effective, my future was looking pretty bleak. Most people, including medical personnel, were pretty sure that it was going to be my last holiday last year, and anyone that knew my prognosis believed that that was going to be it! And I fell in line with them. I believed that they were correct.

I wrote a will, I planned a funeral. I called all the people I wanted to be pallbearers, the whole nine yards, so I could get that behind me and so that my wife wouldn’t have to deal with it. Anything else I felt like I needed bring to closure, I did! Any conversations I need to have, that kind of thing (I did).

But, it’s a year later and the next Thanksgiving is just one day away, and I’m here! 2000 was such a roller coaster I’m out of breath. We did some nontraditional therapy and chemotherapy, which is usually not very effective against prostate cancer. It has been moving the cancer back. At least at this moment that’s what’s been happening.

So, I’m looking forward to this Thanksgiving. This Thursday is going to be my best Thanksgiving. I’m going to my son’s house, and I am incredibly grateful. I am so, so, looking forward to Christmas!

Q: What do you find to be thankful for this year?

A: Oh my — being here, this is a big thing for me! I am not taking it for granted, because I was so convinced I would not be alive for this coming Thanksgiving and Christmas. I had a lot of reasons to believe that.

I know it sounds trite to say I am grateful to be alive, but I guess you really have to experience having it taken away from you to really appreciate it. I guess it would be like someone having their sight restored or their hearing restored. I’m incredibly grateful just to be here this year.

I guess probably what really adds color to it all is how close I have gotten to so many people this last couple of years while I was dealing with cancer. This last year, particularly when people thought I was going to die, how deeply they would share with me, how much they would care for me. I am so grateful for the relationships that came out of my illness.

Q: You have had five different death sentences. Many people know the charged feelings we get after we have a close brush with death. Your experiences have not been mere brushes, but definite pronouncements made with certainty. Miraculously you are still here. Could you say a little more about what happens when you face and survive this repeatedly?

A: It wakes up your senses! It really, really does! What has happened with me, and I think this is choice because I have talked to other people who have faced these things — every one faces it a little differently — but what happened to me was it put everything in priority. The things that I used to think were important, the goals I set and raised, I found out that many of them were really secondary. What is happening (now) is that I’m enjoying life so much because I am finding the things that are really important. I focus and function on those, and probably that gets centered around people, not accomplishing my goals in life, and not bringing in income.

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My wife and I were pretty middle class before we moved to Lincoln. This illness has taken away much of our financial security, but it hasn’t robbed us of anything that’s important. Our love for each other has grown, and I’ve found out how much I can depend on Elaine. I had no idea how much I needed her. It spreads from there to how much I need other people and how much I want to be a part of other people’s lives.

When I thought I was going to die — and miraculous is the word — for whatever reason, God decided I needed to be here a little longer than what the doctors originally thought. I have (been forced) to look it over. I don’t say this every day, but I know I live it. All right, I’m alive now when I shouldn’t be. What am I supposed to do with that? Who am I supposed to talk to? What purpose am I here to fulfill? God has given me more time, and there is a reason for that! I usually find myself involved in someone else’s life when I follow that line of thinking.

Q: How do you stay focused on being thankful?

A: I guess I was struggling with this question until it hit me why! It was bothering me because I don’t always stay focused on being thankful. I’m taking chemotherapy every week, and I’m having a nasty reaction to it as far as being weak all week long. It’s not as bad as it could be, but it keeps me from being productive as I want to be. I can only work part time and that sort of drives me crazy because there’s so many things that I want to do that I can’t do. And it’s very easy to sink into despondency. It’s very easy to begin feeling sorry for myself.

In order to be thankful, it is a matter of focus: being thankful! I don’t make it (to being thankful) enough. This week has been easy. There was a great sermon at church, people are talking about being grateful for Thanksgiving, and I’ve just got to be the most grateful person in Logan County! There can’t be anyone more grateful for Thanksgiving than I am because I know that I dodged a bullet to be here, maybe more than one. But I want to make that decision, and when I make that decision, then it starts happening.

Q: If you could recommend one thing, what would you say we should all do this season?

A: That is probably the easiest question I have ever been asked. Now, if I had been asked that question five years ago I probably would have come up with something a little more along the lines with my profession. I would have probably tried to come up with something profound in a sermon or a lesson, but I’ll tell you what, this last year has been so experiential. This last year has made so clear to me my very favorite line in any movie or any book, from Charles Dickens in the "Christmas Story," when the ghost cries out, "Mankind was my business!"

I think about last Christmas and the people that came to my door. (They came doing) "The Twelve Days of Christmas." They came by every day doing another one every day for 12 days. It was hilarious, but it’s so vivid in my mind because people cared.

Some days at church I can’t make it up to greet people. I end up sitting in a pew. I can’t get up and go shake hands, but they come to me. And these people bring their hearts to me. They bring their lives to me. These are the things that keep me going.

It’s other people that drives me! My relationship with my boys; they’ve become my best friends. My relationship with my wife, the sweetest relationship on earth!

None of these are perfect, but if I were to recommend one thing, find a way to become involved in other people's lives. Do whatever it takes!

Dan and Elaine came here after 23 years of ministry in Clark County in southern Illinois. Both grew up in Michigan — Elaine (maiden name Telfer) in Lansing and Dan from Owosso. They have been married 32 years and have three sons. Brian, 29, and his wife, Jody, recently moved to Sarasota, Fla., with their daughters, Haley and Emily.  Aaron, 24, and wife Pandy live in Lincoln. Colin, 23, single, also lives here in Lincoln. Bird serves part-time as pastoral care minister at Jefferson Street Christian Church.

Happy Thanksgiving, Birds, and all Logan County!

[Obituary: Dan Bird]

[JUNE 22, 2001]  Jonathan Wright, city attorney for Lincoln and Atlanta, was named yesterday to fill the 90th House District seat vacated by John Turner of Atlanta.

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[Joan Crabb]

[JUNE 22, 2001]  Logan County Board members huddled around the massive library table before last night’s meeting. Strewn about the table were the maps showing the options available for changing the voting landscape of the county from at-large to district representation.

The board members were seeking last-minute individual observations before deciding the representative direction of Logan County for at least the next 10 years.

As the meeting began, Dale Voyles made the motion to accept a new proposal that split the county into six districts with two representatives each.

Phil Mahler, concerned that a 12-member board could lead to deadlock, made a motion to amend to include a board chairman elected at large. This position would be nonvoting except to break a tie. Roger Bock, against the idea, pointed out that it would take seven votes to pass a resolution, whether the board consisted of 12 or 13 members. Mahler came back that a margin of 7-to-5 is much more difficult to attain than 7-6. When the question was called to a vote, an at-large chairman was voted down 7-4.

The discussion then moved back to the original motion of accepting the six-district, 12-representative plan motioned by Voyles. Using their last opportunity to place their comments on the record, both Paul Gleason and Griffin restated their concerns that district representation would take away from a board member feeling a responsibility to the entire community. Voyles answered that there are $10 million reasons (the county budget) for all board members to be accountable to the entire area. When the question was called to a vote, the motion carried by a 10-1 margin, with Mahler, who preferred the option of five districts with three representatives each, being the only dissenting vote.

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In other business Chairman Dick Logan brought up his recommendation of Gloria Luster to replace Beth Davis, Lincoln’s new mayor, on the board. Luster, a 48-year resident in the Mount Pulaski area and a payroll administrator at Lincoln Developmental Center, was one of only three candidates offered to the board for interviews.

Both Paul Gleason and Lloyd Hellman expressed disappointment that the board was not given the opportunity to interview all the candidates who applied for the position. Logan explained that the amount of time required to do so would be enormous, and, as a point of law, it was the county chairman’s right to nominate a candidate to the board and have that individual either approved or rejected. Doug Dutz then made the statement that, law or not, Logan’s actions were "dictatorial." Logan then commented that he had made a promise to the people of Mount Pulaski to give them a representative, and he was simply attempting to make good on his word.

As either a clarification or an attempt to compromise, Rod White then asked Logan if the next board appointee, to fill the place of Phil Mahler moving to regional planning commissioner, would be from a field of new candidates or those who wish to resubmit their names, with the board being more active in the decision process. Logan said White was correct in his read on the next appointment.

Luster’s appointment was then approved by a 6-4 margin. Approving the chairman’s recommendation were Logan, Hepler, Voyles, Mahler, Bock and White. Opposed were Werth, Griffin, Hellman and Dutz, with Gleason voting present. Within a few minutes, Luster was sworn in as the new board member. The meeting was then adjourned.

[Mike Fak]

[JUNE 22, 2001]  On June 20 a Logan County grand jury indicted Kimberly D. Williams, 20, for the alleged murder of her 11-month-old daughter, Daneysia Williams. Daneysia died May 27 as a result of blunt force trauma that caused laceration of the child’s liver, leading to death by internal bleeding.

Williams was charged in a six-count indictment alleging the different mental states applicable to the child’s death.

Later the same day as the indictment, Williams was arrested on a Logan County warrant at a residence near Kankakee. Bond in the amount of $1 million was set by Circuit Judge David Coogan. Williams appeared in court June 21, where she indicated she will hire private counsel. The matter was set for June 26 for the appearance of Williams with her attorney. No attorney has entered an appearance at this point.

If convicted, Williams faces a sentence of anywhere from 20 years to natural life in prison.

Logan County State’s Attorney Tim Huyett indicated that the investigation into the child’s death continues and that further action in the matter is anticipated in the near future.

[News release]

[JUNE 21, 2001]  In the ongoing battle between corporate interests and the convenience of small-town America, small-town America has lost again.

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[Joan Crabb]

[Customer Laura Lee from Mount Pulaski makes a purchase from Barb Peddicord at the U.S. Office Products store, which is soon to close.  Manager Gail Rawlins is in the background.]

[Nina Westen of A.G. Edwards looks over items on sale before the store closes June 29.]

[JUNE 21, 2001]  Logan County State’s Attorney Tim Huyett took evidences about the death of a baby to a grand jury Wednesday.

The baby, 11-month-old Daneysia Williams, was taken to the hospital on May 27 by her mother, Kimberly Williams, 20, of 1202 Kankakee St. Attempts by hospital personnel to revive the baby failed.

Autopsy results revealed a lacerated liver caused by blunt trauma to her right side.

The grand jury found enough evidence to call for an indictment of the mother, and a warrant for the arrest of Kimberly Williams was issued. She was arrested in Kankakee and has been transferred to Logan County Jail.

[LDN]

[JUNE 20, 2001]  By a vote of 11-1, the Logan County Board decided to table a motion to increase their pay. The raise, which would have been effective December of 2002, called for an increase from $35 per committee meeting to $50 and from $50 to $75 for each general board meeting.

Discussion prior to the vote indicated board members wanted to wait until current discussions on redistricting are finalized and the number of board members is determined.

Dick Logan, board chairman, told members that if the increase is eventually approved, other measures could be looked at to keep these costs down.

"The size of some of the committees could be reduced," Logan said.

"For instance, the liquor committee has six members. This could be reduced to three members including the committee chairman, another board member and the board chairman. Our final cost for these meetings could be a wash," he added.

The board also voted 9-3 to accept the only bid, $32,500 from Bassi Construction, to renovate the John Logan building, which was acquired to provide more space for courthouse services.

Those voting against the measure were concerned that the figures were too high based upon the work that was to be done.

In other action, a motion to forgive the past debt of Don Otte of several thousands of dollars in back rent due from farming operations at the airport failed by a 9-3 vote. The motion, made by Roger Bock, chairman of the airport committee, was based upon the unavailability of any documentation that specified terms of the agreement the board had with Otte.

The last documentation was in the minutes of the 1990 airport committee and indicated, through a "gentlemen’s agreement," that Otte would pay $100 per acre per year for the 3.75 acres of farm ground adjacent to the airport.

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Tim Huyett, state’s attorney, will send Otte a letter asking for payment prior to any litigation the county may bring against him.

Bill Martin addressed the board about redistricting plans. Martin is a member of the redistricting committee established by Dick Logan following overwhelming support of the referendum to change from at-large elections to district representation. Martin presented three plans for the board to look at and to vote on at a special session Thursday night. Other plans can also be presented at that meeting.

[Editor’s note: The three plans Martin presented are listed in an article posted in LDN on June 19. "In one proposal, a county of 12 ‘one person’ districts is offered. In another, three districts represented by five members each is subject to approval. In the third offering, a system of five districts with three board members each can be authorized." — from "Logan County Board districts and salaries," by Mike Fak]

 If the board cannot agree upon a plan by July, the question then goes to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to appoint a committee to resolve the issue.

The referendum earlier this year was approved by the voters by a 3-1 margin.

[Fuzz Werth]

[JUNE 20, 2001]  Rich Ludolph, former Lincoln police chief, announced today that he will be joining the staff of the Supreme Court at the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts.

He has been offered and accepted a position as a court reporting services field manager, working out of the Springfield office. He begins his new duties on Monday, June 25. He will work with numerous judges and court reporters throughout the state under a new program for court reporting management and implementation of digital recording of court hearings.

"I wish to thank former Mayor Joan Ritter for the opportunity to serve as Lincoln’s chief of police for four years. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Lincoln and Logan County as a deputy sheriff, probation officer and chief of police over the last 26 years," Ludolph said.

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Ludolph characterized his new position as "an exciting opportunity that will put me in an environment with which I am familiar but one that will bring new challenges and a new direction to my career."

"I have always enjoyed working within the court system, and I look forward to the future challenges it brings to my professional career," he said.

[News release]

Fire Department promotions, new committee assignments

[JUNE 20, 2001]  Restoration of the well Abraham Lincoln drank from, which is in front of the present VFW Post at 915 Fifth St., may be financed by an Illinois FIRST grant, according to Alderman Patrick Madigan.

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[Joan Crabb]

[JUNE 19, 2001]  Plans for the proposed 16-home East Park subdivision, which have been under discussion by developer Rodney White and the Lincoln City Council for several months, came to a halt Monday evening over who will foot the bill for upgrading a city street.

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[Joan Crabb]

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