Council OKs animal-control
contract with county

[MAY 24, 2001]  Its questions about fees answered, the Lincoln City Council approved a three-year contract with Logan County for animal-control services.

Under the contract, the city will pay a fee of $27,950 per year for the next three years. After former Alderman Steve Mesner said the city and other municipalities paid fees but the county did not contribute a fair share, council members questioned whether the city was paying more than it should.

"The question we wanted answered is whether the city is getting its fair share, what we pay for," Alderman Steve Fuhrer said. Several Logan County Board members who were in the audience provided the answer.

 

Dick Logan, board chairman, said the animal-control facility "operates at a loss, and we pay the extra out of the general fund."

Rod White, finance chairman of the board, said the budget for the animal-control facility is $77,500, but last year the county had to add $12,000 from the general fund to meet expenses. Some years the county has added as much as $20,000, White said.

The city of Lincoln contributes $27,950 to the animal-control budget, smaller communities in the county contribute another $21,067, and the county picks up the rest, officials said.

"I feel the contract is fair," said Alderman Verl Prather, chairman of the sanitation committee. "We couldn’t hire someone to do this for $27,000."

 

Reimbursement for road damages

The council also agreed to reimburse West Lincoln Township $16,000 for damages incurred when a water main break on Route 10 last February made it necessary to reroute traffic along Connolley Road to Fifth Street. The $16,000 is the cost of returning the street to the condition it was before the traffic was rerouted. However, the city will also see whether reimbursement is available from the city’s insurance company, since the Illinois Department of Transportation directed the city to reroute the traffic when the water main broke, and the city had no choice in the matter.

 

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Policemen promoted; awards given

Police Chief Richard Montcalm announced two promotions within the department, Paul Adams to corporal and David Sielaff to sergeant. Adams, who has been with the police department for four years, was injured in the line of duty and is presently home recuperating, Montcalm said.

Montcalm also presented awards for participation in violence-prevention programs to representatives of three area schools: Carroll Catholic, Chester-East Lincoln and West Lincoln-Broadwell.

He also presented an award to Sgt. Darrell Sisk, retiring after 30 years, and announced that James Raymond has completed his probation and is now a regular officer. Two new officers will be added to the department as of May 31, Christi Jackson and Jason Lucas.

Upgrade plans for wastewater plant approved

The council also approved the final design and the overall project approach for the wastewater treatment plant upgrade, along with approval of additional engineering charges. The $10 million upgrade is necessary to remain in compliance with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency requirements.

Low interest rates on investments

City Treasurer Les Plotner reported that the city at present is receiving "very poor interest rates" on its investments, ranging from 4.31 percent to as low as 3.51 percent.

[Joan Crabb]

New business brings life to downtown and cutting-edge technology to Lincoln

[MAY 22, 2001]  Integrity Data, a technology consulting and computer programming organization, has recently completed renovations of its new office at 110 N. Kickapoo St. in downtown Lincoln. Integrity Data purchased the former Schick buildings at 604 Broadway and 110 N. Kickapoo St. The firm’s new office space is on the second floor of the Kickapoo Street side of the building, which is now referred to as the Integrity Building. Midwest Bible School will occupy the first floor of the building.

Integrity Data designs and develops custom computer software solutions to improve business management processes. A majority of Integrity Data’s clients are organizations that use software developed by Great Plains Business Solutions, which was recently acquired by Microsoft. Integrity Data’s clients are located in all regions of the United States. Integrity Data develops its products using the latest software development tools and data management systems from Microsoft and Great Plains. In addition to its core business, Integrity Data also offers communication and computer network cable installation services.

 

Integrity Data, Inc. is owned and operated by Patrick Doolin, a Lincoln native, and Mark Hisken of Willmar, Minn. Hisken manages the Integrity Data office in Minnesota.

The downtown Lincoln location is an attractive investment due to the opportunity to enhance an otherwise vacant building, as well as bring a new type of business to the local economy and, in doing so, demonstrate that Lincoln is a business-oriented community.

 

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The building located at 604 Broadway, which faces the courthouse, encompasses nearly 6,000 square feet and became available for lease on May 1.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house was from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 21, at the main entrance, located at 110 N. Kickapoo St.

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Lincoln statue proposal brings
crowd to council meeting

[MAY 22, 2001]  The Lincoln City Council chamber had a full house Monday evening for a presentation by the Rev. S.M. Davis. Davis presented a proposal to erect a giant statue of Abraham Lincoln depicting him christening the town of Lincoln with watermelon juice.

The 305-foot statue (the height of the Statue of Liberty, including its base) would be a city landmark and tourist attraction, Davis said. It would be visible as far as 50 miles away on Interstate 55 and could be the focus of a theme park or playground, with an observation deck, a visitors center pointing out Lincoln sites in the area, an I-Max theater, and perhaps other attractions.

"If this were to happen, it would forever change the city of Lincoln and Logan County," he told the audience. It could bring in from 5,000 to 15,000 tourists per day, promote the building of motels and restaurants, bring a rise in property values, and perhaps double the size of the city.

Davis believes corporate sponsorship is the best way to fund the project, and he noted that a two-man committee of Larry Steffens and Daris Knauer has been appointed to look into such funding.

 


[The Rev. S. M. Davis of the Park Meadows Baptist Church, originator of the idea of the giant statue of Abraham Lincoln as a city landmark, and Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis display a T-shirt with a picture of the proposed statue.]

Asked by Alderman Steve Fuhrer if any corporations have come forward to show interest in financing the project, Davis said none have at present, but a "millionaire from Springfield" had contacted him about building a smaller version of the statue in the state capital, a proposal which he turned down.

The statue should be in Lincoln because "that is our claim to fame," he said. People all over the world know Lincoln, but very few know that he christened the town of Lincoln with watermelon juice.

He suggested the statue might have a "watermelon juice waterfall" 200 feet high and stairs and elevators to take visitors to an observation deck inside Lincoln’s hat. In the sketch of the proposal, Lincoln is standing by a barrel, which would house the theater and information center. The statue is based on a sketch by Lloyd Ostendorf, whose paintings of events in Lincoln’s life are on display in the State Bank of Lincoln on Sangamon Street.

Davis suggested that the information center emphasize the character of Lincoln, with exhibits which explained his determination, wisdom, justice, honesty, sensitivity and boldness.

As a step toward building the statue, he asked for a "straw vote" from the council indicating their approval, as "It is not going to go forward if leaders of our community are not in favor of it."

After being assured that the straw vote did not mean a financial commitment by the city, Alderman Michael Montcalm voted "yes," followed by "yes" votes from eight of the nine other council members present. Alderman Patrick Madigan voted "no." He later told the Lincoln Daily News that he thought the project was "out of character" for Lincoln. "Something else could be more tasteful and less grandiose. Of course, I could be wrong."

The Rev. Davis has been a pastor in Lincoln for 26 years and said he "loved being in Lincoln. I have been praying for some way to serve the leaders of the city and the county."

 

 

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He has been promoting "what I called for a long time my ‘crazy idea’" to groups in the area, including the tourism board and Main Street Lincoln. Representatives of both groups attended the meeting, along with several members of the Logan County Board.

At the end of the presentation, Davis passed out T-shirts, provided by Lincoln IGA, with a picture of the proposed statue.

[Joan Crabb]


[Lincoln Scout Troop 102 attended the council meeting May 21 as part of their work toward a merit badge in communications. Right to left, front row, are Aaron Uphoff, Joe Gillen, Aaron Meyrick and Sean Weaver. Left to right, back row, are Cory Bell, Marty Oltmanns, Andy (Jesse) Cummings and assistant troop leader David Weaver.]

At first meeting, Logan County Arts Association refines constitution

[MAY 22, 2001]  Seven people attended the first meeting of the Logan County Arts Association, formed to promote the arts and make them an integral part of life in Logan County. Marshall Jacobs chaired the meeting Monday night at Lincoln Public Library.

The group considered issues raised by a constitution and other documents composed by Jacobs during the last two months. After input has been incorporated, the final copy of the constitution will be drawn up by an attorney, and the group will apply for tax-exempt status as a charitable organization. Jacobs said he has already written Sen. Bob Madigan and Rep. John Turner asking for start-up funds from Illinois First.

 


[Louella Moreland and Dan Bailey, both active in Lincoln Community Theatre, made suggestions for revising the constitution of the Logan County Arts Association.]

As modified by the group, the constitution defines a three-tiered plan of organization, consisting of the general membership, the board of directors and the executive committee, which will include the officers and one other board member.

One working paper identified eight classes of members, based on monetary contribution and named with various terms from the arts such as cast, orchestra and choreographer. The group spent some time suggesting names that would represent all the artistic disciplines: visual, dance, music, theater and literature.

Monetary levels of membership range from $25 to $5,000. Jacobs said the range should be broad to include corporate giving, matching funds programs and estate planning potential.

Jacobs first became interested in forming the association when he discovered that committees putting on local festivals did not always know about available sources of funding and that Logan County did not have an arts association to inform them. He sees the association as a complement to other organizations already in existence, such as the Lincoln Logan County Chamber of Commerce and Looking for Lincoln.

 

A preliminary meeting to gauge interest in an arts association was held a month ago, with Sen. Madigan and Rep. Turner present. Out of that meeting came a founding board of five directors, three of whom were present Monday: Jacobs, Richard Sumrall and Chris Gray. They signed a document establishing the Logan County Arts Association as an organization in the state of Illinois. The other founding directors are Jean Gossett and Larry Steffens.

 

 

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[Chris Gray, Richard Sumrall and Marshall Jacobs are among the founding directors of the Logan County Arts Association. Jacobs chairs the group.]

Of the two major roles played by arts councils, hands-on or facilitative, Jacobs is primarily interested in the latter, seeing the arts association as a clearinghouse of information for other organizations. However, the issue has not yet been decided by the association, and at some time it may offer classes or conduct other hands-on activities.

Programs supported by other arts associations include bringing in artists from outside the area as well as encouraging and supporting local artists. In addition, Jacobs said, the Illinois Arts Council has an initiative for increasing arts in the school system.

 

One of several statements of the group’s mission includes the possibility of involvement beyond Logan County, saying that the association is formed "exclusively for the educational purpose of encouraging and promoting the study and cultivation of the arts in Logan County and adjoining counties." Jacobs said people from Clinton have expressed interest in working with the new association. Logan and DeWitt counties are complementary in the arts, he said, because Lincoln has a greater emphasis on performing arts and Clinton on visual arts.

Another possibility mentioned by Jacobs is working with the Chamber to acquire the Lincoln theater building and adapt it to provide areas for dramatic performances and for display of visual arts. The building, classified as a "contributing historical structure," was dedicated on Lincoln’s birthday in 1923.

Jacobs, who has worked five years for the Springfield Zoological Society, holds an MBA in finance and has experience in grant-writing. Last weekend he attended a seminar sponsored by the Illinois Arts Council and the Illinois Arts Association. He chose sessions on technological implementation and talked with consultants from Chicago about creating and using databases for arts associations.

The Logan County Arts Association meets on the third Monday of the month at Lincoln Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested in promoting the arts in Logan County is encouraged to attend.

[Lynn Spellman]

What impact will the new Presidential Library in Springfield have on Lincoln?

[MAY 19, 2001]  At a special presentation on Tuesday, May 15, Lincoln and Logan County residents had the opportunity to learn more about the potential impacts of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. The session was in the Pegram Room of the Lincoln Public Library in Lincoln.

David Blanchette, public information officer for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, gave an in-depth presentation on the facilities and programs, along with information on Abraham Lincoln and related U.S. history. The two major buildings will be the library and museum that face Jefferson Avenue and Sixth Street.

 

The Presidential Library will be the new home of the Illinois State Historical Library and its world-renowned Abraham Lincoln Collection. This 46,000-piece treasure trove is the world's largest Lincoln collection and contains some of his most important significant historical documents and artifacts. Included are the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation and his inaugural speech. Other areas of the Presidential Library will include the reading room for the Lincoln Collection, the main reading room and reference department, and newspapers on microfilm. There will also be a conservation lab, photography lab and microfilming lab on the third floor, for the use of the staff.

Museum visitors will first enter the plaza, a grand, elegant space featuring a 70-foot atrium, which will be the location for many public and special events. From there, visitors will see the entry points to Lincoln's life. A reproduction of his boyhood cabin in Indiana is the entry to Journey One, an immersive exhibit that covers the period from his childhood to his election as president. A reproduction of the White House as it looked in 1860 is the entry point for Journey Two, which spans Lincoln's presidency to his assassination. Some of the highlights of the journey will include Lincoln reading a book near the fireplace of his boyhood cabin in Indiana, a slave auction such as Abraham might have seen on a flatboat journey to New Orleans and an education center, featuring classrooms and a computer lab, available for use by pre-scheduled school groups.

 

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There will be numerous other venues to visit, such as a special-effects theater that will use three screens and surround sound to totally envelop the audience. Other attractions will be a "kids area," available just for children, and an American Holavision Theater, featuring "Ghosts of the Library." Other features will include a restaurant, gift shop and administrative offices. Space has been set aside for traveling exhibits to highlight other Lincoln sites across the country and encourage visitation at those sites as well.

The Union Station across the street from the museum will be the gateway for visitors to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum complex. This 1890s train station, which for the past 11 years has been office space for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, will be rehabilitated to serve as a bus drop-off point and visitor orientation center. There, people can obtain tickets, make reservations and learn about Lincoln sites in Illinois, such as those in Logan County, as well as in Kentucky, Indiana and other states.

At a cost of $115 million and estimated annual attendance of half a million people, the Presidential Library and Museum is important to Logan County. Residents need to be informed in order to take advantage of the tourists it will bring to the area. The library is scheduled to open in October 2002, and the museum is to be completed in late 2003, the same year as the city of Lincoln's sesquicentennial.

[Kathleen McCullough]

 

‘Crown jewel’ found in Lincoln — Lincoln’s well at Postville

By T. W. Werth

[MAY 19, 2001]  The Deskins hotel was built in 1836 at the site of the present VFW Hall, located on Fifth Street in Lincoln. Directly in front of this site was and still is the well used by the hostelry — a well that Abraham Lincoln would have used to quench his thirst. Our intentions are to restore the well and make it possible for everyone to follow in his footsteps and drink from this same well.

The Deskins building was at the original site of the town of Postville, across the street from the historic Postville Courthouse. While working as a circuit lawyer, Lincoln ate at the tavern during his visits to Postville. 

Lawrence B. Stringer’s "History of Logan County Illinois," published in 1911, provides this background information:

Soon after the platting of Knapp, Bird and Tinsley’s addition in 1836, Dr. John Deskins built a one story house on Fifth street, almost opposite the site where the first county court house was erected four years later, and in 1837 he added a second story. This was the recognized hostelry of the town during terms of court. Dr. Deskins was the first sheriff of the county and later a member of the State Legislature from this district. His "hotel," being substantially the first one of much consequence in Postville, is famous for the many happenings that there took place when the lawyers "traveling the circuit" and the court, jurors, witnesses and litigants made it their headquarters. It was conducted for a while by John Allison. It was the regular stopping place for Abraham Lincoln. For incidents associated with Abraham Lincoln and his temporary stay at the old Deskins’ hotel, reference is made to the chapter on "Abraham Lincoln." Further references have also been made to this early hostelry in the chapters on "Bench and Bar" and "County Government." The doors, sashes and stairs of this hotel were made by George W. Edgar and it was weatherboarded with black walnut from Orendorff’s mill. The old building was dismantled about ten years ago. (Volume I, page 568)

 

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The city of Lincoln truly has a "crown jewel" of great historic significance "in their back yard." Cars and people have been passing it by for over 150 years.

We did not know until we removed the pump from the old wooden platform if the well still existed. To our delight, when the workers pulled the pump a few weeks ago, we found the original moss-covered, brick-lined well still there!

The Logan County Health Department was asked to sample the water to see if it could be made into safe, drinkable water. From the reports we have received, we feel it will be possible. Our purpose is to begin the process of restoring this well.

In the future, we hope to have the water available for purchase as souvenirs and gifts for friends and family. We are anxious for Looking for Lincoln followers to participate in this historic experience by drinking from the same well Abe did when he worked and visited in our fair city.

[T.W. Werth]

Senate Week in Review

[MAY 19, 2001]  Legislation passed by the Illinois Senate this week brings sunshine to state and local government decisions regarding land purchases and lawsuits, according to state Sen. Bob Madigan, R-Greenville. The Senate approved and sent to the governor a bill that requires the state to disclose the beneficiaries of any trusts involved in the state purchase of land for airports or prisons. House Bill 3078 also requires that the amount of money paid by the government in a lawsuit settlement be available for public disclosure.

Taping meetings

Meanwhile, a Senate executive committee is continuing to study a bill requiring verbatim records of executive sessions called by government bodies. In a public hearing, representatives of local governments strongly objected to the measure. Opponents said taping meetings for verbatim records will force people to censor themselves and not fulfill their proper roles — asking tough questions, giving opinions, etc. — because the tapes could eventually be disclosed. Others were concerned about the improper disclosure of taped information, especially personnel matters and legal advice. The committee will continue its work to improve the legislation.

New charitable and commemorative license plates

The Senate also approved legislation creating new charitable and commemorative license plates. House Bill 293 creates charitable plates for the Illinois Lions Club, pets, hospice services, corrections employees memorial, Gulf War memorial, elementary and secondary education, park district after-school programs and coal research. New commemorative plates honor union members, paratroopers and small businesses. House Bill 293 returns to the House of Representatives for concurrence with changes made in the Senate.

House bills that have been approved by the Senate and now go to the governor for consideration include these:

Public safety pensions (HB 250) — Improves pension benefits for state police troopers, Illinois Department of Corrections prison guards and Illinois Department of Human Services security officers.

Firefighters’ widows (HB 254) — Improves pension benefits for widows of Chicago firefighters.

Scott’s Law (HB 180) — Requires motorists to take certain precautions when approaching a barricade or a stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing warning lights. Violators will face suspension of their driving privileges and a fine of up to $10,000. Named after Lt. Scott Gillen, a Chicago firefighter who was killed by a reckless driver on Dec. 23, 2000, when he responded to a traffic accident.

Meth labs (HB 978) — Allows judges to impose stiffer prison sentences on those convicted of operating an illegal drug lab if emergency response personnel are injured or killed in connection with illegal drug lab fires or explosions.

Grand juries (HB 222) — Allows a statewide grand jury to be convened to investigate and return indictments for any sex offense.

Genetic marking (HB 452) — Requires felons convicted of several violent crimes to submit specimens of blood to the Illinois State Police for analysis and categorizing into genetic marker groupings.

Statewide alert (HB 643) — Requires the Department of State Police to develop a coordinated program for a statewide emergency alert when a child is missing or kidnapped.

Whirlpool safety (HB 1551) — Prohibits, after May 1, 2002, the operation of a public swimming pool, spa, whirlpool or water slide without obtaining certain licenses from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Railroad crossings (HB 579) — Authorizes a pilot project in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties to test the utility of stationary automated audible warning devices as an alternative to trains having to sound their horns as they approach highway-rail crossings.

 

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House bills that have been passed by the Senate and now return to the House for concurrence with changes made in the Senate include these:

License plates for disabled people (HB 846) — Tightens requirements for the issuance of license plates or placards for disabled people and allows police officials to seize improperly used plates or placards.

Gang crime (HB 1812) — Strengthens penalties for street gang members who violate laws against murder, assault and battery.

Restricted call registry (HB 176) — Creates the statewide Restricted Call Registry for consumers who do not want to be called by telemarketing sales companies.

Incest penalties (HB 1125) — Increases criminal penalties for incest and sexual assault within families.

Senate bills that have been passed by the House and now go to the governor for consideration include these:

Zero tolerance (SB 1032) — Codifies into law the Illinois Department of Corrections’ and the Illinois State Police’s current zero-tolerance policies for drug abuse.

Project Exile (SB 5) — Encourages the federal prosecution of all persons who illegally use firearms in crimes against others. Requires a five-year prison sentence for convicted felons found in possession of firearms.

Teen traffic tickets (SB 627) — Creates a pilot program in DuPage, Kendall and Sangamon counties to notify vehicle owners when a person younger than 18 is issued a traffic citation when driving their vehicle.

Seat belts (SB 98) — Requires every person who is transporting passengers from ages 4 to younger than 16 to be responsible for ensuring that passengers are either in child restraint systems or seat belts.

Disabled hunters (SB 874) — Allows the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to issue permits to disabled people to allow them to hunt from vehicles. The department would set the requirements for the permits.

Insurance ombudsman (SB 1505) — Establishes an ombudsman program to help educate uninsured individuals about health insurance benefits options and their rights under state and federal law.

Southern Illinois water (SB 153, SB 298) — Helps the Gateway Water Company provide a stable and quality water supply for residents of six southern Illinois counties. Allows the company to use Carlyle Lake east of St. Louis as their major water supply and gives the company a property tax break on a new water treatment plant.

Adoption (SB 838) — Encourages and facilitates adoptions by redefining the kinds of homes — adoption-only vs. foster — that care for children placed with them by the Department of Children and Family Services.

DCFS publications (SB 842) — Allows the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to use royalties earned from the publication of materials owned by or licensed by the department as an additional funding source for its foster parent training programs.

Senate bills that have been passed by the House and now return to the Senate for concurrence with changes made in the House include these:

Genetic testing (SB 42) — Bans discrimination against workers and applicants for health insurance based upon genetic testing.

Mental health (SB 435) — Requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to establish standards and procedures for the provision of mental health and developmental disability services to people with mental illness and people with developmental disabilities who are confined in local jails or juvenile detention facilities. The department must inspect each facility at least once each year and make the results of the inspection available to the public.

Insurance (SB 935) — Requires insurance companies to notify their health insurance customers of changes in lists containing information about the prices of approved medications.

[News release]

Historic Preservation Week wraps up with awards and Antiques Roadshow

[MAY 18, 2001]  The ninth annual Mayor's Awards for Historic Preservation were presented Thursday evening during the first Main Street Lincoln Antiques Roadshow.

 The roadshow was based on the popular public television series. A steady flow of people took advantage of the opportunity to have their treasures evaluated.  "For our first time, it was a success" said co-chair Bette Steffens.  Program Manager Wendy Bell added, "Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, it's low cost entertainment, and sends people home with a good feeling."

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of two awards, one for residential and one for nonresidential buildings.  In the residential category, Jerry and Colleen Roate collected an award for "Sympathetic Alteration" for their home at 146 Ninth St.  The Roates have re-roofed the house and re-created the front porch from a 1960’s picture they found at the courthouse. Though they have sided the home, they have carefully kept the architectural elements. 


[Home of Jerry and Colleen Roate at 146 Ninth St.]

 

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[Building at 200 N. Chicago St. owned by Jane Wright]

In the nonresidential category, 200 N. Chicago St. received an award for "Exterior Rehabilitation."  The building, owned by Jane Wright, was part of the facade renovation program last summer.  Wright worked with the Main Street design architects on the color scheme, which included using the accent color from the State Farm sign.  In presenting the awards, Mayor Beth Davis stated she was "pleased to recognize these winners" and that she "hoped to put a designation system in place for historic homes to facilitate grant availability."

The awards ceremony and Antiques Roadshow wrapped up four days of activities during National Historic Preservation Week.  Historic window displays will continue throughout the next week.  Local activities for Historic Preservation Week are sponsored by Beans and Such, Blue Dog Inn, Mayor Beth Davis and Main Street Lincoln.

[Main Street news release]

 

Council hears proposal on computer links

[MAY 18, 2001]  For a share totaling $16,347.17, the city of Lincoln could join Logan County’s Internet network, Carla Bender, Logan County Circuit Court clerk and a member of the county’s technology committee, told the council at its May 15 session.

In her presentation, Bender said the county intends to purchase fiber-optic cable and provide Internet access and networking between five county buildings: the courthouse, the new courthouse annex, the safety complex, the highway department and the health department.

Collaborating with the county would be a "win-win" situation for the city, Bender said, allowing it to connect any or all city departments to the network. A unified system would be cheaper than the cost of providing such service to each county department and to the city separately.

She said that both government and business are moving toward automation, and Logan County will have a website where people can find information about such things such as taxes and fines.

After paying the one-time fee for hooking up to the network, the city’s only cost would be the Internet service charge. Service will be provided by the Illinois Century Network, which serves colleges, government offices and other nonprofit organizations and is partially subsidized by the state.

Alderman Steve Fuhrer, chairman of the finance committee, said the information was "a lot to digest" and the council would need to take some time to look into the matter.

In other business, the council discussed assisting West Lincoln Township with repairs to Connolley Road, which was subjected to heavy traffic last February when a sewer main break on Route 10 made it necessary to reroute traffic along Connolley Road to Fifth Street.

Street Superintendent Donnie Osborne said it was "only fair" to look at helping West Lincoln Township with road repairs, as the road would not be in the shape it is in now if traffic hadn’t been rerouted.

 

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The proposed East Park subdivision also came before the council again. Rodney White, who wants to develop at least 16 lots along Sherman Street, wants the city to agree to upgrade the street sometime in the future, perhaps three to five years from now.

In order to have a legally binding agreement, White is asking the city to de-annex his proposed East Park subdivision property so it can be reannexed to include the agreement to upgrade the street.

White said he wants to be sure he has a firm agreement with the city before he begins putting in a water line. He has agreed to donate one lot to Lincoln Community High School so its technical education center students can build a house in the coming year, and he told the council the school needs 60 days to get its water line in. Also, he said the new water line will be more expensive than previous lines because the new water company requires ductile iron rather than PVC lines.

White’s request was put on the agenda for the May 21 meeting, when City Attorney Jonathan Wright will be present.

Mayor Beth Davis announced that the Rev. S.M. Davis will make a 45-minute presentation to the council about his proposed Abraham Lincoln statue project, starting at 7:15. She said Logan County Board members and anyone else who wants to hear the presentation are welcome to attend.

[Joan Crabb]

 

Lincoln’s first Antiques Roadshow
brings out the treasures

[MAY 18, 2001]  Although the lines weren’t quite as long as they are for the popular PBS program, Lincoln’s first Main Street Antiques Roadshow proved that antique collectors are alive and well in Logan County.

[Click here to see photos from the Antiques Roadshow]

The treasures they brought to be appraised included everything from heavy stone Indian artifacts to delicate Japanese and English teacups, from gold pocket watches to china dolls and wooden toys. And some of the treasures proved to be quite valuable, items that might bring well over a thousand dollars if their owners were willing to part with them.

Held in the former antique mall at 616 Broadway Thursday evening, the antique appraisal was declared a success by Wendy Bell, Main Street Lincoln program manager, and Bette Steffens, co-chairman of Historic Preservation Week activities.

"For the first occasion, I’d say it was a great success," Steffens said.

The event was a fund-raiser for Main Street Lincoln, one of the activities scheduled to commemorate Historic Preservation Week. The 10 expert appraisers donated their time and expertise, and people who brought in antiques paid $5 for each appraisal.

The experts included Bob Weimer, book dealer; Bill Haak and Dick Bohm, coins, cards and other collectibles; Sally Fleshman, china, crystal and pottery; Melody Shew and Abbie Alexander, jewelry; Russ Justice, fine antiques; Pete Fredericks and Anita King, toys and dolls; and auctioneer Dan White, general items. All are from the Logan County area except Alexander, a Lincoln native who now lives in Peoria.

Conversation between the owners and the experts was very much like the comments heard on the popular PBS program.

"This decanter would be worth at least $200 if it wasn’t chipped," Sally Fleshman told owner Ruth Bierman. A crystal sugar and creamer set that was a wedding present to Bierman’s parents in 1920, however, was pronounced "in perfect condition" and worth $40 to $45.

Like many others who came to the roadshow, Bierman doesn’t want to sell her treasures. They’ll be passed down to her children, but she wants to have some idea of what they are worth.

Most of those who brought antiques knew something about their background. Many items have been passed down through family members, and most would not be for sale at any price. Dan Underwood brought in one of the more valuable items, a key-wound pocket watch that belonged to his great-grandfather. He was pleased to learn that it would bring about $1,500, even though he doesn’t intend to sell it.

 

 

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"Most folks just want a general idea of the value of their antiques," Bell said. "They are not looking for an exact amount. They are bringing family things, priceless to them, but still it is nice to know what you’ve got in your home."

As on the PBS show, the experts in Lincoln enjoyed sharing their knowledge. "These blonde china dolls are more rare than the black-haired dolls," King told Virginia Gleason, who had brought in the doll. China dolls with heads turned sideways, not facing the front, are even more rare, she added. Gleason’s doll, even with broken feet, is still worth at least $100.

According to Russ Justice, the Confederate cavalry sword Terry Werth brought in is quite valuable because its leather case is still intact. The cases deteriorate quickly, Justice said. He told Werth that two companies made the swords, and he believes Werth’s sword was made in Connecticut.

Tami Sprague, whose grandfather Fred Michaelis found a number of Indian artifacts, was advised by Haas and Bohm not to sell such artifacts at an auction of ordinary household goods, where buyers and sellers might not know their real worth, but to search for buyers who were experts in the field.

"There are big price ranges for these artifacts, anywhere from $80 to $225, depending on where you sell them," Bohm told her.

Also donating their services were the Prairie Aires, a group who play old-time music on period instruments, and members of the Elkhart Historic Society. Prairie Aires members are Lynette Belcher, Miriam Greene, Janet Schoonover and MeLane Coulter. Elkhart Historic Society members, who turned up in costume to man the food table, were Connie Drake, Patti Drake and Gillette Ransom.

"The biggest thing we looked for was for people to come and enjoy themselves," Bell said. Enough people did so that there will almost certainly be annual Antique Roadshows in Lincoln.

[Joan Crabb]

 

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