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Task
force will seek solutions for nursing home funding problems
[SEPT.
29, 2001] State
Rep. Jonathan Wright, R-Hartsburg, will serve on the House
Republican Long-Term Care Funding Task Force. Illinois House
Republican Leader Lee A. Daniels announced the formation of a
special task force last month. Their mission is to research possible
solutions to a looming funding crisis in the state’s long-term
care industry.
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There
are currently 85,000 seniors and disabled people living in Illinois
nursing homes. Sixty-four percent of those rely on public assistance
to help pay for their nursing home stays. Nursing homes are to be
reimbursed by the state for the costs associated with providing care
for these individuals. According to industry experts, in many cases,
Illinois fails to provide adequate reimbursement for Medicaid
residents. The reimbursement shortfall has forced numerous
facilities to transfer the costs of doing business to their
private-pay residents, or, increasingly, to file bankruptcy.
"I
am looking forward to working on this important task force,"
Wright said, "Nursing home residents and their families deserve
the very best we can provide. This industry is providing an
invaluable service to thousands of Illinois families. State
government must recognize that, and assure that the industry has the
resources it needs to remain viable."
[News
release]
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Mock
disaster exercise set for Saturday
[SEPT.
28, 2001] Area
emergency agencies will participate in a mock disaster exercise
coordinated by Logan County ESDA and the Logan County LEPC on
Saturday, Sept. 29. There will be a number of emergency agencies
from throughout Logan County working together in response to a
simulated hazardous materials leak at the Illinois American Water
treatment plant.
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Lincoln
Police and Lincoln Fire Department will coordinate their response
with the Logan County sheriff’s deputies and auxiliary, member
departments of the Logan County Fire Protection Association, Logan
County Paramedic Association, Logan County coroner’s office and
the Logan County ESDA. The unified response will involve a simulated
leak of chlorine gas from the water treatment facility at Jefferson
Street and Lincoln Parkway.
The
Logan County Crisis Management Center, located at the safety
complex, will be fully staffed and operational. Strategic and policy
decisions required for the event will be made by government
officials and emergency services command staff located at the CMC.
Evaluators
from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois State
Emergency Response Commission will be at both sites to critique the
operations.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Citizens
will be allowed to observe the exercise at a designated spectator
area on North Jefferson Street. The exercise is scheduled to begin
at 9 a.m. on Saturday and to be completed by 11:30 a.m. Please join
us as your emergency services responders deal with the simulated
emergency.
Schedule
8
a.m. — Participants begin to assemble at the North Jefferson
Street site and the Crisis Management Center
8:15
a.m. — Optional press briefing at the Logan County CMC, 911 Pekin
St., Lincoln
9
a.m. — Exercise begins at the Illinois American Water facility,
1730 N. Jefferson St., Lincoln
11:30
a.m. — Exercise finishes
Noon
— Luncheon at the Logan County CMC for participants in the
exercise
[News
release]
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West
side box culvert repair addressed
Letter
from Burwells to Lincoln Council
[SEPT.
28, 2001] The
following letter from the Burwells regarding the repair of the box
culvert on the west side of Lincoln was received by the mayor and
the Lincoln City Council and was released to LDN by the city of
Lincoln for publication.
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[Unedited copy
of letter]
September
14, 2001
Dear
Mayor Davis and Lincoln City Council Members:
We
write to clarify the mischaracterization of the position of Burwell
family members regarding the repair of the box culvert on the west
side of Lincoln. These misrepresentations were made by Greene &
Bradford, Inc. representatives at the Tuesday, September 11, 2001
city council meeting.
The
box culvert at issue was designed by Greene & Bradford, Inc. and
constructed by R.A. Cullinan & Sons at the direction of Eric
Burwell and Curt Burwell, then owners and developers of adjacent
North Heitmann Park Addition lots. To be clear, the development on
the north side of Route 10 has no relationship with Burwell Oil
Service, Inc.
Greene
& Bradford, Inc. maintains that it had an agreement with the
former city engineer where the City of Lincoln would assume
responsibility for the maintenance of the box culvert after
completion. We cannot comment on the exact terms of this agreement
because no member of the Burwell family was personally involved with
these discussions. Instead, we were told by our agent, Green &
Bradford, Inc., that the City would in fact take responsibility of
the box culvert after its completion. Of course, this alleged
agreement was never considered or formalized by the mayor or the
city council. In other words and by its own admission at the council
meeting, Greene and Bradford, Inc. did not complete the project it
was hired to do. We learned of this incompletion only after the box
culvert was damaged and the question of who should pay for the
repairs surfaced
We
do not believe that the City of Lincoln should pay for the
repair of the damaged box culvert. The proper construction of the
box culvert is, primarily, our responsibility and we assure you it
will be completed. We firmly maintain that the damage is a result of
Greene and Bradford’s negligence, and we have communicated this
position to them on numerous occasions.
No
member of the Burwell family authorized Greene & Bradford, Inc.
to request any funding from the City of Lincoln at the September 11,
2001 city council meeting. Instead, we expressly told Mr. Jessen
that we wanted him only to present the issue of whether the City
would maintain a properly constructed drainage device, and we
expressly told both he and Mr. Greene (on numerous occasions and in
no uncertain terms) that we strongly felt Greene and Bradford, Inc.
should pay for the entire new drainage device. To the extent Mr.
Greene asked the City of Lincoln for any money to repair the box
culvert on September 11, 2001, Mr. Greene was acting on behalf of
his firm and not as a representative or agent of any member of the
Burwell family
We
have refused to pay for the damage insisting that Greene &
Bradford, Inc. should pay for the repair. We have refused Mr. Greene’s
invitation to file a lawsuit against his firm to activate his errors
and omissions insurance coverage. Also and contrary to a previous
misrepresentation by Greene & Bradford, Inc., we have never discussed
or even considered legal action against the City of Lincoln. Quite
simply: we don't think the City has any fault here.
Greene
& Bradford, Inc. has consistently maintained that fault should
be placed on R.A. Cullinan and Sons, however we’ve seen no
credible evidence suggesting any fault on Cullinan’s part. From
every indication we have, the box culvert was constructed according
to specifications
We're
embarrassed by the suggestion that the City of Lincoln should pay
for the box culvert because of past development in the city, Mr.
Greene’s statements regarding what Gene Burwell may or may not
have done for the city or community are irrelevant to this
situation.
We
do encourage the City of Lincoln to strongly consider taking control
of the box culvert after its proper construction. We firmly believe
that the City should maintain this drainage device to ensure its
proper operation for many years. Properties are bought and sold,
individuals and firms move or dissolve, and we feel the City of
Lincoln is the most reliable and consistent entity that will ensure
proper maintenance and operation of this important drainage device
for many years into the future
Needless
to say, we’re seriously troubled by the representations made
purportedly on our behalf at the September 11, 2001 meeting. Please
be advised that Greene and Bradford, Inc. did not represent any
member of the Burwell family in this matter at the September 11,
2001 meeting. Should anyone wish to discuss this matter further, we
invite your comments and questions.
Finally,
we will take immediate steps to resolve this matter and construct
the proper drainage device.
C.
EUGENE BURWELL
ERIC
E. BURWELL
CURT
E. BURWELL
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Spring
construction date set for
Brainard Landing development
[SEPT.
27, 2001] Construction
of Phase 1 of Brainard Landing, an affordable apartment complex to
be developed at 21st and State streets, may begin as early as March
of next year, the Lincoln City Council learned Tuesday evening.
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Thomas
Koontz, senior vice president of PEDCOR, the Indianapolis firm which
is building the complex, told the council that the company was
allocated its tax credits a month ago and hopes to begin
construction early next year. Phase 1 will include four of the eight
planned housing units and the clubhouse, which will have fitness
facilities, a computer center, a laundry and a playground. Cost of
Phase 1 will be about $4.5 million.
The
entire 56 units in the finished development will be rented to those
at or below median income —
in the $18,000 to $36,000 range, depending on
family size, Koontz said. The rental units will accept Section 8
housing vouchers.
When
completed, the complex will have 16 one-bedroom, one-bath units; 24
two-bedroom, two-bath units; and 16 three-bedroom, two-bath units.
Each will be equipped with refrigerator-freezers, electric stoves
with self-cleaning ovens, dishwashers, garbage disposals,
washer-dryer hookups, window blinds, central heating and air
conditioning, and carpeting. Each unit will also have a private
balcony or patio and a storage area, according to a PEDCOR handout.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Although
wall units may be pre-panelized, the units are not prefabricated,
according to Koontz. The units will be on concrete slabs, and no
carports or garages are planned.
The
facility will have three to four full-time employees, a full-time
manager on the site, a leasing agent and a maintenance staff, and
will use local contractors whenever possible, Koontz told the
council. Staff will be hired 60 days ahead of time and trained at
other PEDCOR facilities.
Koontz
said he has already had requests for about one-half of the units.
According to Mary Elston of Central Illinois Economic Development
Corporation, CIEDC’s yearly community needs assessment shows that
low to moderate income rental units have always been a high
priority.
PEDCOR specializes in
building affordable housing by taking advantage of income tax
credits that allow it to get financing at a lower interest rate,
according to development assistant Kitty Campbell. The company
presently has 6,000 units in Midwestern states and manages all its
own units, she said.
[Joan
Crabb]
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Council
must approve
sewer rate hike soon
[SEPT.
26, 2001] The
final design of the $9,804,009 improvement to Lincoln’s wastewater
treatment plant has been completed and sent to the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency for approval, and what remains to be
done, besides waiting to see when funding will be approved, is for
the city’s council to approve a rate increase to pay for it.
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Members
of the sewer and water committee and others on the council who
attended the 6 p.m. meeting heard the report on the sewer plant
upgrade from Carl Alsbach of Environmental Management Corporation,
the firm which manages the sewer plant, and Joseph Pisula of Donohue
and Associates.
In
order to get funding, a 20-year loan from the IEPA, the city must
have a "dedicated revenue source" in place, and in order
to do that, it will almost certainly be necessary to make some
adjustments to the rate structure. The IEPA will not fund the
project unless the city can show it is able to repay the loan as
well as manage all other sewer plant expenses, Alsbach said.
Pisula
presented a 12-page user charge study which recommended rate
increases and other changes that would pay for the upgrade in a
"worst case scenario." The "worst case scenario"
means the city has no other funding source except the loan.
Under
this plan, fixed residential rates for users in the city would go
from $11 monthly to $16.39 monthly, and for residential users
outside the city, from $12 a month to $22.31. Fixed rates for
commercial, industrial and institutional users would drop, but rates
for volume of wastewater treated and for other surcharges would go
up, so that the overall rates for these users would also increase.
An
example given in the Donohue study was the Logan Correctional
Center, an institutional user, going from $11,550.37 per month to
$26,772.74; Eaton Corporation, an industrial user, going from the
present $3,060.25 to $6,955.09 monthly; and Cracker Barrel, a
commercial user, going from $172.65 to $304.29 per month.
Under
the worst-case scenario, the city would have to borrow the entire
$9.8 million, according to sewer plant manager Grant Eaton. However,
because the sewage treatment plant also serves three state
institutions, the Lincoln and Logan Correctional Centers and the
Lincoln Developmental Center, Eaton hopes to get the state to fund
their share of the cost of the upgrade in one lump sum at the
beginning of the project, thus decreasing the amount of money the
city would have to borrow.
Eaton
said he was working with Jonathan Wright, state representative and
former Lincoln city attorney, to help the city get the institutional
funding or possibly an Illinois FIRST grant.
The
study also recommends several other changes, including the way in
which industrial and institutional customers’ wastewater bills are
computed. At present, sewage billing is based on a percentage of the
water meter reading. According to the Donohue study, the IEPA will
not accept this method of billing. Instead, these users should
install flow meters to measure the actual amount used, which would
be the basis of the billing. Eaton said he has already been talking
to industrial users and there are "no problems" putting in
flow meters.
The
study also said that many small commercial customers are billed as
if they were residential users. There is no basis for doing this in
the municipal code, and the Donohue firm recommends billing all
commercial customers as such.
The
study also noted that both correctional centers are outside the city
limits. The ordinance requires that customers outside the city be
billed at a higher rate than those in the city, but the correctional
centers are billed as if they were in the city. This practice should
be stopped, the study said.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Eaton
said he hoped to present a final proposal for rate increases to the
council at the Oct. 1 meeting and see a new rate structure approved
in October. He said that even if the council approves a rate
increase, the actual increase put into effect could be lower than
the amount approved if other funding can be found.
Another
open question is how soon the city can get its funding and begin
work. For construction to begin in the spring of 2002, the IEPA must
complete its review in 90 days so the bid package can be issued in
late November. The city can then hope money will be available in
January so bids can be awarded in February of 2002 and construction
can begin in March, Alsbach said.
However,
the IEPA can always ask for a 90-day extension of the review, and if
that happens, the project will not qualify for funding in January of
2002. Lincoln’s project might get funded in October of 2002 if it
gets a high enough priority, but if it doesn’t make the October
list, it will not be funded until January of 2003. All of these
delays will result in increased costs, Alsbach pointed out.
In any
case, Eaton said, the sooner the city can show it has a source of
revenue to pay for the 30-year loan, presently calculated at 2.68
percent interest, the better its chances of getting the work done
soon. He said even after the council passes the new rate structure,
the IEPA will take up to 90 days to approve that as well.
The
sewer plant is operating at near capacity, and if it is not
upgraded, the IEPA may prohibit the city from connecting any new
users, thus stopping both residential and commercial-industrial
growth. Also, the plant must now meet new and stricter federal
standards for ammonia removal, Eaton said.
Integrity Data loan request withdrawn
In
other business, Patrick Doolin of Integrity Data withdrew his
application for a $100,000 Community Development Assistance Program
loan for the present. Doolin said changes in his organization, a
computer programming company, make it necessary for the firm to
"regroup" and move in new directions.
A
Lincoln native, Doolin said he chose to locate his firm here and
still hopes to add 12 additional full-time people in the near
future.
City may have right to buy water
franchise
City
Attorney Bill Bates told the council that according to a 1970
agreement, the city’s water franchise must give the city the right
of first refusal if it is to be sold. The city would then have 180
days to decide whether to purchase the franchise.
The franchise, currently
owned by Illinois American Water Co., is being sold to a German
firm, Bates said. He asked the council if they would like him to
send a letter notifying American Water that the city has the right
of first refusal. The council authorized him to send the letter.
[Joan
Crabb]
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Sen.
Stone hears gambling expansion proposals
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[SEPT.
26, 2001] State
Sen. Claude "Bud" Stone from the 45th District
attended a meeting of the Senate Executive Subcommittee on Gambling
and heard testimony about proposals to expand legalized gambling in Illinois to include
video gaming. The August hearing was at the Capitol in Springfield.
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‘A
Celebration of Patriotism and Remembrance’ at Hartsburg-Emden High
[SEPT.
25, 2001] On
Friday, Sept. 21, the Hartsburg-Emden High School had an assembly at
2 p.m. in the high school gymnasium to honor those who lost their
lives in the "Attack on America."
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Walking
into the school, people were met with floods of red, white and blue,
along with a wall of stars and pictures of those who have served our
country or are presently serving. These patriotic colors were mixed
in with blue corduroy jackets of proud FFA members.
The
Hartem FFA members introduced guest speakers and performed the
flag-raising ceremony at the assembly. The guest speakers included
our state representative, Jonathan Wright, Dan Fulscher and "Bucky"
Washam of the Lincoln Rural and Lincoln Fire Departments, and
Jim Thomas of Emden. Remembrance, heroism and patriotism were the
topics discussed, as well as the sounding of the Last Alarm.
Thanks
to Miss Bathe, Mrs. Curry and Mrs. Pech for organizing
the assembly. Thanks also to all of the members of the color
guard from the Hartsburg Legion Post 1146 and Emden Legion Post 506,
the Emden Fire Department, Hartsburg Fire Department and the
community for coming and supporting America.
[News
release]
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[Gene
Bathe (at left), chief of the Hartsburg Fire Department, and Dick
Reiners, representing the Emden Fire Department, sound the bell
three sets of three rings for the Last Alarm.]
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Gain
great savings at the Bergner’s
Community Day and help build a home
[SEPT.
25, 2001] Board
members and workers for Habitat for Humanity are eager to begin
constructing a new house. They have several properties lined up to
put houses on, but funding is needed. Recent past projects — two
houses in one year is a lot — have left a depletion of funds and
some bills that still need to paid off. Then the organization would
like to have some money ahead for the next project. Their goal is to
start a new home this coming spring. You can help them reach this
goal by participating in the Bergner’s Community Day Sale.
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What
is the Bergner’s Community Day Sale?
Bergner’s
Community Day Sale is a special event that takes place on Saturday,
Nov. 17. Customers for the sale can purchase an event packet that
contains special savings certificates to use on most merchandise
throughout the store (including some merchandise that rarely goes on
sale), plus the chance to win an exciting trip for two to Puerto
Rico!
How
can this event help Habitat for Humanity raise money?
Habitat
for Humanity is selling packets for $5 each, and 100 percent of the
$5 packet price is theirs to keep! By purchasing these event
packets, you are helping Habitat for Humanity raise much-needed
funds while enjoying great savings!
What
will you receive with your event packet purchase?
With
each $5 event packet purchase, you’ll receive five $10 savings
certificates to use on merchandise purchases throughout the store.
You’ll also enjoy delicious refreshments, and you’ll get the
chance to win an exotic trip to Puerto Rico. Plus, you’ll be
supporting and strengthening our communities!
[to top of second column in
this article]
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How
can I purchase an event packet?
Event
packets may be purchased from any board members of Habitat for
Humanity of Logan County. Packets will also be available for
purchase at any of the Bergner’s locations from Sept. 10 through
Nov. 17. Funds raised from in-store event packet sales will be
divided equally among schools and groups participating in the event.
To
purchase packets or for more information, you may contact any of the
board members of Habitat for Humanity of Logan County:
George
Dahmm, (217) 732-6234
Harley
Petri, (217) 947-2707
Bill
Sahs, (217) 737-0346
Phil
Dehner at A.G. Edwards, (217) 732-2861
Leonard
Krusemark, (217) 376-3234
Terry
Lock at Illini Bank, (217) 735-2238
Lyle
Fout, (217) 947-2935
Ken
Benham, (217) 732-8101
Ken
Tappendorf, (217) 732-9732
Businesses
where packets may be picked up:
A.G.
Edwards, 628 Broadway St., Suite 1, in Lincoln
Illini
Bank, 2201 Woodlawn Road, Lincoln or 120 Gov. Oglesby, Elkhart
[LDN
and news release]
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United
they share
[SEPT.
24, 2001] “We
are the threads of the blanket of freedom. As Americans, we don’t
have a choice; we have to do something." And so, with her words
and through her devotion, Carrie Granito continues to weave her own
thread of patriotism. Implementing and at the helm of the community
relief efforts for the "Attack on America," Granito is
busy rounding up manpower for a relief auction set for Sunday, Sept.
30. The auction will be at 2 p.m. in the Lincoln Rec Center, with
all proceeds going to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
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Mayor Davis
was on hand pitching in at the donation center, located at 616
Broadway St., to help add final details to the auction she will be
guest hosting. Although almost 30 volunteers have already donated
time and goods to be auctioned; more help is needed. Lincoln Land
Communications lent a hand by donating a contact phone, 737-8868,
which you can call for information on how to make a contribution. Or
you can reach Mrs. Granito at 732-5659. She will remind you that
"It's not about how much or how little you can give, it’s
about each of us doing our part, and the time to do that is
now."
[Colin
Bird]
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Auction
details
Date:
Sunday, Sept. 30
Time:
2 p.m.
Place:
Lincoln Rec. Center, 1400 Primm Road
Needed:
Items for the auction
Donation
center: 616 Broadway, Lincoln
Open:
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Telephone:
737-8668
Please
call donation center for items that need to be picked up.
Relief
coordinators:
Carrie
Granito, head coordinator, 732-5659
Linda
Shaffer, entertainment, 735-2527
Judy
Ramlow, baked goods for bake sale, 735-3290
Michelle
Lamothe, local business donations, 735-4677 |
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