 Approval of new city codesAldermen voted unanimously to
modify city ordinances regarding abandoned homes and nuisances.
Aldermen Buzz Busby and Jeff Hoinacki were not present for the vote.
With the approval, John Lebegue, city building and safety
officer, said he has a greater ability to pursue some of the
neglected properties in Lincoln. Lebegue said he would immediately
start working his way through a list of such properties.
He thanked the council for their support and said it would help
him do his job better.
Fast track to demolition
With Area Disposal offering their services free of charge for a
city cleanup, Mayor Keith Snyder has $20,000 in his budget that he
has asked be used for fast-track demolition.
Lebegue has a short list of three abandoned homes he will be
working to get into the fast-track program.
Citywide cleanup
A motion to accept the proposal from Area Disposal for a citywide
cleanup was approved unanimously. Eric Shangraw and Walt Landers,
representing Area Disposal, were present for the meeting.
Shangraw was immediately recognized by Alderwoman Marty Neitzel,
who remembered him from his days behind the news desk on the Peoria
television station and commented to that effect.
Shangraw confirmed he had a long career in the media, but he left
that and, in his words, became "a trash man." Shangraw's official
position with the company is as municipal marketing manager.
When he took the podium, he spoke about Area Disposal's decision
to offer free services to the city of Lincoln for a citywide cleanup
event.
Though Area Disposal is a large corporation, the local services
have local roots. The local collection service was started as
Landers Trash Services by Walt Landers' parents. Walt became the
second-generation manager of the company before it was purchased by
Area Disposal.
Even after the company was taken over, Landers has
remained an integral part of the local daily operations.
Shangraw said there had been discussions with Mayor Keith Snyder
about the cleanup days. When discussions between Shangraw, Landers
and Snyder were finished, Landers told Shangraw, "I want to do this
for Lincoln … free." Shangraw said, "OK then."
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Shangraw said final approval had to come from the corporate
offices in Peoria, but that was accomplished, and Area Disposal was
happy to be able to do something for the local community.
After the vote was taken and the program approved, Alderwoman
Kathy Horn commented to Landers that his parents would be very proud
of him for the service he had worked to provide to the city. Several
others also spoke out expressing their appreciation to Landers and
the company.
Two dates are set for the citywide cleanup: Saturday, April 28,
and Saturday, May 5.
On both days Area Disposal will place large roll-off trash
trailers at the Logan County Fairgrounds. Lincoln residents may
bring in one car or pickup truck load of trash to be deposited in
the roll-offs.
IDs will be checked to be sure haulers coming in are Lincoln
residents. The items that can be hauled in include doors and
windows, car tires, appliances that do not contain Freon, furniture
and bulky items, and carpet and wood scraps, which must be bundled
before being dumped.
Items that will not be accepted include hazardous and liquid
wastes, truck or tractor tires, contaminated soils, asbestos
products, car and truck batteries, concrete, brick, dirt, and
appliances with Freon.
On April 28, the trash collected will be from residents who
reside west of Union Street in Lincoln. Those who live east of Union
will be permitted to haul in on May 5.
April lawn waste collection
Mayor Keith Snyder said he has been talking to Tracy Jackson of
the city street department, and they are looking at also offering
city pickup of lawn waste during the month of April.
This would include organic waste only, such as shrub clippings
and tree branches.
Snyder said with this service on the calendar as well, April will
truly become a cleanup month for the city of Lincoln.
[By NILA SMITH] |
