The first was the appointment of Ron Olthoff to the Lincoln Diversity and Inclusion Commission. Olthoff was brought to the speakers table to give a brief self-introduction and field questions from the council. He explained that he came to the Lincoln Community as an employee of Fricke-Calvert Schrader Funeral Homes.

He said that he and his wife were happy in the community and considered it to be home. Olthoff had recently heard that there was a need for more members on the Diversity and Inclusion Commission. He felt it would be a good way for him to serve.

At the end of the night, the last order of business was the council’s approval of the recommendation from Welch to appoint Rhonda O’Donohue as the newest Ward Four alderperson, replacing Rick Hoefle who resigned in late May.

After the unanimous vote, O’Donohue was sworn into office by the mayor.

Photo by Nila Smith                  [Click on image for larger version]

Wednesday afternoon officials from the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the former Lincoln Developmental Center. Work is already underway for a new Juvenile Detention Center that according to IDJJ Director Heidi Mueller will be the first of its kind because it was designed with input from the youth in the system, and because it is not an adult prison being converted to a youth center.

Lincoln Daily News will have full coverage of the groundbreaking in a future edition.

Photo by Nila Smith                 [Click on image for larger version]