Shawn Picolotti, Chairman of the Highway Committee of the Carroll County Board, says the committee is in a quandary about what to do with the 92-year-old bridge. Located on secluded Daggert Road between Salem and Timber Lake Rds. south of Mt. Carroll, the structure needs repairs.
Picolotti told the Board, "We're still not sure what we can do with this bridge because of its historic status." Built in 1916, the structure is eligible for entry in the National Register of Historic Places.
According to www.bridgehunter.com, the wooden structure is a Timber Queenpost Pony Truss bridge. Its largest span is a little over 42 ft., with a total length of 60 ft. and its deck width at 16 ft. It is open to traffic, which averages around 60 vehicles per day, with a 10-ton single or combination vehicle weight limit. But it is in relatively poor condition.
"The wood is simply rotting," Picolotti said. He reported that the next step is to perform a hydraulic study of East Johnson Creek that meanders under the bridge. Then they will be able to determine what type of substructure could be built to increase the weight capacity of the structure. "It's a difficult situation because of its historic status," Picolotti added. "We may be able to add supports under it, or just leave it and build around it." No action was taken. (PA story & photo/Tom Kocal)
MT. CARROLL For the second time in two months, the Carroll County Board, after considerable debate at both the SA/Finance Committee meeting on January 10, and at the Thursday, Jan. 17 Board meeting, could not approve the committee's recommended salary for the Circuit Clerk.
At the SA/F committee meeting on the 10th, the recommended salary was unanimously approved by four of the Board members that comprise the committee. Fritz motioned to approve the recommended Circuit Clerk's salary for the County's fiscal years of 2009 through 2012 to be $44,200 for 2009, $45,600 for 2010, $47,500 for 2011, and $49,500 for 2012. The recommended salary figures would bring the salary level of the Circuit Clerk equal to the other elected offices of the Treasurer, Assessor, and Clerk/Recorder, a 10% upfront increase.
Judy Gray (D-II) didn't want to set the salary for 4 years. She proposed amending the motion to set the Circuit Clerk's salary at $45,600 all four years.
"The first proposed plan by the committee is fair," said Shawn Picolotti (D-I). "I want to see the salaries fair to all, across the board."
The amended motion was withdrawn, and there was discussion to go back to the original motion, but change it from the 4-year plan to a 2-year plan. Then the Board would reassess all four elected officials salaries in 2010.
Board Chairman Sharon Hook (D-II) reminded the Board that "the salary needs to be set 180 days before the November elections. We have until May to get this issue resolved."
Then Kevin Reibel (D-I) amended the motion from the original 4-year plan to the 2-year plan. "Theoretically, we can pass the 4-year plan, but change it in 2 years if we need to," he added.
At this point, Fritz moved to table the matter until February, in order to do more number crunching. The motion to table passed, but Picolotti and Chuck Wemstrom (D-III) voted nay.
On behalf of the Village of Chadwick, Village President Deb Adolph accepted special Leadership Recognition from Chairman Hook. The Village recently completed a Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, which takes a look at the Village's plans for street maintenance, water and sewer projects, and other possible improvements.
"It's an outstanding plan," Hook told the audience and fellow Board members. "We commend you and the Village officials for your work. It's a great effort in planning for growth."
The Board approved Intergovernmental Agreements for 2008 with Rock Creek-Lima and Cherry Grove-Shannon Townships, and the multi-township assessment districts that are made up of Freedom, Woodland, and Washington Townships, and Wysox and Elkhorn Grove Townships.
According to the County Property Tax Code, if a township or multi-township district has been unable to elect or appoint a township assessor, and has been unable to complete the property tax assessments in the district, they may contract for the assessment services with the County. The County then assigns a sufficient number of qualified Deputy Assessors from the Supervisor of Assessments office to perform the assessment duties for the township.
The Townships Board of Trustees agree to pay to the County's General Fund the following amounts for services rendered: Rock Creek-Lima Twp. - $3,128; Cherry Grove-Shannon Twp. - $4,184; Multi-township assessment district of Freedom, Woodland, and Washington - $7,784; and the multi-township assessment district of Wysox and Elkhorn Grove - $2,868.
The Board passed a resolution declaring "with sadness" the vacancy in the County Board District 2, due to the death of Board member Helen LaTouche in December. Both Carroll County political party chairmen were to be notified within 3 days of the vacancy.
The resolution states that the vacancy will be filled by appointment of Board Chairman Hook within 60 days of approving the resolution.
LaTouche also served on the CC Hotel-Motel Tax Board, and the Board is seeking a replacement to fill the vacant seat as County Board liaison.
In a related matter, the Board accepted with regret the resignation of District 3 Board member Dave Reed of Milledgeville. Reed, who has served on the Board since first being elected in 1992, submitted a letter of resignation to Chairman Hook, saying that he was resigning due to health problems. "I must reassess my priorities in life," Reed stated in the letter.
A vacancy resolution will be prepared to fill Reed's position for the February meeting.
Reibel, chairman of the Sheriff/Property Committee, reported that the committee recommended to the Board to accept bids for two new vehicles for the CC Sheriff's Dept. Three sealed bids were submitted by Kunes' Country Auto Group in Mt. Carroll, the only bids received.
A 2008 Crown Victoria ($21,965) and a 2008 Dodge Durango 4x4 ($24,617) totaled $46,582, the amount approved for the purchase of two new
vehicles needed by the Sheriff's Dept. The third vehicle in the bid proposal was for a 2007 Impala Police Special, but Sheriff Jeff Doran did not like the Impala bid as presented, Reibel said. "The Sheriff needs the vehicles, so we presented the bid this way." The motion was unanimously approved.
The $46,582 bid accepted by the Board may be supported by a $17,000 grant to pay for part of one of the vehicles.
In regard to what the Sheriff would do with the used vehicles, Wemstrom asked about the possibility of keeping one of the vehicles for use by a County Administrator, if one were hired. Wemstrom said since the vehicle is already a county-owned vehicle, it could be utilized in lieu of paying mileage to the proposed administrator.
Reibel said that was certainly a possibility, depending on the condition of the vehicles. "That was done for the County Health Department a few years ago."
The Board also discussed several other issues:
- Approved the purchase of a photocopy machine for the Supervisor of Assessments office. The bid of $6,653 was higher than the $6,000 budgeted amount.
- Approved raffle licenses for Palisades Fantails, Thomson Melon Days Association, Carroll County Haiti Mission Project, and Carroll County Pheasants Forever.
- Approved a bridge petition by Freedom Township for a culvert replacement over the branch of the Plum River where it is crossed by Carter Road. The $70,000 project includes removing the existing concrete box culvert and installing a structural plate pipe arch and related work.
- Discussed the IEMA report submitted by Greg Miller to the Sheriff/Property, referring to the proposed "CodeRed" Emergency Communication Networking System. The Committee had approved the motion for Sheriff Doran to present the system to the 9-1-1 Board, but they are not authorized ti use 9-1-1 funds to pay for the $7-8,000 networking system. Gerald Bork (D-II) said that a cost-share proposal that would include the County, municipalities, school and fire protection districts, etc. is being considered. "It's a good concept," Bork said.
- Amended the CC Code, Sec. 20-14, regarding the role of the County Board Chairman. During the discussion, the amendment was basically interpreted to mean that if there was a quorum at County Board Committee meetings, there would be no need for the County Board Chairman (an ex-officio member of all the committees) to vote. The motion passed unanimously. Late in the meeting, a member of the press asked for clarification of the approved amendment, as the draft copy submitted for approval stated that "As an ex-officio member, the chairman shall have all the voting rights of other committee members and shall be counted in determining if a quorum of the committee is present." The 20-14 resolution will be amended again at the February Board meeting.
- The GIS committee recommended a GIS fee structure for Board approval. Fee changes for labor, map fees, digital data requests, digital orthophotography, and contours were approved by the Board.
- Animal Control Committee reported that the furnace has been replaced at the pound. Animal Control Officer Joe Grim also reported to the committee that Happy Tails, a no-kill adoption agency from Chicago, will take dogs on transfer as an alternative to euthanasia.
MT. CARROLL Juvenile truancy has, unfortunately, become a major issue in Carroll County schools. One of the first items on the agenda at the January 17 Carroll County Board meeting was the recommended approval of a county truancy ordinance.
The item was brought to the board by Rod Fritz (Dist. III), chairman of the State's Attorney/Finance Commitee (SA/F), who recommended the board approve the ordinance based on their recommendation from the Jan. 10 committee meeting.
At that time, State's Attorney Scott Brinkmeier introduced Marcie Arno, CC Probation Officer, and Shanna Bess, Work Release Director of the Carroll County Probation Dept. Bess is also Chairman of the Juvenile Justice Council of Carroll County. They were there to answer questions about the proposed "Truancy Prohibited" ordinance.
The proposed county ordinance was immediately questioned by Joyce Schubert (D-III). She was concerned that the ordinance would restrict the rights of parents to remove their children from school as they deem appropriate.
"We have a truancy problem in Carroll County," Brinkmeier explained. He referred to the November 8 informational meeting hosted by Judge Val Gunnarsson of the 15th Judicial Circuit Court. Joining Gunnarsson was Brinkmeier; Asst. SA John Beardsley; Carol Geary, Site Coordinator for the CC Substance Education Coalition; Freddie Preston, EUDL Grant Coordinator/Underage Drinking; Brandy Howard, Truant's Alternative Program; Marie Steifel, Regional Superintendent of Schools; Joyce Crouse, CC Truancy Specialist; Lonnie Lemon, West Carroll Superintendent of Schools; Julie Katzenberger, WCHS Principal; and Jeanette Ashby. Arno and Bess from the CC Probation Dept. were also in attendance.
It was noted and questioned by several board members why there were no other representatives from Carroll County Schools at that meeting. (Notes from the Nov. 8 meeting indicate that superintendents from Eastland and Chadwick- Milledgeville districts were invited). Only West Carroll administrators attended.
"The proposed county ordinance follows state guidelines for what constitutes compulsory attendance," Brinkmeier said. "Current criminal violations under the Illinois School Code are aimed at parents or others, such as legal guardians, who assist minors in being truant, and would override any local ordinances."
"Then why do we need one?" asked Edie Block (D-III).
Brinkmeier explained that under the Juvenile Court Act, a petition alleging that a minor who was considered a "chronic truant" in need of supervision could not be filed with the court until the minor had already missed 10% of the school year, or 18 days. "By this time it is too late to attempt to correct the truancy behavior," he said.
Brinkmeier added that the County Truancy Ordinance would "provide for immediate action and consequences to a minor found to be truant by a County Sheriff's officer."
Ron Preston (D-II) voiced his concern with the 83% truancy rate at the West Carroll Schools. "That costs the district $187,000 in reduced state aid," he said "That's four teacher's salaries. Parents dealing with truancy don't like gray areas. Without this ordinance, there are too many gray areas. They want it in black and white."
Fritz said, "In the long run, we would be giving the schools the authority to determine what is an acceptable parent's decision to take a child out of school. We'll be creating a law that, down the road, may affect parents who don't need a law like this."
Gerald Bork (D-II) stated simply that, "Maybe West Carroll should deal with this issue." Other county schools' attendance rates are in the 90% range, Preston said. State-wide attendance averages about 94%.
Kevin Reibel (D-I) said he felt that "a county ordinance would put some teeth into current state laws at a local level. But a county officer has no jurisdiction in a county city or village."
Brinkmeier reminded the Board that this ordinance would just cover the unincorporated areas of Carroll County. "Municipalities can also deal with this problem, but we want Carroll County to lead the way." He added that currently there was a split among the municipal police departments as to whether or not they favored the implementation of a county ordinance. Paul Hartman (D-I) was concerned how the proposed ordinance would be enforced.
"School districts already have their own policies regarding what is and isn't an acceptable absence," Brinkmeier said. "Schools could contact the Sheriff's Dept., or local authorities. An officer may come in contact with a truant child and contact the school. But without the ordinance, nothing can be done until that child misses 18 days of school. By then, it's too late to help."
Juanita Randklev (D-I) sees the situation getting worse. "As an example, in the lower grade levels at West Carroll, some of the teachers need to escort children to the washroom because of the potential for problems with other students. The situation is degrading and may continue, creating more truancy problems not only in the lower grades, but as they advance in school."
"If West Carroll has a problem with truancy and other issues, they should handle it internally," said Judy Gray (D-II).
Chuck Wemstrom (D-III) agreed with Gray. "Academic problems, like at West Carroll, are not solved by legal interference."
Shawn Picolotti (D-I) feels that some of the problems experienced by most school districts are based on laws restricting disciplinary action by teachers toward unruly, disruptive students. "When I was in school, like a lot of kids then and now, I didn't always feel like going to school. I probably would have skipped school too, if I could have gotten away with it. But I would have been in big trouble with my parents, but with the principal, too." Picolotti added he would prefer to see county municipalities pass their own truancy ordinances before the county does, so that the county and local police would be working together to resolve a common problem.
Preston, in a final plea to approve the truancy ordinance, stated, "Somebody has to break this chain. As adults, we have to sometimes take the responsibility to help our children for those who won't."
Kurt Dreger (D-I) motioned to table the issue. "I would first like more input from the community, schools and police departments."
Board Chairman Sharon Hook (D-II) agreed. "This issue has too many unanswered questions to make any decisions." In a 12-1 vote, with Reibel the lone nay vote, the truancy ordinance was tabled.
(Publisher's Note: Carroll County's Prairie Advocate News presented the Nov. 8 informational meeting report in the Nov. 14, 2007 issue. This very serious problem is taking place not just locally, but nation-wide. The views presented in the Nov. 14 issue, and in this article, are from public officials that see the problem from their perspective, but who also are obligated to follow the laws established by the State and Federal governments. Draft copies of the proposed Carroll County "Truancy Prohibited" ordinance are available at both the Savanna and Lanark PRAIRIE ADVOCATE offices. Your views and suggestions to alleviate this problem are welcome and will be published in the Letters to the Editor. E-mail the publisher at , or mail your comments to P.O. Box 84, Lanark, IL 61046. Your comments and ideas are appreciated. If needed, confidentiality will be respected.)
Input was on the agenda at the meeting on January 16 of the Eastland Board of Education.
The Board had a lengthy discussion about the process for gathering input into future facility plans for the district. The consensus was to direct the superintendent to develop a presentation on future facility options. The purpose of the presentation will be both informational, and to solicit input.
These presentations will begin with the Citizens' Advisory Committee meeting on January 23, and to district employees at building level meetings throughout January. Presentations will continue through February, in preparation for the Board's goal of finalizing a direction in March, whether to continue in three attendance centers, or seek a referendum for the building improvements necessary to reduce to two facilities.
During Board Input, the Board authorized the Superintendent to work with the district's bond manager to re-finance the remaining 7-years of debt service on the 2000 additions to Eastland Middle and High Schools. This will generate a projected $71,000 in savings to taxpayers as a result of lower interest rates. The Board will act on a resolution at their February meeting.
In Old Business, the Board approved the High School Curriculum Guide for 2008-09, and the purchase of the new social studies textbook series presented at the January meeting. The total cost for the books for grades 3-11 is projected to be $26,160. The Illinois Textbook Loan program will cover $10,966 of these costs, resulting in a projected net cost of $15,194. The textbooks are purchased as part of a cycle for replacing old textbooks annually.
The Board voted 6-1 to deny the request for implementation of a school-sponsored high school dance team. Rationale for the decision were that participation in the non-school dance team has declined over the last two years, and overall student enrollment at the high school is expected to decline for the next six years. Results of the extra-curricular interest survey administered in December showed interest in a dance team, but also showed that most of the interested students were already planning to participate in other activities already offered at the school at the same time.
The trade-in of two buses, and the purchase of two buses for the 2008-09 school year was also approved. The motion approved the purchase of two, 1-year old mini-buses from Midwest Transit Equipment, Inc. at a cost of $36,682 and $42,682 each. One of the mini-buses will be equipped with a wheel-chair lift. For trade-ins, the district will receive $5,300 and $5,200 for two, 7-year old mini-buses. The net cost for the purchases will be $68,684.
The Board also discussed the revised and updated Strategic Action Plan for 2008. The plan will now go to the Citizens Advisory Committee for input.
Finally in old business, the Board heard a budget update from the superintendent. All funds are within projected expenditure amounts for the year at the conclusion of the second quarter.
Under New Business, the Board heard a report from the Wellness Sub-Committee. The report outlined possible actions that could be taken to raise the nutritional value of school meals, and improve the nutritional value of products sold in vending machines. The Board will take a more detailed look at the costs associated with the possible changes when they evaluate finances at the conclusion of the year.
The Board heard a 1st Reading of a proposed calendar for 2008-09. The calendar is being reviewed by the Eastland Education Association for input. The current proposal shows school starting on Tuesday, August 19, 2008. Action to approve the calendar will be taken in February.
The Board also approved and accepted the bid from RK Dixon for the purchase of a Canon Copy Machine at a cost of $15,202. RK Dixon was the low bidder of three. The copier will replace the machine currently in the district office at Eastland Elementary. The current district office machine will be placed in the work room at Eastland Middle School in Shannon.
Principal Feltmeyer shared information on the Putnam Museum Outreach program that will visit Eastland Middle School in January. Principal Ritchie shared information on the National Honor Society Organ Donor Awareness program, as well as a list of twenty former Eastland/Lanark/Shannon graduates who are currently working as educators in the region.
Mr. Hansen recognized Deb Kaczmarski and Chris Urish for having Reading Master Classrooms as determined by Renaissance Learning, Inc. He also spoke briefly about plans for the January 18 Teachers' Institute.
At 8:05 p.m., the Board approved a motion to enter into closed session to discuss personnel, and collective bargaining issues. The Board exited closed session at 8:45.
The meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m. with no further action taken.
PHOTO
Pastor Ken and his wheelchair-accessible van. (Photo courtesy of HUMC)
'Wheels for Pastor Ken' benefit
Pastor Ken is a very special person to some of the residents of the Village of Hanover in Northwest Illinois. Pastor Kendrick Matthews, who has suffered from childhood polio, recently developed complications from that disease as well as severe pain from new shoulder injuries. These health issues have confined him to a wheelchair and make transfer in and out of any vehicle very difficult.
The churches of the Hanover area presented a wheelchair-accessible van to Pastor Ken on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2006. This van enables him to travel and to carry out his pastoral duties.
In a continuing effort to raise funds toward the purchase of the van, the churches of Hanover will host a hog and beef dinner on Thursday, January 31 from 4-8 PM at the Park District Center (old school) in Hanover. The meal includes roasted pork and beef, cheesy potatoes, baked beans, cole slaw, rolls and beverage.
The benefit will also feature a silent auction and bake sale. Entertainment will be provided.
"The community has since worked at fund-raising activities and it is hoped that this roast will complete the purchase," said Lucille Penry, one of the organizers. An account is open for Pastor Ken's van fund at the Centrue Bank in Hanover.
For more information, or to donate a silent auction item, please contact Lucille Penry at . Carry-outs will be available - please call .
PHOTO
The biannual bridge inspection was recently conducted in the City of Mount Carroll. Two of the three bridges passed with flying colors. However, the Galena Street Bridge (above) was found to need some work. Some of the beams are rusting, but more inspections will be done to determine if the beams will need to be replaced or just strengthened. Work will most likely not begin until the weather improves, possibly late winter or early spring. (PA Photo/Tom Kocal)
Forest Stewardship Conference set for Mar. 8
A wide range of subjects including tree identification, tree diseases, managing pests and invasive plants, timber marketing, chainsaw use, protecting trees from deer damage, forest carbon basics, Lyme disease, the Farm Bill, and protecting forests through public planning will be presented at the 2008 Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference. The event will be held at Sinsinawa Mound Center, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, on Saturday, March 8.
This is the fourteenth year for the conference, which annually draws 550 woodland landowners from Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. It has become one of the largest woodland owner conferences in the nation.
"We are very excited about this year's conference," says Peggy Compton, Conference Coordinator and Natural Resources Educator with University of Wisconsin-Extension. "There will be a Key Note Address by Bob Simpson from the American Forest Foundation, as well as, the usual engaging and informative presentations throughout the day."
The conference regularly fills to capacity, so those interested in participating are encouraged to register early to secure their place and receive the "Early Bird" registration discount. "If you have not attended this conference before, I encourage you to come out this year. You won't be disappointed,"
Compton added.
Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about state-specific woodland landowner programs, including, the Illinois Forestry Development Act, cost share opportunities in Iowa, and Wisconsin's private forest landowner incentives and programs.
This year will include youth sessions for students in grades 4-6, covering the topics of Woodland Communities, Woodland Mammals, Raptors, and Geocaching (using GPs units to find hidden treasures). The cost per student is just $15 and registration is limited to 25. Youth must attend with a registered adult participant. For more information and the complete youth agenda, visit the web site at http://basineducation.uwex.edu/gpsp and click on "Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference" or contact Youth Session coordinator, Sharon Klavins, at , .
Take advantage of the Early Bird Registration Discount! The adult registration fee is $40 per person on or before Feb. 8, and $50 per person after that date. The fee includes a continental breakfast, buffet luncheon, refreshments, resource packet and handouts.
The deadline to mail registrations is Feb. 23, 2008; online registrations will be accepted through March 1. Advance registration is required; there is no walk-in registration on the day of the conference. Participation is limited to 550; so early registration is encouraged and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration can be found at http://basineducation.uwex.edu/gpsp. Click on "Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference."
Additional conference information is available online as well. Click on "Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference." On the website you will find detailed descriptions of conference sessions, links to online registration, and registration forms you can print to register by mail.
The Sinsinawa Mound Center is located a few miles east of Dubuque, Iowa. If you plan to arrive the night before, lodging is available at the Center at a rate of $36 per person per night. Advance reservation is required seven days prior to the conference. If you plan to stay at the Center, you will need to make your own reservation by calling . "This is a great opportunity for landowners to learn more about woodlands, wildlife and other related topics," says Compton. "Space is limited and in the past we have reached maximum capacity and had to close registration, so register early." The conference is presented in partnership with the Cooperative Extension Services at Iowa State University, University of Illinois and University of Wisconsin; the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and Department of Natural Resources from each of the three states; the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Iowa State University; the Department of Forest Ecology and Management at University of Wisconsin-Madison; and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. For more information, contact Peggy Compton, UW-Extension Basin Educator at , or email to or visit http://www.uwex.edu/ces/news
Following the Yellow Brick Road
By Sue Langenberg
A friend was giving me directions to an event the other day when I suddenly realized that none of it made sense. I was getting more irritable as my notes were filled with arrows, visual cues and which McDonald's to pass.
All I needed was the name of the road and which way to turn. It was only 40 miles away and, last time I checked, east, west, north and south were my only options.
But that would be too easy. After that, I decided that giving directions is a highly
interpretive art form that reflects the personality of each person.
For a mechanic, for instance, there are no forks or Y's in the road. "Then there's a crescent wrench-shaped curve next to the power station on the opposite side of a road where there's a cog in the middle," my mechanic friend said.
When my ex-husband gives directions, he begins with "it's easy, you just" and then waves his arms around pointing in every direction at once. When the whole room spins and everyone gets dizzy, he corrects himself and says, "but then if you go that way, there are too many traffic lights."
I might have known. One time, some friends and I piled into his car to go to a favorite Chicago restaurant. He headed west first, then south, then east. Even friends unfamiliar with Chicago knew that we were driving a buzzard's route to the prey. I dared not ask why, however, because I knew that he would drive ten miles in the opposite direction to avoid one traffic light.
Another version of his directions is the one that gives you the alley route of the entire Chicago metropolitan area. This one avoids traffic cops, allows you to speed and promises no stop signs. The only problem arises when the smirking garbage man clogs your way and makes you go in reverse for about three blocks.
Some give directions without the slightest knowledge of the basic compass. "You turn this way (hold thumb like a hitchhiker), then that way (stand like a safety patrol), then you take this curve (turn into swimming diver). North points toward the
ceiling.
Others give you driver's education with directions. "Then you get in the right lane, but slow down first. When the light changes, head for such-and-such street and put your blinker on at the next intersection."
And, of course, the visually explicit. "After you pass that blue house with the cow-shaped mail box, you go until you get to the farm with a round barn, then turn right at the vegetable stand"
I had a relative who actually got lost in her own directions. Then she would digress into the history of everything. "And so, turn left, or wait a minute, we turned left and had a flat tire. Let's see, was that on Tuesday? No, the milkman comes on Tuesday"
I then turned to the internet for directions. The first one I came upon had "Welcome, to those lost with hot flashes." on its home page. The first map suspiciously had arrows up and down, the crescent wrench-shaped road and a blue house with the
cow-shaped mailbox.
When I clicked onto my destination, there were blinking graphics with a smiling hitchhiker pointing his thumb, a safety patrol pointing everywhere and a swimmer explaining a curve. A closer zoom revealed no traffic lights, my ex-husband spinning the map around and someone pointing to the ceiling.
Never mind anyone's directions, I thought. I just won't go. I'll probably get a flat tire anyway.
But I'll get even. The next time someone asks me for directions, there will be a yellow brick road, a cast of munchkins pointing everywhere and an evil stop light on the way to the Land of Oz.
Can you relate? If you would like to comment on Hot Flashes, Sue can be reached via E-mail at , or .
Extension Educator, Crop Systems
Rockford Extension Center,
University of Illinois
Phone
The recent Indiana grazing newsletter (Hoos-Your Grazing Network) offered timely tips that are applicable to Illinois forage producers. The winter months provide an excellent time to plan hay and pasture strategies.
Here are planning suggestions for northern Illinois forage producers for the winter months, starting with January:
Suggestions for February include:
Suggestions for March include:
Further information is available at your local University of Illinois Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service offices.
Highland Community College's Adult Education program will offer a new GED Computer Class in Savanna beginning January 22. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 9:3011:30 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church, 2100 Chicago Avenue.
Area residents 17 years or older may enroll in this free lab-type class to prepare for the GED tests. Student information is confidential, and adults may enroll on any Tuesday.
During this class, students will prepare for the 5 GED tests and the Constitution test through software specifically geared toward passing these tests. They may also take official practice tests and/ or enroll in the GED Online program, which can be accessed on any computer with the Internet.
If desired, GED students can learn or improve basic computer skills, such as Windows functions, word processing, keyboarding, resume writing, and career search, during this class. As with the traditional GED classes that meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:3011:30 A.M. and 6:008:00 P.M., instruction is tailored to fit the needs and learning pace of each student.
17 and 18 year olds are required to obtain a drop letter from their last school before they can enroll in any adult education class. This should be signed by the principal and note the date of withdrawal and whether or not the student passed the Constitution test.
For more information or to enroll in a class, call Linda at or HCC's Adult Education office at .
Carroll County Haiti Mission Project's annual dance will be held at Charlie's II in Mt. Carroll on Saturday, Jan. 26. "The L.R. Band" from Peoria will begin playing at 8 p.m.
The group will also have a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11 at the Mount Carroll United Methodist Church.
Nine CCHMP members plan to make the group's 16th trip to the Juampas region of the Caribbean island February 15-20.
CCHMP teams travel to Haiti three times each year. Teams are limited to 12 people and team members pay their own airfare and travel expenses, for food and potable water while in Haiti, departure tax, immunizations and passports. The group's projects include continued work on a medical/dental clinic, support of two schools, sponsorship of more than 50 schoolchildren and a vaccination program. All donated money goes to the group's projects; there are no administrative costs. Prior to a team leaving for Haiti, funds are sent to purchase construction materials, food and water.
The public is invited to both events. For more information on CCHMP, please contact Bill Timm, 244-2286.
The questions seem endless: Is it simple heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux? Is medication effective and how does it work? Are there any new treatments?
Monroe Clinic and General Surgeon Nicholas Maxwell, MD, will host "Heartburn Solutions," a community workshop designed to clear up the confusion surrounding this common problem. On Wednesday, January 30, at 6 p.m., the workshop will be presented at the Freeport Public Library, located at 100 E. Douglas St. The public is invited to attend this free event, which will cover information regarding:
- how to navigate the "medication maze,"
- how to decrease the health risks connected with chronic heartburn, and
- what the newest treatment options are, and if they're right for the individual.
Dr. Maxwell has practiced general surgery at Monroe Clinic since 1989 and has taught at UW-Madison for 11 years. In 2004, he was honored as University of Wisconsin-Madison's Clinical Teacher of the Year.
Refreshments will be served. To register for this event, call toll-free: 1- or go to www.monroeclinic.org and click on Classes & Events.
4-H Steer weighing and tattooing will he held Saturday, February 2, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at Jim & Kayla Ruter farm near Shannon. Snow date will be February 9, from 1:30 3:00 p.m. at the same location.
Any 4-H'er who has a beef steer or a market heifer for a project must attend the weigh-in. Also, anyone that is remotely thinking of showing steers at the State Fair Show in August in the Jr. Department beef steer and beef premiere classes should participate. State Fair animals must also be tagged with an electronic ID tag. Cost is $3.00 per tag.
Exhibitors attending the weigh-in will need to bring their Premise ID number with them. Qualifying carcasses must grade at least low choice, have a yield grade lower than 4.0 and weigh 900 lbs. or less.
For more information or to register by February 1st to attend the weigh-in and tattooing, contact the Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office at 244-9444.
To help landowners understand rural property owner rights and responsibilities as well as to learn about landowner program opportunities, the Northwestern Illinois Land and Farm Preservation Coalition has put together "The Three "R's" of Rural Living" seminar series with the first session "Rights, Rules, & Responsibilities" set for February 25 at the Community Building, Elizabeth, IL. The second session "Bought Some Acreage Now What?" will be held on March 31 at the Holy Cross Church, Stockton , IL. Check-in for each session begins at 8:30 a.m. with both programs running from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Each program utilizes several guest speakers from a number of area organizations. Topics covered at the February 25 session include typical property easements, well and septic issues, zoning, land use, understanding property assessment, forestry and conservation development acts, legal disposal of unwanted items and local recycling opportunities. March 31st topics include knowing your property features and soils, leasing options for cropland, pastures, and buildings, government programs, legal primer on key landowner laws, landowner liability and risk management, and land improvement options.
There is a nominal registration fee per session, a reduced fee for both sessions, with a discount available for additional family members if registered one week in advance. To register or to obtain more information on the workshop, contact Jo-Carroll Extension at either in Elizabeth or in Mt. Carroll. On-line registration with credit card payment can also be done via the Jo-Carroll Unit website at http://jdc.extension.uiuc.edu
Four Northwest Illinois entrepreneurs will discuss their life experiences about starting and running their e-commerce related small businesses in a workshop scheduled for February 7, 2008 at Naaman Diehl Auditorium in Mt. Carroll from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The featured E-commerce entrepreneur speakers range from a store-front boutique owner working to expand sales via a new web site to two experienced web designers offering many services such as web site design, internet marketing, photographic services and more. A fourth entrepreneur, through effective reliance on internet marketing from the start, will share how they have steadily built a business that has outgrown the home basement having to move to successively larger space three different times. The workshop also includes a presentation on defining the e-commerce market place for entrepreneurial opportunities and a talk on business planning for success. As a workshop bonus, each attendee will be provided a packet of business start-up and e-commerce reference materials.
The early bird registration fee if received prior to January 31 is $10 per person. Registrations received after January 31 or at the door will be $15 per person. Checks payable to University of Illinois Extension can be sent to Carroll County Extension, 807D South Clay Street, Mt. Carroll, IL 61053. On-line registration with credit card payment can also be done via the Jo-Carroll Unit website at http://jdc.extension.uiuc.edu. For more information or to obtain a brochure, contact Carroll County Extension at . Workshop co-sponsors include the Mt. Carroll Community Development Corporation, the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation, the Small Business Development Center, and University of Illinois Extension.
Reduce Energy Use and Save Money
Lowering your utility bill is good for you and the environment. There are many small, easy ways to save energy. Whether you own your home or rent, we can all make a difference. Reducing our energy use at home, work, and in our automobiles, will make our fuel supplies last longer and reduce air pollution from power plants.
Most of the following suggestions only require an investment of effort and apply to everyone. If you own your home, some changes that require a financial investment are worth considering.
Save heating fuel:Keep curtains and blinds closed at night to keep cold air out, but open during sunny days to allow the sun to warm rooms. Seal doors and windows with caulk, weather stripping and plastic film. Change or clean your furnace filter once a month.A dirty filter makes your furnace run harder, reducing its operating efficiency and life span. According to Alliant Energy, installing a programmable thermostat to automatically regulate the temperature when you are at home or away can pay
for itself in energy savings in less than a year. Caulk windows and weather strip doors.
Reduce Cooking Cost: Use smaller kitchen appliances as often as possible. From the most to the least cost: Electric oven, Gas oven, Toaster oven, Frying pan, Slow cooker, Microwave
Other ways to lower your utility bill:Cover all exposed hot water pipes with inexpensive foam insulation tubes available at hardware stores. Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn computers and monitors off when not in use. Wash clothes in cold water. Replace older appliances with Energy Star appliances. In your most used light fixtures, replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). They use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. See www.jocarroll.com for an energy savings calculator and cleanup instructions for broken CFLs. For information on recycling/disposing of CFLs, contact Jo-Carroll Energy or University of Illinois Extension.
To get better gasoline mileage:If idling for more than a minute, shut off the engine. Keep your engine tuned-up. Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure. Lighten your load. Extra weight reduces fuel efficiency.
To learn more about energy conservation and energy star products, go to: www.energystar.gov Energy Star is a joint program of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
For recycling or other conservation-oriented information, or to obtain the Jo-Carroll Recycling Directory, contact Maggie Friedenbach, Recycling and Conservation Programs Coordinator, at . Maggie represents the Jo-Carroll Solid Waste Agency and University of Illinois Extension.
The faculty and staff of the On-Campus Traditional Programs at Ashford University are pleased to announce the Dean's List for fall 2007. The Dean's List recognizes students who took six or more credits and received a grade point average of 3.50 or above during the semester ending on December 13, 2007.
The following area students exemplify a dedication and commitment to their studies which make them great role models for others to emulate.
Founded in 1918, Ashford University is a coeducational institution regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, with programs in education, business, accounting, criminal and social justice, computer animation and graphic design, and other areas. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as a range of student activities and athletics, at its Clinton campus. Online degree programs are available in education, organizational management, business administration, and psychology. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable on-campus and online programs, with tuition fees among the lowest in the U.S. compared to other private institutions. Its tagline is: "Higher Education Made Affordable". For more information, please visit http://www.ashford.edu/
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is now accepting pre-proposals for grants to fund projects through the 2008 State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program. The SWG program, funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides funds specifically for the protection and management of non-game species in the greatest need of conservation as identified in the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan.
Those organizations interested in seeking funds for wildlife conservation projects in Illinois are asked to submit their grant proposals online through the IDNR website no later than April 11, 2008.
The Illinois allocation of these federal funds is uncertain at this time as the U.S. Congress has not yet approved funding legislation. Illinois received approximately $2 million for the program in 2007 and funding at a similar level is expected for 2008. Approval of project proposals submitted by the April 11 deadline will be subject to the final allocation of available federal funding.
Under new guidelines released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 2007, the new "Planning" definition allows for a match of 75 percent federal funds to 25 percent state funds within certain parameters. The new "Implementation" definition restricts the match to a maximum reimbursement of 50 percent of total project costs.
Information on the pre-application for the State Wildlife Grant program is available on the IDNR web site at:
http://dnr.state.il.us/orc/wildliferesources/theplan/swggrant/login.asp
The Illinois Wildlife Action Plan is available on the IDNR web site for review and/or to download at: http://dnr.state.il.us/orc/Wildliferesources/theplan/
For more information on the State Wildlife Grant program in Illinois, contact the IDNR Watershed Protection Section, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, Ill., 62702-1271, phone , email: .
The deadline for submitting project pre-proposals for the State Wildlife Grants is April 11, 2008.
Carroll County 4-H Public Presentation Contests
It's time to select your topic, gather your notes and practice, practice, practice for the annual 4-H Public Presentation contests to be held Saturday, February 23. The public speaking contest will start at 9:00 a.m., at Naaman Diehl Auditorium in Mt. Carroll.
4-H'ers may choose from the following areas for their presentation: Illustrated speech, formal speech, extempore speaking, oral interpretation, original works, speaking of horses or horticulture. The demonstration contest will begin following the Public Speaking Contest. 4-H'ers may choose from the following area for their presentation: Food division - International, ethnic, or regional cuisine; nutrition; food science; food preservation; food safety; making food dollars count; general demonstration; horse demonstration and horticulture demonstration.
Both contests will be held in the morning. Registration deadline is February 11, 2008. Savings bonds, cash prizes or gift certificates will be awarded to the top 4-H'ers in each area.The public is welcome to attend.
For more information, contact Leanne Rahn at Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office at 244-9444 or .
Underage Drinking A Second Look
John Underwood of the American Athletic Institute, returned to West Carroll for student assemblies at both West Carroll Middle and High Schools on Thursday, January 17, 2008.
h, John, through the facilitation of West Carroll Athletic Director, Brian McCormick, gave a training session on the effects of alcohol on the bodies and brains of young people that choose to consume alcohol and drugs. The training sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, drew, not only West Carroll coaches, volunteer coaches, and teachers, but also athletic directors and coaches from surrounding counties and other school communities in Carroll County.
Freddie Preston, West Carroll Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Coalition (EUDL) site coordinator, said, "Even though I have seen Underwood's presentations several times previously, he is continuously adding on-going research."
Dawne Elliott, Prevention Specialist for Sinnissippi Centers at the Mt. Carroll Office, said, "The brain scans that Underwood presented were from some the leading professionals in the country. These scans show the effects, both long term and short term, that alcohol and drugs have on the developing adolescent brain."
Evaluations from those attending the training spoke volumes. Remarks included: Several said, "Parents need to see this." One of the coaches attending included the following in their evaluation: "John, you need to speak to the Illinois High School Association (the IHSA governs Illinois sports); they need to hear your message."
Preston said State level EUDL staff are working to have Underwood conduct 2 state-wide trainings, one in the Chicago area and one in Springfield, in the spring of 2008. "But, Preston added, "There is nothing like having this training available locally so anyone can attend."
Preston and Elliott can be reached at the Mt. Carroll Sinnissippi office at . They are available for presentations to neighborhood groups, community and faith-based organizations, or governing boards.
Lee Co. Meet The Candidates
The Lee County Bar Association hosted a candidates forum and meet the candidates event on Wednesday Jan. 16, 2008. The event was moderated by the Honorable Tim Slavin, retired judge of the 14th Judicial Circuit. The judicial candidates provided opening remarks followed by a question and answer period between the moderator and all candidates. A circuit wide judicial position is on the ballot for the voters of Lee, Ogle, Carroll, Stephenson and JoDavies counties. The Lee County Resident Judge position will be voted on solely by voters of Lee County. The primary election to fill these two judicial vacancies is February 5, 2008 followed by the general election in November 2008. The candidates seeking election to the five county circuit wide judicial position are Rolfe Ehrmann, Daniel A. Fish and M. Thomas Suits. The candidates seeking election to the Lee County Resident Judicial position are Judge Ron Jacobson and Robert J. "Bob" Thompson
For more info, contact David W. Badger, President, Lee County Bar Association, (815) 288-4949
It is my pleasure and honor to voice my support for Tom Suits in his candidacy for Circuit Judge. When I moved to this area 25 years ago to start my dental practice in Polo, IL, Tom was one of the first persons I met. We have been members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, raised our kids together, been in local service clubs working together on numerous community projects, and have gotten older and wiser as we shared our friendship.
There are stories to be told of the leisures of life that we have shared, but more important are the steadfast virtues that I have always encountered in my dealings with Tom. Whether it is a community service, a charitable act, a business transaction or a personal request for help...Tom has always been there. He has always been straight forward with his opinions and his sincerity is genuine. He has been passionate in his legal service as well as his community service, and he has always done these things with a smile. He has a gift for understanding the fairness of right and wrong. He has led his own life as an example for others to follow.
Polo has been fortunate to have Tom serve as our City Attorney and, as our local attorney, he has served the Northern Illinois area with distinction. I am pleased that Tom Suits has chosen to run for Circuit Judge; please vote for Tom Suits on February 5th.
Dr. Steven G. Sorenson
Polo, IL
candidate
I have known Tom Suits for over 35 years. He's been fair and honest with me. I was one of his first clients after he began his law practice in Polo more than 17 years ago. He has continued as my attorney because I trust him and depend upon him.
Attorney Suits is certainly the most qualified and experienced candidate for the position of Circuit Judge. In a recent Illinois State Bar Association Judicial Advisory Poll, 53 attorneys from northwestern Illinois returned ballots and indicated that they had sufficient knowledge of Attorney Suits to rate him fairly. These are attorneys who practice in nearly all areas of the law including prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys, plaintiffs and defendants civil litigators and transactional attorneys. Attorney Suits was "Recommended" for the position and received an average score of 91% across several categories such as Integrity, Impartiality, Legal Ability, Temperament, Court Management, Health and Sensitivity to Diversity and Bias.
I invite you to vote as I will on February 5th. I will be voting for Tom Suits.
The Rev. Dr. Leo H. Patterson
(815) 652-5269
On February 5th, voters in the 15th Judicial Circuit will elect a new judge. I have had the privilege of serving with one of the candidates, Tom Suits, on a local hospital governing board since 1995. During many of those years, Tom and I worked together on the finance committee. Tom approached the issues we faced in a thorough and conscientious manner. He carefully considered the financial impact and community benefit of each decision we made. He has also been active in a host of other civic organizations. For his efforts, he was named Polo's Citizen of the Year. These activities have helped prepare Tom for the position of Circuit Judge. I urge you to join me in supporting Tom Suits on February 5th.
Jill Krahenbuhl
Oregon, IL
I have worked for Attorney Tom Suits for almost a year and have found him to be fair, open-minded and committed to our communities. These are all attributes that we, the citizens of the 15th Judicial Circuit, should be looking for in a Circuit Court Judge. As well as practicing law for the past 17 years, Tom serves on the Board of KSB Hospital, is a long-time member of the Polo Lions Club and member of the Polo Park Board. He has previously served as President of the Polo Chamber of Commerce, President of the Polo Public Library District and a member of the Ogle County Hospice Foundation Committee. These achievements show Tom's deep commitment to the communities in which he lives and works. I hope everyone who is a resident of the 15th Judicial Circuit will join me in voting for Tom Suits for Circuit Court Judge on February 5, 2008.
Marci D. McMeekan
Oregon, IL
On February 5th, voters go the polls in Illinois to nominate candidates for a variety of offices for the General Election in November. The process is truly one of the highlights of real democracy in action. One of the offices will be for judge of the 15th Circuit. There are three candidates for the position. One of those candidates is a man who I have known for better than thirty years. That man's name is M. Thomas Suits. Tom has been a successful attorney in our community of Polo for many years.
I have had the privilege of knowing Tom through his work on the Polo Park Board and as a personal friend. He is a man who has given a lot of hours in his capacity on the Board for the betterment of our community while at the same time serving on the KSB Hospital Board and other public service positions. He is a guy who gets involved.
I can not speak as to all the legal qualifications necessary for Tom to be a judge. However, as a man, a husband, a father, and as a community servant and good citizen, there is not a better man than Tom Suits. I hope the voters of the 15th circuit court district will cast their vote for this man on February 5th. That vote will be for a man of high integrity, decency and competence.
Larry C. Loomis
Polo Park Board President
Polo, IL
should be our next judge of the 15th
Judicial Circuit
As the February 5th primary inches closer, we feel compelled to write and express our support for Tom Suits, candidate for Circuit Court Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit. We have know Tom and his wife, Carol, since we moved to Polo, almost thirty years ago. Our children grew up together. Through these times, our families developed both professional and personal relationships. We are happy to share why Tom Suits should be our next Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit.
Tom Suits has a passion to serve people.
His passion is well-noted through active memberships with local, regional and international organizations. His thirty years of service has taken on diverse roles, from delivering groceries to less fortunate homes for the local Lion's Club to making firm yet thoughtful decisions as Chairman of the K.S.B. Board of Directors. His commitment to service was recognized as Tom was the recipient of Polo's Citizen of the Year Award in 2004.
His passion to serve people flows into his professional life as a successful attorney. Tom takes seriously that responsibility entrusted to him by his clients. Each case is treated with the utmost care and consideration. He takes ownership of his responsibilities, tackles challenges with enthusiasm and can make those tough decisions. As the City Attorney for Polo, his legal guidance is tempered with compassion to make the right decision for all concerned. These qualities are necessary to serve the people of the 15th Judicial Circuit.
Growing up in Lee County and now living in Ogle County, Tom has served people in the 15th Judicial Circuit for a lifetime. During his lifetime, he has directed his service to the prosperity of the are, making a better life for the people he served. As a Circuit Court Judge, Tom will be able to continue that passion.
Making a decision to vote for a candidate can sometimes be tough and we hope that decision has been made easier by our letter. Tom Suits is the reason we wrote a letter to support a candidate for the first time. Tom's passionate dedication to serving people, his impressive qualifications and experience make him the best candidate. Tome Suits deserves your vote for Circuit Court Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit.
Jim & Jeana Weed
Polo, IL
Tuesday, Jan. 22, marked the 35th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision. In 1994, Mother Teresa of Calcutta filed an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in the cases of Loce v. New Jersey and Krail v. New Jersey. No more complete yet short summary of the tragic effects of Roe v Wade has ever been written. It would be a shame for her searing words to be sealed away in a Supreme Court file cabinet when they are just as true today as they were back then. I hope you will print them here now, so that any troubled woman contemplating an abortion or anyone who still thinks killing is a rational solution to a problem pregnancy might have second thoughts:
"America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe v. Wade has deformed a great nation.
The so-called right to an abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men.It has sown violence and discord in the heart of the most intimate human relationships.It has aggravated the derogation of the father's role in an increasingly fatherless society.It has portrayed the greatest of gifts a child as a competitor, an intrusion and an inconvenience.It has nominally accorded mothers unfettered dominion over the independent lives of their physically dependent sons and daughters.And, in granting this unconscionable power, it has exposed women to unjust and selfish demands from their husbands or other sexual partners.
Human rights are not privileges conferred by government.They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity.The right to life does not depend and must not be declared to be contingent on the pleasure of anyone else. Not even a parent or a sovereign."
Mother Teresa could also have mentioned how abortion-on-demand pits the creature against his Creator, the government against its citizens.It has disgraced and corrupted the medical profession, causing doctors to abandon their ancient and sacred oath "to do no harm."
There will be no peace in America, much less will God bless our country, as long as we continue our war on the unborn and keep electing lawmakers who defend a woman's "right" to kill her own child.Please remember that when you vote.
Richard O'Connor
Pearl City, IL
This year's Illinois Democratic primary is important because it is going togive voters in Carroll Countythe chance to bring much needed change to the nation, the state and the county. The Democratic primary is going to give us an opportunity to choose between continuing the status quo or moving ahead in a new direction and implementing programs that are long overdue.
In the thirty-sixth district State Senate race we have the opportunity to elect Paul Rumler, a hard-working, bright and conscientious young man with new ideas. Mike Jacobs has not been able to get the Thomson Prison open. It's time tolet Paul Rumler try and succeed whereJacobs failed. Maybeopening the prisonneeds a new approach, working with Iowa and working with other state senators who have state prisons in their districts to come up with a new arrangement.
Even with new funding for our schools and health care, our tax structure is still a mess. Everybody, Republican and Democrat alike,at election time talks about doing something and then when they get to Springfield they fail to get the job done. Politicians have been promising usfornearly fifteen years that they would fix the tax structure and they haven't. It's time for someone newto go to Springfield and get our schools properly and fully funded.
Our current senator thinks that getting in an argument with the Governor is going to solve problems. Itsimply shows his inability to get things done.
Paul Rumler has worked in Massachusettson the staff of a State Senator, and on the US Congressional Staff of Congressmen from Maryland and Tennessee. He has seen first hand knowledge of how to get things done. And he has learned that having new ideasis one of the key ingredients in getting legislation passed.
A vote for Paul is a vote to move Illinois forward out of the doldrums and into a brighter future, afuturethat is still going to have lots of problems and challenges. But atleast we can begin to feel that things are finally moving in the right direction.
Chuck and Pat Wemstrom
Mt. Carroll, IL
Rich Miller's commentary on State Government
While I still think things will eventually calm down and Gov. Rod Blagojevich's insistence that senior citizens be given free rides on all mass transit systems will one day be viewed as a welcomed entitlement, it's obvious that lots and lots of Illinoisans don't feel that way right now.
Blagojevich stunned the state this month when he announced that he'd flip-flop on his election pledge and finally agree to a regional sales tax hike to bail out Chicagoland's mass transit systems as long as seniors rode free. The response, almost uniformly, was anger at the governor's latest political stunt. This ploy may have been the last straw in an ongoing public disillusionment with the same man Illinois reelected barely more than a year ago.
For almost a year, the entire state has been treated to an in-depth and disheartening lesson in legislative and gubernatorial politics.
Starting with the uproar over skyrocketing electric rates and the foot-dragging by Senate President Emil Jones and Gov. Blagojevich in finding a
solution, to the governor's disastrous proposal for a Gross Receipts Tax in the Spring and his failure to pass a health insurance bill, through the long, hot, frustrating summer of budget negotiations and the governor's resulting veto of much-needed local projects, to the fight over Cook County property tax "relief" last Autumn, the school funding brawls and stalls in early winter, the seemingly complete acceptance of (and the governor's flip-flop on) a Chicago-owned casino and the never-ending battle over transit funding, the public has had a bellyful of information - all of it bad.
Through it all, the governor's polling has dropped lower than his law school grade point average. The latest statewide poll, taken by Fako & Associates earlier this month, had Blagojevich's favorable rating at an absolutely miserable 20 percent. More than 63 percent of registered voters had a negative view of the governor.
And those numbers likely dropped again when Blagojevich made what would normally be a politically beneficial move by grafting a proposal onto the mass transit bailout bill to give senior citizens free rides.
Blagojevich's amendatory veto of the transit bill to insert the senior freebie resonated loudly throughout every region of the state. Legislators reported receiving dozens, even hundreds, of calls and e-mails from furious constituents urging that the freebie be rejected. Even many senior citizens were angry. It was if the entire state had morphed into the Illinois House, which always has a negative reaction to anything the governor does and draws together as one whenever Blagojevich makes one of his goofy plays.
The fall from grace isn't over yet. Blagojevich, Jones and the House and Senate Republicans risk irking voters again with their push to expand gaming in Illinois and Chicago in order to pay for a capital construction plan.
The public is not happy with this expansion plan. According to that Fako & Associates poll, just 38 percent say they back a plan for a Chicago-owned casino along with two more boats, slots at tracks and expansion at current riverboats, while 57 percent oppose the idea. The poll of 801 registered voters was taken January 3-6 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.46 percent.
Moreover, the public is incredibly cynical about how the cash will be spent and how the new casinos will be operated. For instance, 60 percent of registered voters agreed with the statement: "Politicians in Springfield and Chicago can't be trusted to keep their promise to actually use profits from casinos for mass transit and infrastructure projects," while 67 percent agreed with this: "Politicians in Springfield and Chicago cannot be trusted to expand gambling in Illinois and would be influenced and corrupted by stakeholders in the new casinos."
67 percent said they thought organized crime and gambling addiction would increase with expanded gaming, 72 percent said Chicago can't be trusted to run a casino without scandals and corruption and 71 percent acknowledged that casino revenues aren't a stable funding source.
The numbers likely show one reason why House Speaker Michael Madigan has dragged his feet on gaming expansion during the run-up to the February 5th primary. This is not a popular idea. And it's just one more public opinion bomb waiting to go off in the governor's face.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and thecapitolfaxblog.com.
Report
By Jim Sacia
State Representative
89th District
Maybe I didn't hear him right, but it certainly sounded like the gentleman from Warren I was speaking with on the phone said this is the first time he has called his "Congressman". He assured me it was important that he call because "these people from the Warren/Nora area don't really know how to deal with this large dairy operation" proposed for development in Nora.He told me he moved to our area from Chicago five years ago, and he better understood the situation. I'm thinking: You're calling your State Representative "Congressman", but you know more than the good folks from Northwest Illinois?
Interestingly enough, that same day I received from my good friend State Representative Bill Black (R-Danville) a copy of the January 9th Chicago Sun Times in which columnist Neil Steinberg wrote "Chicago is the economic engine that drives Illinois, if not the entire Midwest, and the sooner the hicks in the hinterlands understand that, the better" He continues "downstate legislators, envious and resentful of the city, see no connection between Chicago's economic future and their own, and can't imagine funding public transportation in Sodom-on-the-Lake without first extorting a big slice of blueberry pie for themselves in Porktropolis. Each one has a pet project new milking stools, a galvanized metal silo, whatever they're demanding as ransom for bailing out Chicago transit, and if it shuts the city down, well, so what? It's just a bunch of sinners and minorities anyway."
Go back and read that again. I couldn't believe it either.
I called Mr. Steinberg. He was polite and said he wouldn't be offended if he was called a "city slicker". Somehow, he missed the point. As one of the proud "hicks from the hinterland" I take great issue with both of these gentlemen. However, it got me thinking. I've taken more than my share of cheap shots at those with this outlook that I believe is shared by many from Chicago. Well, I'm extremely proud to be a "downstater". I've lived and worked in Chicago and I prefer where I am now.
The point is, we need to avoid demeaning any individual or group. My mother once told me "much more is accomplished with honey than with vinegar". That's great advice and certainly appropriate for prominent newspaper columnists.
One polite comment in response to Mr. Steinberg: when Chicago cranks up that economic engine, they'll probably do it on a full stomach. You just have to love those "hicks from the hinterland" who feed you 365 days a year.
As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at or e-mail us at . You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.
CRAIG - 3 sports photos
WC.v.PC.GBB#1 - 2 col -
Pearl City's Codie Buss eyes the basket before releasing her shot during Friday night basketball action in Savanna. West Carroll's Becca Fritz
(#30) tries to defend as the Lady Thunders Nia Calbreath is behind Buss. Codie scored four of the Lady Wolves points in the Pearl City 52-38 win. (PA photo/Craig Lang)
MV.v.Lngwd.BBB#2 - 3 col. -
Milledgeville Missile Jason Gelwicks (#25) glides in for a layup during Saturday action at the West Carroll Shootout. Jason scored three points in the Missiles 60-45 victory over the CICS-Longwood Panthers. (PA photo/Craig Lang)
WC.v.StAnn.BBB#9 - 2 col -
St. Anne Cardinal Dimitri Morgan (#4) eyes the bucket as he goes to the hoop during the finale of the Manny's West Carroll Shootout. Morgan scored sixteen points but it wasn't enough as the Thunder held on for the 84-83 win. (PA photo/Craig Lang)
Eastland defeats Dakota, 63-50
FORRESTON The Eastland girls' basketball team pulled away from Dakota on Saturday in the Superfan Shootout at Forreston High School. Eastland outlasted Dakota 63-50 in the Shootout matchup. Eastland carried an 11-point lead into halftime and held on late en route to the hard-fought victory over the Indians.
The Cougars vaulted out in front in the opening quarter. Eastland led 12-1 in the first quarter, forcing Stockton to play from behind as early as the initial period.
The Cougars toted a 28-17 lead into halftime.
Eastland improved to 15-7 overall.
The Cougars were victims of a 10-0 run in the third quarter before battling back and defeating Dakota on the neutral hardwood.
Stephanie Randecker led Eastland with a game-high 24 points. Randecker scored 14 points for Eastland in the second quarter.
Courtney Blair helped to lead Eastland with a double-double effort of 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Junior guard Erika Lawson paced Dakota with 16 points. Senior guard Sam Goeke, Lawson's runningmate in the Dakota backcourt, finished with 13 points and four steals.
Dakota slipped to 16-4 after suffering the loss.
FORRESTON The Eastland boys' basketball team registered what many wouldcall a signature win in a game played Saturday at the Forreston Shootout.
Eastland managed to defeat perennial Wisconsin state title contender CubaCity 62-52. For Cuba City, Saturday's loss was just its second setback ofthe season.
Jared Shellhause and Tyler Zumdahl led Eastland with 14 points pointsapiece. Zumdahl came into the game off of the bench and scored his pointsfor hard-charging Eastland team.
Shellhause also had six rebounds and three assists for the Cougars. Wittnetted 11 points and pulled down six rebounds for Eastland.
Hammer finished with seven rebounds and six rebounds for the Cougars. TonyDunlap tossed in six points in the Eastland win.
Eastland improved to 14-4 overall after defeating Cuba City.
The Cougars won, despite playing from behind early on in the first quarter.
Cuba City led 16-8 in the first period before eventually falling. The Wisconsin team slipped to 9-2 after suffering the loss.
Cuba City took a 22-21 lead into halftime.
MOUNT CARROLL West Carroll improved to 12-5 overall Saturday following a thrilling 84-82 win over St. Anne, one of the state's top-ranked boys' high school basketball teams. The Thunder defeated St. Anne in their own Shootout.
West Carroll owned a 26-17 lead over highly-touted St. Anne at the conclusion of the opening quarter. The Thunder toted a 46-43 lead into halftime.
Chris Anderson led West Carroll with a team-high 21 points. Nick Lucas and Drew Gallentine scored 18 points apiece for the Thunder in the win over visiting St. Anne.
West Carroll continues to stake its claim as one of the state's top boys' high school basketball teams. The Thunder turned back several challenges from an accomplished St. Anne team. West Carroll also showed its ability to play from behind against top-notch competition during the Shootout game versus St. Anne.
MOUNT CARROLL The Milledgeville High School boys' basketball team successfully defended NUIC Saturday. The Missiles defeated an athletic CICS-Longwood team 60-45 as part of the West Carroll Shootout.
The win was Milledgeville's seventh straight. The Missiles improved to 16-2 overall after claiming the win.
Dustin Popejoy led Milledgeville with a team-best 20 points. Popejoy also had four rebounds and three steals in his team's triumph.
Milledgeville put together four good quarters as several different players contributed offensively and defensively.
Ethan Morgan followed with 11 points for the Missiles as two different Milledgeville players reached double figures in the scoring column. Kirk Engelkens contributed eight points, four steals and four rebounds for the Missiles. Derek Ebersole, playing out of a reserve role, added eight points for host Milledgeville.
After playing from behind in the opening half, Milledgeville took a 27-15 lead into halftime.
The Missiles engineered a 16-point run during the first half.
FORRESTON Forreston didn't dwell on a loss to Byron earlier in the week.
Instead, the Cardinals got back on the winning track Friday night.
Forreston returned to the win column in convincing fashion, defeating visiting Milledgeville 56-35.
Lani Kasten led Forreston with a stout double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds. Kasten also contributed four steals, four assists and three blocks.
Jorden Brooks pushed in 14 points for Forreston in the win. Ashley Ackerman netted eight points for the Cardinals, which improved to 18-6 overall and 7-2 in the NUIC-East.
Kelsey Nelson paced Milledgeville in the loss, scoring 12 points.
At Ashton, Polo defeated Ashton-Franklin Center 48-22.
Sophomore Julie Haye led Polo with a game-high 19 points. The Marcos finished strong after jumping out in front in the game between two rivals that are quite acquainted.
Renee Deuth was another leading points producer for Polo. Deuth finished with 15 points as the Marcos claimed the win.
At Orangeville, Megan Leverton scored a a team-best 14 points as Orangeville defeated Pecatonica 58-46.
Courtney DeHaven tossed in 12 points and Ashley Quies added 10 for the winning team.
SAVANNA Host West Carroll couldn't overcome a 14-point deficit Friday night in a home game versus Pearl City. The Wolves owned a 14-point lead at halftime and eventually won 52-38.
The Wolves improved to 21-3 overall and 7-1 in the NUIC-West. Pearl City ranks as one of the area's top high school girls' basketball teams.
Courtney Klosa led Pearl City to the win. Klosa hit four three-pointers and scored a game-high 19 points.
Nia Calbreath paced West Carroll with a team-high 15 points. West Carroll played from behind in every quarter.
In another area game, host Dakota defeated South Beloit 42-29.
Sam Goeke led Dakota in the win, scoring a game-high 21 points. Dakota exited the game 16-3 overall and 8-0 in the conference.
Dakota had a 35-9 run as part of its winning effort.
LANARK Following a conference loss to Pearl City earlier in the week on Tuesday, the Eastland girls' basketball team wasted little time returning to the win column.
The Cougars got back in the win column Friday night, defeating Stockton in extremely close fashion. Eastland edged the Blackhawks 43-42.
The Cougars improved to 14-7 overall and 5-2 in the NUIC-West after posting the win.
The loss was Stockton's first conference setback of the season. The Blackhawks dropped to 13-7 overall and 9-1 in the conference following the loss.
Nicole Olsen led Eastland with a game-high 17 points.
The Cougars had to [lay from behind late. Eastland faced a three-point deficit at the conclusion of the third quarter.
Stockton didn't feature any players in double figures in the scoring column.
Jessica Brunner and Samantha Brunner led Stockton with eight points apiece.
MILLEDGEVILLE The Milledgeville girls' basketball team prevented Aquin from making a successful comeback bid Thursday night. Milledgeville put 20 points up on the scoreboard in the third quarter as part of a solid early-second half run. The Missiles claimed the victory in hard-fought fashion, winning 52-48.
Melissa Shleuning paced Milledgeville with a team-best 15 points. Several Milledgeville players stepped up and played well in the January matchup versus Aquin, a familiar foe. Erika Nelson was Milledgeville's second-leading scorer, finishing with 12 points.
Kara Jelinek led Aquin with a game-high 20 points. Robyn Hauser followed Jelinek in the Aquin scoring column, finishing with 10 points in the close loss.
Jan.14
E. Dubuque 11 6 8 10 35
Pearl City 11 16 6 12 45
E. Dubuque: Duehr 1 1-5 3; Hoppman 4 1-2 10; Leibold 1 0-0 2; Loney 3 0-2 6; McLane 1 2-2 4; Schultz 3 2-4 10
P. City: Miller 3 2-2 8; Musser 0 2-3 2; Schiess 3 1-2 7; Slick 3 12-13 18; Talbert 3 1-4 10
3 PT FGs: E. Dubuque: 3 (Schultz 2, Hoppman 1)
Pearl City: 3 (Talbert 3)
River Ridge 14 18 13 15 60
Pearl City 10 11 11 4 36
R. Ridge: Ambrosia 1 0-0 2; Berlage 5 2-2 12; Beyer 5 3-4 14; Brown 0 1-2 1; Hoftender 2 1-2 5; Kumor 6 3-4 15; Parisi 0 1-4 1; Twombly 1 0-0 3; Zito 3 0-0 7
P. City: Ferguson 1 0-0 2; Miller 2 0-0 4; Musser 1 2-2 5; Slick 7 4-7 18; Talbert 1 1-2 4; Thomas 1 0-1 3
3 PT FGs: River Ridge: 3 (Beyer 1, Twombly 1, Zito 1)
Pearl City: 3 (Musser 1, Talbert 1, Thomas 1)
Galena 11 24 8 20 63
Eastland 15 23 29 13 80
Galena (8-6, 4-2): Bingham 5 7-9 17; Gebhard 0 6-6 6; Hillard 4 1-5 11; Hocking 3 2-2 8; Kaiser 2 0-0 4; A. Pulido 1 0-0 2; I. Pulido 2 0-0 4; Smith 5 1-2 11
Eastland (13-4, 4-2): Coombes 3 0-0 6; T. Dunlap 4 0-0 9; Hammer 9 4-5 24; Shellhause 4 5-6 13; Stichter 1 0-0 2; Walker 0 1-2 1; Witt 4 4-4 12; Zumdahl 4 3-4 13
3 PT FGs: Galena: 2 (Hillard 2)
Eastland: 5 (Hammer 2, Zumdahl 2, T. Dunlap 1)
F/S Score: Eastland 54 Galena 52
E. Dubuque 11 9 11 5 36
W. Carroll 15 16 20 14 65
E. Dubuque (4-10, 1-4): Deuhr 1 2-4 4; Hilby 0 1-2 1; Hoppman 5 2-3 12; Huseman 2 0-1 4; Leibold 1 1-2 4; Loney 1 0-0 2; Ricke 0 1-2 1; Schultz 4 0-0 8
W. Carroll (11-5, 6-0): Anderson 6 0-0 15; R. Ashby 1 0-0 2; Atherton 2 0-0 4; Gallentine 5 0-0 11; Ingersoll 1 2-2 4; Lucas 3 0-0 6; Murphy 1 0-0 2; Ostrum 1 0-0 2; Schneider 1 0-0 2; Sweeney 4 1-2 9; VanHaelst 2 0-2 4; Zickefoose 2 0-0 4
3 PT FGs: E. Dubuque: 1 (Leibold 1)
W. Carroll: 4 (Anderson 3, Gallentine 1)
Dakota 12 8 6 11 0 37
Milledgeville 8 6 10 13 7 44
Dakota (8-5, 2-3): Daughenbaugh 1 0-0 2; Kolb 1 0-0 2; Langholf 3 0-1 6; Meinert 2 0-0 4; Pieper 1 0-0 2; Schurch 9 0-0 19; Turman 1 0-0 2
M'ville (15-2, 7-0): Engelkens 1 8-8 11; Gelwicks 1 0-0 2; Morgan 2 5-6 9; Popejoy 6 3-5 15; Workman 3 0-2 7
3 PT FGs: Dakota: 1 (Schurch)
M'ville: 2 (Engelkens 1, Workman 1)
WEST CARROLL SHOOTOUT
Providence St. Mel 64
Fulton 58
CICS-Longwood 11 4 18 12 45
Milledgeville 8 19 18 15 60
Longwood: Christmas 1 0-0 3; Jackson 6 0-0 12; Long 9 3-4 22; Mayberry 1 0-0 2; Shurney 2 0-1 4; Williams 1 0-0 2
M'ville (16-2): Ebersole 4 0-0 8; Engelkens 3 2-4 8; Gelwicks 1 0-0 3; Harris 1 0-0 2; Morgan 2 6-8 11; Popejoy 8 4-7 20; Wiersema 1 0-0 3; Workman 1 2-4 5
3 PT FGs: Longwood: 2 (Christmas 1, Long 1)
M'ville: 4 (Gelwicks 1, Morgan 1, Wiersema 1, Workman 1)
Fouled Out: Longwood 1 (Shurney)
W. Carroll 26 20 16 22 84
St. Anne 17 26 17 23 83
W. Carroll (12-5): Anderson 7 5-7 21; A. Ashby 2 1-2 6; R. Ashby 0 2-2 2; Atherton 3 3-6 9; Gallentine 5 6-7 18; Lucas 9 0-2 18; Sweeney 0 2-2 2; Zickefoose 3 2-2 8
St. Anne: Burounili 6 8-16 20; DeWitt 1 0-0 2; Fleming 8 0-0 21; Mason 6 1-4 6; Morgan 6 1-4 16; Peden 4 0-1 9; Thomas 3 3-4 9
3 PT FGs: W. Carroll: 5 (Anderson 2, Gallentine 2, A. Ashby 1)
St. Anne: 9 (Fleming 5, Morgan 3, Peden 1)
Fouled Out: St. Anne: 1 (Thomas)
Cuba City, WI 14 8 10 20 52
Eastland 8 13 19 22 62
Cuba City: Meckshott 2 0-0 4; Morrissey 2 2-3 6; Pickel 4 4-5 13; Richard 7 0-0 17; Schweigert 2 1-1 5; Teavel 0 1-2 1; Travel 2 0-0 6
Eastland (14-4): Coombes 2 0-0 4; T. Dunlap 2 1-2 7; Hammer 2 1-2 7; Shellhause 5 4-5 14; Stichter 2 0-0 5; Witt 3 4-4 11; Zumdahl 5 2-4 14
3 PT FGs: Cuba City: 6 (Richard 3, Travel 2, Pickel 1)
Eastland: 8 (T. Dunlap 2, Zumdahl 2, Hammer 2, Stichter 1, Witt 1)
Al-Raby 60
Pearl City 52
Byron 51
Chicago Leo 42 (Leo forfeit)
Forreston 69
Seton Academy 58
H. S. Girls Basketball Scores
Jan. 15
Eastland 9 12 11 12 44
Pearl City 9 15 6 16 46
Eastland (13-7, 4-2): Bates 1 1-2 3; Blair 4 5-6 13; Cassens 5 0-1 10; Olson 4 1-4 11; Randeecker 3 1-2 7
Pearl City (20-3,6-1): Buss 2 3-3 7; Dinderman 1 3-5 5; Engebretsen 2 2-2 6; Klosa 2 0-2 4; Kluck 2 4-4 8; Lawler 6 4-5 16
3 PT FGs: Eastland: 2 (Olson 2)
W. Carroll 8 15 9 1 43
Le-Win 8 12 14 10 44
W. Carroll (7-12, 3-4): Calbreath 6 2-2 15; Castro 3 2-2 8; Fritz 1 0-0 2; C. Miller 3 1-1 7; J. Miller 1 0-0 2; Wiersema 3 2-5 9
Le-Win (9-15, 4-4): Huber 0 1-2 1; Moest 10-2 2; Mokros 2 0-0 5; Sa. Reidel 6 4-6 16; St. Reidel 5 0-1 10; Rimington 1 0-0 2; Schroeder 3 2-4 8
3 PT FGs: W. Carroll: 2 (Calbreath 1, Wiersema 1)
Le-Win: 1 (Mokros 1)
F/S Score: Le-Win 37 W. Carroll 20
Jan. 18
Stockton 6 13 14 9 42
Eastland 14 8 8 13 43
Stockton (12-8, 8-1): J. Brunner 3 2-3 8; S. Brunner 4 0-0 8; Cahill 3 0-2 7; Craig 1 0-2 2; Feltmeyer 1 0-0 2; Korth 3 0-0 6; Kupersmith 1 2-2 5; Werkheiser 1 2-3 4
Eastland (14-8, 6-2): Bates 2 0-0 4; Blair 3 1-2 7; Cassens 3 2-3 8; Lillge 1 0-0 2; Olson 5 6-7 17; Randecker 2 1-4 5
3 PT FGs: Stockton: 2 (Cahill 1, Kupersmith 1)
Eastland: 1 (Olson)
F/S Score: Eastland 39 Stockton 21
Pearl City 13 14 9 16 52
W. Carroll 6 7 10 15 38
P. City (21-3, 7-1): Buss 2 0-1 4; Dinderman 1 1-1 3; Klosa 6 3-6 19; Kluck 2 3-3 7; Lawler 5 6-8 16; Youngblut 1 1-2 3
W. Carroll (7-13, 3-5): Calbreath 6 2-3 15; Castro 0 3-4 3; Lucas 1 0-0 2; C. Miller 1 0-0 2; J. Miller 2 0-1 5; Schneider 3 0-0 7; Wiersema 1 2-2 4
3 PT FGs: P. City: 4 (Klosa 4)
W. Carroll: 3 (Calbreath 1, J. Miller 1, Schneider 1)
Milledgeville 12 8 10 5 35
Forreston 14 18 13 11 56
M'ville (5-16, 4-5): Adolph 4 1-4 10; Engelkens 2 0-0 4; A. Herin 2 0-0 5; B. Herin 1 0-0 2; Nelson 5 0-0 12; Neubauer 0 1-2 1; Schleuning 0 1-2 1
Forreston (17-6, 6-2): Ackerman 3 2-4 8; Brooks 5 4-5 14; Cavazos 1 0-0 2; Conkey 2 0-0 4; Johnson 3 1-3 7; Kasten 5 6-7 16; McCoy 1 0-0 3; McWorthy 1 0-0 2;
3 PT FGs: M'ville: 4 (Nelson 2, Adolph 1, A. Herin 1)
Forreston: 1 (McCoy 1)
F/S Score: Forreston 28 Milledgeville 18
Jan. 19
Dakota 5 12 16 17 50
Eastland 16 12 10 25 63
Dakota: Cleaver 1 0-0 2; Goeke 5 2-2 13; Henze 1 0-0 2; LaBudde 2 0-0 4; Lawson 5 7-8 18; K. Olsen 2 3-4 7; Schroeder 2 0-1 4
Eastland (15-8): Bates 2 0-1 5; Blair 6 3-5 15; Cassens 1 0-1 2; Landherr 1 0-0 3; Olson 4 2-4 12; Raab 0 2-2 2; Randecker 7 10-14 24
3 PT FGs: Dakota: 2 (Goeke 1, Lawson 1)
Eastland: 4 (Olson 2, Bates 1, Landherr 1)
Fouled Out: Dakota: 1 (Cleaver)
Forreston 62
Providence St. Mel 8
Minnie E. Holm, age 94, of Mount Carroll, Illinois, died Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at Carroll County Good Samaritan in Mount Carroll. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 18, 2008 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. Reverend David Vidler of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mount Carroll will officiate. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Clinton, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home in Mount Carroll. Memorials may be given to Caroline Mark Home, Mt. Carroll, in Minnie's memory. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com
Minnie was born on February 14, 1913, the daughter of Herman and Fannie (Newmarch) Galitz in Dewitt, Iowa. She married Harold H. Holm on September 19, 1932 in Clinton, Iowa. Harold died on January 6, 1976.
Minnie farmed with her husband, Harold near Mount Carroll for many years before moving to town. Minnie also owned and operated the Carroll County Café in the early 60's. She was employed at Atwoods Manufacturing in Mount Carroll for 12 years before retiring in 1976. Minnie was a
longtime member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mount Carroll. She was also a member of the Women of the Moose in Savanna and was past a President of the Women Relief Corps. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards and spending time with her family.
Minnie will be dearly missed by her three sons, Richard (Shirley) Holm of Mount Carroll, Ronald (Barbara) Holm of Mount Carroll, and Bobby (Wanda) Holm of Greenfield, Missouri; one daughter, Betty (Eugene) Boyer of Mount Carroll; two brothers, Raymond (Jean) Galitz of Columbus Junction, Iowa and John (Rose) Galitz of Dewitt, Iowa; three sisters, Mildred Smith of Rock Island, Illinois, Josephine (Todd) Brenneman of Des Moines, Iowa and Grace (Bob) Johnson of Arizona; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Galitz of Whittier, California; fourteen grandchildren; thirty-nine great grandchildren; and twenty-eight great-great grandchildren.
Minnie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; three sisters; three brothers; and two grandchildren.
Carrie E. Dampman, age 91, of Lanark, died Monday, January 14, 2008 at Big Meadows in Savanna.
Mrs. Dampman was born February 28, 1916 in Freemont the daughter of Frank and Ceclia (Strauch) Shilling. She married Max E. Dampman on December 24, 1938 in Maquoketa, Iowa. Carrie loved nature, liked to bird watch, care for her garden and flowers. She was a homemaker and her faith was very strong. She was a member of the Brookville United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Arnold (Helen) Dampman of Lanark and Don (Judy) Dampman of Lanark; three grandchildren, Randy Dampman, Daryl (Dawn) Dampman both of Lanark and Mark (Kristy) Dampman of Pearl City; five great grandchildren, Dylan, Emma, Aiden, Ella and Anna; one sister-in-law, Alice Shilling of Lanark.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; one son; and eleven brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be Friday, January 18, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the Brookville United Methodist Church, Brookville with Reverend Becky Bartelt officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Thursday at the McDonald-Allen-GrennanFuneral Home in Milledgeville. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Brookville United Methodist Church.
(Eirhart) Spraggins
Marvel Mae (Eirhart) Spraggins, age 83, of Savanna, Illinois, died Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at her daughters home in Savanna. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church in Savanna. Reverend Michael Wey will officiate. Burial will be at the St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery in rural Savanna. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2008 at the Law - Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society in Marvel's Memory. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lawjonesfunerlahome.com
Marvel was born May 18, 1924, in Brainerd, Minnesota, the daughter of Cecil and Clara (Spencer) Hand. Marvel married Joseph W. Eirhart on June 16, 1945 in Savanna. He died October 12, 1974. Marvel later married Lyle E. Spraggins on June 1, 1981, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Marvel worked at the Savanna Army Depot in the Ammunition Department for seventeen years. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Savanna. Marvel loved crafts, ceramics and stuffed animals. She made many quilts for everyone in her family.
Marvel will be dearly missed by her husband, Lyle; one son, Joseph A. Eirhart (Kelly Scott) of Madison, Wisconsin; one daughter, Connie (Ramsey) Mason of Savanna; one grandson, Jeffrey (Kara) Freeman of Brenham, Texas; three great - grandchildren, Troy Lukus, and Kyle Freeman of Brenham; one brother, Cecil (Carol) Hand of Stockton, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews. Marvel was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Vada Handel.
Michael T. Seiple, age 58, of Savanna, Illinois, died Wednesday, January 16, 2008 in his home. Funeral services will be held 12:00 Noon, Saturday January 19, 2008, at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna with Reverend Larry Thomson officiating. A military honor guard and ceremony will be provided by the Savanna Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2223, of whom Mike was a member. Friends may call from 10:00am-12:00 pm. at the funeral home prior to the service. Cremation rites will be accorded. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Mike's name. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com
Michael was born February 25, 1949 in Savanna to Vernon and Dorothy Schreiner. He graduated from Arcadia, California High School with the Class of 1967. In February of 1969 Mike entered the U.S. Army, and while serving in Viet Nam was awarded a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Mike married Kathy O'Leary August 21, 1998 in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Mike worked for thirteen years at the Savanna Army Depot where he worked in construction and carpentry. He also worked at the River Port Railroad for eight years as an engineer, retiring on December 7, 2007.
"Uncle T", as he was known, enjoyed many hobbies. He loved cooking, hunting, golf and watching western movies. Mike also enjoyed participating in Rendezvous Re-enactments, which simulated life in the exploring years of the United States. He was an enthusiastic fan of Louis L?Amour novels and read many of them.
Michael will be sadly missed by his wife, Kathy; one son, Shawn Sutton of San Francisco, California; one daughter, Mara Sutton of Savanna; a brother, Ed (Deb) Schreiner of Shannon, Illinois; Aunt Barbara Hamilton Brainard of Beardstown, Illinois; Uncle Jim Hamilton of Jacksonville, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Michael in death are both his parents.
Lessetta V. Seitz, 94, of Savanna, Illinois, died Thursday, January 17, 2008. Funeral services will be held 10:30 am Monday, January 21st, at the First Presbyterian Church in Savanna with Reverend Michael Wey officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 pm Sunday, January 20th, at the Law - Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Burial will follow in the Savanna Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church, Savanna. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com
Lessetta V. Seitz was born October 14, 1913, in Savanna, the daughter of Victor and Mattie (Palmer) Dauphin. She graduated from Savanna High School in 1930, and then attended Brown Business College in Clinton, Iowa. Lessetta was united in marriage to Joe Seitz on June 18, 1959, in Mt.
Carroll. Together they owned and operated the Palisades Motel for twelve years. Lessetta worked as a secretary in the Savanna area for several law firms, at the Carroll County Farm Bureau for fifteen years as a bookkeeper, the secretary for the provost marshal at the Savanna Army Depot, and was secretary at the soil and water district office in Freeport, Illinois. She also worked as a court reporter in Carroll and Jo Davies Counties, retiring in 1977. Lessetta was on the Carroll County Board for twenty - eight years and was very involved in politics.
Lessetta will be dearly missed by one daughter, June (John) Bimm of Thomson, Illinois; two sons, James (Georgieann) Seitz of Dumfries, Virginia, and Joe (Rena) Seitz of Lowell, Michigan; two brothers, Fred (Geraldine) Dauphin of Savanna, and Palmer (Margaret) Dauphin of Savanna; two sisters, Hazel (Harold) Brinkmeier of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, and Dorothy Malone of Savanna; five grandchildren: Joey Seitz and Luke (Jessica) Seitz of Lowell, Donna Houzenga, Sheryl (Ron) Sipe and Michael (Donna Kaufman) Mangler of Savanna; four step-grandchildren, Terri (Mark Fellows) Bimm of Chicago, Illinois, Chris (Pat) Foltz of Thomson, and Laura (John) Figg of Lowell; Allison Albright of Lowell; six great - grandchildren; four step - great grandchildren; three great - great grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Lessetta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and three brothers: Victor, Paul, and Ben Dauphin.
Delmar C. Lang, 92 of Lanark died Friday January 18, 2008 at Provena St. Joseph's Home in Freeport.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2008 at 10:30 A.M. at Hope United Methodist Church in Chadwick, IL, with Rev.
Melwyn Alagodi and Rev. Dave Davies officiating. Burial will be in the Lanark Cemetery. Memorials have been established in his memory for Hope United Methodist Church and the Lanark Fire Department.
Arrangements were handled by Russell-Frank Funeral Home in Lanark, IL.
Eugene "Gene" McAdams, age 87, of St. Paul Minnesota, formerly of Savanna, Illinois died Thursday, January 17, 2008 at North Memorial Residential Hospice in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna with Reverend Larry Thomson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Friday, January 25, 2008 at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Burial will follow in the Savanna Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials to the National Parkinson's Foundation would be appreciated. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com
Gene was born on May 30, 1920 in St. Paul Minnesota to Ada Matilda and Eugene McAdams Sr. Though Gene was born and died in the twin Cities he was raised in Omaha, Nebraska and later lived and worked in Chicago, Illinois. Gene and his first wife Allouise came to the Hanover, Illinois area in 1946. They farmed for the next 26 years before moving to Savanna where Gene began working as a USDA meat inspector. He was a 50+ year Mason and a member of Hanover Order of Eastern Star. Gene also thoroughly enjoyed serving as a Councilman for the City of Savanna for 20+ years.
Suffering from chronic Parkinson's disease he moved to Minnesota in 2004 to be close to Karen and grandchildren. Those who knew and loved him will miss his zest for a good steak, avid curiosity for current events and Stock Market quotes and his affection and loyalty for family and friends.
Gene is survived by his daughter Karen, granddaughter, step-son Val (wife Phyllis), Lorien, (husband Aaron) and grandson Kristofor (wife Christy), grandson Jay (wife Cheryl), great grandchildren, Ashlie and Amy, granddaughter, Lisa (husband Kirk), grandchildren Reaghan, Ryan, and Logan, granddaughter, Dina (husband Brett). He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother Fern, first wife Allouise and second wife Marie (Mimi). He frequently said how fortunate he felt to have loved and been loved by "two wonderful women".
Free Calendar items are for Non-Profit Organizations. When submitting information please keep it as minimal as possible - Who, What, Where, When and a contact number. That way more items may be listed each week. Send calendar information to:
Food pantry new hours
The Pearl City area Outreach Food Pantry from 9-11 a.m. for drop-off the first Saturday of the month. Then pick-up will on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from 9-11 a.m. Located in the lower level of the Pearl City Methodist Church.
The GROwing Table open from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday with Warm meals served at no charge, open to the public. Donations accepted. Located at the old Chestnut Park School Facility - now the New Unity Deliverance & Worship Center, 926 Viaduct Rd, Savanna. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Pastor Floyd West at , , or .
The Carroll County Veterans Assistance Commission (located in the Carroll County Courthouse), is open 8 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The first and third Wednesday of the month, an IDES veterans employment representative is available to help with veterans' employment needs.
For additional information, contact John Helms at .
The Lanark Lions Club will meet on Jan. 21st at 6:30 p.m. at the Heritage Center. Anyone welcome!
Country Crossroads Quilt Guild will meet January 21 at 7PM at Forreston Grove Church, 7246 Freeport Road, Forreston. A trunk show with patterns will be shown by Jill Kempel of Sew Many Antiques in Pearl City. Guests are invited to attend for a nominal fee. For more information on the guild, you may contact Nancy at , Judy at , or Rhonda at .
Hospice of the Rock River Valley invites individuals to attend A Mother's Love. Any adult child who has lost a mother is invited to come share, laugh, communicate and heal from 4-5 p.m. every Monday (Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28) at the Hospice of the Rock River Valley Office, 264 IL Route 2, Dixon. For more information call or view www.hospicerockriver.org.
Community Coordinated Child Care is offering "Level 1 Credential Training-Learning Happens in Relationships" a workshop for child care center staff and family child care providers. This class explores how relationships between families, children and teachers can help learning, and how crafting the environment around them can help children learn. This workshop will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 22, from 6:00-9:00 pm at the YWCA in Sterling, IL. 4-C membership NOT required. Registration is REQUIRED. To register call Kim (815) 758-8149 ext 226 or (800) 848-8727 ext 226.
Community Coordinated Child Care is offering "Stress Management" a workshop for child care center staff and family child care providers. This workshop will take a look at stress and our assumptions of how to handle it. This workshop will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the CGH Hospital in Sterling, IL. 4-C membership IS required. This workshop is FREE, but registration is REQUIRED. To register call Kim (815) 758-8149 ext 226 or (800) 848-8727 ext 226
West Carroll Board of Education
meeting
Notice - West Carroll C.U.S.D. No. 314 Board of Education has scheduled a Special Meeting for Wed., Jan. 23, 6:30 P.M., in the Conference Room, WC Business Office, 801 South St, Thomson, IL. After the Call to Order and Roll Call, the Board will enter Closed Session to discuss "Collective Bargaining matters or consideration of salary schedules for one or more classes of employees." After exiting Executive Session, the Board may take Possible Action on Closed Session Item.
Contact the West Carroll Business Office for more information.
On Wed., Jan. 23, a meeting will be held at the Eastland Elementary School in Lanark on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. They will review progress on the Strategic Plan, identify proposed revisions, amendments, or upgrades to the plan for 08-09, hold roundtable discussion, evaluation, and response, and select representatives to parent-student handbook review committee, to emergency crisis plan review committee, and to future facility planning committee.
Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneur & Inventors Club monthly meeting will be Thurs., Jan. 24 at the Heritage Center in Lanark. Speaker will be Don Henry from the Northwest Regional Entrepreneurship Network. Free to attend, refreshments served.
Meet from 12-1 p.m.on the fourth Thursday of every month (Jan. 24), at the Hospice of the Rock River Valley, 264 IL Route 2, Dixon. Bring your own lunch and join us! For more information, call of (800) 646-9242.
A Bean Bag Tournament will be held on Sun., Jan. 27, at Long Shot Bar & Grill, 3312 W. Rt. 30, Rock Falls to benefit the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund. The tournament will begin with registrations at 10 a.m. and the first tosses at 11 a.m. Pre-registration is strongly advised and may be done at Long Shot or the Rock Falls Chamber office, 601 W. 10th St. For more information contact the Rock Falls Chamber office at 1- or email
Walking Taco Dinner (tacos in a bag). Hosted by Carroll County Girl Scouts (Carroll Partnership), Thurs., Jan. 31 from 5 to 7pm at the Eastland High School in Lanark.
This will be held in conjunction with the Eastland VS. West Carroll Boys BB game. Tickets sold @ the door. Also - See our Cookie Booth with scouts selling cookies!
For more information, please call .
Bridal Fair 2008, the Premier Bridal Fair and Style Show, will be held Sunday, February 3, 2008 at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon. The college is located on Route 2 between Dixon and Sterling and is a short drive from wherever you are.
Bridal Fair 2008 is considered the area's largest Bridal Fair and Style Show. Vendors from northern Illinois and eastern Iowa will be showcasing their newest products to help make your day perfect. Vendor booths will be open from Noon until 4:30 p.m., with a style show displaying the latest in wedding fashions starting at 3:00 p.m.
2-4 pm, Feb. 3 - Cupid needs your help. He is behind on making Valentine Cards. At sunset Meadows "Workshop" we will decorate Valentine Cards to send to our friends at The Caroline Mark Home in Mt. Carroll. We'll have lots of fun. Games with prizes. Food and drinks provided. $3 cost covers supplies. Sunset Meadows on 3 Mile Rd. between Scenic Bluff and Big Cut Rds. Call for more info. or go to: www.sunsetmeadowsllc.com
leaders meeting
The next Carroll County 4-H Leader's Meeting will be held Monday, February 4th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Carroll County Farm Bureau Board room. We have many agenda items to discuss upcoming winter programs and activities, judging contests, ideas for 4-H Fair, etc. All organizational, project and Junior Leaders are encouraged to attend.
Odds 'n Ends HCE, Lanark will gather at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at the home of Pauline Erbsen as Hostess and with Yvonne Nelson as Co-Hostess. Roll Call will be "Favorite tip in eating right and moving more." And, the lesson "Diabetes Preventive Diet" will be presented by Lois Hartman.
CONTACT's 24 Hour Crisis Line's spring training class will begin on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008. Training classes prepare volunteers to assist troubled callers by listening, providing referrals and intervening in crisis. Upon completion of the class, volunteers will receive 3 credit hours from Highland Community College that can be converted to CPDU's for teachers. Classes meet on 4 consecutive Saturdays, from 9 - 3 at Park Hills Church in Freeport. For more information or to receive an application for training please call CONTACT at .