JCJ 7.22.15

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OPINION: Snap shots of county fair: Page A4 NEWS: Council strikes down advertising expenditure: Page A2

CURRENT RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Jerseyville, IL PERMIT NO. 204

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

P.O. Box 407 Jerseyville, IL 62052

JERSEY COUNTY

JERSEYVILLE, IL 62052

INSIDE NEWS Goetten named Regional Officer of the Year. See page A3 Illinois to have bobcat season. See page A5

FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

Heitzig turns 95. See page A6

SPORTS

Legion falls in division opener. See page B1

WEEKEND WEATHER FRIDAY, JULY 24

88 70 High

Low

SATURDAY, JULY 25

92 72 High

Low

SUNDAY, JULY 26

90 71 High

Low

ONLINE Visit us on the web at

jerseycountyjournal.com

TOP STORIES ONLINE Week of July 15-21

1. West Nile Virus found in Jersey County mosquitoes 2. Sinclair Foods celebrates 75 years 3. For Jersey Derby, family is focus 4. Talent winners take pride in achievement, fulfillment 5. Rift between Grafton mayor and concil impacts local economy

JOURNAL VOL. 13, NO. 29 - 75¢

JULY 22, 2015

Water system jolt reveals no contaminants By BOB CROSSEN Jersey County Journal A July 20 notice from the Jerseyville City Water System confirms the appearance of coliform in water samples taken last month. Coliform is a bacteria often used as an indicator of potentially other harmful bacteria in the water, however, city engineer Robert Kincade said all the samples returned without any indication of contaminants. “It’s not e coli. It’s not nothing to be really concerned with unless your repeat samples come back either similar or with something further on it,” Kincade said, noting an indicator test is conducted on each sample. “If the indicator shows coliform then they check it real quick for e coli. … In all those three samples that came back with the hit on them, all of them and their adjacent taps came back clean.” The city official said he is confident the drinking water for city residents has not been contaminated, adding the water department followed direct protocols when the tests confirmed the existence of coliform in the water. According to the public notice the city is required to post, “Coliforms are bacte-

ria, which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present.” The bacteria was found in more June samples than allowed under testing guidelines. Kincade said the plant takes 11 samples every month, and in June, three of them tested positive for coliform bacteria. Only one sample may test for it under regular standards. Kincade said he believes the contamination came during the sampling process, which would not have affected the integrity of the water system. “Periodically, whether its through sample technique or what have you, we get hits that show coliform. It’s not ecoli, it’s not,” Kincade said. “Maybe they didn’t run the water long enough, et cetera, to get a good, clean sample. Sometimes they’ll get in a hurry, they’ll turn the water on and they’ll grab a sample real quick. They won’t let it run.” Kincade said running the water for 30 seconds ensures samples of water within the system rather than that particular faucet or valve. Jerseyville increased its water rates in November 2011 to help pay for the $20 million facility, which was (See, water, a2)

City Council approves zoning change, addresses drainage issue complaint By BOB CROSSEN Jersey County Journal The Jerseyville City Council approved to rezone a property at 820 West Carpenter Street so it may be occupied as a residence. Jerseyville Mayor Billy Russell said the property owner, Diane Crum, requested the change in zoning from a business district for a store to a single-family dwelling district. “I think Mrs. Crum was intending on moving into this residence herself,” Russell said. “The zoning was approved per her appeal and [the zoning board] has approved this.” During public comment, a Jerseyville resident raised concerns about an area where standing water near Roberts Street has collected due to the heavy rains. The spot, she said, was planned to be a road, and when a neighboring property owner

raised the lawn, water began to pool. She said the property owner had every right to raise the yard, but noted mosquitoes and other insects flock to the area, which she worried would be dangerous to those living in the neighborhood. She requested the city look into draining options. Russell said the city already received a complaint about the issue and would address it Wednesday morning. In other business, the council approved a $500 grant to Got Faith for it’s festival starting Aug. 1, and accepted an award from the Wounded Marine Fund for allowing the collection of funds at the intersection of State Street and Highway 16. In the past decade, more than $45,000 has been generated through the annual fundraiser, all of which has or will be awarded to wounded Marines.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Mike Weaver/Jersey County Journal

Holding the pageant crown, 2014 Miss Jersey County Lauren kight, front, reaches out for a congratulatory hug of 2015 Miss Jersey County Morgan Moore, back. Moore was one of seven Miss Jersey County contestants. More photos and coverage can be found on page B6.

Man recites Bible from memory By MARk PACE Jersey County Journal Looking around the pews of Delhi Baptist Church in Jerseyville on a Sunday morning, open Bibles and smartphones displaying YouVersion’s Bible app dot the sanctuary. The Good Book is a staple of any Christian church; so much so, Tom Meyer memorized much of the book. How much of the Bible does Meyer have memorized? He’s not sure. “You know, I never counted,” Meyer said. “When King David counted people he got in trouble. I’d say at least a dozen books.” The reference to the II Samuel passage Is the story of King David doubting God’s

“We live in a copy, paste, Facebook, tweet, file and forget world where no one has to remember anything … Since we live in a wireless world, we find it difficult to memorize anything, let alone a book of the Bible.”

Tom Meyer Wordsower speaker promise. He loses trust and sends several of his men to count the army of the enemies. In response, 70,000 of his men die to disease. While Meyer joked about how much of the Bible has has memorized, he takes the memorization very seriously. “We live in a copy, paste, Facebook, tweet, file and forget world where no one has to remember anything. Hence those wonderful gadgets,” he said pointing to an iPhone. “We don’t really use our minds and our memories

Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C5 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 News . . . . .A2,A3,A5,A8,A10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3,B4,B6,B7 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . B4 Our Town . . . . . . . . . . . B8 Public Notice . . . . . . C56 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 OBITUARIES: ASHLOCK, PHILLIPS

© 2015

JOURNAL

All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

like we once did. The Bible makes it very clear … we should memorize. The Bible promises blessings linked to hiding God’s Word in our heart. Since we live in a wireless world, we find it difficult to memorize anything, let alone a book of the Bible.” Meyer came to Delhi Baptist Church from Shasta Bible College in California, but Illinois is not new to him. He is originally from Lombard, Illinois where he lived for 25 years. His ministry brought Meyer back to the (See, meyer, a2)

Grafton council reschedules fireworks display once more

INDEX

JERSEY COUNTY

Mark Pace/Jersey County Journal

Tom Meyer recites II Peter at Delhi Baptist Church in Jerseyville. Meyer recited books of the Bible from memory followed by a sermon. Originally from northern Illinois, Meyer returns to the Midwest each summer to travel to different churches as part of his ministry.

By Bob Crossen/Jersey County Journal

FEELING

HOT, HOT, HOT

A burst of flames lit up the crowd of the Jerseyville American Legion Grand Stand Saturday as the engine of Jacob Ohl’s tractor caught fire pulling a sled down the track. The Danville native and firefighter, who drove two machines during the show, said the heat was not as bad as being in a burning building to save occupants during a blaze. Ohl was not injured and gave a brief interview with announcers before taking to the track again later that night. More photos from the fair can be found on page C1.

By BOB CROSSEN Jersey County Journal The fireworks display in Grafton has been scheduled for three separate dates in the past month, and the Grafton City Council solidified the date for Friday. In a unanimous vote, with the exception of Alderwoman Sara Carey who was not present at the meeting, the Grafton City Council approved to reschedule the fireworks for July 24. Initially scheduled for the Fourth of July weekend, the fireworks show was rescheduled by Mayor Tom Thompson to July 24 due to flooding without consulting the council. Last week, the council rescheduled that

• Towboat Festival in Grafton rescheduled. See Page A2

date for Sept. 5 based on emails Alderman Jerry Bauersachs received from local businesses. During a special meeting Tuesday night, the council reversed its decision when Grafton Chamber of Commerce members responded to an inquiry from Thompson July 15 in which the businesses preferred July 24. Thompson said the floodwater has produced a dismal tourist season for Grafton. “We need a shot in the arm. We need something to get things going in terms of tourism in Grafton and to get (See, grafton, a2)


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