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EDITORIAL: We are confident in peaceful protest: Pages A4 NEWS: Local churches weighing options for VBS: Page A2
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Peace stressed in upcoming Black Lives Matter protest By JARAD JARMON Jersey County Journal Despite discourse on social media including some veiled threats of violence, organizers and area leaders are expecting a peaceful protest in Jerseyville on Sunday. Following the initial announcement of a Black Lives Matter protest in Jerseyville, comments were made on social media platforms that were confrontational between those supporting the protest and those against that idea. Still, organizers are stressing and expecting peace for those planning on attending and passerbys equally. “We have plastered the word ‘peaceful’ all over this thing,” Britany Daugherty, an organizer with the protest, said. “…We just want to be heard. We are not trying to be violent.” This protest, like others in the area, comes after a wave of protests across the country following the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a black man, died shortly after an incident in Minneapolis, Minn., where a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on Floyd’s neck for several minutes. Laylhany Davis, another organizer of the Jerseyville protest, has repeatedly urged peace on social media from everyone during this protest — including toward police, who have been the target of much of the frustration from protesters across the country. In a recent social media post, Davis stated the Sheriff’s
Office deputies will be in uniform and will be working in shifts at the protest. “They are there to protect us,” she said. “If anyone disrespects them, they will be asked to leave.” There will also be a “peace team” of protestors, who will be willing to stand in front of the crowd. Their job will be to remove violent protesters, lock arms and form a barrier if an issue arises according to Facebook posts made by organizers. “I feel like the protest has to be peaceful because they expect us to riot and
“We just want to be heard. We are not trying to be violent.”
Britany Daugherty A protest organizer loot,” Davis said. Local law enforcement has been in productive communication with protest leaders — both with intentions of having a peaceful event. “The leaders of this event have been in contact with the Sheriff’s Office from the beginning,” a post on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page states. “The leaders have assured us this is a peaceful protest. This group of individuals are exercising their constitutional rights, being freedom of speech and freedom to assemble. People are allowed to voice their opinion. Even
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TOP STORIES ONLINE June 3 - 10 1. Black Lives Matter protest to take place in Jerseyville 2. Jersey County Fair canceled 3. Curb work kicks off State Street changes 4. Classroom projects take flight thanks to grant submission
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . .A4 News . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2-3 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . A5 School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B5 Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3 Public Notice. . . . . . . . .B3 OBITUARIES: DUNHAM, FOWLER, POHLMAN, STAGNER JERSEY COUNTY
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if you do not agree with their view, it is still their right as an American citizen. “With this protest we are asking everyone to exercise restraint and not to incite violence. If you do incite violence, you will be immediately arrested. Our department along with other local and state agencies will be on hand to keep the peace. It is the goal of everyone to have this event and voice their views. The leaders of this event wanted to work with law enforcement to keep everything peaceful while allowing their voice to be heard. Please keep this in mind and allow peace to bring everyone together instead of allowing fear and insecurities to tear us apart.” Some in the community have raised questions about the potential that this protest could devolve into looting and destruction of businesses, which has been reported across the country. Others have expressed concern that this protest will inspire violence from those against such protesting. In either case, Jerseyville Mayor Bill Russell does not expect anything like this to arise from this community. “I don’t think we will have issues because we are a community that cares about people,” he said.“You are going to have those all of the time that want to create a negativity out of this, but I think that we are well prepared to deal with any situation that could come about.” Russell believes the community is
/RFDOV SUD\ DW -HUVH\ &RXUWKRXVH IRU SHDFH DQG MXVWLFH By MEAGAN MCGLASSON Jersey County Journal Like many in the community, Jackie Smith has been heartbroken by recent news, both on the local and national level. As a graduate of JCHS and someone who works in Jerseyville, she was concerned when conversations regarding the Black Lives Matter protest planned for Jerseyville on Sunday, June 14 turned hostile, especially against the backdrop of the national protests and the violence that has erupted surrounding them. “It scared me for the (safety of the) protesters, for outside people coming in and causing problems, for everyone,” she said. So Smith did what a lot of people do when they feel hopeless and afraid-- she prayed about it. “It really started with just a thought,” she explained. “Watching everything happening in our nation-- and especially the death of George Floyd-- it’s been just tragic, heartbreaking.” As Smith prayed, she took in the advice of those she respected and trust(See, PRAYER, A2)
(See, PROTEST, A2)
Jerseyville Parks and Rec stays course during Restore Illinois plan
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Jarad Jarmon/Jersey County Journal
ARE
YOU IN THE COOL CAT CLUB?
Although initially shy, Avery Gilmore, 2, of Jerseyville was eventually curious and brave enough to grab her summer reading bag Monday from Pete the Cat, who was donning a mask — as any cool cat is nowadays — to be responsible and safe. She did so, of course, with the support of her mother, Torrie Gilmore. Pete the Cat was at the Jerseyville Public Library handing out summer reading bags to area children.
By CONNOR ASHLOCK Jersey County Journal Though our region has moved into Phase 3 of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan, the Jerseyville Parks and Recreation Department (JPRD) can’t completely open for some time longer. “IDPH (The Illinois Department of Public Health) told us that we cannot open the pool at all in Phase 3, not even for swim lessons,” Tyler Hermans, JPRD director, said. As for more particular events that occur outside of the general swim time, the jury is still out on events like pool parties and toddler time at the Donor Pool, as guidance has yet to come from the state on situations like those. Playground equipment is also off-limits for the time being. “There’s nothing that I’ve seen that says playground equipment can open back up. Everything I’ve read says they have to stay closed,” Hermans said. “What we’re basing our information off of now comes from a Chicago Tribune article a few weeks ago that highlighted different areas affected by the pandemic,” Hermans said. “In the article, one of the items discussed was outdoor recreational activities. It said that in Phase 4, all outdoor activities will be allowed as of now.”
Though Hermans is still waiting on further direction on how to proceed in some areas, there are other facets of the local parks that he knows how to go about opening. The pavilions located in the Jerseyville parks opened on May 29 to parties of ten people or less. “We realize that’s not ideal when it comes to family events, but we’re opening things back up as we can based on the guidelines we get from the state,” Hermans explained. “Any time we get an opportunity to open something else, we’re going to take it. We want to open everything as soon as possible.” As for the Susnig Center, which provides workout equipment, gymnasium and rental facilities to the community, it, too, must remain closed. “We’ll open the Susnig Center in Phase 4 based on current state guidelines for indoor recreation facilities. We don’t know what that looks like at this time, but whatever is mandated is what we’ll follow,” Hermans said. Prior to the stay-at-home order, the department was already taking registrations for its baseball and softball seasons. Those will be applied when the leagues can start up in Phase 4. “And later on with basketball and soccer, those registration windows will be open and move forward as normal. We haven’t had to cancel many programs when you consider the big picture,” (See, PARKS AND REC, A2)
Atomic bomb veteran remembers Operation Ivy By CONNOR ASHLOCK Jersey County Journal The area is home to more history than some think, and not all of it was made long, long ago. Even today, there are several citizens who have been a part of events that can be found in history textbooks, Wilbert Sackman, who observed some of the first hydrogen bomb tests, among them. Born during the Great Depression, Sackman originally lived in Calhoun County before moving to a farm with his family west of Jerseyville when he was in the fifth grade. Though Sackman was too young to serve in World War II, he would go on to have a unique military experience of his own— an experience of an atomic nature. In 1952 Sackman was serving his country in the Pacific during the Korean Conflict, having enlisted in the Navy in March 1951. “I joined the Navy because I heard too many things about the Army from my brother!” Sackman said with a laugh. Sackman was a pipe fitter on the USS Rendova, which was usually taking port in California when it wasn’t out at sea. “We didn’t stay out at sea all the time,” Sackman explained. “We were in and out of San Diego or Long Beach, even hitting San Francisco once in a while.” The USS Rendova was an aircraft carrier, hauling fighter
planes that would soar up and down the coastline, providing a backup for the marines on the ground in Korea. “I was in the R-Division, which was the repair division,” Sackman shared. “We had metalsmiths, carpenters— folks like that.” One day, the Rendova’s crew was informed that they’d be stopping off in Hawaii for a brief rest before journeying out further into the Pacific, but that’s all they were told concerning their upcoming plans. “As far as we knew, we were going to an island that was being used as a test site for the military. We didn’t know anything about a bomb,” Sackman said. It wasn’t until Sackman and his fellow crewmen arrived at the Enewatak Atoll in the Marshall Islands that they were informed why they were there. Sackman was to take part in Operation Ivy, which was a test of the recently developed hydrogen bomb. Sackman shared that prior to the day of the detonation, he was there for about two weeks. “During World War II, the Japanese used that island. The Americans shelled that island so bad that when our guys got there, there were very few adult trees. It had been about eight years since the Americans took it back when we arrived,” Sackman shared. Among the island’s many charms, the sailors found a baseball diamond waiting for them as well as a lagoon to swim in during their free time.
Connor Ashlock/ Jersey County Journal
Following the blast, Sackman commemorated Nov. 1, 1952 by painting on the coconut he picked up on the island as a souvenir.
“One day, I went out swimming off the island, and I picked up a coconut that I had found,” Sackman said. “I have it to this day.” Little did Sackman know that his little souvenir would soon become quite the conversation piece. The Atoll comprised numerous small islands, with the hydrogen bomb being housed on the Elugelab island. “The USS Rendova’s job was to circle the perimeter of the island. There was other ships there too besides us; there was a whole fleet there,” Sackman said. Sackman shared that he was on the island for only a short while, since his duties as a pipe fitter required him to remain on the ship. “We were on the island, where the bomb was located, long enough to play around and have a good time before they sent us to the ships and said ‘Stay put,’” Sackman said. “We didn’t even
Connor Ashlock/ Jersey County Journal
Sackman stands under the flag of the Navy at Oak Grove Cemetery on Memorial Day.
see the shed that the bomb was housed in.” Up until the day of the detonation, the crew still had no idea of what the bomb exactly was. They knew it was set to go off, as its detonation was the test itself, but they didn’t know that it was going to be one of the largest man-made explosions in recorded human history — a fact they wouldn’t figure out for a
very long time. Now, nearly 68 years later, Sackman can still vividly recall the events of the day. “They warned us that this was going to be the day, and that if you wanted to watch it you could sit on the deck, but you had to have dark glasses on,” Sackman said. “They told us there was (See, VETERAN, A3)