50¢ DECEMBER 11, 2019
PITTSFIELD, IL Thank you,
Harry Wright of Pittsfield, for subscribing to Pike Press!
NEWS Picture Pittsfield donates Deer Display Challenge proceeds to PHS. See page A6
Farm Bureau talks trade and environment. See page B2
SPORTS
Pike Press
By BETH ZUMWALT Pike Press With bow season down to the final few weeks and both firearms season passed, a reflection of the Access Food program shows it was the best year ever. “This has been the best year both for deer and donations,” Brenda Middendorf, who coordinates the program each year. “Todd Smith took over as our food processor and he has done a fantastic job both with the butchering and packaging but also with the paperwork and all that goes with it.” Smith said he has packaged 10,000, one pound packages of deer burger and has another 1000-1,500 to go. “The work camp has came and got some to distribute to organizations, churches, food pantries,” Smith said. “I’m proud to say we are going to fill the Access Illinois Feed the Hungry expectations.” Smith had high praise for Middendorf for keeping the program alive. Some years deer were not donated and other years there was not
enough money to process the deer. “We have had tremendous support,” Middendorf said. “DOT Foods, the Jeep Club, Rotary,Lions, Health and Wellness Foundation gave us two grants,individuals and businesses all donated. Quail Upland Management gave us $2,000 that got us in the black. Money was tight because of the volume of the donations but so far we are keeping up.” Middendorf said Smith’s connections in the deer hunting industry were invaluable to the success of the program. Middendorf has organized the program for 14 years, even after the state dropped it’s support of the program. Submitted photo
JoAnn Smith, behind, and Kayla Smith, front, show off a few of the tons of packages of deer meat Hilltop Processing did this fall for the Illinois Access Food Program, Feed the Hungry. The season is winding down, but more deer donations and monetary donations are being accepted.
Car taxes to take jump in 2020
See page B1
WEEKEND WEATHER FRIDAY, DEC. 13
47 33 Low
SATURDAY, DEC. 14
36 19 High
Low
SUNDAY, DEC. 15
30 22 High
Low
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VOL. 177, NO. 50
Abundance of deer keeps food pantries full
A big jumper.
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SERVES FOOD FOR A CAUSE
PHS 9th grader Willow Claus serves Jesse Davidsmeyer as a part of Pikeland’s 2019 toy and food drive. Pikeland students assisted in serving customers Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Pittsfield’s McDonald’s in order to raise money for the school district’s toy and food drive. 20 Pikeland families and 30 elderly individuals will benefit from the food and toy drive.
Court . . . . . . . . . . .B5
By BETH ZUMWALT Pike Press The price of trading in a car for a new model will be more expensive after Jan. 1. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, a used vehicle valued at $40,000 would mean a trade-in difference of $40,000 on a new $80,000 car. “Presently, the customer would only pay tax on the $40,000 difference,” Sam Salustro of the Illinois Department of Revenue, said. “But the state is capping the trade in allowance at $10,000, so the customer will now pay sales tax on $70,000.” Using the $80,000 example, sales tax before Dec. 31 would be $2,500. After Jan. 2, 2020, it will be $4,375 at the 6.25 rate. Megan Daniel, Pikeland Motors, said their business has received very little information on the new system and no forms to complete during the sales. “I do know that pick-up trucks are exempt from the
new rule,” she said. “It just applies to division 1 vehicles which includes vehicles carrying not more than 10 persons and motorcycles.” Daniel said sports utility vehicles are extremely popular and she would expect people to start licensing those as trucks, as is permitted by law. The law states trucks used primarily for transporting cargo are second division vehicle. The new system is expected to raise $45 billion dollars, which Salustro said would be used for vertical projects throughout the state. “The money will go toward school and colleges building projects,” he said. “It should affect a lot of people. Our research shows the average vehicle nets $9,500 on trade-in and the cap doesn’t kick in until $10,000.” More information on the new system can be found on the Illinois Department of Revenue’s website at tax. illinois.gov. There is also a taxpayer assistance number, 1-800-732-8866.
Marketplace . . . . . .B4 Obituaries . . . . . . A6 Opinion . . . . . . . . A4 Op Ed . . . . . . . . . A5 Our Town . . . . . . .B2 Sports . . . . . . . . . . .B1 Obituaries in this issue: Armstrong, Clark, Hargiss, Holmes, Sanderson, Vines.
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Pittsfield council hears Community leaders audit report, approves stress importance Christmas bonuses of census count
By DAVID CAMPHOUSE Pike Press During the Tuesday, Dec. 3 meeting of the Pittsfield City Council, the council members reviewed and approved a positive auditor’s report for the past fiscal year. The auditor reported that they did not encounter any difficulties during the audit and expressed a high opinion of the city’s financial statements. Audit findings indicated an improving financial position for the city. The audit showed that Pittsfield has an improved cash position compared to last year’s holdings, and the city paid off two loans since the last audit. Reported increases in sales and income taxes also indicate that the community of Pittsfield is on a financial upswing. In addition, video gaming taxes had doubled since last year. Net income for the city, however, was down compared to last year, as the city had a one-time timber harvest/sale worth roughly $200,000 last year. The council went on to approve Christmas bonuses for city employees. Full-time employees will receive a net $300 bonus. Part-time employees will receive a net $100 bonus. Council members renewed the city’s health insurance plan. The council’s financial committee reported that a $3,000 increase in the monthly premium amount would be more than offset by a $55,000 savings on prescription drugs
over the course of the year. Resident Blake Summers of 1313 West Washington Street was granted a variance by the city to construct a woven wire fence with barbed wire on his property. The fence is designed to deter trespassers fishing on a pond at the property. Construction of a 24’ pool by resident Kurtis Bogatze was permitted by the council as well. The pool is to be built on a gas easement, and Bogatze must take down the pool in the event the city needs to access the gas line buried beneath the pool. Also approved was a city contribution of $173,000 to a larger Illinois Department of Transportation project to be undertaken on Jackson and Washington Streets. Pikeland School District and the City of Pittsfield approved two TIF agreements, which state that Pikeland will receive 17% of gross real estate taxes generated by Pittsfield’s two TIF districts. The only personnel item approved during the December council meeting was naming Shane Martin as Pittsfield’s assistant gas and water superintendent. The council retroactively approved the appointment to start Sept. 5, 2019. Martin had previously been with the city serving as a public works employee. Finally, mayor John Hayden recognized all of those involved with making Pittsfield’s Sunday, Dec. 1 Deer Santa Festival a success.
By DAVID CAMPHOUSE Pike Press Our nation counts its population once every ten years. According to local leaders, it’s vitally important for residents to take part in the 2020 census. There is also a need for residents to help administer the census, and the census offers many well-paying jobs for workers. “The census is needing 20 more workers in Pike County and more in Brown County,” Economic Development director Brenda Middendorf said. “Starting pay has been raised to $17.50 per hour.” According to Middendorf, the Economic Development Corporation is also assembling a census committee to make sure that everyone in Pike County is counted. The committee will consist of members from churches, elected officials, non-profits, the media, and the schools. The final census count of each municipality, county, and congressional district is related to the amount of federal resources allocated to that unit of government. “An undercount has very negative impacts,” Middendorf said. “It means less federal dollars and
less representation at the federal level.” Pittsfield mayor John Hayden echoed Middendorf’s statements on the importance of the census in terms of making sure Pike County gets its fair share of federal resources. “We get paid by the number of people we have,” Hayden said. “It’s important to get an accurate count.” According to Hayden and Middendorf, it has been a challenge recruiting enough census workers to get that accurate count of Pike County residents. “The biggest thing now is to get people to do the work,” Hayden said. Pike County Economic Development Corporation is holding a census hiring event Wednesday, Dec. 18 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at John Wood Community College’s Southeast Education Center in Pittsfield. According to Middendorf, staff will be available to assist with the online application form and answer all questions about the application process. “Census jobs are great for fulltime workers, retirees, or unemployed people,” Middendorf said.