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Thursday, April 30, 2015
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Giving the region a voice EDCNCI to make presentation to Princeton City Council By Zita Henneberry zhenneberry@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois (EDCNCI) wants to market the region on a global level to promote growth
within the area. The EDCNCI will make a presentation before the Princeton City Council at its next regular meeting. “Economic growth is important to the area to create jobs. By attracting new businesses and helping to expand the existing business, it will create jobs
in the region. We will attract labor force, families and more business. By adding jobs, our schools, housing market and service and specialty businesses all thrive,” said Joni Hunt, Princeton director of economic development. Princeton City Manager Jeff Clawson said, “It is the belief of this group that any jobs in the region helps the entire region.” Comprised of a professional staff and representing the sur-
rounding region, the EDCNCI would promote economic development in the area. Hunt explained the group would serve a geographical area of 2,200 square miles and 150,000 people. Through the EDCNCI, the entire region or area served could have a much stronger voice in the economic development community. “The goal is to promote the region globally,” said Hunt. In a press release, the EDCNCI
said, “We are comprised of elected officials, economic development directors, Chamber executives, organizational representatives and business leaders from throughout the three counties of Bureau, LaSalle and Putnam. “The EDCNCI plans to have a professional staff to promote the region by marketing locally, nationally and globally, developing relationships with
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A tax for all BV pushes for 1 percent sales tax By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
MANLIUS — The Bureau Valley School Board is again pushing for the 1 percent sales tax initiative. On Tuesday, April 28, the board passed a resolution in support of placing a referendum on the ballot in the April 5, 2016, election. Assistant Superintendent Gavin Sronce said he felt when this initiative was first proposed, many people misunderstood how the tax works. The 1 percent sales tax would be placed on everyone who spent money within the county, not just local taxpayers, including the shoppers and visitors Interstate 80 brings into the county. “It’s not just what’s spent within this school district, it’s what’s spent throughout the county,” Sronce said. The funds collected from the tax are distributed to school districts to use for facilities improvements. However, school districts that are not in need of facilities improvements can use the funds to offset property taxes. “It’s the only tax I know of where the actual tax base gets a break because you don’t have to pay for all that money and tax that comes in,” Sronce said. “Often times in districts where they do this, frankly, they just use it to abate property taxes and lower their tax base. In places that are in desperate need for new facilities, such as Bureau Valley, it provides a great funding mechanism to pay for things without raising property taxes.” Sronce noted farmers and
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Stars and Stripes The Stars and Stripes were unveiled by the Princeton High School Star Spangled Singers for girls soccer game at Bryant Field Tuesday, April 28. The Senior Night contest marked the first soccer game played on the PHS campus. The Tigresses and IVC played to a 4-4 tie.
A safer walk to school in SV Jablonski honored for saving resident’s life By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
SPRING VALLEY — Spring Valley students will soon have a safer pathway to walk to school, thanks to a Safe Routes to Schools Grant awarded to the city of Spring Valley. On Monday, April 27, the
Spring Valley City Council approved an ordinance authorizing an engineering agreement between the city of Spring Valley and Chamlin & Associates with the Safe Routes to School Grant. The grant is worth $100,000 and will go toward constructing flashing beacons for Route 89 crosswalk and the construction of sidewalks and ramps at various locations from the intersection of Richards Streets and Route 89 to Spring Valley Elementary School. The grant is administered through the Illinois Department
of Transportation. Resident recognized for brave actions Also on Monday, Spring Valley resident Doug Jablonski was recognized for his selfless actions during an emergency situation, which resulted in saving a man’s life. On Wednesday, April 1, a brush fire near a ravine got out of control and was threatening a nearby home. Jablonski saw the fire and called 911. Spring Valley Fire Chief Todd Bogatitus said Jablonski then went around the house to
Gaining Strength Each and Every Day! After having joint replacement surgery, the Bounce Back Team helped Margaret feel like herself again.
check on the homeowner who was nowhere to be found. The neighbor had been overcome by the smoke and was found by Jablonski laying in the ravine. Jablonski was able to pull him out of the ravine and away from the smoke before first responders were on scene. “We’re proud to have a citizen like you to step-up to the plate and save someone else’s life,” Bogatitus said. “If it wasn’t for Doug, the outcome of this story would have
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