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Thursday, September 19, 2013
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Meet our Women of Distinction
Bryant: ‘Not very pleased’
10 Illinois Valley women chosen
DePue responds to Heartland Bank closure By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
DEPUE — The decision to close DePue’s Heartland Bank and Trust branch has brought confusion, disappointment and a feeling of shock to community members. Although a press release was sent to the Bureau County Republican late Monday afternoon, Village President Eric Bryant said on Tuesday he never received a call, email or visit from any representative of the bank explaining the reasons behind the closure. “We’re not very pleased with this and not very happy with how it was handled,” he said. “It would have been nice to know something like this was coming to the community.” Village Clerk Jane Vickers had similar feelings about the situation. She agreed someone from the bank should have at least called the mayor, so when concerned residents began calling about the news, he could provide answers to them. The branch is scheduled to close for good at 3 p.m. Sept. 30. The four current DePue employees will remain employed at other Heartland branches. If choosing to stay with Heartland, customers will need to bank at other branches, which could include Spring Valley, Peru, Oglesby, Henry and Princeton. Bryant said although he believes most customers will continue banking in Spring Valley, the DePue branch closing is going to be an inconvenience for several residents, especially elderly citizens. “Believe it or not, DePue is the third largest town in Bureau County and we’ve had a bank here in town forever,” he said.
By Illinois Valley Living staff news@bcrnews.com
Illinois Valley Living Magazine’s winners of the inaugural Women of Distinction Award have been selected. Ten women from the Illinois Valley will be honored at a luncheon where participants will enjoy a delicious afternoon meal while hearing the stories of these 10 women who have made a difference in the Illinois Valley. Chosen by a panel of judges from McHenry County, Ill., the following women were selected from a large pool of nominations: • Kim Abel of Mendota. • Kathy Casstevens of Utica. • Mary Ann Cernovich of Sheffield. • Lisa Clinton of Cherry. • Dawn Conerton of Magnolia. • Pat Schou of Princeton. • Nedda Simon of Princeton. • Loretta Volker of Princeton. • Judith Wilkins Wright of Tiskilwa. • Teresa Zearing of Princeton.
Nominations were solicited by. The event will from the entire Illinois Valley, begin with plenty of and those who chose to nomitime for networking, nate an area woman were asked a delicious lunch, an to think of someone who has awards presentation made a difference in the Illiand the opportunity nois Valley and gone the extra to hear briefly from mile to benefit others. the 10 Women of Dis“I was so impressed with tinction winners. the number of nominations Princeton resident we received, and even more and WGN talk show host, impressed with the qualiKathy O’Malley of the fications of all the women “Kathy and Judy Show” who were nominated,” said is the keynote speaker. Illinois Valley Living/Bureau O’Malley, known for not County Republican Editor just her popular radio Terri Simon. “Wow! We are Kathy O’Malley, Princeton show, but also for her resident and WGN co-host very fortunate in this area of the “Kathy and Judy volunteerism, her quick to have so many deserving Show” is the keynote wit and her support of women who we can proudly speaker for the Women of women and their battles, call Women of Distinction.” Distinction luncheon. sacrifices and successes, Simon will emcee the event. will entertain the crowd. The 10 aforementioned Women of Presenting sponsor of the Women of Distinction will be honored at a lun- Distinction is Heartland Bank. Perry cheon set from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Deer Park Country Club in OglesSee Award Page 3
Debates continue over BPL Princeton Council weighs in on the issue By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
See DePue Page 4 Year 167 No. 113
BCR photo/Becky Kramer
Two Sections - 32 Pages
Easy does it ... The annual skateboard competition/exhibition at the Princeton Skate Park was again a popular attraction at Homestead Festival for skateboard enthusiasts and those who admire their agility and skills.
98213 00012 1 7 © Bureau County Republican
PRINCETON — The future of broadband Over Power Lines (BPL) continues to be a bone of contention within the Princeton City Council. At this week’s meeting, Commissioner Joel Quiram said he has felt misled for two years on the financial viability of the BPL program. He had understood the service brings in about $16,000 a year in revenue with 230 customers. But that number does not factor in labor costs. In actuality, annual revenue from BPL, after expenses, is more like $4,000, he said. Mayor Keith Cain said Princeton City Manager Jeff Clawson and Superintendent of Electric and Telecommunications Jason Bird are working on numbers with outside sources dealing with the fiber optic/BPL service. In his comments, Commissioner Ray Mabry said BPL has served its original purpose in providing high speed Internet to residents and giving the city a triggering point for private sectors to come forward. However, that purpose has been completed, and his recommendation was to get out of BPL service as of Jan. 1, Mabry said. Quiram continued looking at the revenue side of BPL to the city, saying the city of Princeton gets about $3 a month per customer from its BPL service. Since the city is no longer taking new BPL customers, as of about five months ago, the customer base isn’t going anywhere, and expenses will continue to go up. He called BPL dead technology.
See BPL Page 4
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