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Saturday, October 8, 2016
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‘Clang, clang, clang’ went the trolley Princeton’s survey shows nostalgia can help growth By Dave Cook dcook@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Trolleys were once a common sight on Princeton’s Main Street; they provided people with an easy, convenient form of transportation. The original trolleys disappeared long ago, but a newer trolley known as the “Spirit of Princeton” is poised to
return to regular duty. Donated by Princeton resident Steven Kiser to the city of Princeton in 2014, there were two conditions: 1. It shall be named “Spirit of Princeton,” and 2. It shall serve as a memorial to historian and photographer Bill Lamb (the Bureau County Historical Society is in possession of Bill Lamb’s trolley photo collection).
A regular sight during celebrations, the city of Princeton would like to begin using the trolley as part of its tourism efforts to connect the north and south shopping districts, as well as to highlight the city’s historic past and compliment current beautification projects. The city recently sent a survey to Chamber of Commerce members to gather
information about when and where they’d like to see the trolley used. Princeton City Manager Rachel Skaggs said people seem to like the nostalgic feeling the trolley symbolizes. According to the 85 responses received so far, 95 percent would like to see the trolley traveling Main Street on Saturday. Approximately 45 percent of them would
also like to see it in use on Fridays and Sundays. Preferred time of use would be from noon to 4 p.m.. Suggested stops would be at the Amtrak station, the north and south business districts, Festival 56, the Prouty Building, and Soldiers and Sailors Park. Skaggs said there hasn’t been time yet to fully analyze all the suggestions and
comments, and results are still coming in. “This survey was very generic and mostly targeted at businesses along Main Street,” Skaggs said. “We wanted to get a feel for how businesses would like to see it operate. As we continue to investigate the use of the trolley, we’ll expand our survey
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The spirit of St. Bede St. Bede students, staff and supporters showed tremendous school spirit when they gathered Thursday evening in celebration of their annual homecoming parade. St. Bede will take to the gridiron against Bureau County rival Princeton Tigers at 2 p.m. on Saturday. BCR photo/Dave Cook
Volunteers needed City of Princeton wants to establish a Citizens Electric Utility Advisory Board By Lyle Ganther lganther@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON— Mayor Joel Quiram is still looking for volunteers to serve on a board to oversee the city’s electric department. An ordinance is expected to be passed by the Princeton City Council by the end of this year or first of 2017 to establish a five-member Citizens Electric Utility Advisory Board. Quiram asked at Monday’s council meeting that anyone interested in serving on this board go the city’s website at www. princeton-il.com to fill out a committee interest form,
asking for some background information about potential board members. As earlier reported, Quiram said the committee’s responsibilities would include, but not be limited to, making recommendations on rates, capital projects, incentive programs and loans made to the city from the electric department reserves. Quiram said the committee would meet either monthly or quarterly and would elect its own chairman. Princeton City Manager Rachel Skaggs and electrical Superintendent Jeff Mangrich would not
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Dealing with mental illnesses CIT program takes officers through 40 hours of training
By Lyle Ganther lganther@bcrnews.com
BCR photo/Lyle Ganther
Craig Hill, a professional actor from St. Louis, Mo., talks to Junelle Smith, an officer with the Northern Illinois University Police Department, about his thoughts of suicide during a role-playing exercise held as part of Crisis Intervention Team program training at the Illinois Valley Crime Prevention Commission office in Princeton.
PRINCETON — Law enforcement officers received training through the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program on dealing with individuals who have mental illness or behavioral disabilities. Beth Pinter, director of the Illinois Valley Crime Prevention Commission in Princeton, said, “Officers have been getting a bum rap lately. Working with the mentally ill is not always easy.” She added this is the first time CIT training has been offered in this area of Illinois. Princeton Police Chief Tom Root was one of 25 officers attending the CIT training.
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