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BPART may cut routes, service hours No state payments forcing the agency’s hand, director says By Goldie Rapp grapp@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — If the state continues to withhold payments for Bureau Putnam Area Rural Transit (BPART), the agency will cut routes and hours of operation, beginning Dec. 1. “The state still has not given any money over,” Mick Johnson, BPART director of transportation, told the county board Thursday. “There is still no contracts for
Will Princeton have a new event?
FY ‘17, so as it stands right now … BPART across the entire county is looking at reducing services.” If the state continues to withhold payments through December, deeper cuts, possibly including staff reductions, will have to be made come Jan. 1, Johnson said. December’s cuts still are being considered but could include eliminating the Illinois Valley Community College route, reducing trips to Peoria and Ottawa to one day a month, and reducing Saturday dialysis routes, he said. “If we aren’t receiving monies in December, as we are all hoping, we’ll have to make further cuts to hours and possibly start staff reductions at that point in time,” Johnson said. “As it stands right now, everyone is optimistic that we will be
starting to receive some of the funds, but nothing’s forthcoming as of yet.” The cuts will be difficult, but necessary to keep BPART running as long as possible, he said. BPART is waiting for the release of its fourth quarter FY ‘16 funds, and still does not have a service contract with the state for FY ‘17, he said. “(Illinois Department of Transportation) is saying the money is there, however, the comptroller is not releasing it,” Johnson said. Gateway Services and St. Margaret’s Hospital have been supporting the transportation agency by covering their own costs but will not be able to do so much longer. “Gateway Services is not in the position
to continue doing that beyond December, so we will be using our local match funds to maintain services through December, with the cuts. In January, we will have to make more cuts in order to maintain service without shutting down,” Johnson said. Because of the state’s financial condition, BPART also has put on hold plans to consolidate at a new location in Wyanet. BPART said in July that it was looking to buy a building at Locust and Front streets to house its vehicle storage and office space under one roof. The county board OK’d a purchase of up to $125,000. Those plans now must wait until the state comes through with its funding, Johnson said. Comment on this story at www.bcrnews. com.
Honoring our veterans
Princeton looks at health insurance costs
Park District board will make decision in two weeks
City looks to join a cooperative to lower the expense
By Dave Cook dcook@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The Princeton Park District is undecided on whether or not City-County Park is the right place for a new proposed event. At its Monday, Nov. 7 meeting, the Princeton Park Board promised to have a decision in two weeks for potential event organizer Jennifer Kinsman, owner of The Makery on Princeton’s South Main Street. Kinsman would like to hold a semi-annual vendor event in June and September featuring more than 70 vendors, with artist demonstrations, live music, games, attractions and food. Kinsman’s plans show parking would be at the nearby The People Church, and possibly Walmart as well. The city’s trolley would be used to help shuttle people to and from the event. She would also partner with a local group or non-profit organization to use the event to help raise money for a deserving cause. In her presentation to the board, she said, “My longterm goal is for this event to grow each year, both with regard to participating vendors and attendance. The additional visitors attending the event each year will
Event Page 4 Year 170 No. 136 One Section - 20 Pages
By Goldie Rapp grapp@bcrnews.com
BCR photo/Lyle Ganther
Pete Yucus, a World War II veteran, salutes the flag during the Veterans Day program held Friday at Ladd Community Consolidated School. See more photos from other Veterans Day programs on Page 2.
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PRINCETON — The Princeton City Council is taking steps to help lower its health insurance costs. On Monday, Nov. 7, the Princeton City Council unanimously agreed to the join the Intergovernmental Personal Benefit Cooperative (IPBC) to manage the city’s insurance — a move that could save the city $2.8 million during the next five years. IPBC is an entity that allows municipal groups to band together for the purposes of insurance. The cooperative has been around since 1979 and provides health, life and dental insurances to unites of local government. Starting Jan. 1, the program will include 113 units of local government. At Monday’s meeting, three representatives of IPBC spoke to the council about the program. IPBC Executive Director Dave Cook explained the program is not a typical insurance broker, rather a funding mechanism for local governments. Mayor Joel Quiram posted information about the
Insurance Page 4
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