Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal October 13, 2016 Volume 154, Number 25 - $1.00
Nail Biter
Free Concert
4-H Sign-Up
The Cardinals hold on to beat LeWin 13-7 in conference action Oct. 7. B1
The Stephen Lynerd Ensemble will perform Sunday at the Grove. A6
Ogle County 4-H Clubs are seeking new members as their new year begins. A4
Forreston board considers 17 acre annexation By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com The Forreston village board will decide Oct. 17 whether to annex 17 acres of farmland. A public hearing will be held at the meeting prior to the decision, where the board will field any questions and
concerns the community has about the proposed agreement with property owner Dave Vietmeier. With Dollar General coming to Forreston, plans already were in motion to sell about two acres to the business. Dollar General needs only a small area, though, so the annexation would provide
an opportunity for business expansion. “Dollar General only needs around one or two acres,” Village President Mark Metzger said at the Oct. 4 meeting, adding that a successful expansion beginning with Dollar General could mean a grocery store, outlet store, or other businesses coming in
to Forreston. The agreement gives Vietmeier up to a year to change his mind, although “in reality, I don’t see him going through with backing out,” Metzger said. “He’ll be right in the community seeing the results of investing in expansion for businesses.” The property is on the west side of Baileyville Road at
Ill. 72, north of the village limits. In other business the board approved liquor licenses for the new Casey’s General Store, and a video game license application for Mimmo’s Pizza. Eileen and Keith Anderson sold The Depot, 314 E. Main St., to Caseys this summer. The ownership was being
transferred this month. Metzger also said paperwork for the sewer expansion project was submitted, and the board is just waiting on approval to begin the bidding and contracting process. The board next meets on Monday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the village hall. The meeting is open to the public.
County board member says board too large
Go Lady Cardinals The Forreston Dance Team performed at the volleyball game Oct. 6. Here Emily Langill, right, leads the dance team during the school song before the start of the game. Photo by Chris Johnson
Donation made for defibrillator Forreston, Leaf River Lions donated funds By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com
A $1,000 donation will allow the Forreston Sports Boosters to purchase a lifesaving device they hope will never be used. Joel Ludwig, a member of the Forreston Lions Club, presented booster vice president Bob Chamberlin, with two $500 checks for the purchase of an automated external defibrillator. “The Forreston Lions Club and the Leaf River Lions Club are donating $500 each to purchase a defibrillator,” said Ludwig. Having the device could save a life in the event of an emergency, either for an athlete or a spectator. “We do not want to use the defibrillator, but having it is important for athletic events,” said Chamberlin. “Being an automated unit means everyone can use it.” Chamberlin said that some basic training with the device will be offered to coaches
Forreston Lions Club member, Joel Ludwig,left, presents Forreston Sports Booster Vice President Bob Chamberlin, with two $500 checks for the purchase of an automated external defibrillator. Photo by Chris Johnson
and administrators. “What is nice about the unit is that it is portable and can go anywhere from the football field to the golf course,” said Chamberlin.
In This Week’s Edition...
“Every minute counts in emergency.” Ludwig was happy make the donation, but hopes the money ends being wasted.
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4 Marriage Licenses, A4
an to he up
“If the defibrillator is never used, the money would still be well spent,” Ludwig said. “The donation will cover the cost of one unit.”
Police, A3 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B5 School Menus, A3 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com An Ogle County Board member says the body could do with fewer members and has asked for a committee to study the issue. Bruce McKinney, Rochelle, told the County Board at its September meeting that he would like to see the board reduced from 24 members to 16. He asked Board Chairman Kim Gouker, Byron, to appoint a committee to study the issue now, well ahead of the 2020 census, after which that change could be made. “We’re too large for our size of county,” McKinney, who is also the Rochelle city clerk, said Oct. 7. “There are other counties larger than us that have 10 or 12 members.” Gouker said last week that while he is willing to bring the question before the board’s Executive Committee for discussion, he believes it’s too soon to form a committee. “It’s a little premature,” he said. “It wouldn’t happen until 2022.” McKinney told the board he believes discussions need to begin as soon as possible. He said last week that the change would save the county about $50,000 over a 10-year period. Board members are paid $150 per month for attending three meetings, and another $50 per meeting after that. They are also reimbursed for mileage. The board chairman is paid an additional $250 per month. Besides the monthly meetings, board members serve on numerous committees which also meet monthly. Changing the size and configuration of the board can be done only after a census, and any changes take effect at the first election after the census. With the next census in 2020, the changes, if any are made, would happen at the 2022 election. Redistricting, also known as reapportionment, is dictated in the U.S. Constitution, which calls for a census every 10 years to determine the population.
Social News, A4 Sports, B1-B2 State’s Attorney, B3 Weather, A8
“We’re too large for our size of county. There are other counties larger than us that have 10 or 12 members. — Bruce McKinney Rochelle The results of the census are then used to determine how many legislators can be elected to represent the residents in the local, state, and national government. The process is aimed at ensuring all citizens are equally represented. Ogle County is divided into eight districts, each varying from 6,300 to 7,000 residents. Each district is represented by three elected County Board members. Elections are held every 2 years in November, with members elected to 2-year or 4-year terms. McKinney said he believes citizens could be well represented by two board members from each district rather than three. “Right now, we have eight districts, and with 16 we would have two per district, which I think is plenty to properly represent the constituency,” he said. In fact, McKinney said, 16 may be too many. “It may be good to reduce it further in another 10 years,” he said. “I don’t think we want to be too drastic all at once.” The 2010 census puts Ogle County’s population at 51,659 – 2,152 citizens for every board member. That puts the county right in the middle, compared to eight nearby counties. The range goes from each board member in Winnebago County representing 14,353 residents to Bureau County, where each represents 1,291. The Ogle County Board did redistricting in 2012 after the 2010 census, when the eight districts with three members each were approved. Turn to A2
Deaths, B4 Chad W. Copeland, William G. Himert, Linda N. Little, David C. Wright
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com