Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 147 No. 8
“PRSRT STD.” US Postage Paid No. 486 SHAW MEDIA POSTAL PATRON LOCAL R.R. BOXHOLDER CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Courthouse repairs ahead of schedule By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENNEPIN — The work crews at the Putnam County Courthouse will be working a little while longer this year. Putnam County Board
President Duane Calbow told the board at its Oct. 14 meeting that workers from Otto Baum Co. had finished repairing a stone band around the 175-yearold Putnam County Courthouse earlier than expected, which allows them to perform some repairs to the
year’s building project called for board approval of the additional $17,178 to complete. The supplement was passed on a 3 to 1 vote with board member Willie Holmes as the lone dissenting vote. Holmes worked on the building staff at the courthouse for years and
building’s facade before the weather changes. Workers will not have to stop for the winter and set up again in the spring to continue work. “It’s going to save us a little bit of money,” Calbow said. Continued work on this
has cautioned restoration of the oldest continuously operating courthouse in Illinois is a luxury the county can not afford. In other action, the board: • Heard from former Putnam County Emergency Management Agency
Director John Ehrhardt on completed trainings for acting supervisor Bob Cofoid. Other PCEMA personnel have also completed various trainings and work on the communications setup for the PCEMA building
Hennepin Page 2
Hennepin talks park renovations By Dixie Schroeder
dschroeder@putnamcountryrecord.com
HENNEPIN — Street repairs, ordinances and elections were on the agenda at the monthly Hennepin Village Board meeting Oct. 15. The board held a discussion on the plans to replace the crumbling base around the cannon which is on display at Walter Durley Boyle Park. The cannon was made at the West Point Foundry between 1859 and 1861. There are no records as to how the village of Hennepin came into possession of the cannon. Village Mayor Kevin Coleman informed the board the Hennepin Business and Betterment Association was willing to help pay for the renovations of the base of the display. “We’ve talked with them, and they are going to help fund rebuilding the cannon and the area around it. One of the thoughts on how to do this is have a granite base instead of the concrete block that has been there in the past,” Coleman said. Coleman explained that the granite base would be 6,000 pounds and will hold up better than a concrete base. The Hennepin Business and Betterment Association has chosen the granite with the understanding they would donate $3,000 to the project. The granite will cost $4,700. Plans are also underway to create some sort of plaque to denote information about the memorial. There will also be a 5- to 6-foot walking area around the planned memorial. The cost of the concrete walking area may run about $1,000. Village trustee Quentin Vol. 147 No. 8 One Section - 20 Pages
Buffington explained to the board in more detail about the Hennepin Business and Betterment Association donation. “It’s a 50 percent donation up to $3,000,” Buffington said. Buffington went on to explain the thoughts of the Hennepin Business and Betterment Association. “Currently when you are in the park and look at the Veterans Memorial, you look at the back side of it. The only way to access the memorial is to walk through a parking area to get to it. The thought is to use this cannon and this project as an anchor to moving the Veterans Memorial to a new location that would be more suitable,” Buffington said. The board approved to use up to $7,000 on the cannon project out of the park maintenance fund. In other news, the board: • Heard the village’s annual trick or treat event would be on Oct. 31 at Walter Durley Boyle Park. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served starting at 5 p.m. The parade will start shortly before trick or treat hours, which will be from 6 to 8 p.m. • Amended the village’s subdivision ordinance to include a rule that all future subdivisions will have their utilities put in underground in the village. • Coleman also announced three village trustee positions are open. Petitions are available for interested parties at the village hall. • Hennepin Business and Betterment Association will hold a food drive on Nov. 8. Village residents are asked to put their donated items in a bag and leave it outside their front door.
PCR photo/Dixie Schroeder
PCCC hosts raffle Helen Hundley (left) and Donna Berry organize the raffle the Putnam County Community Center (PCCC) held Oct. 17 at Hennepin Foods. The raffle is being held in conjunction with PCCC’s Fall Fling on Nov. 1. Prizes include gift certificates of various denominations and an iPad.
Meet your candidates Editor’s note: Candidates on the ballot for Putnam County offices in the Nov. 4 general election responded to a questionnaire from the Putnam County Record. Following are the replies from each candidate.
County board member candidates
Eric Balma Position for which you are running: County board. Political party: Democrat. Town of residence: Hennepin. Balma Where you work now: Operating Engineer #150. Age: 41.
Education: Hall High School Class of 1991. Experience: Union Steward of Local #150. I have dealt in negotiations and mediation between contractors and members. What are your Top 3 goals, if you are elected: Being a long-time union man, I believe jobs are the No. 1 priority in Putnam County. I will work diligently in bringing in longterm job opportunities for the county. I will be fiscally responsible to all Putnam County taxpayers as to how their money is spent. I will earn the trust of all Putnam County residents by giving everyone 100 percent of my efforts. In what ways will you be fiscally responsible to taxpayers:
I can. What kind of promises will you make and keep to the citizens of Putnam County: I can only promise that I will be fair and honest to all PC residents, no matter what your status in the community is or where you live. Duane Calbow Position for which you are running: County board. Political party: Democrat. T o w n of residence: Rural Calbow McNabb. Where you work now: Secretary of State.
Candidates Page 3
TRICK or TREAT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
5:30 PM TO 6:30 PM, OCT. 31 © The Putnam County Record
I will review all budgets within the county and ensure all residents will get the most for their tax dollars. What changes will you make if you are elected: It is extremely hard to say what changes I would make without experiencing the workings of the county for a period of time. My ability is to bring new thoughts and different perspectives to the board. I hope this will bring changes that will benefit all of Putnam County. Why should voters cast their ballots for you: Because I will be open minded and bring new thoughts and ideas to the board. I want your vote because I believe in this county, and I will use my abilities to make it the best
HAUNTED HALLWAY AND LOTS OF CANDY!
HEALTHCARE AND REHABILITATION CENTRE 515 Bureau Valley Parkway, Princeton, IL
815-875-3347 • fax: 815-875-2012