Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 147 No. 9
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Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Hog factory still on hold for now Illinois Department of Agricultural waiting for VMC to adhere to environmental standards By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
WENONA — The proposed hog factory farm facility planned for Wenona is still in limbo. VMC Management of Iowa continues to push for the Sandy Creek LLC facility, which would house an estimated 20,000 hogs while contributing up to 20 jobs for the area. Many local residents are overwhelmingly opposed to the hog farm, citing damage to local roads and businesses and possibly irreparable impact on the aquifer which provides water to most area residents. The Illinois Department of Agriculture has yet to approve the project since VMC has not yet addressed concerns the facility does not meet Illinois environmental standards. That is a situation that may have changed. “We sent an e-mail to the company on Oct. 8,” Illinois Department of Agriculture Environmental program manager Brad Beaver said. “We received a response on the 14th, but we have yet to act upon it. The case is under review.” Beaver said if the outstanding questions are satisfactorily answered, the department will issue a permit. In the meantime, VMC is also pressuring local authorities to allow the facility’s construction.
Last month, the developers threatened Marshall-Putnam County Engineer Patrick Sloan with a lawsuit, claiming he falsely filed a negative review of a road plan that is integral to the factory farm’s construction. Sloan reported the main road for the facility was not rated high enough to support the weight of the trucks expected on the road, and the $1,400 annual impact fee from the company was insufficient for road maintenance. The road in question — County Road 2800 East — is rated at 72,000 pounds from May to January and 42,400 pounds from February to April. Trucks using the road are expected to carry 80,000pound loads. The developers of Sandy Creek LLC claim Sloan’s report is unfounded, and he is personally using his position to block the construction of the hog facility. Even if approved, the factory farm faces resistance from local residents and government officials. In May, the Marshall County Board voted 14 to 1 against recommending site approval to the IDA, citing negative impact on the surrounding environment, residents and businesses. The proposed site for the hog facility is in northwest Marshall County within a few miles of both LaSalle and Putnam counties.
PCR photo/Dixie Schroeder
Putnam County Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Debbie Ward (from left), along with students Madelyn Torrence, Mayra Macias, Mikenna Boyd and Ashlee Fuchs, presented to members of the Putnam County School Board at their October monthly meeting. The students and Ward explained how they use their new iPads the district and the Putnam County Education Foundation purchased for classroom usage.
McCracken concerned by bill Superintendent talks to board about House Bill 16 By Dixie Schroeder
dschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE – The Putnam County School Board heard from Superintendent Jay McCracken in regards to Illinois Senate Bill 16 at its October meeting held at Putnam County Primary School last week. “Senate Bill 16 remains a concern for our district as well as some neighboring districts,” McCracken said. There are several meetings being hosted around the state by the Illinois
State Board of Education in regards to the bill and other school funding, McCracken said. He is also currently setting a date to meet with Illinois State Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley) and asked board members what dates would be good for them to go with him. According to McCracken, Mautino does not support the bill in the Illinois House of Representatives in its current form. “It’s a bill that has winners and losers. When I say winners and losers,
some districts gain substantial dollars. Some districts, such as ours, who has been doing very well would have to go and raise funds locally if it passes,” McCracken said. He explained that if Senate Bill 16 becomes law, the Putnam County district would lose at least $874,000 in state aid each year. This represents about one-tenth of the state budget the district currently receives. McCracken informed the board he did not think the bill would be addressed in the Illinois House until after the election. “There is mounting pressure to defeat this bill. We just hope and pray that
we are able to join others to do so,” he said. “We are concerned, not panicked, but concerned.” The board was also given a presentation by Putnam County Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Debbie Ward and her students Mikenna Boyd, Madelyn Torrence, Mayra Macias and Ashlee Fuchs. Ward and her students have been working with iPads that were purchased with help from the district and the Putnam County Education Foundation. The students gave demonstrations on the use of programs that
Concern Page 2
Granville looks for mowing service
Board hopes to free up public works department By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE — The Granville Village Board will soon be letting the village mowing out for bid for next year. At its Oct. Vol. 147 No. 9 One Section - 20 Pages
© The Putnam County Record
21 meeting, board members approved the idea for the bids, dependent on the cost to the village for this year’s mowing. The village rented a mower this year and is looking for a way to free up the public works department to work on
other projects. “I have no objection putting it out for bid, but we have to sit down and figure the cost of the mower and the labor from last year, so we’re comparing apples to apples,” board member Jim Pettit said. “We need to see if it’s going to save us money or cost us more money.” “I’d like to see what we spend on it also,” board member Lucian Verda
said. “This has been a good year as far as mowing.” Mowing will need to be done once a week in the outskirts of the village and twice a week for the village parks and ballparks. Bids will be due on Dec. 15 and opened at the Dec. 16 meeting. In other action, the board: • Heard from village engineer Mike Richetta repair bills for street work have
been received for everything except for the spray patching. Richetta said the work went over budget and will need an amendment in order to be paid. He will have the final figures for the Nov. 5 board meeting. • Discussed electronic recycling for the village. The company that handles the recycling pick-up has now started charging for the service, eight cents a pound for TVs or four cents
MACK
per pound for all electronics. The decision to have an electronic recycling date was tabled until spring. • Donated $500 to Toys in the Pantry. • Reminded residents the Halloween parade will be on Oct. 31. Line-up at Cioni Ford will be at 4:45 p.m., with the parade starting at 5 p.m. Free refreshments will be available at Veterans Park. Trick-or-treat hours are 6 to 8 p.m.
Paid for by Mack for Judge Committee; Chairman-Alma Toedter
For Judge
The t Righ n sio i c e D