Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press October 30, 2014 Volume 157, Number 6 - $1.00
Season Concludes
Fall Back
Election Preview
The Lady Marcos finished their season against Amboy Monday evening. B1
Turn your clocks back one hour for Standard Time at 2 a.m. Sunday.
A variety of referendum will be on the ballots for many area voters Nov. 4. A7
Man injured in 2-vehicle crash A Dixon man was injured Monday afternoon when the car he was driving collided with a grain truck four miles north of Polo. Stanley E. Rodabaugh, 68, was transported by React helicopter to Rockford Memorial Hospital for multiple injuries. According to a hospital spokesman, he was listed in fair condition Tuesday morning. Ogle County Sheriff’s Police said a car driven by Rodabaugh was northbound on Ill. 26 between the intersections with Ill. 64 when
it crossed the center line and was struck by a northbound grain truck driven by Mervin D. Ludewig, 77, Polo. Rodabaugh was extricated from his vehicle by Polo firefighters. According to the police report, Ludewig was not injured. The crash remains under investigation. The Polo Fire Department, Mt. Morris Fire Department, Polo Police Department, Mt. Morris Police Department, and Forreston Police Department assisted at the scene.
Grant could pay for sewer work By Vinde Wells Editor Polo may be eligible for a sizable grant to help pay for a needed $1 million in sewer system repairs. The city council voted Oct. 20 to begin the process of applying for a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program to cover a portion of the cost for repairs to a lift station and sewer mains, upgrades to sludge drying beds, televising the sewer lines, and digester covers at the new waste water treatment plant. Engineer Matt Hanson from Willett, Hofmann and Associates, Dixon, said the city should qualify for a grant to cover 45 to 75 percent of the cost. The percentage will be based on the median income of residents, he said. Hanson said the sewer lines have already been televising and he is in the process of reviewing the tapes to determine the repairs needed. He said the city will likely qualify for a low interest loan to cover whatever the grant does not pay for. He said his firm’s engineering fees will not be more than $12,000. Mayor Doug Knapp said
the project will not mean an increase in sewer rates for residents. In another matter, city clerk Susie Corbitt recommended a $14,989 increase in the city’s tax levy for next year. She said the increase will likely mean a $5 to $7 increase in the real estate taxes on an $80,000 home. The increase is needed, Corbitt said, mainly to bolster the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund and Social Security Fund, which are $30,000 and $20,000 short respectively. “We are digging a hole,” she said. “We need to raise taxes. The EAV (equalized assessed value) is going down so taxes will go up in any case.” Alderman Cheryl Galor agreed. “I think we made a mistake when we didn’t raise it before,” she said. Taxes payable in 2015 are based on the 2014 property values. The council has not yet approved the levy, which must be turned in to the Ogle County Clerk in December. Following a closed session, the council approved hiring Timothy Rockwood, Polo, as a full-time Street Department employee. He will be paid $15.50 per hour.
A Polo Co-op truck rests on its side in the west ditch of Ill. 26/64 as workers salvage its contents following an accident on Monday. Photo by Earleen Hinton
Larson’s home blessed Sunday By Chris Johnson Reporter What makes a house a home is more than just a place with four walls and a roof over your head. For Jennifer Larson and her on Vincenzo, 4, their home in Oregon is built with love. “Our dream of having our own home began out of love, was built with love, and forever will be rooted with love,” wrote Larson in a letter to Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County. “This home is the cornerstone of our foundation. We have been blessed with a home.” The Larsons were the beneficiary of the newest home built by Habitat for Humanity. Larson said she would tear up if she tried to give a statement during the house blessing Sunday afternoon so she presented a letter she wrote that was read to those attending the ceremony. “We are and forever will be grateful to everyone,” her statement read. “Thank you for everything. God bless you all.” Turn to A3
Members of Marie Black’s family gathered for a family photo with new homeowners the Larsons Sunday afternoon. The Black family donated the old house and property that was used to build a new Habitat for Humanity Home. Pictured from left to right are daughter in law Trisha Black, daughter Laury Edlund, grandchildren Arika Black and Tyler Black, sister Marilyn Schwartz, new homeowner Jennifer Larson, and Vincenzo Larson. Photo by Chris Johnson
$5,000 donation made for pool By Chris Johnson Reporter
Polo Mayor Doug Knapp reads a proclamation Oct. 22 at a reception honoring Water and Sewer Superintendent Mike Gauthier for his retirement. Gauthier will retire from full-time employment on Nov. 7, but will continue to work part-time for the next year to year in a half. He has worked for the city for 36 years and three months by the time he retires. Photo by Cheryl Galor
In This Week’s Edition...
Agriculture, A8-A10 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B7-B12 Entertainment, A6
portion of the bath house is completed, the attached locker room was in progress. “And the pool is all done?” asked Wilhelms. “Next week they are going to tear up the deep end and put a new pipe to the filter room,” said Jenkins. “You will have all piping that is a year old or less. Basically you will have a brand new pool.” Work on the bath house is being completed by numerous volunteers in the
community. The original 1968 bath house was also built by volunteers. “It is great to see the people pitch in,” said Mark Scholl. “We had a bunch of people here last weekend. The Lions Club is showing up.” Warm fall temperatures have allowed construction to continue on the project. If we have good weather Turn to A3
Renovations at the Polo pool received a healthy donation last week to help complete a new bath house. First State Bank ShannonPolo presented the city with a $5,000 check Oct. 22. Bank president Omar Wilhelms asked about the layout of the bath house. “The locker room will be out to here,” pool manager Terry Jenkins said while he gestured to an area that still needed a concrete slab poured. “It will look like last The Polo Water Wednesday, Nov. 5. one only a bigger version.” Department will flush water All areas of the city may be A concrete slab for the mains throughout the city affected by rusty water and showers and bath room on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and on low pressure on both days.
Marriage Licenses, A4 Polo Police, A3 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B5
Water main flushing
Sheriff’s Arrests, B5 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 Weather, A2
Deaths, B3 Lillian M. McCanse, Marie A. Frericks, Kevin D. Eckberg, Gloria J. Stone
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com