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Dixon dreaming big this postseason
SVM ATHLETES OF THE WEEK SPORTS, B3
GIRLS SOCCER, B1
TELEGRAPH Tuesday, May 12, 2015
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
DIXON | DEPARTMENT CONSOLIDATION
Public works unit discussed City administrator says ‘pretty good plan set up;’ but first, city manager needed BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
DIXON – Under a new form of city government might come a new department, according to multiple Dixon city officials. During a special meeting Mon-
day, Mayor Li Arellano Jr. and City Administrator David Nord both shed light on the concept of creating a public works department. After the city hires a city manager, the council would look to consolidate the water, sewer and street departments under one umbrella and one manager.
The ability to create the department was adopted when the city approved the change from administrative to managerial form of government. Nord said he had positive feedback from city employees about the change. “At this point, we think we have a pretty good plan set up,”
he said. “There’s a lot of moving parts in this, but the overall concept makes all the sense in the world. I don’t know any other communities our size that don’t have a public works department.”
Plans, plans, plans Mayor Li Arellano Jr. says many of the city’s plans would be easier to execute with a public works department. Read about some of those plans on A4.
PUBLIC WORKS CONTINUED ON A4
DIXON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Checking out; checking in Longtime director eager for her next chapter: retirement
Dixon, libraries feel like home for English successor
BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
DIXON – It’s the same case for the local tavern, the grocery store, and the community library: For various reasons, each place attracts a returning crowd – “the regulars.” For the past 30 years, Dixon Public Library Director Lynn Roe, 55, has sat behind the counter and formed a bond with a collection of people who consider the institution a second home. She’s been there so long, co-workers say she has a different patron anecdote for them every day. “Oh, yeah, we definitely have our regulars,” Roe said with a reflective smile. “Over the years, I’ve watched kids grow up, get married, and bring in kids of their own.” In a few days, Roe will join them. Two years ago, she picked April 30, 2015, as her last day as director, after finding out she was eligible for early retirement. That stay was extended so that Roe’s successor – Antony Deter – can finish his work with Morrison Community School District. When retirement officially sets in this June, it will close the book on a career that started in 1985 and a director tenure that spans the past 15 years. Roe considers herself blessed to have served the Dixon community for so long. She has a thorough understanding of DPL’s role in Dixon, having also frequented the institution for most of her life. “This was my library when I was a kid,” Roe said.
DIXON – When Antony Deter officially takes over as Dixon Public Library director June 1, the city will gain a bit of foreign flair. Deter, 43, is a native of England. Libraries, it turns out, are what led him across the pond to begin with. While working toward his library sciences degree at Aberystwyth University in Wales, Deter studied abroad at the University of Illinois. During that stay, he met his wife, Denise, a Morrison native. Twenty years of marriage and two children later, they felt Dixon was the best place to raise their family. “We just really liked what we saw in Dixon,” Deter said. “Dixon was what we were looking for. It’s a beautiful community.” The family quickly became familiar with DPL. Three weeks ago, the library board approved Deter to succeed outgoing director Lynn Roe. In the 115-year history of the library, he becomes the second male director of DPL – the first since 1947. Roe believes Deter has the makeup to propel the library forward. In him, she said Dixon is receiving someone with a lifetime fascination with the important role libraries play in communities. “This is better for the library and the community,” Roe said on Monday. “I think Antony is perfect for it. He’s really excited for the job.” Deter said he has wanted to work in libraries since he was a teenager.
ROE CONTINUED ON A2
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Antony Deter, librarian with the Morrison Community School District, will succeed retiring Dixon Public Library director Lynn Roe. On May 29, the library will hold a retirement ceremony for Roe, and Deter will take the reins June 1.
MORRISON | VIDEO GAMBLING
SUCCESSOR CONTINUED ON A2
AGRICULTURE INSIDERS
Pour loser: Grocer’s bid shot down Sullivan’s Foods’ liquor license request met by public disapproval BY CHRISTI WARREN cwarren@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5521 @SeaWarren
MORRISON – City Council members denied a request for the town’s only grocery store to be granted a pour liquor license Monday night.
$1.00
TODAY’S EDITION: 48 PAGES 4 SECTIONS VOL. 164 ISSUE 263
The request, first put before the council at its April 27 meeting, would have paved the way for Sullivan’s Foods to acquire video gambling terminals. Scott Sullivan, president of Sullivan’s Foods, was not present at Monday’s meeting. Sullivan’s Foods operates 12
INDEX
groceries in Illinois. Its Morrison location is one of its oldest, purchased in 1978. Before Mayor Everett Pannier officially let the request from Sullivan’s Foods die, he opened up the floor for discussion.
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A12 COMICS ............... A9
POUR CONTINUED ON A5
CROSSWORD....B11 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
Hail the kings “Black Angus has taken over” Sandrock farm. Today’s Farm special section inside
NATION/WORLD A10 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
Farmer schools students Words of wisdom spoken at WACC “Healthy pigs mean healthy food.” Story on A3
Today’s weather High 61. Low 37. More on A3.
Chase update
Ex-Chadwick man’s bond $125K, A3.
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