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Tuesday, August 18, 2015
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
DIXON
DIXON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Low bid awarded for job
Like a boss New principal, school year get going
Engineer: City not on hook if bridge isn’t painted right BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Crystal Thorpe, new principal at Jefferson Elementary School in Dixon, speaks Monday at an assembly for teachers and students during first day of classes in Dixon. “It was a great first day of school,” Thorpe said. “Buses were on time, the kiddos knew what to do, and the parents were excited. Things are running pretty smoothly.” BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
DIXON – Second-grader Bene Baratta said being back in school was awesome. “I’ve been off for 3 months, and I really miss school,” said Bene, 7. “I’m excited about learning and seeing my friends.” Monday was the first day of school in the Dixon School District. Students were through the doors of Jefferson Elementary School at 8 a.m. to begin the school year. It was also the first day as principal for Crystal Thorpe of Dixon. She succeeded Dan Rick, who is the district’s new assistant superintendent. “It was a great first day of school,” Thorpe said. “Buses were on time, the kiddos knew what to do, and the parents were excited. Things are running pretty smoothly.” BOSS CONTINUED ON A3
Sara Johnson gives her daughter, Ella, 5, a hug as she starts her first day of kindergarten Washington Elementary School in Dixon.
MEANWHILE, IN STERLING ... A familiar face for Dixon students and parents took over as principal at Washington Elementary School in Sterling. Read more on A3.
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‘‘ ’’ Jordyn Prado, second-grader at Jefferson Elementary School
Arbitration takes longer than expected BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – The city and its police union are close to finalizing a new labor deal more than 2 years after the expiration of the previous agreement.
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TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 164 ISSUE 77
INDEX
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ........... A9 COMICS ............... A8
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Li Arellano Jr., Dixon mayor
City, police union finalize contract The council Monday authorized the city to sign off on the pact with the Policemen’s Benevolent Labor Committee. City Manager Scott Shumard gave his recommendation, saying that approval of the new agreement would be in the city’s best interest. The new contract staggers nearly 7 percent in pay raises throughout the life of the deal. There is a 2 percent increase in the first year, an across-the-board step increase of
BID CONTINUED ON A5
The only problem is they’re too cheap. ... I think [BP&T is] fully aware that they’re going to be watched like hawks.
I was in the first grade last year, and I just feel really big. I don’t know why. I just do.
STERLING
DIXON – It still baffles city officials: How can a contractor afford to get by when it offers its services for half of what competitors are bidding? Although the price seems too good to be true, the City Council awarded the Galena Avenue Bridge rail-painting project to BP&T Co. of Mount Vernon. Engineers checked references. Councilmen interviewed management. The company surveyed the scope of the project. No one could unearth the smoking gun – just an unexpectedly low price tag. The city will commission BP&T for $91,800, which is $107,000 less than the next closest bid. The councilman with the most concern was Mitch Tucker. “He’s too cheap,” Tucker said, continuing his stance from earlier this month. On Aug. 3, the owner of Dixon Paint Co. said BP&T’s bid “didn’t add up.” “I’m afraid he missed something,” he added. “New companies make mistakes in the bidding process.” Tucker abstained from the vote awarding the bid, which otherwise passed unanimously. Easing the minds of some was Willett Hofmann & Associates engineer Geoff Smith, charged with handling the bidding process. Smith said there are checks on contractors that will ensure the project demands are met in full. The city can have more oversight if it’s concerned, and if the contractor is unable to meet the obligation, the city can walk away from the project without paying a cent.
4.1 percent in the second year, and a 0.75 percent hike in the final year. Shumard said the larger increment in the second year was driven by a need to play catch-up. “The 4.1 percent step increase was done to raise starting pay where we lagged most when compared with communities that have similar demographics,” Shumard said. POLICE CONTINUED ON A5
CROSSWORD......B9 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
Key arbitration rulings
Here are highlights from the new 3-year labor contract between the city and its police union: Pay increase First year – 2% Second year – 4.1% acrossthe-board step increase Third year – .75% Comp time For the first time, employees can cash out up to 80 hours. All union workers now get holiday comp time, which had previously been in the contract language just for detectives and special duties.
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
Personal days Bumped up from 2 days to 4 days for employees working 12-hour shifts. Grievances New contract allows the union to file grievances, not just employees. Vacation and sick days Unchanged Health insurance Unchanged
Today’s weather High 81. Low 64. More on A3.
Fatal crash
Man dies Sunday from injuries, A5.
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