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Big games in final week of the season
15, BUT A NATURAL BEHIND THE WHEEL THE PEOPLE’S VOICE, A3
SPECIAL SPORTS SECTION
2014 ELECTION | DIXON FORM OF GOVERNMENT REFERENDUM
Change, or stay true to form? Voters will decide during Nov. 4 general election BY MATT MENCARINI mmencarini@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5529
DIXON – In 11 days, Dixon voters will pick their government. They’ll be asked a simple question: “Shall the City of Dixon adopt the manage-
rial form of municipal government?” A no vote would keep the current commission form, which was altered slightly last November with the hiring of a city administrator. A yes vote would change the city to a managerial form of government. The biggest difference between the two is who has executive authority. In the commission form, the City Council has executive and legislative authority.
In the manaInside gerial form, The basic the executive differences authority is between the legally dele- two options, gated to a city A5 manager, who is given direction by the council. Both forms of government came to be in the early 20th century as ways to improve local government and address inefficiencies, said Eric Zeemering, an associate professor in Northern Illinois University’s Department of
Public Administration. Zeemering’s research fields include city management, intergovernmental relations and collaborative governance.
The council’s focus In the commission form, the commissioners “wear two hats,” Zeemering said. They develop policy and see to the day-to-day operations of some departments. “One critique of this model is that while any given commis-
WEEKEND FEATURE | ST. MARY’S SCHOOL
Learning to serve
sioner may be familiar with their sphere of responsibility within the city, perhaps not enough time is given to thinking about the city as an entity,” he said. Commissioner Jeff Kuhn is among the three city council members who have stated publicly that they’re opposed to the change. Kuhn said he’s able to focus on his area – streets and public improvements – while also having a handle on the city as a whole. FORM CONTINUED ON A5
BUSINESS & EDUCATION
Freshmen given a glimpse of the future 17 area schools participate in Manufacturing Day BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570
Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Mrs. Crownhart helps second-grade students Daniel Kelly, Seamus McDonnell and Zion Fiorini at St. Mary’s School in Sterling create fleece blankets for Gianna’s House and The Salvation Army on Friday. The school’s students worked on service projects around town as part of the second annual Loving Hearts, Helping Hands project.
Project puts students into community, helping others BY ANGEL SIERRA asierra@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5695
STERLING – St. Mary’s School students had a simple assignment Friday: share smiles and goodwill. How they were to do that was a bit more involved. The children, in kindergarten through eighth grade, split into work teams and spent the foggy, cool morning at a variety of places. Some volunteered at a homeless shelter. Others served breakfast at a church. Some tidied up cemeteries. Their efforts were part of the second annual Loving Hearts, Helping Hands
Sunny
VOLUME 7 ISSUE 8 52 Pages
Today: 69/39 For the forecast, see Page A11
project, a campaign promoting the values of community service, stewardship, and awareness of those less fortunate. Like any educational facility, St. Mary’s School depends on the continuous and unwavering support of parentvolunteers for its ability to function – people such as co-organizer and parent Tammy Moran, 43, of Sterling, who has three children who attend the downtown Catholic school. But unlike a public school, the fiscal mechanics here require families to fulfill fundraising obligations throughout the year. SERVE CONTINUED ON A9
Repairs with care
Cook’s Quick Lube and Auto Repair, Sterling, has its grand opening today. See Page C1
STERLING – The first Manufacturing Day observance in the Sauk Valley on Friday gave about 500 freshmen from 17 area high schools much to think about. The theme was Make It Here!, but the focus for the students, educators, and manufacturing representatives was on one word – skills. “Manufacturing today is hightech, clean, and exciting, but you have to have a skill,” Kim Purvis, Whiteside Area Career Center director, told the students. Jim Prombo, career placement coordinator at Morrison Institute of Technology, stressed the importance of students taking an active role in planning their futures. GLIMPSE CONTINUED ON A10
COMMUNITY
St. Mary’s School fourth-graders (from left) Caitlin Williamson, Mia Sandoval and Hayden Witt help clean up Calvary Cemetery in Sterling on Friday morning.
What scares you? Experts offer advice on conquering fear Also inside USA Weekend: Marinated tuna and bean salad Alicia Keys, Wayne Knight, Trisha Yearwood
See-worthy A look at the annual cardboard boat race at Sterling High School. PAGE C12
Index Births................ C5 Lottery .............. A2 Business........... C1 Markets ............ A8 Classified .......... D1 Obituaries ......... A4 Comics ............. B6 Opinion............. A6 Community ..... C12 Scoreboard ...... B7 Scrapbook ....... C3 Crossword Saturday ........... D7 Sports .............. B1 Support groups .. C5 Crossword Sunday ............. C8 Travel .............. C10 Dave Ramsey ... C1 Weather.......... A11 Dear Abby ........ C6 Wheels ............. D8