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CRUNDWELL FILM WRAPPING UP
Music is Bliss ... and it’s coming to Rock Falls
DATELINE DIXON, A2
A9-12
TELEGRAPH Thursday, June 9, 2016 n SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
DIXON SCHOOLS | COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
They found common interests Board, educators come together for a new contract, thanks to a new approach to negotiations BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM
DIXON – Shortly after negotiations wrapped up in March 2013, ending a teachers strike that
cost 9 days of school, both sides explored how to bridge the gap next time. School board member John Jacobs asked Dolph Ricks, a Reagan Middle School teacher and a member of the Dixon Educators
Association, what he’d do differently next time. Ricks suggested they explore interest-based negotiations, they went for it – “What else did we have to lose?” Ricks said – and Wednesday night – 3 weeks
before the previous contract expired – both sides reaped the benefits of collaboration: a new teachers contract that will run through 2020.
See the contract Visit shawurl.com/2n8n to see the 40-page Dixon Public Schools teachers contract for 2016-20.
CONTRACT continued on A54
DIXON PARK BOARD
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Where there’s a torch, there’s hope
Is bigger better? Board debates Pros and cons of adding members discussed BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Colin Messer, 10 (center) of Sterling, runs across the First Avenue Bridge in Rock Falls on Wednesday with the Flame of Hope Torch during the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The runners had a police escort through the Twin Cities to the end of their 4.2-mile run at Self Help Enterprises in Sterling. Dozens of Sauk Valley law enforcement officials also are carrying the torch this week to benefit Special Olympics, part of a statewide effort supported by more than 3,000 officers. On Online extra Wednesday, the torch made its way from Rockford to Oregon to Rochelle, before going on Read this story at to Rock Falls for the start of the local leg of the run. It ended the day in Mendota. Today, the saukvalley.com relay will head to Dixon for the first time, where the 2.1-mile route will begin at That Place on to see more phoPalmyra, 628 Palmyra Road, and continue to Palmyra Street and turn right on Galena Avetos from Wednesnue, where Special Olympians from the area will meet officers at the Galena Avenue Bridge. day’s run. The run will cross the bridge, turn right on Second Street and follow Hennepin Avenue to the Ronald Reagan statue. The Lee County Sheriff’s Department is collaborating with police for the run, and Chief Deputy David Glessner said he expects about 25 officers to participate, and they will finish at the statue by presenting a check for about $6,500. Go to soill.org/law-enforcement-torch-run to learn more about the run.
DIXON – Park Board members have split views on whether they should expand their ranks. The idea of increasing the board to seven members was introduced during its May 25 meeting, and preliminary discussions were held Wednesday. Board member Paul Campbell said a bigger board might provide a cushion when members are absent from meetings, and could give the district more reach into the community. “This could give us more voices out in the community and more opportunity to hear and address complaints,” he said. Board member Steve Pritchard said two members wouldn’t make much more of a dent with reaching out to the community, and they have representatives with the Friends of the Park organization that help to gather concerns in the district. Another consideration: The board could make the change to seven members with the approval of a resolution, but if it wanted to revert back to five members, it would need to pass a referendum, district executive director Debra Carey said. PARK BOARD continued on A54
ROCK FALLS
Clinic needs more room
The Whiteside County Health Department is planning an expansion of its dental clinic in Rock Falls that, among other things, will alleviate the crowded conditions in its cramped waiting room.
Cramped quarters prompt dental clinic expansion plan BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – The Whiteside County Health Department has drawn up plans for an addition to its Community Health Clinic. The extra space is needed to better house its dental services, Administrator Beth Fiorini said, adding that the cramped quarters can
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make for a frustrating patient experience. “The waiting room can be very crowded, and many patients have to stand while waiting for their appointments,” Fiorini said. “We can cram in 15 people now, but the addition will allow us to seat 37.” The current arrangement also poses problems for staff in the reception area, particularly when it comes to patients’ privacy. CLINIC continued on A44
INDEX
ABBY.................... A8 COMICS................B6 CROSSWORD.....B11
LIFESTYLE............ A8 LOTTERY.............. A2 OBITUARIES......... A4
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
OPINION............... A6 POLICE................. A2 STATE................... A7
Today’s weather High 85. Low 67. More on A3.
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