Volume 143 No. 16
Friday, March 24, 2017
Single Copy Cost 50¢
Tonica School District talks bonds Discussion ongoing on students skipping grades By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — The Tonica School District is looking toward health-life safety bonds, but with the clock ticking, it might settle for general working cash bonds. The district began looking at its bonding options when talk of a property tax freeze in Illinois sprung up, which would cap its revenue from its strongest source. With a decision between working cash bonds and health-life safety bonds, Tonica School District is leaning toward the latter. However, interim Superintendent James Whitmore explained the district can only go this
route if it has no health-life safety amendments waiting for approval from the state. “Tonica only has one outstanding amendment right now, and that’s the survey itself,” Whitmore said. “It’s been sitting there for a couple of months. We cannot purchase health-life safety bonds if that doesn’t come through, probably by next month.” The board found itself leaning toward health-life safety bonds because those are kept more secure than working cash bonds, as they cannot be moved and spent anywhere at a whim. “The difference between the two is that working cash fund money can be put into any fund for the district,”
Whitmore said. “Health-life safety funds are exclusive to that fund, can’t be borrowed out.” Board President Jeremy Hillyer explained the need for money to be used in health-life safety: “We have almost a million dollars of health-life safety work that needs to be done in the next 10 years.” He said the district can afford the first year of this work with the money it currently has; however, the later, more expensive, projects are where the issues will appear. “Working cash bonds, ideally, are nice because you can use them anywhere,” Hillyer said, but the issue arises if something else appears important enough to divert those funds, or when the board cycles out and new mem-
Tonica bonds Page 2A
Tonica irons out squad car issues By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
Tonica News photo/Dave Cook
The pipes are calling The Standard Library and the Putnam County Community Center recently hosted an afternoon program on the history and construction of bagpipes. Professional piper J. Kevin Chapman presented information on the construction, history, associated regalia and the many styles of bagpipes. More than just an instrument of the United Kingdom, Chapman showed how the different styles have evolved throughout the centuries in Europe and beyond.
Cutting the grass and the expense By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — With the arrival of spring, Tonica is looking into its options for mowing and is considering the possibility of a different take on the task. The village has been paying for the grounds to be mowed, but Village President Kevin Sluder Vol. 143 No. 16 Two Sections - 16 Pages
© The Tonica News
has suggested Tonica use the money it would put toward this and purchase its own mower. Last year, the village paid around $4,700 for mowing. “For that kind of money, you could buy your own mower,” Sluder said. Sluder came to the conclusion after talking with people who have pur-
chased mowers. While some high-end devices would be beyond what the village is willing to pay, he believes Tonica could find a good mower for around the price the village would be paying anyway. “The one guy was saying you can buy a Hustler for $5-6,000,” Sluder said. “An Exmark will cost you
Stay Local. Save Local.
$10,000, but I think you’re paying for the name there.” “You’ve got to consider, too, we’re going to get more than one year out of it,” Marc Lemrise said. “We got away with a good price,” Sluder said of last year’s bid. “That is a low bid, and it’s only going to go up.” “Let’s say it’s a real-
ly rainy season, and we get someone a bit more expensive,” Sluder said. “Now it’s $6 or $7,000; now you can buy a mower.” The village is opening up for bids, while looking at prices for mowers, and is asking that bids be in April 12, the Wednesday before its next board meeting.
TONICA — Tonica has acquired a laptop computer for its squad car, donated by the LaSalle Police Department. Tonica Police Chief Dave Woolford said the LaSalle department had to upgrade its computer, and rather than let the old go to waste, gave it to Tonica. Where Tonica’s old computer caused issues, this new device promises to work smoothly. “It solves our issue of docking station and everything,” Woolford said. If the computer does not work out, the LaSalle Police chief is willing to swap it. “He said if there’s any problem with that one, come back, he’s got more,” Woolford said. With the computer problem rectified, another had to spark up, this being the wiring for the radar unit. The issue is not large, but Woolford noted the potential of sparks. “It’s a small spark, but it’s a spark nonetheless,” Woolford said. Village President Kevin Sluder agreed that any spark, no matter how small, needs to be taken care of. “A small spark is more than you should have,” Sluder said. When asked about the new cruiser itself, Woolford responded, “Doing great.”
Looking for fun in the Illinois Valley and save some money too? Save up to 50% on vouchers from local restaurants, stores & services with...
!
Illinois Valley
B GDEALS
Go to bcrnews.com • putnamcountyrecord.com • tonicanews.com and save!