TON-07-15-2016

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1 Front Volume 142 No. 32

Friday, July 15, 2016

Single Copy Cost 50¢

Springfield’s financial Band-Aid The stopgap and social services By Dave Cook

news@tonicanews.com

Springfield politicians managed to pass the last minute stopgap budget. Although it provides relief to several budgets through-

out the state, many questions remain regarding funding. Those relying on social services continue to be at risk during this ongoing political fight, and those trying to providing care for those in need are continuing to strug-

gle to provide them. Michelle Slutz, director of the Putnam County Community Center (PCCC), and Kathy Weiman, CEO for Alternatives For You and the Bridges Senior Centers were both asked about the stopgap measure and its effect on social services. “Although I’m extremely

grateful they passed the stopgap budget, I’m still disgusted and disappointed it has come to this point. People’s well being, education and livelihood are in jeopardy because of the personal agendas of these politicians. It’s too little, too late for a lot of the social service agencies in the state,” Slutz said.

“That’s all it is ... a stopgap. It is no way to run government on a variety of levels, most importantly, it requires human service providers to make critical choices on an almost daily basis — cut or close services to match actual funding coming through

Stopgap Page 3

Summer’s bounty

Lisa Barton (right), owner of Tonica’s The Corner Garden, assists a customer with her purchases of fresh fruit and garden flowers. Barton has a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables available, as well as several greenhouses of colorful hanging baskets, perennial flowers and hostas. There are also many examples of creative yard art decorating the grounds around the store.

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Needing a flood of money By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — Without a flood of money, water flooding could remain a problem, but Lostant is working to rectify the issue. The Lostant Village Board spoke about the ongoing flooding issues at the Monday, July 11, meeting, resulting from an inquiry by resident Tom Hoyt. “The problem we’ve been having with the flood control is that we don’t have the monies to take care of it like we’d like to,” board member Jack Immel said. “We’re trying to look at it; we’re trying to look at some things, but we don’t cur-

Vol. 142 No. 32 One Section - 8 Pages

© The Tonica News

rently have the $100,000 to do it,” he said. “I was counting on some money from another source, that now seems like it’s not going to work out.” The village continues to forge ahead looking at ways to find the funds. Immel brought up the cell phone tax which has been a recent development from the board. The proceeds from that, he noted, are to be earmarked specifically for flood control. Even money which the town was certain would be available for use was pulled away when it seemed to be within grasp.

Flood Page 2

Lostant officers patrolling McNabb? Board looks at roof repairs

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — If things work out, the Lostant Police force could begin patrolling around McNabb, but nothing is certain at this point. The potential agreement between villages was not actively discussed at Lostant’s meeting on Monday, July 11, as the board did not want to assume McNabb would decide to pursue the arrangement; but the

board was informed there might be a decision to be made. “They were thinking maybe, sort of,” Village President Fred Hartenbower said. “They are interested in hiring the Lostant Police Department,” Hartenbower said. “I believe they have their own squad car; they don’t have manpower.” Hartenbower said the mayor of McNabb had contacted him about the potential arrangement.

Patrol Page 3

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