Volume 141 No. 23
Friday, August 1, 2014
The Tonica News
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The impact of floods By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — The LaSalle County Flooding Coalition made a presentation at the Tonica Village Board meeting on July 28. Mike Sutfin of the Illinois Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Management (IAFSM) told the board about successful efforts in combating flooding in Ottawa and the progress being made by the county coalition. The coalition is a project to minimize the impact of flooding throughout the
county started by Illinois Sen. Sue Rezin in response to the flooding of April 2013. “You might not believe in climate change, but it’s happening,” Sutfin said. “And it’s going to get worse. We’ve had four ‘millennial floods’ since 2007.” Sutfin encouraged the village to join the coalition to find out more about the project. In addition, he recommended enrolling in the IAFSM and having a board member attend one of its conferences to become fully versed in flooding and alleviation techniques.
Tonica is a member of the National Flood Insurance Program. However, Sutfin told the board government regulation is passing through Congress which would require members to make changes in their floodplain planning or risk ejection from the program, which would deny residents the possibility of getting flood insurance. “You’re going to put a regulation in place that says if your house or your property is damaged more than 50 percent of its market value cumulative over a set period, you’re going to either have
to raise your house in the air; you’re going to have to floodproof; you’re going to have to relocate it; or you have to demolish it,” Sutfin said. “The hard thing about people who live in floodplains is they get ‘flood amnesia.’ Six months after cleaning up after a flood, they forget it could happen again. Flooding happens, and it’s going to get worse.” Village Mayor Kevin Sluder questioned the reality of climate change, noting he had not heard any scientific data that can prove it exists. “I’m not going to be scared by climate change or global
warming because I don’t believe that exists,” Sluder said. “The big blue ball does what it does; there’s no science that says it exists.” The board will discuss the recommendations from Sutfin at the next meeting. In other action, the board: • Passed the village golf cart ordinance. The ordinance requires carts to have seatbelts for each rider, brakes, a steering apparatus, a rearview mirror, a slow-moving vehicle sign affixed to the rear of the vehicle, headlights, taillights and turn signals. The cart must be inspected by the village police depart-
ment and registered. Drivers must be insured and have a valid driver’s license. • Passed the water control loan ordinance which is required by the Community Development Assistance Grant for sewer system repair. The loan amount is $2,720,000. • Agreed to have additional work done on the tiling system along Minnehaha Street. • Discussed the village dog ordinance. • Agreed to employee contracts offered to members of the Public Works Department.
Concerts for a Cause: LGS gets $9,200 By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT — Lostant School Superintendent Sandra Malahy told the board the school will receive $9,200 as a result of the Concert for a Cause held by Lou’s La Grotto on July 13 at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru. The funds will be used for books that can be checked out for summer reading and school supplies for students who cannot afford them. “I would like to thank the Concert for a Cause volunteers,” Malahy said. Malahy also thanked local businesses who contributed money to the school for T-shirts and additional funding. Also, the Lostant Grade School Board will be looking for a new member. Board Vice President Andy Urbanowski
resigned from the board in a written statement at the July 23 board meeting, citing personal reasons. Board Member Bob Lawless will fill the position of vice president on the board. The board accepted the resignation with regret. In other action, the board: • Approved the treasurer bond and life safety bond for school treasurer Sherry O’Brien for Fiscal Year 2015. The treasurer bond cost the district $980 and the life safety bond $125. • Voted to move the starting time for school board meetings to 5:30 p.m. The new start time will be effective with the Aug. 18 budget meeting and the Aug. 20 regular meeting. • Discussed and approved extracurricular assignments for teachers for the coming school year. • Approved the Fiscal Year 2014 Benefit and Salary Report.
Lostant Post Office to change hours LOSTANT — The Postal Service has concluded the Post Plan review process for the Lostant Post Office. As a result, hours and services will be changing at the office. Effective Aug. 23, the Lostant Post Office will provide four hours of window service daily. The window will be open 7 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Access to delivery receptacles will not change as a result of the Post Plan
realignment of weekday window service hours. Customers will have access to their mail receptacles 24 hours a day and Post Office box mail will be available for pick-up by 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Post Plan coordinator Ledell Carr said customer survey responses, input from the community meeting and the operational needs of the Postal Service were considered in reaching the decision.
Tonica News photo/Ken Schroeder
Talk with the animals Isabel Moreland takes a chinchilla for a quick climb before it’s shown at the Lostant Library “Paws” to Read program at the Village Park in Lostant. Deb Moreland of “Furry Friends” brought several animals for an education and petting session for Lostant children.
Inside
Vol. 141 No. 23 One Section - 8 Pages
Swine talk See Page 3 © The Tonica News
Remembering Coonie See Page 5