Thursday March 7, 2013 Vol. 1, No. 3 Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790
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Election slate shows some contested races By BILL KNIGHT
Election Day is more than a month away, but we at The Weekly Post are giving readers an early look at candidates who have filed required petitions for contests in our circulation area, according to County Clerk offices in Peoria and Knox counties. Illinois’ consolidated election is scheduled for April 9, the second Tuesday in April, with races including municipal, township, school, park, library, and community college positions. The State Board of Elections has scheduled polls to be open 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. that day. Several races have new faces running for office, or challengers to incumbents, including the Brimfield School Board, Elmwood Mayor, Elmwood Township Highway Commissioner, Elmwood School Board, Jubilee Township Supervisor, Millbrook Township Supervisor, Rosefield Township Highway Commissioner, and Salem Township Trustees. For The Weekly Post
Watch future editions of The Weekly Post for more information, such as public forums. For instance, Brimfield Community Unit School District 309 is hosting a “Meet the Candidates Night” on March 21, when all five candidates for the four open seats are invited to attend and answer questions posed by district residents. Refreshments will be provided. Weekly Post-Area Candidates Brimfield President Danny J. Fishel IND Brimfield Village Trustee Glenda S. Wilson IND Michael Meinders IND Allison L. Porter IND Kevin C. Gilles IND Brimfield Township Supervisor Anthony (Tony) Karl D Brimfield Clerk Mary K. Sloan D Brimfield Collector M. Carroll Carroll D Brimfield Highway Commissioner Thomas J. Coyle R Continued on Page 2
Brimfield ponders federal grant By TERRY BIBO
BRIMFIELD – The window is only cracked open until April 12. But with up to $150,000 at stake, the Brimfield Village Board may try to squeeze through. “I think it’s a good deal,” board member Glenda Wilson said at Tuesday’s meeting. “I think we should go forward.” According to grant consultant Jim Cummings of the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois, Brimfield may be eligible for the Community Development Assistance Program. A federal grant could pay for engineerFor The Weekly Post
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ing plans to revamp the entire water distribution system – and better position the village to get money for construction later on. “My thought is, if you were inclined to do this, that you look at a project where you’d replace everything in town,” Cummings said. “Essentially, benefit everyone.” Timing is both threat and opportunity here. There is less than six weeks to prepare a pre-
liminary report. There is no guarantee the village will get the grant. But there is a better chance now than later. CDAP grants place heavy weight on financial need; new projects slated here are not yet reflected in the numbers. “You could take advantage of the 2000 Census,” Cummings said. He advised that it would be most effective to get engineering plans for the entire system now. Having plans in hand would prepare the village for any funding which becomes available later, especially since the actual construction work Continued on Page 3
Taxidermist Locie Murphy of Bushnell talks with a potential customer during the fourth annual Elmwood All Outdoors Show last weekend, which brought live deer, a bald eagle and plenty of other critters – live and stuffed – into the Elmwood schools.
Outdoor Show surpasses $100,000 for EHS sports By JEFF LAMPE
ELMWOOD – An idea hatched in an off-track betting parlor five years ago has yielded more than $100,000 for athletic programs and athletes at Elmwood High School. Last weekend marked the fourth annual Elmwood All Outdoors Show – a two-day event that brings hundreds of vendors and thousands of spectators to Elmwood. Showgoers are drawn by the chance to see a wide variety of outdoors-related vendors, to enter the big buck contest, to sample the fine pork chop sandwiches or just to get out of the house. While all bills have not been paid, the event generated $23,500 in two days and – coupled with receipts leading up to the weekend – should net more than $25,000. Added to revenues generated by the Elmwood Athletic Boosters, the show’s impact for the school is well over $100,000 in its Weekly Post Staff Writer
four-year run. Paid attendance was about 2,500 and organizers estimate another 600-750 youngsters age 13 and under entered the show for free. All money raised is passed on to Elmwood’s athletic programs or to athletes. Each year seniors are given scholarship money based on the amount of time they have spent working at previous shows. This marks the first year that students involved have worked for four years. “I always look forward to the outdoor show,” Elmwood senior Trent Parrish said. “I love it. Really. Can I come back and work again next year?” This year’s organizing committee was Andrea Clark, Brad Crisco, Mike Gensler, Gordon Inskeep, Lori Johnson, Jeff Lampe, Emily Roberts, David Vaughan and Jason Wake. Next year’s show will be held March 1-2, 2014.