The Weekly Post
Thursday May 24, 2018 Vol. 6, No. 13 Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790
“We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion” Serving the fine communities of Brimfield, Dahinda, Douglas, Duncan, Edwards, Elmore, Elmwood, Farmington, Kickapoo, Laura, Monica, Oak Hill, Princeville, Williamsfield and Yates City
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Residential facelift
DAY AT THE PARK
Farmington investing in renovations until funds are exhausted. “I’m very pleased with the reception,” Wright told The Weekly Post. FARMINGTON – The City of “There’s not a lot of other communiFarmington, plus its Tax Increment ties that have had residents put that Financing program and dozens of kind of money into their properties.” residents, together are undertaking a The redevelopment work residential facelift that’s is to be completed by April injecting some $318,000 Inside 30, 2019. into the community in the • Memorial Day Meanwhile, federalnext year. musings. Page 5. funded work administered Reporting to Monday’s • Elmwood hires by the state could start City Council meeting, new band director. next spring, said Wright. City Administrator Rollen Page 8. He added that he hopes the Wright said after 21 days • Obituaries. Pages city’s Streetscape project of processing applications 14-15. will finish in about six for the programs – months. $75,000 for property owners in the The City this month was notified it TIF and $25,000 in City funds for will receive $739,170 in funding to people outside those boundaries – improve its East Fort Street business the TIF-funded program has all but district, but Wright reminded the $9,000 committed. Council that the Illinois TransportaWright said the City-underwritten tion Enhancement Program (ITEP) is program has just $550 left. an 80/20 arrangement, with the City Both plans offer 75-percent fundresponsible for 20 percent. The total ing up to $2,000 for projects based on a first-come, first-served basis Continued on Page 7 By BILL KNIGHT For The Weekly Post
Pancakes were a popular attraction Saturday morning at the sixth annual Day at the Park event at Troutman Park in Princeville. Cooking are Butch Gardner and Lori Stahl of the Princeville Lion’s Club. Photo by Collin Fairfield.
Having fun, raising funds By BILL KNIGHT
PRINCEVILLE – Before the sun broke through midday, dozens of people gathered in a hazy Saturday morning at Troutman Park here to enjoy recorded For The Weekly Post
music and food prepared by the Lions Club, vendors and games, each other and the expansive park itself. “We get walkers, kids on the playground, folks having wedding recepContinued on Page 7
Frustration boils over at board meeting By TERRY TOWERY
BRIMFIELD – Frustrations over what some in the community perceive as a failure to communicate once again boiled over at the May 16 Brimfield School Board meeting. “Some of us feel like you aren’t listening to us,” Marilyn Eberle told the board. “We all want to work with the board, but some feel they can’t because of personal attacks. We also feel like we ask you questions and you don’t give us an answer. It’s very frustrating.” Board President Dan Heinz assured Eberle that the board listens. “I’m listening now. But For The Weekly Post
you have to realize we are bound by certain rules and laws that dictate what we can and can’t say in open session.” He went on to say the board cannot discuss personnel or discipline issues, nor can it discuss students by name. “I understand that,” Eberle said. “But please understand that leads to frustration on our part. We would like to be heard, is all. If there are situations that we, as parents and grandparents, feel need to be addressed, we’d like to know how to proceed.” Heinz said the board essentially serves an oversight function.
“We don’t police the area or walk around the school. That’s not our job. We have staff for that,” Heinz said. “But if you have issues, please take them to administrators and they can either help or bring it to our attention if necessary.” Heinz suggested any complaints or suggestions that people might have should be forwarded to Superintendent Robert Richardson. “But the board, under advice of our attorney, typically can’t discuss such matters. But if you want to present them to us during a meeting, we can look into it and get back to you privately. Continued on Page 2
CROSSING GUARD HONORED Ann Avery of Elmwood, left, was honored recently for her service as a crossing guard for the Elmwood schools. A sign dedicated in her honor marks the crossing she patrolled for 19 years on North Magnolia Street. Also pictured is Avery’s sister, Cindy McIntyre. Photo by Amy Davis.