Thursday July 4, 2013 Vol. 1, No. 19 VACATION IS OVER AND WE ARE BACK TO WORK!
The Weekly Post “We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion”
Serving Brimfield, Dahinda, Edwards, Elmwood, Kickapoo, Laura, Oak Hill, Williamsfield and Yates City
KICKAPOO DEMOLITION
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Elmwood board issuing bonds By BILL KNIGHT
ELMWOOD – Elmwood’s School Board on June 24 unanimously approved issuing $275,000 General Obligation School bonds for purposes conforming to the state’s “Health/Life Safety Code for Public Schools.” The vote also provides for the levy of a tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds. Once Health/Life Safety Bonds are sold, they’re used exclusively Back to Work for the completion of the As some of you Health/Life Safety projects. noticed, we did not The school is looking at reno- publish an issue of vations to the grade school roof, The Weekly Post and early estimates for that work on June 27. But we were about $150,000. In connec- are back at work and will not take off tion with that project, the board another Thursday unanimously approved $11,000 until the last week for the Apace architect’s proof December. posal for the work, and the installation of upgraded automated logic controls for heating ventilation and air conditioning from Ruyle Corp. at a cost of $49,770. The board also unanimously authorized the issuance of $2,070,000 in Working Cash Fund Bonds to increase the Working Cash Fund of the District for three years. For The Weekly Post
Buildings built in the late 19th century, located across from the Kickapoo ball diamonds, were demolished earlier this year. In all, three houses were torn down. The old tavern is the only one of the group of four that still remain standing. Photo by Melinda Cote.
New look for Kickapoo tavern
The project tentatively calls for a covered deck, kitchen, considerable landscaping, sidewalks and KICKAPOO – The tavern credited with having parking, he said. the oldest liquor license in the state of Illinois is The block once had a general store containing a getting a new look – along with the Main Street Post Office and constable’s office, but that buildblock across from the ballpark. ing was torn down in 1968, said Feuchter, whose Local businessman Jim Feuchter is developing Custom Underground venture with wife and parta commercial strip centered on the old Gilles Tav- ner Diane Feuchter has operated for 35 years. ern, and the $500,000, one-acre project could inThe restaurant will be operated in a 50/50 clude a new arrangement with an restaurant conindependent local ennected to the trepreneur, he said. venerable saloon, Feuchter said he which is being hopes to get a conrenovated. struction permit from “It’s going to Peoria County later be very family this summer. oriented,” said History has it that Feuchter, whose Edward “Shot” Custom UnderGilles opened the ground offices tavern in 1933. He The crowd at The Kickapoo Tap in this 1953 photograph have been oper- included (left to right) bar founder Edward ‘Shot’ Gilles, died in 1987 and his ated on an adja- Dick Gilles, Bishop Stenger, Shorty Gilles, Frank Gilles, Si wife Laura continued cent lot for about Doering and Eileen Weinzerl. the business until her 10 years. “We death in 1990, when bought the rest of the properties in the spring and son Tom took over. we’re shooting for opening in January or FebruHis wife, Norma, was a popular bartender and ary.” the tavern was often called Norma’s in her honor. A deteriorated residence nearby already has Tom Gilles died on Sept. 25, 2011 and the tavbeen demolished, and a detailed site plan is being ern was closed. The Feuchters purchased the prepared for Peoria County zoning approval. property on Feb. 1 this year. By BILL KNIGHT For The Weekly Post
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Brimfield board OKs new garbage deal By TERRY BIBO
BRIMFIELD – There was an empty chair at the Brimfield Village Board of Trustees meeting Monday night. Trustee Janet Bledsoe died unexpectedly on June 27. Before getting down to mechanical matters, quiet board members acknowledged the loss. “She had opinions and she stated them, whether you liked them or not,” President Dan Fishel said. “That’s what you want in a member.” With a nod to Bledsoe’s no-nonsense ways, the board then moved up discussion of a new five-year garbage contract as a courtesy to representatives of the companies which bid on it. That includes Waste Management, G & O Disposal, Wigand Disposal Co., Eagle Enterprises and Quality Disposal Co. The contract was awarded to Wigand, the low bidder, with a total cost of $710.40 per household. Fishel suggested the village charge each household $13.25 a month over the entire five years. “I think that would be fair, if you guys think it is,” he said to the trustees, who agreed it would be stable. For The Weekly Post
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