CAVALETTO SAYS HE’LL WAIT TO MAKE DECISION
The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times have posted final results in the Illinois House race in the 107th District between Democrat Kurt Granberg and Republican challenger John Cavaletto. Both sources are reporting that Granberg won re-election by 114 votes. The final tally was 16,606 for Granberg and 16,492 for Cavaletto. At one point late Tuesday night only 49 votes separated the two. The final precinct was not added to the totals until late Wednesday morning.
Cavaletto issued a statement Tuesday night that he will await the final certification of the official results before taking further action. Cavaletto said there are still provisional, military, and absentee ballots to be counted. Throughout the day Wednesday there was speculation that Cavaletto would request a recount because of the close outcome.
The 107th District includes parts of Clinton, Marion, Fayette, and Jefferson counties.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND COUNTY AID TOPICS AT COUNTY BOARD MEETING
At Wednesday’s Bond County Board meeting, members approved a request from Mike McCormick, Highway Engineer, for county aid in the amount of $3,000 for culvert replacement on Mulberry Grove Road. Budget amendments to the Highway Department were discussed along with the final sales of two used vehicles to the highest bidders; one to the village of Smithboro and the other to the city of Greenville. McCormick also reported that the Highway Department Office is now finished and they hope to be moved in by the end of the month. Budget amendments were also presented by Maxine Barth of the Bond County Health Department and approved by the board.
A vacancy was announced on the Bond County Housing Authority Board held by William Johnson whose term will expire on December 12, 2006. Robert Neumann's term is also up, but he has agreed to another four years. An appointment will be made at their next regular meeting. The Bond County Board also approved the bills as presented, the County Clerk's report and the Sheriff's report. You can see the meeting in full tonight at 6PM on Greene County Cable channel 3.
MENDED OWL SET FREE IN BOND COUNTY
One of the victims of an April 7th storm in Bond County was a baby Great Horned Owl. Jennifer Klotz, the State Conservation officer in Bond County, received a call from someone who found a nest containing two owlets among the remains of a tree that was knocked over by the storm. One of the birds suffered serious injuries and was euthanized. The other was transported by Jim Price of Bond County Adopt A Pet to the Treehouse Wildlife Center in Brighton.
According to Jennifer Klotz, this facility rehabilitates birds for their return to the wild. The trained staff at Treehouse make sure these birds of prey don’t become tame and will be able to fend for themselves upon release.
JIM PRICE AND JENNIFER KLOTZ WITH THE GREAT HORNED OWL
On Sunday evening the owl was ready to be released and it was decided to have an impromptu ceremony at the Kelsey’s Gateway Farm on Idler Lane. Kathryn and the late John Kelsey had long supported the release of rescued owls and hawks on their property. At 6pm Sunday night following a few photos, the owl was set free by Jennifer Klotz, Jim and Mary Price, and Kelsey family members. Klotz told WGEL that it didn’t take long for the bird to fly out of view.
DINNER HELPED RAISE FUNDS FOR ACORN LIGHTING
A fundraising event on Thursday, November 2 helped raise around $1,000 for the Acorn Lighting project. Around 100 people attended the dinner event, which was held at Cheri’s Garden Room. Tom Stampfli provided piano music during the dinner. Cheri Schilling said the idea for the fundraising dinner was her husband’s. Sandy Loyd, Main Street coordinator for Greenville, told WGEL that the funds will help in installing lamppost lighting on the south and east corners of the courthouse lawn. Loyd said the lights enhance the look of the square and make a good impression on visitors to the community.
TRASH PICKUP CONTRACT STILL UNRESOLVED
Despite voting a few months ago in favor of a contract for mandatory trash pickup with Doty Sanitation, the Mulberry Grove village board is yet to finalize the agreement. At Monday night’s board meeting, representatives from Doty Sanitation were present and confirmed that they had failed to submit a contract prior to the September 28th deadline. The contract was recently sent to the Mulberry Grove village attorney Jeffrey Mollet but he has not completed his review.
Board member Cherie Henson shared a questionnaire that she and fellow village trustee Karan Belcher had compiled. The questionnaire will be mailed to village residents who are asked to return it within two weeks. It requests input on topics including mandatory trash pickup, animal control, and the need for two full-time village maintenance personnel.
The bulk water rates for Mulberry Grove will change effective November 13. Bulk water will now be 25 cents for 45 gallons rather than 58 gallons.
The board approved the annual lease agreement with the Mulberry Grove Firemen’s Association and the American Legion Post 1180 for use of the community building. The two organizations will maintain and insure the building and pay the village $1 to use it.
The Mulberry Grove tornado siren is not working. Z & Z Electric has been asked to troubleshoot for the problem. Village Police Chief Robert Sutton said he issued five ordinance violation warnings in October but all were brought into compliance before citations were written.
