TIF DISTRICTS GAIN COUNCIL APROVAL
Greenville now has two TIF Districts. TIF stands for Tax Increment Financing and TIF's have long been used to encourage improvements of existing properties and attract new development. The increased tax revenue generated by any improvements or new construction can be used as an incentive to make new projects viable. The idea of designating TIF districts in Greenville goes back many years but only recently gained enough community support to become a reality.
The first TIF passed into ordinance at a special Greenville City Council meeting last night included a large part of downtown Greenville, the second district includes most of the area around the intersection of Route 127 and I-70. Before the TIF's were approved the council voted to annex the old Skelly’s Truck Stop property just south of the interstate into the city.
Also last night after executive session the council voted to both sell and buy real estate near and in Lakeview Meadows subdivision which is located along Red Ball Trail next to the City Marina on Governor Bond Lake. The city will acquire two lots in the middle of the subdivision to hopefully be used for future infrastructure and the Trust that owns the subdivision will buy some 23 acres from the city between the subdivision and the lake.
VANDALISM AT GES
City police are investigating vandalism at the Greenville Elementary School that happened sometime since Friday afternoon. Windows and glass doors on the southeast corner of the building were spray painted with graffiti. Two slides and the playground surface were also spray painted. Damage was estimated at over $300.
SALVATION ARMY TOTALS FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Volunteers for the Bond County Salvation Army rang bells next to the red kettles this season and raised $18,467. Local committee member Reverend Wayne Pierce told WGEL that this number has exceeded their goal of $17,500, and that money is still coming in. Pierce thanked all the volunteers who helped this holiday season with the campaign.
ILLINOIS SCHOOLS PROVIDED WITH GUIDE ON PANDEMIC FLU
The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education jointly prepared a new guide called the School Guidance During an Influenza Pandemic. It was written for Illinois schools to provide tools needed to proactively plan and prepare for a pandemic flu (or bird flu) outbreak. The guide includes school action steps, a pandemic planning checklist, public health instructions and fact sheets. It will assist in determining when to require sick students and staff to stay home or when to close their schools.
Julie Rathbone, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at the Bond County Health Department says that Bond County has a Pandemic Flu Planning committee comprised of Law Enforcement, emergency and health personnel, educators and media to create a plan in preparation of response in the event pandemic influenza or worldwide bird flu. So far the committee has written a basic plan for a pandemic event. Each organization is currently discussing what each agency can do during an emergency. Most importantly, resources will be limited during a widespread pandemic flu event. It is essential that households should begin preparing a plan in case of a pandemic. Most family plans will apply to other disasters such as winter storms, tornadoes and terrorism.
The Pandemic Flu is more severe than the common seasonal flu. A bird flu outbreak could result in a number of fatalities nationwide. For more information, visit www.pandemicflu.com.
