8-10-2006




WHAT ROADS TO FIX IS BIG TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AT BOTH GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

To quote a famous gum commercial it was double your pleasure, double your fun night at city hall last night.   The Greenville City Council held two meetings, the first a special at 6PM to discuss uses of the 533 thousand dollars raised over the last two years by the one half percent increase in city sales tax. The money is earmarked for road improvement. Which roads to improve and should the city pay as it goes for improvements or float a bond issue to do more work sooner and use future tax revenues to pay off the Bonds was a big part of the discussion. The council ended up directing the city manager, in a three to 2 vote, to come up with recommendations for repairs for Beaumont, parts of Oak, 4th and other streets. Councilman Kenny Hampton and Marshal Mollett voted no. The two were not in agreement as to the list of roads selected.

After the special meeting the council convened their regular August meeting with a long agenda where the most audience participation also had to do with Beaumont Avenue. The city is considering a 5 ton weight load limit on Beaumont. Several area farmers and trucking company representatives were on hand to object to that idea. One of the main objections was the unsafe intersection at the bottom of Mill Hill that would have to be used to bypass Beaumont. The council decided to table any action on the load limit.

In other action the council changed the city's s dog ordinance to read "Cats and Dogs" The city pound is now taking in captured stray cats.

This next proposal may turn up the heat at city hall as the council directed City Manager Dave Willey to come up with a proposed anti-smoking policy for city employees. There was lots of other stuff at last nights meeting and WGEL will be reporting on some of that those later today and tomorrow in our newcasts, but you can view both city council meetings tonight on Greenville Cable Channel 3 beginning at6PM.

WATER RATES INCREASE

It's been over ten years since the City of Greenville increased water rates for business and residence. Lately the City has been unable to sustain the mandated 6 month reserve in their water fund balance, and that resulted in the City Council passing new rates.  For the residential consumer that means an increase of about a dollar a month for their first 2000 gallons of water, and approximately another dollar per thousand gallons up to 8 thousand gallons used. A residence using 10 thousand gallons a month would pay about a $9 a month increase. Also starting in 20 months the rate will increase annually at 80 percent of the Consumer Price Index. Business customers will also see increases. The new rates will take effect with the September billing.


BOND COUNTY MUST WAIT FOR INCLUSION IN SWIDA

Greenville City Manager Dave Willey and others have been working for the past eight months to get Bond County included in the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority.  Senate Bill 830 was passed by the General Assembly but on August 1st received an amendatory veto by the Governor. 

The Authority issues industrial revenue bonds which are federal and state tax exempt with lower interest rates making them very appealing to prospective industry.  City Manager Willey told WGEL that Greenville has two prospects that would utilize these revenue bonds.  Willey has learned that the Governor vetoed the bill because he wanted the Authority's governing board to be increased to 14 members with two additional appointees by his office.  The board is currently 11 and would increase by one with Bond County's inclusion in addition to the Governor's requested two.  Willey explained to WGEL that he is hopeful that the changes can be made during the fall veto session and the bill is approved by the end of the year.  The Southwestern Illinois Development Authority is currently comprised of Madison, St. Clair, and Clinton counties. 

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MULBERY GROVE HOMECOMING IS THIS WEEKEND

The Mulberry Grove Homecoming is Saturday August 12th.  The parade starts at 4:00 p.m. with the line up beginning at the high school at 3:00 p.m.  Chicken and ham dinners will be served starting at 5:00 p.m. with cheeseburgers and kabobs also available.  There will be games and rides for the kids.  The Chapman Brosthers will be performing from 7:00-10:00 p.m. with other entertainment expected up on stage during the homecoming.

STATEMENT RELEASED ON VANDALIA SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

The Illinois State Police in Effingham are continuing their investigation of the July 26 shooting of a suspect by a Fayette County deputy.  Fayette County State's Attorney Stephen Friedel reports that the majority of the investigation is complete and his office has been provided with statements made by potential witnesses.  Those reports have been shared with Fayette County Sheriff Harold Johnson.  The ISP has also assigned a crime scene investigator whose report is not yet available.  Friedel said that because crime scene reports tend to be more scientific in nature it is important that they be prepared accurately.  In a statement released to the media, Friedel added that he is determined to see that the conclusions drawn from the investigation are accurate and based upon a complete investigation.  The deputy shot the suspect on a residential street in Vandalia after the man allegedly came at him with two long-blade knives.  The victim, 28-year-old Shane Gould of Vandalia, died from his gun shot wound.

HEAVY RAINS PUT FAYETTE UNDER FLOOD WARNING YESTERDAY


Fayette County was under a Small Stream Flood Warning for a couple hours Wednesday due to a heavy rain.  The National Weather Service reported that a line from north of Mulberry Grove to Farina received anywhere from two to five inches of rain from the early morning storm.  The Fayette County Sheriff's Department told WGEL that they had received several reports of water on the roads in low-lying areas.  The flood warning was lifted at 8:45am. 

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MAN DRIVES THROUGH HIS OWN GARAGE

A Greenville man was not injured Wednesday afternoon when he drove through the side of his own garage.  The accident happened at a residence on Durley Street where the driver said his foot slipped off the brake causing his pickup truck to go through the garage.  The truck, garage, and contents including a lawn mower were damaged.  The driver refused treatment at the scene.

OBITUARIES

Clarence E. Hubbell

Clarence E. Hubbell, age 91, of Greenville passed away at 12:10 pm Tuesday at Fair Oaks. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville with Interment in Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Friends may call at Donnell-Wiegand In Greenville from 11 a.m. Saturday until service time. For those who desire memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church or Bond County Hospice.

Clarence Edgar Hubbell, the son of Howard Edgar and Clarice Elizabeth Elkins Hubbell was born on September 29, 1914 on the Hubbell farm in LaGrange Township. His mother died when he was quite small and he was raised by his father and step mother Lena Augusta Hughey Hubbell. He attended the Cherry Grove School and graduated from Greenville High School in 1933. He farmed all his life but usually also worked off the Farm. He worked for: Junod Grain Elevator, Hauled milk for the Litchfield Creamery,Pierce Elevator and Feed, Eaken Egg and poultry, Was laGrange Township Road Commissioner for 8 years and LaGrange Township Supervisor, and worked for Howard Elmore Elevator when he retired.

Clarence and Edith I. Bassett were united in marriage on March 22, 1936 at the Bassett Home south of New Douglas and enjoyed over 64 years together. They are survived by their four children:, Jack H. (Wanda) Hubbell of Granite City, John W. (Nancy) Hubbell of Greenville, Joann Hubbell of Greenville and Susan, Mrs. Ted Jenkins of north of Greenville, Seven grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and his sister Elizabeth Mollett of north of Greenville.

Clarence is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Edith on Jan. 3, 2001, and his sister Evelyn B. Smith.

Clarence and his wife were superintendent of the Bond Co Fair Poultry and Rabbit Show for 25 years. Clarence was affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Greenville.
First Baptist Church or Bond County Hospice

ELDON "JACK" LYNN

Eldon "Jack" Lynn, age 84 of rural Mulberry Grove, passed away Wednesday at Fair Oaks Nursing Home.  Funeral arrangements for 84-year-old Eldon "Jack" Lynn are pending at Young Funeral Home, Mulberry Grove.

ELIZABETH LEIDNER

Elizabeth Leidner, age 82 of Greenville and formerly of Pittsburg, Illinois, passed away Wednesday at Cardinal Hill Healthcare.  Graveside funeral services for 82-year-old Elizabeth Leidner will be held Friday (Aug 11) at 2PM at Maxey Cemetery, Smithboro.  There will be no visitation.  Memorials can be made to Cardinal Hill Healthcare.  The Young Funeral Home is handling arrangments.

MAFALDA "MAXINE" BAUMANN

Mafalda "Maxine" Baumann, age 90 of Greenville, passed away Wednesday at Fair Oaks Nursing Home.  Funeral services for 90-year-old Mafalda "Maxine" Baumann will be held Saturday (Aug 12) at 1PM at Young Funeral Home.  Interment at Memorial Park Cemetery of Staunton.  Friends may call Saturday from noon until service time at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to the Greenville Public Library or the Public Library in Benld.

VELMA ENLOE

Memorial services for 100-year-old Velma Enloe of Sorento will be held Sunday (Aug 13) at 3PM at the Bradford Room in Greenville.  Friends may call on Sunday from 2PM until service time.  The Perfetti Funeral Home in Sorento is in charge of arrangements for 100-year-old Velma Enloe. 

THE WGEL SECRET WORD IS GIVEN MONDAY THRU FRIDAY IN THE 11AM, NOON, 1 & 2PM HOURS. WRITE IT DOWN AND WHEN WE CALL, YOU COULD WIN $50.

 

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