GRIGG STREET, SMOKING POLICY AND THE TIFF DISTRICT TOPICS AT CITY COUNCIL

Three big city projects took huge steps forward Tuesday night.  The Illinois Department of Transportation Joint Agreement for the Federal Funding for the Grigg Street Project got Greenville City Council approval with the bid letting on the project possibly taking place in the November meeting.  The special council meeting for September 26th should see the awarding of bids for work on Beaumont Avenue for that project to get underway in October. Tuesday night the council also passed a resolution for a loan from the General Fund to the Industrial Overpass Fund to allow design-engineering payments to be made.

In other action,City Manager Dave Willey told the council that he would have a city employee smoking policy ready for the October meeting. The policy will allow a time period so employees can adjust to the changes.

The council sent to the Planning Commission portions of the City Sign Ordinance to reconsider the ban on signs in the city.  Lester Harnetiaux, representing the real estate agents, told the group that on certain streets the ordinance presents a hardship for homeowners selling property. Harnetiaux also told the council that he expected a lease to be signed for the old Ethan's Place Restaurant.  He said there should be a new restaurant at that location very soon. 

City Manager Willey told the Tiff district group that it would be a priority to find someone to pursue commercial development to take advantage of the Tiff; he suggested either a new city employee or a consultant for the job. The council adjourned into executive session to discuss personnel, pending litigation and the purchase of property.

NEW WATER AND SEWER RATES FOR MULBERRY GROVE

Mulberry Grove residents will see new rates for water and sewer service.  The village board Wednesday night approved the new rates:  $13.50 for the first 1,000 gallons of water used and $4.00 for each additional 1,000 gallons; $7.50 for the first 1,000 gallons of sewage and $4.75 for each additional 1,000 gallons.  The surcharge for customers outside the village limits was increased to 35%.  The board explained that the rate raises were necessary to cover for the increased water costs to Mulberry Grove.  Water and sewer hookups will now cost $300 each.  They had been $150 each.

Although they approved mandatory trash pickup by Doty Sanitation last month on a 3-1 vote, the issue was brought up again.  Representatives from Stewart Sanitation were present with questions about the contract with Doty.  A board member then made a motion to rescind last month's decision.  The vote ended in a 3-3 tie.  Mayor Jana Willis then called the village attorney to see if she would need to cast a vote to break the tie and if it were rescinded would new bids be required.  While the mayor was on the phone, one of the Mulberry board members said he was changing his vote to no.  This brought the conversation to a conclusion.  It was noted that the village attorney would review the contract Doty Sanitation submits. 

Mulberry Grove Animal Control Officer Gary Redfern's contract is up for renewal.  Redfern says he will accept the conditions of the current contract, which pays $250 per month.  The board decided to seek applications and bids for the service as they have not done this for awhile.

FACULTY TO PERFORM "NUNSENSE"

Members of the Unit 2 School District faculty will take the stage September 16 and 17 to perform the musical "Nunsense."  The event is a fundraiser for the Theater Patrons program, which has raised around $10,000 during its short existence.  Shawn Cox from the high school music department is directing the production.  He gave WGEL a synopsis of "Nunsense" which he described as "a witty musical comedy about The Sisters of Hoboken who have lost most of their order to a bad patch of soup and are holding a fundraiser to bury four members."

Cast members include Kim Lugge, Sharon O'Boyle, Jamie Oestreich, Kathy Stone, and Kristen Markell featuring the music talents of Pam Goodenough and Kathy Beatty.   Tickets are $4 each and performances are at 7PM Saturday the 16th and 3PM Sunday the 17th in the auditorium.  The Theater Patrons have funded lighting and sound system upgrades for the high school auditorium and would someday like to replace the seats.

JESSE JAMES CONNECTION TO GREENVILLE EXPANDS

Last week, WGEL reported on a picture that was reportedly taken of legendary outlaw Jesse James in Greenville, Illinois in 1869.  Since then, WGEL has learned that a second photo of Jesse may have been taken here in 1870.  Randy Alderman contacted us concerning a website that has the two Greenville pictures posted.  The photos are credited to the Phillip W. Steele collection.  These are among the earlier pictures taken of Jesse James.

In December 1869, the James brothers were involved in a bank robbery at Gallatin, Missouri that ended in one bank employee being shot to death.  The robbery led to Jesse’s name being published in a newspaper for the first time.  Although no details are known on the Greenville pictures, more information has come in concerning Jesse and Frank James visits to Bond County.  Both loved horse racing and were drawn to Greenville because of a man named John Hoffman. 

According to Jim Zeeb, the John Hoffman race track was situated on what is now I-70 and stretched from Creative Image Restoration to the Zeeb property.  Plat books from the late 1800s show the racetrack which Jim estimates was probably a three-quarter or mile-long track.  Over the years, Jim has heard stories from his father and others who were aware of the James connection to Greenville.  Jim was told that John Hoffman was a well-known horse breeder who became acquainted with Frank and Jesse during the Civil War.  Jim’s great grandfather was present at the Greenville train station in the late 1870s when another man was involved in an altercation with a stranger that turned out to be Jesse James.  Jim was also told that during his visits to Greenville, Frank James would share pistol shooting demonstrations. 

If you’re interested in viewing the Jesse James photos, go to:

www.islandnet.com/~the-gang/jessepic.htm

HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES CONTINUE

The Greenville High School homecoming activities wrap up today with the homecoming parade at 3PM with the theme "Candy."  This year's honorary parade marshal is retired high school teacher Pat Young.  The Comets Sports Boosters are having their cookout on the square  beginning at 11a.m. The Comets play Vandalia in the Homecoming Game at 7PM followed by a dance for the students from 9:30 until 11:30PM.