1-18-2008

BOND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT BOARD DISCUSSED SMOKE FREE LAW ENFORCEMENT

Enforcement of the new Smoke Free Illinois Law, that went into effect on January 1^st of this year, was a topic of discussion at the last Bond County Health Board Meeting.

 

According to Maxine Barth, Health Department Administrator, the health department, along with law enforcement and the state’s attorney’s office, will be responsible for investigating complaints and follow-up. She said enforcement will not go into effect until the Illinois Department of Public Health has determined the rules, and this has not happened yet.

 

Currently a complaint can only be registered on the IDPH hotline or on the IDPH web site. This information will then be sent to the local health department for follow-up which will include an on site inspection and a certified letter to the offender.

 

The health department will work to achieve voluntary compliance but Maxine did point out that there are fines that can be levied once the rules are determined.  The fines range from $250 to not less that $2500, depending on the number of infractions in a year. So far this year, the health department has received 4 smoking complaints that have occurred at the same place.

---

NATIONAL ROAD BOARD SEEKING NEW MEMBER

 

George Gobberdiel, of rural Greenville, announced his resignation from the National Road Association of Illinois Board, at the most recent meeting in Effingham.  Gobberdiel, one of two Bond County residents serving on the board, has been a key participant since the group's inception in 1997.  He has served in various capacities, including four years as president, and is currently the treasurer.

 

Board president Sheila Martin commended Gobberdiel for "giving tirelessly to the National Road" and noted that his fellow board members will miss his "wit and wisdom."

 

The board is seeking a Bond County resident, to fill the vacancy, who is interested in the area's history and has a desire in sharing the National Road story.  Anyone interested in becoming a member of the National Road Association of Illinois or filling the board vacancy, should contact Executive Director John Goldsmith at 618-234-5292, ext. 2.

---

SHIMKUS TO DELIVER VALENTINES TO RECOVERING SOLDIERS

 

Valentines Day is next month and Congressman John Shimkus is announcing a drive to collect valentines for injured Illinois troops that are recovering at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. Shimkus said that because Walter Reed cannot accept packages, letters and cards addressed to "any", he will personally deliver the valentines to recovering soldiers.

 

Valentines can be mailed to or dropped off at Shimkus' District Office at 240 Regency Centre, Collinsville, IL 62234.

AIR QUALITY BETTER IN ILLINOIS

 

The Illinois Environmental Agency recently released its 2006 Air Quality Report showing that air quality throughout the state has improved significantly since the 2005 report.  According to the 2006 report, air quality improved seven percent, ranking either good or moderate 97 percent of the time, throughout Illinois.  The report also shows that in 2006, there were no days when air quality, in any part of Illinois, was considered unhealthy.

 

The Illinois EPA maintains a network of 80 air quality monitoring sites with more than 200 instruments throughout the state.  Data collected is used to keep the public informed and to identify potential needs for change in air pollution regulation.

 

The 2006 Annual Air Quality Report is available on the Illinois EPA web site at: www.epa.state.il.us.

---

BE A WINNER WITH MCDONALDS, THE COMETS AND WGEL 

 

It’s another chance to win with McDonald’s, WGEL Radio and the Greenville and Lady Comets.  Every time the Comets or Lady Comets are leading at the end of a quarter or half, we’ll draw a winner of a free sandwich from your hometown Greenville McDonald’s.  All you need to do to register is visit your Greenville McDonald’s and put your name and address in the registration box, no purchase necessary.  Tune into live high school basketball action all season long, you could be our next winner!!!!!!!!

---