4-5-2011

TODAY IS ELECTION DAY

Today is election day and WGEL urges you to get out and vote.  If you have questions about your polling place, call the county clerk’s office. In Bond County the number is 664-0449, in Clinton County 594-2464, in Fayette County 283-5000, and in Madison County 692-6290. There are important races on the ballot across our listening area and voting is an important part of our freedom and independence. Tune in to WGEL for election coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. as we keep you up-to-date with election results.

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MADISON COUNTY 1% SALES TAX INCREASE

On the ballot in Madison County is a 1% increase in sales tax.  The language on the ballot states that the additional tax is to be used exclusively for school facility purposes.  This would exclude salaries, overhead, buses, or other operating expenses. Proponents of the proposition say the increased sales tax will allow school districts to reduce property tax, although there is no mention of that in the wording of the proposition. If the tax increase passes, it is estimated to generate approximately $20 million in additional revenue for Madison County schools with almost $7 million of that amount estimated to come from people who live outside Madison County.

MULBERRY GROVE AND SMITHBORO FIREFIGHTERS BUSY OVER WEEKEND

Mulberry Grove and Smithboro Firefighters had a very busy weekend. Mulberry Grove firefighters were called to provide mutual aid to the Vandalia Fire Department at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at a brush fire at the Brad Ledbetter residence northeast of Mulberry Grove.  According to Fire Chief Dwight Volkmar, firefighters were on the scene approximately 1 ½ hours.  There were no injuries and the fire was extinguished before it got to a nearby shed.  A spark from an outside wood burner is believed to be the cause of the fire.

Chief Volkmar reported that firefighters were called to another brush fire at 4:47 p.m. Sunday.  The fire was located three miles north of Rt. 140 on Gun Club Road.  The cause of the fire is unknown.  Firefighters were on the scene for approximately an hour.

Smithboro firefighters were called at 6:08 p.m. Sunday to a report of a brush fire on Newport Road.  Smithboro Fire Chief Dale Deverick said the fire was actually on land that belonged to the City of Greenville. Firefighters were on the scene for about 30 minutes.  The fire was contained to less than an acre and no injuries were reported.

Chief Deverick said Smithboro firefighters were called again Monday morning at about 6:00.  It was reported that a tree was on fire in a field between Route 40 and Bowman Drive.  Firefighters could not get equipment to the tree but rain extinguished the fire.  Deverick said they were on the scene for approximately half an hour.  There were no injuries.

MONTROSE CEMETERY BOARD MEETS AND DISCUSSES DAMAGED MOUNEMENT

An 18-wheeler, that made a wrong turn, recently tried to turn around by going around on the road at Montrose Cemetery.  At the recent cemetery board meeting, City Manager Dave Willey said the driver struck and damaged a large monument that dates from the 1850’s.  Willey told the board the next step is to look for an heir to the Lindly family that put up the monument. Any Lindly family heirs are asked to contact city hall.  Willey said the family will have the option on how to repair the monument.

The board was excited about two proposed Eagle Scout projects involving Montrose Cemetery.  One would be landscaping around the abbey, the other would include fixing the gates and landscaping around those gates. 

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KASKASKIA COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES APRIL MEETING CHANGED

The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees April meeting has been changed to April 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Wedekemper Board Room.