12-13-2011

DHS CLOSING OFFICES IN VANDALIA AND CARLYLE

The Department of Human Services recently announced a decision to close their offices in Vandalia and Carlyle and consolidate them with the DHS office in Centralia as a cost-cutting move.  The change is projected to save more than $55,000.00 a year in operating costs.  State Senator Kyle McCarter said, “The closings are desperate measures and sometimes those decisions hurt people.  State government under Governors Quinn and Blagojevich spent themselves into a hole and now the people are stuck with the results of those bad choices.”  Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman said, “Closing the Vandalia office will create a real hardship on the clients.  Many people will have a difficult time utilizing services because of the distance they will now need to travel.”  McCarter and Gottman appealed to the Governor’s office to have the offices remain open but their request was rejected.  The Carlyle office is scheduled to close December 22 and the Vandalia office December 27.

BOND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO OFFER FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER

The Bond County Health Department will offer the Food Service Sanitation Manager course in January.  The course consists of fifteen hours and is offered in four sessions, January 10, 13, 17, and 20 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.  There will be an exam at the end of the final session and passing the exam qualifies participants to apply for the Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate.  Registration forms are available at the health department.  For more information, call 664-1442.

NONN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF CORONERS ASSOCIATION

Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn was recently elected President of the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association at their annual meeting in Chicago.  The association promotes professionalism among its members through educational opportunities and development and adoption of model standards and practices for death investigators.  Nonn said, “We recently formed an Ethics Committee for the purpose of having a mechanism to self-police our members and develop professional standards.”  Enactment of the committee is one of Nonn’s goals.

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