11-16-2012

 

COUNTY LANDOWNERS GIVEN CHANCE TO PURCHASE COAL RIGHTS

The Bond County Board approved a resolution allowing surface owners the chance to purchase the coal rights on their property from the county.  The vote was split 3-2 with Brock Willeford, Tom DeVore, and Jack Langel voting yes and Joe Whalen and Frank Lucco voting no.  Whalen expressed his concern that a resolution was only given to him at the Thursday morning meeting and Lucco said he might support the idea but wanted to delay taking applications from land owners until January 1.  Lucco also said he was not in favor of a coal mine in Bond County.  The process for landowners to purchase coal rights will start at the Bond County Clerk’s office.  An application must be filled out with a $100.00 application fee per tract. A $1.00 per acre fee will also be charged.  Currently, approximately 90,000 acres of coal rights are owned by the county.  Applications are likely to be available early next week at the county clerk’s office. 

The county currently has a lease with Colt Coal Company on the coal rights owned by the county.  That lease will still be in place even if coal rights are purchased by landowners.  This decision will give landowners input into whether or not a coal mine could open in Bond County.  On the ballot in November, an advisory referendum asked voters if land owners should be given the opportunity to purchase coal rights on their property.  That advisory referendum passed with about 88% voting yes. 

The Bond County Board is scheduled to meet in regular session next Tuesday.  Unless a special meeting is called near the end of the month that would be the last time this current board will meet.  Four new members will be sworn in to serve on the board in early December.       

RIBBON CUTTING AT GREENVILLE EYEGLASS AND CONTACTS

There was a ribbon cutting Thursday morning for a local business’s new location. Lisa Cox said Greenville Eyeglass and Contacts recently moved to a new location at 210 W. Main Street on the square next to Watson’s Drugstore.  They are excited about owning their own little piece of history in Greenville.  Greenville Eyeglass and Contacts provides comprehensive eye exams, eyeglasses and contacts, and accepts most insurance plans.  She said the community has been great to them over the years and they thank their patients and let them know how much they appreciate their business.  They will be having an open house Friday, November 30, from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. and encourage everyone check out their new office.  Lisa said they look forward to serving Greenville and the surrounding area for years to come.

STRONG WINDS CAUSE DAMAGE

Most of the listening area found themselves doing a bit of extra raking recently as strong winds blew leaves and limbs out of trees. The strong wind also blew over the old Circle B Steak House sign.

2012 GHS FALL PLAY

The Greenville High School drama department’s fall play is this weekend.  Director Austin Kastl said performances of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” are Friday and Saturday, November 16-17, at 7:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.  Kastl said there are several groups of characters in the play who all get mixed up and confused, falling in love with the wrong people.  The show is a comedy and has a happy ending.  Tickets are $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for students, and guests 5 and younger are admitted free.  Tickets are available at Watson’s Drugstore, at the high school office, or at the door.  Kastl said they worked really hard on the set and the play since September and they hope folks come out and see the show.  For more information about the show, call the high school at 664-1370.

---

GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

The Greenville City Council met Tuesday night. Representative Paul Evans spoke of difficulties in Springfield and his expectations regarding state funding of programs in the future. 

The council approved a $4,000.00 expenditure to stock Governor Bond Lake and the addition of a stop sign at the intersection of Beaumont and Forest Lane.

They reviewed four proposals for property, general liability, and workers compensation insurance for 2013.  Even though the bid was approximately 3% higher, the staff recommendation was to stay with current provider since there are many claims in the process of being paid, most due to flooding, under general liability coverage.  The measure passed with two members voting no.

The recent amendment to the tobacco ordinance would have limited sales at the Beaumont Avenue Casey’s store.  The store has always been able to sell tobacco products but according to the new ordinance, no tobacco could be sold within 100 feet of a school.  The council removed the 100 ft. stipulation from the ordinance.

Mayor Gaffner reported he received a resignation from the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Howard Elmore, having been elected to the Bond County Board, resigned his position on the Appeals Board.  The Appeals Board now has two openings.