OPEN MEETINGS ACT MISTAKE NULLIFIES ACTION AT BOND COUNTY BOARD MEETING

As reported last week on WGEL Radio, the Bond County Board passed two referendums at their meeting Tuesday, January 22.  A lawsuit filed by Tom DeVore in Bond County Court is challenging the validity of the entire meeting due to an alleged violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.  DeVore’s suit names County Board Chairman Howard Elmore, the board as a whole, and County Clerk Randy Reitz as defendants.  DeVore argues in the lawsuit that Tuesday night’s meeting violated the Open Meetings Act by not having the agenda for the meeting available to the public for review continually for the 48 hours prior to the meeting.  Continual public review is a new requirement that began January 1, 2013, according to the lawsuit.  The lawsuit also alleges the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting did not specify the subject matter of the referendums to be discussed.  The agenda read “Referenda: Discussion and/or decision.”  DeVore claims in his lawsuit that omission is also in violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.  The two referendums in question regarded electrical aggregation and making the supervisor of assessments office an elected position. 

According to Board Chairman Howard Elmore, in the past they would have had the agenda posted in the courthouse annex and in the board room of the main courthouse.  They will now be placing it on the south door of the main courthouse as well as on the front windows of the courthouse annex across the street where it may be viewed continuously.  Elmore said he takes full responsibility for the mistake and he apologized for any inconvenience this has caused. 

The county board met Friday to re-approve their actions from Tuesday.  Since the deadline to put referendums on the ballot has passed, however, the two referendums in question will not be voted on in April. 

MOBILE HOME FIRE IN HOOKDALE

Firefighters from four area departments responded late Thursday night to a home fire in Hookdale.  According to Smithboro Fire Chief Dale Deverick, Smithboro Firefighters were dispatched at 11:32 p.m., to a call of a mobile home fire on Hookdale Lane in Hookdale, the home of DeMarco and Shanay Jones.  Deverick said the home was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived and is completely destroyed along with all contents.  The father reportedly heard a noise in a back bedroom and when he investigated saw smoke and flames in the bedroom.  He awakened his wife and they and a child got out of the home safely.  Greenville, Keyesport, and Mulberry Grove fire personnel also responded with requested mutual aid providing tankers, pumper trucks, and manpower.  There were no injuries and the cause is currently undetermined.  Firefighters were on the scene about two and a half hours.

NORTH POKEY ROAD TO BE CLOSED FOR BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

According to Bond County Highway Engineer Doug DeLong, construction work will start soon on the bridge on North Pokey Road, about one mile north of Pocahontas.  Preliminary construction work is currently underway but the bridge is still open to traffic.  Beginning Tuesday, January 29, weather permitting, the road will be closed until work on the bridge is finished.  Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2013.

KASKASKIA COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO MEET

The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet Monday, January 28, with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7:00 in the Wedekemper Board Room.  The agenda includes administrative reports, presentation of a college emergency plan, approval of employment of an administrative assistant at Centralia Correctional Center, disposition of property, acknowledgement of current safety policies and procedures, and a closed session.

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MULBERRY GROVE SEVENTH GRADE BOYS WIN REGIONAL

The Mulberry Grove Eagles 7th grade boys basketball team won the regional championship game Thursday night beating Lovejoy 49-22.  The Eagles will play next Wednesday, January 30, in the Sectional Championship game at Lincolnwood, at 6:00 p.m.  According to Coach Gauch, Presley Gauch lead the team in scoring with 16 points and Javion Wright added 15 points in the win.