E-Newsletter - January 13, 2012

Maeystown Facing Tough Options Regarding Drinking Water

There are no easy answers as to how the village of Maeystown will be able to fix a high nitrate level in their water system. A recent regularly scheduled EPA test reported a level of 10.77 parts per million. This slightly higher than the allowable 10 ppm maximum to allow infants six-months old and younger to consume, reports the EPA. Last week, the village notified all residents, including those with young children, of this situation. “The water is safe to drink for adults and those six-months old and older,” said Village Trustee Cathy Mikolay, “But it is not for newborns and pregnant women.” She added, for those older than six months, the water is safe for cooking, bathing and other normal uses.

This past Monday, the village held a public meeting to address the situation. Village President Terryl Walster, the board of trustees, John Wagner of the Monroe County Health Department and a representative from the EPA gathered at the St. John UCC parish hall to answer questions from the community. There are approximately 150 residents in Maeystown, which currently has four infants.

Walster stated there are no easy solutions to fixing the problem, especially for such a small community. “Simply boiling the water will not eliminate the nitrate,” said Walster, who added the options include putting a reverse osmosis system at the well pump site, finding another site for the well or tapping into either Waterloo’s line for the Illinois American Water or the Fountain Water District.

“Each of those options will cost in excess of $1 million,” said Walster. He added that with such a small taxing base and limited commercial industry within the community, the village could not easily fund such a project. “We are diligently looking for the best means for a solution and we will keep everyone informed of our findings,” said Walster. He recommended for the time being, infants should drink bottled water.

In addition to the residential taps, during the meeting it was pointed out the Chalfin Bridge water supply station is closed for the time being. Those with cisterns are asked to use another nearby water supply station, including the one in Waterloo.

Local author Joyce Kuergeleis has penned two books - Where the Magnolias Grew is a Civil War novel and the novella, Christmas In The Village, a love story. Both titles are available for purchase at Amazon.com in print or downloadable as e-books.

Waterloo’s Debbie Heal has penned her first novel – Time And Again: Charlotte Of Miles Station, an historical novel for young adults. A book signing is planned at the Columbia Public Library for Saturday, Jan. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The book is an historical young adult novel involving the wizardry of computers--only natural since these are two of Heal’s interests. The story takes place in Miles Station, not far from where she grew up in Woodburn. “Miles Station is no longer there, but I was fascinated to read in the Bunker Hill Library about its hey-day in the History of Macoupin County,” said Heal.

Additional information about the book is located on the website: http://www.debbieheal.typepad.com.

 Neary Wins SPPS Geography Bee

Eighth grader Jessica Neary won first place in the SS. Peter and Paul Grade School Geography Bee. Sixth grader Aaron Grohmann finished in second place. The event, featuring 16 students, was held Jan. 12 in the SPPS gym. Longtime teacher Vern Tepen moderated the quiz.

The other finalists were fourth graders Heather Stogsdill and Kevin Flack; fifth graders Colleen Lance and Emilee Dietz; sixth grader Quentin Albrecht; seventh graders Trevor Davis and Shane Douglas; and eighth grader Avery Wheat. 

Jessica, a former Little Miss Monroe County, is the daughter of Mark and Raeleen Neary of rural Hecker. Aaron is the son of Ryan and Dawn Grohmann of Hecker.

Route 3 Rush Hour Collision

Two motorists avoided injury when their SUVs collided Thursday afternoon, Jan. 12, at the intersection of Route 3 and Illinois Ave. in Waterloo. According to police report, just after 5 p.m., Laura Traber of Waterloo, was in a 2008 Pontiac Torrent which had come to rest at a stop sign along Illinois Ave. Traber, 62, then proceeded across Route 3. At this point her vehicle collided with a northbound Hyundai Sante Fe driven by Janice Storme-Lingle, 67, of Hurst. The collision briefly tied up rush hourtraffic along Route 3. Both drivers refused medical treatment. 

Co-Op Accepting Petitions For Board Positions

The Monroe County Electric Co-Op’s annual meeting is Monday, March 26. Co-Op members living in districts 1, 2 or 9, who would like to run for a board director position must obtain a Petition of Nomination form at the co-op office. Interested members must acquire at least 20 members’ names, addresses, phone numbers and signatures who reside in their board district. A list of guidelines for the procedure can also be obtained at the cooperative office.

Those currently serving in those districts are: District 1 (rural Dupo / East Carondelet) - Larry Haas; District 2 (Millstadt south) - Larry Kraft; and District 9 (Red Bud north and west) - Richard Liefer.

A district map is located at the website: www.mcec.org. Deadline for the submission of petitions is Monday, Feb. 6. For additional information, call 939-7171 or 1-800-757-7433.

Current High School Basketball Records:

Girls: Columbia 12-6, Gibault 6-10, Waterloo 6-9, Red Bud 10-7 and Valmeyer 4-11

Boys: Columbia 7-9, Gibualt 11-5, Waterloo 7-7, Red Bud 10-6 and Valmeyer 4-11

Upcoming Boys varsity basketball tournaments beginning next week:

Gibault will be in the Nashville Invitational. The Hawks first game is Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m., versus Mascoutah.

Waterloo and Red Bud are in the Sparta Mid-Winter Classic. Waterloo plays Trico on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 8:30 p.m., while Red Bud plays Cairo on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 5:30 p.m.

Columbia begins play this Saturday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m., in the Litchfield Invitational.

WHS’ Vogel Named An IHSA Coach Of The Year

Waterloo varsity baseball coach Mark Vogel has been named an area IHSA Coach of the Year. Vogel has been coaching at Waterloo for the past 21 years and the team is coming off a 33-4 record last season, which led the Bulldogs to a third place finish in the state tournament. For his accomplishment, Vogel was acknowledged at the Pack
The House basketball game at the WHS gym.