Today's News - March 17, 2010

Locals Are Wearin’ The Green In Honor Of St. Patrick’s Day

Columbia’s Audio Video Concepts rolled out their High Octane Home Theater during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown St. Louis. Getting ready to start the parade are, left to right, Jerod Merz, Mike Vogt, Brad Roessler, Keith Heinen and Matt Carter.     – photo by Rob Roessler

Several Monroe Countians rode along with the Gateway Two-Cylinder Club along the St. Patrick’s Parade Route in downtown St. Louis, including John Meier, Butch Klein and Stanley “Steamer” Wild.                 – photo by Judy Brinkmann

Today, March 17, 2010, marks the ninth anniversary of the founding of the Monroe County Independent newspaper. On March 17, 2001, the first edition rolled off the presses. Publishers Ed Wienhoff and John Conrad would like to thank each and every one of the subscribers, advertisers, staff members, contributing writers and photographers, the many hot news tip providers and those who are always there to help figure out a name in a picture who have helped the paper grow to what it is today. We look forward to continuing this tradition as we begin today our 10^th year of publication.

Valmeyer Announces Staff Cuts As Step To Ease Financial Burden

Like its neighbors in Columbia and Waterloo, the Valmeyer School District is announcing cuts to its staff to help deal with the cutbacks in  state funding. The State of Illinois is operating with a $13 billion budget deficit, and all agencies are seeing cutbacks or delays in payments. School Superintendent Brian Charron said the school is looking at a estimated $350,000 shortfall in state funding for the next school year. Of the school’s $4.5 million annual budget, $3.3 million is for salaries. Charron added that the school falls under the PTEL restrictions which limits the amount of the increase the district can request from the county when it determines real estate taxes.

“During our March meeting we agreed to make the decision to cut some teachers and programs,” he said  “We are lucky in that we do have some money saved in reserve, just over $1 million, so we thought it was difficult to justify overly deep cuts at this point,” Charron said. “But if the state’s financial situation does not improve, our saving’s will soon be depleted and we may then have tougher decisions to make about cuts in the future.”

During this month’s meeting, the school board agreed to dismiss seven staff members, including teachers aides. They also eliminated the pre-K program, which resulted in the loss of the school’s one pre-K teacher. “If we can obtain grant money for that program, we will consider reinstating the pre-K program,” Charron said.

Two other teachers were dismissed and the family and consumer science program was eliminated, also resulting in the loss of that teaching position. The art program will be cut in half and the band teacher was let go. “Depending on how the state funding works out, we may be able to reinstate the band program with a part-time band teacher,” Charron said.

The school’s 15-year-old air conditioner will also need replaced. Charron said that will cost the district about $640,000. The district will likely borrow the funds over a 10-year period for that project.

Board President Joe Andres  said that the decisions the board made were very difficult, with most either having children in the district or being Valmeyer alumni. The school board is also working with the teacher’s union on a new contract. Union President and VHS Ag Advisor Howard Heavner said the teachers are working with Brian and the board to make the right decisions for the school and students.

Waterloo School District Dealing With State Funding Cutbacks

In a scene that is being repeating in countless communities throughout the state of Illinois, Monday’s Waterloo School District meeting had a packed house of concerned parents and teachers interested to learn more about the district’s financial situation in light of the state’s funding shortfalls. Illinois legislators are currently dealing with operating the state at a $13 billion deficit. Schools and other state agencies are feeling the crunch.  Governor Pat Quinn has proposed an initial cut of $1.3 billion from this year’s state educational budget, roughly 10 percent, resulting in an estimated 17,000 being laid off throughout the state. In an attempt to find new means of funding education, Quinn is hoping to convince legislators to increase personal income taxes from 3 percent to 4 percent and  increasing the corporate rate another one percent to 5.8 percent. Opponents of Quinn’s proposal believe the tax increases will deter new business from coming to Illinois and give current ones a reason to lay off staff, which would only compound the state’s financial issues. 

The state’s budget woes were the main topic of discussion at Waterloo’s recent school board meeting. Waterloo Superintendent Jim Helton pointed out, “The State of Illinois is late on payments to the Waterloo district in many mandatory categories. At this point, late or pro-rated payments from the state is putting the district in distress.” Helton said, depending on what the state decides, the best case scenario is that the Waterloo District will have a $1.3 million shortfall next year, while the worst case will be closer to $3 million.

The school board agreed to lay off all 42 non-tenured certified teachers, 15 paraprofessional aides and additional cuts to staff and maintenance personnel. Depending on the amount of funding the state does provide later this summer, Helton said some of the teachers and staff will be brought back. School Board President Dwight Schaefer pointed out the new high school has nothing to do with the district’s lack of lack of funding from the state. The referendum passed by voters must be used solely for the new school and repairs to the old high school. Helton added that the school board has kept the tax rate low for Waterloo taxpayers. “Of the 40 school districts in Madison, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Waterloo ranks the sixth lowest at 4.12.”

Mildred Hoffman celebrated her 86th birthday with a party March 15 at Nancy and Glenn Voelker's house in Maeystown. Mildred was presented a birthday crown by her great-granddaughter, Markee Voelker.

Recent Obituaries

Edna Mary Harbaugh, 96, of Waterloo, died March 12, 2010 in Waterloo. She was born April 4, 1913 in Boxtown, the daughter of the late Frank and Josephine (nee Nevois) McClenahan. Mrs. Harbaugh is survived by Paul Harbaugh of Waterloo, Barbara Kelley of Waterloo, Marie (John) DeLuca of Chesterfield, Dan (Ellen) Harbaugh of Marshalltown IA., and Patricia (Michael) Cooksey of Round Lake; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Harbaugh; sisters Dora Zeigler, Delia Schultheis, Marge Scheig, Viola Palmer, Agnes Phillips and Jackie Drury; and brothers Roy and Jim McClenahan. Mrs. Harbaugh was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo. Visitation was at DeFabio Funeral Home in Waterloo. Funeral Mass was at SPPS with Father Ed Schaefer officiating. Mrs. Harbaugh was buried at the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to the SPPS Education Endowment Fund or Gibault Education Endowment.

Paul L. Clark, 76, of Waterloo, died March 13, 2010 in Waterloo. He was born Dec. 10, 1933 in Waterloo, the son of the late Raymond and Alma (nee Bertram) Clark. Mr. Clark is survived by his wife, Mary (nee Dillman) Clark; children Paul (Carrie) Clark Jr., Tim (Loreann) Clark, Tom (Becky) Clark, Linda (John) Reichling and Carol Clark; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters Lorraine (Duel) Douglas, Helen Havey and Jean (Michael) Ahne; and brothers Don (Gina) Clark and Bill (Joann) Clark; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by sister Ann Dammermann. Mr. Clark was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Church and former owner of Clark’s TV. Visitation is Saturday, March 20, at 8 a.m. until time of Mass at SPPS Church. Memorial Mass is 10 a.m. on Saturday with Father Osang Idagbo officiating. Memorials to Heartland Hospice of Southern Illinois or SPPS Church.

Milton H. “Uncle Milty” Mueller, 87, of Waterloo, died March 14, 2010 in Waterloo. He was born Jan. 22, 1923, the son of the late George C. and Maria (nee Bertram) Mueller. Mr. Mueller is survived by his wife, Florence (nee Meister) Mueller; children Bruce (Pamela) Mueller, Bonnie (Steven) Volkert, Janet (John) Garleb, Susan (Rick) Unterseh and Marcia (Vince) Mehrtens; grandchildren Carolyn, Philip, and Ian Mueller, Michelle (Shaun) Behrmann, Nicole Volkert, Alison, Laura, and Melanie (fiancé Matt Schmitz) Garleb, Nicholas (Bethany) Unterseh, Julie and Ryan Unterseh and Heather and Johnathan Mehrtens; step-grandchildren Jeannie (Philip) Fussellman, Kelly Coleman, Thomas Reiman and Chad (Melodie) Reiman; great-granddaughters Ashley and Alexandra Behrmann; seven step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Marie (Wilbert) Voelker; and brothers-in-law, Willard (Doris) Meister, Frederick Meister and Vernon (Ruth) Meister; sister-in-law, Ada Mueller; along with nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, his Lions Club family and many friends. He was preceded in death by a brother, Floyd Mueller; sisters Betty Scariot, Frieda Voelker and Ruth Fehrenz; brothers-in-law Harold Voelker, Oliver Fehrenz and Geno Scariot; and sister-in-law, Edith Meister. Mr. Mueller was a retired farmer and truck driver for Rubemeyer Trucking and the Columbia Quarry Company in Valmeyer. He was a member of Local Union No. 50 and attended St. John UCC in Valmeyer, serving two terms as president and treasurer. He also served on other church committees, including the cemetery board. Mr. Mueller was very involved in the Waterloo Lions Club. He served 15 years as zone chairman, two years as president and seven years as treasurer. Among the awards bestowed upon him by the Lions were the Lion of the Year, President Award (twice), Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, International Association of Lions Clubs Live Membership Award. Lions District 1CN Cabinet, District 1CN Zone 3 chairman for 15 years, District 1CN vice-governor (1993-1994), chairman of District 1CN 1993 Flood Toys committee, Illinois Lions Clubs of Illinois 1CN Clubs and Missouri Lions Clubs during the 1993 Flood and received the Flood Toys Award. After retirement, Mr. Mueller was involved throughout the county and served on committees for the City of Waterloo’s Centennial and Waterloo Porta Westfalica Festival. He was also a member of the Valmeyer Optimists from 1963-1966. Visitation is Wednesday, March 17, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral service is Thursday, March 18, 10 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ in Valmeyer, with Pastor David Riebeling officiating. Mr. Mueller will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. John UCC Mortgage Fund, Oak Hill Activity Fund or the Waterloo Lions Club.

Etta G. Elkins, 76, of Columbia, died March 14, 2010 at Columbia Convalescent Center. She was born June 20, 1933 in Cadet, Mo., the daughter of the late Roy E. and Catherine (nee Skaggs) Elkins. Mrs. Elkins married Joe H. Elkins in 1951 in St. Louis. He preceded her in death. Mrs. Elkins is survived by her children, Clara (Aaron) Arras of Columbia, Joe (Anna) Elkins of St. Louis and Phyllis (Carl) Montgomery of St. Louis; nine grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and brothers Leroy, Raymond and Paul Cain; along with other relative and friends. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Elkins was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Ann Elkins; five brothers; and two sisters. Visitation and funeral were at Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia with Rev. Mark Melton officiating. Mrs. Elkins will be buried at St. Trinity Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to Family Hospice, the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.

Genevieve L. Doerr (nee Grahlherr), 86 of Columbia, died March 15, 2010 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. She was born Oct. 24, 1923, in Hecker, the daughter of the late August and Ida (Schoeppel) Grahlherr. She married William C. Doerr in 1943. He died in 2008. Mrs. Doerr is survived by daughters Geraldine (Ronald) Schilling of Waterloo, Cheryl (Glenn) Grayson of East Carondelet, Sandra Doerr of Columbia and Susan (Tom) Fohne of Columbia; grandchildren Donna (Mike) Olson, Diane Schilling, Daniel (Kelly) Schilling, Darryl (Laura) Schilling, Kevin Grayson, Matthew Grayson, Troy Fohne and Blake (Michelle) Fohne; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Martha Stumpf of Columbia; along with other relatives and friends. She was  preceded in death by sisters Vivian Freund and Hildegard Wachtel; brothers Alphonse, Harold Grahlherr and Sylvester Grahlherr in infancy; and half-sisters Katherine Hammell and Bernice Grahlherr. Mrs. Doerr was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. Visitation is Wednesday, March 17, from 4 p.m. to – 8 p.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral mass is Thursday, March 18, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia with Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating. Mrs. Doerr will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund.