Weekend Wrap-Up - August 8, 2010

 

A stack of more than 100 bales of straw caught fire Saturday afternoon, Aug. 7, at Lloyd Schneider’s farm along Bluffside Road in rural Columbia. Firefighters from Columbia, Waterloo, Millstadt and Prairie du Pont were on the scene for several hours to put out the blaze. The initial report is that the fire started when the bales spontaneously combusted from a build-up of heat and moisture this summer.   

Firefighters spray fire on the burning bales while neighboring farmer David Weilbacher uses his backhoe to help break up the bales.                         – photo by Ericha Sondag

 

Waterloo firefighters work closer to the blaze as they continue to spray water on the burning bales.

 

Harrisonville Levee District Looks To Land Owners To Fund Revenue Increase

The Harrisonville Levee District held an informational meeting Wednesday evening, Aug. 4, at the Monroe County Courthouse to discuss the financing needs of the district. Many of the homeowners, farmers and property owners living within the this area of bottomland in the southwestern part of the county were in attendance. District Superintendents Ron Kurgeleis, Gene Rohlfing and Doug Sondag, along with Secretary Sheryl Prange, stated that revenues from real estate taxes for the district have stayed at $110,000 since 1985. With the increases in costs, including labor, mowing, silt removal, gasoline, electricity and needed repairs, the superintendents are looking for ways to increase their revenue.

“So far during the first 10 months of this fiscal year, we have spent $102,000 in electric bills,” said Kurgeleis. “That is nearly all of our entire budget.”

The superintendents stated they would like to raise an additional $25,000 to $50,000 in annual income to account for the increases in costs.

Initially, their idea was to phase in an increase in the real estate rate from its current point of $1.50 to an eventual maximum of $2.25 per $100 in value. This solution not taken too popularly by the homeowners in attendance. They felt they would take on a majority of the burden of paying for the increase compared to those owning farmland, which is valued much less but is income-producing.

The superintendents heard the issues brought up by the citizens, and, along with the levee district’s attorney Tom Adams, said they would look into an alternate way of raising the needed increase in revenue. They assigned Adams with the project of looking into the possibility of those living in the district to not undergo an increase in their real estate tax rate, but instead pay an additional $1 to $2 per acre of land. “With 26,000 acres in this district, this increase based on total land ownership would mean the district could raise an additional $26,000 to just over $50,000,” said Prange.

Adams stated he will put together a proposal and present it to the superintendents for their review. Once okayed, the proposal would be brought before the Monroe County Circuit Court to request it take effect.

Monroe County Commissioner Delbert Wittenauer, standing, asks a question regarding the Harrisonville Levee District.

 

Downtown Waterloo Losing Two Longtime Businesses

Two longtime Waterloo businesses located along the Courthouse Square have announced they soon will be closing their doors for the final time. Vickie’s Hallmark and Reime Jewelers and Gifts will be closing their doors later this year. Vickie’s is currently undergoing an inventory reduction sale, while Reime’s sale starts Monday, Aug. 9. Reime’s will offer 30 to 50 percent off their entire inventory.  “After 63 years of business, we have made a difficult decision to close our doors,” said Julie Holtgrewe, owner of Reime Jewelers. “We appreciate all of your support through the years and appreciate the opportunity to serve you.”

In addition, Mattingly Jewelers in downtown Columbia is undergoing a going-out of business sale/

Shoppers carry out a purchase made last month at Vickie’s Hallmark in downtown Waterloo.

 

County Seeks Out-Of-Court Solution To IDPH Citation
by Joe Leicht

The Monroe County Board  said at its Aug. 2 meeting they are going to attempt an in-house solution to a problem the Illinois Department of Public Health cited with Oak Hill's fire suppression system, before going a more expensive route that could lead to litigation. Following a closed session, Commissioner Terry Liefer told Oak Hill Administrator Kim Keckritz the county is proposing "an economical and practical way" of addressing the IDPH citation, which could bring unspecified sanctions down on the nursing facility if the issue is not remedied by Oct. 1.

The board has said little about the specifics of the citation, but it apparently relates to the sprinkler system's proximity to lighting fixtures. It was installed in 2006 by Automatic Fire Sprinkler of Normal when Oak Hill was built. The system passed an initial inspection by IDPH, but a subsequent inspection drew the red flag. Liefer said the solution will involve local professionals with consultation by former County Engineer Ron Polka, who has sat in on recent closed meetings at which possible litigation over the Oak Hill situation has been discussed.

"We're aware that there is a time element involved here. We are going to ask IDPH to send a representative down and do a walk-through with us before we go this way," Liefer said.

Keckritz said she doubted the state would send a representative. "My impression is they are saying 'fix the problem, period.' If they would work with you, that would be great," she said.

The county board has not publicly discussed the possible costs of the remediation or the potential IDPH sanction.

 

Area youths learned about gun safety and the preservations of our natural resources during the annual JAKES Day at the Waterloo Sportsman’s Club. The event is sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Association’s Longbeard’s Chapter and the Waterloo Optimist Club.  

Taylor Gummersheimer aims her shotgun toward a flying clay pigeon under the supervision of Waterloo Optimist members Steve Frank, left, and Andrew Glessner.

Additional Monroe County Fair Pictures Are Available For Viewing And Purchase Online:

Photos by Judy Brinkmann are located at the website: http://monroecountyonly.shutterfly.com/

Ed-itor and Gage Wienhoff’s pictures of the fair queen pageant are at: http://www.gatewayphoto.net/-/gatewayphoto/    Click on Galleries - Monroe County Fair- Ed and Gage Wienhoff ...  – and then Monroe County Fair.

 

Recent Obituary

William “Bill” Carl Spier, 66, of Dupo, died Aug. 7, at his residence. He was born May 15, 1944 in Morrilton, Ark., the son of the late Charles and Cleta Mae (Miller) Spier. Mr. Spier is survived by his brothers Lawrence (Virginia) Spier of Columbia and Henry Spier of Belleville; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by brothers Howard and Robert Spier. Bill was retired from the Columbia Quarry in Dupo. He was a member of the Dupo Volunteer Fire Department and the Local Labor Union. At Mr. Spier’s request, his body was cremated. Arrangements were handled by Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo.