Hardin County Independent from Elizabethtown, Illinois • 1

A om H. STATE HISTORICAL LEEARY XX 00 XX OLD STATE CAPITOL 62706 i I One Section Ten Pages VOLUME 125 NUMBER 18 Serving the Fluorspar District of Illinois euzabethtown, Illinois 62931 Thursday, May 4, 1995 Corpsmen Remember the Children Rosiclare City Commission Addresses Residents Complaints About Water And Ordinance Violations Jim Bebout Home Burglarized April 28 Sheriff Carl Cox reported to the Independent that the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Bebout, just north of Midway, was burglarized between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 pm.

Friday, April 28. The Bebouts had gone out to eat and were gone about two hours. The burglar(s) broke a door open and took five guns, some jewelry, a VCR and personal items. Sheriff Cox said the items were valued in excess of $2,500. He said the incident is under investigation.

1 These Urban Forestry students, with the full silent support of student body and staff of the USDA Forest Service, U.S. Department of Labor Job Corps, Golconda, planted two white ash and two white pine trees on the Corps' grounds on April 27 to serve as living memories, in commemoration of the senseless loss of lives in theOklahoma City bombing and National Arbor Day. The trees were donated by Stephanie Brown, Director, Illinois Forest Resource Center, University of Illinois in Simpson, as part of the annual Stewardship Week program. by Julie Rash Mayor Tom Tadlock opened the meeting of the Rosiclare City Commission Tuesday evening by addressing a group of about 20 residents concerning problems with the water. Tadlock said a costly filter system is needed to improve the quality of the well water.

He has been in contact with officials to see if any grant money is available for the project which could cost anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000. The city would probably have to pay a percentage of the cost, which creates an additional hardship on the general fund. Tadlock said rates have been raised in all other areas except water; general funds have been used to avoid raising rates up until now, because the City Commission realizes that many residents live on a fixed income. However, Tadlock said water rates also will have to be raised eventually, because the city is losing money in that department. Also, a rate increase would be necessary to pay for a filter system.

Esdon Jerrels told Tadlock he thought people would not mind a reasonable extra fee to pay for a filt-er, if it is discontinued once the balance is paid. Tadlock said the water is being tested each month, and it contains calcium, manganese, iron and some lime harmless minerals, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Tadlock said the calcium is the biggest problem. Jack Oglesby said he had health problems and was buying bottled water to drink. He said the water was murky and had a film on it when he filled his church baptistery.

Commissioner Smith told Oglesby that manganese was causing the film and murky color but was harmless. Smith also said it is against the law to produce water cheaper than it is being sold, which is what the city is doing now, according to him. Another person raised the question, "If the water rates are increased, will sewerage rates go up?" City Attorney Fred Turner said he thought it would be possible to raise water rates only. Presently, the number of gallons of water used affects the sewage charge to customers. Mayor Tadlock told the people, "When we raise the rates, it will be done the fairest way we can do it" Oglesby told Mayor Tadlock, "You know the problem.

We're here to ask what can be done about it" He asked the City Commission to find a solution and keep the community informed that they are working on the problem. Mayor Tadlock also addressed the problem of junk and old cars on private property; he circulated a sample letter that is delivered to residents by the police department when complaints are made. Thdlock said the City Commission is trying 2e care of the problems but are slow to respond mes. Several people attending had complaints. Betty Green said she had neighbors continually who did not comply with city ordinances; she cited junk cars, raw sewage, and burning of toxic materials as some of the problems.

She said nothing had been done to make the people comply with the law. Betty Pennington said people had replaced junk with old tires in her neighborhood, and Vernon "Bruzz" Shaw cited burned out and abandoned houses as a problem in the city. He said, "Our town is getting to be a junk yard." Shaw said if the residents are going to be civic-minded, a committee should be formed to this a place to be proud of. He asked why residents are not ticketed for failing to comply with the ordinances. Mayor Tadlock said, "I don't think you can blame it all on us.

We have done what we can do and more. Turner explained the process of notifying residents of violations, giving them a period of time to comply, at which time the city could do the work itself and place a lien against the person's property for compensation. However, he said it is often difficult to recoup the money that has been spent achieving the cleanup. Shaw suggested adopting a zoning law to stop the establishment of undesirable businesses in residential areas. Turner explained that a zoning law protects against future problems such as that; however, the present problems would not be affected because of the grandfather law.

Commissioner Littrell said some residents do respond to the letters they receive. Commissioner Smith said one man's junk is another man's treasure and asked who could really decide Mary L. Pennell Charged With Harassment Of Juror clare was charged April 28 with DUI by Elizabethtown Marshal Tommie Seiner. Alcohol testing disclosed an alcohol concentration of .18, which is more than the .10 legal limit. He posted his drivers license andySlOO cash bond and has until May 26 to appear on the charge.

County Board Agenda Thursday, May 4 6:30 p.m. Approve minutes of previous meeting. Ed Bottom, County Engineer -resolutions. Miscellaneous. Mail.

Adjourn. Drivers Services Schedule 1995 Drivers Services facilities are available at the Hardin County Courthouse the second Wednesday of each month. Drivers license examiners are available on those days for driver exams, license renewal and information. Drivers services are available from 8:00 am. to 4:00 pm.

Wednesday, May 10. Wednesday, June 14. Wednesday, July 12. Wednesday, August 9. Wednesday, September 13.

Wednesday, October 11. Wednesday, November 8. Quindry for advisementon May 2, and a preliminary faring has been scheduled for May 23 at 10:30 a.m. in Hardin County Circuit Court. Pennell is lead school bus driver for Beck Bus Transportation of Mt.

Vernon which transports Hardin County school children. She continues to serve as lead driver and drives a bus route. She has been removed from her original route in which she transported Robert Suits' stepchildren to and from school. Linda Miller, a representative of Beck, told the Independent Wednesday, "We do not feel she has done anything wrong in her job of driving a bus," referring to her driving record. Miller said the company has no legal grounds to dismiss Pennell from her duties unless she is convicted of the harassment charge.

Miller said she had been in contact with school officials and others directly involved concerning Pennell's continued employment with the bus company and feels confident proper procedures have been followed in the matter. Driving Under The Influence Randy L. Foster of Rosiclare was charged April 30 with driving under the influence II by Julie Rash Mary L. Pennell, 60, of Route 1, Cave In Rock, was arrested by authorities on Thursday, April 27 for allegedly harassing Robert Suits, a juror in the murder trial of Troy D. Pennell.

Suits received an anony--mous letter on April 22 stating better watch your back after what you did at the Pennell trial." Suits is a distant relative of Troy D. Pennell who said during jury selection that he had no contact with the family and really did not know them. A panel of 12 jurors reached guilty verdicts against Troy D. Pennell on April 8 on four felony charges -first degree murder of 15 year old Jamie Lynn Yarber, concealment of a homicidal death, production of cannabis and possession of cannabis. His sentencing date is June 2.

The information, filed April 27 in Hardin County Circuit Court by State's Attorney Paul W. Lamar, states that the defendant, Mary L. because of a verdict returned by the jury or the participation of such juror in the verdict, communicated directly with the juror in such a manner as to produce mental anguish or emotional distress. Illinois State Police Jamie Nelson and Brenda Dunning assisted local authorities in the investigation. Matching notebook pages and handwriting samples were used to bring charges against Pennell.

A witness observed Pennell at the post office in Elizabethtown on April 21. Judge Loren Lewis set bail at $50,000 on April 27; Pennell posted $5,000 cash and was released. She what is junk. He said he buys and restores old cars and trucks. Smith also said he planned to set up a business in his shop at his residence if he is ever in need of employment, stating, "American Minerals and Ozark-Mahoning won't be here forever." He said he would have to make a living somehow until he retired.

Smith said the laws apply to members of the City Commission just as they do to other residents. Another problem mentioned was cars driving fast on back streets and cars parked along streets, and the hazard it creates for children playing in the area. Also mentioned were dogs barking and not being cared for by their owners. Shaw asked for a reduced speed limit sign on his street where a blind lady resides. The commissioners agreed to erect a "child playing" sign.

Commissioner Lit-treil said there are several of them throughout the city, but people pay little attention to signs. Mayor Tadlock told the people that he is concerned with the problem of vandalism. He said the museum site had been vandalized recently, and the park restrooms are continually damaged, among other areas in the city. Mayor Tadlock told the people to give the City Commission a chance to make a stronger effort to get seme of the problems taken care of, and he said he would look into the problem with the water right away. Clean up and swap days were suggested where residents place unwanted junk out for garbage collection.

A date may be announced later. Other city business was completed after the complaints were discussed. Ed Bradley was given permission to set up a road block for Cystic Fibrosis downtown near the post office on Saturday. The Commission approved Judy Largent's request to block off Spring Street on Saturday for the Cub Scout Soap Box Derby, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Commissioner Smith suggested setting a fee to finish burning houses for private residents whose homes have been damaged by fire. The Commission agreed. Commissioner Harold Cowsert reported that American Minerals and Doug Hobbs were donating materials to replace the roofs over the bleachers at the ball park. The purchase of three inexpensive mowers and weed cutters was approved. Commissioner Bertis Cook recommended buying better quality mowers that would last and voted against the purchase.

Commissioner Littrell said the city had bought more expensive mowers in the past but they did not last any longer than the cheaper ones. The next meeting is scheduled for May 16. Care Is; Rode Fire Plume 2893220 FlUaVihiewn Fire Phone 2872011 Rosiclare Phone 285-6800 Ambulance Phone 285-6622 QtnbUH Sheriff Office Phone Uhtm fi $1,000 Reward Offered For Senseless Vandalism At Rosiclare Museum Site Wednesday, December 13. for a meeting. Apparently, it is the senseless handiwork of vandals.

Windows were broken on "Rosi," the switch locomotive which was brought back to Rosiclare last month from the Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railroad in Marion. Mu- appeared before Judge Charles Donald M. Williams of Rosi- Harold Parkinson, Commander cviu8 wiu uy iiveu seum building and hoist house wmdows were broken also, two doors were kicked in, and ceiling lights and glass shelves were shattered inside. The walls were marked up with chalk, and a miniature wooden model of a fluorspar mine built by Mitchel Jenkins was demolished. A $1,000 reward has been established by the museum board for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.

Board members hope that someone will have information that will aid in the investigation. Information may be given to the Rosiclare Police Department by calling 285-3445 between the hours of 9:00 ajn. and 4:30 or contact one of the following board members: Eric Livingston, Robert Stone, Bob Hardin, Vic Evans, Mitchel Jenkins or Larry Barnard. Museum board members are upset with what has occurred; however, it has not changed their commitment to establish a fluorspar museum at the site which they hope will be the pride of the community. by Deputy Sheriff Gerald Davis.

Alcohol testing disclosed an alcohol concentration of .20, which is more than the .10 legal limit. He posted his drivers license and $100 cash bond and has until May 23 to appear on the charge:.