The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 3

Finance panel: Brienen can hire five THE PANTAGRAPH, Wednesday, Oct. 1988 A3 Candidate for clerk blasts foe's treatment County Administrator John Zeunik was to hold the line on increasing the overall tax levy. The five extra employees will cost the county $108,000 annually In salaries. Three workers, as recommended by the Justice Committee, would have reduced that figure by about $41,000 to $67,000. With the five employee additions, the sheriff's budget for next year would Increase about 10 percent over this year's $2.8 million, Zeunik said.

If the Finance Committee's recommendation withstands further scrutiny by the County Board, the five sheriff's employees would come on board in January. To explain the impact of the recommended hirings, Brienen said the five actually would translate into one extra patrolman on the highway. The sergeant's duties would keep mittee Chairman William Lawrence. "1 am ready to support it. I've heard It for years now, and I'm convinced that we are understaffed." Even though the majority of the committee supported Lawrence's stand on the Issue, two others said they believed the Justice Committee's recommendation was more in line.

"I see no reason to overrule the Justice Committee In its decision," said committee member Joseph Sommer. "They have made that decision, and if they see a need for three, then that is what I will have to support." Committee member Dean Davis, who also sits on the Justice Committee, agreed with Sommer. The main reason behind the Justice Committee's decision to reduce the additional personnel requested by Brienen and then supported by him In the office, and the four patrolmen would be spread among three shifts, leaving one left to absorb the others' time taken in vacation, paid absences and sick time, Brienen said. The additional patrolmen would allow the department to have five officers on the road at all times, instead of four. The Sheriff's Department operates with 17 patrolmen the same number it had in 1976.

The addition would bring that number to 21, which would put the county more in line with other comparable counties. According to data collected from seven comparable counties, McLean County has the lowest number of patrolmen on the road, with the next lowest being Macon County with 22 patrolmen. Sangamon County has the highest number at 35, according to information presented by the sheriff. Panel approves repairs from fire The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission yesterday approved work on the Kerrlck Barry House, 809 N. McLean to repair the fire-damaged structure.

No cost estimate was available, preservation planner William Giv-ens said. The damage estimate of the Sept. 23 fire was $7,000. Edward and Donna Nusbaum, 2912 Grandview Drive, Bloomington, own the structure, a former funeral home. The house is in the Franklin Square Historic District.

The Preservation Commission last April agreed to the exterior portion of the Nusbaums' $70,000 renovation plans. Fire charred part of the structure when contractors were using a propane torch to burn off paint. The exterior repair work includes new window frames and siding. of Mrs. Siron's daughter In the.

circuit clerk's office constitutes "a kind of grapevine nepotism that has no place in government." Circuit Clerk Paul Kelly, who Is retiring, said of Lorl Siron, 'T wouldn't have hired her if she-wasn't qualified. It Is not a political Job; she Just came along at the right time." He added that Lorl Siron types 65 words per minute and has law and computer experience. However, Kelly said he did ask Mrs. Siron if she knew of anyone who might be qualified for the Job, and she said her daughter was looking for employment. County Administrator John Zeunik said Kelly's hiring of Lori Siron did not violate the county's personnel code because Kelly Is not related to her.

He added the code states it is not the policy of the county for an elected or appointed department head to hire a relative. However that same policy in another Illinois county has been successfully challenged In court. Alvarado said he was appalled in May when it was suggested at the County Board Justice Committee meeting that, to create a smooth transition, Mrs. Siron be hired before Kelly leaves. The suggestion, which was made by William Caisley, chief judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit, was discussed in length by the committee, which took no action on the plan after some committee members voiced their opposition.

During that meeting, State's Attorney Charles Reynard said he did not see any legal problems with, bringing a candidate, such as Siron, into the office before the election. However, he said it might! not be ethically proper. Alvarado also said he did not understand why Mrs. Siron was invited to offer her input on an updated computer system for the circuit clerk's office. Caisley, speaking before the Jus-! tice Committee Monday night, ad mitted Mrs.

Siron had been involved in the process and Alvarado had not. Alvarado said he received no vitation to be involved in auto mating all aspects of the office; even though he has had experience with both micro and main frame; computer systems. By MELINOA ZEHR Pantagraph staff McLean County Sheriff Steve Brienen Is back to being allowed to hire four additional patrolmen and one sergeant next year under a budget recommendation made last night by the County Board's Finance Committee. The committee voted 4-2 to support the hlrings an action that runs counter to one taken last week by the board's Justice Committee. That committee decided to pare the number by two, to one sergeant and two patrolmen.

The sheriff's budget now will be passed on to the board's Executive Committee and then the County Board. The board is scheduled to take final action on its 1989 budget at its November meeting. "I think it is time that we give an Increase of five to the Sheriff's Department," said Finance Com Fire guts Bloomington record store By SHARON GILFAND Pantagraph staff Fire gutted the interior of a downtown Bloomington specialty shop last night. The contents of the Twin Cities Records Tape Exchange, 414 N. Main Bloomington, were heavily damaged in a fire reported at 9:17 p.m.

yesterday. The fire apparently began in the front of the first floor of the building and extended to the lower part of the second floor, but did not get to the third floor, said Fire Chief Mike Sinclair. The flames were knocked down in a few minutes, the chief said, but the fire got into the double floor and metal ceilings. The massive amount of burning building material combined with the plastic from the records inside created a lot of billowing smoke, the chief said. "There were giant flames pouring out," said Mark Dennis, who lives across the street at 427 N.

Main St. "We were Just talking about the Unity Building fire and then we saw this one." The store housed the only record jexchange store in Bloomington, and had some unique items, according to Tom Robey, 1100 N. Roosevelt Bloomington, who went into the shop twice a week. "They bad original Elvis Presley records, original Beatle records an original comb from "77 Sunset said Robey, noting there were also collectible campaign buttons, movie posters and record posters. For Larry Sylvester, who lives across the street in the Eddy Building, the fire was a reminder of other fires that also hit too close to home.

"I was the one who called in the Griesheim Building fire," said Sylvester, who said he was also the one who called the owner of the Unity Building to tell him his building was on fire. a a -m 1 fpYT i 1 i i i 1 I J. ll 1 I By MELINDA ZEHR Pantagraph staff The Democratic candidate for McLean County circuit clerk yesterday accused county officials of operating an "insider's club," the rules of which call for selecting a winner in the circuit clerk's race prior to the November election. "My opponent appears to be encumbered by entangling alliances that impair independent Judgment Alvarado and action," said Diego Alvarado, of 509 N. School Normal, during a press conference called yesterday morning.

"The time has come to close down the insider's club." Alvarado's comments specifically referred to three separate incidents where he said his opponent Republican Sharon Siron had received preferential treatment in matters concerning the office. The incidents involved the hiring of Mrs. Siron's 20-year-old daughter, Lori, as a traffic clerk in the office; a suggestion that Mrs. Siron be hired on a part-time basis prior to the election; and an invitation to Mrs. Siron to attend a meeting where various computer systems for the office were reviewed.

Mrs. Siron was in Springfield yesterday and could not be reached for comment. "Doesn't the McLean County Board's Justice Committee and the circuit clerk's office know there are two candidates running for the office of circuit clerk, or do they approve of such unfairness?" Alvarado questioned. Alvarado, 25, a senior political science major at Illinois State University, decided to enter the circuit clerk's race in April after he received one write-in vote in the primary election. His decision to keep his name on the general election ballot meant Mrs.

Siron would be facing opposition in the general election. Mrs. Siron, 2318-A Rainbow Drive, Bloomington, narrowly won the Republican nomination in March. Alvarado said the hiring Aug. 29 CATCH PHRASE Setting it right Bobbie Seals is a certified nurse's aide and a certified rehabilitation aide in physical therapy and occupational therapy at Blooming Grove Convalescent Center.

A story last week about home-lessness incorrectly listed her Job title. The PantagraphMAUREEN O'CONNOR Bloomington firefighters battled a smoky fire in the 400 block of North Main Street last night that gutted Twin Cities Record Tape Exchange, a store that sold used records, tapes and related items. Fire inspectors were at the scene late last night in an attempt to determine the cause of the blaze. Probe of felon's firearm It's easy. We publish new letters every day.

You just figure out the week's hidden CATCH PHRASE and mail it in. And you'll be in the drawing for this week's prize! He spotted last night's fire when "I looked out the window and saw it burning and called 911." The fire appeared to be concentrated on the first floor and it "really had a good start," said one bystander. Sylvester said he heard the sound of breaking glass about 9:15 p.m., but saw nothing outside. A and one count each of unlawful restraint and battery in the late-afternoon incident. Records show Cannon was convicted of felonies in Cook County, once for attempted robbery in 1980 and again in 1985 for unlawful restraint.

He also was convicted in 1984 of contributing to the sexual delinquency of a child, though records available yesterday did not indicate if that charge was filed as a felony or a less-serious misdemeanor. But Cannon had a valid firearm owner's identification card until Sept. 26 though state law forbids people convicted of serious crimes classed as felonies to have such a card, police said. Although the exact date the card was issued was not available yesterday, it had to be after Cannon's first felony conviction because the cards must be renewed every five years. "It happens," state police spokesman Bob Fletcher said.

"There are about 1 million (cards) out there, and we renew about 200,000 each This week's prize: few minutes later, he spotted the fire, but he is not sure if there is any connection. He said the floors above the record store were empty, and said every building in downtown Bloomington that has caught fire recently has been unoccupied at night. card begun year. Given the volume of it, if we had an error rate of Just .0001, incidents like this would be bound to happen. "We believe we have a good record, but unfortunately things like this do occur.

When they do, all we can do is try to figure out why so it does not happen again," he said. Records of the Department of Professional Regulation show action is pending on Cannon's application for a security guard license. A history of serious crimes is cause enough for a denial, a department spokeman said. Farris said Monday's attack occurred in a rural area northwest of Clinton after the woman accepted a ride from Cannon, whom she did not know. He then drove her to a school and let her go, and the woman alerted authorities, Farris said.

Cannon was arrested within an hour in a downtown Clinton bar after police saw his car parked outside, Farris said. Cannon was returned to DeWitt County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond after yesterday's hearing. He is to appear in court again Thursday. over the weekend and the charges against the two were changed to murder. A prosecutor said in addition to the bonds being raised yesterday, the public defender was appointed.

Child's cousin, Fred Childs, 27, of the West Grove Street address, suffered a minor wound in the same incident. SPORTCOAT, DRESS SHIRT, TIE ROBERTS MENSWEAR College Hills Mall, Normal 452-7807 TODAY'S TJEM -By SCOTT RICHARDSON Pantagraph staff An investigation is under way to determine how Illinois state police 'issued a firearm owner's identification card to a man with a record of serious crimes that spans eight years, a state police spokesman said. The Pantagraph learned of the inquiry yesterday after Elvin W. Cannon's latest trouble with the law put him in DeWitt County Circuit Court on new charges in Monday's rape of a Clinton woman. During the hearing, Cannon, 41, of rural Clinton told a Judge he Is temporarily laid off from a Job as a guard with a Bloomington security firm, and a routine check by The Pantagraph revealed that state police had issued Cannon the firearm owner's card.

The card was revoked last week after police got a tip about Cannon's history of crime, state police said. The 50-year-old woman said her assailant was not armed, DeWitt County Sheriff Tom Farris said. Cannon was charged with two counts of criminal sexual assault Bond increased 2 charged in B-N man's death Bond for two Twin City men who face murder charges in a shooting in Bloomington last month has been raised to $1 million apiece. Both Lonnie D. Lawrence, 25, of me LETTERS Diet Center 211 Prospect, Suite Bloomington 663-9464 Scandinavian Design 1500 E.

Empire, Bloomington 662- 8761 Tne Fan Attic 2611 E. Oakland, Bloomington 663- 9077 Adrlanne's Furs 929 E. Grovo, Bloomington 829-4774 Contest rules and official entry form in Monday's Pantagraph, and available at: Not an official entry form Red Wing Shoe Store 1210 Towanda Plaza, Bloomington 827-6370 Llppmann's Furniture and Interiors Brandtvllle Center, Bloomington 663-7544 Nybakke Vacuum Shop 229 E. Front Bloomington 827-0424 Roberta Menswear College Hills Mall, Normal 452-7807 Etcheson Spa and Pool 1201 S. Main, Normal 452-5727 National Marina 5406 Galena Peoria Height 309688-5513 Highland Park Golf Course, Bloomington 623-4200 The Sewing Studio 1503 E.

College, Normal 452-7313 415 Holton Drive, Bloomington, and Michael Beckett, 20, of 1006 S. Main Normal, had bonds of $100,000 when they faced charges of attempted murder in the attack Sept. 22 on John Childs. Police said Childs, 24, of 923 W. Grove Bloomington, had been staying at 1929 Lambert Drive, Normal, at the time of the shooting.

Childs, shot in the chest, died.