The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 5

Thursday, September 20, 2001 AS THE PANTAGRAPH www.pantagrgph.com N.Y. firefighter NCHS grad Cm By KEVIN SIMPSON Pantagraph staff BLOOMINGTON "It's going to be a long day." With that and a quick goodbye to his mother, Manhattan firefighter Nelson Haerr hung up the phone and left for the World Trade Center. Haerr, 34, a 1985 graduate of Normal Community High School and a 1989 graduate of Illinois State University, was off duty Sept. 11 when hijacked jetliners crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. His parents, Jeanie and Raymond Haerr, live in Bloomington.

They said after hearing of the attack, he quickly left his house in Queens and reported to his East 29th Street station. "It was 10 a.m. here when I got a call from him," said Jeanie Haerr. "He said Mom, think of me. It's going to be a long day.

I've got to When the planes crashed, around 8 a.m. EST, Ladder 7 was on another call before it headed for the World Trade Center. Engine 16 arrived a few minutes later. The 29th is home to both companies. Haerr and other off-duty firefighters took a city bus downtown.

He worked the entire day before returning to the "We're doing fine. It's just hard when you think about the moms and dads who didn 't get a call from their boy. There are six other firefighters from his truck who got the call and didn't come back" Jeanie Haerr, Bloomington firehouse for some food and a little sleep. He called his parents. "It was pretty outstanding to get a call, pretty comforting I would say," said Jeanie Haerr.

"We're doing fine. It's just hard when you think about the moms and dads who didn't get a call from their boy. There are six other firefighters from his truck who got the call and didn't come back." Nelson worked the next three days, taking an extended break as other rescue workers flooded the city. By the end of the week, he had called his sister and told her he had a pretty good day just fighting routine fires. Nelson Haerr Nelson became a firefighter about five years ago.

He had moved to New York for a marketing job, but looked into the fire service at the encouragement of a friend. His parents have tried to keep in contact by phone and e-mail. Their son's friends and neighbors have helped keep them updated. "We were wondering how he was doing emotionally," said Jeanie Haerr. "Some friends took him out to dinner and said he seems OK." State Rep.

Boland seeks tighter security -Kx' r7 news of the East Coast events. When the buildings are open, armed agents monitor workers and visitors entering and exiting the facility. Pedestrian tunnels that connect buildings in the capitol complex have been sealed. And parking lots are being patrolled. Howlett has not said how long the measures will be in place.

In addition to cameras and metal detectors, Boland will issue a call to arm Secretary of State police, as well as require employees entering the facility to have photo identification cards similar to those used by employees of hospitals. The earliest the Illinois legislature could consider a package of legislation is in November when lawmakers return for the short fall veto session. house should be as open as possible because it is a public facility. Boland's proposal, however, has the support of Robert Howlett, the director of the Secretary of State police force, which oversees security at the Capitol and the government buildings that surround it. And, a spokesman for Gov.

George Ryan said the governor will not stand in the way of efforts to upgrade security. "I would assume the governor would not have any objection to it," spokesman Ray Serati said Wednesday. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the Capitol has been under tight security. The building, along with other state and federal buildings in field were closed early that day, after By KURT ERICKSON Statehouse bureau chief SPRINGFIELD A state lawmaker is renewing his call to boost security at the Illinois Statehouse.

In the wake of East Coast terrorist strikes, state Rep. -Mike Boland, D-Moline, will make stops in Clinton, Lincoln and at the state Capitol today to call for metal detectors and surveillance cameras to be installed throughout the 19th century building. Boland has been unsuccessful before in getting metal detectors at the doors of the Statehouse. Opponents have said the building is already patrolled by security guards and the state cannot afford the estimated $3 million annual cost. In addition, many believe the State- The PantagraphMAUREEN O'CONNOR Blankets to heal Candis Drohan of Normal worked on a blanket Tuesday at Eastland Mall as part of Project Linus, which produces handmade blankets for children.

The 267 blankets made Tuesday will be sent to victims of Sept. 1 1 's terrorist attacks on the East Coast. What you can do Banking for Your and the Next. (ft) sBaok People Has Arrived Donations American Red Crass of the Heartland, One Westport Plaza, Bloomington, IL 61704; write "Disaster Relief Fund" on memo line. United Way of McLean County, 201 E.

Grove Bloomington, IL 61 701 write "September Eleventh Fund of United Way of New York" on memo line. Blood drives (Appointment required; call (309)662-0500) Today, noon-6 p.m. LeRoy, Water Tower Place Saturday, a.m., Red Cross Chapter House Plasma donations taken by appointment at Seramed Bio Center, 51 1 W. Washington call (309) 829-4333. Related events Musical memorial service, 8 p.m.

today, Westbrook Auditorium, Pressor Hall, Illinois Wesleyan University. Free. Presented by School of Music. Peace rally, 8 to 10 p.m. today.

Circus Room, Bone Student Center, Illinois State University. Sponsored by United for Peaceful Resolution. COAST (Citizens of America Stand Together) Day, 5:30 to 7 p.m. today, at the football field of Fieldcrest High School, Minonk. Bake sale, balloon releases, prayer service, patriotic music by Village Aires and ceremony by American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Proceeds to benefit American Red Cross.

Peace rally, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Anderson Park, Normal. Sponsored by Hindu Society of Central Illinois. Organizational peace meeting, 7 p.m. Friday, Unitarian Church, Bloomington.

Sponsored by Bloomington-Normal Citizens for Peace and Justice. "America: A Tribute to Heroes," a nationwide telethon, 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox networks. You've been waiting for a bank that delivers what you we're finally here. Peoples Bank has arrived in your community with excellent financial services for individuals and businesses alike.

Although we might be new to you, we've been serving this part of Illinois for over 65 years. We're not here to send your money to some out-of-state headquarters. Peoples Bank is locally owned and managed by people from McLean and Livingston Counties. In other words, our goal is to serve your best interests, as well as those of your community. From home lending to business services to investing in your financial future, we'll be here.

We invite you to stop by and get to know us. After all, "Peoples" is our first name for good reason. 1218 Towanda Ave. Bloomington (309) 828-861 1 Wow Openl 1 Brickyard Suite 301 Bloomington (3090 661-9993 325 Center St. Gridley (309) 747-2100 www.mypeoplesbank.com A division of Pontiac National Bank Member FOiC Snout if MONTH 7 MITSUP ANMU At -y i'w 7 Mew EXCUSES Galants Thousands' Parkway Mitsubishi Comer of Veterans Si Ft.

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