Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 3

Mattoon(IU.) Journal Gazette Tuesday, June 6,1995 A3 Local SGaG Council to discuss Kmart intersection? City Scene fioard to discuss water rate hike By CARL WALWORTH StaffWriter MATTOON TVip nrnrv discussed Wednesday by the water board. 2 The board will meet at 7 p.m. at the department office, 1201 JjHarshallAve. awarding of bids for street maintenance awarding of a bid for resurfacing thtj parking lot at 1100 Broadway approval of a contract with Upchurch Associates; approval of an agreement with Twin Star an easement agreement with Central Illinois Public Service approval of additional street lighting dt. Logan Street and De Witt Avenue; an executive session for litigation and' personnel.

velopment of the area. Lowe's has signed a contract to build a store east of Kmart if the intersection is built. Representatives of a variety of parties involved have been negotiating for about two years to put everything together. The city's role includes proposed ordinances that specify agreements with the Department of Transportation and landowners Beverly Swords and Kenneth McFall. Other agenda items include: discussion of grievances; opening ofbidsforsaleof a 1988 ambulance; A rate study by a Springfield firm includes a recommendation for the major increase.

About half is needed to cover operating costs. The rest is recommended to cover denreciatinn and other MATTOON Agreements regarding a new intersection east of Kmart are likely to be OKU tonight by the City Council. The council will meet at 7:30 p.m. on the second floor at City Hall. The agreements involve an intersection east of Kmart and west of Bonanza restaurant.

The new intersection will replace the one at Bonanza. The intersection is considered vital to de costs. oome are suggesting the board recommend an immediate increase to cover operating costs, then phase in the rest of the increase. The water board makes recommendations to the Citv Council. JFinal action comes from the council.

1 -fi! Man arrested for aggravated assault MATTOON A Mattoon man was arrested Sunday for aggravated assault. Steven D. White, 22, of 1013 Bell Ave. was arrested at 7:10 p.m. a.t 11th Street and Moultrie Avenue.

White is accused of making threatening statements in Cunningham Park on Sunday and then displaying a knife. In other police matters: Lawrence E. Allen, 27, of 1021 Shelby Ave. was arrested at "il'AO p.m. Friday for public possession of alcohol.

The arrest was in the 1200 block of Shelby Avenue. Elvis W. Durnal, 70, of 1108 Champaign Ave. was arrested at 5:57 p.m. Saturday for public possession of alcohol.

The arrest was in the 1700 block of Broadway Avenue. Chad E. Cushman, 21, of 3340 Shelby Ave. was arrested at 11:51 p.m. Friday for keeping a noisy dog.

He is accused of allow-inghis dog to bark and disturb residents in the 3300 block of Shelby Avenue. Area Focus t'- Areola increases police hourly rate ARCOLA The city council Monday heard that the part-time hourly rate for Areola police officers has increased $2. Alderman Karen Faler said because there is difficulty getting part-time officers, the rate has been increased to $8.25 per hour, up from an hourly rate of $6.25 per hour. Also at the meeting, the council recognized the Areola High School band, which just returned from Florida, where band members received two first-place trophies and one second-place trophy inacontest. In a separate matter, the council heard that one of the city's fire engines Engine 12 needs repairs, Datebook Arthur OKs liquor license application By AMY KAISER StaffWriter ARTHUR The Village.

Board Monday approved a Class A liquor license application for operation of a new restaurant and bar in Arthur. Bill Schultz of Slammers Inc. will open The Oak Room, where the former Captain's Quarters Restaurant used to be on north Vine Street. He will also open Slammers, a bar located behind The Oak Room. Also at the meeting, board members discussed two different signs in town that are causing problems or concern among some residents.

The first set of signs discussed were 1991 Governor's Award signs that are fading. The second is an Economic Development sign that is located on a boulevard in front of a residential area The board decided to leave it up to the buildings and grounds committee to determine when to remove the Governor's Award sign. The second sign, located on Illinois Route 133 East, has caused concern because residents living on the other side the boulevard have to mow around it. The sign was put up on a boulevard that is on state prop erty. but it is maintained bjf Dick Shelby, i.

"Personally, I think the sign ought to be moved," said member Abe Ozier. The sign could be bet ter placed somewhere else." I Other board members agreed! "One of the key things here is the fact that it is not our propf The board then voted to the sign and find a more ap propriate location for it. In other matters, the board: voted to contribute $1,200 to; the Lions Club for purchasing the annual fireworks display; appropriated $43,000 froni the motor fuel tax for resurfacing and patching roadways; discussed recognizing these who donated time or money; t6 building a covered the IGA parking lot. i Photo by Doug Lawhead Youngsters chase after a soccer ball Monday during a day camp in Charleston. Warm temperatures have sent most area youngsters outdoors, although there is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms today.

Having a ball Tuesday a.m. Come Share registration. Mattoon Area Senior Greenup hires full-time policeman Center. By JAMIE RILEY Staff Intern 1:30 p.m. Coles County Board health and safety committee, meets, courthouse.

2 p.m., doles County Boaixfoffices and rules committee meets, courthouse. 7:30 p.m., Mattoon City Council meets, council chambers, City Hall. Wednesday 9 a.m., Edgar County Board meets, county courthouse, Paris. 7 p.m., Mattoon Water Board meets, 1201 Marshall Ave. Thursday 1 p.m., Coles County Board computer and internship committee meets, courthouse.

2 p.m., Coles County Board supplies and claims committee meets, courthouse. Friday 1 p.m., Coles County Board finance committee meets, courthouse. All day, spring craft fair, Arthur. 7 p.m.-midnight, Smokin' Boot Festival country and western dancing and contest, Cross County Mall. board that the police department has handled five times more calls per month than it did in 1 "personal! feel tJhehealth andsafety of the citizens ofthis community should be No.

"It should also be noted that if we don't take advantage of the grant some other community will," he added. Gabel, a lifelong Greenup-area resident, graduated from Lake Land College's law enforcement program and holds a bachelor of science degree in criminology from Southern Illinois University at Car-bondale. In other business, the board: agreed to hire a part-time billing clerk for the ambulance department. The billing clerk, Shelly Drum, will work 600 hours annually at minimum wage. Drum is a registered nurse and an emergency medical technician, with experience in medical billing.

decided to spray the village for mosquitoes at a cost of $1,575. A date for spraying has not been set. setJune21andJuly7asGreenupSpringClean Up days. Dumpsters will be set up in a public area for residents to use to dispose of large trash items. No refrigerators or air conditioners will be accepted.

GREENUP The Village Board of Trustees hired 21-year-old Brian Gabel Monday as the village's fourth full-time officer. Village Trustee Larry Miller voted "no" on the motion to hire an additional officer and present on the motion to hire Gabel himself. "I'm not opposed to hiring Brian (Gabel); I'm opposed to hiring a fourth officer," Miller said. "I feel it's a greater expense on down the road than what we can afford," Miller said. "I think in five years well have trouble meeting the expenses of the police department." Gabel will start June 16.

His salary of $18,500 (increased to $19,573 after a six-month probationary period) will be partially funded by the federal government's COPS FAST program, which helps small communities fund additional officers. The program's funding will diminish each year for three years, when the village will become responsible for Gabel's entire salary and benefits package. Police Committee member Wayne Swim told the Special iber. Continued from Al will be up for renewal in The BGU is still exi oring its options, ig at reducing space Brazell said. Staff is lool in the Hilton dramatii ly for the remaining a month-to-month for months or renting At this time, there is no formula for how the money will be divided.

Each university has different needs, Livingston said. "Well try to be as equal as possible this first year," Livingston said. He said the combined budgets of the BGU and BOR are about $3.5 million, and they hope to divide that money among the universities the second year. Weaver said Lt. Gov.

Bob Kustra.sent the BGU and BOR letters asking them to be frugal and to not renew their office leases. The BGlTs office at the Springfield Hilton Hotel Sjoing through the transition without adequate funds, but I think the governor and 3General Assembly are concerned about that fiand will help us out," said Christine Merri-Ifield, ERFs legislative liaison, She said she has heard that each university likely to get $150,000 for transition costs in ranuary. Livingston said they hope that figure will 6go up for fiscal year 1997 as they go through a Bwhole year without the BGU and BOR. QUALITY CARPET CLEANING OVER 20 YEAR Scott Claypool 234-7222 SIM GREENHOUSE Annual Closeout Discounted Prices Monday-Saturday 9-5 SPANKYS Girls-Miller Promo SPANKYS With every drink purchase register to win $100 in our weekly drawing. Drawing held on Sat.

at 9pm. Must be present to win. TODAY AT GILLS Chicken Fried Steak or Bone-in Ham Steak basis. The cost of moving would outweigh any lease savings, she said. The BGU and BOR will officially be abolished Jan.

31. Weaver said one of the of I's big costs in the transition is changing all the signs at Sangamon State to show that it is now a of I campus. Casey ambulance unit left unattended over weekend BRIANS PLACE Peachtree Night 75e off mixed drinks.T-shirt giveaways, G-Man 8-1. ENROLL FOR SUMMER Mattoon Academy of Gymnastics Dance Phone 235-1080 GOWIN'S Daily Specials Chop Din. $3.95 or Taco Baked Potato Drink $3.50 HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY Mike Mary Morton Love, All your Family Pota-" to Plus Drink $3.75 All Day LAST CHANCE Late Registration for summer classes at Lake Land College, June 5-7, Center Building MARY 25 years I've been married to you, what Joy Happiness we've been through, We've reached the silver, lets go for the gold We'll 'be together when we get old.

Love Mike MATTOON MOOSE 50f Night Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Fries, Salad, Desserts Drinks Members Only SAVE 20'-40' on Wedding Gowns Bridesmaid Dresses! 235-2161 Cherished Memories Court upholds 'motor voter' law CHICAGO (AP) A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a lower court's order forcing Illinois to comply with the so-called motor-voter law requiring states to make it easier to register to vote. I "The decision by the Court of Appeals sends a clear message that Congress was well within its authority to pass a law making it easier for all Americans to register to vote," Deval L. Patrick, assistant J.S. attorney general for civil rights, said in a statement issued in Washington. The 1993 National Voter Registration Act, commonly called the law, requires states to ease the registration process by providing an array of convenient options.

One such option is registration while applying for a driver's license. The measure was approved by Congress with strong Democratic support and over the opposition of Republicans who said it would lead to vote fraud. Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a Republican, was critical of the measure, saying it would be costly and might inflate voter rolls. District Judge Milton I.

Shadur in March ordered Illinois to implement the law. The state appealed that order. The appeals court, however, affirmed Shadur's decision. "Should the state fail to comply with the decree, the federal government can seek supplementary relief as well as institute pro-ceedings for contempt," the appeals court said. The Justice Department statement noted that the appeals court's decision follows similar District Court nilings in California and Pennsylvania.

Edgar's chief counsel, Jim Montana, issued a statement saying the governor was disappointed with the decision. WANTED HOUSES to clean, Ref avail. Ph 234-9140 FUNERALS KENNEDY, funeral will be held at 1:30 PM, Tuesday, at the Maaonic Home Chapel in rural Sullivan. There will be no visitation. SCHILLING KENNEDY, Services will be held at Wednesday at the funeral home with Rev.

Robert Clark officiating. Interment will be at Dodge Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wednesday. Memorials may be made to the HIS Sunday School Class at the First Christian Church. MITCHELL-JERDAN Ted Perillo said.

The call was the unit's first since the resignations of lOofits 11 EMTstookeffectat midnight Wednesday. Kinnaman said from his home Monday evening that although phones were unattended Thursday, "It was more like 18 minutes." Former Casey EMT Debbie Baird said state law requires a response time of five minutes or less unless the caller is informed of the delay. The call had occurred about 10 minutes before shift change, Kinnaman said, so the incoming shift crew was coming into town as the on-duty crew was heading out. Kinnaman said he was supposed to transfer the ambulance calls to the sheriffs department when the crew left for their run, but he forgot. "So I made a mistake," Kinnaman said.

Tm not allowed to make a mistake, I guess CASEY The Casey ambulance unit was left unattended over the entire weekend, and a former EMT alleges its response time has been too slow for state regulations. Clark County Ambulance Coordinator Dan Kinnaman confirmed that there were no emergency medical technicians at the Casey building all weekend, and that the service area was instead being covered by the Martinsville ambulance unit. "(The replacement EMTs) could not get away for the weekend to sit at Casey all weekend," Kinnaman said. Two calls for the Casey area were covered by the Martinsville EMTs over the weekend, Kinnaman said. On Thursday, the phone in the building was left unattended for 30-35 minutes while the crew was out on a call, former Casey EMT.