Community News
Auditor says $10 million water project in Gillespie is feasible
Brenda Masters-Stout, an accountant with Fleming & Tawfall, told Gillespie City Council members the water project is very doable.
An accountant with Fleming & Tawfall, the accounting firm that conducts the city’s annual audit, told members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night that an ambitious project to borrow up to $10 million for a project to replace aging water lines throughout the city is financially feasible but may require moderate increases in water rates.
“My end result is I think it’s very doable,” said Brenda Masters-Stout. “It surprised me because when Dan (Fisher, City Treasurer) called me and said you were thinking about such a large loan, my first thought was, ‘Are you nuts!’ But as I looked at it, I thought, ‘No, it’s not nuts.” I think it makes sense.”
The project has been under discussion for several months with Fisher advocating for borrowing $10 million from the USDA’s Rural Development program to be paid back over 40 years at an interest two percent. On Monday night, he told the council the two percent rate should be available for the remainder of this fiscal quarter but could increase after that. “If it went down for some reason it would be whatever rate is lowest at the time,” he said.
“I think it’s an exciting idea to do such a big repair project all at once,” Masters-Stout said. “I think it could work.”
Last month, the council directed Fisher to ask Fleming & Tawfall to do an analysis of the Water Department’s cash flow to determine whether or not the city could afford the loan payments over four decades. She said Fisher provided her with spreadsheets and data he had prepared, but that she decided to take her own approach, using numbers from the city’s annual audit. She said she focused on the last three years of data rather than looking at a longer period of history because “so many of my clients have seen a decrease in revenue because of the volume of water being used.” At the same time, she said, operational costs have increased due to increases in the cost of chemicals and other factors.
“As an auditor, I can’t tell you what to do,” she said. “I can only look at facts and numbers and provide them to you.”
From 2014 to 2016, according to Masters-Stout’s numbers, net operating cash for the Water Department ranged from a high of $564,851 to a low of $423,612, with three-year average of $512,034. Deducting for current loan payments, she ended up with an average of $256,729. She noted that an EPA loan costing $52,000 per year has been paid off with existing cash, and that the city anticipates eliminating one employee as a result of the improved water infrastructure for a savings of about $45,000 in salary and benefits. Accounting for that $97,000 margin brings the average available cash flow to $353,729 per year.
Masters-Stout said her projections do not take into consideration increases in labor costs, chemical costs or utility costs because she had no way of projecting those factors.
This is a very simple, straight-forward approach, but I think that average (cash flow) is a very good indicator of what to expect in the future
“This is a very simple, straight-forward approach, but I think that average (cash flow) is a very good indicator of what to expect in the future,” she said.
For the first time, the council learned there is a strong possibility of the city receiving a grant for the project, which would reduce the city’s loan obligation to $7.3 million.
“I called Rural Development and they told me you were originally thinking about a $10 million loan but that might be brought down to $7.3 million because of a possible grant that was pretty likely to happen,” she said.
“I have been in contact with Rural Development a lot, and Rural Development is trying very hard to get us a grant somewhere around $3 million,” Fisher said. “The initial response has been favorable. I’ve been in contact with the Congressional staff from this area and they are going to see what they can do to help us out in Washington, D.C.”
Given the possibility of a grant, Masters-Stout said she ran two different scenarios—one for borrowing $7.3 million and one for borrowing the full $10 million.
For a $7.3 million loan, the city would be obligated to make annual loan payments of $276,159, plus a $27,616 contribution to a new loan reserve and a $57,468 contribution to a new loan depreciation reserve. That would bring the city’s total obligation to $361,243 annually.
Fisher, however, said it is likely that the city will fund the new loan reserve and the new loan depreciation reserve upfront with existing cash in order to reduce the city’s monthly loan payment. The new loan depreciation reserve is a new Rural Development requirement that requires loan recipients to set aside money that is earmarked for replacing depreciable equipment that is less than 20 years old at the time the loan is executed. “We have to have that because it’s a 40-year loan,” Fisher said. “The beauty of it is that if we have to replace an asset, that money would come from this fund rather than are operating funds.”
“USDA says you have to set aside so much money every month for repairs, or you can fund it upfront,” Masters-Stout said. “The problem is that you have to call USDA when you need something. You might call USDA and say, ‘We have this repair we need to do’ and they might say ‘no’.” Even though USDA would have control of the funds, they will be city assets, according to Masters-Stout. Any balance left in the funds at the end of the loan’s life would be returned to the city.
The city’s $361,243 estimated annual obligation for a $7.3 million loan is within $7,514 of the the average $353,729 in operating cash Masters-Stout estimated.
The city’s $361,243 estimated annual obligation for a $7.3 million loan is within $7,514 of the the average $353,729 in operating cash Masters-Stout estimated. With a total of about 1,600 water customers, that difference could be made up with a 39-cent per month surcharge on water consumers’ monthly water bills, according to Masters-Stout.
If the city fails to secure a grant and borrows the full $10 million, Masters-Stout said the annual loan payments would go up to $378,206, plus $37,821 for the new loan reserve and $57,468 for the new loan depreciation reserve, for a total annual obligation of $473,495. That’s approximately $100,000 in excess of the $353,729 average annual cash flow Masters-Stout projected. In that scenario, water rates might have to raised an average of $6.19 per month.
“If you go with $10 million, I think you’d need to increase your water rates,” Masters-Stout said, “but even at that I don’t think the increase would not have to be significant.”
“We don’t have to do anything right now, but it would be prudent to go ahead and start making small increases and let them build up over time,” Fisher said.
Fisher said a second EPA loan costing $127,000 per year will be paid off in five years, which will further improve cash flow. In addition, he said the new water infrastructure will virtually eliminate the frequent water main breaks the city now experiences.
We will eliminate two weeks of meter reading and we will eliminate water breaks, both of which are substantial costs for us.
“Two things will happen as a result of this project,” he said. “We will eliminate two weeks of meter reading and we will eliminate water breaks, both of which are substantial costs for us.”
Masters-Stout said the terms of the loan call for the city to start making payments two years after the construction is completed. Assuming it takes one to two years to complete the construction, the city would have three to four years before it started repaying the loan.
“So you have three to four years to increase your cash flow and set aside money,” she said, “so I think the money will be there.”
The council has taken no formal action to enter into a loan agreement. Some sort of action is likely within the next two months as the deadline for locking in a favorable interest rate closes in.
IVEDC SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM
The council gave the committee power to act on a proposal from the Illinois Valley Economic Development program to relocate its Senior Nutrition program to the Gillespie Civic Center. The program was displaced from its former location next door to the Bend Civic Center when the ceiling in that facility recently collapsed.
Ald. Dave Tucker said the program, which provides low cost meals for seniors, has been operating temporarily out of the Benld Head Start building, but will have to move out when the school year commences in mid-August.
“They do a lot of good for senior citizens and we have a lot of senior citizens in Gillespie,” Tucker said. “I think we should look at this seriously.”
Under tentative terms of the proposal, IVEDC would pay for remodeling and new equipment to bring the Civic Center kitchen up to commercial kitchen standards. The improvements probably would include the installation of an ice maker that would then be available for the city’s use, Tucker said. In addition, the agency would contribute to paying for Civic Center utilities, pest control and trash pick-up. Tucker said the cost-savings to the city probably would amount to about $185 per month.
IVEDC would use the Civic Center from 7:30 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, Tucker noted. Most of the meals the agency prepares are carry-outs or Meals on Wheels, he said. In Benld, about eight to 12 seniors come to the facility to eat together, but Tucker said that number might increase when the program is moved to Gillespie. Since the program is limited to early in the day during the week, it would be unlikely to interfere with other uses for the Civic Center such as wedding receptions and similar events.
I think overall it would be beneficial to the city
“I think overall it would be beneficial to the city,” said Ald. Janice Weidner.
One possible glitch in the plan is the need to have the Civic Center floor stripped and waxed, which will take about a week. On a motion by Tucker, the matter was referred to the committee, which will meet in two weeks.
“That will give us a chance for Kevin (Polo, City Attorney) to write up something for consideration,” Tucker said.
ALLEY ISSUE
Mayor Hicks took under advisement a request from resident Richard Grove to vacate the remainder of an alley located north of Easton Street between Spring and OIive streets. Grove said he sometimes “works” in the alley but has had complaints from the neighboring property owner. He asked the council to consider vacating the entire alley, which is the only alley within that residential block.
City Attorney Polo said the city vacated a portion of the alley at the west end sometime within the past decade, while retaining a utility easement. The remainder of the alley, however, running behind three homes, including Groves’, remains open.
Hicks said one of the issues is that the other two homes, now owned by the same landlord, have a shared driveway. If those homes are owned by separate property owners in the future, he said, the residents would have trouble accessing their property if the alley were to be closed.
“Are there entrances to those garages in the back?” Hicks asked Groves.
“Yes,” Groves responded.
“See, that’s the problem,” Hicks said. “Let us look into it and see what we have to do.”
IMPOUND LOT FENCE
The council gave the Police Committee power to act on repairing a fence around a lot used by city police impound vehicles at the lowest possible cost.
“This is not a new fence,” said Police Chief Jared DePoppe. “It’s repairing the fence that’s there.”
Committee Chair Ald. Steve Kluthe said he had a bid of $910 to replace a 30-foot section of chain link fence and 14 feet of the top rail.
Ald. Frank Barrett said the city has in storage some chain link fencing removed from an area at the city ballfields which might be able to be used to make the repair. Hicks directed Kluthe to work with the fence vendor to see if he will lower the price if the city is able to provide the fencing materials.
Also in the area of the Police Department, DePoppe reported that a full-time officer—Tom Miller—had been recruited away from the city by the Illinois State Police.
Sometime within the next 31 days we hope to install a new full-time officer.
“We are down one full-time officer,” Kluthe told the council. “Sometime within the next 31 days we hope to install a new full-time officer.”
DePoppe said he had hoped to have a candidate to present to the council Monday night but was unable to complete the necessary legwork in time for the meeting. “I hope to have a recommendation for the council to consider next month,” he said.
Kluthe also reported to the council that the Police Committee plans to spend about $200 for shelving to install in the Police Department evidence room. “Right now, there’s no shelving and we’ve got stuff sitting on the floor,” he said.
FIRE HYDRANT REPLACEMENT REQUEST REJECTED
Without taking formal action, the council rejected a request from a resident to replace a fire hydrant located on Baker Street at Handy Street. Mayor Hicks said the hydrant is marked with a “Do Not Use” sign and the resident is worried about how firefighters could respond to a fire at her home. He said the problem with replacing the hydrant is that city has no way of shutting off the water to install a new hydrant.
“There are still hydrants in that area that are available,” said Ald. Jerry Dolliger, who also serves as a firefighter. “If she had a fire, we couldn’t use that hydrant anyway because it’s too close.”
PROPERTY DONATION
Following a 15-minute executive session, the council voted unanimously to accept a donation of two vacant lots on Second Street and East Spruce Street. Mayor John Hicks said the lots were owned by an absentee owner living in St. Louis whom he declined to identify until after the property is transferred to the city. The city has no immediate plans for using the property. Hicks said they are located in residential areas and may be offered as locations for new home construction.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved a lake lot lease transfer for Lot 307 at the New Lake to Brandon and Danielle Green.
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Representatives of a food management company pitched their vision for reshaping school lunch and breakfast offerings at Community Unit School District 7 schools during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education. Later, however, the head cook at BenGil Elementary School expressed doubts about what the company promised to deliver. “They make it sound like it’s all a gravy train,” said Jackie McKinney. “It’s not.”
No action followed a 20-minute presentation by Bill Fritcher, Business Development Associate, and Angie Eden, a food service worker, from Opaa! Food Management, Inc., Chesterfield, Mo. There was no clear indication whether the board or district administration is leaning toward contracting with the company.
Founded in 1978, Opaa! Provides food management services to more than 800 schools in 250 school districts spread out over seven states. The company serves 21 schools in Illinois, including the nearby Staunton, Litchfield, Jersey and Nokomis school districts. The company claims a 97 percent retention rate among its client schools.
Fritcher, a former administrator in the Neoga school district, said the company emphasizes home-cooked foods made from scratch. Opaa! provides both hot and cold entrees, and schools can tailor offerings to meet their needs and budgets. Hot entrees include items such as roast turkey, meatloaf, cheeseburgers, pizzas and spaghetti. The company also serves a variety of cold sub sandwiches. Again, depending upon the details of its contract with a school district, the company can provide a salad bar, along with fresh fruit.
Breakfast offerings can include hot or cold cereal, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast burritos. Some client schools offer a “breakfast on the go” option where students can grab a breakfast item during the mid-morning hours of the school day. As part of its service, Opaa! would provide an all-day “Gulp Station” with dispensers of lemonade, iced tea and water.
“There’s a lot of local control over menu items,” Fritcher said. “If a school doesn’t want us serving coffee to students, we don’t serve coffee.”
Fritcher said the school district would continue to set pricing for school lunches and breakfasts, collect payments and control the revenue stream. The district also would continue to own food service equipment and facilities. At a minimum, Opaa! would place it’s own employee as a food service manager, but other food service workers can be either Opaa! employees or employees of the school district. In either case, the school district would have final say over who is allowed to work in the school district.
“You’d have control of who is working in the school and is around your kids,” Fritcher said.
According to Fritcher, the company emphasizes presentation.
“We want the food to look good so kids will eat it,” he said. “We strive to make it enjoyable for the kids.”
Client schools submit photos of daily offerings to the home office for approval, Eden said. As an example, she cited an instance when she submitted a photo from Neoga that included broccoli as a side item. The home office said the broccoli looked too brown and demanded it be replaced with fresher produce.
Fritcher said the company employees an executive chef to create recipes and standards for food served to students. The chef has created a number of streaming videos used to train on site staff.
Key to the operation is a computer program for food management. Eden said the program monitors what food the district has in the freezer and pantry, and adjust menus to best utilize resources on hand. The program also provides a portal parents and students can access to see weekly menus.
A food management contract would be subject to state bidding requirements, according to Fritcher. To start the process, the district would create a Request for Proposals to solicit bids. If Opaa! Is the successful bidder, the company would offer a five-year fixed price agreement, renewable on an annual basis. Either party would be able to end the contract upon a 90-day notice.
During a public comment period, McKinney alleged Opaa!’s promises have not matched reality in nearby school districts. The head cook at Litchfield, she pointed out, quit soon after Opaa! took over. Pizzas and some other food items, she said, do not match the company’s claims.
“We were told this is not about the money, it’s about the choices,” she said. “If you want more options, someone needs to tell us.”
McKinney said she has been employed by the district in food services since 2002. The proposal to hire an outside food management company, she said, comes as “a slap in the face.”
McKinney predicted problems if the district contracts with Opaa!, particularly in the elementary school.
“I don’t see how our kindergarteners are going to be able to carry their own tray and serve themselves,” she said. “They’re going to drop their trays. We get our kids through the serving line in five minutes so they have time to sit down and eat. When they have to make their own tray, how long do you think that’s going to take?”
McKinney also predicted issues with food sanitation when young children with runny noses and/or dirty hands are expected to serve themselves from the food line.
McKinney said an outside company cannot be expected to know local students like local food service workers know them.
“I watch for a little boy who comes through my line every day because I know he doesn’t get food at home like he does here,” she said. “We’re here for the kids and I don’t think these people are.”
In a somewhat related matter which could facilitate transitioning to an outside food service, the board accepted with “regret” the retirements of head high school/middle school cook Penny Feeley and GHS/GMS cook Janice Hammann, both effective on June 30.
PERSONNEL
The board took action on a number of personnel issues following an executive session of about one hour.
In separate actions, the board voted unanimously to rehire the following fourth-year teachers and grant them tenure for the 2024-25 school year: Nikki Jenner, Katie Lievers, Alex Newton, Pete Visintin and Jacob West.
The following non-tenured staff were hired for the 2024-25 school year: school nurse Rachel Bouillon, fifth grade teacher Radeana Gentzyel, speech pathologist Kaylee Collins, special education teacher Jaiden Braundmeier, kindergarten teacher Jessica Yeager, fist grade teacher Sydney Owsley, band teacher Brad Taulbee, chorus teacher Ben McCullough, Tim Biggs, special education teacher Cory Bonstead, and Dalton Barnes.
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Mark Hayes, the board rehired the following tenured teachers for 2024-25: Lorraine Strutner, Jody Dunn, Melissa Bussmann, Tracy Hostettler, Darrick Urban, Kara Saracco, Kelly Lyons, Holly Nejmanowski, Jennifer Parker, Anastasia Hobaugh, Cate Plovich, Amy Price, Nickie Barrett, Jessi Luketich, Mindy Savant, Karissa Smith, Beth Sees, Valerie Jubelt, Carrie Scott, Dana Tieman, Marcia Johns, Colleen Favre, Celia Jubelt, Jamie Schmidt, Nancy Schmidt, Lori Emmons, Vanessa Barrett, Amy Geddes, Lisa Ballinger, Amber Allan, Kim Henderson, Christina Blevins, Chase Peterson, Jessica Kelly, Tammy Garde, Nate Heinrich’s, Casey Edgerton, Kyle Lamar, Stephanie Wilson, Elizabeth Thackery, Shanna Conner, Matthew Browner, Jeremy Smith, Rachelle Prough, Jarrod Herron, Jill Stole, Korben Clark, Kayla Wills, Nikki Browner, Kevin McNichols, Katie Orange, Robert Macias, Casey Sholtis, Jennifer Brown, Jeff Nelhs, Mark Goldasich, Troy Barker, Michelle Smith, Holley McFarland, Michael Bertagnolli, Mary Schuette, Nichole Stoecker, Amy Goldasich, David Edgerton, Ashlee Gibbs, Stuart Ringer, Kelly Bully, Whitney Page and Stephanie Bray.
The board accepted “with regret” the retirement of BenGil Elementary teacher Dana Tieman, effective at the end of the 2027-28 school year. The board also accepted “with regret” the resignation for purposes of retirement of GMS paraprofessional Ella May Roemer, effective at the end of the 2024 fiscal year, and posted the position as vacant.
Board members accepted the resignation of high school paraprofessional Darian Gill, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted Gill’s resignation at the GHS/GMS cheerleading coach and posted that position as vacant.
Board members unanimously agreed to post vacancies for the following summer school positions: high school math, English and drivers’ education; middle school math, English and science; and six elementary positions. Additionally, the board posted two summer school food service positions.
The board accepted “with regret” the resignation of long-time GHS head women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted the resignation of Korbin Clark as GMS seventh-grade basketball coach and posted the position as vacant.
The board voted unanimously to appoint Elizabeth Eaker as a volunteer assistant dance coach, pending verification of certification and a background check. In separate actions, the board agreed to appoint Foley Seferi and James Bryant a volunteer assistant high school football coaches, pending verification of certification and a background check.
By a unanimous vote, the board accepted the resignation of district custodian Owen Parker, and posted the position as vacant. The board also voted to post vacancies for two full-route bus drivers for the 2024-25 school year, and hired Billie Bowles as a substitute bus driver, pending verification of certification and a background check.
REPAVING
The board awarded a $62,524 contract to DeLaurent Construction Co., Inc., Wilsonville, to repave five district parking lots. DeLaurent was the low bidder for the project. The contract will be paid from proceeds of a $1.6 million alternate revenue bond sale for capital projects.
Supt. Shane Owsley reported that he is starting to gather estimates for other upcoming projects to be underwritten with bond revenue, including a project to refinish the high school gym floor, a project to reline the all-weather track and a major HVAC project.
SURPLUS WEIGHT ROOM EQUIPMENT
On Owsley’s recommendation, the board accepted a list of surplus weight room equipment and agreed to offer the equipment for sale via sealed bids. The equipment, which includes stationary bikes, running machines, free weights, benches, dumbbells and racks, was replaced with new equipment as part of a recently completed project to renovate and re-equip the weight room.
EARLY GRADUATION REQUESTS
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board unanimously approved early graduation requests for Maria Alger, Eliana Barrios-Madison, Owen Baugh, Gage Bonds, Abby Carter, John Q. Halterman, Eva Hidden, Felicia Lambert, Emma Luckshis, Ashley Markulakis, McKenna Montoro, Kaden Reiffer, Abigail Sharp, Jayden Stangle, Cooper Wentler, Ashton Whitlow and Avery Young. The students will be allowed to graduate at the end of their eleventh year of high school at the end of the current school year, provided all graduation requirements have been met.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, the board recognized high school women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, who is retiring after a career of 16 seasons. High School Principal Jill Rosentreter noted that Gray led this year’s team to the Sectional Tournament in Beardstown after winning their first regional championship since 2012. The team also won its first County Tournament since 2002, and celebrated 26 wins—the most ever.
During the Carlinville Rotary’s All-Star Game, Gray was named Rotary’s Coach of the Year.
“On behalf of CUSD 7 and all you former players, we express much gratitude for your many years of service, dedication, leadership, wisdom and professional demeanor on and off the court,” Rosentreter told Gray.
Also during the District Focus, a group of fifth graders told the board about their recent field trip to Busch Stadium, where they learned about practical math applications and other subjects.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Gave final approval to the 2024-25 school calendar, calling for the first day of school attendance on Aug. 14 with the last day of school set for May 29, or earlier if no emergency days are used.
- Approved a schedule of board meeting dates for the coming year. The board will meet in executive session at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month with the open session beginning at 7 p.m. The December meeting is set one week earlier on Dec. 16 to avoid conflict with the winter break.
- Awarded the annual bid to supply fuel to low bidder M & M Service Co., Carlinville.
- Voted to renew the district’s annual membership in the Illinois High School Association.
- Rescheduled the April board meeting from Monday, April 22, to Tuesday, April 23, to avoid a conflict.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to child abuse.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was out in the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a security check.
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of LJ Avenue in reference to a domestic battery. Regan M. Treadway, 22, of Hillsboro was arrested for domestic battery.
Gillespie Police Department assisted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department with a criminal investigation.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Burton Street in reference to an ordinance issue of illegal burning. Charles H. Daubman, 62, of Gillespie was issued a citation for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer during normal patrol in the 100 block of South 7th Street in Benld noticed a trunk open on a vehicle. The officer made contact with the owners and they secured the trunk after checking it.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to illegal dumping.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Hickory in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 2nd Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Easton Street in reference to a civil standby.
The School Resource Officer called in requesting assistance in reference to a female student that had left the school.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 by the nursing home to check on a person on a bike with no lights.
An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Route 138 in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to an animal complaint.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Benld. Logan G. Lawson, 22, of Roodhouse was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 200 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare. David E. Schmidt, 46, of Staunton was issued citations for speeding, expired registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Spruce Street in reference to illegal parking.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Jersey Street in reference to an open line 911 call.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Candace N. Carlen, 36, of New Douglas was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 200 block of West Oak Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to West Dorsey Street and South Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to a medical assist.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Esha V. Bhatt, 30, of Edwardsville was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Nicole L Richey, 34, of Wilsonville was issued a citation for speeding and expired registration.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of 9th Street in Benld in reference to a suicidal subject
An officer was out with a suspicious person at Main Street and Spruce Street in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Elm Street. Walter L. Vester, 29, of Gillespie was arrested on a Glenn Carbon warrant for larceny.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Jordan L. Jett, 23, of Hillsboro was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to aggravated assault. Levi T. Kroll, 34, of Carlinville was arrested for aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, and operation of a vehicle with suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a theft.
An officer was dispatched to LJ Avenue where multiple vehicles were parked in a no-parking zone. After multiple announcements asking them to move, two vehicles remained and received citations. Jeromy J Moore, 47, of Greenfield and Matthew E. Raffety, 52, of Bunker Hill were issued citations for parking in a no-parking zone.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a domestic battery. Mitchela P. Zbornak, 34, of Gillespie was arrested for domestic battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Oak Street in reference to an ordinance issue for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Oak Street in reference to a possible burglary.
The School Resource Officer called in reckless driving in the high school parking lot.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to retail theft and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Illinois Street and Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a loud vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to a suspicious person.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a 911 hang-up call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Oak for a 911 untraceable call the officers checked the area and were unable to find an emergency.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to down wires at Dorsey Road and 1st Street in Mt. Clare. Ameren was contacted to remove the wiring.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Denby wins judicial nomination in three-way race; Trump, Biden top choices for Macoupin voters
Carlinville attorney Thomas Denby easily sailed to victory in a three-way race to be nominated as the Republican candidate for Resident Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Judge in Macoupin County in Tuesday’s Primary Election balloting.
Denby captured 63.26 percent of the Republican vote, easily besting Jonathan Verticchio’s 23.46 percent and Aaron Bellm’s 13.28 percent. In terms of raw vote numbers, Denby landed 2,534 votes to Verticchio’s 940 votes and Bellm’s 532 votes.
There were no judicial candidates for the race on the Democrat side of the ballot.
As a result of Tuesday’s election, Denby is likely to step into the office being vacated Resident Circuit Judge Kenneth Deihl, who was first elected as a Democrat in 2006, when he narrowly defeated Republican nominee Kevin Polo. It’s unclear whether or not the Democrat Central Committee can legally name a candidate to run against Denby in the General Election this fall, meaning Denby is the likely successor to Deihl.
There were no surprises locally in the Presidential races. Macoupin Democrats favored incumbent Joe Biden with 89.62 percent of the vote, while Republicans cast 83.39 percent of their votes for former President Donald Trump.
Although no longer a candidate, Nikki Haley gained 12.18 percent of the Republican vote. Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Ryan Brinkley each took less than three percent of the Republican vote. On the Democrat side, Biden’s support was eroded by 10.28 percent of the vote shared by Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson and Frank Lozada.
A total of 5,741 voters cast votes in the Macoupin Primary, representing 18.67 percent of the county’s 30,757 registered voters. That could indicate a softening of interest in the Biden/Trump rematch. In 2016, when Trump and Hilary Clinton were nominated, a stunning 45.82 percent of Macoupin’s voters cast ballots in the primary election. Four years later, 23.54 percent of the county’s voters participated in the primary, despite restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the Republican nomination for U.S. Congressional Representative for the 13th District, Joshua Loyd took 57.28 percent of the Macoupin vote, compared with 42.72 percent for Thomas Clatterback. The Congressional vote mirrored voting district-wide in which Loyd took the nomination with 55.9 percent of the total vote. Loyd will take on freshman Representative Nikki Budzinski on the Democrat side, who ran unopposed for the nomination.
A number of county races were unopposed. On the Democrat side, incumbent Jordan Garrison took 1,387 votes for State’s Attorney, while incumbent Coroner Anthony Kravanya took 1,471 Democrat votes. On the Republican side Amy J. Ashby took 3,448 votes to be nominated for Circuit Clerk. Ashby becomes the likely successor to Democrat Lee Ross who is stepping down.
Though not likely, both parties could name candidates to run for county offices in November. Otherwise Garrison, Kravanya and Ashby will run unopposed for the General Election. A win by Ashby would make her the second Republican constitutional officer in the Courthouse. Two years ago, County Treasurer Amber McGartland became the first Republican elected to a Courthouse office since A.C. “Julie” Bartulis served as Treasurer in the 1960s.
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