Community News
Council defers action on Bobcat acquisition
An image of a comparable Bobcat skid-steer loader the city council is considering to purchase or lease. (Stock photo)
The Gillespie City Council on Monday deferred action on purchasing or leasing a new Bobcat skid-steer loader until after the company provides more information regarding the terms of its proposed lease. The machine would replace or augment the city’s current Bobcat loader which is 15 years old and has recently required extensive repairs.
Ald. Jerry Dolliger reported to the council that the city could lease a new Bobcat for three years at a cost of $953 per month. The city also could buy the unit outright for about $102,000, or about $67,000 with a $16,000 trade-in allowance for the machine the city currently owns. He recommended the lease, noting the dealer had agreed to give the city a forklift attachment and possibly a bucket at the end of the lease.
Mayor John Hicks, however, questioned what the city would be required to pay if it chose to buy the equipment at the end of the lease.
[pullquote]Dolliger said a lease for a similar machine made by John Deere would run $2,885 per month, more than double the lease offered by Bobcat.[/pullquote] Public Works employee Landon Petit said he would talk to the dealer and make arrangements for representatives from the company to attend a Public Works Committee meeting on Monday, Aug. 22 to provide more information and answer questions. He said the Bobcat currently offers the best value for the money, providing a more powerful machine for less money than its nearest competitors. Dolliger said a lease for a similar machine made by John Deere would run $2,885 per month, more than double the lease offered by Bobcat.
“That’s why most cities go with Bobcats,” Pettit said.
Hicks also questioned a lease provision limiting the machine to 500 hours of use per year and charging $2.15 for each hour in excess of the limit.
“We won’t go over those hours,” Pettit said, noting the 15-year old machine now owned by the city has about 2,100 hours on it–an average of about 140 hours per year.
City Treasurer Dan Fisher offered the possibility of buying, rather than leasing, the machine. If the city were to borrow $50,000 at 3.5 percent to subsidize the purchase, he said, the city’s monthly payment would be about $910 per month over a five-year–shaving $43 off what the city would pay for a three-year lease. Given that that city’s current Bobcat is valued at $16,000, Fisher said, “I would say, at the five-year point, it would be worth as much as we paid for it.”
Fisher added, however, that the city appropriated $111,000 for Public Works equipment purchases for the current fiscal year, and the purchase of a Bobcat would take roughly half of the appropriation.
“We have some dump trucks that need replacement,” Hicks reminded the council. “We don’t want to put all of our money in one thing.”
Dolliger and Pettit, however, reminded council members that the lease agreement includes maintenance and repairs with the exception of routine oil changes. Those repair costs, they said could easily eat up the savings.
“If you ask a mechanic, they would say it’s smarter to lease than to buy because if you have something catastrophic happen, the repairs are covered,” Pettit said.
“So the question is: is it more feasible to buy a new one or lease one,” Hicks said.
A motion by Ald. Colin Mussatto, seconded by Ald. Dave Tucker, to enter into a three-year lease was later rescinded after further discussion.
Hicks said he would like to have more information about the cost of a possible buy-out at the end of the lease.
Ald. Jan Weidner also questioned whether the city could buy the equipment outright without advertising for bids.
“If you’re leasing, no,” said City Attorney Kevin Polo. “If you’re buying it, then the answer is yes.”
Public Works Committee members are expected to make a recommendation to the full council at the council’s September meeting after securing additional information from the vendor.
SIREN UPDATE
On a motion by Ald. Steve Kluthe, the council approved the expenditure of $3,100 from the Communications line-item of the ESDA appropriation to update controls for the emergency siren located at the City Hall complex. Ald. Mussatto presented the proposal from Global Technical Systems, Jacksonville, to remove controls for the siren out of the current police station and install them on the pole on which the siren is mounted. The upgrade will enable the siren to be activated from the pole or remotely from the new police station when the Police Department moves into its new facilities on Pine Street.
Mussatto also reported that emergency sirens at the Water Treatment Plant and at Gillespie Lake are severely outdated and in need of replacement at a cost of about $25,600 each.
[pullquote]We have rotating sirens from World War II that are mounted on poles and rotating sirens are no longer recommended. We need to do something.[/pullquote]”We have rotating sirens from World War II that are mounted on poles and rotating sirens are no longer recommended,” Mussatto reported. “I know it’s a lot of money, but we need to do something.”
Ald. Kluthe, chair of the Public Safety Committee, said the committee is looking at a five-year plan to replace aging sirens to spread the cost out over several years.
In a related matter, Mayor Hicks accepted Kluthe’s recommendation to name Mussatto as the city’s ESDA chair, replacing Ald. Roger Dively.
PERSONNEL
Following a 20-minute executive session to discuss personnel, litigation and the possible acquisition of real estate, the council voted unanimously to hire Gary Thornhill as a part-time water meter reader.
Earlier in the meeting, Police Chief Jared DePoppe reported to the council that part-time police offer Matt Spaller had resigned to accept a position as Chief of Police in the Village of Worden. DePoppe said there are no plans to replace Spaller on the part-time police roster.
DePoppe also reported that Sgt. Kenny Rearden was a recent recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists in recognition of his enforcement of laws against driving under the influence of alcohol.
PROPERTY TAX BILL
The council referred to City Attorney Polo a property tax bill the city received from the county for the recently acquired building on Pine Street that is being renovated for use as a police station.
“We didn’t own it until October,” Mayor Hicks said.
Polo said he would have to review the purchase agreement to determine who is responsible for the bill.
“We are going to have to do what the agreement says,” Polo noted. “The tax bill we have is for a period when it wasn’t a publicly owned building. The question is who is responsible for the taxes.”
ANIMAL CONTROL
The council took no action on a request to revisit the city’s animal control ordinance after Polo pointed out that the city’s zoning ordinance has provisions addressing the presence of farm animals within the city limits.
Ald. Weidner said she had been approached about the possibility of amending the animal control ordinance by eliminating its reference to “dangerous” animals and making it applicable to all animals. The issue came up, she said, due to complaints about livestock running at large in the city.
“Under the zoning ordinance, livestock is not allowed,” Polo said.
Hicks said there have been two recent instances of goats interfering with youngsters playing ball at Welfare Park.
“The kids came up to the police station to report it and the goats followed them,” he said.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Heard a report from Mayor Hicks indicating the city is awaiting a final number for paying off a 2005 water bond issue. The council previously agreed to pay-off the bonds. The estimated pay-off will be about $377,000.
- Agreed to pay the $310 registration fee for Treasurer Fisher to attend an Illinois Municipal League conference in late September in Chicago.
- Authorized Ald. Kluthe to seek bids to upgrade the heating, air conditioning and ventilation system in the new Pine Street police station.
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“History Belongs to All of Us”: Focus of Carlinville Community Conversation Series starting May 4
“History Belongs to All of Us,” a three-month series of events and activities commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence and emphasizing Illinois’ role in seizing liberty for the American people will kick off Monday, May 4, and continue through July 16, 2026.
The series is project of Carlinville Winning Communities funded by a grant from Illinois Humanities. The events will encourage participants to examine and discuss the Declaration of Independence and other primary historical documents through facilitated conversations, according to Mary Tinder, a Macoupin County Historical Society & Carlinville Winning Communities board member.
Carlinville Winning Communities was one of only 13 entities statewide to receive an Illinois Humanities grant to support the Community Conversations Series.
We are fortunate to have received Illinois Humanities funding for this unique project, With 2026 being the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 100th anniversary of Route 66, it is altogether fitting to explore where we’ve been and where we’re going, as well as to reflect on both and the cultural impact of our independence, Tinder said.
In keeping with the “History Belongs to All of Us” theme, several of the presentations and discussions will emphasize the role of Native Americans and the impact of American independence on Native American and other cultures.
Program topics will be explored through presentations by Illinois Humanities Road Scholars, live readings of historic documents, art, music and discussions. The programs are free to attend and all venues are handicapped accessible.
The series kicks off with “Illinois in the Revolutionary War,” a presentation by local historian and author Tom Emery, at 7 p.m., Monday, May 4, at the Macoupin County Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building, 920 W. Breckenridge St., Carlinville. Emery will lead a discussion of information included in his most recently published book, Illinois in the Revolutionary War.
“There was more to the war in Illinois than most people realize,” said Emery. “Revolutionary action took place in many parts of the state, and it was a struggle for all involved. It shows how hard many Americans worked for liberty.”
A discussion of Nicholas Welch’s 1812 Land Grant and the Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak, better known as Black Hawk, leader of the Sauk/Sac Indian tribes, is set for 7 p.m., Monday, June 1, in the Anderson Home parlor on the Macoupin County Historical Society grounds. Under the Land Grant program, the government set aside more than five million acres in western Illinois to compensate American war veterans with large tracts of land. Though Welch never set foot in Illinois, the granting of land to him displaced Black Hawk from his home in the area of present-day Rock Island. The facilitated discussion will focus on original historic documents, juxtaposing Welch’s land grant with Black Hawk’s experience.
Because of the smaller, more intimate venue, reservations are required. RSVP to marytinder1@gmail.com to reserve a seat.
“Relive the Mother Road: The Edwards Trace,” a collective analysis of documents and a look at contemporary research will be led by Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Anna Sielaff, Friday afternoon, June 26, during an Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee on the Macoupin County Courthouse lawn. Sielaff will discuss the 3,000-year-old Edwards Trace, used by Native Americans and early Illinois settlers, that stretched from Cahokia to Peoria. Portions of the trace run through Macoupin County, and some sections lay along the original alignment of Route 66. Imagine Rural Arts also will lead an art project in connection with how the trail was marked.
The Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee event runs from noon into the evening with food, musical performances, literary presentations, games, food and other activities.
The date is significant for Carlinville and Route 66 since 6/26/26 happens to be our zip code! The Jubilee offers a variety of experiences and taking a deeper look at the Edwards Trace and the Mother Road is an interesting way to explore local history on this unique date and location, Tinder noted.
Continuing on to the July 4th holiday, Macoupin County high school and college students will read the Declaration of Independence aloud in the main courtroom of the historic Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville at 10 a.m. The event also will feature a display of more than 30 historic flags provided by the George Rogers Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. A facilitated discussion will follow the reading and participants will be invited to sign the “Macoupin County America @ 250 Time Capsule” book. The book will then be on display at the Macoupin County Historical Society, said Andrea Duncan, one of the organizers.
A unique and somewhat mysterious artifact from Macoupin County will be the subject of a presentation at 7 p.m., Monday, July 6, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. Sharon Breyden and husband Tommy Breyden will display and discuss the Black Hawk Tablet, uncovered in the 1940s on a farm near Hettick. The odd inscriptions on the lead medallion suggests Black Hawk and an early Macoupin settler formalized an agreement to peacefully coexist in central Illinois.
For the final program of the Carlinville Community Conversations series, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Kim Sigafus, a member of the Ojibwa Native American tribe, will present “We the Native People” at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. The focus is on Native Americans at the time the Declaration of Independence was signed. The interactive program will use traditional story-telling and music to help audience members understand the groundswell changes in Native American culture and lifestyle resulting from American independence and subsequent western expansion.
For more information and details about the “History Belongs to All of Us” series, contact Carlinville Winning Communities Board members, Andrea Duncan, (217) 204-1446, or Mary Tinder, (217) 825-9699.
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Macoupin County Public Health Department announces 2026 Gold Standard Award Recipients for food safety and service
Macoupin County Public Health Department (MCPHD) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Gold Standard Award in food safety and service. The Environmental Services department congratulates 33 Macoupin County establishments that earned this prestigious honor, out of 306 licensed food service establishments in the county. This achievement reflects an exceptional commitment to excellence in food safety, sanitation, and customer service.
“We are thrilled to recognize these facilities for maintaining the highest standards of food safety and protecting the health of our community,” said Derrek Tiburzi, MCPHD Environmental Services Director. “Being recognized among this distinguished group highlights the dedication these recipients have to ongoing quality and accountability in food service.”
Gold Standard Award recipients span a diverse range of food service operations, from grocery delis and bakeries to full-service restaurants and hotels. The list below showcases the establishments that met the Gold Standard criteria for 2026:
- South Macoupin Head Start
- Walmart Deli/Bakery
- Medora Intermediate School
- GG’s Smokehouse
- Big Skillet Catering
- Ray’s Tater Wagon
- Carlinville Intermediate School
- Sips Coffee (Carlinville)
- Besserman SuperBowl
- GG’s Smokehouse Mobile Unit
- DeStefane Event Center
- TJ’s Liquor Store
- St. Alphonsus
- Gram-way Cattle & Hay
- Bunker Hill Municipal Building
- North Mac Middle Intermediate & Middle School
- Virden First United Methodist Church
- Carlinville Zion Lutheran Church
- Catholic Charities
- McEuen Farms
- Memorial Christian Church
- Hogan’s Hamlet
- Griffel Farms Beef
- Centennial 6 Farms
- Kazoo Coffee
- Mel’s Place
- Mt. Olive Care Center
- Northwestern Food Pantry
- CVS Pharmacy
- Green Room Gaming
- Virden Community Center
- Camp Hugh
- Beaver Dam Café
This recognition not only highlights the exceptional performers but also reinforces the broader importance of high standards in food service and sanitation. MCPHD’s Food Service and Retail Food Sanitation program continues to monitor and support establishments to ensure safe, healthy dining experiences for Macoupin County residents and visitors.
For more information about MCPHD’s Food Service and Retail Food Sanitation program, please visit: https://mcphd.net/food-service-and-sanitation-program/
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The Benld Library will host a book signing for Bree Ireland’s debut novel, “Eroded Ember” on Saturday, April 18 from 10 to 11 am. Bree Ireland is the pen name for local resident Bree DePoppe. Bree is a young adult author from Gillespie with a strong love for romance and fantasy. Her writing first began at the age of eleven, and by thirteen, she knew storytelling was her passion.
“Eroded Ember” is a young adult fantasy romance set in a small town named Crescent City, CA, where the mystical redwoods meet the ocean. A seventeen-year-old-girl gets accepted as a park ranger in the expansive forest, where she quickly discovers the trees are large enough to hide anything, and she is not as alone as she thinks.
“Eroded Ember” will be released on April 11 through Amazon on and IngramSpark for hardcover and paperback, and the eBook is currently on pre-order on Amazon. The library will have a limited number of books available for purchase the day of the signing.
Although the book is for young adults, all ages will enjoy the story and setting. For more information about the signing please contact the library at 217-835-4045 or visit booksbybree on social media.
