Community News
Gillespie City Council Meeting August 8: Chief of Police Decision Delayed
The meeting was called to order by Mayor John Hicks at 6:02pm. All aldermen of Gillespie were present at the August 8 meeting.
John Hicks responds to Lisa's concern.
First order was to approve all reports as stated in the packet. Reports included were City Clerks’ report, Treasurer’s report and Police report. All reports were approved as stated without discussion.
After a motion to open the floor to visitors by Frank Barrett, Lisa Huffman questioned the council about a late fee on her water bill on her 310 Handy Street property. “I am here to understand how I can be charged of an unpaid bill from one of my renters,” Huffman said. Huffman had no idea about the unpaid bills. The water on Handy street was turned off on April 19 and she has occurred several penalties and was just notified on June 28. Huffman did not understand how she could be responsible on a bill she had no idea about. The bill was billed to her tenant. The tenant moved out on May 1. Huffman was charged $57.81 in late fees on a $12 bill “I knew nothing about.” Hicks assured the council that many of the bills were before the move out date. He went on and told Huffman, “It is the cities policy, it was the way it was set up. We do not send the landowner the bill.” The City of Gillespie bills the property where the water is being utilized. Huffman did not understand why Gillespie takes this approach. The renter was persistently late on her water bills while she was in the Handy property. The council made no changes to the bill and advised Huffman to call the City Clerk’s office to ask about unpaid bills.
Lisa Huffman explains the problem.
The council then went into executive session for about an hour and then took action again. New business and old business was on the table.
- First, Loure May was nominated for the water plant operator by Dave Tucker and was agreed by the council on a 7-0 vote.
- The council then delayed the decision to hire a chief of police for one more month. The decision was tabled by the council.
- Under other business, the council has been discussing a case with an alley in town. The council voted 7-0 that the alley is not to be vacated due to Illinois Power, Frontier, and cable access.
- The council then moved on to a motion made by Barrett to draw necessary documentation for a revolving loan application.
The council then moved on to committee reports. The council has talked about changing the sidewalk policy, but there was no action taken. In light of all the water breaks on Broadway, the road “should go back in concrete,” Hicks said, “Our concrete budget is pretty well shot this year.” The policy should still be changed on sidewalk policy, Hick told the council. “The building inspector should look at it at least once or twice to make sure it done right,” Hicks said. The only other problem Hicks had was with the water billing and landowners. Many landowners are still moving residents in and out without changing their renter’s names. Many do not have the house inspected like it should be. The suggestion was taken to a committee and will be brought back to the table at a later date.
Jared DePoppe then read the treasurer’s report for the month of July. 6 junk titles will be received soon by the city, DePoppe advised. The second page of the report discusses ordinance issues DePoppe has received since intern chief. He has resolved 10 of 14 issues, and he is working on the rest of them. He assured the council all should have a good outcome except one. The council is aware of the single one, but other than that one dealy, DePoppe can be able to get the rest resolved quickly. So far, everyone has been compliant with DePoppe. However, DePoppe was unsure of his authority to hire part time police officers as they are down to one slot to cover, and it has been tough for many officers. DePoppe has tried to keep the overtime minimal, but has been rough with a vacancy. Only 10 hours of overtime was paid on the last pay period. Gus Ottersburg then advised DePoppe to talk to him or Mayor John Hicks before hiring any officers. John Hicks then commended DePoppe on a great job he is doing as intern chief.
A city wide cleanup was under discussion for the fall. Hicks said if they can come up with money, they would like to host one. It could cost up to $10,000 and the city does not know where to pull the funds from.
Gus Ottersburg then advised the council that many of the police cars are getting over 100,000 miles on them and one is currently down due to a wiring problem. It may be tough, and possibly even out of the question for new vehicles, but council members have been looking up grants for replacement cars. DePoppe advised the council that the department could get by without one car, it might help a bit.
Frank Barrett thanked Coach Burns and Coach Borgini for their volunteer work at the lake. The football program volunteer their time for the city each year. Frank also stated he wanted power ran to cabins on the other side of the lake, if it is not at the cities expense.
The mayor then approved all bills to be paid and the meeting was adjourned.
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FELONIES
Jamie L. Whitford, 49 of Alton, is charged with violation of an order of protection in connection with an August 17 incident.
Sarah J. Crays, 39 of Virden, is charged with aggravated fleeing/damage to property (>$300), aggravated fleeing police/21 mph over the limit, and driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 18 incident.
Eric J. Trump, 33 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery/great bodily harm in connection with an August 17 incident.
Henry D. Wilson, 37 of Mt. Olive, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with an August 19 incident.
Nicholas A. Williams, 31 of Staunton, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a May 19 incident.
Holly A. Messerly, 38 of Bunker Hill, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams)in connection with a May 5 incident.
Garret A. Brown, 22 of Springfield, is charged with aggravated battery/peace officer, criminal damage to government property (<$500), possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of alcohol, and canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with an August 19 incident.
Andrew K. Ridens, 36 of Staunton, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams), driving on a revoked license, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a July 21 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Tarina S. Slaughter, 46 of Girard, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with an August 17 incident.
Joseph W. Reiniesch, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with aggravated assault/public property in connection with an August 16 incident.
TRAFFIC
Dallis E. Houseman, 56 of Modesto, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year and failure to obey police officer in connection with an August 18 incident.
Jameson E. Anderson, 35 of Shipman, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 11 incident.
Jordan A. Abner, 18 of Godfrey, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 13 incident.
Amanda R. Bianco, 44 of Staunton, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 7 incident.
Hunter J. Kapp, 18 of Highland, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit in connection with an August 15 incident.
Adam L. Bray, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license, canceled/revoked/suspended registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 16 incident.
Kaelan N. Ramos, 34 of Shiloh, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 15 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Justin Robert Bickel versus Melissa Ann Bickel
- Jennifer Miller versus Matthew Miller
- Ryan T. Bloomfield versus Cheyenne M. Bloomfield
- Angela K. Greenwalt versus Jay A. Greenwalt
- Val Leffers versus Karen Leffers
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Jeremy Wayne Pride and Brandi Marie Hatzel, both of Shipman
- Jacob Patrick Millard and Jenna Frances Wernsing, both of Carlinville
- Dustin Eugene Bauman and Miriam Susan Jenkins, both of Virden
- Jeremy Dale Canoy and Samantha Elaine Goyke, both of Girard
- Bryan Edward Woodward and Jake Marie Cain, both of Shipman
- Glen Alexander Mcelyea and Candice Dawn Herin, both of Shipman
Comments
FELONIES
Jacob R. Morgan, 38 of Staunton, is charged with burglary and theft/control/intent ($500<10k) in connection with a July 28 incident.
TRAFFIC
Justin C. Grider, 41 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 14 incident.
Chynasyl B. Chynybaev, 38 of Kent, WA, is charged with CDL not obtained and no fee paid/over registration weight in connection with an August 20 incident.
Clinton D. Coleman, 34 of Springfield, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 22 incident.
Gary L. Cunningham, 61 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 23 incident.
Christopher J. Moreland, 38 of Staunton, is charged with DL expired more than a year, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and driving/operating a non-highway vehicle.
Matthew W. Stoops, 32 of Bunker Hill, is charged with DL expired more than a year and no valid registration in connection with an August 19 incident.
Jordan T. Trimm, 33 of Benld, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
Cole Y. Waugh, 41 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 16 incident.
Jessie J. Waugh, 44 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 15 incident.
Austin D. Guiliacci, 25 of Staunton, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with an August 20 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 20 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 25 incident.
Kirstain S. Harris, 29 of Memphis, TN, is charged with driving on a suspended license and speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 24 incident.
Devin Berry, 36 of Blue Island, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with an August 24 incident.
Rudolph H. Jackson, 60 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with an August 24 incident.
Sean M. Rogerson, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an August 27 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Peggy Wells versus Jason E. Wells
- Cheri Woodson versus Alan Woodson
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Community News
Football, parade, and GHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction highlight Gillespie homecoming
A football game pitting the Gillespie Miners against the Staunton Bulldogs, a parade and the second annual induction ceremony for newly named members of the Gillespie High School Athletic Hall of Fame will highlight Homecoming next month.
The theme of this year’s celebration is The Roaring Twenties.
The parade will kick off on South Macoupin Street at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25. The parade will march to the high school where a pep rally is scheduled for 7 p.m., followed by the coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen at 7:15 p.m. There will be a Powder Puff Game/Cheer Section competition at 7:30 p.m., also on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
There will be a meet and greet with newly named members of the Athletic Hall of Fame at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, followed by the Homecoming football game at 7 p.m. Hall of Fame inductees include Mike Viano, Jack Genet, Dennis Best, Barbella Magus, Sam Stewart, William & Florence Schmidt and Family, and Deb Olson and the ’93, ’94 and ’95 GHS softball teams. New members will be inducted during a 2 p.m. reception on Sunday, Sept. 29, in the high school gym.
The annual Homecoming dance is set for 7-9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28 at the high school gym.
For GHS students, Homecoming activities will start well in advance of the Homecoming weekend festivities. Students from all four high school classes will work on building parade floats from 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, Monday, Sept. 23, and Tuesday, Sept. 24. Students will decorate hallways for Homecoming from 3-5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20, and 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, Sept 21.
Monday, Sept. 23 will kick off a week of “dress-up” days for students. For Monday, the theme is Boas and Bowties. Tuesday, Sept. 24 will feature Glitz and Glitter. Wednesday, Sept. 25 is Rhyme Without Reason Day, and Thursday, Sept. 26, will feature Gangsters vs. Flappers. The dress-up theme for Friday, Sept. 27 will be School Spirit.
In addition to Wednesday’s pep rally following the parade, there will be a game-day pep rally at 1:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27.
