Community News
Gillespie Council tables Audit contract
In search of lower bid
Jared DePoppe explains that the department collected 30 self initiated ordinances last month.
“It is audit time!” Mayor John Hicks proclaimed. On the May 14th regular council meeting, Mayor Hicks presented the council with a bid from Fleming & Tawfall to do the annual audit. The open ended bid would be between $7,500 and $10,700. The bid would fluctuate depending on the work entailed, but it would not exceed $10,700.
“In the years past, it has cost us $10,000,” Hicks noted. The council has used Fleming & Tawfall for the past few years and said “they know the system.” The council named multiple audit agencies in the area that would be available for hire. Tawfall usually does not get to Gillespie until the fall to do the audit, according to Fisher.
The council decided they were going to call around and get other bids before they approve a bid. The council also said they were going to call White Sanitation too about a contact received in the mail. The contract would cover any damage done to the 4 portable restrooms in Gillespie. Gillespie has 3 restrooms at the lake and 1 restroom at Big Brick Park.
The contract stated the City of Gillespie would be responsible for any damage done to the portable restroom and the City agrees to cover the expense of the entire restroom. According to Hicks, we have never signed a contract before. He explained that he was going to call and see if the liability contract is new.
Mayor John Hicks then updated the council that he has been in contact with Kurt Westridge about an ITEP grant for the City of Gillespie. Hicks it is due by May 29 and the city did it two years ago for $5,000. The grant would be for downtown improvements such as sidewalks and lighting.
The lighting is a 50/50 matching grant while the sidewalks are 80/20. The last grant was worth $165,000 in lighting and $80,000 for stamp concrete and installation of concrete. Engineering cost would be about $11,000 and would come out of the grant.
Dan Fisher did not understand why the city has to pay to file for a grant when they paid last time. “It should be done and we already paid for that,” Fisher said, “There is only a few minutes of typing left, so we should apply for it without paying for it.” Fisher went on to suggest that the city use West Central, which does not charge, and not pay to reapply.
According to the mayor, the engineering was supposed to be good for 5 years. Fisher then said that he does not feel comfortable paying to apply when the council can do it themselves. The council approved a motion to apply for the grant, but Fisher is going to find out more information and come back and update the council.
Jared DePoppe, Chief of Police, advised the council that the he had a slower month last month. He did note that the department is getting more reimbursements from ordinance violations. The department handled 30 self-initiated ordinances last month. The council complimented the chief on the report from the chief.
In new business, the council gave the committee the power to act on payments of the demolition project. “There are a few things we have to work out yet, but we will get those resolved in the next week,” Hicks explained. The council went on to approve the motion, but said they would rather hire an engineer in the future with projects like this.
Steve Kluthe brought up the open alcohol issue. “I would like to have it done before Black Diamond Days,” Kluthe noted. Other council members then said the beer tent would be on the South side this year in front of TwinnCo Real Estate. According to Jerry Doliger, it is too hot between the two buildings. The mayor noted Black Diamond Days does carry a liability policy.
Jim Alderson noted that the community had an overwhelming turn out for the recycling day last week. “We are getting a lot of stuff,” Alderson noted, “But people are having trouble bringing the right stuff.” He went on to say that he would like to city to redefine the rules by placing an ad in the newspaper. The council decided that it would a news item and not an ad.
John Ronald expressed an issue with the bike trail. He would like to see it resealed and keep the mowing up. “I wasn’t sure on how we do that,” Ronald expressed. The mayor explained that it is 50/50 with Benld. Fisher said it could be done with a grant that is due by July 1. The mayor said Gillespie could contact Benld and see if they would like to do the same.
Lastly under standing committee reports, Jerry Doliger said the city will still do escorts into town for sporting activities. Although, there will not be any sirens played after 10 o’clock at night due to multiple complaints after last week. The council agreed that it was a good idea.
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FELONIES
Ronald R. Arnold, 35 of Gillespie, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a December 28 incident.
Kenneth E. Ray, 39 of Bethalto, is charged with aggravated fleeing while involving the disobedience of two or more official traffic control devices, fleeing/attempting to elude officers, speeding 25-34 mph over the limit, and driver’s license expired more than a year in connection with a December 19 incident.
Jacklyn M. Wichman, 30 of Decatur, is charged with possession of methamphetamines (< 5 grams) in connection with a December 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Levi R. Ladendorf, 31 of Staunton, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a July 17, 2023 incident.
Demian E. Ellis, 46 of Benld, is charged with battery/making physical contact in connection with a December 30 incident.
Steven D. Lewis, 33 of Virden, is charged with two counts of violation of a protection order in connection with a December 30 incident.
TRAFFIC
Jason A. Keffer , 28 of Standard City, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a December 23 incident.
Daniel R. Gooding, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a December 28 incident.
Douglas D. Davis, 27 of Benld, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and expired registration in connection with a December 26 incident.
Brandon E. Swarringin, 26 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a December 21 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Terry L. Lumma versus Robert L. Lumma
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Pietro Lentini of Carlinville and Anna Jean Triplett of Greenfield
- Morgan Barber and Emilee Bridgwater, both of Benld
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Summer Repertory at Carlinville is pleased to announce the return of a comedy play to the stage. Performances of Ripcord will be held January 17 and 18th at 7:30 PM and January 19 at 2 PM at Blackburn College Bothwell Auditorium.
Ripcord, by David Lindsay-Abaire, is based in the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility. The rivalry of odd couple roommates Abby and Marilyn, results in high stakes comedy of conflict for control of territory.
Cindy Rice and Joe Hardy bring their combined experience directing the small cast of seasoned actors.
Rice, who has directed place and musicals In Illinois and Texas, spent 15 years co-directing musicals at North Green high school.
Hardy, who began acting at age 7 with notable roles in Summer Repertory Theatre’s Shrek The Musical, The Little Mermaid , and Suessical, has also performed at several Springfield, Illinois, theaters. He has a BA in Theatre Performance from SIUE.
Tickets for Ripcord may be purchased at the door only. Ripcord is rated PG-13. For more information, see Summer Repertory Theatre at Blackburn College Facebook page.
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The Partnership for Educational Excellence is gearing up for an exciting trivia night on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The lively evening is the education foundation’s one-and-only fund raiser. Proceeds will allow The Partnership to continue programs benefitting all CUSD7 students. Since 1992 the it has awarded more than $1 million to the improved and continuing educations of local students.
Since 1992 every student in every classroom in CUSD7 has benefitted from classroom mini-grants, school-wide academic grants, and – over the past three years – district-wide grants of $90,000 for improved and enhanced student computers.
In addition, The Partnership offers individual $2,000 academic tuition scholarships to GHS graduates enrolled in accredited state and private, academic and trade colleges and universities. In 2024, a record 40% of GHS graduating seniors received these awards.
The “For the Love of Education” Trivia Night will be held at the Gillespie Civic Center, 115 North Macoupin (behind City Hall). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the competition begins at 7:00 p.m.
Mulligans will be for sale; games and lightning rounds will keep the evening lively; and a variety of door prizes will be awarded. Contestants are invited to bring their own beverages and snacks. Alcoholic beverages are permitted with a photo I.D.
In addition, The Partnership’s annual Grand Raffle will kickoff. Two “early bird” winners will receive $100 each on February 15. Their tickets will remain eligible for the grand prize of $5,000 on Saturday 12 April 2025. The fee is only $100 per table, up to 10 people per team.
There are four ways to register:
- phone Director Mary Griffel at 217-556-5456;
- visit www.thepartnership7.org to register online or to print out a mail-in form;
- write to The Partnership, P.O. Box 125, Gillespie IL 62033.
