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
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
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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.
