Community News
Gillespie council votes ‘yes’ to City-Wide cleanup
John Fassero advised the council of the 2 events the Municipal Band will be playing at this year.
Jim Alderson brought up the city-wide cleanup event to the council during a regular scheduled meeting on April 8, 2013. Alderson explained “everyone wants it.” Mike Bertolis added it was a little expense, but the council owes it to the community. “At least give the city this, we pay taxes,” Bertolis explained. “Give us a little something.” The late cleanup for Gillespie was in the fall of 2009.
Alderson investigated the issue and said the only open date left for Flowers was on Saturday, May 25. Flowers could possibly arrange to have it Friday as well, but Saturday is the best date for the company as so many communities have already booked weekends. In 2009, the City of Gillespie used ten 30-yard dumpsters and one 20-yard dumpster at the lake.
If the council chooses to have the cleanup on May 25, the last dumpster has to leave Gillespie by 2 o’clock. They would drop the dumpsters off around 6 or 6:30am leaving Gillespie 7am-2pm open for drop-offs. The council agreed there would be no curbside service added and council members would have to help out during the day to save on police wages.
Alderson explained employee costs for the day would be around $1,000 since the city needs a backhoe operator and a bobcat operator to smash the junk down to get the most in the dumpsters. Overall, the cost would not exceed $8,000 Alderson explained, but he was going to check with other trash companies. The council made a motion to investigate the clean-up, but approved a motion to have the city wide cleanup on May 25 spending up to $8,000.
Emergency Warning
Jerry Grandone voiced his concerns with the warning siren not being heard on the West side of town.
Jerry Grandone explained he has lived on the west side of town for 43 years and he never hears the sirens go off when a storm is rolling in. “If it’s quiet, I can hear it,” Grandone explained. “Storms come in from the west, not the east.” He went on to add the problem is 700 kids on the west side of town right now. “I am not here for me; there are a lot of kids and people on the west side of town.”
Grandone explained the sirens are hard to hear if there is a 10 mile wind. Dave Tucker explained the sirens are for the people outside as the school has an early warning system. Tucker explained he tried to surface the issue as well, but it is a county issue and not a city issue. Steve Kluethe explained the council needs to reapproach the possibility of a new plan in addition to the current systems being used right now. “This has been going on for years and I am not considered about me, I am considered about the kids,” Grandone explained.
Committee Reports
Frank Barrett explained the insurance company doesn’t want to give the city any money for a pavilion since they sent us $69,000 four years ago and the city should have enough money left over to build the $38,000 pavilion. “I would like to put my project on hold until we can come up with some more money,” Barrett closed.
Barrett also nominated John Knowles to fill in at the lake to avoid overtime hours for other lake employees. The council approved the decision 5-0. Frank also reported the lake is down 0.5 inches.
New Business
The council approved MPACT’D request 5-0 to close Kelly Street on May 8 from 8am-3pm where they are having a Road Safety Rally. In addition, FFA is sending 3 kids to Washington and the council thought it would be nice to send them with spending money. The council voted to send each kid with $50 each since they will be doing all the work on the planters on Macoupin Street.
The council brought up the Farmer’s Market ordinance #13-5 questioned in March. The ordinance clarified the business owner would be responsible and on site of all markets. In addition, any citizen growing produce can sell the produce on the same property it is grown on. The new ordinance was passed 5-0. Ageless Farmer’s Market is now a go!
Municipal Band
John Fassero explained the Municipal Band is under new leadership and notified the council of the band’s budget for 2013 consisting of a performance at the Memorial Day service and at Black Diamond Days. The 2013 budget totals to $2,500 for the two performances and music.
New Wave Communication – Franchise Agreement
Bill Flowers, with New Wave Communication, explained the franchise is being acquired by a new ownership group planning on taking over on May 1, 2013. “Any change of ownership has to be approved by the councils,” Flowers explained. He asked the council to approve a resolution to move on with the acquisition.
City attorney Kevin Polo explained he had an issue with two sessions of the agreement advising Flowers to take it the owners to get a response back with Polo. The council would move forth with it once New Wave responded to Polo. Flowers closed with mentioning New Wave customers would not notice any changes as billing would remain the same and it would come from the same people.
Police News
Chief of Police Jared DePoppe notified the council of a business in town receiving four $1 counterfeit bills. He said he doesn’t think the issue is going to be a problem. DePoppe went on to add the police department collected $3,500 from February court fines, $100 in ordinance fines, $285 in towing fees. Overall, the revenue from March totaled to $4,500. DePoppe also explained the department salvaged the old Impala and two other cars from the impound lot for $1,150.
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SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time and part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2025 semester. Part-time students are enrolled in six to 11 credit hours while full-time students are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.
Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and earned President’s list honors. Students who earned between a GPA of 3.5-3.99 earned Vice President’s list honors. The excerpt below features Macoupin County students.
FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Bunker Hill – Logan R. Helling
Carlinville – Reid P. Evans*, Brody M. Reif
Gillespie – Maris E. Brill, Austin L. Grace*
Girard – Max Allen*, Katie Angulo*, Mick B. Downs*, Josh Hagerman, Reed Lewis, Michael S. Prose*
Mount Olive – Jakobb E. Brown*, Georgia G. Kampwerth
Palmyra – Alexis R. Bowman*
Staunton – Paige N. Horstmeyer*, Michael J. Matesa*, Lauren R. Mathis, Brandon Mo
Virden – Zorah E. Austin*, Michaeh N. Barnhouse*, Maddie Carver, Jackson R. Pierce*, Morgan C. Snell*, Grant M. Strickler, Courtney N. Ulinski*
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Benld – Christopher Young*
Carlinville – Alex C. Nance*, Jerry D. Nance Jr.*
Gillespie – Jessica L. Tiek*
Girard – Lindsey J. Ferguson*, Jackson R. Henke*, Natalie Moriconi*
Mount Olive – Kara A. Harmon*, Justin D. O’Neill*, Hayden Wylder*
Virden – Candace L. Carlile*, Lillian M. Carlile*, Natalie M. Little*, Josie P. Patterson, Luciano Pierce*
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The 2:18 Missions Team, a dedicated local outreach group based in Gillespie, is excited to announce its upcoming cookout fundraiser to support its community initiatives. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21st, at Randy’s Market in Benld.
From approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., community members are invited to enjoy delicious homemade food while supporting a worthy cause. The menu will feature pork chops, pork burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing water — perfect for a summer day of good food and fellowship.
“All proceeds from this event will go directly toward our mission efforts to serve and uplift our community,” said a spokesperson for 2:18 Missions Team. “We’re grateful for the support of our neighbors and look forward to seeing everyone there!”
Come out to Randy’s Market in Benld on June 21st to enjoy a tasty meal, support local endeavors, and connect with others in the community.
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CARLINVILLE, IL – On June 14th, concerned citizens are invited to join a coalition of grassroots organizations to nonviolently protest in front of the Macoupin County Courthouse at 201 E. Main St. in Carlinville, IL, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. This protest is one of over 1,400 protests taking place nationwide with millions of participants as part of the NO KINGS National Day of Action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.
Trump’s unconstitutional actions include suppressing free speech, detaining people for their political positions, deporting American citizens, defying the courts, and much more – all while enriching himself and his billionaire allies.
“Now Donald Trump is planning a military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14th. This display of might is intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman, while paying for it with taxpayer dollars.”, said Kelley Hatlee, a volunteer organizer with the Macoupin County 50501and Indivisible movements. “Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of attention, the NO KINGS nationwide protests make action everywhere else the story of America on June 14th: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”, said Hatlee.
“We’re showing up together as neighbors, friends, and fellow community members to say NO to authoritarianism and yes to a government that serves everyone,” said Chelsa Pruden, a volunteer organizer with Macoupin PRIDE and Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible. “We’re tired of watching powerful people trample our rights and our voices. This protest is about reminding everyone, especially those in power, that real strength comes from the people.”
Participants are encouraged to make protest signs that convey their personal messages. Packaged, nonperishable food items will be accepted for donation to local food pantries to help low-income families who will be hit hardest by Trump’s policies.
The NO KINGS protest in Carlinville is organized by a volunteer coalition of the Macoupin PRIDE and the Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible grassroots movements. The coalition has created a Facebook page titled “Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible” for concerned citizens to follow.
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Madison Communications technicians and SCTE Gateway Chapter win first place
Beleagured board chairman responds to critics as County Board prepares to start budgeting process
