Community News
Gloria Sidar sworn in as new Benld Mayor
Council hears from citizens unhappy with sewer system
A new era in the City of Benld began Monday, May 13 as the city’s first woman to be elected mayor took her oath of office at Monday’s regular city meeting. City attorney Rick Vertichio swore in, Gloria Sidar along with alderpeople, treasurer, and city clerk. Sidar beat fellow alderman Peyton Bernot in the mayor race last month by a total of 73 votes, 310-237.
Current mayor Mickey Robinson thanked the council before stepping down as mayor. “We did a lot of things over the past 10 months and I hope we continue to move in a positive direction under the leadership of the new mayor,” Mickey said. He went on to thank the council for everything they have helped him with.
In addition to Gloria Sidar being elected as mayor, Nadine Ferrero was elected to the city clerk position and Mary Ann Scopel was reelected to the treasurer’s position. Teresa Tucker was elected as Ward 1 alderman for the 4-year term and Brain Frensko was elected to the 2-year unexpired term for Ward 1. Mickey Robinson was voted to remain on the council, but take seat as Ward 2 Alderman while Jim Kelly was elected to remain as Ward 3 alderman.
At the regular meeting Monday evening, the Benld council heard a handful of complaints about the sewer system. Larry Altermott greeted the council with a problem that has happened 4 times before. After the last storm, Larry’s basement flooded for the 5th time in the last 8 years. “The problem is not the storm,” Larry said, “The problem is negligence on behalf of the city.”
Altermott went on to add the pipe has shifted inside the ground and the maintenance department has known about this for 8 years. Last year he lost over $20,000 worth of stuff and this year he lost about $2,000. “Who is going to eat this money every time it happens,” Larry questioned the council.
Without a response, Altermott said he is going to pay his property taxes under protest along with every water and sewer bill from here on out. “This is ridiculous.” George Nepute told Larry he knows as well as he does. The sewer line is an 8-inch line and we had a 10-inch rain. “The sewer is running full, the water has no place to go.”
Gloria Sidar said it is one of the things the council is going to address and prioritizing the work that needs to be done. The council said they would have to dig down to the line or run a camera through the line to see if it has shifted any. Sidar said the council has to do what they can do to find out what the problem is and research it more.
Ferdinand Girardi agreed with Larry during his portion of the public recognition meeting. Girardi said he was speaking on behalf of the people in his neighborhood who get the back up water from the sewer. “I don’t know why the city cannot do something about this, it has been going on for some time now.”
Sidar explained the city has applied for a grant and the Girardi said there is money in the sewer fund. He went on to suggest putting in a bigger pump, so it can pump away more rainwater when it comes down. Sidar said after talking to the engineer about 6 weeks ago, the council has to dig ditches, replace culverts, fix a storm drain on Illinois Street, and replace a lift station.
Girardi went on to close by saying he made sure he sloped his front yard as a ditch rather than dealing with culverts. “That’s the way everyone should do it rather than dealing with culverts, but as long as you guys are working on it – I can go back and tell the people: they are working on it, still.”
City Attorney’s Report
Larry Altermott explained his basement has flooded for the fifth time in the last eight years.
City attorney Rick Vertichio said both of the Conlee properties are getting cleaned up and are 2/3 paid. The final third payment will be paid upon completion and after the city approves the work.
Vertichio also said he has a resolution to establish a street they recently blacktopped that runs along the new beerstand in the city park. The council approved the resolution 6-0.
Related to the library floor problem, Rick said he has a complaint ready to file with the local business who sold the flooring to the city and the person that installed it. “We think it’s neither of those, but we cannot sue the manufacturer because we did not deal with them,” Rick said. “
We hope the local business will turn around and sue the manufacturer he purchased the product from.” The complaint against Quality Flooring Co. and Simon Davis, who installed the flooring, was approved 6-0. The city is suing for approximately $27,755.
The last thing Rick said was the council had to pass a resolution stating the workplace at the City of Benld is drugfree. It is a requirement to pass this resolution so the city can be able to receive any federal grant money. The resolution was passed 6-0. Larry Altermott questioned if the employees were subject to random drug and alcohol testing and Rick said no, it wasn’t a requirement for this grant.
Committee Reports
Jim Kelly reported all of the city lights have been completed. Kelly also presented a bid for the work being completed at the Benld Ballfield under city property report. All of the work is being donated and the materials add up to $2,053. The materials consist of a garage door, siding, and everything to finish the project at the ballpark that was started 3 years ago. The materials were approved 6-0.
Kelly went on to say the city clean-up was a big success. Many yards around town were cleaned up. He went on to thank everyone who helped out with the event. The council is also bringing in a company to recycle electronics. The council is looking at either the first or third weekend in June.
New Business
Doug from HMG Engineers presented the council with three bids for this year’s road oiling. Mike Maedge Trucking came in with the lowest bid out of Highland, Illinois with a unit price of $2.0349. The council went on to accept the lowest bid 6-0.
The city council went on to accept a pair of business license applications. The first one was for the Liv N’ Color Hair Salon owned by Jamie McCallister and the second one was from Tim Loveless for a Benld Laundromat.
The council also went on to approve city clerk training for newly elected Nadine Ferrero. The training is $95 and will be paid by the City of Benld for her to learn the responsibilities of city clerk and how to organize resolutions and ordinances. The training takes 1.5 days.
Old Business
Jim Kelly presented 4 bids for work to be completed inside the police station for the upcoming Post Office. For the building to be utilized as a post office, Kelly said the back wall needs demolished and removed, cut the doorway to fit a 3-foot door, remove stair to make a ramp, frame walls on 16” centers, insulate west wall, dry-wall all walls, taped and painted, two doors installed, 8 outlets and 2 lights installed, 2 circuits on the panel, concrete ramp installed and handrail installed. The council voted to go with the lowest bid of $4,750 from Darrel Osborn.
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FELONIES
Bradley W. Crane, 47 of Brighton, is charged with aiding/abetting/possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with a December 28, 2024 incident.
Donavon M. Holmes, 24 of Benld, is charged with felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 11 incident.
Natosha L. Michaelis, 39 of Carlinville, is charged with two counts of forgery/making/altering a document in connection with a February 10 incident.
Bradley S. Watters, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a March 12 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Anita S. Grizzle, 49 of Gillespie, is charged with unlawful possession of a knife in connection with a March 9 incident.
Tonya L. Pfeiler, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with theft control/intent (<$500) in connection with a March 1 incident.
Timothy A. Dugger, 23 of Palmyra, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 29 incident.
Dalton W. Branham, 27 of Springfield, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 23 and January 29 incident.
Crystal A. Holland, 50 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a January 18 incident.
Bruce A. Day, 59 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a February 13 incident.
Mark B. Bersch, 68 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with February 4 incident.
Robert D. Lindsey, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal damage to property (<$500) in connection with a March 3 incident.
Thomas W. Gray, 35 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a February 26 incident.
Ronnie E. Reyes, 40 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a March 13 incident.
TRAFFIC
Bethany E. Robinson, 27 of Carlinville, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year, passing a school bus while loading/unloading, and improper traffic lane usage in connection with a February 27 incident.
Timothy R. Galston, 46 of Harvey, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 11-14 mph above the limit in connection with a March 2 incident.
Hector R. Herrera Pena, 39 of Guadalupe, NL, is charged with CDL not obtained in connection with a March 4 incident.
Stephen L. Barrick, 50 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 2 incident.
Kyle L. Stiltz, 32 of Virden, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with a February 28 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Angela M. Berndt versus Travis E. Berndt
- Melissa K. Porter versus Kevin W. Porter
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Bunker Hill – Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill is excited to announce a rummage sale taking place on Thursday, March 20, Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22. The sale will be held at the church located at 609 East Warren Street in Bunker Hill. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Illinois Valley Meals on Wheels in Macoupin County, a vital program that prepares and delivers over 1,500 meals daily to those in need across three counties.
Donations for the rummage sale are warmly welcomed and can be dropped off at the church’s north entrance starting Monday, March 17. Items of all kinds are appreciated, and your contributions will directly support the dedicated efforts of volunteers who ensure that nutritious meals reach our community members.
The sale will run from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday and then 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, making it convenient for everyone to stop by and find great deals while supporting a crucial service in our area.
For more information about the rummage sale or how to donate, please contact Jane Baker at 618-973-2666.
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FELONIES
Bryer D. Greff, 30 of Virden, is charged with retail theft (<$300) with a previous conviction in connection to a March 1 incident.
Michael J. Weaver, 34 of Carlinville, is charged with methamphetamine delivery (400<900 grams), possession of methamphetamine (400<900 grams), and felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 3 incident.
Patrick D. Greer, 39 of Mount Olive, is charged with burglary and theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 23 and March 3 incident .
Brian H. Duff, 50 of Alton, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Allison S. Cisco, 18 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a March 1 incident.
Andrew C. London, 19 of Wilsonville, is charged with retail theft (<$300) in connection with a March 5 incident.
Shelby L. Veach, 23 of Staunton, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee and criminal damage to property in connection with a December 16 and December 21 incident.
Robert J. Zumwalt, 43 of Livingston, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a December 21 incident.
TRAFFIC
Andrew J. McDaniel, 56 of Littleton, CO, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 23 incident.
Connor E. O’Brien, 25 of Riverside, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 24 incident.
Anthony M. Reed, 29 of Fayette, MS, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a February 22 incident.
Patrick M. Nejmanowski, 58 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 21-25 mph above the limit in connection with a February 25 incident.
Michael A. Coates, 49 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a February 16 incident.
Carl R. Albracht, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 25 incident.
Jessica M. Jenkins, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 24 incident.
Jason L. Peter, 48 of Carlinville, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 22 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 21 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on suspended license in connection with a February 27 incident.
Julia A. Schall, 68 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a February 27 incdient.
Amy N. Gomer, 39 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 4 incident.
Dalton C. Bunyard, 32 of Wood River, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 28 incident.
Edward Tumpach III, 33 of Hillsboro, is charged with reckless driving, improper traffic lane usage, and disregarding a traffic control device in connection with a March 5 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Neil Ringer versus Whitney Ringer
- Christina Essington versus John Essington
- Scott Huddleston versus Jessica Huddleston
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Illinois Farm Bureau to host ‘Rules for the Road’ trucking seminar in Carlinville on March 20
Zion Lutheran School to host open house on March 18 for preschool and kindergarten programs
