Community News
Holiday Sparkle returning to downtown Gillespie; Council approves $410,000 ARPA spending plan
Holiday Sparkle, an annual Christmas season tradition until the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce dissolved about five years ago, is returning to downtown Gillespie this year through the efforts of several local business owners. During the regular monthly meeting of the Gillespie City Council Monday night, city aldermen agreed to waive the rental and cleaning fees for the Gillespie Civic Center to host Holiday Sparkle activities, and gave permission for the group to use the gazebo at Pomatto Memorial Park adjacent to City Hall, use city streets for a 5K Holiday Sparkle run, and hold a lighted parade on Macoupin Street.
Local citizens Tammy Beecher and Jennifer Parker told council members idea to revive the Holiday Sparkle resulted from a recent conversation with business owners. Because of the brief window of time for planning, the women said the past couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of activity as ideas and plans for the event came together.
“Well, this is your first year,” Mayor John Hicks commented. “This will give you something to build on next year.”
The reimagined Holiday Sparkle is set for Saturday, Dec. 17. Despite the truncated planning time, event organizers have put together a full day of activities, beginning with the arrival of Santa Claus that morning. Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children and hear Christmas wishes at the Pomatto Park gazebo. Children also will receive a small treat from Santa to take home.
Beechler arrangements have been made to purchase Christmas tree ornaments for BenGil Elementary students to decorate, which will then adorn a community Christmas tree on the corner of Pine and Macoupin Streets in the empty lot next to United Community Bank. A lighting ceremony is being planned for Sunday, November 27 at 6 p.m. Crafts for children to complete will be available at the Civic Center on the day of the event.
“We’ve had a lot of people volunteer to help,” Beechler said. The Masonic Lodge, for example, has agreed to donate hams for a giveaway. Costumed characters will be roaming the downtown business districts and children will be given punch cards to punch when they have their picture taken with the characters. Completed punch cards will be entered in a drawing for prizes at the end of the day.
Organizers also plan to sponsor a Christmas lighting contest for local homeowners. Addresses for homes in the running will be published so residents can vote for their favorites.
The Holiday Sparkle 5K run is set to start on Chestnut Street near the former Canna Theatre, proceed south on Montgomery Street to the bike trail and back. At the nearby Giving Garden, a firepit will be available for visitors to make s’mores.
Other features planned or confirmed for the event include a story hour at the Gillespie Library, a petting zoo, craft and food vendors, face painting, an indoor movie, and a train operating through downtown. Downtown businesses plan to decorate their stores for Christmas along with the planters along Macoupin Street. Donation boxes will be available to collect food for underprivileged families. Food vendors, including kettle corn, will be located downtown as well.
The Holiday Sparkle was an annual event under the sponsorship of the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce until that organization dissolved about five years ago. Beechler said Grow Gillespie is sponsoring the event this year in order to buy insurance coverage for the day.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” said Ald. Dona Rauzi, whose motion to allow the group to use the Civic Center free of charge was unanimously approved. The council also approved Rauzi’s motion to allow the organizers to use city streets for the 5K run and to donate $500 to help subsidize the event.
ARPA SPENDING PLAN
After a brief presentation by City Treasurer Dan Fisher, the council unanimously approved a proposed spending plan for $410,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received by the city. The spending plan is subject to approval by the federal government.
Fisher said the funds are intended to be used for permanent infrastructure that municipalities probably would not be able to undertake without the funding. The tentative spending plan includes money to upgrade an existing lift station for the city sewer system and build a new one to service an area of vacant lots near the water treatment plant where the city hopes to encourage developers to build new homes. The plan also includes $100,000 for ADA-compliant playground equipment and other improvements at Big Brick Park and $25,000 for improvements at Welfare Park. The plan also allocates $25,000 for campground improvements at Gillespie Lake.
“There’s supposed to be an economic development component to some of what we do,” Fisher said, noting that some communities are setting aside money for grant programs to help civic organizations undertake projects resulting in permanent capital improvements.
Ald. Rauzi asked if some of the money could be used to help pay for remodeling costs associated with moving the Police Department to space being vacated by the Fire Department at the Civic Center.
“It’s difficult to use this money for an existing building,” Fisher said. “It can be done, though.”
The spending plan presumably will be subject to review by individual committees, which could suggest further refinements. Once finalized, the city is obligated to conduct a public hearing on the spending plan before submitting it to federal authorities.
Fisher said getting information about the ARPA program has been difficult because the federal administration for ARPA is understaffed. Administration of the program has largely been relegated to individual states. Fisher said he has been working primarily with a liaison to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in the Governor’s office.
Though unrelated to the ARPA program, the council also unanimously approved Ald. Wendy Rolando’s to file a pre-application with the U.S. Department of Agriculture with an eye toward obtaining funds through the Rural Development program to replace the raw water intake at Gillespie Lake. The intake reportedly was temporarily upgraded several years ago to raise the intake above the level of sedimentation on the lake bottom. A permanent upgrade apparently would ensure the intake is high enough to prevent sediment from entering the water treatment plant.
CREDIT CARD FEE
After several minutes of discussion and debate, the council voted 7-1 to impose a three percent fee credit card and debit card purchases. The fee will not only impact water customers, but also persons who buy rock or pay for other goods and services with a credit card or debit card.
Fisher said the city is incurring considerable expense for fees paid to credit card companies for using their services, and that some customers, especially at the lake, are using cards to make unacceptably small purchases.
“Standard practice would be to set a minimum purchase,” Fisher said.
Ald. Landon Pettit said the lake concession already has a minimum purchase policy for $5
“Even $5 is pretty low,” said Fisher, adding that he had seen credit card purchases as small as $1.25 at the lake.
“I that we were going to put an ATM out there,” Pettit said, adding that an ATM would alleviate the city from paying credit card fees at the lake.
Fisher argued that city needs to recoup its cost and that charging a fee for using a credit card is not unusual.
“Last month we had $200 in credit card fees on water bills,” Fisher said. “That’s not an insignificant amount. My recommendation would be to have a minimum purchase amount and a credit card fee.”
A motion to impose a three percent surcharge on credit card purchase was approved 7-1 with Pettit voting no.
“I think we’re looking at a whole lot of headaches and complaining over something I would call the cost of doing business,” Pettit said.
AMBULANCE DISPATCH CONTRACT
On a motion by Ald. Rauzi, the council voted unanimously to direct City Attorney Rick Verticchio to contact the Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service to advise the organization the city will increase it’s fee for providing dispatching services to $1,500 per month as of Jan. 1.
Rauzi said the city previously reached an agreement with the ambulance service to provide dispatching services for $1,000 per month on the condition the service found another dispatching service. The former contract was extended to August after ambulance officials assured the city the ambulance service would contract with Staunton Community Hospital to provide dispatching services for $750 per month. To date, however, the ambulance service has not ended its relationship with the Gillespie Police Department.
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
On a motion by Ald. Rauzi, the council voted to declare the long-vacant building at 300 South Macoupin Street a nuisance property, authorizing Verticchio to contact the owner to abate the nuisance. Rauzi said the neighboring business shares a common wall with the derelict building and fears his property could be impacted by further deterioration of the two-story brick structure next door.
The council also took action to declare the former Dollar General Store location at 109 S. Macoupin Street a nuisance property.
Verticchio said the court is ready to give permission for the city to raze or clean-up five residential properties previously declared public nuisances. He asked council members to give him the names of neighboring property owners who might be interested in acquiring the condemned properties, in which case arrangements might be made for the interested parties to initiate the abatement at no cost to the city.
STOP SIGNS
Council members approved the installation of four-way stop signs at the intersection of Osie and Green Streets but deferred approval of stop signs in the 500 block of Plum Street, pending the recommendation of the Police Chief.
A group of mothers who live on Plum appeared before the council to say they feared for the safety of their families on Plum Street due primarily to traffic congestion before and after school hours at Community Unit School District 7. One said she had seen school buses using Plum Street in violation of an agreement between the city and the school district.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Residents George Schardan and Terrell Ford appeared before the council to complain about conditions on South Street and an ordinance citation, respectively.
Schardan said contractors used an inferior grade of rock chips for a motor fuel tax maintenance project on South Street, resulting in excessive amounts of dust in the neighborhood. Additionally, the roadway “rippled” after traffic resumed on the street.
Fisher told Schardan that Street Department workers have been focused on other projects and have not been able to tend to the South Street situation.
“The ripple usually isn’t solid,” Fisher told Schardan. “The usual procedure is to sweep up rock” to over the ripples.
“We’ll talk to our street guys,” Ald. Rolando said. “They aren’t here tonight so it won’t be rectified tonight.”
Schardan continued to press his complaint, saying he was prepared to take further steps if the situation was not resolved.
“We’ll talk to the Street Department and see if it can be fixed,” Verticchio commented. “If they can’t fix it, I’m sure we’ll see you back here in December.”
The council took no action on Ford’s request to dismiss an ordinance citation and refund a fine he already paid. Ford said he was cited for the illegal discharge of a firearm on the basis of a complaint from his neighbor. He said he paid the fine because he was told fighting the citation in court would cost him more than the fine.
Ford alleged the citation was invalid because neither alderman from his ward had signed it. Further, he alleged another neighbor was willing to sign a statement saying the complaining witnesses complaint was untrue. Under questioning by the mayor, Ford said he had used a pellet gun to shoot a squirrels on his property.
Ford said squirrels had caused considerable property damage, including chewing through the fuel lines on his vehicle. He presented a nuisance animal permit he had obtained from the Department of Natural Resources.
Mayor Hicks read the permit and reported the permit was for live trapping only. When Ford argued his pellet gun was not technically a firearm, both Hicks and Verticchio said the ordinance defined it as a firearm because it fires projectiles that could pose a hazard to neighbors.
“I don’t know what you expect us to do,” Verticchio said. “You say you want to appeal, but nothing was filed with the court. There’s nothing for you to appeal. You pled guilty.”
Ford said he paid the fine but did not plead guilty.
“That’s what pleading guilty is,” Verticchio said.
Hicks advised Ford to confine his squirrel control efforts to trapping only in the future. “Go to Rural King, get a couple of traps and trap them,” Hicks said.
DAMAGE COMPLAINT FORM
Verticchio presented a form for city residents can use to file claims for damage done to their property during a recently completed water infrastructure project. Several residents have complained that workers for Haier Plumbing and Heating caused damage to their property which has not been resolved. The city’s contract with Haier required the company to restore residential properties disturbed during the project to the original condition.
Verticchio said the city is making no guarantee that property owners’ complaints will be resolved. The form simply gives the city a standard format for submitting multiple claims to Haier’s insurance company for reimbursement to residents for damage allegedly caused by the company. Verticchio said paying the claims will be in the hands of the insurance company.
Residential claims for damage are due to the city by Dec. 31. Forms are available at City Hall.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Hired Christian Abner as a full-time police officer on the recommendation of Police Chief Jared DePoppe. Abner had been on the part-time roster and recently completed full-time Police Academy training. The council previously approved sending two other candidates for Academy training with an eye toward hiring them as full-time officers when they complete training.
- On the recommendation of Mayor Hicks, approved installing a water meter at a water line terminal on the Lake Road before the line crosses an agricultural field to service a rural residence. Hicks said the meter will allow the city to monitor for possible leaks in the line crossing the field.
- Authorized payment of $251,701.45 to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors for work completed on an extensive renovation at the city water treatment plant. Fisher noted the city is holding about $12,000 due on the contract pending acceptance of the project.
- Approved a reimbursement to the city from Tax Increment Finance funds in the amount of about $19,000 for payments previously made to Shade Solutions, Ind., Patrick Riley Farm & Industrial Painting, and Young’s Roofing for work completed at the Civic Center.
- Agreed to contract with Clean Uniforms to provide clean entry rugs every two weeks at four entrances to the Civic Center at a cost of $620 per month.
- Authorized a final payment of $812.04 from the TIF fund to Shade Solutions, Inc.
- Authorized payment of $258 from TIF funds to Moran Economic Development.
- Authorized payment of $690 from TIF funds to Young’s Roofing.
- Authorized a payment of $19,981 from TIF funds to United Community Bank, part of a multi-year agreement for the city to acquire property from UCB.
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Ye Olde Christmas is the theme of the Macoupin County Historical Society’s annual Christmas Show, which will be held Friday through Sunday, December 5–7, at the John C. Anderson Home and Museum, 920 West Breckenridge in Carlinville.
“The Christmas Show is one of the most magical times to visit the Anderson Home,” said MCHS Board Member and House Manager Brandy England. “Some families make it an annual Christmas tradition to visit the Anderson Home when it is decorated for Christmas. It’s a great opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit and pick up some ideas for decorating your own home for the holidays.”
MCHS member Kendra Mize, of Bunker Hill, who has coordinated the decorating effort for more than two decades, has again marshalled a small army of volunteers to decorate all 13 rooms of the home. Each room features a themed Christmas tree, along with mantle pieces, centerpieces, tabletop decor, garlands and florals, and other special touches.
The home will be open for self-guided tours from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 5; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 6; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 7.
“We’re very excited to offer for the first time candlelight tours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,” said Shawna Ashby, who serves as a co-manager with England. “Viewing the decorated home by candlelight promises to be a magical experience.”
The final candlelight tours on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the home is five dollars for adults and one dollar for children ages five to 12, with four-year-olds and younger admitted free of charge.
The Anderson Home Gift Shop will be open during tour hours, offering one-of-a-kind gift items and stocking stuffers. Santa Claus will be on hand in the downstairs parlor to greet children and listen to their Christmas wishes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.
While the decorated home is the centerpiece of the Christmas Show, several other features on the Historical Society’s grounds will be open. The Red Barn will be open and serving hearty beef stew, chili, homemade pies, and warming holiday beverages such as wassail and hot chocolate on Friday and Saturday.
The General Store and Print Shop will be decorated and open to the public, with the Print Shop offering its popular handmade Christmas cards and other items produced in the shop; kids can print their own blank “Santa List” to keep track of their Christmas wishes.
“The General Store offers unique gift items, including some small antiques, for shoppers to peruse,” England noted.
Local blacksmiths will demonstrate their craft in the MCHS Blacksmith Shop located on the north side of the Historical Society Grounds, with wrought iron gift items, including stocking hooks and decorative pieces, available for purchase.
The Macoupin County Historical Society’s Christmas Show runs concurrently with the Carlinville Christmas Market and Downtown Christmas events, and a free trolley and shuttle buses include the Anderson Home as a regular stop during the festivals, enabling visitors to ride from the square or the Macoupin County Fairgrounds to the Historical Society grounds.
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted to approve a property tax levy request totaling $3,920,295 for 2025 property taxes payable in 2026. Because of tax caps and other factors, however, the district expects to collect only an estimated $3,786,607 of the requested amount.
In addition to acting on the tax levy, the board also held a lengthy discussion regarding annual district “report cards” issued by the Illinois State Board of Education to assess school performance from last year, approved a high school band/choir performance trip to Chicago in March, and agreed to apply for a school maintenance grant of up to $50,000 in matching funds.
The new proposed levy exceeds last year’s tax extension of $3,599,569 by more than $320,726—an increase of about nine percent if the levy were to be approved at the county level. The more realistic anticipation of $3,786,607 exceeds last year’s extension by $187,038, or an increase of about three percent. A Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), approved by Macoupin County voters in 1995, restricts increases in the levy to five percent or the federal Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. This year’s CPI is estimated at 2.9 percent.
The approved levy seeks $1,650,000 for the Education Fund while expecting to realize $1,653,831; $450,229 for Operations & Maintenance, while anticipating $438,041; $200,000 for Transportation while expecting $180,434; $35,000 for Working Cash while expecting $42,602; $174,700 for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund while anticipating $117,788; $154,101 for Social Security while expecting $105, 248; $247,264 for Tort while anticipating $240,570; and $33,501 for Special Education while expecting $32,593. For Bond and Interest, which is not subject to PTELL, the district is levying $975,500 while anticipating the same amount.
Local property tax revenue accounts for about 20 percent of the district’s overall annual budget.
Because the levy request exceeds 105 percent of the previous year’s extension, a public hearing is required. That hearing is scheduled at the start of the board’s regular December meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15. In the meantime, the proposed levy is available for public inspection on the district’s website and in the district office.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Owsley emphasized the levy request is essentially a wish list for what the district would like to raise through property taxes.
“The levy is the ‘Christmas list’ I talk about every year,” Owsley said. “If you don’t put it on the list, you’re not going to get it.”
Projecting what the district can legally seek under tax caps can be challenging because the district’s total equalized assessed valuation will not be confirmed until after Jan. 1 while state law requires the district to file its levy request before the end of December. For that reason, local school districts routinely file requests that exceed what they actually expect to receive in property tax revenue, and rely on the County Clerk to adjust the request to the maximum amount the district can receive.
“Because of tax caps, we have one shot to capture increases in the EAV and new construction,” Owsley said. “If we don’t do that, we lose it in perpetuity.”
To calculate the new levy, Owsley projected a 15.12 percent increase in the EAV—nearly double the previous year’s rate of increase. By overestimating the EAV growth, the district expects to capture the entire increase in assessed valuation when that number is finally determined.
“Even though we know the EAV will likely be around the historical average, we base our levy on a much higher amount so as not to lose revenue from new growth,” Owsley told the board. “We can do this without running the risk of overtaxing taxpayers because the district will receive no more than what we are entitled to by law.”
Owsley said relatively stable increases in EAV have resulted in a steadily declining tax rate. Since 2014 when the rate was $4.24 per $100 in EAV, the rate has fallen to $3.20 for 2024. In other words, the county can use a lower rate to generate the extension to which the district is entitled because the value of taxable property has increased.
“As long as the EAV goes up by more than the Consumer Price Index, our tax rates are going to go down,” Owsley noted.
SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT CARDS
The board spent several minutes discussing recently released school report cards issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. Interested persons can view local report cards by visiting https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
All three attendance centers received a “Commendable” designation, meaning there are no student groups that are underperforming academically, and the high school graduation rate exceeds 67 percent. Last year, BenGil Elementary School achieved an “Exemplary” designation—the top designation a school can achieve.
Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto said administrators knew the school would not earn an Exemplary rating, even though students are state average in English/language arts, math and science. The Report Card designations are based on growth rather than academic performance. With students already exceeding state standards last year, the opportunity for growth was limited.
Assistant Principal Tara Cooper agreed, noting BenGil Elementary’s student performance is in the upper half of schools statewide that are meeting academic standards. “So, while we are not ‘Exemplary,’ we’re very happy with where we are.”
Supt. Owsley told the board the State Board of Education is working on revamping the assessment system because of the growth vs. performance issue. “That’s why they’re redoing all of this because they are penalizing schools for meeting goals,” he said.
For Gillespie Middle School, the report card shows students meeting or exceeding state averages in math and science but significantly lagging in English/language arts.
“ELA is our most concerning area,” Principal Patrick McGinthy told the board, “along with absenteeism.” The report card shows a chronic absenteeism rate of 25 percent, but Owsley and other administrators said the rate is exacerbated by the State Board of Education including nearly all absences whether or not they are excused.
Rosentreter noted the State Board will allow a student to be absent five days for illness without a doctor’s excuse. On the sixth day, however, the absence is unexcused unless the parent or guardian provides a doctor’s slip. Many parents, however, are reluctant to pay for a doctor’s visit for a child that is suffering from a minor illness.
McGinthy said Middle School teachers are attempting to address the deficiency in English/language arts by increasing writing exercises and requiring students to write in conjunction with other curriculum areas.
Rosentreter noted that the assessment standards for high schools differ from the standards for elementary and middle schools in that the State Board emphasizes graduation rates. For Gillespie, the graduation rate is an impressive 86 percent, though chronic absenteeism checks in at 31 percent.
“Math is definitely our shining star,” Rosentreter said, noting the school scored 17.8 points compared with the state average of 18. The school performed less well in the areas of English/language arts and science, scoring 16 points on ELA compared with the state score of 18 and 17.2 points compared with the state average of 19.
The report cards are based on results for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) test for elementary and middle school students, and ACT scores for high school students.
Administrators said it’s difficult to motivate students to do well on state-mandated tests since the tests do not affect the student’s grade point average. To incentivize testing, Rosentreter said the high school is offering to let students skip final exams if they hit state standards on the mandated tests.
Owsley noted that the district report card documents the continuing decline in school enrollment—dropping from 1,325 seven years ago to 1,082 for the 2024-25 academic year.
“We don’t see that turning around anytime soon,” Owsley said. “It’s not just a Gillespie thing; it’s a trend for schools throughout Macoupin County.
BAND/CHOIR TRIP TO CHICAGO
Following a presentation by band/choir instructor Brad Taulbee, the board approved a high school band and choir performance tour to Chicago set for March 19-21. Taulbee said the tour company retained for the trip places emphasis on security and safety for traveling students. The company supplements hotel security with its own security personnel to monitor student rooms during the trip.
The tour includes workshop sessions at Vandercook College in downtown Chicago, and performances by the choir at the John Hancock Center and by the band at one of the city’s museums.
Taulbee said he is attempting to keep the cost affordable for participating students. Depending upon the number of students who ultimately go on the trip, he said he expects the cost to be about $739 per person. Additionally, he is lining up sponsors who can help with expenses for students who could not otherwise afford to participate.
“Security is my main concern,” said Board President Mark Hayes. “We just came back from there and seven people were shot in the area we were in.”
Taulbee said he expects to recruit seven to 10 chaperones and will ensure that the ratio of students to chaperones does not exceed 1:10.
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANT
The board concurred with Supt. Owsley’s recommendation to again apply for a state School Maintenance grant of up to $50,000. The grant is a “matching” grant requiring the district to match grant funds dollar for dollar. The district has successfully applied for the grant for the past several years.
If the application is successful, Owsley said the funds will likely be used to remove asbestos-containing floor tiles in the choir room and elsewhere in the Middle School.
PERSONNEL
Following an executive session of about 40 minutes to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Tim Wargo as an assistant high school baseball coach and post the position as vacant, and voted to appoint Wargo as the head high school baseball coach for the coming season.
In separate actions, the board approved maternity leaves for Alexis Lupkey, district paraprofessional, and Gear-Up Coordinator Jordan Bartok. Lupkey’s leave is tentatively scheduled from Dec. 8 through March 18. Bartok’s leave is expected from Dec. 12 through Jan.6.
Board members voted unanimously to hire Christopher Whaley as a substitute bus driver, pending a routine background check and documentation of certification.
The board also voted unanimously to terminate Makayla Huff as a three-hour cook and post the position as vacant.
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to rehire fall coaches as follows: Jordan Bartok as head high school girls volleyball coach with Shelsie Price, as an assistant coach; Cory Bonstead as head football coach with Nate Henrichs, Jarrod Herron, Korben Clark, Alex Jasper, J.O. Kelly, Billy Gill and Florian Seferi as assistant and volunteer assistant coaches; Jay Weber as head coach for the parent-funded high school cross-country program with Jack Burns as a volunteer assistant coach; Jake Kellebrew as head coach for the parent-funded high school golf program, with Michael Otten as a volunteer assistant coach; Tim Wargo as head middle school baseball coach with Trae Wargo as assistant coach; Michelle Smith as head middle school softball coach with Jim Matesa, Joe Kelly and Melissa Heigert as assistant coaches; and Liz Thackery as head coach for the parent-funded middle school cross-country program with Laura Peterson as a volunteer assistant coach.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, Supt. Owsley introduced newly hired School Resource Officer Jacob Linhart, and High School Principal provided a report with photos of a recent school-wide Veterans Day observance.
Linhart, who has served five years as a police officer on the Gillespie Police Department, replaces Wade Hendricks, who recently retired after serving three years as the CUSD 7 School Resource Officer.
Linhart said it is a “great privilege” to serve as a Resource Officer, protecting students and staff. “I’m honored that you guys are allowing me to do it,” he said.
High School Principal Rosentreter said the school served breakfast to about 200 veterans and their families Tuesday morning, Nov. 11. Later, the veterans were joined by nearly 700 high school and middle school students for a recognition ceremony in the high school gymnasium.
Since the event coincided with the 25th anniversary of CUSD 7’s Wall of Honor program, the annual event did double duty as an induction ceremony for five are individuals, all of whom happened to be U.S. Military veterans.
The inductees included the late Sergeant Major John Marion Malnar, Command Sergeant Major John “Jack” Burns, Colonel Mark Daley, Lieutenant Colonel William P. Falke and Captain Robert Leone. Rosentreter said Daley and Leone traveled with their families from Colorado and Texas, respectively, to attend the ceremonies.
Burns, a retired CUSD 7 teacher, later visited BenGil Elementary School to present a program and teach students how to properly fold an American flag.
Rosentreter recognized the City of Gillespie for a donation of $1,000 to help purchase food for the veterans.
Born in Benld and a resident of Sawyerville, “Big John” Malnar earned a Silver Star during the Korean Conflict and a Gold Star, awarded posthumously after he was killed in action in 1968 in Vietnam. A Marine training center at Camp Geiger in North Carolina is named in his honor.
Though not a Wall of Honor inductee, Jacob Miller, a 100-year-old World War II veteran and recipient of two Purple Hearts, was recognized with a standing ovation.
The annual Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony provides students with an opportunity to meet and recognize local veterans as potential role models for their own futures.
Owsley said the event is a major event on the district’s calendar which grew out of a simple flagpole ceremony initiated 25 years ago.
CEJA GRANT FUNDS
Board members briefly discussed plans for about $74,000 in anticipated Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant funds. The federal program is intended to compensate communities that have experienced revenue loss as a result of coal mine closures.
Owsley said the district committed about $86,000 in last year’s CEJA grant funds to the City of Gillespie to help pay for improvements to Plum Street, which is heavily used by district school buses. He has not transferred those funds, however, pending the start of the project.
Owsley said he was seeking the board’s input on how the money should be used.
“We could continue to partner with the city on Plum Street,” he said. “But there are plenty of project areas within the school.” The money could be used, for example, for continuing asbestos abatement. He identified other upcoming needs, including a new roof for the high school/middle school and an HVAC project.
President Hayes pointed out the school district paid for improvements to Kelly Street when BenGil Elementary was built and subsidized a project to reconfigure drainage on Broadway Street, in addition to the dollars committed for Plum Street.
“The school district is not in the business of building roads,” he said. “I think we’ve been more than generous with the city.”
Board member Peyton Bernot agreed the money should be committed for use by the school district.
TRIPLE I CONFERENCE
Several board members who attended a conference for board members and administrators Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23, in Chicago, commented briefly about their take-aways from conference sessions. Popularly known as the Triple I Conference, the convention is sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials.
Owsley said more than 700 Illinois school districts were represented, making the Triple I the largest gathering of education professionals in North America.
Bernot briefly reported on a session he attended regarding upcoming legislation and financial outlooks for school districts. He described the session as “much less optimistic” than sessions he’s attended in the past.
Owsley was among the convention presenters, discussing social-emotional learning. He commented that several districts attending reported efforts to involve students in school administrators. Some districts, he said, appointed a non-voting student representative to the school board to take part in discussions directly affecting students.
“When you think about it, we hear from faculty members and we hear from parents,” Hayes commented. “The people we don’t hear from are the most important part of what we do.”
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The Holiday Sparkle Committee of Gillespie is preparing for the 4th Annual Holiday Sparkle Lighted Parade and Community Tree Lighting, set for Sunday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Gillespie. This beloved community tradition invites residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season with lights, music, and festive cheer.
Food trucks will line the parade route starting at 4:00 p.m., offering a variety of tasty options for families to enjoy before and during the celebration. The event will culminate in the illuminated parade and the ceremonial lighting of the community tree, signaling the official start of the season’s celebrations.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be a special performance by Gillespie area students in grades 3 through 5. The group will join together to sing Christmas carols, lending their voices to the town’s joyous welcome to the holidays.
Parade participants are invited to bring extra sparkle to the evening—whether by entering a parade float, walking in the parade, or simply attending to enjoy the atmosphere. Participation helps make the event truly magical for the entire community. The only requirement for the parade is all entries have to incorporate holiday lighting.
To join the parade lineup, interested participants can sign up at https://forms.gle/L7Q4tEkgjj8Lt5E47. The Holiday Sparkle Committee expresses gratitude for the ongoing support of residents, businesses, and volunteers who help bring this festive occasion to life each year.
The second part of the holiday festivities will take place on Saturday, December 13 when the Sparkle will sponsor the vendor fair and food trucks in downtown Gillespie including a visit from Santa. Vendors will be located in the Gillespie Civic Center, Zion Lutheran Church, and Emma G’s Upscale Boutique while local businesses and eateries will also be open. An egg nog jog benefitting Gillespie Cross Country will also be held on December 13 and interested participants can join here.
The Holiday Sparkle Committee invites everyone to mark their calendars and join in the celebration. For more information, please contact the committee by email at gillespieholidaysparkle@gmail.com or visit Gillespie Holiday Sparkle on Facebook.
