Community News
Hundreds support Democrat Party at Vince Demuzio Dinner
The second annual Vince Demuzio took place Saturday, November 5 at Gillespie Civic Center. Hundreds of supports packed the center and enjoyed a catered meal by Fema’s before listening to former US Congressman and Southern Illinois University of Carbondale President Glenn Poshard.
Supporters give Poshard a standing ovation. (Photo by: Tim Dudley)
Before Poshard took the podium, former Senator Deanna Demuzio thanked supporters for contributing their “continuous support” for the Democratic Party. Deanna is the widow of the late Vince Demuzio, who the dinner is named after.
“I want to say thank you to each and every one of you for the support that has been shown to the Demuzio family over the past years,” Deanna said, “We miss [Vince] dearly.” Support that Democratic ticket top to the bottom, Deanna went on to say.
Deanna Demuzio thanks everyone for attending. (Photo by: Tim Dudley)
The dinner would not be possible without the corporate sponsors. The Democratic party thanked corporate sponsors: Plumbers & Pipefitters, Local 553, Peyton Bernot, Friends of Andy Manar, Citizens for John Cullerton, Foresight Energy LLP, and IBEW Local 309.
The Vince Demuzio Dinner was started last year in honor of Vince, but to support the Democratic Party. “We are here to honor and remember Vince Demuzio,” Andy Manar stated, “Vince was an influence on myself and countless others here tonight.” Andy Manar is running for State Senate in 2012. The primaries will be on March 20 and the general election will be on November 6.
“Vince was a trustworthy man,” Mike Mathis noted. Vince Demuzio was an Illinois State Senator who died while in office. At the time, he was the most senior member of the Illinois Senate. He had once been chair of the Illinois Democratic Party. Demuzio died after a battle with colon cancer which included surgery in early 2004. Demuzio resided in Carlinville, Illinois, and after his death, his seat was filled by wife Deanna. A section of I-55 south of Springfield is named after him.
Glenn Poshard was the guest speaker of the evening. Poshard is the president at SIU-C and has brought over 40 years of service to the university. Poshard is a veteran, a three-degree graduate, a former senator, former congressman, a past recipient of the Lindell W. Sturgis Memorial Public Service Award (2003), a recipient of the SIU Distringusihed Alumni Award, and also a member of the SIUC College of Education and Human Services Hall of Fame.
Andy Manar states Vince was an influence on his life. (Photo by: Tim Dudley)
“I will never forget what Deanna and Vince did for me,” Poshard began. Poshard went on to share an amusing story as well as his most embarrasing story about himself having to wear womens bell bottom “hippy” pants after his wife did not pack him any other pants to wear. After the stories, Poshard recalls his first encounter with Vince. “President Barack was showing me around the dome when we came across Senator Vince Demuzio,” Poshard said, “Barack introduced me to Vince as the next Senator. Vince replied with, I know him.” With a confused look on Poshard’s face, he questioned Vince and said I do not think you do. Vince went on to say, “Oh yes I do, you were the guy up here 3 years ago testifying that bill for transvestidites.”
It never ended with Vince, according to Poshard. Poshard recalled countless stories where Vince and himself shared laughs. “He was a classic,” as Poshard referred to him.
Vince was what we call a throwback, Poshard noted. Vince connected us to our roots. “Whether the friendship was personal or political, friendship always meant uncompromising loyalty to Vince,” Poshard said. Friendship meant family to Vince.
“Because of Vince, the democrat, we can all appreciate it because he brought us back to the roots of the democratic party,” Poshard hammered. Vince simply believed in the basic philosophy of the Democratic party.
Vince taught us four principles while he was in office, according to Poshard. The number one principal was: balance the budget. “Don’t spend more than you take in,” Poshard noted. “Say what you want, but we still have General Motors and we don’t have Osama Bin Laden,” Poshard said of the United States. If Vince were alive today, he would have balanced our budget and cleaned up Springfield.
The second principle we learned from Vince was: Democrats believe in equal educational opportunites for every one of the students. It is the only way we build the middle class, Poshard said. “The quality of the a child’s education in this state today is based upon the unfair principal I have ever seen and that is: the property tax.” Educational opportunity for all kids, no matter where they live, is a sign of equality of a nation.
Glen Poshard was the guest speaker at the 2nd annual Vince Demuzio Dinner. (Photo by: Tim Dudley)
Vince’s third principle: stand up for the working men and women in America. Poshard traced back to where his parents were coal miners. No safety standards in the mind and overtime was nonexistent, Poshard recalled.
The fourth and final principal stated by the noble stateman Vince Demuzio was: protect those most vulnerable among us. “As a principal of our Democratic party, it says there will come a day when the master will be before us,” Poshard noted.
Poshard’s favorite person in the Democratic party when he was growing up stated, “The test of a free people is to protect those in the dawn of their life as a child, the dusk in their life as elderly, and those in the shadows of life: the vulnerable, the sick and disabled. This is what we stand for as Democrats,” Poshard hammered.
“Vince Demuzio, the Democrat, balanced the budget, stood up for the working people and insisted on equal opportunities of our children and stood up for the most vulnerable,” Poshard closed, “That is what being a Democrat is!
“Thank you to everyone that attended the 2nd Annual Vince Demuzio Dinner. A very special thank you to our family’s long time friend, Glenn Poshard, the guest speaker. In his usual awesome manner, he reminded us why we are Democrats. Thanks to all,” Deanna Demuzio ended.
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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.
