Community News
Jim Savant resigns from Benld Supervisor duties
Jim Savant resigns as supervisor.
Jim Savant, Supervisor of the streets and alleys in Benld, informed the City Council that he is resigning “from all supervisor duties” during a regular scheduled meeting on November 14th. Savant has worked for the City of Benld for 22 years, which is “a decade longer than anyone else in this town,” according to Savant. He never asked for a pay raise in all of the 22 years with the City because it was a job he enjoyed doing and never did for the money. However, last year Savant asked for a week of vacation time for all previous years service, but the vacation time never happened.
“I personally think highly of loyalty,” Savant noted. He went on to recall that the deposit slip he fills out is the exact same as it was 10 years ago. “As much as I like and appreciate compliments, they do not pay for braces, glasses, and college tuition,” Savant hammered. The supervisor job is the only job in the City that becomes from every department in the town when many other nearby towns have a supervisor for each department, Savant overlooks all of them in the City of Benld. As his workload continually grows and he is constantly short-changed, “I am severely underpaid.”
“Do I deserve a raise,” Savant questioned, “Damn right, a big one.” According to Savant, he is forced to ask for a raise after he realized how much money he saves the community. “I am a man of my word,” Savant keyed, “To me, it is all about making Benld better.” He went on to say he does not enjoy messing around in political games and tries to avoid them as much as possible, but “I have had enough, I do not get paid enough to care anymore and I am exhausted from this nonsense.”
Something has to change, Savant continued. “I am pretty sure I know where a raise will go and I know all the excuses that I will have to except,” Savant pressed on, “I resign all my supervisor duties until my work is recognized and my salary now covers my years of experience without the headaches that come from Supervisor and the target I now I have on my back.” The Supervisor title has lost a little luster to Savant anyhow as his kids at home do not need a supervisor, they need their dad, Savant noted.
“I have always been there for every single person in this town,” Savant closed, “One way or another, you will realize how valuable I am to this town. This is my home and my work reflects how much I love this town.”
Rick Vertichio sees no problem collecting a new business fee from new businesses in town.
Without a motion made to accept the resignation of Jim Savant as Supervisor of streets and alleys, council members discussed Savant’s decision to leave. According to Gruey, the City of Benld cannot lose Jim. “He has done way more for the sewer department than he has supposed to,” Gruey noted. Bernot cut off Gruey to make a motion to go into executive session, but Mayor Hendricks broke the 3-3 tie with a ‘no’ decision and remained in open session. Robinson made a motion to table the acceptance of resignation and after 5-1 vote, objection from Bernot, the motion was carried to table the decision to the next present meeting.
Under old business, the city revised the contract to rent any city property. The rental contracts have not been changed much. The dram shop insurance is the only thing that has been changed and rental fees will always apply to the every day rentals. The contract applies to civic organizations that do not have to pay to rent the civic center. The simplified contract was approved after a 6-0 vote.
In new business, the council hired Josh Carter as full time police officer effective immediately. In other business, the council tabled the 2012 MEDP membership fees. The 2012 fee is $1,448 for the City of Benld, but the council will take action on this fee at the regular scheduled meeting in December.
The council then heard from Lynn Fralle and Gloria Sidar. “It would be a dreadful mistake to let Jim Savant walk away from this,” Fralle opened, “In the last 2 years I have been coming to these meetings, there has never been any complaints about Jim until the last few months and I think it is ridiculous.” Fralle went on to say that the gazebo is going up and is 5-7 days away from completion, weather permitting. Fralle went on to request a dusk-to-dawn light that would flood the whole area and outlets for the gazebo and also requested the city to collect a “business license” from a new business in town.
Rick Vertichio advised the City that the business fee idea Fralle mentioned is a good idea, but it has to be set up right in the books. It has to undergo proper inspection and proper documentation. “A general business license can be passed and any owner or commercial business can pay a fee with their water deposit,” Vertichio stated. Vertichio suggested that if anything is done, it has to be done across the board and everything has to be coordinated together.
Peyton Bernot shed light on what Vertichio was alluding to. “The discussion was about an ordinance I wrote to prevent slums in blight in the city,” Bernot started, “Basically it would just be to renters and landowners, the owner of the property would apply for a license to rent and the license expires every year on each property they rent.” The renter would pay a fee to occupy the house and the fee would be whatever is deemed appropriate, Bernot closed.
Tilashakski responds to Jim Savant's letter to the council.
Gloria Sidar advised the city council that Build Benld is having a website designed by Carpani Computer Repair & Consulting. Mark Carpani is professionally designing the website for only $65 per month and the initial set-up fee, he will host and maintain the site for Benld. The site will cost $200 to set-up and there is a $50 administration fee per month. The website will be www.benld.com and all monthly expenses will be paid for by Build Benld, but after a 6-0 vote, the initial $200 set up cost will be paid by the City of Benld. The website will have links to all government officials, general information about the city, and all entertainment options in the city and surrounding areas.
Mickey Robinson, city property chairman, requested a building inspection for a building at 105 North 6th Street after he received numerous complaints about animals entering and leaving through holes in the walls. Robinson went on to advise the council that the light was replaced on the flagpole on Veteran’s Parkway. The new light is a dusk-dawn light.
Peyton Bernot, water commissioner, advised residents of Benld that water rates will increase by $0.24 per 1,000 gallons and it will be reflected on December’s billing.
After Peyton Bernot’s motion to rescind the vote to discuss personnel issues in open session did not collect enough votes, the meeting was adjourned. “I think it would be very wise for the council to discuss the issue that has transpired tonight,” Bernot’s motion could only collect two ‘yes’ votes which were Tilashakski and Bernot himself.
The council will meet Monday, November 21 for a special meeting to discuss personnel issues.
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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
Comments
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.
