Community News
Vertichio tells Newingham the water line is a big problem: Benld City Council
Shari Albrecht explains the benefits of joining MEDP.
In a regular scheduled council meeting on December 12, Mickey Robinson questioned city attorney Rick Vertichio about a problem “that has risen in the past year and has been pending for a long time.” There is a water line that was put in and tapped onto off Benld’s main line that runs down Macoupin and Clark Street in Gillespie. “Someone that lives in the outside of Gillespie city limits is supposedly tapping onto our line,” Alderman Robinson went on to say, “He was supposedly told by the City of Benld that he has permission and I never gave him permission under my time as water commission. Also, no one knows who gave him permission to him to dig.”
The problem Robinson is referring to is Ned Newingham tapping onto Benld’s main water line that runs down Macoupin Street in Gillespie and then to Benld. Newingham lives outside of Gillespie’s city limits, but does not live in Benld’s municipality either. “My question is if he has tapped on it and he builds more buildings, what happens if there is a water break and who is responsible for the water loss?” Mickey questioned.
According to Rick Vertichio, no one is allowed to tap onto Benld’s line without permission but Mayor Jeff Hendricks assured everyone that Newingham did have permission. “I have been in contact with Mr. Newingham and the Gillespie mayor,” Mayor Hendricks opened, “We approved that tap, sold him that tap and he is legally tapped for that matter.” Hendricks went on to state that problems lie on how the water lines were ran by Newingham through the City of Gillespie.
Vertichio went on to say that the problem has nothing to do with the City of Benld yet because Benld can legally sell Newingham water even if he lives outside of Benld city limits under the permission of the City of Gillespie. “As long as that line is not serving residents inside of Gillespie’s corporate limits,” Vertichio stated, “I see no problems.” If there is any leaks or problems with the 930 feet of water line Newingham installed, Newingham has to fix the problems himself.
The tap on point where Newingham tapped on at is at the driveway of Ameren substation and is beyond Benld’s main meter. The only problem with the installed water line is there is no water meter where Newingham tapped on at and according to previous meeting minutes, he was told to have a shut off valve and a meter at the tap on point. There is a shut off valve installed, but there is no meter until the very end of the installed line.
“I realize what you are saying, “Newingham spoke up, “But when I talked to people here, they told me a meter by the tap was not needed.” Vertichio advised Newingham that 930 feet of unmetered water line is a huge problem and the meter needs to be moved up to tap on point.
Jesse Maynard from HMG Engineers provided some insight on when the project came through. “It was decided that the 4 inch tap was not included in the permit either. So as of now, there is 930 feet of 4″ water line that is obviously not permitted,” Maynard explained. “So not only does he need a 4″ meter tap on his tap-on point, he needs a permit for 930 feet of water line.” Maynard went on to say he is going to check from the EPA, but he is pretty sure Newingham would need a permit for a 4″ service tap from the EPA.
Jesse Maynard from HMG Engineers explains that Newingham's water line is not even permitted.
“I wish all of this would have been done sooner because it is a lot harder to put a meter in now,” Newingham advised, “But I will offer the City of Benld 750 feet of my water line, I got $10,000 in it.” Mayor Hendricks explained that it is up for discussion later, but that line would have to go through numerous EPA inspections. “There has not been a drop of water that has gone through that line,” Hendricks closed, “It has not been charged.”
Maynard went on to say that the Eiler Avenue project is complete and the amount due to Korte Luitjohan is $26,092. Maynard recommended passing the payment pending record drawings. The payment was passed 6-0 with all funds coming from a grant.
Tilashakski then went on to question city attorney Rick Vertichio if the property on Kentucky and Park Avenue was all tied up or is it available for the city. “There is nothing that is all tied up, the only thing there is to do now is sell it,” Vertichio informed, “You have the complete go-ahead. If you can get a buyer, then let me know and I can draw up a contract.”
Next, Tilashakski questioned if there was any way the library could get any money back since they have put over $70,000 into it for repairs. “As I understand since Helitech got in there, it is a not a mine situation,” Tilashakski noted. Vertichio explained that the library was not constructed correctly and yes, there is a statute of repose but on the downside it is only 10 years and the library is past that. All claims against the construction of a building is 4 years from when the damage is discovered, but no more than 10 years from when the discovery occurs.
After voting 6-0 to renew the Macoupin County Economic Development membership, the council heard from Shari Albrecht. The rate is based on population and is $1 per person according to the 2010 census information. “I am sure you all are aware that MEDP was awarded $75,000 from the State of Illinois to award small businesses with energy efficient grants,” Albrecht opened. MEDP recruited 7 new businesses this year to Macoupin County as well as hosted 4 business education workshops. MEDP also maintains a business insight database which is a national listing of Macoupin County proprieties available for purchase or lease.
Shari went on to explain that Ken Snider purchased a building in downtown Benld to open a winery and applied for a grant to upgrade the furnace and air conditioning. Since Benld is a member of MEDP, the grant was available and awarded to Ken for the amount of $5,000.
“I would like to thank MEDP and Shari Albrecht for the tremendous amount of help for my project,” Ken stated, “I thank everyone for their support.” The building Snider bought is the previous Benld Packing Company that rests on 5th and Central.
Lynn Fraelle thanked the council for their help in the Benld Christmas dinner and referred to the event “a huge success.” Fraelle went on to say that Build Benld had a sign made for the Veteran’s Memorial. The sign will be erected in the park and the frame will be made by Chuck Voyles.
After hearing from the pubic, Mickey Robinson gave his report on city properties. First and foremost, the civic center has been upgraded after the south wall was painted. The only thing left is to paint the bathrooms. Secondly, Robinson stated there is a 60-80 foot tree that is about 70% dead on the east side and about 95% dead on the west side at 604 North 6th Street. All other committee reports paid and approved all bills.
Mayor Jeff Hendricks reads the new insurance proposals.
Under new business, the tax levy ordinance was approved for the amount of $1,905,092.00. Last year the levy was increased 1.5%, but this year it remained the same and is identical to last year’s. Recently, the mayor met with the insurance group and received the new proposal based on the amount of employees and current employees the city has.
The new proposal increased the deductible from $500 to $1,000 and increased the out of pocket from $2,000 to $2,500 and the city will save an overall 5% from last years premium by doing so. The city will take the 5% savings and will set up and insurance fund so when the employees reach the out of pocket expense, the city will cover $500 so that will leave the employees where they are at benefit wise. The new insurance proposal was passed 6-0.
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Gillespie will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, May 11 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym.
To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 7101336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife at 800-747-5401 to schedule.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available
through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate.
For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 7475401. Donors who last gave blood on or before March 16, 2026, are eligible to give at this drive.
Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.
ImpactLife is a nonprofit community organization providing blood products and services to more than 100 hospitals and emergency medical service providers in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as researchers and resource sharing partners across the country.
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Wednesday night approved a package of four capital improvement projects totaling more than $160,000 in value. Work will start on the projects after the end of the current school year and is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026-27 academic year in August.
The board met on Wednesday night after Monday’s inclement weather forced the district to reschedule the board’s regular monthly meeting.
The board approved entering into a contract with Fisher Tracks, Boone, Iowa, to resurface the district’s all-weather track at a cost of $105,209. Supt. Shane Owsley told the board the district will use about $50,000 from an all-weather track activity fund, with the remainder to be paid with proceeds from an alternate revenue bond issue approved last year for capital improvements.
Great Western Abatement, Jerseyville, was retained to remove flooring containing asbestos from the choir room floor and middle school gymnasium school at a cost of $40,700. Great Western’s bid was the lowest of seven bids, ranging up to $65,000, submitted for the work. Additionally, the district is paying $8,900 to Reliable Environmental Services, Springfield, for engineering and design work associated with the asbestos removal.
All-purpose rubberized flooring material will be installed on the middle school gym floor by Dynamic Sports Construction, Leander, Texas, at a cost of $51,424.
For the first time in a number of years, the high school gymnasium floor will be sanded and refinished with new artwork. Blast Technologies, St. Louis, was hired to sand the 4,200-square-foot floor at a cost of $5,250. Designs Unlimited, Pinckneyville, will paint game lines and logos on the floor before sealing it with a clear stain at a cost not to exceed $18,738.
The board also accepted a bid of $33,890 from DeLaurent Construction, Wilsonville, to resurface the 118,700-square-foot parking lot at Benld Elementary School.
Though no action was taken, Board President Mark Hayes reported that the Building and Grounds Committee had directed Owsley to investigate the cost of replacing the CUSD 7 administrative building.
“This building is very much in need of replacement,” Hayes said. “It’s beyond its time.” During Monday’s torrential rainfall, Hayes said water came in through windows and water seeped in under the sill plate, bringing displaced nightcrawlers into the building. Staff members ran fans after the storm in an effort to dry out the interior.
According to Hayes, the school has been in contact with the local Baptist Church to investigate the possibility of acquiring the former Trinity Baptist Church for use as an administrative building. Church officials, however, have not yet made a decision about the fate of the former sanctuary after Gillespie’s two Baptist churches merged.
Owsley said the current administrative building comprises about 6,000 square feet. Current estimates are $400 per square foot for new construction which would translate into about $2.5 million to replace the administrative facility. The district might be able to shave some dollars off that estimate by reducing the size of the building.
“There’s a lot of unusable space in this building,” Owsley said, suggesting a more efficient floorpan could reduce cost. He also mentioned the possibility of a basement to provide storage space for outdated documents.
In addition to construction costs, Owsley noted, the district would be responsible for tearing down the existing building.
“I have no idea what’s in this building,” Owsley said, raising abatement concerns. “I’m guessing disposal of this building is going to be expensive.”
Hayes said Kevin Wills, the district’s bond issue advisor, will attend the June board meeting to discuss the possibility of refinancing some existing bonds to free up enough revenue to build a new administrative building. The administration currently is housed in a “temporary” structure that has served as the administration building for several decades.
MINE SUBSIDENCE STUDY
After several minutes of discussion, the board took no action in relation to entering into a contract with Marino Engineering and Associates to assess the district’s risk for incurring damage from a mine subsidence event. Owsley said existing maps show that portions of Gillespie Middle School are undermined. While the high school is not undermined, a major subsidence would likely damage the high school as well as the middle school. In recent months, more than one residential home on Elm Street near the school property has experienced damage from mine subsidence.
Marino’s $94,000 Phase I proposal would “determine the likelihood of something happening to one of our buildings,” Owsley said. The problem is that too much information could negatively impact the district’s ability to purchase subsidence insurance. “Information is great until it’s not.”
The district currently pays about $300,000 for mine subsidence insurance on the middle school, high school and vocational arts building. The school carries no subsidence insurance on BenGil Elementary because mine shafts under the building were grouted before the school was built.
“If we find out there’s not a major concern,” Owsley noted, it could reduce the district’s subsidence insurance costs.
On the other hand, if the study reveals a high risk of experiencing mine subsidence, the insurer could drop the district at the end of the current policy’s term. With only two companies in the country offering subsidence insurance, the district could end up with no insurance at all to cover damage from mine subsidence.
The only way to avoid that scenario would be to implement whatever options Marino might recommend to reduce risk. Those recommendations would likely include grouting (backfilling) mine shafts under the middle school. Grouting for the elementary school cost $4 million. To grout under the middle school would likely run as much as $6 million or more.
The only way the study would make sense, Owsley suggested, would be if the district was “comfortable making the corrections the study is going to make.”
Moreover, $94,000 would cover only a preliminary assessment.
“To get a full understanding of what’s going on underground, we’d be looking at a half million dollars,” said Owsley.
The issue was allowed to die when no board member moved to consider the contract.
COMMUNITY SOLAR PARTICIPATION
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to enter into a contract with Summit Ridge Solar to participate in a community solar project. Under terms of the 15-year contract, the district will realize a 13 percent savings on electrical power bills. The contract is automatically renewable for five years unless the district chooses to withdraw.
“Illinois provides a number of incentives for using solar,” Owsley said. “However, not everyone likes the look of having solar panels on their property. This will get us the benefits without putting up solar panels on our property.”
Summit Ridge’s proposal was the most lucrative of the proposals the district received. Other companies offered shorter terms with savings of five percent.
After 20 years, it’s likely the savings would drop to five percent. Owsley said he was told the district was better off going with the longer contract to get 13 percent in savings for as long as possible.
The school district was able to secure such favorable rates, according to Owsley is because there is an issue with solar fields storing the power they generate. “Our main usage time is during their maximum production time.”
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, the board recognized sophomore Matrix Wright, whose art was the only entry from the United States included in the 2026 TOLI International Student Art Exhibition. The exhibition is a project of The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies in New York. The exhibit includes student art relating to themes associated with the Holocaust.
Wright’s work, entitled “An Immortal Continuum,” attempts to portray “the constant entrapment a Holocaust survivor might feel.”
Exhibition organizers received more than 250 entries from around the globe.
BUDGET PROCESS
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Board President Hayes, board members voted unanimously to begin work on developing a district budget for fiscal 2027. Board members also approved a routine measure to permit expenditure of fiscal 2027 funds after July 1, pending approval of a new budget.
The school district’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 but new budgets typically are approved two to four months after the start of the fiscal year.
The current fiscal year’s $19 million budget was approved in September last year.
PERSONNEL
Following a one-hour executive session to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to approve the request of long-time middle school English and language arts teacher Kim Henderson, effective at the end of the 2028-29 school year.
Board members also voted unanimously to hire Andrew Crook as a first-year, non-tenured high school English teacher for the 2026-27 school year, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check. A graduate of Gillespie High School, Crook earned his teaching certificate at Illinois College, Jacksonville and for the past two years, he taught English at North Mac High School.
In separate actions, the board made multiple assignments to staff the district’s summer school program. Those hired include: Jessica Kelly as a middle school teacher, Ashlee Gibbs as a high school math teacher, and Jennifer Brown and Rob Macias as high school drivers’ education instructors. Each of the positions are contingent upon adequate student enrollment to offer the classes. In addition to academic staff, the board hired Andy Hirstein as a summer school food service worker.
The board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Foli Seferi as high school paraprofessional and as assisted football coach. Both resignations are effective immediately.
In other personnel action, the board appointed Cate Plovich as the BenGil Elementary School yearbook sponsor, and appointed Josh Ross as a volunteer assistant football coach, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
• Approved a mens highs school soccer coop with the Carlinville School District, with the provision Carlinville will dissolve the agreement if it pushes its program into a higher competitive classification.
• Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Lewis and Clark Community College under which the college will recognize some high school courses as college level credits.
• Approved early graduation requests for an undisclosed number of students, provided all graduation requirements are met.
• Approved renewing the district’s membership in the Illinois Elementary Schools Association.
• Approved the final calendar for the 2025-26 school year pending no further emergency days. Barring the use of emergency days, Monday, May 18 will be the last day of student attendance, with graduation ceremonies set at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 17.
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One of the greatest annual events in American sports is the Saturday is the Kentucky Derby, which will be run for the 152nd time this Saturday. One past champion was bred in Macoupin County.
This week marks 137 years since the victory of Spokane, who captured the 1889 Kentucky Derby during the infancy of the event. The horse was bred at “The Meadows,” the farm of Gen. Richard Rowett one mile north of Carlinville.
Rowett horses, and their jockey colors of orange jacket and blue cap, were on tracks throughout the west and south. But Spokane was the greatest production of The Meadows, a nationally recognized breeding ground for thoroughbreds.
In 1885, a prized dark brown horse named Hyder Ali was standing at The Meadows when Rowett bred him to one of his top mares, Interpose. This pairing had produced favorable offspring in the past, including Grey Cloud, a fine racer owned by Noah Armstrong of the Doncaster Ranch near Twin Bridges in the Montana Territory.
Armstrong’s famous stable included such horses as Lord Raglan, the third-place finisher in the 1883 Kentucky Derby. When Rowett offered Interpose for sale late in 1885, Armstrong, familiar with the high quality of Rowett stock, purchased the pregnant mare and her suckling filly, Madelin, for the price of $1,000 and shipped the brood to Montana.
The Doncaster Ranch was known for its spectacular, three-story round barn that featured an indoor track. While in Spokane in the Washington Territory on business, Armstrong received word of the birth of Interpose’s colt. In honor of the city, he named the colt Spokane.
Spokane showed great promise as a two-year-old, winning two of five starts in 1888, and Armstrong entered him in the 1889 Kentucky Derby. Although a premier race, the Derby had not achieved the monumental status it enjoys today.
The race was run on May 9, 1889–a Thursday–in front of a crowd of 25,000, a fraction of the throngs that fill Churchill Downs today.
Home state favorite Proctor Knott was the overwhelming favorite at 1-to-2, while the relatively unknown Spokane was listed at 10-to-1 odds. That was enough for Frank James, brother of outlaw Jessie and a regular at countless tracks.
James, flush with a windfall of $2,400 from an earlier race that day, asked a bookmaker of the odds on Spokane. The reply was “Ten-to-one and the sky’s the limit.” James threw down $5,000 on Spokane, causing the bookmaker to reply, “As far as I’m concerned, that’s the sky!”
Under jockey Thomas Kiley, Spokane edged Proctor Knott by a head, setting a record at 2:34 ½ over the mile-and-a-half layout (it was changed to a mile and a quarter in 1896). He remains the only Kentucky Derby winner ever born in Montana.
Proving the win was no fluke, Spokane again beat Proctor Knott five days later at the Clark Stakes in Louisville. On June 22, Spokane won another key race of the era, the American Derby at Washington Park in Chicago, to become the first horse to win both races in the same season.
Back in Illinois, Rowett did not live to see the triumph of Spokane, as he died on July 13, 1887. His death was covered on page one of the New York Times the following day.
In addition to breeding, Rowett is also remembered as the first to introduce the true-bred beagle hound to this country from his native England. Prior to that, he was a Civil War officer and state politician.
The only horse actually born in Illinois to win the Kentucky Derby was the 1970 champion, Dust Commander.
Tom Emery of Carlinville, who wrote the award-winning biography Richard Rowett: Thoroughbreds, Beagles, and the Civil War, may be reached at 217-710-8392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com.
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