School Referendum Vote In Ottawa

How good of sales people Ottawa Elementary School Board members are will be found out February 2^nd.

The board last night unanimously agreed to ask district voters to approve an 18 and a half million dollar tax referendum to help pay for a new Central Elementary School.  Right after last night’s vote, Superintendent Craig Doster said there’s now “tremendous work ahead for everyone” when it comes to the board having to convince enough voters to vote yes for the referendum.  Doster plans on getting a campaign committee together after winter break. 

If the referendum passes, it would mean a 37 cent increase in tax bills.  The district would have 19 years to pay off the bond amount.  They do have millions of dollars they still could receive towards a new school from the state and federal governments.  If this money comes in, the board could abate whatever part of the tax referendum they don’t spend towards the new school.

Magnolia Man Killed In Accident

A 72 year old man from Magnolia was killed yesterday in a car crash.

Investigators think Willard Ghrist was driving north on Route 89 when for whatever reason, he crossed into the other lane of traffic, went into a ditch and hit a field entrance causing his car to overturn.  He was taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The accident happened yesterday around noon.

Princeton offers home energy use calculator

Is your home as energy efficient as it could be?  Homeowners in Princeton have a way of going online to evaluate their home energy usage.
    Jason Bird is the city’s electric superintendent.  He explained the HomeEnergySuite program to the city council Monday night. 

By going online and entering information like the size of your home, thermostat settings and the type of windows, and appliances it guesses your monthly and annual energy costs.  You can change factors to see what you could do to save money. 

The city is also offering reimbursement for people and businesses who buy new, more energy efficient appliances. 

 Thanks to the Newstribune for information in this story.

New Swine Flu Vaccine Clinic

Another swine flu clinic is happening today in La Salle County.

The La Salle County Public Health Department will be giving out vaccines from two until seven at the Streator Knights of Columbus Hall.  No appointments are needed although nurses are still only giving the vaccine to people in high-priority groups for the illness.

If you can’t make it to Streator, there’s another swine flu clinic Thursday at the Mendota Civic Center.  It’s also from two until seven.

The vaccine is free.

Area School Board Looking At Large Tax Question

The decision of whether or not to put a tax referendum question on the ballot of Ottawa Elementary School district voters will happen tonight.

The elementary board is thinking about asking for 18 and a half million dollars worth of bonds to help pay for a new Central Elementary School.  The question if approved tonight would be on the February primary election ballot.

Superintendent Craig Doster says if the state and federal government comes through with funding towards the new school, the bonds could be abated or not even issued at all.  But he says the district is at the point they can’t wait for “what ifs”.

New Push To Get Vermilion Back Open

Maybe a letter will get Buzzi Unicem to open back up their stretch of the Vermilion River.

Oglesby Mayor Tony Torres appeared before the La Salle County Board of Tourism yesterday saying there was no new movement towards Buzzi reopening their stretch of the river to recreation.  The cement company closed its stretch earlier this year after a couple drownings.

Board of Tourism members are asking Torres and other officials along the river to go in together in supporting a letter demanding the river open back up.  Some committee members accused Buzzi officials of using their stretch of the river as leverage in trying to get the state to grant them 30 acres of land to mine near Mattheissen State Park.

Putnam County School Taxes Shouldn’t Go Up

An increase equalized assessed valuation means the Putnam County School District will be levying for more money, but not increasing the tax rate.

Superintendent Jay McCracken presented the 2009 tax levy to the board on last night.  The suggested levy is 4.8 million dollars and won’t require a truth-in-taxation hearing.   This year’s levy is 104.99 percent of last year’s extension, but the district tax rate should be lowered considerably because of an anticipated increase in equalized assessed valuation according to McCracken.