March 2014 Board Meeting

The March 26, 2014, meeting of the Tazewell County Board began with a proclamation declaring April 19 as a day of awareness for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia ("CDH") in Tazewell County. Board Member Andrew Rinehart presented the proclamation, and noted that many residents of the County have (or know someone whose family has) been influenced by CDH.  The proclamation was passed unanimously.  For those wanting to know more about CDH, please visit www.cherubs-cdh.org.

The Board then recognized Bob Marshall for almost 30 years of service to the County's Animal Control Department.  I will not only miss his reports to the Health Services Committee, but also the fine work he did for the County.  

Among other items discussed on March 26 -

1) The Board debated and approved a five year collective bargaining agreement with the Sheriff's Department Control Room Operators;

2)  The Board heard from a representative of Enbridge with an update on the extensive pipeline construction project which continues throughout the County (including District 3) and the Midwest.  

The Board received handouts from Enbridge regarding ways to communicate with the company, both during normal conditions and in emergencies.

As a reminder, public communication with Enbridge is possible by:

Email: USpublicawareness@enbridge.com

Toll Free: (877) 799-2650

Mail: Public Awareness Program Manager, 1100 Louisiana, Suite 3300 Houston, TX 77002

Website: enbridgeUS.com/publicawareness

Facebook: facebook.com/enbridge

Enbridge reminds those planning to dig to contact the national "Call Before You Dig" telephone number prior to any excavation on your property, especially those directly impacted by the pipeline.  Simply dial "811," which will allow professional locators to the site to mark approximate locations within 2-3 business days.

February 2014 Board Meeting

BOARD MEETING

The theme of the February 2014 County Board Meeting could be described as investing in the future.  We not only welcomed a local Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy to our meeting, but then took our first vote of the night to fill the vacancy (in District 1) on our Board.  I am excited to work with Joe Wolfe, and also welcome him to our Board.

Additionally, the Board considered and approved:

1)  a one-time request for supplemental funding for the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission.  We have several board members who serve as Commissioners for this body, and our Board's vote allows Tazewell to join Peoria and Woodford County in expressing support for the body to renew its focus on obtaining state and federal funding for transportation, planning, and water resources; and

2)  approved a formal policy that the County will follow when extending economic incentives to businesses seeking to establish or increase their presence in our area.

EARLY VOTING

We have also just received word of dates and locations for early voting for the March 18 Primary Election throughout the County.  While the full list of sites is available on the County's website, I am including those sites located in District 3 for your convenience:

Mackinaw

Wednesday (March 5) at the Village Hall (100 Fast Avenue) from 7-10 am and 4-7 pm.

East Peoria

Thursday (March 6) and Friday (March 7) at the Park District Building (201 Veterans Road) from 7-10 am and 4-7 pm.

Saturday (March 8) at the Park District Building from 9 am-12 pm.

Washington

Thursday (March 13) and Friday (March 14) at the Township Hall (58 Valley Forge) from 7-10 am and 4-7 pm.

Saturday (March 15) at the Township Hall from 9 am-12 pm.

January 2014 Board Meeting

The January 29 meeting of the Tazewell County Board started with mixed emotions.  We first celebrated the service anniversaries for county officials and employees at the beginning of the meeting (including a special thank you to retiring County Engineer John Anderson), followed by Chairman Zimmerman asking those in attendance for a moment of silence to remember our colleague and friend, Board Member Terry Von Boeckman, who passed away late last year.  I did not personally get a chance to work much with Terry, but when he would work with "the new guy," he always had encouraging words for me when I would ask questions or was trying to learn about a county issue.  He will be missed.

Among other things on the agenda tonight, the Board:

1) approved numerous intergovernmental agreements for animal control services with municipalities throughout the county;

2)  approved a resolution opposing the passage of Illinois House Bill 924, a bill pending in the General Assembly which would greatly hamper the ability of smaller, local businesses to bid on government projects;

3)  approved a resolution to waive permit fees for reconstruction of property damaged in the November 2013 tornado; and

4)  discussed the efforts undertaken by the Subcommittee on the Pekin Landfill formed from members of the County Health Services Committee.  This Subcommittee has worked very hard to ascertain what options are available for containing the landfill, which was left vacant by a private corporation many years ago. After some general discussion, the Board reached a consensus to have the Subcommittee come back with specific cost information and options so a final decision on whether or not to take further action would be in the County's best interest.