Du Quoin Council Sets Bastien Salary at $65,000

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ It's a leap of faith that Du Quoin will find efficiency and savings by adding the duties of public administrator to Blaine Bastien's already consuming role as city clerk while raising his annual salary from $54,000 to $65,000.

But time is money, and members of the city council are very firm in their belief that allowing Bastien to act on the city's behalf on dozens of daily decisions--including contracts issues, purchasing and personnel will more than pay for itself.

Bastien was very humbled by the decision, and told the newspaper following the meeting, "This is a citizen-based government and it is all about making Du Quoin better," he said.

Bastien said accepting this new role is driven by the seriousness of the economy and the fate of small communities everywhere. He said he has not only the council's expectations to live up to, but his parents' legacy of public service and his family's caring. Former City Clerk Rex Duncan--now commissioner--has advocated a change like this for year.

Bastien said the role simply gives his office an entitlement that in many ways has existed through trust, but not authority. He said communication with department heads, the mayor and commissioners is all-important.

Changing how we run our cities is proven in places like Anna and Carbondale, and Mayor John Rednour told the council and the viewing audience Monday that Du Quoin is getting a "two-fer" deal as Bastien shoulders the roles as both clerk and city administrator "for just a little more money."

Bastien said the hybrid arrangement is a good fit because so many of the city's decisions flow through the clerk's office.

The vote was unanimous and the congratulations resounding following Rednour's appointment. The son of Circuit Judge Robert Bastien (retired) will shoulder his new responsibilities starting Wednesday, July 1. Rednour instructed city attorney Aaron Atkins to reduce the agreement between Bastien and the city to a contract.

"It relieves me from having to track a commissioner down on every decision. It's really day to day operations. The reporting structure might be a little bit different, but it's still all about the conveyance of information," he said.

Bastien said the city faces several upcoming retirements, and his new role will provide the council with a better conduit of information about what the positions are, the posting process for those positions and the distribution of resumes and information about applicants.

He said there is savings to be had in being able to make spot decisions on purchasing and that it will always be done fairly and in the city's best interest. Statute requires council action on major contracts and bid-letting. He said he hopes to rely on the council's commitment to a better Du Quoin and in return guarantees that mutual trust and respect will guide all his work.

Growing downtown Du Quoin and improving the city's neighborhoods took up most of the council's time Monday. The council gave approval to exploratory agreements with Alongi's Since 1933 and Two Raggedly Sisters to use TIF money to improve these two applicants in some form or fashion. The two businesses are interested in feasibility studies that for Two Raggedy Sisters would restore the integrity of the front of their business including tuck pointing, window work and a new awning to help improve the outward appearance of downtown Du Quoin. Alongi's plan is more complex, trying to physically grow and better serve its huge customer base in a confined downtown area with very limited parking. That plan would include the use of the next door West Side Drug Store building, which the Alongis own.

This year would be the first cycle of real estate taxation where Tax Incentive Financing (TIF) money might be set aside for downtown redevelopment.

The council extended its deep appreciation to all concerned during the recent storm cleanup. Neighborhood property neglect still festers. Atkins told the council he has an offer from Michael Bandura to quit claim his property near West Cole and North Linden in exchange for the city taking care of his delinquent taxes and property maintenance liens on the property. Neighbors pointed to high grass at 218 East North Street, one of "seven or eight" properties the city is currently dealing with. Council members and the audience traded suggestions on better identifying property owners and getting complaints filed, but it still gets down to taking responsibility for your property and community pride. More on the SCT transit program, historic preservation appointments, etc. in Wednesday's edition.