'Battle of the Bands' Added to Mardi Gras Lineup
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce asked for street closings and a police presence for two new Mardi Gras events this year. A Battle of the Bands will be held Saturday, Oct. 23 from 6 to 10 p.m. on Walnut Street between Mulberry and St. Louis Streets. The City Parking lot will also be used.
The battle of the band fills the weekend between the annual Mardi Gras pageant and the Business Trick or Treat, flea market and parade. The second event is an un-named headline act at the Grandstand on Thursday, Oct. 28.
Commissioner Marty Beltz said the Police Department would work with the Chamber on the headline event.
The council also approved the usual street closings for the Business Trick or Treat on Oct. 29 and the flea market and parade on Oct. 30. The Queen's Collection will be held on Saturday, Oct. 2 at locations around the square and four-way stop.
The next major event for the Friendly Little City is Family Night in the Park on Friday, July 30. Commissioner Beltz said the event includes free food, entertainment, displays, a professional magician, a dunking booth and other activities. Economic Development Coordinator Carrie Gilliam that the U.S. Census Bureau will participate in Family Night in the Park. She said Pinckneyville was lucky to be chosen by the Census Bureau. The 2010 Census is ongoing, mainly by phone at this time.
There will be bleachers set up at the event, but anyone who brings their own lawn chair is guaranteed to have a place to sit, Beltz said.
Gilliam continues to work on the city's new website and should have a launch date after meeting with the web designer this week.
Due to the success of the Pinckneyville Farmer's Market, the SIU-C Entrepreneurship program is seeking local residents to participate in the Made in Southern Illinois program at the Du Quoin State Fair. The program provides free booth space to individuals who make products in southern Illinois. Pinckneyville residents who are interested may contact Gilliam at 357-8775.
In other business, the council:
heard from Commis-sioner David Stone that the walking track at the City Park will be closed for sealing on Tuesday, July 27. It takes 24 hours for the seal to completely cure. The track will re-open Wednesday. Residents are asked to stay off the track on Tuesday.
approved the purchase of a squad car camera for $4,700 and the purchase of a used pick-up truck for no more than $8,000 for the Animal Control and Ordinance officers to use.
approved the annual flu and pneumonia vaccine clinic for city employees on Monday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flu vaccines cost $35 and pneumonia vaccines are $65. There is no cost for employees.
heard from Commis-sioner Augie Kellerman that the city is in good financial shape. The Pinckneyville Correctional Center owes $258,518 in utility bills plus the amount that was underbilled.