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County asked to join Bicentennial planning

Posted July 14, 2016 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Staff Writer

Although Illinois's Bicentennial is still more than two years away, plans are well underway to celebrate the milestone.

During Friday's meeting of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, R.L. "Pete" Housman requested that the county join a growing consortium of counties that are supporting the Southern Illinois BiCentennial Celebration.

The Celebration, set to be observed over three years (2018 to 2020), will honor the region's history from pre-statehood in 1818 to 1919 in the first year, 1920 to 1968 in the second year and 1969 to present in the third year.

"We are using this as three major forms," Housman said, noting that he had heard rumblings from state officials that they will launch the celebration year on December 1, 2017. "No. 1, the opportunity to use all of our marketing skills to bring new and returning visitors back to Illinois.

"No. 2, the state has 20 decades of history, but we have so many different aspects that have been developed in 200 years."

Housman said the third form would involve determining what legacy to leave to the future generations of Southern Illinoisans.

Housman said the consortium originally started with the state's southern 37 counties, but became the South 40 and would include the entire 618 area code, plus the collar counties.

The 618 area code was among the original North American area codes created in 1947. Randolph County would represent Zone 2, Cluster 6 in the 32-zone, nine-cluster Consortium.

"We are looking to launch from the oldest counties," Housman said. "St. Clair first, then Randolph."

Housman noted that the state has not yet pulled the trigger on the bicentennial celebration.

"They are talking about it, but they have not pulled the trigger," he said.

As part of the request, Randolph County would designate an official representative to be a part of the consortium. A meeting has been scheduled for September to elect officers, who will not be paid.

"I think we should explore it as a possibility, but I think we shouldn't make a decision on it today," said Commissioner Dave Holder.

Board Chairman Marc Kiehna asked Housman what the financial commitment would be from the county.

"We are assuming that no money will be coming from the state for the Bicentennial and no focus from the state on the Bicentennial," Housman said.

Housman said the county, if it decides to join the initiative, will be asked to buy one share of stock in the consortium's foundation fund for a price of $250, but other than that, there's no initial cost to the county.

Houseman indicated that the consortium hopes to generate enough money from the events it conducts to operate the Bicentennial and said the county may accrue additional costs in providing security for events.

Commissioner Ronnie White presented Housman with a book "Where Illinois Began: A Pictorial History of Randolph County" by Carol Pirtle.

In other news, the commissioners approved plumbing and jail gate repair contracts for the Randolph County Jail.

After declaring an emergency repair situation existed at the facility, the commissioners approved a letter of intent to enter into a contract with Southern Folger Detention Equipment of San Antonio, Texas, to repair the jail gates in three cell blocks for $121,343.

Kiehna noted the contract would not be competitively bid due to a limited number of contractors and a life and safety issue at the jail.

"We attempted to find local or different contractors to do the jail gates, but it's hard to find someone who specializes in that," said Randolph County Sheriff Shannon Wolff, who was present at the meeting.

Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker was also on hand to oversee the handling of the emergency declaration.

"If we have to put people in these cells and there's a fire or a tornado and we can't get them out, that's a problem," he said.

In separate agenda items, the commissioners approved a $116,846.71 bid from Plumbing Solutions of Sparta for the replacement of plumbing fixtures at the jail.

Plumbing Solutions was the lowest of three bidders.

Lastly, the commissioners discussed asbestos abatement at the Randolph County Courthouse, which is needed to remove the current boiler and hot water heater as part of the renovation project.

"What we've found is that it isn't cheap," Kiehna said.

The commissioners approved a $9,250 contract with Schemel-Tarrillion of Perryville, Mo., for the work.

Roundup

• The commissioners approved a 2 percent salary increase to the county highway engineer's salary, which is now $109,813.90.

• The commissioners appointed John Clendenin to the Sparta Community Hospital Board.

• Randolph County Sheriff Shannon Wolff presented the jail inspection report, conducted by criminal justice specialist Dianne Fritschle on June 22.

The only noncompliance with the state's county jail standards is a lack of staffing. Fritschle noted that on some shifts, only one correctional officer is assigned.

• Honeywell Business Consultant Kevin Bollman gave an update on the courthouse renovations. On July 16, chilled water shutoff valves will be installed and plans are still on track for the first air handling unit to be installed on July 25.

Eight temporary air conditioning units have been shipped.

• Randolph County Economic Development Coordinator Chris Martin gave a short update on the Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail, which was recently designated as a AAA Midwest Travel Treasure.

A Pinterest site was recently launched for the trail.

"It's all about tourism right now because we may lose some jobs at Baldwin and we're trying to replace that as best we can," Martin said.

• General assistance for the period was $1,239.34.

• The Randolph County Care Center reported 66 residents.

• The Randolph County Jail was said to be housing six Federal inmates, generating $10,800 per month in revenue for the county.

• The Randolph County Treasurer's office is still accepting all standard forms of payment, including checks and credit cards. It is the Circuit Clerk's office that is no longer accepting checks.

• The next meeting of the board is scheduled for July 29 at 9 a.m. It is open to the public.

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