County Board proclaims Vietnam Veterans Day
In homage to the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners signed a proclamation on Friday that designated March 29 as "Vietnam Veterans Day."
"We offer our unconditional gratitude to all our Vietnam Veterans," the proclamation states. "You served with honor, courage and valor under some of the most challenging conditions ever faced.
"To our collective shame, there were no parades upon your return, no hero salutes. Through your suffering, our consciousness has changed and we are a stronger, smarter nation, better prepared for the challenges our Veterans face today."
The proclamation lists the names of the 22 service members from the county who "unselfishly went off to fight a war, half a world away, never to return to their friends and family."
Also signing the proclamation was Dorothy Karsten, who is the Service for Veterans chairwoman of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
DAR members Julia Gangloff, Parliamentarian Peg Fulton and Vice Regen Shanti Kennedy were on hand for the signing. Gangloff wrote the proclamation.
Aside from approving its quarterly meeting dates, the board approved a map amendment for Craig and Nicole Pelate and a special use permit for Don and John F. Krull of Krull Farms.
In regard to the map amendment, the board concurred with a Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation to rezone a .16 acre tract on Branch Street in Ellis Grove from agriculture to commercial for the purpose of a nail salon.
The board's decision was based upon no known objections from neighboring property owners and adjoining commercial property.
Secondly, the separate use permit was to separate a pre-existing 5-acre home site in an agriculturally-zoned district in Sparta, with the knowledge that the home site existed before zoning.
An agenda item relating to a University of Illinois Extension agreement was tabled, as a representative for the Extension could not attend the meeting.
Lastly, Board Chairman Dr. Marc Kiehna offered his thanks to the county's voters who recently approved the Randolph County Courthouse referendum in the March 15 primary election.
"We are very delighted they chose to have the courthouse repaired," Kiehna said. "We want everybody to know we are getting after it."
Roundup
General assistance for the period was $1,100 with $1,488.32 for administrative costs.
The Randolph County Care Center was reported to have 67 residents, with two more expected today.
Randolph County Health Department Administrator Thomas Smith presented the board with his agency's annual report for 2015, which showed 104 reported cases of Hepatitis C, 53 reported cases of Chlamydia and 1,388 immunizations.
Budget-wise, the health department brought in $848,886 in revenue last year compared to $849,520, for a deficit of $634.
"It's just a compilation of what the staff has done," Smith told the board. "It gives a broad example of what we do."
Smith said his agency receives a small stipend to conduct vision and hearing screenings in schools, with the schools reimbursing the department on cost.
"As Spring progresses, we see an increase in animal bites," he said. "Especially dog bites. Dogs are out and children are out and if they are bit, they need to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
"All that serum needs to be ordered."
The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Friday, April 8, at 9 a.m. It is open to the public.