SS Numbers Track Those Who Owe

•October 21, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

For years the city of Sullivan’s collections for unpaid utilities were an iffy process; so the city council is trying Local Debt Recovery through the Illinois Comptroller’s office.

The intergovernmental agreement was approved unanimously by city council at the Monday, October 12 meeting.

“As a municipality we can send past utility bills, ordinance violations and even past due parking tickets to Local Debt Recovery, and they take care of collections,” city treasurer Sarah Golden said of the new program.

In the past the city and collection agencies had difficulty locating people after they left Sullivan with no forwarding address. This made the ability to collect past utility bills limited to those folks who wanted to live in Sullivan again.

Golden explained that the returning customer would have to pay the past due utility bill to get service again. With 20 or more utility shut offs per month it didn’t take long for a back log to exist in collections.

A collection agency also charged the city 33% of the due bill, reducing the amount again. Golden said Local Debt Recovery charges a fee, but it is to the person who owes the delinquent bill. Read More

Photo Submitted
C.E.F.S. Award
Pictured (Left to Right) 2015 Family of Distinction Award recipient Serena Spencer receives plaque from C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation’s Moultrie County Outreach Coordinator Kristy Dawson.

•October 21, 2015•

The Serena Spencer family of Sullivan was recently recognized by the C.E.F.S. Board of Directors as the 2015 Family of Distinction, exemplifying the spirit of hope and success that C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation has offered to all individuals and families during its past 50 years of service. The Spencer family was nominated for the award by the C.E.F.S. Moultrie County Outreach Office staff for the significant strides the family made in the pursuit of self- sufficiency since first seeking help from the agency. The family was also recognized and honored along with other families from across the state by the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies earlier this year in Springfield as one of the outstanding Illinois families for their personal achievements to improve their lives.

According to Chief Executive Officer Paul White, “The Serena Spencer family is a great example of what Community Action programs can do to help a family achieve self-sufficiency.” After being referred by a family member, Spencer came to the C.E.F.S. Moultrie County Outreach office in 2007 seeking assistance and access to community resources to help stretch her income. Over the years C.E.F.S. helped provide the family with assistance through various agency sponsored programs and also provided referrals for other local support. Spencer dealt with many challenges in the past years, but together with C.E.F.S., she worked hard and achieved her goals. Read More

•October 21, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

Aging heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and spongy rooftops were discussed at the Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board meeting October 13.

Maintenance director Kevin Landrus explained the elementary, middle and high school had places where water had pooled, damaging roofs.

He also pointed out air conditioning systems were gaining age and becoming costly to maintain, noting that two units on the high school gym were not working at all.

Mike Zellers of Graham and Hyde Architects presented a power point showing the condition of the roofs and the HVAC systems that are located there.

Landrus said that the HVAC system replacements would need to be completed before new roofs are installed.

Zellers and HVAC engineer Frank Maris pointed out that the middle school steam heating system is slated for upgrading to hot water heat such as in the other two buildings, with the air conditioning systems for all buildings submitted to the Illinois State School Board for approval under Health Life Safety guidelines. Read More

Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Candidates for homecoming queen in Bethany are Allyson Ferguson, Heidi Emel, Stephanie Brewer, Kristen Scott, Mike Bryant, Corey Weddles, Brian Plummer and Clint Cribbett.

The time of 47.26 in the 100-yard freestyle has ranked Seth Dunscomb number one in the nation for boys ages 13 and 14. According to the October issue of Swimming World Magazine, Dunscomb is also fourth in the 50 freestyle with a time of 21.90.

Joan Laugher, a school bus driver in Sullivan, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the education of special needs students. She was one of eight recipients from 32 districts selected by the Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education for the award of merit.

Lovington High School teacher Rosemary Brown will be one of 12 Illinois high school teachers honored during a “Great Teachers” luncheon Oct. 25 at Eastern Illinois University.

Bradley Orris, son of Mike and Connie Orris of Dalton City, enrolled as a sophomore this fall at Eureka College. His intended major is history.  Read More

•October 14, 2015•

Businesses in Moultrie County are getting a chance to help veterans by providing discounts and incentives through the Honors Rewards program.

“With everything going on these days the least we can do as a community is honor those who have sacrificed so much,” Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England said of the rewards program.

The Honors Rewards program is for all eligible veterans. England explained veterans may sign up online www.honorrewards.com or in person at the county clerk’s office.

The veteran must have a DD214 on file. England explained that once the proof of discharge is recorded the veteran receives an Honor Rewards card containing essential information, along with the insignia of his or her branch of service. Read More