The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Stronghurst Sets Clean-up and Halloween Dates

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

The Village of Stronghurst has set Friday, October 31, 2008, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for the annual trick or treat night in Stronghurst. Board members request that no one burns leaves that week, in order to keep the children safe and not have them walking in ashes.

The village also set Friday, October 17th as city wide clean up day. All items should be out by 6:00 a.m. that morning.

Jean Crotts approached the board concerning a problem with rats and bats she was having in her house. They appear to be coming from the abandoned house across the street from her, she said. She reported other neighbors had seen raccoons over there as well.

Board members agreed the house was in violation of a city ordinance and they would begin proceedings to have something done with the property. They will talk to the zoning committee, get city attorney Mike Neff to write a letter to the owner and will also talk with the Health Department to determine how to proceed in correcting the problem.

Chris Cook, on behalf of the Stronghurst Booster Club, requested a donation for the Christmas open house to be held on November 21st. She reported new this year will be a lighted walk by parade and a live nativity scene. There will be no candy for the children and no drawing for hams and turkeys. The same amount of ham and turkeys will be purchased by the Booster Club, but will be given to the needy. Following a discussion of what the village's money would be used for, David Vancil made a motion to give a donation of $750, Lawrence Neff seconded and all voted yes, with Cook abstaining.

A request was also received by the village from the Henderson County Health Department for a donation to the Senior Transportation fund, which provides transportation to seniors for treatments and doctor appointments. On a motion by Lawrence Neff, seconded by Chris Cook, the vote was unanimous to donate $300.

In other business:

• Board members voted to hire an independent inspector to inspect the water tower, at a cost of $2,000.
• Heard fire hydrants will be flushed every Wednesday, for the next several weeks beginning October 15th.
• The rest room in the park will be pumped and locked for the winter.
• A new water meter reading electronic device had been ordered.
• There are 10 more memorial blocks to be laid at the cannon site.
• Denied a request for a tree to be planted in the park.

Those present included: President Eric Chockley; Trustees, Lawrence Neff, Angela Myers, Chris Cook, Mike Nelson, David Vancil; Treasurer, Lou Ann Nortrup; Employee, Kory Nichols; guests, Jean Crotts, Pat Jones and Lynette Armstrong. Absent were Trustee, Tony Griepentrog, Clerk Lori Russell and employee, Tony Anderson.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 3, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hall.