The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Shamblin named Oquawka "Citizen of the Year"

By Sally Day for the Quill

Approximately 30 visitors were on hand at the June 4, 2012 meeting of the Oquawka Village Board. They joined in the tribute to local citizen Larry Shamblin, who was named Oquawka's "Citizen of the Year." Mayor Harold Henshaw presented Shamblin with a certificate during the meeting. Shamblin was invited to the meeting on false pretenses, but possibly realized something was in the works when family members began to pour into Village Hall.

Also honored and thanked at the meeting, were Ron and Sue Bigger and Mike and Heather Lain, for their generous donation of tables, chairs and umbrellas to the Oquawka Pool. They donated these items in memory of Nancy Furnald.

Pool manager, Kyle Gugeler was on hand to tell the board how things are going at the pool. The first three days saw over 200 swimmers. "We have lots of good help," Gugeler said. He also mentioned that he had heard a complaint from a parent of small children attending the pool, that candy at the snack bar was too expensive.

Board members discussed setting back the time of Schuyler Street repair. Mayor Henshaw asked Paul Loete, Engineer, about the grant monies for the project.

Loete said he would check out the grant monies from DECCA, IDOT, and USDA. The project will last approximately seven months.

It was decided not to begin it at this time, due to the heavy traffic load on Schuyler Street during harvest season. The project will most likely begin in the Spring.

Ron James was present at the meeting to ask the board for permission for the West Central High School Art Class to construct a mural at the foot of Schuyler Street near the Mississippi River.

The display will be eight feet high and each leg will be sixteen feet wide. It will show Oquawka's Main Street 100 years ago. The board agreed to issue a building permit and waive the fee for the same.

Also present was Rosalie Melvin on behalf of the Oquawka Museum.

She asked the board's permission for the Museum to host a Motorcycle Biker Rally, allowing the bikers to park on Museum property. The board passed a motion to accept this request.

In other business, the board:

• heard from Oquawka Police Chief Todd Miller the number of calls (107) and the number of arrests (13) during the month of May 2012.
• Board members asked Chief Miller if he could break down the number of calls and arrests into shifts. Chief Miller thought this was a possibility.
• agreed to give Troop #61 Boy Scouts of Oquawka $750.
• passed a motion to accept the 2012 Oquawka Annual Drinking Water Quality Report presented by Jenna Link.
• agreed to purchase fireworks at a cost of $5,700.00 for the annual 4th of July celebration.
• passed a motion to accept a proposal from Cherokee Hartman to improve the grounds in Memorial Park, a park dedicated to the memory of War Veterans.
• The landscaping project will cost the Village $529.80 and will coincide with Hartman's school project - Small Town Landscaping. The project, on the South end of town, will include new grass, low-growing bushes, and mulch and/or rock.
• agreed to block off 8th Street between Knox and Mercer Streets on Friday, June 29 from 8 p.m. to Sunday, July 1 at 8 p.m. for the Catfish Cook Off. Also, Knox Street between 8th and 10th Streets will be blocked on Friday, June 29 between 8 a.m. and Saturday, June 30 until 4 p.m.
• Alcohol will be served between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, in designated areas only.
• passed a motion to purchase snow fence and more steel posts at a cost of $126.00 for the Catfish Cook Off.
• gave permission to the Fire Department to house their rescue boat in the old Fire Department building, as long as there is no liability.
• turned down a request from Robert Harr to reimburse him $60.00 for damages to his boat trailer sustained at one of the Village's boat docks, due to low River water.
• accepted the prevailing wage.
• agreed to pay monthly bills, and accepted the minutes of the last meeting, as well as the Treasurer's Report.
• entered into Executive Session at 8:10 p.m.