Limbaugh indicated that the annual event has outgrowned its current location at Veterans Park at the northeast edge of town. He said that the car show continues to grow and the carnival needs more space to put up the new rides that are now available. In addition, the number of people who come to see the fireworks continues to grow.

The 4th of July committee has begun planning for 2002 and needs to have the city's approval fairly soon since the infrastructure needs to be in place in order for the event to move forward. The committee meets bi-monthly until the end of the year and then every month until July. Limbaugh indicated that more parking would be available at the new site and public safety will be easier to accommodate. In addition, there could be additional revenues for local businesses that choose to stay open downtown during the 4th of July events.

Limbaugh said that the beer tent would be placed in the city parking lot across from city hall. The ground north of the medical building on Seventh Street could be used for parking. In addition, plans are to close Chestnut Street periodically at night in order to have the car show and teen dances, etc.

To plan for the event, Limbaugh requested the city to provide six picnic tables, a drinking fountain, a flag pole, and a power supply from one of the utlity poles. In addition, he asked the city to consider leveling the gravel at the city parking lot or even tar and chip the lot so that cleanup can be facilitated after the 4th of July events.

Limbaugh said that 2002 will be the best 4th of July event yet and said that the city has played an important role in helping with event and it is appreciated by the committee.

Mayor Mark Spencer asked Limbaugh to provide some costs estimates for the improvements so that the council could then make a decision on the request.

The council will take up in an executive session a City Liability Policy that will spell out guidelines for determining liability for water or sewer backup in residential property. The policy specifies that all liability claims are to go directly to the city administrator who will then forward the claims to the insurance company who then makes the final decision on the liabilty claims. The city council will no longer be involved in the decision-making process. Also, the city adminstrator said that he was advised by the city's attorney that the city council can override or change any ruling made by the zoning board if that board's decison is appealed by a resident.

City Administrator Trent Smith said that the city is adopting a new health insurance policy for city employees that will result in a 6% increase in premiums. The old insurance policy premiums were to increase by 38% and prompted a review of the insurance policies. The new policy eliminates the $200 deductable for office calls to a doctor and is replaced with a $20 payment for each call by the patient.

Alderperson Sherry Stalter requested the council to approve a transfer of $3000 from the dirt and lime fund to a fund for purchasing new playground equipment to be placed in the west side of Veterans Park. The total cost of the equipment is estimated around $12,000. The council approved the request.

Alderman Bill Koos recommended that the city officially give a name to Sutton Park so that it can be referenced when applying for grants. Mayor Spencer said he would contact the city attorney to determine the procedure for naming the park.

September 9

McNamara was convicted on July 15 of slapping Jessica Imm of Toluca on January 15, 2000.

McNamara will not have to serve any jail time but she will have a permanent record. Defense attorney Paul Welch asked for court supervision because it has the option of removing the conviction from McNamara's record after completion of the sentence.

On a day when all flights were grounded nation wide, I was at the Shell station filling up like everyone else in town. On the western horizon, coming toward Minonk I,(along with several other people) saw several jet trails heading almost due east. I saw one large airliner which I believe to be Air Force 1, as CNN had just announced before I left the house that the President had just left Omaha. This large airliner had two small jets along it's port beam. As I watched, two more jets converged on them from the north and one converged on them from the south. The original two small jets did an immediate u-turn and the large jet continued toward Minonk with the three new "escorts" moving very fast to catch up as the large air liner did not slow down for the "hand off". They flew directly over the Shell station. Air Force 1 was so high we could not see anything but 4 streams coming from the engines. However as the escort passed overhead they were just low enough to see the sleek outline of Military fighter jets, and they were really hummin'. They were going so fast they appeared to be an inch ahead of their own con-trails as seen from the ground. By the time I got home all that was left was the con-trails to take a picture of.

High school - 362
Elementary South (K-4) - 249
Elementary West (K-4) - 125
Elementary East (K-5) - 154
Middle West (5-8) - 199
Middle East (6-8) - 159

The high school figures includes 129 freshman, 84 sophomores, 64 juniors and 85 seniors.

September 16

A request to annex a parcel of land to the city was submitted by John Durre. He wants to build on a lot that fronts the south side of First Street across from Maple Avenue. Durre wants the property to be annexed so that he can get city sewer and water. The council is taking his request into consideration and will make a decision soon.

City Administrator Trent Smith advised the city council to divert the proposed storm sewer that is to run along the old IC tracks from Seventh Street to First Street. Smith said that instead of running the sewer down the middle of the block it is better to move the sewer line 50 feet west toward the curbside so that future business buildings will not cover the sewer line. The council approved the change.

In other news, the council was told that the county will stripe old Route 51 from Route 251 to the curve north of Minonk. Previously, the city was planning on hiring the striping to be done.

Alderperson Sherry Stalter said that the Parks and Recreation Committee wants to officially name the land north of Eighth Street along Chestnut Street as Sutton's Park. The city administrator is looking into the procedure for the naming.

Alderman Dean Barth of the Adhoc Committee on Westside Park Pavilion said that there will be a meeting with architect Chuck Fischer on Wednesday, September 26, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall to discuss preparing blueprints for the proposed Westside Park Pavilion.

Public Works Supervisor Charlie McGuire reported that the City of Minonk was taken off of the EPA's watch list for water quality. The city no longer has to provide water samples to the EPA. The city can go back to their normal water testing schedule

Prior to the ceremony there was a line of people a half block long waiting to buy a balloon for $1 and to also buy items from the bake sale that followed the balloon line. Over 900 balloons were sold and $2305 was collected for the Red Cross.

The ceremony started with a prayer by Reverend Dan Gansch-Boythe of the United Church of Christ. Jim Meyer of the Village Aires then sang our national anthem. That was followed by The Pledge Allegiance to the Flag led by the local cubscouts and brownie troops.

Mayor Mark Spencer gave a speech in which he cited that our generation has a chance to be the next greatest generation in reference to the "Greatest generation" tag that has been applied to those who fought in World War II. He mentioned that the name of Minonk means "good place" and the fact that so many people showed up for the disaster relief benefit indicates that Minonk also is a place for good people.

Next, a military color guard held a ceremony. That was followed by several patriotic songs sung by the Village Aires who were bedecked in stars and stripes vests for the occasion. Reverend Harry Sanders of the Bapstist Church gave a closing prayer.

The Village Aires sang a closing song after which everyone released their balloons into the sky. The hundreds of balloons drifted toward the northwest over the city cementery.

An estimated 400 people showed up for the ceremony which was planned just a few days prior and was initiated by workers at the Heritage Manor Nursing Home. Those who planned the event are to be commended for their dedication and hard work in organizing the event. In addition, the citizens of Minonk should be proud that we are the first community to hold such an event.

Jeff Crone returned an interception for 83 yards and Jordan Castrejon made the remaining touchdown on a 53 yard run. Drew Glowacki carried the ball 18 times for 73 yards.

The Knights are now 2-3 overall and 1-0 in the Midstate Conference.

September 23

Her great-grand- daughter, Teresa Hastings (Hinkle) and great-great-grandson, Jacob Hastings are now living in Minonk. Her grand-daughter, Phyllis Parker-Hinkle and husband Dave Hinkle are also former Minonk residents.

The open house is Sunday, September 30, 2001 from 2 to 4pm. It will be at the Church of Christ Uniting in Lexington, IL, located at 108 N. Pine St., one block north of the corner of Main and Pine.

He indicated that even though he will live in Minonk he emphasized that he will be involved in all of the communities in the Fieldcrest school district. He feels that it is important for him to be involved in community activities, especially since the school system is a vital and integral part of the community. He found it unusual for Minonk to not have any active social organizations such as a Rotary Club.

Dr. Stagliano says there is a lot of potential for the Fieldcrest school district and plans to move Fieldcrest to a stronger curriculum. He also feels that it is important to teach students to become contributing members to society in addition to mastering their studies. In keeping with this philosophy, Dr. Stagliano has already began a drive to clean up the litter in the city of Minonk. Being a newcomer to the community he was struck by the general state of dishevelment in the city, especially at Woody's Truck Stop at the I-39 interchange. He already has addressed the Minonk City Council on the need to establish a regular litter cleanup program.

Regarding the status of Fielcrest teacher Judy McNamara who was convicted of a misdemeanor for slapping a student, Dr. Stagliano indicated that she is currently teaching P. E. courses. In order for her to return to coaching she will have to fulfill certain obligations of an agreement between her and the school board. She has until the second week in October to decide if she will agree to fulfill those obligations.

Dr. Stagliano is sympathetic to the Minonk and MDR trophy issue that has been simmering for over a year. Since Toluca and Wenona have found a place for their trophies he feels that it is important for Minonk to have a place for their trophies as well. He feels that it is appropriate to display some of the more significant trophies from Minonk's past in the Fieldrest High School gymnasium. "A sense of tradition is important to the school district," said Dr. Stagliano. "Heritage and culture are very important to a community. Sports is the thread that ties all things together and surpasses class and economic boundaries. It is important to have a legacy that ties the present with the past. All achievements, whether academic or sports should be recognized and displayed."

He recognizes that it is impossible to display all of the trophies. He recommends that a citizens committee and the school board jointly select the significant trophies that should be displayed at the gymnasium.

The homecoming parade started at 3:15 at the high school parking lot. Friday night the Fieldcrest Knights beat Gridley 41-12 in the homecoming game. At half-time the king and queen along with the court was presented. In addition, the Fieldcrest High School band put on a show for the fans.

The 2001 Homecoming King is Tyler Sunken and the Homecoming Queen is Amy Pelz. Freshmen attendants were Staci Hovey and Justin Arndt, sophomore attendants were Lindsey Kolb and Jacob Peters, and junior attendants were Sarah Harms and Jamie Buss. The senior court members were Ashley Flahaven, Jessica Imm, Ashlie Kolb, Amy Pelz, Drew Glowacki, Kyle Lutz, Tyler Sunken and Andy Swenson.

The education fund has a deficit of $270,076 and the building fund has a deficit of $218,542 while the bond and interest fund amounts to $544,542 and the working cash fund has $61,458. The education fund is 80% of the total budget.

Superintendent Stagliano said that the school district will spend $7,035,883 this year even though the budget is only $6,765,807. The district has one year of reserves left to cover the deficit.