As for plowing snow anywhere anytime, I challenge anyone who complains about it to get up anytime in the night hours, leave your warm home and bed, any day, night, weekend, or holiday to go plow snow so the general public can have the benefit of getting out onto the roads, streets and sidewalks when they ready to start their day.

For anyone that thinks plowing snow is an easy or fun job, I challenge you to get into the truck and try it sometime. I speak from experience as I did just that while employed as City Administrator in Minonk. I might add, there were times our city crew and myself were in the trucks for extended periods of 8 to16 hours.

I say to anyone that wants to complain about the snow plowing job in Minonk, keep the complaint to yourself as you have no idea or appreciation of what is being provided for your benefit.

Further, I say there is no justifiable reason for anyone to complain about the snow plowing work or any other work performed by our city employees. These are people completely dedicated to their obligation as servants to the public of this community.

Dave Shirley

I live in Peoria and the streets truly are in poor shape. I ventured out yesterday morning and saw eight snow plows and the only two plowing were the IDOT plows on I-74. The city plows were just driving around without plowing snow or dropping salt.

I know this has nothing to do with Minonk. I'm just trying to say that these gentlemen (my dad included) work so very hard to keep the streets and sidewalks in good shape so rather than criticizing, we need to thank them! Yes, they are paid to do this work so it is there job. When people do a job well, they should be thanked not criticized. They spend hours upon hours on their days off and holidays to make the roads and walks as safe as they possibly can and do a good job. In many towns, cleaning the sidewalks and parking lots is up to the business owners not the city crew. Please appreciate the work that they do and thank them!

Tim Havener

I wondered if you knew what happened to the mural on the Coke Shop ? It seems as though the idea has been scrapped.

Dick Meierhofer

Editor: I have heard through the grapevine that the mural has been delayed but do not know if and when it will become a reality.

So my question would be why not have a split crew of 2 or 3 guys on one shift and 2 or 3 on another so not everyone is burnt out and there would be coverage for a case like we had this past weekend of continuous snow. Or another thought would be have a volunteer sign-up at City Hall for people who are qualified to drive the plows and or other snow removal equipment to help relieve the city workers in times of continuous snow removal. I know I would volunteer to help in extreme cases of major snow storms to relieve the city crew so they could get some rest. These are just some ideas.

I also want to address something Mr. Shirley said in his e-mail "I say to anyone that wants to complain about the snow plowing job in Minonk, keep the complaint to yourself as you have no idea or appreciation of what is being provided for your benefit." Mr. Shirley, no one complained about the snow removal on this website however it was mention on several other social websites. In my opinion that is OK because everyone is entitled to their own opinion good, bad, wrong or right. Just like you were entitled to make the statement I quoted above. But some would argue with you and say that it is the City and City Workers job to remove snow even if it is for 12, 16, 24, 32 hours of work. Just like my job if I get called in the middle of the night because a system is down (which happens several times a year) I would have to get up and get dressed and drive in to Bloomington to work. It is my job! That is what I get paid to do. Plus as taxpayers who are paying for that snow removal service and for the city workers salaries one might say they have a right to complain or voice their concern or opinions.

Like I stated before I think the guys on the city crew do a great job. And I offered ideas to alleviate the problem if a major storm hits us later this year.

Everyone have a Happy and Safe New Year!

And to his sister Marcia and brothers. They were such a popular and loving family from Minonk.
I spoke to him recently and he was so brave, he will be greatly missed --- but I know he is up there playing golf right now and waiting for the rest of to catch up!!!!

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Colleen Baker Bagley

Thanks
Rhonda White