CURRENT RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
OPINION: Feds dragging feet on flood funds is telling: Page A4 NEWS: Mississippi River above flood stage in Grafton: Page A2
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P.O. Box 407 Jerseyville, IL 62052
JERSEY COUNTY
JERSEYVILLE, IL 62052
JOURNAL VOL. 17, NO. 40 - 75¢
OCTOBER 2, 2019
Jerseyville Council OKs cannabis tax
INSIDE NEWS Grafton man suffers ‘serious’ injuries in accident. See page A2 Jerseyville spirit tradition to mark 65 years. See page A3
FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS
Croxford, Price engaged. See page A8
SPORTS
Jersey places second in first home meet. See page B7
WEEKEND WEATHER
Kris Scheffel/Jersey County Journal
The community pays respect to the flag as veterans and first responders help raise the flag above the Mississippi River.
Largest flag on the Mississippi inspires awe in Grafton By KRIS SCHEFFEL Jersey County Journal Hundreds watched from chairs, porches and barges as what is believed to be the largest American flag on the Mississippi was raised up the 130ft flag pole last Saturday eve-
ning. The ceremony in honor of veterans and first responders garnered enormous support from across the Greater St. Louis region. The three-hour long ceremony saw speakers, many from Grafton, representing each branch of the military, the
state police and the fire department. Their stories brought about laughter and tears in the audience as they recounted the broader symbolism of the flag. It is a symbol of America. “While surviving, the flag (See, FLAG, A2)
FRIDAY, OCT. 4
By JARAD JARMON Jersey County Journal Jerseyville City Council has joined Grafton City Council in the adoption of a 3-percent cannabis retailer’s occupation tax ahead of the implementation of the new state law accepting the recreation use of marijuana. In a special meeting on Friday, Jerseyville’s council members unanimously approved the adoption of the tax along with the approval of work to replace the roof to the Susnig Complex. Consumers will not be able to buy marijuana for recreational use until Jan. 1, 2020, but, municipalities needed to adopt the tax by Oct. 1 to be able to collect for this specific tax in the first year, Bill Strang, city attorney, said. “It is a 3 percent that the city can charge if we ever have any kind of cannabis business in the community,” Strang said. This does not mean the city has accepted cannabis retailers into the city, but this measure is keeping the options open should the council accept a retailer in the city and hope to collect these taxes on the property. “We have a lot of research to do on the actual cannabis laws and how that
retail business looks inside a community,” Jerseyville Mayor Bill Russel said. Russel said the council will still be able to decide if they want dispensaries in the city. Should the council members accept cannabis dispensaries in the city, the next big decision will be around zoning. “I doubt if (licensed retailers) would come here,” Strang said. Only so many licenses will be released in the state, as Illinois transitions to accepting recreational use. “Maybe if they went to 500 or 1,000 (licensed retailers), Jerseyville would be big enough to get one,” Strang continued. “Our main thing is figuring out zoning, where we would want it to go. If the decision is to let it come, then you figure out where you want it.” Also at the meeting, council members OK’d the replacement of the roof at the Susnig Complex. This a multi-use recreational facility in the city. Robert Manns, Jerseyville Public Works director, said there was poor drainage and leaks at the building, warranting a full replacement. (See, TAX, A2)
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TOP STORIES ONLINE Sept. 25 - Oct. 2 1. City approved for disaster relief 2. AT&T radio tower intends to boost Jersey signals 3. Local teens have 'Area 51 Raid' themed nerf gun event 4. Charity car cruise runs through Grafton Sept. 22 5.IHSA ruled Jerseyville student ineligible to play 6. Student allegedly brought handgun to Southwestern High
Federal government denies individual assistance for Illinois By KRIS SCHEFFEL Jersey County Journal It was thought that the president’s signing of the disaster declaration would bring about a collective sigh of relief, but it appears the fight is far from over. Illinois’ residents and businesses have been denied individual assistance in spite of estimates of more than $8.2 million in individual damages across the 22 affected counties. A statement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) associate administrator Jeff Byard outlines the reasoning for the denial. “(It was) determined the impact to individuals and households from this event is
not of such severity and magnitude to warrant the designation of Individual Assistance,” he said. This would be the first time the federal government has granted public assistance, but denied individual assistance. While Gov. J.B. Pritzker is appealing the decision, the denial is already hurting local residents. In Grafton, Mayor Rick Eberlin said he has already heard from business owners who are feeling the impacts. “It’s a punch to the stomach,” he said. “I had one of the oldest owned businesses in Grafton that thought they may have to declare bankruptcy.” Of course, the physical damage does not account for all the devastation caused by the flood. The timing of the
flood meant many businesses were unable to operate during peak season.
“It’s a punch to the stomach. I had one of the oldest owned businesses in Grafton that thought they may have to declare bankruptcy.”
Rick Eberlin Grafton Mayor “Businesses over the course of time have learned to be more flood preventative,”
Eberlin said. “They have done a good job. The main factor was revenue loss… It was absolutely devastating.” He said these flood events without support can be detrimental. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the frequency of billion dollar disasters is increasing at growing rates. 2017 the nation had the highest total with 16 billion dollar disasters. Currently, 2019 has experienced six of these events with this flood being counted among them. The wait begins for those relying on Pritzker’s success. However, in the meantime, local government and private non-profits are on the clock to meet the Oct. 19 deadline for public assistance requests.
INDEX Court . . . . . . . . . . . . .B6 Editorial . . . . . . . . . .A4 News . . . . . A2-3, A6-7, B3 Obituaries. . . . . . . . A5-6 Our Town. . . . . . . . . .B3 Public Notice . . . . . . .B4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . .B7 OBITUARIES: BRADSHAW, CODY, KOENIG, KUEHNEL, B., KUEHNEL S., RECHER, SAGEZ, STEPHENS, WINTERS, WYNNE. JERSEY COUNTY
JOURNAL
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Owner of Linn’s Shoe Store retiring By KRIS SCHEFFEL Jersey County Journal Linn’s Shoe Store is to close after more than 50 years of business along Jerseyville’s State Street. Thomas and Esther Linn first opened the shoe store at 213 N. State St. before it moved in 1968 to its current location along S. State St. It has been a familyrun store with Thomas and Esther’s children, Cindy, Becky and David, helping to run the shop. In 1983, the store expanded with a location in Carrollton during which time Thomas and Esther began working part-time and then transitioned into retirement. David Linn took over the store’s management upon their retirement and the closure of the Carrollton location. Linn has fond memories of running the store along Jerseyville’s main street. “I always remember sidewalk days and things like that,” Linn said. “I
remember when there were more stores uptown, we were open on Fridays. That was a big shopping night for people in town.” The business district uptown was tight-knit in those days. “All the merchants, we always helped out each other,” he said. “If someone was buying a suit, then they would send them down to buy shoes.” The storefront has been host to ice cream socials, bake sales and holiday decorations. Linn’s has been a mainstay for those looking to buy a new pair of work boots or some comfortable sandals. He remembers not only the favorite brands of his regulars but also their sizes. “A lot of our customers are repeat business,” Linn said. “They get the same boot time after time, and we carry shoes that you don’t usually find.” (See, LINN, A2)
Kris Scheffel/Jersey County Journal
Owner David Linn, stands behind the counter of Linn’s Shoe Store.
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and FEMA came to Jerseyville to conduct a briefing on the public assistance process. Those who complete the FEMA Form 90-49 requesting public assistance are only at the beginning of an extensive and complex process. After being sent on to FEMA by IEMA, those who made requests should expect to receive a response by early November, thus, kicking off the next stage of the process. The federal government will fund 75 percent of the public assistance projects, whether they be repairs or mitigation. The other 25 percent will be (See, ASSISTANCE, A2)
18-year-old Brighton woman dies in car crash By JARAD JARMON Jersey County Journal A Brighton woman died in a oneperson traffic crash after losing control of her Pontiac Grand Prix Saturday, Sept. 28. Jamie Edelen, 18, was northbound on Lageman Road just north of W Dutch Lane at approximately 6:30 p.m., Illinois State Police reported. Edelen left the right side of the roadway, traveled on the grass shoulder, came back onto the roadway, lost control, going across the roadway, and off the left side of the roadway. Edelen struck a tree line and fence, coming to rest facing south in the yard of a farm. She was discovered deceased in the vehicle.