DAILY EGYPTIAN Local area project may affect taxpayers
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Sweet machines take the streets
BRANDA MITCHELL Daily Egyptian Property taxes may increase in the Carbondale area due to the new property being constructed where 710 Bookstore was once located. Business owners are aware of the issue and already foresee it driving people out of the area. Rick Reeves, owner of Shawnee Trails Wilderness Outfitters, said the property tax is already an issue. “The problem Carbondale’s facing is we already have some of the highest property taxes in the area,” he said. “It’s what drove me to live in Carterville, in Williamson County.” The city approved a tax increment financing, or TIF, agreements with the developers in March, which allows them to redevelop their property while being reimbursed for some costs associated with the renovation. Any money the property generates in increased taxes due to increased value is set aside in an account to reimburse the developer, while the city keeps 25 percent. Acting Mayor Don Monty said the development is going to boost the local economy. “It’s going to bring more people into the downtown area,” Monty said. “Commercial space is going to generate money and jobs.” Monty said bringing in more commercial businesses brings the potential of gentrification, although it is usually not seen in this type of area. “Gentrification usually happens in a residential area,” Monty said. “In a commercial sense, perhaps some of the marginally profitable businesses would want to look at other areas to move.” Each project individually negotiates its TIF with the city council. The developers of the new building at 710 S. Illinois Avenue have requested about $1 million, which is reimbursed to them and the excess property tax collected goes to the other areas funded by the city, such as schools. “Other bodies in the short term don’t get any increment until we finish paying the developer,” Monty said. “I have seen some projects take 10 years to be reimbursed and others take 23 years.”
Two years after the controversial death of Molly Young, her father has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against former boyfriend Richard Minton. Her father, Larry Young, is suing for $1 million, claiming the death of his daughter, who died from a gunshot wound to the head March 24, 2012, resulted in a loss of her guidance, services and companionship and caused him continuous grief, sorrow and mental suffering. Larry claims the defendant was present at the time of Molly’s death, as stated in lawsuit documents. He claims Minton caused or contributed to the then 21 year old’s death by shooting and or providing the gun used, the papers state. Minton’s then roommate, Wesley Romack, called the Carbondale Police Department because he believed Molly was dead. Minton’s voice was then heard on the phone, where he proceeded to describe the situation, according to released phone records. Minton, a then Carbondale police dispatcher, identified himself to the dispatcher he personally knew. Minton showered, changed clothes and washed his hands after the shooting in an attempt to conceal evidence surrounding Molly’s death, according to Larry as stated in lawsuit documents.
Branda Mitchell can be reached at bmitchell@dailyegyptian.com
Branda Mitchell can be reached at bmitchell@dailyegyptian.com
JAMIE EADER · DAILY EGYPTIAN
Sarah Weasel, of Harrisburg, gives her daughter Halle a hug Saturday at the Street Machine Nationals at the Duquoin State Fairgrounds. Weasel’s husband had a vehicle in the event and this is their second year attending the Street Machine Nationals. For story, please see page 5
Molly Young’s dad files million dollar civil suit BRANDA MITCHELL Daily Egyptian
Father files lawsuit over son’s suicide TYLER DIXON Daily Egyptian The father of a Cambria boy who committed suicide last October filed a lawsuit Monday in the wrongful death of his son. Bradley Lewis, of Collinsville, is suing the Carterville Community Unit School District, Carterville Superintendent Bob Prusator, Carterville Principal Keith Liddell, Carterville football coach Dennis Drust, the Cambria Police Department, Erik Restock and 3screens.com. Lewis’s son, Jordan, 15, shot himself October 17 at his home. The lawsuit states the gun Jordan used to shoot himself was owned by Restock, who was living with Jordan and his mother in Cambria. Bradley said his son was bullied at Carterville and Jordan wrote a letter that said bullying is what caused him to commit suicide. The suit states several instances in which Jordan was bullied. It said students and members of the Carterville football team slammed Jordan’s head into lockers. Officer Paisley, of the Cambria Police Department, was sent to do a welfare check on Jordan the night before he died. The check was done because Jordan told his friend Alexis Moore he had suicidal thoughts. Moore told her grandmother who then called the police. Bradley’s suit is for plaintiff compensatory and punitive damages, pain and suffering, attorneys’ fees, expenses and cost of legal action. Tyler Dixon can be reached at tdixon@dailyegyptian.com