1 Front
Record The Putnam County
Single Copy Cost 50¢
Putnam County’s Only Newspaper
Volume 145 No. 38
“PRSRT STD.” US Postage Paid No. 486 SHAW MEDIA POSTAL PATRON LOCAL R.R. BOXHOLDER CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Flood waters come back to Granville By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE – The Granville Village Board is still feeling the effects of the flooding of April 19. Several stories came forward of basement flooding and sewer back-ups during the board’s regular meeting May 21.
Kim Kettman and Everett Taylor both reported sewer back-ups during the heavy rains in April. Kettman reported substantial losses to her home and property. “I’ve got about $40,000 worth of damage in my basement. I’ve never had it in 15 years,” Kettman said. “I understand about
the water. I’m not real thrilled about the sewer.” Taylor told the board he had 36 inches of water and sewer backed up into his basement. “If there was 6 inches of rain, there should be 6 inches of water in my basement, not 36 inches,” Taylor said. “I’m getting everyone else’s water
and sewer, and I don’t think I should be.” Taylor said the problem has been going on for some time, and it was especially bad in 2008. He said whenever there is 3 inches of rain, he’s got water in his basement. This flood was worse. “It was sewage in my basement. No doubt
about it. I lost everything — furnace, water heater,” Taylor said. “My own belief is that the sewer system has got a lot of holes in it. I can’t believe that there aren’t.” Public Works Superintendent Sheli Starkey told the board a power outage during the storm did not trigger the village genera-
tor. As a result, hatches that would have drained off water were pushed closed by the water at the drainage point during the rain. The generator has since been examined and is tested each day to determine if the problem might reoccur.
See Granville Page 2
PC Board honors retirees By Dixie Schroeder dschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE – Honoring retirees, a possible extra section of fourth grade and high school community service were discussed at the Putnam County Board meeting on May 20. Putnam County Superintendent Jay McCracken presented retiring staff members Ed Schmidt, Marie Taylor and Terry Warren with a crystal apple from the district and thanked them for their years of service. McCracken spoke of the unique contributions each had given the district when presenting each teacher at the meeting. “I know we will miss all of you very much,” he said. Putnam County Elementary Principal Mike Olson reported to the board that with the addition of two more students to this year’s third grade classes, the district may need to add a third section of fourth grade for the 2013-14 school year. “That currently puts our numbers at 52,” Olson said. “That puts each class section at 26. Logistically this is not a good fit, and more importantly, it is not going to be a good fit educationally speaking.” Olson said he is in the process of confirming attendance for next school year with the third grade class families. McCracken commended Olson for monitoring the situation with the third-grade class and the potential for three sections next year. “I am going to recommend that if the numbers stay that way, that we should proceed to advertise for that position,” he said. At the high school level, a new policy of community service will be instituted with the 2013-14 school year. Freshman students will now be required to perform 24 hours of community service in their four years of high school attendance. This will average out to six hours per year. “I think it’s time, and it’s going to be good for the community and good for the kids,” said Bob Peterson, principal at Putnam County High School. Opportunities for PCHS students to earn service hours are available through the current Interact Club, which is expanding to the junior high school in the next school year. The board also reviewed an addendum to update the policy manual. Board President Vicki Naumann was not happy with the “Bring-your-own” technology rider that was in the policy to be approved. The technology rider would allow PC students to bring their own Smartphones, laptops, iPads and other devices to work with when in the classroom. Naumann had a problem with how the individual technology units could be monitored by the teachers or administrators.
See Retirees Page 2 Vol. 145 No. 38 One Section - 12 Pages The Putnam County
Record Putnam County’s Only Newspaper
© The Putnam County Record
Putnam County Record photo/Ken Schroeder
All the colors of the rainbow More than 300 people celebrated the life of Arie Boggio Saturday with the “Colors for Arie” 3K Run/Walk. The event was organized to raise awareness of suicide prevention and help remind others that “you are not alone.” See the Putnam County Record’s June 5 edition for more information about the run.
PC Head Start comes to an end By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE – The Granville Head Start program had its end-of-theyear program on May 23 for the last time, another victim of the country’s fiscal crisis. “As many of you know, this is it. Granville Head Start is closing. As of May 31, I’m out of a job,” said Janell Blanco, head teacher, to the students and parents assembled for the program.
Alfano’s
The Head Start program in Granville served all of Putnam County and is closing because of federal funding cuts. Head Start is a comprehensive child and family development program for low-income or disabled preschool-aged children and their families. The main goals are to work with parents to promote self-esteem, self-confidence and school readiness for children. The funding cuts come from the sequestration
115 W. St. Paul St.• Spring Valley, IL
815-663-9081 or 664-5422
Little Sicily
that was included in the Budget Control Act of 2011. Mandatory budget cuts were scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 2 unless Congress could agree on a fiscal budget, which has yet to happen. The budget cuts were deferred until March 1 as part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA), signed into law on Jan. 2 by President Barack Obama. According to the National Education Association, the Illinois Head
Start program lost more than $16,000,000 in federal funding this year with an expected loss of 658 jobs statewide. “The children and families have been our family,” said Blanco. “We’ll be fine. We’ll make it. It’s just going to be a little tough, since they’re closing these doors after 20-plus years.” While some of the students at the end-ofthe-year program will be
See Head Start Page 3
NOTICE
New Oven Coming
ON JUNE 3, 4, 5, & 6, WE WILL BE PUTTING IN OUR NEW OVEN. WILL RE-OPEN ON JUNE 7.