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Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - Vol. 119 Issue 2
Alderwoman Gilbert retires from City Council
FILE PHOTO
Alderwoman Mellie Gilbert (left) and Mayor Mike Inman(right) celebrate a bittersweet last City Council meeting before Gilbert's retirement.
By Steven Barnum assistant news editor
On Monday evening, Alderman Mellie Gilbert said her final goodbyes to the Macomb City Council. When Lou Gilbert passed away in 2014, Mayor Mike Inman had just one name on his mind to fill the vacancy on the council: Lou’s wife, Mellie. Although initially surprised, she accepted the appointment to the third ward. Gilbert would then go on and win an election to retain her seat, defeating challenger Gregg Huston in the spring of 2015.
Inman took some time to thank Gilbert for her service to the city of Macomb. “I can honestly say that in a time of concern, I don’t believe there’s any other Alderman that has been more of an advocate for their ward than you have,” Inman said. The baton was passed to Annette Carper, a graduate of Macomb Senior High School and Western Illinois University. When Gilbert announced her intentions to retire from the council last month, Inman set out to appoint someone who planned to run for a seat in the next election. Thus, it’s safe to assume that Carper, who was
officially sworn in Monday, will be on the ballot to keep her seat in the spring. Gilbert took the podium to thank the public. “I was really shocked when I was told to take my husband’s place. It was a pleasure and an honor to be able to fill that positon, and for the public to re-elect me as they did.” Gilbert said. Public Works Director Scott Coker spoke to the council about the idea of applying for a grant in order to fund a project that would align Macomb with the Safe Routes to School Program. The program seeks to create easier and safer paths for children traveling to
and from school. Started by the government in 2005, the program includes plans to add ramps near schools to better accommodate those who are handicapped and those who ride bicycles. According to Coker, there are three different options to choose when building the ramps. Of the three, he explained that the first choice made the most sense due to the fact that it provides the most direct route for students, to which Alderman at Large Dennis Moon agreed. The deadline to apply for the grant is November 19, 2018. Liquor licenses are awarded too easily says a Granite City,
Ill. resident. She opposes the Class “R” license for a Mexican restaurant, El Jarochito, in downtown Macomb because she has experienced physical assault and believes that alcohol contributes to the problem. “When is this going to end,” the concerned individual asked, before pointing out that there are only two restaurants in town that do not serve alcohol. City Attorney Kristen Petrie doesn’t believe that the restaurant, located at 120 South Lafayette Street, will have any trouble obtaining the liquor license they requested due to a lack of concerns raised by the public.
Thomas' email clarifying TSPR funding By Marc Ramirez news editor
WIU.EDU
President Jack Thomas provides further clarification about the decision to no longer allocate funds to Tri States Public Radio.
On Monday morning Western Illinois University Relations sent out an email addressed from President Jack Thomas that explains the university’s decision to remove funding from Tri States Public Radio. Thomas begins by explaining that Western has been in a financial burden and has been required to make difficult budget cuts in order to do what is in the best interest of the institution. All these decisions have been made to conserve resources and do what is best to keep the school afloat. “With the financial situation we are facing, we must move forward to keep the University viable,” Thomas said. “The Board has directed the administration to review all services at the in-
stitution. This is what we have done and this is what we must continue to do.” Thomas made it clear in his email that the university will not eliminate the station. However, the station will no longer receive allocated funding by Western. On August 10, 2018, Tri States Public Radio received notice that as of March 1, 2019, there will no longer be funds given to them from the institution. TSPR will be losing more than $453,000 in revenue. This means that after the March 1 deadline, the station will be responsible for all personal expenditures, including payroll. The station must now pay for all financial obligations using nonappropriated fund sources and other means necessary. Thomas went on to explain how TSPR will remain on campus similar to that of
WQPT and the station will be given a nonprofit status by the WIU Foundation. “We do understand the value that Tri States Public Radio brings to the institution and the region, and we do appreciate people’s passion for, support of, the station,” wrote Thomas in his rebuttal. “However we must look at all areas in terms of budget. The University cannot be everything to everyone, particularly in these challenging times.” Western does not have the financial means to operate as it did in the past and must make difficult decisions, due to dwindling resources and the effect of the statewide budget impasse. Western will continue to advocate in for our institution, but also for public higher education.