Western Courier| December 5th, 2018

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Opinions: Recognize the impact of service dogs.

Sports: Ranking the best teams in NCAA basketball.

Sports: Football celebrates MVCF selections.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - Vol. 119 Issue 42

AWARD-WINNING STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY. SERVING MACOMB SINCE 1905.

City Council discusses possible solar panel garden

felicia selmon/ courier staff

Community Development Coordinator John Bannon (left) and City Administrator (Dean Torreson) discuss potential benefits of installing a new solar panel on the northside of University Drive.

By Steven Barnum assistant news editor   A solar garden may soon occupy a 28-acre lot on the Northside of University Drive.  City Administrator, Dean Torreson, says the garden would only include solar panels, which would be eight feet above the ground. The proposal was discussed in a Nov. 28 planning commission meeting, where

members voted in favor of the project with a 10-0 vote. There was one individual at that meeting who expressed concern, says Community Development Coordinator, John Bannon.  “He was concerned about property devaluation and effects on livestock,” Bannon said.  City Attorney, Kristen Petrie, says there was no other opposition. Petrie referenced the fact that all property

owners within 250 feet of the possible solar garden were notified and the zoning office received zero concerns. There are several conditions the property would need to meet, like constructing a fence that is seven feet tall, made of mesh and surrounds the entire garden.  Bannon believes there are benefits to a solar garden. “It would be a source of green energy, which is always preferable,” Bannon said. “I think

you’re looking at a source of power that will have no longterm impact on that land.” As for the likelihood of the solar garden, residents shouldn’t count on it.  “This is only a proposed use,” Bannon said. “There is a lottery in the state of Illinois, so there’s no guarantee that this construction will actually take place.”   Torreson wants to make sure the city gets a fair chance. “It’s important to get the ap-

plication in in a timely manner for the lottery,” Torreson said, “so I would recommend that the city council waive the second reading.”   If chosen, the lottery would award tax credits. Macomb would not face any new expenses since the property is not in city limits.

City Council page 2

Reed appoints two new Student Government Association members By Marc Ramirez news editor

FELICIA SELMON/COURIER STAFF

President Grant Reed presents two bills he wrote appointing a new Director of Outreach and Senator-at-Large.

The Student Government Association ended their last meeting of the Fall 2018 semester with two SGA Presidential Bills of Appointment for the 2018-2019 academic year.  President Grant Reed authored both bills appointing a new Director of Outreach and filling a vacant Senatorat-Large seat. Alexis WilliamWhite was chosen to replace current Director of Outreach Amber Shupe. Shupe will not be returning to the organization next semester and with

careful consideration, William-White was vetted for the position in accordance with the SGA Constitution.  William-White was introduced to the legislative body during last week’s meeting and was officially ratified by the Senate to become the new Director of Outreach by a unanimous vote. The political science major, minoring in marketing and philosophy, thought she would be successful at the job with the views she has for the future.

SGA page 3

FELICIA SELMON/COURIER STAFF

Alexis William-White officially takes the position as Director of Outreach for the spring semester.


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