Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, Dec. 27, 1990 -- Staunton's Second Centennial -- New Years Day is next week. It starts 1991, an important year in Staunton when we celebrate our second Centennial. The first Centennial, in 1959 commemorated the fact that the 1858 Census showed that Staunton had a population of 350 people and therefore could become an incorporated village of the State of Illinois and have its first elected government officials, and Board of Trustees. We celebrated the 100th anniversary of that accomplishment in 1959 with a week long celebration including parades, speeches, street dances, a fair in the park and an elaborate dramatic production held on two nights.

This Centennial marked a more important event. In the years from 1859 to the 1890 census Staunton had grown to 2000 population, more than five times as many as they had just 32 years before. So after that census report, the Village Trustees applied for a charter as a city which was reserved in April 1891. From that time Staunton had a government like the one we have today.

How will we celebrate this Centennial? Big celebrations seem to have gone out of style. But surely all organizations in the city should be thinking about what they can do to promote some celebration.

Crews Worked Through Weather -- Like their counterparts at the county and state level, Staunton's Street and Alley and Water Department crews worked through last weekend's intemperate weather. Late Saturday afternoon Street and Alley Supt. Matt DalPozzo said he hoped the city crews would be getting a little relief. Sleet and snow soon began falling again Saturday evening, leaving little chance for a break.

A water break on Huston Street Friday night required the services of the Water Department crew. As the temperature dropped and precipitation began, two city trucks began spreading salt and cinders. DalPozzo said the drivers worked most of the day Saturday, but he had no idea of how many tons of cinders and salt they had spread.

Fire Dept. Continues Fundraiser -- The Staunton Fire Department is currently continuing its fundraising efforts to purchase a hydraulic rescue tool system. This rescue tool system will enable the Staunton firefighters to quickly extricate victims of auto accidents and similar rescue situations. The rescue system, known by many as the "Jaws of Life" can provide the power and speed to quickly remove victims and send them on their way to advanced medical care.

The Staunton Firefighters are currently selling chances for a New Year's Shopping Spree. First prize in the raffle is a $200 gift certificate at Bill's IGA. Second prize is a $200 gift certificate at Staunton Food Centre. Third prize is a $50 gift certificate at Mayfields Produce. The chances are one dollar each. The drawing will be held at the Staunton Fire Department's New Years Eve Dance. You need not be present to win. Raffle tickets are available from any Staunton firefighter or from the participating food stores.

Please help make the new rescue system become a reality for the Staunton Fire Department. Your donations and participation in the fundraising efforts can help. This lifesaving equipment could save your life or the life of a loved one.

IPC plans new Building in Mt. Clare -- Illinois Power Company has announced plans to build a combined business office and maintenance facility in Mt. Clare. The new 10,500 square foot building will be located on 5.5 acres on Route 138 south of Berry Street. The new unit will include a customer service center, a warehouse, with external storage for large materials and equipment. The building will be headquarters for 18 employees.

The structure was designed by Cooley, Toberman, Stockbarger architects, Inc. of Springfield, IL. The general contractor is Korte-Plocher Construction Company, Inc. of Highland, IL. Ground breaking ceremonies were held December 20th.

Completion of the new facility is scheduled for summer of 1991.

Staunton not included In Enterprise Zone -- Dan Fisher, coordinator of Economic Development for Macoupin County, said all the mayors of the county were invited to an informational meeting on the concept of enterprise zones. He said at this time Macoupin County, Carlinville, and Gillespie are administrative co-applicants for enterprise zone status to receive tax incentives. The county can only maintain enterprise zone jurisdiction in parts of the county that are unincorporated. In incorporated areas, municipalities must apply for enterprise zone status individually.

Fisher said the application to D.C.C.A. must be completed by the end of the year. Fisher said, besides the cities of Gillespie, and Carlinville, the enterprise zone would include areas north and south of Carlinville, an area east of Gillespie on Route 16, and an area south of Mt. Olive to the Illinois Power sub-station. Fisher said other specific areas could be added to the enterprise zone at a later date.

Fisher said there is "quite a bit of interest by companies" in an enterprise zone. "Existing companies can be good candidates for growth," he said.

Fisher said representatives of several cities expressed an interest in possibly joining the enterprise zone at a later date. He said the greatest interest at this time was expressed in areas where there was obvious potential for development and where industry already exists.

Designation as an enterprise zone could allow businesses in those areas to have permit fees waived and property taxes abated. Fisher said discounting of water or sewer rates was not automatically built into the guidelines for enterprise zones. He said property taxes Would not be reduced in an enterprise zone, but taxes would not go up for the first five years of a business establishment or expansion. In the second five years taxes could be increased 20% each year until they would reach the full level of taxation.