2008 Year in Review

City Hires New Officer

Ron Weimer

Susan Jansen

Damaged Storm Drain

by Ben Wolf - The Morrison Post

The Morrison City Council decided to replace the police officer who is leaving, with Bob Snodgrass as the one dissenting vote. “I don’t know the costs. Why don’t we have them? Everything else that we make decisions on has costs included. Why not this?” asked Snodgrass.

The costs for the new officer will be about the same as the one he is replacing, being around $36,000 starting salary, according to Chief Ernie Huling, who urged the council to make a decision so that the new officer could attend the next academy class on June 23rd. The addition of the new officer brings the total to six full time officers plus the chief. A study provided by the Illinois association of Police Chiefs recommended that Morrison have 10 full time officers.

Huling then announced that the new officer would be Kurt Workman, who has his bachelor’s degree in law enforcement. Workman grew up in Morrison and lives here now.

During the public forum, Susan Jansen, who lives near the corner of Jenkran and High Streets addressed the council about a storm drain which is starting to stick up out of the street. Jansen pointed out the pavement breaking down around the drain in a provided picture.

Public works superintendent, Gary Tresenriter informed the council that the catch basins have already been ordered for the replacement of that drain and others.

Ron Weimer was also on hand for public comment. Ron was representing the Morrison Car Show, and announced that the show would be on July 26th this year. The show will be combined with a cruise this year, which will take the vehicles out to the covered bridge and then to Morrison Rockwood State Park. The show is from 6 to 8:00 pm and the cruise from 8 to 9:00 pm. Weimer expects in excess of 100 cars this year.

Mayor Roger Drey commented during his report that when it comes to the Route 30 bypass, this town has three choices. One is to be involved and try to influence the direction of the project. Two is to do nothing. Three is to fight it. Drey said it is up to this town to do the one choice that will help guide this project the best way.

The council approved the issuance of debt certificates in the amount of $2,000,000. Farmer’s National Bank was involved in the issuance of these certificates. City Administrator, Tim Long pointed out that this issuance comes with no new taxes for repayment. The repayment will come from revenue from the Gas and Electric Utility Tax fund. The monies from these debt certificates will be used to finish the sports complex project.

City Attorney, Lester Weinstine commented on a question raised before the meeting about having to sign a list in order to speak during the public comments portion of the meeting. He said that the city is within its legal rights to require signing to comment during public forum, but cannot require someone to sign or identify themselves in order to allow them to attend the meeting.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
June 19, 2008