Citizen Archives
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No wiggle room in school
district budget
The Auburn School District's Fiscal Year 2009
budget is slightly unbalanced and contains no wiggle
room. (more)
district budget
The Auburn School District's Fiscal Year 2009
budget is slightly unbalanced and contains no wiggle
room. (more)
Senior members of the 2008 Auburn High
School Homecoming Court are, front (L-R):
Aimee Domescik, Brittany Ippensen, Emily
Anderson; back: Craig Nabb, Cole Busch
and Collin Bushnell. This year's King and
Queen will be announced at the
Homecoming parade, which will begin Friday
afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
School Homecoming Court are, front (L-R):
Aimee Domescik, Brittany Ippensen, Emily
Anderson; back: Craig Nabb, Cole Busch
and Collin Bushnell. This year's King and
Queen will be announced at the
Homecoming parade, which will begin Friday
afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
Collin Bushnell and Aimee
Domescik were King and
Queen for the 2008 Auburn High
School Homecoming.
Domescik were King and
Queen for the 2008 Auburn High
School Homecoming.
Township used tire
drop-off day Oct. 19
As a public service to the residents of Auburn and
Thayer, Auburn Township will provide another local
used tire drop off day Sunday, October 19 from 1 to 4
p.m. at the Township Road District garage on
Kennedy Road. After the October 19 drop off, the
township will not accept tires again until the fall of
2009. Scouts from Webelos Pack 356 will be
participating in the drop off; each Scout will earn an
Environmental Certificate from the Sangamon County
Public Health Department. The following rules will
apply to the drop off:
- No business participation will be allowed;
- Only residents of Auburn Township will be allowed
to drop off up to 25 tires per household. Proof of
residency (Illinois Drivers License) will apply with a
short questionnaire that must be completed before
any tires are unloaded;
- No industrial tires will be accepted without
authorization prior to October 19;
- Acceptable items are car and truck tires with or
without rims.
The drop off is for residents of Auburn Township
only. The township reserves the right to refuse tires
from non-residents, businesses and loads larger than
25 tires per resident address. For more information,
call Dave Beck, road commissioner, at the Township
office.
drop-off day Oct. 19
As a public service to the residents of Auburn and
Thayer, Auburn Township will provide another local
used tire drop off day Sunday, October 19 from 1 to 4
p.m. at the Township Road District garage on
Kennedy Road. After the October 19 drop off, the
township will not accept tires again until the fall of
2009. Scouts from Webelos Pack 356 will be
participating in the drop off; each Scout will earn an
Environmental Certificate from the Sangamon County
Public Health Department. The following rules will
apply to the drop off:
- No business participation will be allowed;
- Only residents of Auburn Township will be allowed
to drop off up to 25 tires per household. Proof of
residency (Illinois Drivers License) will apply with a
short questionnaire that must be completed before
any tires are unloaded;
- No industrial tires will be accepted without
authorization prior to October 19;
- Acceptable items are car and truck tires with or
without rims.
The drop off is for residents of Auburn Township
only. The township reserves the right to refuse tires
from non-residents, businesses and loads larger than
25 tires per resident address. For more information,
call Dave Beck, road commissioner, at the Township
office.
Free hearing screenings in Auburn Oct. 18
Deafness has no respect for age, wealth or rank - it strikes people of all economic, social and
age categories with equal frequency. To help protect the hearing of the public through an early
detection system, the Lions Clubs of Illinois every year sponsors free hearing screenings for
persons of all ages (children under 17 years of age with written parental consent) in communities
all over the state. As part of that program, the Auburn Lions Club is sponsoring a screening from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 18 at the VFW Post 8157, located at 408 W. Jefferson Street. In
addition to the familiar Lions Mobile Hearing Bus, there will be an audiologist that specializes in
Infant Hearing Screenings. Hearing loss is probably the single most common chronic disability in
the United States, occurring nearly four times as often as blindness. There are nearly 720,000
hearing impaired persons in Illinois alone. Of these, 106,000 are deaf, 26,000 of these were deaf
before the age of 19. Unfortunately, the problem is made worse since the deaf are least
understood of all handicapped populations.
"Since protection of our hearing is so important, we hope that the people of our community and
surrounding communities will take full advantage of the hearing screenings. The screening takes
only a few minutes and persons who fail the screening are referred to hearing professionals for
further evaluation and treatment," stated club president Connie Clark.
The Mobile Hearing Screening activity is conducted through the cooperation of the Lions of
Illinois Foundation; the charitable arm of the state's more than 700 Lions Clubs and is funded
primarily from Candy Day, held statewide each autumn. For further information contact: Connie
Clark, club president at lionsofauburn@yahoo.com.
Deafness has no respect for age, wealth or rank - it strikes people of all economic, social and
age categories with equal frequency. To help protect the hearing of the public through an early
detection system, the Lions Clubs of Illinois every year sponsors free hearing screenings for
persons of all ages (children under 17 years of age with written parental consent) in communities
all over the state. As part of that program, the Auburn Lions Club is sponsoring a screening from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 18 at the VFW Post 8157, located at 408 W. Jefferson Street. In
addition to the familiar Lions Mobile Hearing Bus, there will be an audiologist that specializes in
Infant Hearing Screenings. Hearing loss is probably the single most common chronic disability in
the United States, occurring nearly four times as often as blindness. There are nearly 720,000
hearing impaired persons in Illinois alone. Of these, 106,000 are deaf, 26,000 of these were deaf
before the age of 19. Unfortunately, the problem is made worse since the deaf are least
understood of all handicapped populations.
"Since protection of our hearing is so important, we hope that the people of our community and
surrounding communities will take full advantage of the hearing screenings. The screening takes
only a few minutes and persons who fail the screening are referred to hearing professionals for
further evaluation and treatment," stated club president Connie Clark.
The Mobile Hearing Screening activity is conducted through the cooperation of the Lions of
Illinois Foundation; the charitable arm of the state's more than 700 Lions Clubs and is funded
primarily from Candy Day, held statewide each autumn. For further information contact: Connie
Clark, club president at lionsofauburn@yahoo.com.
City backs new business
The council agreed Monday to spend up to $7,500 to help a new business locate in the city.
(more)
The council agreed Monday to spend up to $7,500 to help a new business locate in the city.
(more)
City council discusses nuisances, water line
issue
By Connie Michelich
The Auburn City Council met for an hour and 22 minutes Monday evening before entering into
executive session to discuss personnel and land acquisition. (more)
issue
By Connie Michelich
The Auburn City Council met for an hour and 22 minutes Monday evening before entering into
executive session to discuss personnel and land acquisition. (more)
School board petitions available
Nominating petition forms for the April 7, 2009 school board election in Auburn CUSD #10 are
now available. Forms may be picked up in the office of the board secretary at 606 North Street,
Auburn, IL on any business day between 8 a.m.and 4 p.m. A school board candidate's petition
must be filed in the same office no earlier than 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 and no later than 5
p.m., Monday, Jan. 26. Candidates' names will appear on the election ballot in the order in
which their nominating papers are received in the secretary's office. Five seats on the
seven-member board of education will be filled at the April 7 election. Four candidates elected
will serve four-year terms expiring in April, 2013. One candidate elected will serve two-year term
expiring in April, 2011.
Nominating petition forms for the April 7, 2009 school board election in Auburn CUSD #10 are
now available. Forms may be picked up in the office of the board secretary at 606 North Street,
Auburn, IL on any business day between 8 a.m.and 4 p.m. A school board candidate's petition
must be filed in the same office no earlier than 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 and no later than 5
p.m., Monday, Jan. 26. Candidates' names will appear on the election ballot in the order in
which their nominating papers are received in the secretary's office. Five seats on the
seven-member board of education will be filled at the April 7 election. Four candidates elected
will serve four-year terms expiring in April, 2013. One candidate elected will serve two-year term
expiring in April, 2011.
Helping Hands shopping trip for kids Nov. 22
Auburn Community Helping Hands will again take children ages 9-15 shopping Saturday,
November 22. Children ages eight and under will be shopped for as in the past. If you would like
to help out and take a child shopping November 22, call Kelly Morton at 415-9358 or Sheryl
Spears at 438-6217.
Auburn Community Helping Hands will again take children ages 9-15 shopping Saturday,
November 22. Children ages eight and under will be shopped for as in the past. If you would like
to help out and take a child shopping November 22, call Kelly Morton at 415-9358 or Sheryl
Spears at 438-6217.
Operation Christmas Child seeking filled shoeboxes
Filled shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child may be dropped off at Meadowbrook Baptist
Church in Auburn now through Sunday, November 16. The church is located at 111 North Iris.
Call the church office at 438-3428 to be sure someone is there to accept your boxes. For more
information or to arrange a drop-off, contact Edna Dolbeare at 438-6599. Headed by Franklin
Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritn's
Purse, a non-denominational, evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical
aid to hurting people around the world. Operation Christmas Child is as simple as choosing
whether you want to buy for a boy or girl, then choose an age group (2-4, 5-9 or 10-14 years old).
Then shop to fill an ordinary shoe box with gifts such as toys, small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed
animals, etc., school supplies, hygiene items like toothbrushes, combs and other items like
hard candy, T-shirts, socks and sunglasses. See a complete list online at www.samaritans
purse.org. For those that are able, insert a check made payable to Samaritan's Purse for $7 to
help cover processing and shipping. Pray for the child who receive your special shoe box.
Through the power of a simple gift, you can bless a child's life and make a world of difference.
Filled shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child may be dropped off at Meadowbrook Baptist
Church in Auburn now through Sunday, November 16. The church is located at 111 North Iris.
Call the church office at 438-3428 to be sure someone is there to accept your boxes. For more
information or to arrange a drop-off, contact Edna Dolbeare at 438-6599. Headed by Franklin
Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritn's
Purse, a non-denominational, evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical
aid to hurting people around the world. Operation Christmas Child is as simple as choosing
whether you want to buy for a boy or girl, then choose an age group (2-4, 5-9 or 10-14 years old).
Then shop to fill an ordinary shoe box with gifts such as toys, small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed
animals, etc., school supplies, hygiene items like toothbrushes, combs and other items like
hard candy, T-shirts, socks and sunglasses. See a complete list online at www.samaritans
purse.org. For those that are able, insert a check made payable to Samaritan's Purse for $7 to
help cover processing and shipping. Pray for the child who receive your special shoe box.
Through the power of a simple gift, you can bless a child's life and make a world of difference.
Schools get So-So State Report Card grade
The school district's State Report Card showed that overall it did not make adequate progress
in reading. It did in math, one of the two main subjects that are surveyed. (more)
The school district's State Report Card showed that overall it did not make adequate progress
in reading. It did in math, one of the two main subjects that are surveyed. (more)
ACHH begins annual fund drive
Since 1986, Auburn Community Helping Hands has been helping Auburn families in need by
providing winter coats and shoes for children. The community is asked to help again in this
endeavor. ACHH will start shopping for children under the age of nine in the next few weeks.
Adult volunteers will be taking children over nine shopping November 22. Anyone wishing to
help children shop are asked to call Sheryl Spears at 438-6217. Christmas food baskets will be
assembled at 9 a.m. Sunday morning, December 21 at the VFW Hall on the square. The baskets
will be delivered from the VFW at 5 p.m. Monday, December 22. Volunteers are needed for
assembly and delivery. Anyone is welcome to join in at those times. The elementary, middle and
junior high schools will be collecting non-perishable food items the week of December 15-19 to
help fill baskets. There will be an Angel Tree set up at Headlines hair salon on the square with
the names of children for whom the ACHH buys clothes. Anyone wanting to buy toys for these
children can do so beginning Thanksgiving week. ACHH would not be able to do any of these
projects without the community’s continued support. Donations are accepted at either bank in
town or they can be mailed to ACHH, P.O. Box 74, Auburn. ACHH would like to thank its special
angel who continues to donate all year long.
Since 1986, Auburn Community Helping Hands has been helping Auburn families in need by
providing winter coats and shoes for children. The community is asked to help again in this
endeavor. ACHH will start shopping for children under the age of nine in the next few weeks.
Adult volunteers will be taking children over nine shopping November 22. Anyone wishing to
help children shop are asked to call Sheryl Spears at 438-6217. Christmas food baskets will be
assembled at 9 a.m. Sunday morning, December 21 at the VFW Hall on the square. The baskets
will be delivered from the VFW at 5 p.m. Monday, December 22. Volunteers are needed for
assembly and delivery. Anyone is welcome to join in at those times. The elementary, middle and
junior high schools will be collecting non-perishable food items the week of December 15-19 to
help fill baskets. There will be an Angel Tree set up at Headlines hair salon on the square with
the names of children for whom the ACHH buys clothes. Anyone wanting to buy toys for these
children can do so beginning Thanksgiving week. ACHH would not be able to do any of these
projects without the community’s continued support. Donations are accepted at either bank in
town or they can be mailed to ACHH, P.O. Box 74, Auburn. ACHH would like to thank its special
angel who continues to donate all year long.
Council votes against raising its own salaries
In a one hour meeting Monday, the city council turned down a proposal to raise the salaries
of the aldermen and was apprised of a possible storm sewer replacement problem that affects
the city. (more)
In a one hour meeting Monday, the city council turned down a proposal to raise the salaries
of the aldermen and was apprised of a possible storm sewer replacement problem that affects
the city. (more)
Auburn Veterans Research grows, seeks
monetary help
The Auburn Veterans Research Center, housed in the Auburn Public Library, is seeking
financial support for its newly initiated project. The Auburn VFW and the Auburn American
Legion have each donated $1,000 to start the fundraising effort. In addition, the American
Legion will be holding an all you can eat pancake and sausage breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Sunday, November 16 with all proceeds benefitting the Auburn Veterans Research Center.
The project has been set up in display cases filled with war memorabilia, books, movies and
television documentaries. Future plans include the addition of a computer and Auburn veterans’
personal stories.
“These are all Auburn veterans who served honorably in America’s wartime and peacetime
military,” says Vince Speranza, chairman of the committee. “We’ve only just started and hope to
expand our activities in the very near future.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the project may do so at United Community Bank or donations
can be mailed to: Auburn Veterans Research Center, P.O. 141, Auburn, Illinois 62615. “No
contribution is too large or too small,” adds Speranza. (An advertisement with a donation form
is located elsewhere in the Citizen.) Speranza also says that if any organization or person would
like to arrange a fundraiser, the committee would provide an interesting speaker with lots of
war stories to tell any type of audience. Just call 489-3445 for more information.
“We may be a small town but we can do big things,” adds Speranza. “The men and women of
Auburn who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who survived deserve to be honored and
remembered. Our Research Center will do just that. You’ll be proud that you helped.”
One hundred percent of all donations will go directly to the project as there are no
administrative costs.
monetary help
The Auburn Veterans Research Center, housed in the Auburn Public Library, is seeking
financial support for its newly initiated project. The Auburn VFW and the Auburn American
Legion have each donated $1,000 to start the fundraising effort. In addition, the American
Legion will be holding an all you can eat pancake and sausage breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Sunday, November 16 with all proceeds benefitting the Auburn Veterans Research Center.
The project has been set up in display cases filled with war memorabilia, books, movies and
television documentaries. Future plans include the addition of a computer and Auburn veterans’
personal stories.
“These are all Auburn veterans who served honorably in America’s wartime and peacetime
military,” says Vince Speranza, chairman of the committee. “We’ve only just started and hope to
expand our activities in the very near future.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the project may do so at United Community Bank or donations
can be mailed to: Auburn Veterans Research Center, P.O. 141, Auburn, Illinois 62615. “No
contribution is too large or too small,” adds Speranza. (An advertisement with a donation form
is located elsewhere in the Citizen.) Speranza also says that if any organization or person would
like to arrange a fundraiser, the committee would provide an interesting speaker with lots of
war stories to tell any type of audience. Just call 489-3445 for more information.
“We may be a small town but we can do big things,” adds Speranza. “The men and women of
Auburn who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who survived deserve to be honored and
remembered. Our Research Center will do just that. You’ll be proud that you helped.”
One hundred percent of all donations will go directly to the project as there are no
administrative costs.
School board holds short, routine meeting
In a rather short, routine meeting Monday, the school board spent the bulk of the time with a
disciplinary case in closed session. Later, Supt.of Schools Kathy Garrett reported on the
district's revenues and expenditures noting that the state is a little behind in its payments.
Asked if this posed a problem, Garrett said, "ask me in March."
She also updated the board on the sales tax proposal that could bring in about a million dollars
a year to the district with the passage of a special up to one percent increase in sales tax which
would be earmarked for education. Most county schools are behind the issue but need the
support of Springfield The latter's board recently said it could support it. Garrett said that more
discussions will be held and that the earliest the proposal could be voted on is probably 2010.
The board, on a 4-1-2 (King no, Jessup, DuBois present) agreed to allow United Community
Bank to use the Trojan logo on a debit card. If used also as a credit card, the district would
receive a one-quarter percent fee.
The board also:
— adopted the tentative levy (7-0) of $3,570,000;
— approval the annual financial report 7-0;
— will hold a hearing on Truth and Taxation prior to its December 15 meeting;
— agreed to change its February meeting to the 9th.
— employed Glenda Grider as a nurse (Auburn Elementary, afternoon; Divernon buildings,
mornings). (From Nov. 20, 2008 edition)
In a rather short, routine meeting Monday, the school board spent the bulk of the time with a
disciplinary case in closed session. Later, Supt.of Schools Kathy Garrett reported on the
district's revenues and expenditures noting that the state is a little behind in its payments.
Asked if this posed a problem, Garrett said, "ask me in March."
She also updated the board on the sales tax proposal that could bring in about a million dollars
a year to the district with the passage of a special up to one percent increase in sales tax which
would be earmarked for education. Most county schools are behind the issue but need the
support of Springfield The latter's board recently said it could support it. Garrett said that more
discussions will be held and that the earliest the proposal could be voted on is probably 2010.
The board, on a 4-1-2 (King no, Jessup, DuBois present) agreed to allow United Community
Bank to use the Trojan logo on a debit card. If used also as a credit card, the district would
receive a one-quarter percent fee.
The board also:
— adopted the tentative levy (7-0) of $3,570,000;
— approval the annual financial report 7-0;
— will hold a hearing on Truth and Taxation prior to its December 15 meeting;
— agreed to change its February meeting to the 9th.
— employed Glenda Grider as a nurse (Auburn Elementary, afternoon; Divernon buildings,
mornings). (From Nov. 20, 2008 edition)
Unprofitable recycling service discontinued
Citing a poor market for recycled materials, the city has learned late last week that service by
Lake Area Recycling Services, (LARS) will be halted. (more)
Citing a poor market for recycled materials, the city has learned late last week that service by
Lake Area Recycling Services, (LARS) will be halted. (more)
City encouraged by low November gas rate
Although nothing is certain these days, the city is encouraged by the November rate for gas and
the fact that costs could be lower than last year. The November rate charged Auburn customers
will be $8 per MCF. It was $9.90 a year ago. "All indications show that costs should be lower
this year according to the Utility Gas Management group we hire to buy our gas," said Mayor Joe
Powell. In a recent letter to the city, UGM said it expected the market would make wild swings,
but was encouraged by the downward trend. USM also had 50 percent of the gas expected to be
used this winter locked in at a low price. The $8 rate for November is the lowest since
September, 2007. It was $8.20 last month. Rates usually start increasing with the winter
months but don't peak price-wise until the summer. Rates of the past 12 months were:
November 2007 $9.70, December $9.90, January $10.05, February $10.70, March $11.10, April
$11.50, May $12.50, June $12.85, July $14.30, August $10.90, September $9.80 and October
$8.20.
Although nothing is certain these days, the city is encouraged by the November rate for gas and
the fact that costs could be lower than last year. The November rate charged Auburn customers
will be $8 per MCF. It was $9.90 a year ago. "All indications show that costs should be lower
this year according to the Utility Gas Management group we hire to buy our gas," said Mayor Joe
Powell. In a recent letter to the city, UGM said it expected the market would make wild swings,
but was encouraged by the downward trend. USM also had 50 percent of the gas expected to be
used this winter locked in at a low price. The $8 rate for November is the lowest since
September, 2007. It was $8.20 last month. Rates usually start increasing with the winter
months but don't peak price-wise until the summer. Rates of the past 12 months were:
November 2007 $9.70, December $9.90, January $10.05, February $10.70, March $11.10, April
$11.50, May $12.50, June $12.85, July $14.30, August $10.90, September $9.80 and October
$8.20.