On August 9 in Good Day Illinois we referred to the Illinois Butter Cow and the fact that Iowa also had a Butter Cow at its State Fair. At the Iowa State Fair last weekend Red paint was poured over the Iowa Butter Cow and Iowans for Animal Liberation claimed responsibility for this dastardly act. For details go to: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/08/13/animal-welfare-group-vandalizes-iowa-butter-cow/
The fair season ends this week with the Winnebago County Fair which starts Today and runs until August 18 at Pecatonica, Illinois. This year it features Country Superstar Jo Dee Messina on Saturday, August 17.
For more details on the fair go to http://www.winnebagocountyfair.com/
Freeport charges its residents $12.02 for monthly trash pickup. You are limited to 2 bags of trash plus recyclables. In Rockford residents pay $15.50 for trash pickup, but the difference is that household trash is unlimited, along with unlimited bulk items. 13 to 40 gallon containers or bags can be used, weighing less than 50 lbs. each. The argument in favor of this approach is that it discourages illegal dumping. Freeport has one bulk pickup for a fee some years and the number of items is limited. In addition there is a separate fee if you want your yard waste picked up and it is limited by the number of toters. If you have one toter, cost is $75.00 for season or 6.25 per month. In Rockford there is unlimited household yard waste pickup included in the monthly fee. Now compare for $3.48 more per month you get unlimited pickup weekly of household waste (including bulk items) and lawn waste in Rockford. In Freeport for your monthly fee you are limited to 2 bags a week with no bulk pickup, and there is no lawn waste pickup.
You decide which approach is better and which is a better value.
Don’t forget to look at Good Day Illinois on Monday, August 12. We will be talking trash! And tonight is Cruise Night in Freeport – an event not to miss!
Illinois State Fair, Springfield, now through August 18. Don’t miss the Butter Cow, Governor’s Day on August 14, or Republican Day on August 15. See our Illinois Politicians in action mixing with their constituents. For more information go to http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/
Wisconsin State Fair, Milwaukee, ends this Weekend, August 11. For information go to http://www.wistatefair.com/wp/
Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, now through to August 18. Iowa Fair also has a Butter Cow!
For a listing of events go to http://www.iowastatefair.org/
And looking ahead to February, there is only one State Fair – The Florida State Fair in Tampa which is February 6 to February 17, 2014. A nice place to visit in February when you live in Northwest Illinois! For more information go to http://www.floridastatefair.com/
5:30 – 11 pm, Downtown Freeport. Enjoy Freeport’s historic downtown with this last show of the season featuring Rock n’ Roll with Joel Steil Quartet and The Funnies. There also will be great food and a beer garden. Adults: $5; Children 5 and Under: Free. (815-232-9000)
And Don’t Miss Freeport Cruise Night on Saturday, August 10!
The best cruise night in Northwest Illinois will be in Downtown Freeport, 4 – 10 pm, Cruise from 7 – 10 pm.
August 6, 2013
August 6, 2013
At the Freeport City Council Meeting on August 5 the City Engineer, Shawn Gallagher, discussed the reports on Asbestos and Lead Testing for former City Hall Building (230 W. Stephenson Street) and former Carnegie Library Building (314 W. Stephenson Street) as provided by Fehr Graham. Unfortunately, the reports are not available online for the public to view. Mr. Gallagher gave an extremely poor summary of the reports. The reports were given to the Council for the members to review. This is a case of the blind leading the blind.
Mr. Gallagher also mentioned the geotechnical testing on former City Hall Building (230 W. Stephenson) as provided by Testing Service Corporation. He sounded as if there were no serious issues. Again, the reports are not available online.
No decision can be made on these buildings until the Mayor and Council do the following:
1. Full disclosure online of all reports on these buildings paid for by the City of Freeport which should be done immediately.
2. Firm estimates on the actual cost of restoring these buildings.
3. Disclosure of the sources of funding for the restoration of these buildings. Will it be real estate taxes or some other creative new tax?
Remember this – Certain members of the City Council who have served many years have contributed to the present situation by doing nothing. They have failed to maintain the old library building, and let the City Hall building deteriorate. Can these same people be trusted to make a decision on the fate of these buildings? The answer should be obvious.
Good Day Illinois - Happenings in Northwest Illinois 