West Peorian fights back with Night out Against Crime
By Sharon McBride | 2nd August 2007
Mark your calendars for Night Out Against Crime Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at the Franciscan Recreation Center from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. The public is invited. West Peoria Township will be registering bicycles and having drawings to give away bikes. Other West Peoria organizations will be participating including the Sheriff’s Department, Residents Association, the City, and Troop 11. Special events include the bicycle drawing, K-9 demonstration, Kids ID program, dunk tank, music and more. Remember to turn on all outside lights on August 7 and send a message to criminals that we are fighting to keep our West Peoria neighborhoods safe. Join your neighbors for a safe and fun night out.
The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August16, 2007 in City Hall. Deputy Chris Watkins will present a neighborhood report. The public is always welcome. The West Peoria Residents’ Association will then meet at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall on August 16, 2007. The public is invited. State Representative Aaron Schock will be the guest speaker.
This year’s parade was a grand success. A little rain in the morning did not deter more that 80+ groups to attend another great 4th of July parade and flag-raising in West Peoria. Parade organizer Mark Wrhel extends special thanks to those who helped make the parade so successful – Block Captains: Cindy Seitz, Linda Capps, Karen Adkins-Dutro, Kim Stecher, and Pat Payne. It takes a combined effort of many individuals to make such an event a success. The information booth was manned by Erika Wrhel and the public address system and street painting (twice) was handled by Terry Master. Thanks also go to the United Disciples Christian Church for their assistance with the flag raising event at the church.
The front color guards were Eagle Scouts Peter Tigue and Matt Zilkowski. The flag-raising was done by Cub Scouts Tyler Mayer and Joe Zilkowski and boy scouts Tyler Quinton and Jesse Peterson. Peggy Bonner and the Peoria Senior Summer Band once again provided the music for the ceremony.
The winners of the 2007 parade trophies are as follows: Best in Show presented by South Side Bank was awarded to the Red Hat Flutter byes for their great cars, great music and lots of red, white and blue. The award for patriotic awarded by the West Peoria Lions Club was presented to the POW/MIA organization for the second consecutive year for their great float in honor of those who never came home. Juvenile award by the West Peoria Residents Association was awarded for a second year to the Kuk Sool Won of Peoria, a martial arts program. Organization trophy awarded by the West Peoria Women’s Auxiliary was presented to Cross Baptist Church for their float with live music that was played throughout the parade. This year’s judges were: Maggie Moore, Ann Masters and Pat Schadt.
It is said that it takes a village to raise a child; the same can be said for a successful event such as our own 4th of July celebration.
The Grand Marshal for this year is Sue Roos who has given her time to West Peoria in many ways over the years. She is most noted for her enormous commitment in starting and running the Jamboree Run for several years. Unfortunately, no commitment was made to take charge of the Jamboree Run when Sue was unable to continue with her efforts in it. Anyone interested in chairing the Jamboree Run for next year should contact City Hall as soon as possible to volunteer for the job. It was another successful event that brought many people into our community and needs to once again be a vital part of the West Peoria culture.
To view pictures from this year’s parade, visit:
www.cityofwestpeoria.com/news.asp.
The West Peoria Garden Club has joined with the West Peoria MAPPING Beautification Committee to work with new ideas for the corner garden at Main and Western Avenues. The garden will be different appearing with less flowers and the continuing constant need for volunteers to assist with weeding and maintenance.
The City of West Peoria’s Americorps VISTA volunteer began her service in West Peoria on July 2, 2007. Krystiana Bronny, a May graduate from Bradley University; is working in West Peoria for one year. While working at City Hall, she will collaborate with the Township and the West Peoria Residents Association to help improve the community. The primary mission of VISTA is to “increase the capacity of low-income people to improve the condition of their lives.” Krystiana will work with community leaders to initiate programs with the above mission, as well as other initiatives to foster community and economic development She was introduced to the community at the July 19th West Peoria Residents Association meeting.
Reminder: Landscape waste pick-up is a service included in your garbage bill. Landscape waste is picked up weekly at the curb, NOT in the alley with your regular garbage.
City Council meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall and are open to the public. Township meetings are the second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.