The Community Word

Congratulations to the Manual Rams boys basketball team, cheerleaders and Rams fans. The boys team won second in state in the new Class AA division. They performed admirably and well for their community. Think of this past miserable winter and the effort that these young men and their coaches expended to attend the practices, games and other events required of them. Appreciate all they did to bring us such fun and well-played basketball. Many thanks to all those involved. Be proud to be a part of the Manual community.

The Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8th at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall. This annual township meeting is mandated by the State for a specific time and date and offers citizens the opportunity to come and have a voice in their local government.

Curbside landscape waste pickup for 2008 will begin April 4. Have lids on your garbage cans as required by City ordinance. And remember, if it poops, you scoop! Please be courteous to your fellow residents and pick up your dog’s waste.

Clean-Up Day for West Peoria residents will be Saturday, April 26th. This is for West Peoria residents ONLY. Volunteers are needed. Any questions or to volunteer, contact Kelly Abraham, 673-6919. No yard or hazardous waste is accepted. Car tires will be accepted for $3.00/each. Truck and tractor tires will be accepted at an additional cost. If you have some tires, this is a good opportunity to keep your community safe this summer because mosquitoes breed in the water that collects in tires that are left outside. Clean-up Day will be held at 1322 Hillside which is located next to the gravel pit.

Government Day, a program for local students at Manual, Notre Dame, Calvin Coolidge and St Mark’s Schools to visit both township and city government, is scheduled for Friday, April 11th. This opportunity gives the students involved a “hands-on” opportunity to learn how their local governments operate.

The West Peoria City Council recently approved a new ordinance defining and restricting garages sales. Garage sales shall not be conducted more than one time or for more than three consecutive days each calendar quarter. In no event shall a garage sale be conducted either before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. on any one day of sale. Residents are advised that all public works projects are almost impossible to reschedule and will proceed as planned, regardless of garage sales. It’s recommended that residents check with City Hall about planned public works before scheduling a garage sale. All garage sale advertising shall have the date, time and address of any such sale included thereon. All signs advertising any garage sale shall be removed within 24 hours after the conclusion of the sale. To view the entire ordinance, visit http://www.cityofwestpeoria.com/new_ordinances.asp. Please contact West Peoria City Hall with any questions at 674-1993.

March Madness played well in Peoria and with CityLink shuttles. CityLink provided shuttle service from area participating motels and Northwoods Mall started at 9:30 a.m. and ended with the last buses leaving the Civic Center at 11:00 p.m. each weekend of the state boys basketball tournaments. Passes for a weekend cost the riders only $5.00. A total of 3,316 rides were taken the first weekend for the smaller schools A and AA division. Manual Rams won second in state. (The second weekend for the AAA and AAAA teams saw 2,334 riders. Washington Panthers took 4th in state that weekend. Having local schools makes a big difference in ridership because not as many fans are staying overnight at motels. Total ridership for both weekends was 5,650. This impacts downtown greatly when that many less parking places are needed. CityLink personnel also show another friendly face to visitors at the tournaments in the way they greet their riders and in their pride in their service. My thanks to all CityLink employees who represented our system and community so well.

The City of West Peoria realizes the value in encouraging residents to help keep West Peoria an attractive place to live. In an effort to promote the beautification of its residential districts, the City has established a Paint Program for residential property owners. This paint program offers reimbursement of paint costs to residents who wish to paint the exterior of their homes or accessory structures (sheds, storage units, or garages). Reimbursement will be granted for exterior paint only. Participants who purchase paint in the City of West Peoria will receive reimbursement of 50% of total paint costs, up to a maximum of $250. If the paint is not purchased in West Peoria, the maximum amount reimbursed will be 30% of total paint costs, also up to $250. Paint is available in West Peoria at Ace Hardware at 2504 W Rohmann Avenue and Farmington Road Hardware at 2600 W. Farmington Road. Reimbursement of receipts will be received upon completion of project. Please contact West Peoria City Hall with any questions at 674-1993.

The Code Enforcement Office reminds residents they’re responsible for cleaning and maintaining their alleyways and disposing of all garbage and debris. The Code Enforcement Officer will send out violations and fines to all who fail to comply with city ordinances in a timely fashion. Most fines start at $50.00; legal action will be taken against violators who fail to pay the fine.

The City of West Peoria has an interest in pursuing a beautiful, clean and safe community. We continually strive to make West Peoria a better place to live and hope this is a goal shared by all community members. Thus, we have implemented a program to improve the quality of life for residents by focusing on one target area at a time. Our code enforcement officer, community police officer and animal control specialist will be inspecting your neighborhood in the future. This team will survey the neighborhood, provide resources, will issue violations if they deem necessary and will be available to answer any questions. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact West Peoria City Hall at 674-1993.

For businesses operating out of homes: Remember that all businesses in West Peoria operating within a residential building are required to complete a Home Occupation Permit. This permit can be found online at: http://www.cityofwestpeoria.com/permits.asp or at City Hall. The accompanying fee is $75. (A home occupation annual renewal permit is also required whereby the fee is $25).

Troop 11 welcomes its newest members to Boy Scout Troop 11.These Scouts crossed over from WEBELOS to Boy Scouts on Tuesday, March 18th. The new Scouts are Joseph Zilkowski, Jim Hoerdeman, Frank Drew, Mathew Mooty, Merritt Stott, Michael Shannahan, Tyler Meyer. The weekend after Easter the Scouts are going to Wright Patterson Air Museum for their spring outing. In May there is a Camp-O-Ree at Camp Wokonda near Mossville. Trash bag sales are well on their way and going to be delivered early in April. If you have not gotten a call or just need to purchase your box of 100 they are $14.00. Call Scoutmaster Bob DeSutter at 674-6668. It’s always a good time to join scouting.

The WP Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held at City Hall, Thursday, April 20, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Chris Watkins, our community policeman, will update us on any criminal activities in West Peoria. The WP Residents’ Association will meet at City Hall, Thursday, April 20th at 6:30 p.m.Our guest speaker will be Linda Butler, District 150 Board Member. Public is welcome.

The Jamboree Race is back and we want YOU! In order to give the race a running start, volunteers are needed to help coordinate and organize the event. If you would like to be a part of this year’s success, please contact Krystiana Bronny at 674-1993. The committee has already met and there is great need for help from the community. Assistance is needed the day of the Jamboree, June 7th and before. Respond if you are able to help get this fun West Peoria event back on track.

You can help make a difference in your community! We have created a volunteer program to assist the elderly, disabled or otherwise incapacitated. This program helps the elderly & disabled with outdoor tasks they may find difficult or impossible. Volunteers are needed on a minimal basis to perform services such as raking leaves or shoveling driveways. If you would like assistance from this program or to volunteer, call Krystiana Bronny at 674-1993. Your minimal commitment can have a huge impact.

2008 dues remain $10/individual and $18/families for the West Peoria Garden Club. If you are interested in joining please mail a check to Pat Sharp, 609 N Swords Ave, West Peoria, IL 61604. Plans for 2008 include building containers, learning about raised bed gardening and touring local gardens.

The West Peoria Lions Club continues to sell 100% soy candles and giant coloring books. If interested, call Carolyn at 208-3815. The Club meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the United Disciples Christian Church. For more information, contact Lion Linda at 673-6409.