West Peoria News

Join us in the 2008 Jamboree Race on Saturday, June 7! If you would like to volunteer for this early morning event, please contact Krystiana, 674-1993. Volunteers are needed from approximately 6:00-9:00 a.m. The race starts promptly at 7:00 a.m. Runners and walkers: Pick up your race entry form at the following locations: Haddad’s, South Side Bank, Geier Florist, Alwan Pharmacy, The Hair Shoppe, West Peoria City Hall, Farmington Road Hardware, Joe’s Barber Shop, the Riverplex, Franciscan Recreation Complex, Running Central, and more! See you on race day!

The Jamboree will run during the evening at Franciscan Recreation Center. The Scouts’ carnival is from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. for the kids to enjoy. The band, Madison 221, will play after that. Snacks and drinks are available from various community organizations. Bring chairs and blankets and make yourselves comfy. You can make this a multi-generational event, bring the family.

While attending a recent event, there was discussion about the Heroes of 9/11, the New York City Fire Department. It made me think of the heroes we have in our community in the West Peoria Fire Department. They take time from their daily lives and families because they volunteer their services while having regular employment. My thanks to all of you and your families for the great sacrifices you make in providing services to our community.

West Peoria real estate tax bills were mailed the first week of May. Tax Collector Imelda Kelch is collecting taxes at her residence, 2206 W. Barker. Hours are 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The first installment is due June 10, 2008. Installment stubs from your tax bill are now required at the time of payment. Anything after June 10, 2008 needs to be mailed to: the Peoria County Courthouse.

The community of West Peoria, Troop and Pack 11, the West Peoria Lions Club all extend an invitation to join them in the annual 4th of July Parade and Flag Raising Ceremony. This special day brings with it a feeling of community togetherness and heartfelt patriotism that truly touches the spirit. We proudly coordinate the longest-running 4th of July parade and flag raising in Central Illinois and will be honored if you and/or your organization will march with us.

The parade steps off at 10:00 a.m. from the corner of Waverly and Moss Avenues and concludes with the Flag Raising Ceremony at the United Disciples Christian Church on the corner of Kellogg and Cedar. Pastor Dwight Winnett, United Disciples Christian Church, will deliver the invocation. Troop 11 and Pack 11 will lead the flag raising. West Peoria mayor, Jim Dillon, will the guest speaker. You are all encouraged to attend this very special event. If you would like to take part in this year’s parade or nominate a grand marshal, contact Mark Wrhel at: mwrhel@insightbb.com or 472-4258.

Trophies will be awarded for the following: Most Patriotic, Best of Show, Best Juvenile, Grand Marshal and this year’s new category for Service Organizations. Entries are to be decorated in a patriotic theme. If you’ve never participated in a parade before, your patriotism is more than welcome! In previous years, the community has enjoyed viewing marching bands, classic cars, walking groups, dance troupes, groups on bicycles and prestigious floats.

The next Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held June 19th at 6:00 p.m. at the West Peoria City Hall. Deputy Chris Watkins will discuss criminal issues in the area. The next West Peoria Residents’ meeting will be June 19th at 6:30 p.m. at West Peoria City Hall immediately following the Neighborhood Watch meeting. The public is welcome.

Would you like to have your sidewalks redone? As a reminder, the City of West Peoria helps fund a sidewalk improvement program. Please call the City of West Peoria or go to: http://www.cityofwestpeoria.com/sidewalk_program.asp to see program guidelines and get a petition. The deadline to have your sidewalks redone in 2009 is September 30, 2008.

Curbside landscape waste pickup for 2008 has begun. 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.

The Code Enforcement Office would like to remind residents they are 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.

In order to promote the public health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of the citizens of the City, West Peoria is in the process of initiating a Property Maintenance & Occupancy Code. This code will serve to prevent and control blight and pertain to the upkeep of residential and commercial structures and property in West Peoria. The code will likely take effect sometime in May or June 2008. If you have questions, call West Peoria City Hall at 674-1993.

The City of West Peoria has an interest in pursuing a beautiful, clean and safe community all the while, continually striving to make West Peoria a better place to live and hope this is a goal shared by all community members. They have implemented a program to improve the quality of life for residents by focusing on one target area at a time. The 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 call West Peoria City Hall at 674-1993.

West Peoria Township thanks the following people for all their help at Clean-up Day: Kelly Abraham, Sharon Kennedy, Sharon McBride, LeRoy Dohm, Rocky Matthews, Terry Masters, Dan Morse, Henry Strube, Bob DeSutter, Sandy DeSutter and the Boy Scouts of Troop 11.

West Peoria township and city have two elected officials that are St. Jude Runners in the Memphis to Peoria Run. Jimmy Dillon, township clerk and county board representative and Phil Roberts, city fourth ward alderman are participating again in this year’s event. They solicit donations to support St. Jude Hospital. If you’re so inclined, send them donations to recognize their efforts. Three other community members participating are: Angie Perrilles, Memphis to Peoria, Terry Hackman Jr. Pekin to Peoria and Christy Getz, Tri-County. These individuals give much of their time and effort for this event.

The West Peoria Lions Club will run the food booth at the Jamboree on June 7th. Come get a pork chop, brat, hotdog or popcorn from them. They will also be participating in the Moss Ave. Sale on Saturday June 14th. They will have a supply of all the candle scents that they sell at that event. West Peoria and Bartonville Lions Clubs collect aluminum cans that will be used to send a child to Camp Lions, a camp for the visually and hearing impaired. They continue to collect cans, old keys, glasses hearing aids and cell phones. Drop off any donations at Haddad’s Market or call Lion Linda at 673-6409. Their summer rounds out with the Annual July 4th. Parade and Flag Raising. If you have a suggestion for Grand Marshal please submit your nomination in writing to Lion Mark Wrhel at Haddad’s. Come join the Lions Club Family with our community projects. Call Lion Linda at 673-6409

Work has begun on revitalizing and redesigning the corner garden at Western, Heading, and Main streets. June, July and August are garden tour months for the West Peoria Garden Club. 2008 dues remain $10/individual and $18/families for the West Peoria Garden Club. If interested in joining, please send payment to Pat Sharp, 609 N Swords Ave, West Peoria, IL 61604.

In order to promote the public health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of the citizens of the City, West Peoria has initiated a Property Maintenance & Occupancy Code. This code will serve to prevent and control blight and pertain to the upkeep of residential and commercial structures and property in West Peoria. If you have any questions, please call West Peoria City Hall at 674-1993.

The West Peoria City Council 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 is 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 309.674.1993.

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 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 309.674.1993.

Curbside landscape waste pickup for 2008 has begun. Also, please 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.

The Code Enforcement Office would like to remind residents they are 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.