West Peoria news for July 2008
By Sharon McBride | 3rd July 2008
Evan Murphy became the 59th Eagle Scout for Troop 11 in early June 2008. His Eagle project consisted of remodeling work to the United Disciples Christian Church, the sponsoring institution for Troop 11. Troop 11 sent eleven boy scouts to summer camp for one week during the month of June.
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.
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
Trophies will be awarded for the following: Most Patriotic, Best of Show, Best Juvenile, Grand Marshal and this year a new category for Service Organizations. All entries need to be decorated in a patriotic theme. 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 July 17th 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 17th 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 view program guidelines and to get a petition. The deadline to have your sidewalks redone in 2009 is September 30, 2008.
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 and 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.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 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 percent 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 percent 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 is in effect. 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 reminds 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.
The City of West Peoria has an interest in pursuing a beautiful, clean and safe community and continually strives to make West Peoria a better place to live and hope this is a goal shared by all community members. A program has been implemented 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 contact West Peoria City Hall at 674-1993.
Non-chemical Mosquito Control in West Peoria: Mosquito larvae or “wrigglers” must live in still water for five or more days to complete their growth before changing into adult biting mosquitoes capable of transmitting disease. Often, the number of mosquitoes in an area can be reduced by removing sources of standing water around residences. For example, hundreds of mosquitoes can come from water in a single discarded tire. Individuals can reduce their risk by taking these precautions: get rid of old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles or any water-holding containers, fill in or drain low places (puddles, ruts, etc.) in the yard, keep drains, ditches and culverts free of weeds and trash so water will drain properly, keep roof gutters free of leaves and other debris, cover trash containers to keep out rainwater, repair leaky pipes and outside faucets, empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use. (unused swimming pools should be drained and kept dry during the mosquito season), fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water, change the water in birdbaths and plant pots or drip trays at least once each week, store boats covered or upside down, or remove rainwater weekly, keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house so adult mosquitoes will not hide there, make sure ornamental ponds have fish that eat mosquito larvae, repair window screens. When outdoors in the evening or when mosquitoes are biting, use personal protection measures to prevent mosquito bites (proper use of insect repellent and appropriate clothing). See the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website for more information and specific personal protection recommendations: www.idph.state.il.us
It’s summertime in Central Illinois and that means nature is in full bloom. With the lovely flowers and blossoms come some nuisance weeds indigenous to this area. Please be on the look out for nuisance weeds in your yard such as poison ivy, mock strawberry, thistles, dandelions, pennycress, creeping Charlie, common cockleburs and pokeweed. For a detailed description of weeds and wildflowers in Illinois (and a picture of each) please visit: www.illinoiswildflowers.info/index.htm and click on “Weedy Wildflowers.” As grass and weeds in excess of nine inches will be in violation of our City Code, we encourage residents to pull up and destroy all nuisance weeds in West Peoria.