Tidbit Peoria News to Act Upon!
Rather than New Year’s Resolutions, something the majority of people no longer do, perhaps we should instead endeavor to learn more about our immediate community and try to find ways to positively impact that community. This reporter recently found some tidbit pieces of information that I wanted to share with my fellow Peorians. We can not only educate ourselves on such issues, but can even take personal actions on some of them.
Learn More About Medical Services in Peoria – Did you ever want information about the medical community in Peoria? For instance, did you want to quickly find the emergency room phone number at one specific hospital? Or, perhaps you’re out of town and want to call your dentist to arrange an emergency appointment to replace a filling AND you don’t have the phone number with you. Or, your physician suggests you need to find a specialist and you know nothing about any doctors in that field. Well, there is an all-inclusive online medical directory for the Peoria and surrounding area that would make any such searches simple. Founder Denise Graves started this service with a strong desire and passion to make medical information available to the “masses.” It was created, according to Graves, “to allow patients and ‘Health Seekers’ an easy, one source tool to find the medical information and services that they need while allowing the medical community a resource to direct people to their services and to show the community that.” Graves strongly believes that “No one needs to leave the area for the best medical care possible.” Check it out, look for your current doctor’s information and information on the various area hospitals. Graves would greatly appreciate your input if there is outdated or omitted information. It is her goal to constantly update and add information in order to be as comprehensive as possible. Her website is at: www.healthservicesofpeoria.com.
Voice Your Opinion on a Museum Tax – How about starting out the New Year by giving YOUR input and opinion to our elected officials on the proposed museum tax? Did you know that in the fall of 2008, a bill passed that allows Illinois counties – with voter approval – to increase the sales tax rate to fund construction of public facilities? As a result, the Peoria County Board will be deciding by January 31st whether to put a proposal of a ¼ of 1% sales tax increase to the voters on the upcoming April 2009 ballot. That increase equals 25 cents for every $100 of retail purchases. A telephone survey was recently conducted, some claiming it was a “push poll.” Now the public at large is invited by the Peoria County Board to weigh in. The following three questions are asked: 1.) Would you support a sales tax increase to help fund the museum project? 2.) Would you be more likely to support an increase if proceeds could also be used to fund other public facilities such as schools and fire houses? 3.) Would you be more likely to support an increase if the increase were temporary? (Temporary? Have you ever heard of such a thing?) Please remember that it’s not often we’re asked for our opinion. I have already gone online and shared my opinion. For more info, call Jennifer Zinkel, Director of Strategic Communications at 672-6918. The website is: http://www.peoriacounty.org/county/news/show/829. Remember, the deadline is January 31st.
Whys & Hows of Snow/Ice Removal in Peoria – As we all know, we have already experienced some interesting weather this snow season. The City studied the snow routes and designated snow streets and have adjusted the routes. According to David Barber, Peoria’s Public Works Director, “The layout of the routes we used was outdated and did not match our growth on the north end of the City. We added a new route and have adjusted the layout of a few routes. Since we handled Primary and Secondary Routes pretty much at the same time, we combined what needed to be classified as Primary into one designation and eliminated the Secondary Routes. The new layout provides access to a main street within about ¼ to ½ mile for all areas. This change has allowed us to finish the Primary Routes quicker and move into the residential streets faster.” This change was approved by the City Council in August.
When asked for further explanation, Barber continued, “For small events of less than about one to two inches of snow we focus on the Primary Routes first and only move into the residentials if necessary. Depending on the event this might include some salting at intersections. For larger events, usually greater than two inches, we would do a plowing operation on all residential streets and some salting if necessary.”
When asked how this plan works in an ice storm, several facts were revealed. Salt is only effective down to about 20 degrees. The city adds calcium chloride to the salt mix at lower temperatures. With ice storms, Barber say, “the ice actually coats the salt on the pavement and seals the salt to prevent melting. Traffic is necessary to help free the salt from the ice and to break it down into smaller particles to enhance the melting of the salt.”
When asked for facts on the salt/sand mixture, Barber said, “We started using a mixture of two parts salt and one part sand last winter in January due to the shortage of road salt. It’s not weighed out, but estimated as the mixture is prepared. This year we continued this mixture due to the higher prices of road salt and a limit on what we can buy. We started the year about 4,000 tons below what we usually have on hand and can only purchase 13,000 tons through our source. Last year we used a bit over 17,000 tons of salt.”
The City has a recorded message at 494-8830 and when there is a snow event, they will answer questions at 494-8850. You can also check out the city’s web site for maps, snow info and contact info.
City/County of Peoria Offers “CODE RED” – A joint venture between the City of Peoria and the County of Peoria offers residents a “CodeRED” high-speed telephone emergency notification service. City and County officials can deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone notification/information messages to targeted areas or the entire County at a rate up to 50,000 calls per hour. Public safety officials remind us all that such a system is only as good as the telephone database supporting them. If your phone number isn’t in the database, you won’t be called. I received a recorded message telling me about the system and asking for changes if necessary. So, I guess I’m in. Are you? You can add your phone number to the database. Many people use wireless phones rather than land lines. The CodeRED system is a geographical-based notification system and therefore needs street addresses in order to select phone numbers to receive the calls. To add your wireless/cell phone, you need to be sure to include your street address.
If you have moved in the last four months or if you use a wireless/cell phone as your primary home phone, you need to register at:
http://www.peoriacounty.org/county/news/show/826. Required info includes: first & last name, street address, City, State, Zip Code, primary phone number, and additional phone numbers (optional). Remember, this info will only be used for emergency notification purposes.
You can call or email David Tuttle, ECC Manager, City of Peoria Emergency Communications Center at 494-8035 or dtuttle@ci.peoria.il.us.
Info and Discounts on Energy Efficient Light Bulbs – Yes, I’m talking about those “funny looking” light bulbs that are supposed to be energy efficient. Did you know that lighting accounts for close to 20% of the average home’s electric bill? So, if your electric bill runs at $100, you’re saving almost $20 off that monthly bill! These bulbs use up to 75% less electricity than “regular” light bulbs AND last up to ten times longer AND cost little up front. If you go online and check it out, you’ll be amazed to see that Ameren Illinois Utilities will give you discounts on purchasing these newer, more efficient light bulbs. You can order online or go to participating stores to get your discount. Go to: http://www.actonenergy.com to check it out!
