This year’s General Primary Election is: March 20, 2012. Early voting for West Peoria voters will be March 9, 2012 in City Hall from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. All registered voters have received new voter registration cards. The last day to register to vote was February 21st if you are planning to early vote in the primary on March 9, 2012. For registered West Peoria voters: the ballot will consist of: federal and state contests including: President, representative in Congress – 17th District, delegates to the National Nominating Conventions – 17th District, to the National Nominating Convention. – 17th District (Republican only), State Senator – 46th District, State Representative – 92nd District, Judge of The Circuit Court – 10th Circuit (to fill the vacancy of Judge Shadid), Judge of The Circuit Court – 10th Circuit (to fill the vacancy of Judge Grawey). Local county government includes: Auditor, Circuit Clerk, Coroner, Recorder of Deeds, State’s Attorney, County Board Districts 1-18, Precinct Committeemen for County of Peoria and City of Peoria, Peoria District 150 Board Member-2nd District (within West Peoria.)
John Carlson, West Peoria City Administrator, announced his retirement from West Peoria to the City Council at their first February council meeting. John’s retirement will become effective April 30 the end of the current fiscal year. John has been in the employ of West Peoria since 2003 and has been a big part of many success enjoyed during that time. He has been diligent, friendly, cooperative and knowledgeable during his tenure. Mayor Dillon said the search for a replacement will likely be done locally in the hope of landing another home-grown professional like John.
The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch will meet Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The topic for the evening will be Identify Theft. Deputy Vissering will give an update on any criminal activity in the area. Plan to attend and bring a friend.
The West Peoria Residents’ Association will meet Thursday, March 15, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome. Their beautification committee will meet soon to plan the spring and summer seasons. Any resident who likes flowers, planting and fun is invited to join. Contact Maggie Moore at 673-0535 or at maggiemo@mtcocom.
Have you been on Heading Avenue lately and seen the progress on the Peoria County Senior Citizen Complex construction? It is amazing. The last steel beam was put in place on Friday, February 10th during a cool, windy ceremony. Since then the progress visibly grows day by day. Drive or walk by and see how this is progressing.
The Annual Township Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 10th, at 7:30 p.m. in the West Peoria Township building. This is an opportunity for all citizens to come and have a say in their local government. Learn what your township has accomplished during the past year and its plans for the upcoming year. Clean-Up Day will be on Saturday, April 28th from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at West Peoria City Garage. This is for West Peoria residents only. Please call Kelly Abraham @ 673-6919 if you have questions or wish to volunteer. The West Peoria Lions Club Green Team will be there collecting: eyeglasses, hearing aids, cell phones, ink cartridges, old keys, and aluminum cans or tabs. All these items are recycled.
Government Day will be Friday, April 13th. This is a program for local students to visit both the township and the city to learn more about local government.
The West Peoria Lions Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Champs on Western Ave. The West Peoria Lions Club is looking for some help at the Peoria area Blind People’s Center. The Center has Open House on Wednesdays serving meals and playing bingo. Needed are small $1.00 gifts to give out for bingo prizes such as candy, cookies, hand wipes, lotion, etc. We also would like to have volunteers to help call bingo. Call the Center at 637-3693 for more information.
Amazingly, it is time to start thinking summer and the 4th of July. West Peoria is very well known in the central Illinois area and beyond for our celebration of this holiday. Our parade is the longest-running celebration of the 4thand draws thousands of viewers and celebrants to the community. If you and any of your organizations are interested in participating in the parade (a rain or shine event) contact Jim McCarter at 673-6207 orjmmccarter@sbcglobal.net or Mark Wrhel at 472-4258 or mwrhel@comcast.net. The parade is sponsored by the community of West Peoria, the West Peoria Lions Club, Troop and Pack #11 and the West Peoria Fire Department.
West Peorians are now invited to submit their nominations for a Grand Marshal to head the 43rd 4th of July Parade. Each year, West Peoria honors a person who has had an impact on our community through social work, pubic service, or volunteer work. The application process requires that anyone wishing to nominate a particular person write a short letter explaining his/her choice. Anyone writing a letter is asked to include his/her contact information. Nominating letters can be sent to: West Peoria Lions Club, Attn: Grand Marshal Nominations at 2407 W. Rohmann Ave, West Peoria, IL 61604 or e-mail to either of the parade contacts mentioned in the paragraph above.
New Residents may pick up a Welcome Packet at City Hall, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. If you wish to report a code violation or register a complaint, please contact Code Enforcement Officer Bill O’Neill at 674-1993 or 370-1142. All vehicles without an up-to-date license sticker are considered inoperable and are in violation of City Code. Any vehicle without an up-to-date sticker must be stored in a garage.
Looking ahead to spring? If you are planning on painting the exterior of your home, check into the West Peoria Residential Paint Program. There are still funds available. 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 Peoriawill 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, up to $250. Paint is available inWest Peoria at Ace Hardware at 2504 W. Rohmann Avenue. Reimbursement of receipts will be received upon completion of project. Residents can pick up a copy of the guidelines and an application at West Peoria City Hall,2506 W. Rohmann Ave. They are also available on the City Website:
www.cityofwestpeoria.com. If you have any questions: call City Hall; 674-1993.
Do you know that permits from the City are needed for certain projects on your property? A list of all permit fees is available on the City Website at: www.cityofwestpeoria.com/permits.asp
You do suspect that we are due for more snow? It is the way of living in central Illinois. The Street Department Manager asks that you please not shovel the end of your driveway until the plows have been down your street. This will save you the trouble of having to shovel again. It is against City Code to shovel your snow into the street. Doing so only slows down the process of clearing the streets. A Parking Ban on all West Peoria streets will be issued whenever two or more inches of snow is predicted, according to City Ordinance # 2006-17.All vehicles must be moved or it could result in a fine. Parking bans will be posted on all local television stations in the eventuality that we do get a big snow event.
Visit the West Peoria Library at the church building on the corner of Kellogg and Cedar Avenues. The library has over 4,000 titles from which to choose. The library strives to be open Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The library is volunteer-staffed so someone may not always be available. The library signs are gold and red; if they are seen outside, generally someone is in the library. The entrance in the back of the building is the closest to the library and will be open on library days. If you are interested in volunteering a few hours, please come by the library or call Emily Huff, 453-8139. A Children’s Story Hour will be held at the library on Fridays once a month. Registration is required, children up to age five are welcome to attend with their parents. Registration is necessary, sign up at the library or call Emily for further details.
The West Peoria Garden Club meets each month on the third Monday at West Peoria City Hall unless a special event has been planned. If you wish to join the Club, visit their March 19th meeting at 7:00 p.m. You can learn new tips and share knowledge with people of similar interests. Annual dues are $10/single or $18/couple. For more information, contact Donna Schwab at 256-8233.
Interested in visiting a beautiful local nature site? Friends of Rocky Glen is leading monthly hikes. The next will be March 17th and April 14th. Those interested should meet at Jimmy’s Bar parking lot on Farmington Road. The group will carpool to the site at 10:00 a.m. Wear appropriate walking shoes as it can be rigorous in spots. For more information, contact Dave Pitman at 676-5237.