<p dir=”ltr”>The Annual West Peoria Town Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the West Peoria Township Office on Rohman Ave. This meeting is mandated to be held the second Tuesday of April each year in order for township citizens to be aware of and to interact with their elected township officials. Attend and participate in this very old tradition.

When property taxes become due this spring, it will be necessary for them to be paid at any local banking facility or at the Peoria County Courthouse because West Peoria Township voted to no longer maintain the position of tax collector. Southside Bank will be the nearest banking facility for property owners in West Peoria.

Clean Up Day for West Peoria residents is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 at the city garage on Hillside from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Take the once a year opportunity to clear your area of unwanted household items and debris. Clean up your neighborhoods and alleys. Tires off rims will be accepted at your rate of $3/car tire and $5/truck tire. For the first time old medicines can be brought to Clean Up Day. They will then be taken to the Peoria County Jail for proper disposal. Recycling of outdated electronics will also be accepted. Outdated cell phones, computers, monitors, televisions, microwaves will be collected. No paint, chemicals, hazardous waste, antifreeze, or household batteries will be permitted. Volunteers are needed for that day. Please call Kelli Abraham at 673-6919 to volunteer or volunteer on the spot when you bring your items.

Boy Scout Troop 11 is again selling large trash bags as a fund raiser. They will be available during the month of April. They can be purchased from any Troop 11 scout or by calling Scout Master Robert DeSutter at 674-6668. The Troop welcomes any boy who enjoys the outdoors, serving others and is looking for fun and adventure. Contact Robert DeSutter at 674-6668 for more information or to order your bags.

The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 at City Hall. Crime Scene Investigator, Matt Maher, will speak. Plan to attend; bring a friend. The West Peoria Residents Association will meet Thursday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. You are invited to attend and to bring a friend or neighbor.

The annual Government Day coordinated by the City of West Peoria and West Peoria Township is scheduled for April 11, 2014. Students from Calvin Coolidge Middle School, St. Mark’s School, Notre Dame  and Manual High Schools are invited to attend to learn how their local governments function and care for their citizens. The students will alternate visits between the city and township. A County official will also be available to assist the students. Students will be able to register if they are of voting age by the next election.

Landscape waste pick up will begin again on Friday, April 4th, and continue until the end of December. The fees are included in your Waste Management bill. All residents are required to sign up for garbage service with Waste Management at–1-800-796-9696. You will be charged for this service. WINTER STORM DAMAGE LIMB PICK UP – Please check the City website or contact City Hall for a copy of this policy. For more information visit the City web site.

Courtyard Estates specifically invites West Peorians over age 65 to their monthly first Friday Bingo games from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. on April 4. The event is free; cinnamon rolls and coffee will be served. Courtyard Estates is located at the site of the former Jumer’s. For additional details, call 674-2400. April features National Supportive Living Week. Courtyard Estates invites you to some of their celebrations which include: Entertainment by Elvis on Tuesday, April 22 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. followed the next day, April 23 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. with an open house, entertainment and refreshments. Then on Friday, April 25, there will be miniature horse visits from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

View the City website: cityofwestpeoria.com with questions and concerns regarding city regulations. All streets within the corporate limits of City are designated as emergency snow routes. It is unlawful to park on these streets at any time within 12 hours after a snow fall of 2 or more inches. If there has been a snow forecast of 2 inches or more on any calendar day, it shall be unlawful to park any vehicle for that calendar day. The Street Department Manager shall be authorized to take the action to have the vehicles towed to permit the clearing of snow from the snow routes. Payment of any and all charges shall be the responsibility of the owner or lessor of the vehicle. In addition to, or in lieu of towing, the owner or lessor shall be fined 25.00 for the first, 50.00 for the second offense, for the third offense it could be to a maximum of 750.00. In all events each day the violation exists shall constitute an additional offense.

Now, let’s move to warmer thoughts and the Annual West Peoria 4th of July Parade and Flag Raising. This annual event brings hundreds and even thousands of visitors to our community. It is the premier 4th of July parade in the central Illinois area. Now is the time to start planning to get your properties ready for all our visitors. Planning on having a party before or after the event? Start working on those plans now, the time will pass quickly (much faster than this past winter!)

Do you have a suggestion for a grand marshal, someone who has continually been involved in assisting our community? Submit a recommendation to Mark Whrel at 472-4258 or mwhrel@comcast.net or James Mc Carter at 208-3516 or jmmccarter@sbcglobal.net. Want to participate in the parade? Contact the people above for information. The parade steps off from Sterling and Rohman at 10:00 a.m. on the 4th and proceeds Sterling to Moss, to Waverly, to Rohman to Sterling where it makes a right turn and ends at the flag pole at the corner of Heading and Sterling for raising the flag and presentation of trophies for themed entries in the parade. More parade information is readily available at www.wplions.org.