Look around our community at all the people who contribute so much of themselves and their time so that we can truly enjoy the nice things that West Peoria offers us all. Now is the opportunity to nominate that person to be grand marshal in the annual 4th of July Parade. Submit recommendations to Mark Whrel at 472-4258 or mwhrel@comcast.net or call James McCarter at 208-3516 or email him at: jmmccarter2008@gmail.com. If you want to be in this year’s parade, contact either Mark or Jim at the above for contact information to register. The parade steps off from Rohman and Sterling at 10:00 a.m., travels Sterling to Moss, to Waverly to Rohman back to Sterling and takes a right on Sterling to the Franciscan Recreation Community Flag Pole for the flag-raising ceremony.
Start getting our community ready to greet the thousands of people who visit for this event, the oldest running parade in the central Illinois area. Plan a yard party, let others see what a good community we are. Enjoy what we can offer outsiders to our community.
May 17th is the date of this year’s community-wide yard sale annually sponsored by the West Peoria Residents Association. At the time of writing the following have indicated that they will participate: 2213 W Alice, 2016 W Alice, 3116 W Alice, 2411 W Barker, 626 Coolidge Court, 1018 W Edgehill, 2408 W Moss, 1926 W Rohman, 2128 W Rohman, 3200 N Sterling, and 806 N Swords. Signs will be posted in West Peoria and ads placed in the Peoria Journal Star promoting the event. Hours for the sale are 7:00 a.m until 3:00 p.m. Interested in participating? Email the news coordinator at:
wpnewsadvertisements@west
peoriaresident.org or call Maggie Moore at 673-0535. The locations will be posted on the Community Yard Sale flyer.
While you are out and about on the 17th, visit the Franciscan Recreation Center and enjoy their Craft and Vendor Sale that same day between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Mayor Dillon wants all to be aware that the largest construction project in West Peoria will take place this year. Sterling Hill from Farmington Road to Nebraska will be rebuilt. The work involves two projects. This is a busily traveled road with the 2012 IDOT traffic count at 14,800 vehicles a day. The first project involves the Farmington Road and Sterling Avenue intersection and is under IDOT’s jurisdiction. Work on the project has begun with relocation of utilities. The second project is a complete rebuild of Sterling to Nebraska Ave. West Peoria City Council has been preparing and planning since 2007 for this project. Funding is a combination of federal, state and local; federal grants will be for 70% or $3.2 million. The City covers financing for the rest of the project. Reconstruction of Sterling is to begin in early June and be completed by November. There will be a three month overlap with the IDOT intersection project. Southbound lanes (down) will be closed and rebuilt along with the median. Detours will be either Park Road or Pierson Ave. Northbound lanes (up) will remain open. Northbound lanes will be closed and rebuilt once the southbound lanes are done.
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 bank facility for property owners in West Peoria.
The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14th at City Hall. Conceal carry laws will be explained at the 6:00 meeting by Deputy Lampher. Plan to attend; bring a friend. Sharon Kennedy will speak at the West Peoria Residents Association on Thursday, May 15th at 6:30 at City Hall on the history of the beginnings of the West Peoria Residents Association.
Courtyard Estates invites West Peorians to a pregame bash with the Peoria Chiefs at the Courtyard facility at 117 N Western on Saturday, May 31st from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet the players, get autographs and photos, enjoy popcorn and hot dogs. A live radio remote from there and free Chiefs give aways will also be there to be enjoyed.
View the City website: cityofwestpeoria.com with questions and concerns regarding city regulations. Concerned with code violations, call the City Code Enforcement Officer, Bill O’Neill at 674-1993 or 370-1142 during his office hours on Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. He also has hours on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
You can secure information and an application for the city’s exterior paint program at either City Hall or on the website. This is for exterior paint only. There will be a reimbursement of 50% on paint purchased in West Peoria to a maximum of $250.00. If the paint is purchased outside West Peoria, the rate will be 30% with a maximum of $250.00. Paint is available at West Peoria Hardware within the city. Reimbursement of receipts upon completion of the project will be required for receiving the reimbursement.
All vehicles in the city without up-to-date license stickers will be in violation of city regulations and must be stored in a storage building.
The 4th Calvin Coolidge Mothers Club Reunion is being planned for August 25th at SkyHarbor on August 25th starting at 5:30 p.m. Mark your calendars and get some mom friends from CCS to attend. Reservations may be made with any of the following: Mary Hamm, 697-4118; Alice Nash, 674-4308; Guydeen Roos, 258-1258; or Diane Craps, 633-0669.
The first Senior Citizen social for West Peoria was held in City Hall on April 24th. Fourteen seniors attended; among items discussed were suggestions for future meetings. Most preferred a casual and relaxed time to visit and enjoy both old and new friends. Refreshments were served