With garbage pickup in front of our homes, it is prudent that the cans be taken off the streets to the rear of homes the evening after the trash is removed. The neighborhoods do not look like ‘living is best to the west of Peoria ” with the cans sitting on the sidewalks for several days after they should be removed.
While the West Peoria Fire Department is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, keep in mind the thousands of volunteer hours that the members have given to our community. It is probably the best people asset we have that has kept us and our community safe for 75 years. Thanks and respect to all those volunteers and their families. The Firefighters Association will hold their annual raffle and fund-raising dinner at Crusen’s on Farmington Road, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 26. Members will be going door-to-door selling the fund-raiser tickets for $1 each or 5 tickets for $5. Included is a sixth ticket that buys a pork sandwich, side dishes and one beverage. Carry outs are available. Raffle prizes include $500, $250 and $100. The drawing will be held on Oct. 29 at the firehouse. You do not need to be present to win. Tickets can be purchased at the door. When the members go into the community, they always proudly wear their uniforms.
A Halloween Party, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Franciscan Recreation Center for ages 1-12, cost $3 per child. A costume contest will begin at 6:30 p.m. Carnival games, crafts and Fun on the Run bounce are included. Candy will be available all night long. Don’t take your bag on the streets, come to the party for trick & treats. The event is sponsored by the Peoria Park District, West Peoria Residents Association, Neighborhood Watch, Township, Fire Department and the City of West Peoria.
A member from the County Sheriff’s Department will be the speaker at the Neighborhood Watch meeting, 6 p.m. Oct. 8, City Hall. The Residents Association thanked State Rep. Jehan Gordon Booth for a $25,000 grant for lighting on Sterling Hill. Nancy and Curtis Neal were awarded the annual Beauty Award at the Residents September meeting. This award is given to the most improved residential lawn. They replaced an older rusty chain-link fence with a new wooden fence, then landscaped with shrubs, flowers, added a stone paver and sidewalks improving their area and their neighborhood greatly.
In September, the 14th Night Out Against Crime was a joyous event that taught children bicycle safety among other entertaining activities including the K-9 patrol. A grant from Wal-Mart provided six new bicycles for six happy and surprised children.
With Fall arriving, care needs to be taken to keep West Peoria safe and clean. Do not rake or blow leaves or grass clippings into the streets because it causes storm sewers to back up. For your neighbors’ health and safety reasons, no open burning of trash or landscape waste is allowed. Small recreational fires are permitted in an approved burn pit.
All vehicles without an up-to-date license are considered inoperable and in violation of City Code and must be stored in a garage, not on the street.
Permits are required for many new and replacement construction issues on homes. Call City Hall, 674-1993, to see if a permit is required for your project.
Election for the following City of West Peoria officials is scheduled for April 7, 2015: Mayor, City Clerk, Treasurer, one Alderman from Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 3 and Ward 4. Anyone interested in running for one of these positions should contact the City Clerk at West Peoria City Hall for a nominating packet. Packets are available for pick up from Sept. 23 to Dec. 15 and must be filed with the City Clerk between Dec. 15 and Dec. 22.
The last day to register to vote for the Nov. 4 election is Oct. 7. (However, grace period registration goes to Nov. 4.) Registration is available at West Peoria City Hall and the Peoria County Court House during regular business hours. Early voting can be done at West Peoria City Hall: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 27 and Oct. 31. Polling places for Ward 1 and Ward 2 will be in the West Peoria city garage. Ward 3 and 4 will be at the Franciscan Recreation Center.
Interested in a road trip? The West Peoria Lions Club is inviting you to one on Oct. 26. Enjoy a day of fun, door prizes, and raffles on the bus trip to Catfish Bend Casino. You will leave Haddad’s at 8 a.m. and return by 5 p.m. Cost is $20/person and with this you receive $10 free play and $2.00 off the buffet. Proceeds go to Camp Lions for visually and hearing impaired children in memory of Bob Moreland, a deceased club member. Call Carolyn at (309) 673-6207 to reserve your spot.