April 25 is the West Peoria community’s Annual Clean Up Day. Clean Up drop off is open at 9 a.m. at the city garage on Hillside Avenue and can be accessed off Farmington Road or Sterling Hill. This is the opportunity to get rid of old, broken and/or unwanted items. Rimless tires are accepted. There is a charge of $3 for car tires and $5 for truck tires. This year offers the opportunity to dispose of old medicine and allows people to dispose of expired medications and those no longer being taken. Discarded medications will be taken to the Peoria County Jail where they are properly disposed. There will be a recycling container for electronics including: outdated cell phones, computers, monitors, televisions and microwaves. Help with unloading your vehicles will be available. Volunteers are needed to help move and unload heavier items. If you are willing and able to work during that day, call Sharon Kennedy at 673-2128 or just show up. You will only be asked to volunteer for a couple of hours. Clean Up Day ends at 3 p.m. Take advantage of this yearly opportunity offered to West Peoria residents.
The 2015 consolidated election is scheduled for April 7. Early voting is available until April 4 at the county courthouse which is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. except for Good Friday when it closes at noon but will be open weekends from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays and noon until 3 p.m. on Sundays. Absentee ballots can be requested online at http://www.peoriacounty.org/countyclerk/absent/ or by calling 672-6070. West Peoria city candidates are: James R. Dillon, mayor; April Silver, city clerk; Hazel A. Thomas, alderman, ward 1; Jeffery A. Reagan, alderman, ward 2; Mary “Margie” Barnes and Jason Barth, alderman, ward 3 (only vote for one in the alderman 3 election).
Boy Scout Troop 11 is again selling trash bags from March 23 until April 10. A roll of 100 is $16.00/roll. Contact any Troop 11 scout or Bob DeSutter at 674-6668.
The Annual Town Meeting for West Peoria Township will be 7:30 p.m. April 14 in the township building on Rohmann Ave. This meeting is mandated each year for township officials to report on their past year’s activities and update the voters on their plans for the current year.
Each year, the City of West Peoria and the West Peoria Township invite selected students from Manual Academy, Notre Dame High School, Calvin Coolidge Middle School, and St. Mark Grade School to learn hands-on how their local governments work through their participation in Government Day. This year’s event will be 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. April 17. The students are divided into two groups, high school and grade school students intermixed. One group will meet in the township building and the other in City Hall. The township program consists of providing the students a situation to solve. The city’s portion of the program will feature Mayor Jim Dillon explaining his duties as mayor and the duties of the other elected city officials, the city administrator and staff. There will be a mock City Council meeting conducted by the students. A Peoria County Sheriff’s deputy will speak to the students about current laws affecting young people and the problems they may face as well as answer their questions/concerns. High school students who meet the voting age requirement may also register to vote at Government Day. Lunch will be provided for the students.
The Beautification Committee of the Residents Association is discussing plantings to do in May after the danger of frost has passed. They want to encourage all West Peoria residents to take advantage of warmer weather to improve their properties keeping in mind that the most improved property is presented a special award in September. Also, the award winning Irish Band from Clonmel will be participating in the July 4 Parade and will likely have thousands of people in West Peoria to see their performance in the parade. This is a chance to showcase our community. Everyone can help keep West Peoria beautiful by keeping a neat lawn and storing waste receptacles as well as other clutter out of public view. Interested in joining this committee, call Maggie Moore at 673-0535.
West Peoria community deputies thank block captains and neighbors for keeping their yard lights on at night which is helpful for them patrolling the area. The cost of lighting is minimal compared to the cost of a break-in and burglary. The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held 6 p.m. April 8 in City Hall.
The West Peoria Senior Citizen/Retiree Group discussed plans for some spring and summer events and outings at their March meeting. Their meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month at City Hall with the next meeting 1 p.m. April 23 in City Hall.
“As the Page Turns” is the name chosen for the West Peoria Book Review Club started in January by people who love to read. The first book chosen was “The Devil in the White City” by Erik Larsen, the March selection was “The Nightingale” by Krestin Hannah. In April the group will be discussing “Gray Mountain” by John Grisham. This group will be meeting to discuss their latest book and enjoy social time. Enjoy reading and interested in information in this group, contact Loretta Fehl at 637-0326 or Maggie Moore at 673-0535.
The West Peoria Residents’ Association board has been working on plans for fundraisers and social events. The Association meets on the third Thursday of each month with the next meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 16 in City Hall.
The West Peoria Community Yard Sale will be held May 16. Get your stuff together, that spring cleaning finished so that you can participate in the community wide sale. If you want your address listed on the Yard Sale flyers call Maggie Moore at 673-0535 and she will get your information in the publicity.
Planning is also in the early stages for the 2015 Jamboree Run. The 4 mile run/1 mile walk is scheduled for June 6. Volunteers are needed. Contact Jamie and April Silver, race organizers, for more information. All ages are needed for the various volunteer jobs. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/jamboreerun.
Want to visit Rocky Glen? Meet at Jimmy’s Bar on Farmington Road at 10 a.m. April 11. It is a rigorous hike so come prepared. More information can be obtained at FriendsofRockyGlen.org or 573-2354.
The West Peoria Garden Club meets the first Monday of the month throughout the year. Dues are $10/annually. More information can be obtained from Donna Schwab at 256-8233.
April 9 is a national day of recognition for public transportation, Stand Up for Transportation Day. It is to reinforce the importance of public transit on communities and citizens. Special events by City Link are being planned.