Enjoy West Peoria Breakfast with Santa 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Franciscan Recreation Complex. Breakfast includes donuts, pastries, waffles, hot chocolate and coffee. Children can have their picture taken with Santa and help decorate the Christmas tree with ornaments they make. This event is co-sponsored by the West Peoria Residents Association and Franciscan Recreation Complex. No charge to attend; donations gladly accepted. This event will replace the December WPRA meeting. Neighborhood Watch will meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14 at City Hall. Seniors on the Go and As the Page Turns book club will meet in December. For more details, contact Maggie Moore at 673-0535 or Loretta Fehl at 637-0326.
Robert Stecher, West Peorian and owner of Stecher’s Automotive, was recently awarded a “40 Under 40” Leadership award.
Township election information is available for the upcoming township caucuses scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6. Candidates for township election are chosen in caucus. The Republican caucus will be held in the West Peoria City Garage, 1322 Hillside. The Democrat caucus will be in the township building on Rohmann Avenue. Township elections are held in the caucus format where citizens attend a caucus for their particular political party. Nominations/candidates this year are: supervisor, town clerk and four trustees (4 year terms). All positions need to be filled. If you are interested in serving on the township board, bring someone of the same political party to nominate you. Township responsibilities include general assistance, emergency assistance and community involvement. For more information, contact the township office, 674-0462. The consolidated elections will be held April 4.
Petitions are now available for city hall elections to be circulated for the Consolidated Election on April 4. Offices are for four-year terms. The offices for the 2017 election are: one alderperson in Ward 1, one in Ward 2, one in Ward 3 and one in Ward 4. Anyone interested in running for any of these positions can get their packets at West Peoria City Hall until Dec. 19. Filing dates for petitions are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13 to 19 at West Peoria City Hall.
City Hall is serving as a drop off spot for two benefits this year. One is for donations for Stuff a Bus food drive to benefit the food pantry at Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service. The second benefit is in memory of local entertainer Jimmy Binkley. You can drop off items for seniors to receive as holiday gifts. Jimmy was a big part of West Peoria and his memory lives, especially during the Christmas season that he celebrated by touring nursing homes where he entertained the residents and had a small gift for each person.
Wishing you a healthy, enjoyment-filled holiday season.