West Peoria News: Lighting District fully converted to LED

Building strong towns requires the ongoing maintenance of existing infrastructure. The West Peoria Lighting District (WPLD) has accomplished this through its successful conversion of the existing high pressure sodium lighting to Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting, giving West Peoria the distinction of the third municipality in Illinois to convert its streetlights to the newest, energy efficient technology.

The WPLD, led by President John Walker, Treasurer Guydeen Roos, and Secretary Randy Kleist, embarked on a two-and-a-half-year project with goals to save energy, reduce maintenance costs, provide better light quality and extend the life of the lighting. The district began installing LED lights in 2017, working with Ameren Illinois through the Act On Energy program to focus on repairing streetlights that needed it. The project was expanded over the next two years to include all 242 streetlights. The project paid for itself in less than two years, at a cost of $50 per light. The project has saved the city more than $16,000 per year in energy costs, which has ultimately reduced the property tax burden on residents. LED lights last for more than 10 years, which means that the city will no longer have to replace them as often.

Lighting is important for a community’s safety and appearance. The WPLD offers a post light rebate program to property owners in West Peoria. Property owners in West Peoria can receive a $150 rebate for installing a new post light with a dusk-to-dawn photocell. To qualify, the light must be installed in the front yard of a residence. For more information about the post light rebate program, visit the City of West Peoria website.

PARADE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The 51st West Peoria Fourth of July Parade is coming up, and volunteers are needed to make it a success. The parade is central Illinois’ longest running parade, and it is made possible by the support of volunteers.

Help to keep this community tradition going by volunteering as an entry judge, block captain, or sign-in volunteer. Entry judges will select the four best entries in the parade. Block captains are needed to keep the parade moving along at a steady pace. Sign-in volunteers help participants find their place in the parade and distribute position numbers.

To volunteer, please contact West Peoria City Hall at (309) 674-1993. Volunteers are needed on July 4.

SENIOR GET-TOGETHER

Seniors in West Peoria are invited to an afternoon get-together from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, June 22
at West Peoria City Hall. The event, hosted by the West Peoria Neighborhood Watch, will feature bingo, card games, or arts and crafts. The event is free and open to all seniors in West Peoria.

“We’re excited to offer this event to our seniors,” said West Peoria Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Maggie Moore. “We hope it will be a fun and relaxing afternoon for them to get together and socialize.”

The event is part of Neighborhood Watch’s ongoing efforts to build community and promote camaraderie. For more information about the Senior’s Afternoon event, please contact the West Peoria Neighborhood Watch at (309) 673-0535.

ADA WOW! FAIR

The Greater Peoria Mass Transit District ADA Committee is hosting its 2nd Annual ADA WOW! Celebration & Resource Fair on Wednesday, July 26, to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and offer valuable resources to the local community.

The event will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 at the Peoria Civic Center, located at 201 SW Jefferson Ave. in Peoria, in Exhibit Hall C. The event is free and open to the public. The agenda will provide the local community with important information on how to effectively use the transportation services provided by the GPMTD.

For more information about the event, please contact the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District ADA Committee at (309) 676-4040.

TEACHER HONORED

West Peoria resident and Oak Grove Elementary teacher Whitney Heflin and her fifth through eighth grade students were awarded a $1,000 gift from the 25News and CEFCU One Class at a Time program.

In her work as a cross-categorical special education teacher, Heflin, a West Peoria resident, created a coffee cart that provides valuable work experience for her students. Students learn important job skills, such as applying for a job, learning the interview process, and job training.

The coffee cart also teaches valuable life lessons. “I want them to see that we can have an idea and then we can plan and execute an idea.” Heflin said. “I think that’s a really hard skill for people to learn, but when you can learn that you can do something even if you fail and try again, it’s a really good life skill.”

In addition to upgrading the coffee cart, Heflin plans to use the gift to upgrade her classroom and support student council activities.