Troop 11 Boy Scouts had their annual Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner with a Court of Honor. All Scouts present were recognized with either a Merit Badge and/or Rank Advancement. The troop was asked again this year to set the luminaries for the Residents Association Christmas Party but due to inclement weather they were not able to do so. Andrew and Thomas Gestrine are the two newest members to the troop. The Troop thanks all who purchased Christmas wreaths or holiday butter breads from them. Cub Scout Pack 11 2nd year Webelos rebuilt the Cub Scout Christmas float that has been a West Peoria tradition for many years. The float was destroyed during the December 1, 2006 snow storm when the township building collapsed on it. Thank you to the following boys and their adult leaders: Jim Hoerdeman, Joseph Zilkowski, Nate Taylor, Michael Garayalde, Frank Drew, Merritt Stott, Mathew Mooty, Tyler Mayer, Ryan Casey, Michael Shanahan, Mr. Jeff Hoerdeman and Mr. Bruce Zilkowski. Thanks to the West Peoria Fire Department for escorting the float again this year. I am sure that many of you enjoyed having the float travel your neighborhoods. I know that when I hear it, I turn on my porch light to let the scouts know that I enjoy their tradition.

NEW at Franciscan Recreation Complex: Winter Walkers! Come walk in a heated gym this January, February and March. Walkers are welcome Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. This is a free service!

The Code Enforcement Office would like to remind residents they are responsible for cleaning and maintaining their alleyways and disposing of all garbage and debris. The Code Enforcement Officer will send out violations and fines to all who fail to comply with city ordinances in a timely fashion. Most fines start at $50.00; legal action will be taken against violators who fail to pay the fine.

With winter here, the City would like to remind all residents in the case of snow storms, the snow removal policy is CURB-TO-CURB PLOWING, as there is a need to clear streets so that Fire & Rescue vehicles can travel safely, and for the availability of on-street parking. Priorities are to ensure that Swords hill and the main thoroughfares in the community are cleared for emergency vehicles. Emergency snow routes in West Peoria are: Heading, Rohmann, Ayres, Callender, and Waverly Avenues. As those routes are cleared, the City will focus attention on clearing secondary routes and side streets. Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding. When a snow fall is imminent, you can help the City by parking your vehicles in your garage or driveway, and by shoveling the sidewalks in front of your residence. Please assist by shoveling out fire hydrants wherever you may see them.

The City of West Peoria has an interest in pursuing a beautiful, clean and safe community. Community leaders continually strive to make West Peoria a better place to live and hope this is a goal shared by all community members. Thus, an initiative to improve the quality of life for residents has begun by focusing on one target area at a time. The code enforcement officer, community police officer and animal control specialist will be inspecting your neighborhood in the future. This team will survey the neighborhood, provide resources, issue violations if they deem necessary, and will be available to answer any questions. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact West Peoria City Hall at 309.674.1993.

The Jamboree Race is back and we want YOU! In order to give the race a running start, volunteers are needed to help coordinate and organize the event. If you would like to be a part of next year’s success, please contact Krystiana Bronny at 309.674-1993.

The City of West Peoria and the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation are working together to create an exercise program for West Peoria residents. This program will use gentle activities to help increase joint flexibility and range of motion, to maintain muscle strength, and to reduce pain and fatigue. The Arthritis Foundation will provide training for anybody interested in leading this exercise program. For those interested in helping initiate this program, leading the exercise classes or becoming a participant, please contact Krystiana Bronny at West Peoria City Hall 674-1993 or Heidi Koll at the Arthritis Foundation 682-6600.

You can help make a difference in your community! West Peoria’s Americorps VISTA, Krystiana Bronny, is starting a volunteer program to assist the elderly, disabled or otherwise incapacitated. This program would help the elderly and disabled with outdoor tasks they may find difficult or impossible. Volunteers will be needed on a minimal basis to perform services such as raking leaves or shoveling driveways. If you would like assistance from this program or to volunteer for this program, please call Krystiana Bronny at (309).674.1993. Your minimal commitment can have a huge impact.

The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch will next meet on January 17, 2008 at 6:00 and in City Hall. The first meeting of 2008 for the West Peoria Residents Association will follow at 6:30. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

2008 dues remain $10/individual and $18/families for the West Peoria Garden Club. If you are interested in joining please mail a check to Pat Sharp, 609 N Swords Ave, West Peoria, IL 61604. Plans for 2008 include building containers, learning about raised bed gardening and touring local gardens.

The West Peoria Lions Club has a recycling program for a variety of different items that are greatly needed and include everything from used glasses, hearing aids, keys, ink cartridges, and cell phones.If you would like to donate any of these items to the West Peoria Lions Club, please contact Lion Jim at 673-6207.

I wish all of West Peoria a safe, healthy, successful and fun 2008. Let us continue working together for the betterment of our community.

The West Peoria Residents’ Association is hosting their annual Christmas gathering on December 2, 2007 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Franciscan Center. Join them for an evening of Christmas music, hot chocolate, cookies, hay rack rides, and a coloring contest. Santa will be there as a special guest. The 2007 annual West Peoria Holiday Lighting Contest is sponsored by Haddad’s Market and the Medicine Shoppe of West Peoria. Judging will run from December 10th - 19th. Anyone who enters needs to have their outside displays lighted during those evenings. Nomination forms can be picked up at Haddads starting the first week of December; residents can nominate either their own displays or someone else’s. Only houses within West Peoria’s city limits are eligible. Categories are: Religious, overall religious theme; Simplicity, short and sweet; Vegas Style, over the top; Holiday, who’s got the spirit? and Judges’ Overall Favorite, the can’t miss house of the year. Winners will be posted in Haddads. Winners will receive a $5.00 gift certificate from Haddad’s Market and a large plate of Christmas cookies.

Landscape waste pickup for this year ends Friday, December 28. Also, please have lids on your garbage cans as required by City ordinance. And remember, if it poops, you scoop! Please be courteous to your fellow residents and pick up your dog’s waste.

The Code Enforcement Office would like to remind residents they are responsible for cleaning and maintaining their alleyways and disposing of all garbage and debris. The Code Enforcement Officer will send out violations and fines to all who fail to comply with city ordinances in a timely fashion. Most fines start at $50.00; legal action will be taken against violators who fail to pay the fine.

With winter approaching, the City would like to remind all residents in the case of snow storms, the snow removal policy is CURB-TO-CURB PLOWING, as there is a need to clear streets so that Fire & Rescue vehicles can travel safely, and for the availability of on-street parking. Priorities are to ensure that Swords hill and the main thoroughfares in the community are cleared for emergency vehicles. Emergency snow routes in West Peoria are: Heading, Rohmann, Ayres, Callender, and Waverly Avenues. As those routes are cleared, the City will focus attention on clearing secondary routes and side streets. Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding. When a snow fall is imminent, you can help the City by parking your vehicles in your garage or driveway, and by shoveling the sidewalks in front of your residence. Please assist by shoveling out fire hydrants wherever you may see them. Thanks again and please drive safely this winter season.

The City of West Peoria has an interest in pursuing a beautiful, clean and safe community. Community leaders continually strive to make West Peoria a better place to live and hope this is a goal shared by all community members. Thus, an initiative to improve the quality of life for residents has begun by focusing on one target area at a time. The code enforcement officer, community police officer and animal control specialist will be inspecting your neighborhood in the future. This team will survey the neighborhood, provide resources, issue violations if they deem necessary, and will be available to answer any questions. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact West Peoria City Hall at 309.674.1993.

The Jamboree Race is back and we want YOU! In order to give the race a running start, volunteers are needed to help coordinate and organize the event. If you would like to be a part of next year’s success, please contact Krystiana Bronny at 309.674-1993.

The City of West Peoria and the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation are working together to create an exercise program for West Peoria residents. This program will use gentle activities to help increase joint flexibility and range of motion, to maintain muscle strength, and to reduce pain and fatigue. The Arthritis Foundation will provide training for anybody interested in leading this exercise program. For those interested in helping initiate this program, leading the exercise classes or becoming a participant, please contact Krystiana Bronny at West Peoria City Hall 674-1993 or Heidi Koll at the Arthritis Foundation 682-6600.

You can help make a difference in your community! West Peoria’s Americorps VISTA, Krystiana Bronny, is starting a volunteer program to assist the elderly, disabled or otherwise incapacitated. This program would help the elderly and disabled with outdoor tasks they may find difficult or impossible. Volunteers will be needed on a minimal basis to perform services such as raking leaves or shoveling driveways. If you would like assistance from this program or to volunteer for this program, please call Krystiana Bronny at (309).674.1993. Your minimal commitment can have a huge impact.

Neither the West Peoria Neighborhood Watch nor the Residents’ Association will meet in December. Their next meetings will be January 17, 2008 at 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. The public is invited.

Welcome packets for new residents are available at West Peoria City Hall.

Instead of a regular meeting in December, the West Peoria Garden Club will have their annual holiday party at the home of Hazel Thomas. 2008 dues remain $10/individual and $18/families. If you are interested in joining please mail a check to Pat Sharp, 609 N Swords Ave, West Peoria, IL 61604. Plans for next year include building containers, learning about raised bed gardening and touring local gardens.

West Peoria Township thanks the following individuals for their help in making West Peoria Litter Clean-Up Day a big success: Krystiana Bronny, Sharon Kennedy, Maggie Moore’s Neighborhood Watch Group, students from Mrs. Monk’s Calvin Coolidge Middle School class and Boy Scout Troop 11.

Your West Peoria Lions Club continues their efforts to help the visually and hearing impaired, plus many other things through the community. Christmas is just around the corner and the West Peoria Lions Club has some Christmas gift ideas for you. They have Peoria Dining Tour Books for sale through Christmas. These books offer a gift that will give all year round. At a low cost of just $30 per book. If interested, call Lion Emil at 693-1191.

West Peoria Lions are also selling soy candles, soy air fresheners, and soy soaps. Soy candles burn cleaner, longer, and the scent lasts through the whole candle. If you would like some soy products please call Lion Carolyn at 673-6207 for more information.

The Club is also giving back to the community and will have Christmas food baskets for families or individuals who could use some extra help around the holiday season. If you know someone in the West Peoria, Bellevue, or Norwood area, please contact Lion Linda by December 6th, at 673-6409.

The Lions also have a recycling program for a variety of different items that are greatly needed and include everything from used glasses, hearing aids, keys, ink cartridges, and cell phones. If you would like to donate any of these items to the West Peoria Lions Club, please contact Lion Jim at 673-6207.

Did you know that the Lions Club is the largest service organization in the world, so come join the fun and rewarding club, and become a part of a family. The Club meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m., in the basement of the United Disciples Church, at 2018 W. Kellogg. Please contact Lion Linda for more information and about coming to a meeting or joining the West Peoria Lions Club at 673-6409.

This writer wishes you all a safe, healthy and happy holiday season. Let us count among our blessings the dedication of the people in West Peoria who give many hours of work and effort to continually be improving our community.

The West Peoria Jamboree Race is back and needs Y-O-U. In order to give the race a running start, volunteers are needed to help coordinate and organize the event. If you would like to be part of 2008’s exciting return to the race, please contact Krystiana Bronny at 674-1993.

You can make a difference in our community! West Peoria’s Americorps VISTA volunteer, Krystiana Bronny, is starting a volunteer program to assist the elderly, disabled or otherwise incapacitated. This program will help these individuals with outdoor tasks they might find difficult or impossible. Volunteers will be needed on a minimal basis to perform services such as raking leaves or shoveling driveways. If you would like assistance from this program or to volunteer for this program, please call Krystiana at 674-1993. A minimal commitment by you could have a huge impact on someone’s quality of life. Read the rest of this entry »

West Peoria will no longer have open burning beginning October 1, 2007. The City Council, in a 7-1 vote, on August 14, 2007 ended the years of debate over the burning topic. This is a huge relief for people who have respiratory issues. Prohibited is the burning of all yard waste, garbage, construction materials and synthetic materials. The use of a burn barrel is forbidden. Permits are required for bonfires, construction site burns and prescribed burns (the latter two also require permits from the IEPA). The ordinance still allows for recreational burning, such as a hot dog, marshmallow roast with a time limit of four hours. Individuals having illegal burns will receive tickets after first receiving warning notices. Landscape waste pick-up is a service included in your garbage bill. Landscape waste is picked up weekly at the curb, not in the alley with your regular garbage. Use it instead of burning.

Read the rest of this entry »

West Peoria will no longer have open burning beginning October 1, 2007. The City Council, in a 7-1 vote, on August 14, 2007 ended the years of debate over the burning topic.  This is a huge relief for people who have respiratory issues.

Prohibited is the burning of all yard waste, garbage, construction materials and synthetic materials. The use of a burn barrel is forbidden. Permits are required for bonfires, construction site burns and prescribed burns (the latter two also require permits from the IEPA).

The ordinance still allows for recreational burning, such as a hot dog, marshmallow roast with a time limit of four hours. Individuals having illegal burns will receive tickets after first receiving warning notices. Landscape waste pick-up is a service included in your garbage bill.  Landscape waste is picked up weekly at the curb, not in the alley with your regular garbage.  Use it instead of burning. Read the rest of this entry »

Mark your calendars for Night Out Against Crime Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at the Franciscan Recreation Center from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. The public is invited. West Peoria Township will be registering bicycles and having drawings to give away bikes. Other West Peoria organizations will be participating including the Sheriff’s Department, Residents Association, the City, and Troop 11. Special events include the bicycle drawing, K-9 demonstration, Kids ID program, dunk tank, music and more. Remember to turn on all outside lights on August 7 and send a message to criminals that we are fighting to keep our West Peoria neighborhoods safe. Join your neighbors for a safe and fun night out.

The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August16, 2007 in City Hall. Deputy Chris Watkins will present a neighborhood report. The public is always welcome. The West Peoria Residents’ Association will then meet at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall on August 16, 2007. The public is invited. State Representative Aaron Schock will be the guest speaker.

This year’s parade was a grand success. A little rain in the morning did not deter more that 80+ groups to attend another great 4th of July parade and flag-raising in West Peoria. Parade organizer Mark Wrhel extends special thanks to those who helped make the parade so successful – Block Captains: Cindy Seitz, Linda Capps, Karen Adkins-Dutro, Kim Stecher, and Pat Payne. It takes a combined effort of many individuals to make such an event a success. The information booth was manned by Erika Wrhel and the public address system and street painting (twice) was handled by Terry Master. Thanks also go to the United Disciples Christian Church for their assistance with the flag raising event at the church.

The front color guards were Eagle Scouts Peter Tigue and Matt Zilkowski. The flag-raising was done by Cub Scouts Tyler Mayer and Joe Zilkowski and boy scouts Tyler Quinton and Jesse Peterson. Peggy Bonner and the Peoria Senior Summer Band once again provided the music for the ceremony.

The winners of the 2007 parade trophies are as follows: Best in Show presented by South Side Bank was awarded to the Red Hat Flutter byes for their great cars, great music and lots of red, white and blue. The award for patriotic awarded by the West Peoria Lions Club was presented to the POW/MIA organization for the second consecutive year for their great float in honor of those who never came home. Juvenile award by the West Peoria Residents Association was awarded for a second year to the Kuk Sool Won of Peoria, a martial arts program. Organization trophy awarded by the West Peoria Women’s Auxiliary was presented to Cross Baptist Church for their float with live music that was played throughout the parade. This year’s judges were: Maggie Moore, Ann Masters and Pat Schadt.

It is said that it takes a village to raise a child; the same can be said for a successful event such as our own 4th of July celebration.

The Grand Marshal for this year is Sue Roos who has given her time to West Peoria in many ways over the years. She is most noted for her enormous commitment in starting and running the Jamboree Run for several years. Unfortunately, no commitment was made to take charge of the Jamboree Run when Sue was unable to continue with her efforts in it. Anyone interested in chairing the Jamboree Run for next year should contact City Hall as soon as possible to volunteer for the job. It was another successful event that brought many people into our community and needs to once again be a vital part of the West Peoria culture.

To view pictures from this year’s parade, visit:

www.cityofwestpeoria.com/news.asp.

The West Peoria Garden Club has joined with the West Peoria MAPPING Beautification Committee to work with new ideas for the corner garden at Main and Western Avenues. The garden will be different appearing with less flowers and the continuing constant need for volunteers to assist with weeding and maintenance.

The City of West Peoria’s Americorps VISTA volunteer began her service in West Peoria on July 2, 2007. Krystiana Bronny, a May graduate from Bradley University; is working in West Peoria for one year. While working at City Hall, she will collaborate with the Township and the West Peoria Residents Association to help improve the community. The primary mission of VISTA is to “increase the capacity of low-income people to improve the condition of their lives.” Krystiana will work with community leaders to initiate programs with the above mission, as well as other initiatives to foster community and economic development She was introduced to the community at the July 19th West Peoria Residents Association meeting.

Reminder: Landscape waste pick-up is a service included in your garbage bill. Landscape waste is picked up weekly at the curb, NOT in the alley with your regular garbage.

City Council meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall and are open to the public. Township meetings are the second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The community of West Peoria, Troop & Pack 11 and the West Peoria Lions Club extend an invitation to join the annual 4th of July Parade and Flag Raising celebration. This special day brings with it a feeling of community togetherness and heartfelt patriotism that truly touches the spirit. These organizations proudly coordinate the longest-running 4th of July parade in Central Illinois and invite you and/or your organization to join them.

The 38th annual parade steps off at 10:00 a.m. on the morning of the 4th. Line-up begins at 9:00 a.m. at the corner of Waverly and Moss Avenues. Parade information center will be at the corner of Rohmann and Waverly. The parade travels Waverly to Moss, to Sterling, to Rohmann to Cedar and concludes at the intersection of Cedar and Kellogg for the community flag raising ceremony there. Trophies will be awarded for: Most Patriotic, Best of Show, Best Juvenile, Grand Marshal and Service Organizations. All entries need to be decorated in a patriotic theme. Read the rest of this entry »