The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Stronghurst To Help With Ball Field Lights

by: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

Superintendent Ralph Grimm attended the regular meeting of the village board on April 6th, to request financial help with the $20,800 light refurbishing project at the ball field. West Central has already awarded a bid for the project from the Life Safety fund, but Mr. Grimm said they would like not to deplete those funds.

During discussion, it was brought to Mr. Grimm's attention the ball field is not handicapped accessible. Mr. Grimm said he had not thought of it and would look into the matter.

A discussion was also held that the Southern Booster Club still had money to spend on building a concession stand and restroom at the ball park. Thus far the school and the booster club have not reached an agreement for building this facility. Superintendent Grimm agreed to meet with President Chockley for further discussion on this project.

Tony Griepentrog made a motion, Chris Cook seconded and the trustees voted to give the school $5,000 toward refurbishing the lights.

In other business:

• The board set Friday, May 22, 2009 as city wide clean up day in Stronghurst.
• June 12 and 13th was set for city wide yard sales. Anyone wishing to be placed on a list needs to contact Angela Myers.
• Tony Anderson was given permission to hire Drue Waterman for the summer and permission to hire another person if the need arises.
• The board discussed 4 wheelers are still running on the city streets. There is complaint forms at Riverland FS if citizens want to report this violation.
• Cook and Myers would like to see a work day in the village park and will talk with the Master Gardeners as to what needs to be done.

The board entered closed session at 7:56 p.m. for the purpose of discussing wages.

Following the closed session the board voted to give Cory Nichols $12.40/hour; Tony Anderson $16.30/hour and Lori Russell and Lou Ann Nortrup a 3% raise.

Attending the meeting were: President Eric Chockley; Trustees, Lawrence Neff, Tony Griepentrog, Chris Cook, Angela Myers and Mike Nelson (absent David Vancil); Clerk, Lori Russell; Treasurer, Lou Ann Nortrup; Employee, Tony Anderson; Guests, Jan Monville, Mike Bohnenkamp, Roger Cook, Ralph Grimm, Will Bavery, and Jens Notestein.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.