The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.



Oquawka Village Board chooses benefit package in split decision

By Sally Day,  The Quill

Following a 30 minute executive session, Oquawka Village Board trustees voted to accept a benefit package for their Police Department and Village Employees.

Among the benefits for employees who have worked for the village from 6 months to a year receive 1 week vacation; 1 year to 9 years receive 2 weeks vacation; 10 years to 19 years receive 3 weeks vacation; and 20 years and more receive 4 weeks vacation.

In addition, employees will receive holiday pay, personal days (4 per year), and sick days, not to exceed 200 days at a rate of 1 day per month. Police officers will receive 1.5 hours of compensatory pay for holidays. The vote was as follows: Jeff Robbins, yes; Cindy Henry, yes; Jason Howard, yes; Harold Henshaw, yes; Troy Jern, yes; Todd Shinberger, no; and Nancy Bundy, yes.

Police Chief Todd Miller was on hand to request the board purchase another taser gun for his department. Board member Robbins noted it was a safety issue and he reminded the board of how a County Sheriff's office had recently been brutalized in nearby Gulfport. The board passed a motion to purchase an additional taser gun for the price of $805, for the Police Department. Chief Miller also reported there were a total of 63 service calls for the month of January 2012 and a total of 13 arrests.

In other matters, the board: