CENTENNIAL

19112011

Village of South Jack sonvil le, Il l inois

Above: Fire Chief David Hickox,

paramedics Josh Sorrill & David Bye,

& Mayor Gordon Jumper at

5-6-10 Board Meeting.

Right: Mayor Jumper with 2004

Little Miss Winners.(L-R) Cady

Moore, 2004 Little Miss Emily Haley,

2003 Little Miss Taylor Zoerner, & Adriana DeFrates.

Above: 2003 Court (L-R) Zachary DeWitt, Brooke McEvers, Adriana DeFrates,

Emily Haley, Ashley Olson, 2002 Little Miss Brently Stewart, Elizabeth Graham,

2003 Little Miss Taylor Zoerner, Cady Moore, Megan Dowdy, and Wyatt Smith.

Daisy BrunkPrairie Councilon AgingRepresentative

Ribbon-Cutting at Three Star Diner, 100 Comfort Drive, in 2010

Above: First Asst. Fire Chief Richard Evans (right)

who celebrated 30 years with the volunteer fire

department in May, 2010, is pictured with his son,

Rich Evans, Jr., who joined the SJFD in Sept. 2002.

Fire Station Dedication 7-31-2004 (L-R) Chamber President GinnyFanning, Representative Jim Watson, former Senator DeannaDeMuzio, and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

2002

2003

2004

Clockw ise from Left: Nancy & CarlHopkins, Trustee Dick & Pam

Samples, Nora & Danny Wynn, andFire Chief David & Crystal Hickox.

Christmas Party 12-11-09.

2007

Jolie & Jerry Chaudoin at Alex Simpson at Play for All ParkVillage Celebration

Above: Ribbon-Cutting at Village Market, located within the Safeco Gas/Convenience

Store, 1802 S. Main.

(L-R) Top Row: Trustee Mike Elliott, Trustee & SJFD Sec./Treas. Steve Waltrip, Mayor Gordon Jumper, Village Clerk Linda Douglass, Trustee Steve

Douglass, Building Inspector Carl Hopkins, Police Chief & 1st Asst. Fire Chief Richard Evans. Second Row: Trustee John Gotschall, Trustee Sonie

Smith, Trustee Dick Samples, Fire Chief David Hickox, 2nd Asst. Fire Chief Mike McEvers, Water, Sewer, Streets, & Parks Supt. John Green. Bottom

Row: Treasurer/Office Mgr. Kathy Simpson, SJPD Admin. Asst. Jill VanGiesen and Admin. Clerk Kathy Culpepper.

Ribbon Cutting on the CIE - 6-21-05

Above (left): Rich Evans, Jr. in center proposes on stage toJennifer Roberts at Family Fun Day 2006. Right: Rich & theirtwins in Sept., 2010.

Gordon D. JumperVillage President

Village of South Jack sonville301 Dew ey Drive

South Jack sonville, Il l inois 62650Phone: 217-245-4803

Fax : 217-245-5641E-mail: admin@southjack sonvi lle.orgWeb site: w w w .southjack sonvi lle.org

Left: Ribbon-Cutting Attendees: Back L-R: Representative JimWatkins, Jim Burke (Hutchison Engineering), Kathy Simpson(Office Mgr.), Linda Douglass (Clerk), Senator Deanna DeMuzio,U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Police Chief/Asst.Fire Chief Richard Evans, Fire Chief David Hickox, (behind him isReg Tribble), Mayor Gordon Jumper, Trustees John Gotschall,Sonie Smith, Steve Douglass, Dick Samples, and Steve Waltrip.Front row: Firemen Steve Crawford, Brian Glascock, Rich Evans,Jr., Jason Hickox & son, Kirk Hoots, David Stilwell and David Bye.7-31-04

Below: New Fire House, 1810 Sequoia

Sheila MeyersCentennial Chairwoman

Above: Mayor Jumper addresses group atGodfrey “Play for All” ParkRibbon-Cutting, 7-19-2007.

Right: New Water Plant dedicatedon January 19, 2004.

Village Hall

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the visionary individuals who recognized the value of community

to the Village residents, organized as a village for the benefit of its residents. To the many

individuals who have served as Village officers, trustees, employees, and volunteers who

have been continuously committed to providing services to the Village for the benefit of

Village residents—their neighbors. One hundred years of service and commitment to the

betterment of their community.

FOREWORD

This Centennial Book was compiled from information from the Village’s files, excerpts from

Village records and Board Meeting Minutes, and the hundreds of pictures provided by

friends, relatives and others. Our most heartfelt appreciation goes to the Diamond Jubilee

Committee of 1986 for compiling much of the lasting history of the Village which has been

reproduced. Our thanks to the Jacksonville Journal Courier and to Greg Olson for their

efforts and particularly to all the Village employees who have endeavored to make this a

complete compilation. A wonderful history of the Village’s first 100 years with enthusiastic

anticipation of the Village’s future for the next 100 years and beyond.

Gordon D. Jumper

Village President

(1997-present)

2011 CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE:

Sheila Meyers – Chairwoman

Susan Bye – Entertainers’ Food

Amy Deeder – Beer concessions

Richard Evans – Transportation, Security

Dani Glascock – VIP Area

John Green – Grounds

Malea Harney – Publicity

Carl Hopkins - Sanitation

Brittany Jumper – Volunteers

Gordon Jumper – Food Vendors

Renee Jumper – Little Miss Contest

Larry Meece – Tickets & Sponsorships

Sheila Meyers – Entertainment

Dick Samples – Sponsorships

Monica Vignone – Parade

Candy West – Talent Show

Centennial Booklet

Kathy Simpson, Editor

Linda Douglass Helen Evans

Richard Evans Dani Glascock

John Green David Hickox

Carl Hopkins Greg Olson

Greg Simpson Jill VanGiesen

Elected Officials Presently Serving

& Start Date:

Gordon D. Jumper – President 1997

Linda P. Douglass – Clerk 2000

Steven K. Douglass – Trustee 1999

S. Michael Elliott – Trustee 1997

John S. Gotschall – Trustee 1979

Richard L. Samples – Trustee 2002

Sondra S. Smith – Trustee 2002

Steven L. Waltrip–Trustee (87-97) & 1999

Department Heads & Date of Hire:

Richard A. Evans – Police Chief 1974

John W. Green – Water/Sewer/

Streets/Parks Supt. 1997

David A. Hickox – Fire Chief 1978

Carl E. Hopkins – Code

Enforcement Officer 2008

Kathy A. Simpson - Treasurer/

Office Manager 1993

2011 Current Employees

& Date of Hire

Broaddus, Michael 06-18-04

Chaudoin, Jerry 03-01-02

Coad, Martin 03-04-11

Culpepper, Joe 07-11-11

Culpepper, Kathy 01-18-11

Douglass, Linda 09-04-98

Evans, Richard 01-01-74

Green, John 01-27-97

Hallock, Josh 02-04-11

Headen, Rob 04-06-07

Hickox, David 11-01-78

Hopkins, Carl 06-09-08

Lowe, Greg 06-17-10

Mann, Tim 01-05-01

McCarthy, Tom 02-07-01

McEvers, Mike 11-01-04

Pinkerton, Sami 11-01-09

Pulling, Rich 04-05-85

Robinson, Mike 01-10-03

Simpson, Kathy 03-17-93

VanGiesen, Jill 01-09-09

Wilson, Brian 10-24-09

Wynn, Danny 09-08-06

2011 Volunteer Firemen

with SJFD number & start date

F-1 Chief David A. Hickox, November ‘78

F-2 1st

Asst. Chief Richard A. Evans, May ‘80

F-3 2nd

Asst. Chief Mike G. McEvers, Feb.‘88

F-4 Captain Michael J. Meyers, Nov. ‘84

F-5 Captain Kevin S. DeFrates, August ‘88

F-6 Capt. Richard “Brian” Glascock, Nov.‘95

F-7 Capt. David K. Bye, April ‘04

F-8 Lt. William R. Cummings, August ‘88

F-9 Lt. Kirk A. Hoots, Nov. ‘01

F-10 Lt. Rich Evans, September ‘02

F-11 Alan D. McClellan, May ‘99

F-12 Treas/Sec. Steve L. Waltrip, Nov. ‘98

F-13 Edgar Padilla, April ‘11

F-14 Joshua M. Sorrill, March ‘06

F-15 Ryan L. Deeder, March ‘06

F-16 Zach R. Reed, March ‘06

F-17 Rhiane Hoots, February ‘11

F-19 David A. Salcido, October ‘03

F-20 Bob C. Crum, November ‘95

F-22 Josh D. Jennings, May ‘03

F-23 Timothy Baldwin, May ‘04

F-24 James M. Nicholson, May ‘04

It is likely that the fear of an

effort to extend the

Jacksonville City limits so as to

include the territory south of

Michigan Avenue had a great

deal to do with the village

organization movement.

PLAN FOR VILLAGE

(From the South Jacksonville Diamond Jubilee Book)

“TERRITORY BEYOND MICHIGAN AVE. MAY BECOME "SOUTH JACKSONVILLE."

Petition to Submit Question to Vote Has

Been Filed in County Court--Movement is

Counted as "Effort to Prevent Annexation."

"The Twin Cities," Jacksonville and South

Jacksonville, may be the way future

generations will refer to this city and the

territory contiguous on the south--if present

plans carry. Thursday a petition was

presented to Judge Brockhouse providing

for the first steps toward the incorporation

of the Village of South Jacksonville. The

petition which is in proper legal form, asks

that the court submit the question of

organization to a vote of the people within

the territory of the proposed village and

Judge Brockhouse accordingly ordered that

the election be held Friday, June 30, 1911,

between the hours of seven and five o'clock,

the polling place being Harney's Store on

South West Street.

If the majority of the voters in the territory

described declare in favor of organization,

Judge Brockhouse will then set a date for an

election when six trustees will be chosen to

compose the village board. Subsequently

they will select one of their number as

president and he will perform all the duties

which fall to the lot of the mayor of a city.

A MILE SQUARE

The territory which is proposed to include in

South Jacksonville is just a mile square and

has a population of 326 inhabitants. The

north line is Michigan Avenue, the east line

a trifle beyond the Chicago and Alton right-

of-way, the south line is the south of the

Vandalia Road and the west boundary is

over about Diamond Street. If the

organization plan carries the territory

included in these boundaries will be

governed in all things by the village board,

which will make all necessary appointments,

such as commissioner of streets, treasurer,

marshal and police magistrate.

The form for the petition filed with Judge

Brockhouse was prepared by J. P.

Lippincott as attorney and was circulated

and filed by J. H. Hackett. The petition

stated that the legal voters whose names

appear live in the territory described which

does not exceed two miles square and

contains a population of 326 inhabitants and

is not included within the limits of any

incorporated village or town. The

petitioners ask the court to cause the

question to be submitted to the voters to

organize as a village, fire protection for

persons outside the City of Jacksonville

limits had something to do with it. The

Jacksonville Council had the feeling that

there were a good many residents beyond

the city limits who in the past had been

enjoying benefits from their proximity to

Jacksonville without having to pay a fair

share of the

taxes.

Recently the

contractor

who had

been putting

oil on the

road south of

Michigan

Avenue was refused permission to haul a

tank of water from the Jacksonville mains

for use on the road. It was said that this

really brought the city movement to a head.

However, it is likely that the fear of an effort

to extend the Jacksonville City limits so as to

include the territory

south of Michigan

Avenue had a great

deal to do with the

village organization

movement.

George Earnhardt Grocery’s horse-drawn delivery wagon, 1602 S. Main. Daughter Lucille Earnhardt Walton seated inside.

ANNEXATION EFFORT

For years the general understanding of the

legal situation had been that it was not

possible to annex any territory to

Jacksonville unless the matter was brought

about by petition of residents of the territory

to be annexed. About twenty-five years ago

a suit was brought. J. P. Lippincott acting as

the attorney in the

matter, in the way of

mandamus

proceedings against

the county clerk to

compel him to extend

city taxes against the

property south of

Michigan Avenue.

The case was tried in

Circuit Court and

Judge Epler's decision

was against the City of Jacksonville. The

case was not taken to the higher courts.

Since that time nothing had been done in

the way of endeavor along this line. More

recently, however, there had been a general

understanding that the last General

Assembly enacted a law which would make

it possible for the authorities of cities to

compel the annexation of outlying territory.

Nobody seemed to know the details about

the measure and publishing of the sessions

laws had not been comIt is said, however,

that even if such a law was passed and

becomes effective July 1, 1911, that the

residents south of Jacksonville could

forestall any action the Jacksonville City

Council may take by voting favorably on

village organization for it was the

understanding that the new law is not

applicable to territory which is organized

into a village. It looked very much as if the

petitioners had a vision of possible action by

the Jacksonville Council.

AREA & NAMES OF PETITIONERS

The territory is described as follows:

Beginning at the section 29, township 15

and range 10 west in Morgan County thence

east to the northeast corner of the northwest

quarter of the southeast quarter of section

28, thence south to the east line of the right-

of-way of the southeast corner of the

southwest quarter of said section 28, in the

township and range aforesaid, thence west

to the Chicago and Alton Railroad

Company, thence to the south line of the

north half of section 33, thence west to the

center of section 32, all in the township and

range aforesaid, thence north to the place of

beginning.

The following names are signed to the

petition: J. N. Kennedy, S. T. Gorham,

F. W. Sibert, M. A. Devore, Thos. Rudkin,

Lee Weigand, Wm. Heifer, Joseph Kilian,

John Kilian, John Godfrey, L. H. Madon,

Joseph Heinl, J. R. Mawson, Bert E. Taylor,

W. R. Routt, H. J. Routt, E. D. Heinl, W. B.

McIntire, Wm. Young, S. P. Jones, Joseph

Walters, Milton Kelley, G. H. Alberding, R.

W. Palmer, E. E. Beastall, Grant Graff, W. T.

Standish, J. E. Young, J. T. Harney, W.E.

Spencer, Jr. J. H. Reid, J. S. Hackett, C. H.

Weber, B.G. Graff, C.H. Hackett, Wm.

Heinl, and C. R. Taylor.

ORIGIN OF MOVEMENT

Just exactly what started the movement for

the organization of the proposed village at

this time is not known, but it seems likely

that the published attitude of the City

Council of Jacksonville with reference to

furnishing water to the south was in part

responsible, plus the fear that annexation

could be forced on them after July 1, 1911,

(which residents opposed) produced the

movement to forestall any action by the

Jacksonville City Council by voting

favorably on village organization and

establishing their own municipality.

It was the understanding that

the General Assembly enacted a

law which would make it possible for the authorities of

cities to compel the annexation of

outlying territory

“Under present conditions,

Jacksonville could not give us anything if we were annexed. The City is heavily in debt and any money we might pay in the

way of taxation could not be used for

our benefit.”

CITIZEN TELLS PLANS

(JJC) One of the residents in the proposed

village, in talking about the petition and the

purposed plan, said last night: "We propose

to organize a village just as our petition

indicates and it seems to us entirely right

and proper that we should do so. Under

village organization we would tax the

property within the village for the benefit of

the village. We already have a stretch of

roadway oiled and we would extend this

and lay a large amount of concrete walks.

We would make provision for our own

lights and for fire protection and in other

ways would seek to improve and make

attractive the public property of South

Jacksonville. Jacksonville has a heavy

burden of debt. We had nothing to do with

contracting this debt and I can see no

reason why we should want to help pay it

off. To build up South

Jacksonville as a separate

village will not injure

Jacksonville and in fact

will prove of benefit to

Jacksonville and at the

same time residents in the

village will be getting the

benefit of the expenditure

of their own money:

benefits to which they are

justly entitled."

FIRST MEETING AUGUST 10, 1911

Officials of South Jacksonville hold initial

gathering at Heinl's Greenhouse. President

Weber outlines policy of new organization.

Officials of South Jacksonville held their

initial meeting Tuesday evening. No definite

time had been set for the meeting, but

President Weber succeeded after supper in

getting in touch with all the trustees and

upon invitation of Mr. Heinl, the meeting

was held in his greenhouse. President

Weber was in the chair and C. W. Boston

performed the duties of clerk. The meeting

was harmonious in every way and all

trustees were present, including Messrs.

Baxter, Heinl, Spencer, Beastall, McGinnis

and Hembrough.

In an address by President Weber, the

policy of the new government was outlined

and recommendations made. A committee

composed of trustees Heinl, Spencer, and

Baxter was appointed to look into the matter

of providing lights. The committee to look

after the streets was composed of trustees

Baxter, Heinl, and President Weber. A

committee composed of trustees Beastall,

McGinnis, and Clerk Boston was named to

buy the necessary supply of stationery for

the organization.

President Weber's address (Jacksonville, Illinois,

August 8, 1911) was as follows:

“Gentlemen: You are well aware of the

purpose for which we are gathered here this

evening. I will say that it is by the sentiment

of the voters of South Jacksonville. They

have expressed their wishes and desires at

the polls that we should represent them in

the different offices that we now hold.

Perhaps they thought we were capable to fill

these places and perhaps also they believed

we would be fair and honest in all the

transactions that may come before us and

would carry out their wishes and perform

our duties without fear or partiality. It

behooves us therefore to work

harmoniously during our term of office; to

see that we appreciate the voice of the

people; and to set all times honorable and

upright in whatever we may do and

accomplish, so that at the finish of our

labors it may be said of us; "’These men

have done well.’”

Expenditures

It was the sense of the mass meeting that

nominated us for these offices that we

should not enter into debt unless in case of

emergency and necessity. We should be

very careful in this respect and hold

ourselves to the least possible outlay.

There are, however, some preliminary

expenses necessary before this body can be

in a good working order. I refer to the

election expense which is already incurred

and the purchase of such supplies as we

may deem necessary to the transaction of

business. Among the latter I would

recommend the immediate purchase of a

book of records, a seal, a copy of the

statutes and required stationery.

Salaries

The question of salary for the trustees is left

to your decision. I would recommend that

with the exception of the clerk, the

members of this body act without salary

during the term. However, a competent

clerk is of great necessity to a village, and as

the faithful performance of his duties

requires a great deal of time and labor, I am

in favor of paying for that office either as

stated salary for the term or pro-rata for the

amount of work done.

Meetings

It will be your duty to complete

arrangements as to time and place of

regular board meetings and also to adopt an

order of business.

Streets and Alleys

Our streets and alleys as far as I have been

able to learn are in splendid condition. In a

recent interview with road Commissioner

Summers he assured me that they would

receive the same careful attention as

heretofore, until the expiration of his term of

office. The tax payers will no doubt be

gratified to know that they will receive full

value in the upkeep of roads for the money

they have already been assessed and paid to

road District #7.

Sidewalks

I would recommend to you that all concrete

walks laid should be of uniform width and

color and they be laid with a No. 1

foundation and an established grade. An

ordinance to this effect should be passed

before long.

TOWN BOARD MET

(JJC) Officers of South Jacksonville Conferred On Village Interests, Special Committees Named. A meeting of the Village Board of

South Jacksonville was held Tuesday Night

(8-16-1911) at the Heinl Greenhouse with all

officers and members present. William

Hembrough, one of the trustees, was not

able to be present at the first meeting, but

attended the session last night and took the

oath of office. President Weber presided

and the roll was called by Clerk Boston.

Trustee Spencer for the “special committee

on lights” reported that he had held a

conference with the Jacksonville Railway &

Light Company relative to the matter, which

is still under advisement. The committee

was continued. Mr. Boston for a “special

committee on records and seal” made a

report and as the committee's work is not

finished, it was continued.

Chairman Weber for the committee

on “highways” made a partial report as to

the needs of the highways and with

reference to the tools required. Additional

information will be given at the next

meeting. A committee was named on

“ordinances” consisting of Trustees Heinl,

Baxter, and Hembrough. They will at a later

meeting make a general report as to the

laws needed. President Weber, Clerk

Boston, Trustees McGinnis and Beastall

were selected as committee to frame an

appropriation and tax levy ordinance which

will be presented for action at a later

meeting. The report was made that the

village charter has been received from the

Secretary of State.

All these matters and various others

were discussed at length and the board was

in session until after 10:00 o'clock. The next

meeting will be held Tuesday evening,

August 22, 1911.

What Most Concerned

the new Board in 1912?

1912 ORDINANCES OF NOTE, Originally printed Feb. 9, 1912

Relating to Village Officers

Sec. 6. The village clerk shall receive

twenty-five dollars per annum after May

first, 1912.

Sec. 7. The village treasurer shall receive no

salary.

Sec. 8 The village attorney shall receive for

each village case prosecuted by him the

sum of two dollars.

Sec. 9 The village constable shall receive a

salary of one-half the fines and penalties per

annum, collected, as the result of arrests

made by him, and such fees as are or may

be allowed under the laws of Illinois, or

ordinances of said village.

Animals Running at Large

Sec. 1 That every pig, hog, bull, steer, cow,

heifer, calf, goat, jackass, jennet, horse, or

mare, found herded, picketed or running at

large, on any street, lane, avenue, alley, or

other public property within the limits of the

village of South Jacksonville, is here

declared a nuisance, and the owner of each

and such animal, upon conviction, shall

forfeit and pay to the said village of South

Jacksonville, the sum of one dollar a day for

each animal so picketed or permitted to run

at large together with the fees for

impounding and all expenses of sustenance

for such animal while impounded.

Relating to Stallions, etc.

Sec. 1 If any person or persons shall keep

or cause to be kept, in an indecent or

disorderly manner, any stallion, or jackass

within the limits of said village, for the

purpose of being let to mares, the same shall

be considered a nuisance (Provided, That

this section shall not apply when said

animals are kept in a close stable with

blinds, or so as not to be seen by persons

outside of said stable) and such person or

persons shall upon conviction thereof,

forfeit and pay to said village a sum of not

less than five dollars and not more than two

hundred dollars.

Relating to Public Health

Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the village

constable, on complaint of any citizen, to

examine privy or privy vault complained of,

and if, in his opinion, it be offensive to the

neighborhood of any person, he shall notify

the owner, or the person making the use

thereof, to abate the same and if such

owner or occupant neglect to do the same

within three days thereafter, the village

constable shall institute suit against said

offender before any justice of the peace or

police magistrate of said village, and on

conviction of said offender he shall forfeit

and pay to said village of South Jacksonville

not less than five or more than fifty dollars.

Relating to Speed of Locomotives

Sec. 1. No railroad company, or conductor,

engineer or other employee of any railroad

company, or other persons managing or

controlling any locomotive, engine, car or

train, upon any railroad track, shall in the

inhabited part of said village, run or suffer to

be run, or permit to be run any locomotive,

engine, car or train, upon any railroad track,

at a speed exceeding twenty miles per hour.

Relating to Public Morals

and Decency

Sec. 7. If any person shall be guilty of

keeping or maintaining or shall be an

inmate of, or visitor of, or in any way

connected with, or in any way contribute to

the support of any bawdy house or

disorderly house, or house of ill fame, or of

assignation, or place for the practice of

fornication, or knowingly own or be

interested in, as proprietor or landlord of

any such house in said village, such person

shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined in

sum of not less than twenty-five dollars nor

exceeding two hundred dollars, and in the

further sum of one hundred dollars for every

twenty-four hours said house shall be

continued after the first conviction.

Sec. 11. No person shall within the limits of

said village play on Sunday at billiards, ten-

pins, or other games of amusement in any

highway or public place, nor shall, on that

day, sell, or offer to sell any goods or

merchandise, except drugs and medicines,

Running at Large of Female Dogs

Sec. 1. Be it Ordained by the President and

Board of Trustees of the village of South

Jacksonville, if any owner or possessor of

any female dog shall knowingly permit her

to run at large while in heat, he, she or they

shall forfeit and pay to the village of South

Jacksonville the sum of ten dollars and it

shall be the duty of the village constable to

slay, or cause to be slain, any female dog

running at large at such a time, and its body

to be buried.

Regulating Sale of Liquor

by Druggists

Sec. 1. It shall be unlawful for any druggist

or apothecary within the corporate limits of

said village of South Jacksonville to sell, or

give away or to otherwise dispose of any

vinous, spirituous, fermented, malt, or

mixed liquors in any quantity whatever

except for sacramental, or medicinal

purposes, and if for sacramental purposes, a

written order from the pastor requiring the

same was needed; and for medical or

mechanical purposes, then only on the

written prescription of a regular practicing

physician, and any druggist or apothecary

so offending shall be adjudged guilty of a

nuisance and shall forfeit and pay to said

village of South Jacksonville not less than

fifty dollars for every offense.

VILLAGE

PRESIDENTS

Herman Weber J.H. Hackett L.O.Berryman 8/11 – 5/13 5/13 – 5/17 5/17 – 5/23

Sam L. Perry C.R. Caldwell W.E. McCurley 5/23 – 6/30 6/30 – 5/31 5/31 – 5/35 Otis Axe Ray Davidson Leon Stewart 5/35 – 5/41 5/41 – 12/49 12/49 – 5/51 Otis Axe Herbert Simke J.W. Chambers 5/51 – 5/61 5/61 – 11/61 11/61 – 4/63 William Fanning Richard H. Godfrey Glenda Hazelrigg 4/63 – 5/73 5/73 – 4/89 5/89 – 5/97

Gordon D. Jumper 5/97 - present

EXCERPTS FROM

MEETING MINUTES

March 1912 The president, trustee,

and clerk each voted to receive $10.00 per

year. Sidewalks were beginning to be built.

An ordinance was passed covering not

riding bicycles on the sidewalk. A fine was

accessed of $1.00 for this act. Many were

fined. Many walks were requested by

persons living in the village. An ordinance

was posted regarding stock running at large.

May 1913 The President, Trustees

salaries increased to $1.00 per meeting plus

50 cents for extra meeting. Clerk received

$50.00.

February 1915 A diphtheria case

was reported at the Swanson residence on

South West Street.

July 1915 First case of Typhoid

Fever, Ray Hartman.

August 1915 Many persons were

given notices to trim hedges due to over-

hanging on the sidewalks. Complaints from

Village residents concerning the sign boards

on the corner of Hardin Avenue and

Vandalia Road. They wanted them

removed.

Twenty-five policeman's stars made

especially for the village, were purchased.

Several persons were arrested and fined

$3.00 for riding bicycles on the sidewalk.

May 1916 A petition from Frank L.

Smith to the board requesting permission to

stage a Sunday and week day ball games at

the South Side Driving Club.

Automobile of the Rail, used to carry

passengers to and from the Cemetery, was

running beyond the speed limit.

A Miss Martha Landreth, was present at

the village meeting and made quite a

lengthy talk regarding her troubles with her

neighbor and how he had over slipped his

rights. She also brought up the matter of fire

protection.

August, 1916 A concern was given

over oiling streets to keep the cost low.

$1.75 was paid for labor on oiling the roads.

The number of street lights were increased

to twenty-one, which will cost $21/month.

February 1917 Caldwell Engineering

Co. of Jacksonville was paid $80.00 to make

a topographic map of the Village of South

Jacksonville of all streets and agreed to

furnish six blue prints. An ordinance

committee was appointed to handle the

speed of cars, bicycles or any vehicle that

exceeded 15 miles per hour. Waverly Road

was changed to West Vandalia Road. Buffe

Avenue changed to South Clay. Jones

Avenue changed to South East Street. The

first case of Scarlet Fever was reported to be

Clara Fletcher age 13, who lived on East

Pennsylvania. Fifteen Chemical

Extinguishers were purchased at $2.30.

These were placed in businesses.

November 1917 Caldwell

Engineering Co. was called to a meeting to

discuss sewers: regarding construction, the

probable cost, difficulties, etc. This was in

Although it wasn't a national holiday yet, its observance spread throughout the country during this decade.

Mother's Day was first celebrated in a West Virginia church in 1907. It was observed by every state in 1911 and became an official national holiday in 1914. The first Father's Day was celebrated in 1910.

Boys playing marbles - 1915

regard to the proposed sewers for the

village.

December 1917 Thomas Ranson is

the newly appointed Fire Chief for the

village. The Firemen in the village were to

be notified through two telephone

companies. A house-to-house visit is to be

done by the Firemen to ask each household

to telephone the fire alarms in to the phone

company. Also printed notices giving the

names of the Chief and Firemen with their

residence and telephone numbers were left

in every household. Ladders and other

equipment are to be placed about the

village in the most acceptable locations.

February 1919 A proposed ball park

to be located on Vandalia Road near the C

& A Railroad tracks, it is to be 300 feet

square with 8 feet closed board fences, with

a grandstand. The park will be permanent.

This was presented by Frank Smith who

bought the land.

January 1920 The DeVore fire

which occurred was extinguished by

Jacksonville Fire Department (which

volunteered to do so). A note was sent to

the City thanking them.

May 1920 The Clerk reported a case

of measles at the home of J. E. Young,

South Main Street and one case of Scarlet

Fever at the home of H. DeVore. Both

houses had been properly placarded.

August 1920 The Jacksonville

Chautauqua was to be held at Nichols Park,

the Village decided to place street signs

through the village.

April 1921 The matter of stock

grazing on the village streets is becoming a

nuisance. It was agreed to serve notices to

abate the issue.

March 1922 Fire Chief Crabtree

reported a roof fire at the John Lewis

property. The contents of one fire

extinguisher was used and little damage was

done to the building.

April 1922 A discussion was held

concerning laying of a water main on South

Main Street, also the rental of Fire plugs.

May 1922 Salaries: President:

Berryman $6.00, Clerk E. E. Beastall $48.00,

Trustees: W. H. Hembrough $5.00, O. B.

Heinl $6.00, O. H. Buluman $6.00, James

McGinnis $5.00, and no salary for Orville

Coultas or B. Hopmeyer,

Residents East Side South Main stated

they had been neglected in the oiling of

street in front of their side and favors had

been shown to people in other parts of the

village, more oil had been used on the

streets and they wished to register a kick for

that reason. Member McGinnis, who

superintended the oiling, in answer to their

kick, said the type of soil was the cause and

he did not show favors to anyone.

August 1922 Jacksonville agreed to

furnish water. Residents paid for oiling of

streets in front of their property. Mrs.

Charles Stevenson, corner East Michigan

and South Main paid $15.00.

November 1922 Permission is

granted to the board of trustees of the

Village of South Jacksonville to use an 8

inch water main in the south side of East

and West Michigan Avenue in the Said

Village of South Jacksonville and to connect

surface pipes thereto and also to connect

In the 1910-20’s, Halloween was strictly a fun holiday for young people. Some activities were still rather spooky, especially the fortunetellers and parlor games that were a part of every Halloween party.

Trick-or-treating wasn't common yet, but playing pranks certainly was! The outhouse was the subject of most pranks. In the morning, it might be tipped over, or it might be halfway down the street. Soaping windows, removing fence gates and lifting

buggies onto the schoolhouse roof also common.

1935 - Monopoly is introduced with its real estate based on Atlantic

City's street names. During the first year on the market, Monopoly was the America’s best-selling game. An estimated five hundred million

people have played the game.

thereto fire hydrants, said water main

having been laid for and formerly used by

the Jacksonville State Hospital. All in

accordance with plans filled with the

Department of Public Works and Buildings

made a part here of and subject to the

following terms and conditions: "Pay to State

of Illinois as rent $1.00 per annum payable

in advance.

September 1929 Member McGinnis

of the Street and Alley committee, reporting

on the proposed opening of South Clay,

stated that he together with the other

members had been over the grounds and

interviewed about all property owners

which would be involved and they did not

meet with very favorable conditions. Mr.

Halley, a property owner, had nothing to

say. Mr. Culp, another, was opposed by

saying that "If the village wanted it they

would have to get it."

May 1930 President Perry reported

that the matter of opening South Clay and

East Pennsylvania had been closed, it being

agreeable to all parties concerned and the

work would now proceed at once.

July 1930 Mr. Sibley living on East

Vandalia Road was present at the meeting

and registered a complaint of the wild

parsnips growing in abundance on some

vacant lots adjacent to his premises and he

thought that the Board should take up the

matter with the different property owners

upon whose premises they were growing,

requesting them to cut or have them cut

and disposed with.

April 1931 Two young gentlemen

wanting to place a "Teeing off Course" near

the railroad on Mrs. Buffe's land on the

south side of East Vandalia road and they

would like to have a permit from the Village

Board for so doing. Request granted.

April 1932 Mr. Sibley, a mail carrier

of the City of Jacksonville and resident of

the Village, was present and made mention

of the house numbers of the different

residents on East Vandalia Road being

incorrectly numbered and that it was very

confusing to the public that some houses

had the same numbers and they were not

named according to the different blocks.

July 1937 Mr. Wood being present,

said that his company made a conservative

estimate of $20,000, the amount which will

likely be required to complete our own

water system to supply the village.

September 1937 Member Thorne

reported a large hole dug in West

Pennsylvania Avenue back of the Widow

Hartmen House and said that same should

be filled up.

March 1938 It was decided that a

meeting should be held for the Public

benefit, at the School House in the Village,

on March 9th, 1938, the purpose of this

meeting being to explain to the public why

the subject of Sewage and Water was

brought up at this time and also the

necessity and practicability of the

construction at this time when W.P.A. funds

can be utilized to reduce its cost to the

Village to such an extent that the Village can

scarcely afford to put it off to some future

time.

March 1939 Special Attorney

Thomson's bill for expenses of a special trip

to Chicago for $17.20.

September 1939 The Clerk read a

petition by John L. Bader asking the board

to take steps to make it illegal to keep and

feed hogs in the Village.

In 1924 the 16 pack of Crayola Crayons

was introduced – much to the delight of

children and the chagrin of parents who

had to pay more for 8 new colors.

August 1940 Engineers report

sufficient labor due the Village W.P.A.

project to put in sewer laterals for service,

by W.P.A. labor, and suggested tunneling

under the hard road Route #67 and

establishing a manhole on west side of road

south of Vandalia Road so as to be able to

take care of anyone on west side of road in

the future.

March 1941 The Clerk read a

petition which had been circulated and

which requested the board to take steps to

have Vandalia road paved.

August 1941 The Clerk presented a

building permit from Richard Godfrey for

building for Grocery store on N.E. corner of

South East Street and East Greenwood

Avenue.

January 1942 President appoints

Pennell, German, and Ransom as a

committee to investigate the City of

Jacksonville’s Speed Cop coming out in

Village to arrest speeders.

March 1942 Ordinance granting a

franchise, license or permit to Elm City Bus

Lines, Inc., its successors and assigns for the

establishment, maintenance and operation

of a motor Bus Transportation system in the

Village of South Jacksonville.

April 1943 Ordinance that the

president and trustees would receive $3 for

each regular meeting attended and $1.50

for each adjourned or special meeting

attended.

August 1943 Ordinance #149,

prohibiting the keeping of Hogs within the

corporate limits of the Village.

September 1944 Board felt they had

to do something about the outdoor toilet on

South West Street.

February 1945 A letter from War

Production Board, stating for all water utility

operators to cooperate with the War Effort

in using as little copper and lead as possible.

February 1947 Harry Birdsell

addressed meeting in regard to building a

sandwich shop and a residence on South

Main and East Vandalia Road.

March 1947 At present time there

were 236 residences using water; six

businesses and 44 residences not using

water.

August 1947 Motion to purchase a

blinker with 2 red and 2 amber lights at a

cost of $39 to be placed at intersection of

Vandalia Road and South Main.

September 1947 Mrs. Homer Wilson

asked for permission to use Village Hall for

an organization known as “Brownies”.

October 1948 Mr. Casler addressed

meeting in regard to proposed excavation

for new school.

April 1949 Motion passed to rename

following streets: Park St. to Dewey Drive,

Buffe Ave. to S. Clay, Waverly Rd. to West

Vandalia Rd, Jones St. to S. East, Cannon

Place to South East, and street from Park St.

to Waverly to be continuation of South

West St.

November 1949 Mr. Brickman

addressed meeting in regard to a

supermarket store being built on S. Main

south of Adams Super 66 Service Station.

He stated the store would be 60 feet wide,

built on a modern design out of either

brick or glazed tile. It would be as nice a

building of its kind in the mid-west.

November 1950 Fire Bond Election

held for levying tax for fire protection 453 -

yes; 128 – no.

Philco black and white console (bottom center of ad) television, “needs no aerial in most areas, huge 12.5” screen, 3 speed phonograph, and AM/FM Radio” for

only $499.95

December 1950 Reported complaints had

been received against Lonnie Coroar for

hunting in the Village. Clerk instructed to

notify him no more hunting would be

tolerated.

January 1951 Fire Chief Axe

reported Inspector had been around to

inspect Fire Dept. & found everything O.K.

May 1954 A resolution endorsing

City of Jacksonville project of a water

pipeline to the river and pledging

cooperation of the Village was read and

adopted.

November 1954 Orlia Thomas was

appointed Marshall, and L.G. Taylor as

Assistant Marshall. First reading to execute

lease on Fire Truck with option to purchase.

April 1955 Ordinance regulating

emission of dense smoke within limits of

Village was adopted.

July 1955 Wheel Tax is due, stickers

are available.

September 1955 Motion made and

adopted that land for Village Hall and Fire

Department be purchased.

November 1955 Plans for new

Village Hall were discussed. Building

Committee instructed to have plans made.

January 1956 Census report showed

population of 2,202.

February 1956 Motion adopted to

proceed with plans for construction of

Village Hall to be paid from funds other

than general taxes.

Motion made and adopted that all

future Sales Tax and Telephone Franchise

monies be put in Building Construction

Fund until building is paid for.

April 1956 Building Committee

reported footings had been poured for new

Village Hall. Brick would be started the

following Monday, weather permitting.

June 1956 First funds paid out for

building $4,864.04.

May 1957 Ordinance passed

regulating the growing of corn in the Village

of South Jacksonville.

January 16, 1958 Fire Chief W. B.

Slaid presented 1957 annual report: 19

alarms, property loss $150, property

threatened $50,000. Building Committee

asked as many as possible to report to

Dewey Park on January 18 to assist in

moving old Village Hall to lot at pumping

station (on Hardin at Greenwood). The

building was rolled on logs to its new

location by the assembled volunteers.

April 1958 President Simpke

reported on meeting he and two trustees

attended in Springfield. Delegates voted to

form a league to be known as the Power

Users Protest League, a co-operative group

in Illinois, whose main objective would be to

control utility rate increases within the State.

Motion made and carried to have Louis

Taylor proceed with construction of

foundation for shed at Village pumping

station.

June 1958 Civil Defense ordinance

was read and approved. President Axe

appointed Ralph Sullivan director of Civil

Defense in the Village.

June 1958 Ordinance to establish a

local Planning Commission was read and

adopted.

August 1958 A proposal received

from the temporary secretary of the South

Jacksonville Citizens Committee for

annexation of Village of South Jacksonville

Ground Breaking Village Lagoons 10-5-57

to the City of Jacksonville was read and

accepted and placed on file.

February 1959 Mayor DuBois of

Jacksonville informed the Village that a 20%

premium would be charged to all city water

users living outside Jacksonville's city limits,

also that sewer charges would be $3 per

person.

July 1959 Final legal plat of Lake

Lawn subdivision as presented by Lowell

DeLong was approved.

November 1959 Mr. Leo Campbell

stated that Mr. John DuBois had a donkey

that was very noisy at 5:00 A.M., and asked

that it be declared a nuisance and not be

allowed. Mr. Campbell was advised that Mr.

DuBois would be notified about the

complaints against the donkey and must

stop.

December 1961 Twelve trees were

planted with the assistance of the various

Scout Troops of the Village, in celebration

of our Fiftieth Year as a Village.

November 1963 President Fanning

suggested a Christmas tree in Dewey Park

would be a good thing to have "for the good

will of the Village". He would obtain a tree if

the Board would buy bulbs and help

decorate the tree. Also, he would donate a

flag pole to be erected in a suitable location.

The offer was accepted by the Board.

March 1964 The alley, west of S.

Main St., was named Village Lane, running

from W. Michigan to W. Vandalia Road.

March 1966 Attorney was instructed

to write City of Jacksonville, to purchase

raw water from their line at low rate and

unrestricted.

April 1966 Lane Western Co.

reported sufficient source of water for now

and future use of the Village, after drilling

several test holes.

July 1966 Motion carried

unanimously by Ralph Sullivan to proceed

with plans and specifications for complete

water and sewer systems.

November 1966 Election to approve

issue of $865,000 of waterworks and

sewerage revenue bonds: 1095 - yes; 98 -

no.

August 1967 Election to approve

issue of $80,000 waterworks bonds: 716 -

yes; 248 - no. Issuance of $270,000 sewer

improvement bonds: 710 - yes; 251 - no.

October 1967 Board moved to

obtain land on West Vandalia for location of

water tower and treatment plant at cost of

$4,800 from Lowell and Ruth DeLong.

Approved contract for purchase of

land for sewage lagoons from Charles and

Helen Johnson at price of $50,000.

March 1968 Mr. Roach of 1427 S.

Main requested and granted permission to

operate a bait shop at his home.

Wilbert DeLong reported our fire

department is acting as stand by for the City

of Jacksonville until temporary quarters are

established after damage from a storm.

June 1968 Don Caldwell reported

W. Vandalia sewer line almost complete

and work would begin soon on Village Lane

sewer. Reported lagoon was ready for fence

and grass was growing on the banks.

September 1968 Mr. Rhoads

reported that the water would be turned on

in the morning and pumping would

continue until the tank is filled.

October 1968 First test on water

system had been completed and remaining

two would be completed within the week.

January 1969 Report of 6,689,000

gallons of water pumped in 31 days of

operation.

January 1969 Reported all of the

sewer project in operation.

August 1969 Fire Chief W. Hickox

reported on the fire at the Birdsell

Apartments. Total damage was $51,000.

Board commended members of fire

department for doing good job to avoid

more serious disaster.

An 8 inch water line was approved to

run to Hertzberg Bindery.

October 1969 There was lengthy

discussion of flooding conditions in the

Village due to seven-inch rain this past

weekend.

May 1970 Motion passed to approve

the planned development called Laborer's

Homes located on West Vandalia.

September 1970 Chief W. Hickox

announced delivery of new fire truck would

be Sept. 29. Cost of truck is $21,989.

May 1971 A committee from the

Board was looking into a retirement plan for

Village employees.

Plans for sewer extension at Hardin and

East Greenwood were approved.

November 1971 Illinois Power

Company was granted permission to

construct an electrical substation on West

Vandalia.

January 1972 Richard Godfrey

notified Board he was closing his grocery

store on corner of S. East and E.

Greenwood and checked on zoning

ordinance regarding renting the building.

June 1972 Application for a mobile

home on West Greenwood was refused.

State of Illinois requested updating of sewer

lagoons.

July 1972 Phase II of Laborers'

Home Development officially approved by

Village.

August 1972 Control system at

pumping station was damaged by lightning.

December 1972 Plans were

discussed to update the sewage lagoons,

according to new demands from

Environmental Protection Agency.

Approximate cost would be $390,000.

March 1973 Board voted to

purchase new American LaFrance Fire

Truck for $35,407.

Approval granted for construction of

stop light at South Main and Vandalia

intersection.

Mile and a half zoning ordinance was

discussed with regard to new highway to be

built south of town.

April 1973 Final approval given for

improvement of Vandalia Road from Village

Lane east to IC&G Railroad Co. to be

partially paid by special assessment.

Following special election, ordinance

was drafted approving retail sale of

alcoholic liquors.

August 1973 New playground

equipment was ordered for the park in front

of Village Hall. 1954 fire truck was sold to

Village of Palmyra for $3,500.

October 1973 Plans were made to

check sump pumps that may be pumping

into village sewers.

The recently organized Rescue Squad

had begun work.

May 1974 A water meter was

installed between Jacksonville and South

Jacksonville to be used by the Village in

case of an emergency. Cost was $10,500.

November 1974 Plans were made to

build a tennis court in Dewey Park.

February 1975 Property directly

south of AG Mart on South Main was

rezoned to permit building of small

shopping center.

March 1975 Prairieland Heritage

Museum asked for Village support of their

project.

A Parks Board was created to

administer the parks in the Village.

Spring 1975 – Turning on the stop light at Vandalia and South Main. (L-R) Ralph Sullivan, Gene Rickert, Cecil

Ford, Wm. F. Fanning, Paul Laughary, Richard Godfrey.

July 1975 L. Rau said heavy rains

caused 2-3 inches of water in basements.

Harold Odaffer responded EPA involved in

7-11-76 Bicentennial

Celebration held in

conjunction with the

Village's 65th Anniversary.

building new lift station farther south of

present station on West Vandalia.

Ralph Sullivan felt building committee

should get started on Police/ Fire addition to

present Village Hall.

September 1975 Tax Levy

Ordinance 466 adopted for $57,000.

Jerry DeFrates and George Rexroat

were hired as patrolman, salary of

$600/month.

October 1975 Richard Dennis was

appointed police chief.

November 1975 Paul Brant’s hourly

rate was raised to $4/hour upon obtaining

his class C water license.

Don McNeely, Mary Green,

Jean Murz, Bob Moss, and Ed

Hudson were appointed as the

Bicentennial Committee by Mayor

Godfrey.

December 1975 Mayor Godfrey

introduced Harlow R. Brown, new owner of

the Ranch House Restaurant, 1852 S. Main,

as of 1-1-75. Mr. Brown petitioned for a

liquor license.

Approved providing full uniforms and

guns to the four policemen.

January 1976 Businesses are to be

reminded to use SOUTH Jacksonville on

their Sales Tax registration forms.

February 1976 Police Chief Dennis

requested “No Parking” on South Main

between Michigan and Pennsylvania due to

the increased traffic around Earl’s Super

Value and the new Walgreens.

Garry Thomas replaced Michael Drake

effective 2-23-76 at a salary of $130/week.

March 1976 Stop light at Vandalia

and South Main is still not functioning

properly.

Board moved to help finance the

purchase of a Rescue Unit. Fire Department

has 95% of needed equipment and 9 trained

Emergency Medical Technicians.

Attorney Flynn advised all Trustees to

read the conflict of interest ruling. Any

owner of a business is prohibited from

dealing with a municipality on any

transaction which the owner might have to

approve, such as a bill.

Mr. Bob reported that $125,000 had

been spent from Motor Fuel tax funds on

the Vandalia Project.

Joe Winter of Prairie Land Heritage

Museum described a small railroad and

farming done with antique machinery as

part of their development along Michigan.

April 1976 Congressman Paul Finley

sent a letter confirming his attendance at the

Bicentennial Celebration on July 11, 1976.

Complaint from resident of horses

running loose through yard, knocking over

swing set. To be investigated.

May 1976 Ordinance 467 created

the Emergency Services and Disaster

Agency in the Village to replace the Civil

Defense ordinance. Coordinator to be

appointed.

July 1976 Steve Turner, Turner

Insurance made a presentation to the

Board.

September 1976 Tax Levy

Ordinance 476 was approved in the amount

of $78,255 and the Road District resolution

passed at $38,000.

October 1976 Ray Clark & Reg Price

presented a petition containing 639

signatures in opposition to the proposed

wheel tax. Mayor Godfrey also voiced

opposition to the tax.

Tom Honey & Wayne White were

appointed firemen, bringing the fire

department to 17 men.

Board authorized construction of a 5’

sidewalk from corner of Brenda Drive and

Bonnie Lane to extend 180 feet southeast

towards the school. Sidewalk proposed to

benefit school children by Principal Bob

Adams & Mr. & Mrs. Bill Kruzan. Bob Minor

provided labor and the Village purchased

materials. Residents of 14 Bonnie Lane & 1

Brenda Drive signed easements.

November 1976 Annexation was

briefly discussed while talks on sewage

treatment and parks were conducted with

Jacksonville. The majority of trustees

opposed annexation.

The State Hospital has offered cinders

to the Village.

The Board authorized rewiring Village

Hall at a cost not to exceed $750. (increased

to $1,550 on 12-16-76)

March 1977 Resolution to transfer

Sammons Communications, Inc. franchise

agreement to Sammons Communications of

Illinois, Inc.

1457 S. Main rezoned from R-3 to B-1.

New rescue unit made its first run.

May 1977 Property north of the new

expressway and south of the lagoon was

rezoned from B-1 to I-2 for a concrete plant.

Rezoning requested by Kenneth

Vasconcellas and Dwight Moeller.

Ordinance 486

Ordinance 265 adopted – Village

accepts 5,000 therms of gas in lieu of cash

franchise payment.

President Godfrey reported on letters

he had written to our state and federal

representatives and on his visit to the EPA

regarding recent flooding of basements due

to our overloaded sewer system.

He stated the Village provided water to

several Jacksonville customers during their

recent water emergency. He thanked the

Police and Fire departments for their work

during the flooding conditions of May 5th

and 6th.

July 1977 Earl Terwische, Jr. of

Earl’s Super Value Grocery requested

permission to sell packaged liquor on

Sundays.

Sidewalk from Dewey to Bonnie is

completed.

President Godfrey reported a nice

crowd turned out to hear Governor Jim

Thompson at the opening of the new

interchange south of town (Central Ill.

Expressway)

Alley between West Michigan and West

Pennsylvania was permanently vacated.

Jordy Gotschall was appointed

volunteer fireman.

Patrolman Richard Evans was

promoted to Lieutenant at a salary increase

of $200/year.

Motion to sell liquor in Village on

Sundays was defeated.

August 1977 Police Chief Dennis

attended a 911 Emergency Communications

meeting and the system should be

completed in 12 months.

Mr. Downey was thanked for

representing the Village at the ground-

breaking of the Church of Jesus Christ of the

Latter Day Saints.

1950 GMC truck and water tank failed

to sell on bid of $77. (sold on 12-1-77 on a

bid of $78)

Immediate need for a new lift station to

alleviate flooding was discussed.

Appropriations Ordinance 491 in the

amount of $1,004,505 was approved.

September 1977 Tax Levy

Ordinance 493 in the amount of $82,750

was adopted.

13 calls regarding cats & dogs were

answered in August. Mayor Godfrey urged

that tickets be issued to owners.

Engineer Edgar Bobb reported

$250,000 should cover the cost of the new

lift station, and for approximately $100,000

sewer service could be extended to just

north of the drive-in theater. Along with a

booster station, total cost of project is

$375,000. Total cost of expanding

water/sewer facilities to the south is

approximately $800,000.

November 1977 Report of meeting

with Jacksonville Police Chief regarding the

911 communications system. The City would

like the Village to police Nichols Park in

exchange for their paying the Village's share

(approximately $9,600) of the cost of the

911 system. A contract is being drafted to

that effect.

January 1978 The Census Bureau

was contacted regarding a new census at a

cost of about $2,500. There were 114 new

home permits issued since the last census.

David Hickox & Paul Large were

appointed firemen and Clifford Wilkinson

was honored for 27 years with the fire

department.

Travel reimbursement rate increase to

15 cents/mile.

February 1978 Beverly (Bea)

Pahlmann was hired as office manager. She

replaced Irene Duffer who retired 2-23-78.

Also hired was Mary Allee.

$350,000 Bonding company proposal

accepted to grant the Board authority to

levy a tax increase to meet payment of

General Obligation bonds if approved by tax

referendum.

April 1978 Several letters of thanks

were received for the Village’s help with the

3-24-78 ice storm.

May 4, 1978 Clerk reported special

election of April 25 resulted in passage of

authority to issue $300,000 sewage bonds

and $50,000 water improvement bonds for

expansion of water and sewer service south

of town.

Eagle Scout Paul Riegel served as

Village President as part of Scout week.

The Village will no longer fill residents’

swimming pools.

Special Election canvass announced

that both propositions passed. The Board

will issue bonds in the amount of $300,000

for sewer improvements and $50,000 for

water improvements.

June 1978 Special Census will be

June 21-26.

Bids will be taken for a tractor with

backhoe & end loader and for a riding lawn

mower as the Village has no heavy

equipment.

Over the objection of Mayor Godfrey,

the Wheel Tax Ordinance 511 passed, $5 for

automobiles & $2.50 for motorcycles.

Frank Dixon’s property at 303 W.

Michigan was rezoned to B-1 for inside

storage.

Police Chief salary raised to $12,000, Lt.

to $11,200, patrolmen to $10,100.

July 1978 Special Census results

were 3,379.

President Godfrey exercised his power

of veto on Ordinance 511 (Wheel Tax).

Appropriation Ordinance 514 passed in

the amount of $1,025,920.

Floyd Cox received $1,000 for land that

will be the site of the new lift station.

The President’s veto was overridden on

the Wheel Tax. There will be public notice

as soon as stickers are available.

John S. Gotschall was appointed to fill

the trustee position of Dr. Price, who

resigned.

August 1978 Lt. Richard Evans

reported stop light at Vandalia and South

Main is finally working but walk extenders

are not.

Henson Robinson, Lt. with Sangamon

County Rescue, presented certificates to

firemen Steve Morthole, Jim Getz, Jordy

Orlia Thomas & Mayor Richard Godfrey 11-1-78

Gotschall, & Wayne White upon completion

of a 60-hr. rescue course.

A Mutual Aid Agreement between the

Village and Jacksonville Fire Department

was approved.

Tax Levy Ordinance 516 passed in the

amount of $78,320.

September 1978 Gordon Jumper,

member of the South Morgan Jaycees

requested the use of Village Hall for their

meetings.

Illinois Power was requested to provide

four street lights for Pioneer Drive.

Cost of having the water tower

repainted is expected to be $10,000

Routt High School & JHS sophomores

were allowed to use Village garages to build

floats.

October 1978 Dennis Roberts was

appointed fireman.

Ordinance 518 prohibiting keeping

noisy animals that disturb the peace of any

family, individual, or neighborhood was

passed.

Property of Mr. & Mrs. Sterling Elliott at

1428 South Main was rezoned from R-1 to

R-3 for an apartment building.

Firemen have volunteered labor for

installing a new roof on the old fire

department building on Hardin.

November 1978 Police Chief Dennis

said the hookup of the 911 emergency

telephone system had been implemented as

of November 1.

Increases of Fire Department rates

were approved: Calls increased $5 to $7.50

& meetings $2 to $4.

January 1979 Mr. Ted Elder

reported there are currently 19 volunteer

firemen of whom 11 are trained as EMT's

and 4 as Emergency Rescue Technicians.

June 1979 Twenty acres of land

south of the Village owned by Robert Minor

and located west of South Main was

annexed.

October 1979 Liquor Ordinance

amended to allow sale of package liquor

on Sundays between hours of 12 noon and

10 p.m.

December 1979 Mayor urged

everyone to use “South Jacksonville”

December 1980 Unofficial results of

1980 Census: 1,433 housing units; 3,344

persons; representing an increase of 13.3%

in population and 43% in housing over the

1970 census.

May 1983 Up for future

consideration was licensing of electronic

games. July 1983 Village President

Godfrey participated in the opening of

Cottage Cafe at the corner of South Main

and West Michigan.

March 1984 The old 67 Drive-in

Theater donated its playground equipment

to be used at the west end of the Hardin

Avenue lot.

State Representative Tom Ryder reported

plans to widen and resurface U.S. 67 along

South Main to U.S. 36.

May 1984 Approved Aetna

Insurance’s bid of $865.45 per month for the

employees’ health insurance.

August 1984 Village Christmas

Party would be held 12-15-84 at Pegasus

(1847 S. Main) and the Village picnic would

be August 23rd

at Nichols Park.

July 1985 A new business, Allen’s

Furniture, was reported in operation in

South Jacksonville.

Reggie Jordan, a South Jacksonville

School student spoke to the Village Board

about improving the tennis court across the

street from Village Hall by adding a light,

tightening the net, and checking the line

markings.

August 1985 Dick Fanning,

grandson of former Village President

William Fanning, presented the village

several mementoes including photos, a

shovel used in the construction of the sewer

treatment facility, and a board of mounted

gavels all made by Mr. Fanning.

September 1985 The Board

approved the following members of the 75th

Anniversary Committee: Chairman, Paul

Blanchette; Committee Members, Wilbert

DeLong, Mrs. Minor Prather, Don Hazelrigg

and Tom Holliday.

After a recent demonstration of a

computer at Village Hall, Board Member

Leslie Musch stated the price of the

computer, printer, software, and training

would be approximately $20,000.

February 1986 Special thanks

was given to SJFD for their work at the

Empire Gas Fire. Fire Chief Willard Hickox

reported 29 small tanks exploded but the

larger ones containing 85,000 gallons of

propane were saved.

June 1988 1851 S. Main was

rezoned from B-1 to R-1.

July 1988 Resident Edna Houser

requested left turn lanes on East & West

Michigan.

7-23-88 was the 3rd

annual Village

Celebrations. April 1989 Glenda Hazelrigg took

office as Mayor.

Police Department purchased Wang

computer from General Telephone and

added a part-time secretary, Lisa McElfresh.

July 1989 Fourth Annual Village

Celebration with Dick & Diane Rawlings as

co-chairs.

December 1989 Agreement signed

with City of Jacksonville for Wastewater

Treatment Project.

January 1990 Village President

Glenda Hazelrigg reported on her first 8

months in office as follows:

April 20, 1989 was her first day in

office. In Village History she is the first

woman Village President.

Richard Evans was appointed Police

Chief, Willard Hickox was appointed

Fire Chief.

Hours were spent with Bob Benton

discussing the Wastewater Treatment

Plant.

June 1989 Glenda Hazelrigg, Helen

Evans & Ed Heyer attended a

conference for newly elected officials

in Springfield.

July 22, 1989 the 4th annual Village

Celebration was held.

August 1989 the Village and the City of

Jacksonville began negotiations for a

waste water treatment project. After

many meetings, the final agreement

was signed December 29, 1989 and

submitted to the EPA. A resolution for

the construction contract for the

Village with Sewer Inc. of Decatur, IL

was received and construction was

scheduled to begin February 15, 1990.

Mayor Hazelrigg stated that one of her

main goals was to improve economic

development. She will work with

Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce,

Corridor 67, Jacksonville Area Visitors

Bureau and the Economic

Development Task Force. In 1989, the Police Department

answered 4,308 to assist the Public.

A new street was opened in Twin Oaks

Subdivision (Willow Drive).

The entrance off 67 South to Minor

Drive was widened with the 67 South

Improvement.

David Watson was appointed Building

Inspector & Tom Honey was

appointed to Fire Inspector in 1989.

Total fire calls in 1989 were 35, rescue

calls, 129.

February 1990 Exeter/Merritt

Water Co-op approached the Village

wishing to purchase untreated water

from the Village.

The deed for Prairieland grounds

was transferred from the State of Illinois

to Prairieland on February 2, 1990.

The City of Jacksonville and the

Village entered into an agreement for the

Landfill.

March 1990 Rezoning of an addition to

Hertzberg New Method from R-1 to I-1 was

presented and approve at the March 1,

1990 Board Meeting.

March 1990 The Village will patrol

Nichols Park and an east section of Vandalia

Road (both belong to Jacksonville) in

exchange for Jacksonville dispatching

services.

The theme of the 1990 Celebration

was “90’s Then & Now”, Carol Roberts

chairman.

May 1990 Tom McKinney & Bill

Sims were appointed to the Park Board for

another 5 year term.

July 1990 Burning ordinance in the

Village was reviewed.

October 1990 Agreement approved

with CMS (Central Management Services) in

Springfield which would allow the Village to

make purchases at a reduced cost.

The first leaf pick up program was

started .

April 1991 Village election held:

Thomas E. Holliday, John S. Gotschall,

Edmund L. Heyer elected.

Mike & Trish Elliott co-chaired the

Village Celebration

December 1991 Major accomplishments

in 1991 were the completion of the sewer

project, street repairs and the addition of

two new subdivisions--Hamilton Drive &

Southern Knolls.

March 1992 Illinois Power

completed street light replacements in the

Village.

Martin Joyce property rezoned from

AR to B-2 for the installation of the MCI

Telecommunications tower.

2nd

phase of Southern Knolls

subdivision is being planned.

May 1992 Celebration Committee

canceled the Village Celebration for 1992.

June 1992 Southern Knolls 2nd

addition was finalized and accepted and 3rd

addition to Southern Knolls was annexed. July 1993 Twin Oaks 3rd Addition

plat was accepted contingent to annexation

to the Village. August 1993 Twin Oaks 3rd

addition was annexed to the Village.

October 1993 Willard Hickox

resigned as Fire Chief.

December 1995 Tax Levy approved

for $203,435. Appropriations for fiscal 1995-

96 were approved of $2,086,400.

February 1996 Board approved 14%

increase in water rates to build funds for the

two new wells.

22 additional acres were annexed on

South Main at the request of the trustee for

the Martha Routt Trust. (11 acres had

already been annexed.)

March 1996 Scouts helping conduct the

meeting were: Nathan Reuck, Dan

Guttmann, and Stephen Ingram.

Conditional approval was granted to

South County Business Park, and pre-

preliminary plat for South County Square by

RMC Builders was approved by Plans

Commission.

April 1996 $200 was donated to the

JHS/RHS after prom party.

Craven & Thornton Law Firm was

retained as legal counsel in Stucker, et al vs.

Village of South Jacksonville.

Some funds were moved to IPTIP to

take advantage of their 5.2% interest rate.

May 1996 LeRoy Jackson was

selected from other local realtors by a coin

toss to assist in purchasing land for the new

wells.

Citizens addressed the Board for the

second month regarding Sundown Ridge

houses built in violation of required

setbacks.

On May 15, 1995, Mayor Hazelrigg

attended the Dist. 117 School Board

Meeting to hear proposals on overcrowding.

IDOT will make the final inspection

of the widening of South Main Project on

May 23, 1995.

Attorney Joe Thornton updated the

Board on recent litigation filed by Mr.

Minor.

August 1996 Two new businesses

are Llaina’s School of Dance and B&R

Variety.

A request was made to the State of

Illinois to change South Main to multi-lane

out to the interstate.

Beth Anderson handled tree

replacement for those residents entitled to

one due to work on South Main. 28

vouchers have been distributed.

Residency was discussed, no action

taken.

October 1996 Gary Maley of Segno

reported an early warning siren system

would cost about $14,000 if purchased in

conjunction with Jacksonville. Two sirens

were subsequently purchased for $13,926.

Ordinance 760 vacated sections of

Magnolia Drive.

December 1996 Tax Levy approved

for $213,618.

Guide to Community Development

adopted.

Greenwood Storm Sewer Project

awarded to K.E. Vas on bid of $68,087.

January 1997 The 1978 series bond

has been retired.

Tim Finch has agreed to farm the

lagoon property on a 50/50% basis.

Volunteer firemen pay increased from

$10 to $12.50/per call.

Ordinance was passed requiring

permit to construct an entrance from

private property to public right-of-way,

eliminating gravel driveway entrances.

February 1997 Don McNeely was

recognized for serving 20 years on the Plan

Commission.

Final Plat of South County Square was

approved subject to the extension of a 20’

sanitary sewer easement on Minor Drive.

Dick Rawlings reported a jurisdictional

transfer

from IDOT to the Village for a section

known as Moeller Road (frontage road).

Variances in compliance with Morgan

County were approved for Timber Creek.

Concern over waterway problems in

Lots 1 & 2 of Lou’s Meadow 1st

Addition

(east of Empire Gas) caused it to be tabled.

The subdivision is not required to have

sanitary sewer.

March 1997 Entrance site for

Brookfield Village Plaza 1st

Addition was

approved.

May 1997 Clerk Celeste Lindsey

swore in incoming officers Gordon Jumper,

Connie Shugart, Mike Underwood, and

Mike Elliott, and Lou Estabrook. Attorney

Larry Flynn and Dale Crocroft resigned.

David Hickox was appointed Fire Chief on

5-1-97, Richard Evans 1st

Asst. Reggie

Tribble 2nd

Asst., and Steve Henson

Secretary/Treasurer to replace Steve

Waltrip, who resigned his position effective

5-1-97. Long-time Fire Chief Sonny Hickox

pinned on son David’s badge at the Board

Meeting.

Computer systems in the office were

upgraded from DOS to Windows 95.

Village started selling yard waste

stickers for Buster Sanitation.

CityScape Internet of Jacksonville

provided free internet to SJPD.

April 1998 New water/sewer billing

program from LOCIS implemented.

April 1999 Village Hall was repainted

and cabinets installed for storage in office.

Board Meetings set to once monthly.

May 1999 Water tower repainting

begins, low bid was $66,440.

September 1999 Ground-breaking of

new Comfort Inn & Suites (below), $2.85

million project located at 200 Comfort Dr.

October 1999 Groundbreaking

of new First

National Bank of

South

Jacksonville (left),

$273,000 project

to be located at 1904 South Main.

November 1999 Village started test

drilling of seven well sites

January 2000 After a national furor

over possible viruses set to attack computers

on 01-01-00, the Village reported no

problems with Y2K issues due to significant

preparation.

Bid of $172,000 was accepted from

Pierce for FL70 Freightliner with 16’ box to

replace the 1974 LaFrance.

May 2000 Purchased Health

Alliance insurance to replace Blue Cross for

employees.

South School 50th

anniversary was

outlined by Elizabeth Ahlquist.

Civic Software purchased for general

ledger and payroll at a cost of $24,000

(installed in July, 2001). July 2000 Appropriations approved

of $5,150,137, with $3.5 million in capital

outlay.

October 2000 20

th

Anniversary of

McGruff the Crime Dog

Reception preceded the

Board Meeting.

November 2000 Volunteer firemen

compensation increased

to $12.50/meeting, $15/call, and overtime

$7.50/hour,

December 2000 Tax Levy approved

for $256,000 and Road District #15 for

$51,500.

Nine properties south of the Village

were annexed.

February 2001 Fire Chief David

Hickox and Asst. Chief Richard Evans

presented a check for $91,163 collected by

the volunteers for the new rescue truck to

the Village. In addition, a $75,000 grant and

about $6,000 from the Village make the

purchase price of $172,163.

Mayor recognized Chief Richard Evans

and Sgt. Paul Large for entering burning

building to rescue tenant inside.

New 2001 Comprehensive Zoning

Ordinance and map approved as presented

by Jim Burke.

March 2001 TIF Financing District

approved.

Approved purchase of ESDA sirens at

cost of about $3,000.

New rescue truck arrived 2-24-01 and is

now in service.

April 2001 Ron Walls reported 2000

census count was 3,475.

Approved loan application of

$1,280,000 for additional elevated storage

and transmission line improvements with an

interest rate of 2.9%. July 2001 Accepted donation of five

acres for a new Village Hall south of West

Vandalia by the Coultas family.

August 2001 Accepted bid from

Bobcat for skid loader with sweeper for

$19,170.

Paid additional $2,500 to Helen

Dowson to extend purchase option of

property for water plant to 12-1-01.

September 2001 Authorized

issuance of up to $2,700,000 Waterworks &

Sewerage Bonds.

October 2001 Approved Benton &

Associates for design phase of Water Facility

Plant, not to exceed $165,000.

December 2001 Adopted Tax Levy

of $261,334 and Road District #15

resolution of $54,550.

Adopted new IDOT Urban Boundary

Map which encompasses new TIF District.

Adopted new water rates and

Hotel/Motel Tax at 3%.

February 2002 Newly-acquired

Coultas property rezoned from R-1 to PA.

John Gotschall presented a booklet of

pictures of several fire stations visited to aid

in determining a floor plan for the new

firehouse.

April 2002 Boy Scouts (for

Citizenship Day) stood in for Board

members: Mayor – Brian Adkins, Clerk –

Craig Bucy, Attorney – Jacob Meado,

Trustee Waltrip – Stephen Hubbert, Trustee

Underwood – Eckhart Spaulding, Trustee

Douglass – Willis Stance, Trustee

Lindemann – Brandon Kinsley, Trustee

Elliott – Aaron Fritz, Trustee Gotschall –

Johnny Newman, and audience participants

were Jacob Potty and Chad Kinsley.

Tom Adkins invited everyone to view

the new Latter Day Saints Temple in Navoo

as it will not be open to the public after

dedication.

May 2002 Patrolman Adam Potter

received a plaque from Mayor Jumper for

using CPR to save the life of a motorist.

Speed limit on Southbrooke Road

was set at 30 m.p.h.

July 2002 Appropriations approved

for $4,602,208 ($2.6 million loan from EPA

and $2 million in revenues).

First class postage—from 34¢ to 37¢.

Coultas property was recommended

site of new firehouse & $150,000 was

appropriated to install water and sewer.

August 2002 Accepted water project

low bid Division A (wells & transmission

line) Petersburg Plumbing $843,405, plus

alternative A12A (substitute plastic pipe for

ductile iron) $79,296, alternative M1-M7 for

8” potable water main at $39,996, for a total

of $874,056. Division B (treatment plant)

awarded to Laverdiere Construction on

base bid of $1,395,287.

Ground-breaking for 9.2 miles of new

U.S. 67 (8-7-2002)

Purchase Dowson property for $40,000

for water plant.

Village Addition (official name for land

donated by Coultas) rezoned from R-1 to

PA.

September 2002 The Evans family

tradition of service to the Village continued

as Richard Evans, Jr., (son of 1st

Asst. Chief

Richard Evans & grandson of Helen Evans,

former clerk) was appointed to the Fire

Department effective 9-01-02.

November 2002 David Hickox

received the Federal Express Humanitarian

Award.

Laurel Drive Storm Sewer Project

(approved in October 2002) will be

complete in a week.

South Jacksonville School won 1st

place

in the District 117 2002 Geography Bowl.

Team members were: Jill Jacobs, Erin

Tighe, Emily Ankrom, Caleb Sires, Alex

Thompson, Braxton Stewart, and teacher

Mrs. Gregory.

REID property north of Comfort Inn &

east of Sundown Ridge was rezoned from

B2 to R3. December 2002 Tax Levy passed in

the amount of $271,875, and Road District

#15 passed at $56,975.

Water rate ordinance 862 passed

effective 1-1-2004.

2002 Flooding required Oxville plant be sandbagged. Water only got up to the 1st level of bags.

Ground-Breaking for new $2.5 million water plant 12-6-02 (L-R) Mayor Gordon Jumper, Engineer Reg Benton, Trustee John Gotschall, Water Supt. Rick Hearin, Water Chairman/Trustee Mike Elliott, and Clerk Linda Douglass.

Service Awards for 12-7-02 included

Steve Waltrip and Reg Tribble for

completing 20 years in the fire department.

January 2003 Mediacom announced

a $4/month increase in rates.

FGM Architects were accepted for new

firehouse in the amount of $39,168.

February 2003 For Scout

Citizenship, the Boy Scouts who sat in for

officials were: Trustee Gotschall (former

Eagle Scout and Troopmaster) – Jacob

Meado, Trustee Elliott – Jacob Pahde,

Trustee Samples – Devin Pierson, Clerk

Simpson (pro-tem)– Craig Bucy, Mayor

Jumper – David Mosley, Trustee Waltrip (a

former Eagle Scout) – Josh Dove, Trustee

Smith – Shane Fanning, Trustee Douglass –

Darin Hoots, Attorney Yow – Willis Hance.

Citizens from the floor were Steve Hubert,

Brandon Kinsley, and Chad Kinsley.

Village was disappointed that Casey’s

Convenience Store cancelled their

construction plans for the Village.

March 2003 “2020 Comprehensive

Plan” was adopted.

45 applications were picked up for an

opening in the police department.

April 2003 Donations for troops are

being collected at Village Hall to coordinate

with Representative Jim Watson’s project.

Build-out of the fire house was limited

to $700,000.

Six people passed the police

department’s physical agility and written

tests.

Police department salary cap raised to

$16/hour and residency requirements were

unchanged.

Justin DeWitt chaired the 2003 Village

Celebration.

Water Purchase Contract with

Scott/Morgan/Green Cooperative was

approved.

July 2003 Patrolman Richard Pulling

received an award for pulling unconscious

Howard Smith of Labor Drive, from his

burning apartment on May 15, 2003. Pulling

has been a part-time patrolman with South

Jacksonville for 18 years.

Ground-breaking for new Firehouse

July 26, 2003 at 1810 Sequoia. Present

were: Congressman Ray LaHood, Senator

Vince DeMuzio, Representative Jim

Watson, and Fire Department volunteers

and families.

Appropriations were adopted in the

amount of $4,479,042, with anticipated

revenues expected to be $3,726,241.

Hometown Pride Award Winners on

July 26, 2003 were: BBC Insurance at 1831

S. Main, York Antiques at 1847 S. Main, and

Judy Hill for renovations at 1637-1639 S.

Main.

Jacksonville Journal Courier reported

that Clark/Wareco at 1727 S. Main had been

purchased by Mac’s for $1.5 million.

2003 was “Goodbye” for longtime

Jacksonville businesses: K-Mart and

Blackhawk Restaurant.

Name of Whewell Drive was changed

to Comfort Drive.

August 2003 Fireman Brian

Glascock was promoted to Lieutenant.

December 2003 WalMart donated

$1,500 for the new firehouse.

Tax Levy was approved for $274,832,

and Road District #15 resolution for

$58,203.

January 2004 Police Chief Richard

Evans was recognized for his 30 years

service to the Village. A reception for him

preceded the Board Meeting.

Trustee John Gotschall received an

engraved clock in recognition of his 25

years of service to the Village.

February 2004 Boy Scouts sitting in

for officials for Citizenship Day were: Mayor

Jumper – Dan Selway, Clerk Douglass –

Josh Slater, Attorney Yow – Jacob Meado,

Trustee Gotschall – David Clatterbuck,

Trustee Elliott – Ryan Brannan, Trustee

Waltrip, Jacob Pahde, Trustee Douglass –

Willis Hance, Trustee Smith – Jerod

Charlson, and Trustee Samples – Doug

Jenson.

Construction of the new fire house was

awarded to Laverdiere Construction in the

amount of $476,084.

March 2004 Sequoia Drive extension

of about 500 feet off West Vandalia was

awarded to K.E. Vas in the amount of

$115,519.

April 2004 Patrolman Jason Bryant

received a commendation for bravery for

rescuing an accident victim from a

submerged vehicle in the lake.

West Central Mass Transit began

operations on 4-15-04 offering public

transportation at a cost of $3/round trip

locally or $5/round trip in Morgan County.

Dan Kindred of Don’s Place announced

he will raffle off a Harley Davidson

motorcycle with proceeds going to the

South Jacksonville Fire Department.

May 2004 Open House at the new

Water Treatment Facility in Oxville was held

preceding the May Board Meeting on 5-6-

04.

170 engraved bricks have been sold as

a fundraiser for the new firehouse.

July 2004 Appropriations adopted

for $3,504,145, with anticipated revenues of

$3,057,000.

First Bluegrass Music Festival in

Prairieland was held on July 9-11, 2004.

School District 117 was considering

changing all elementary schools to

“attendance centers” with each building

housing 2-3 grades, regardless of where the

students live. Mayor Jumper and the Board

(along with most residents of the Village) felt

strongly about retaining neighborhood

schools, such as we now have at South. All

students with geographic proximity attend

the “neighborhood” school, with all grades

in the same building. Mayor Jumper spoke

at numerous meetings on this topic, a

special hearing was held and a

proclamation was presented to the District

117 Board. The matter was eventually

settled to retain neighborhood schools.

Birdsell Court Subdivision was granted

approval of the conditional plat and

variance for an Econo-Lodge Hotel.

7-31-04 Ribbon-cutting for the new

8,000 square feet firehouse located at 1810

Sequoia Drive.

August 2004 At the 7-31-04

Celebration, Emily Ann Haley was 2004

Little Miss South Jacksonville, with Adriana

DeFrates as 1st

runner-up and Cady Moore

as 2nd

runner-up.

October 2004 Danny Kindred

presented a check for $4,339 to the Fire

Department, proceeds from the motorcycle

raffle.

The Village’s RICP (Regional Institute of

Community Policing) Emergency

Preparedness Plan became a model for all

communities our size in Illinois and was

featured at the Illinois Municipal League’s

State Conference. Mayor Jumper and

Police Chief Evans attended the IML

Conference in Chicago to present the plan.

November 2004 Linda Drager, RICP

Director, presented the Village with a

$10,000 check for completion of their model

emergency plan.

Michael McEvers was appointed 2nd

Assistant Fire Chief effective 11-1-04,

replacing retiring Asst. Chief Reggie Tribble.

7-31-04 Ribbon-Cutting Attendees: Back L-R: Representative Jim Watkins, Jim Burke, Hutchison Engineering; Kathy Simpson, Office Mgr.; Linda Douglass, Clerk, Senator Deanna DeMuzio, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Police Chief/Asst. Fire Chief Richard Evans, Fire Chief David Hickox, (behind him is Reg Tribble), Mayor Gordon Jumper, Trustees John Gotschall, Sonie Smith, Steve Douglass, Dick Samples, and Steve Waltrip. Front row: Steve Crawford, Brian Glascock, Rich Evans, Jr., Jason Hickox & son, Kirk Hoots, David Stilwell and David Bye.

December 2004 Awards were made

to the following volunteer firemen: Captain

Dennis Roberts, who resigned after 26 years

of service; Assistant Chief Reggie Tribble,

who resigned after 22 years of service; and

Danny Frye, who resigned after 15 years of

service. Captain Mike Meyers received a 20-

year service award.

Tax Levy was adopted in the amount of

$342,000 and Road District #15 resolution

approved for $59,000.

SJFD Captain Mike Meyers presented

to the Village a U.S. Flag that had previously

flown over Tibul Military Base in Iraq, where

his daughter was stationed.

A&N Storage Facility opened in 2004,

and construction began on Birdsell’s Econo-

Lodge Inn & Suites.

Businesses that opened in 2004 in the

Village included: Main Street Salon, Central

Rentals, Jacksonville Landscape Nursery

(under new ownership), On the Cutting

Edge, Berne’s Tires, and Jessie’s Pets.

January 2005 Milnes Plumbing was

awarded the firehouse restroom project on

a bid of $25,400.

February 2005 Troop 113 Boy

Scouts sitting in for officials for Citizenship

Day were: Mayor Jumper – Eagle Scout

Jacob Meado, Clerk Douglass – Eagle Scout

Craig Bucy, Trustee Samples – Phillip

Peredo, Trustees Douglass & Smith – Josh

Pahde, Trustee Waltrip – Thomas

Clatterbuck, and Trustees Elliott & Gotschall

– Life Scout Jacob Pahde.

Citizens Committee composed of Barb

Baker, Jim Burke, Brad Fellhauer, Ella

Skaggs, & Linda Pruett proposed a

renovation of Godfrey Park that would be

accessible to all children, including those

with handicaps. Projected cost is $300,000.

(This became the “Play for All” park).

April 2005 1,150 votes were cast of

2,513 registered voters in the 4-5-05

election. Incumbents reelected were:

Gordon Jumper, Linda Douglass, Mike

Elliott, Dick Samples, and Sonie Smith.

Terms will expire in 2009.

June 2005 Daisy Brunk was

appointed Village representative on the

Prairie Council on Aging.

“Play for All” project at Godfrey Park

made application through the Village to the

Illinois Department of Natural Resources for

a $350,000 project, 50% reimbursed by

State.

July 2005 Appropriations adopted in

the amount of $3,341,000.

2nd

Annual Bluegrass Festival at

Prairieland July 8-10, 2005.

Justin DeWitt, chairman of 2005

Celebration, reported the date will be

8-6-05. 1960’s theme is “Flash Back in the

Village.”

August 2005 The Village is the

recipient of an 80%/20% $765,000 grant to

widen West Vandalia (in the 2007

construction season). The Village will be

responsible for about $150,000 (20%) of the

project.

New Subdivisions Regulations Guide

was adopted.

TIF Redevelopment Agreement

approved with Roy Johnson & Joan Wright

for parking lot improvements.

Documents have been received

concerning a police union request.

September 2005 SJPD received a

$14,613 grant to secure the Village facility

with electronic doors and video monitoring

equipment.

December 2005 Tax Levy approved

at $288,100 and Road District 15 resolution

at $59,500.

1st

Annual Cookie Walk sponsored by

newly-formed SJFD Auxiliary will be

12-10-05 at new firehouse.

New water tanker is ready for viewing,

valued at about $30,000.

Two bays in the old firehouse

were leased to West Central Mass

Transit for six months at $400/month

(term later extended).

February 2006 For Scout

Citizenship, the Boy Scouts who sat in for

officials were: Mayor Jumper – Life

Scout Jacob Pahde (Troop 113),

Clerk Douglass – Dennis Reese

(Troop 155), Trustee Douglass–

Everett Sullivan (Troop 155), Trustee

Smith – Andrew Stout (Troop 155), Trustee

Samples – Thomas Clatterbuck (Troop 113),

Trustee Elliott – Adam Zuparci (Troop 155),

Trustee Gotschall – Phillip Peredo (Troop

113).

Ferguson Insurance 1840 S. Main, held

their ribbon-cutting in January, 2006.

The “Play for All” committee announced

receipt of a $175,000 grant from the Illinois

Department of Natural Resources Open

Space Lands Acquisition & Development

(OSLAD).

March 2006 Joe and Ravella

Kasprzyk of the Jacksonville McDonalds

were instrumental in obtaining $10,000 from

the Ronald McDonald House Charities for

the “Play for All” project.

IDOT will close parts of Route 267 for

about three months to reconstruct Sandy

Creek Bridge.

April 2006 Sheila Meyers

reported Village Celebration will

be July 29, 2006 & SJFD Auxiliary Family

Day will be June 10, 2006 at the firehouse.

Alternate Power Systems was awarded

a generator bid for $51,484.

Ribbon-cutting (right) for new

Clark/Fanco & Quiznos at 103 Comfort

Drive was held on April 17, 2006.

May 2006 Residents have been

notified of a controlled house burn on

5-21-06 on West Greenwood. The street will

be temporarily closed that day. Educational

training includes several fire departments.

Contracted to sell water to Exeter/

Merrit Co-op.

June 2006 Three lots adjacent to

“Play for All” park, belonging to Danle and

Jamie Colclasure, were purchased for a

total of $75,000.

July 2006 The 3rd

Annual Bluegrass

Festival at Prairieland will be July 7-9, 2006.

Appropriations were approved at

$3,616,100.

UPS workers were at Godfrey Park on

7-8-06 along with the Play for All

Committee, to remove old playground

equipment with the assistance of Village

personnel.

2006 Little Miss Contestants

Fanco Ribbon Cutting 4-17-06 (L-R) Paul White, Trustee Steve Waltrip, Trustee John Gotschall (back row), Martha Gunnels, Pastor Robert Foulk (back row), Dick & Janet Fanning (owners), Pat Fay, Jack Cox (back row) Trustee Sonie Smith, Trustee Steve Douglass, Mayor Gordon Jumper, and Chamber representative Laura Marks.

—————————————————————-

August 2006 SJFD Volunteers will

again run the kitchen during Prairieland

Steam Show.

Honda Goldwing Rally at the Econo-

Lodge August 5-6, 2006.

$2,000 annual donation to Sr. Citizens’

Bus approved.

September 2006 Dani Glasock,

SJFD Auxiliary President, presented Fire

Chief David Hickox with a $6,700 Thermal

Imaging Camera purchased by the Auxiliary.

A HUD Grant in the amount of $75,000

was accepted for “Play for All” park.

Base bid & Alternate 2 were accepted

from R.D. Lawrence on a bid of $492,249

for “Play for All” project. Public works

department will install water and sewer.

October 2006 The “Play for All”

Committee transferred $75,000 to the

Village, with another $75,000 expected in

May, 2007 and another $82,000 by the end

of 2007. Those and the grants for

$10,000/$75,000/$175,000 total the cost of

the project. Fundraisers were held by most

of the local organizations to finance this

project.

November 2006 Fraternal Order of

Police (FOP) contract with members of the

police department was ratified for the

period 5-1-06 through 4-30-09.

10-13-2006 Ground-Breaking on $600,000 “Play for All” Project in Godfrey Park on East Greenwood. Play for All Committee and dignitaries below are (L-R): Tom Fredericks, Elm City; Brad Fellhauer & Jeannie Strubbe, Play for All Committee; Village Trustee Sonie Smith (also on Committee); Steve Symons, Play for All Committee; John Godfrey, Godfrey family representative; Mayor Gordon Jumper; Utility Supt. John Green; Marlin Barber, RD Lawrence supervisor; U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood; Mike Ludvigsen, Play for All Committee; Barb Baker, Play for All Chairwoman; Morgan County Commissioner Bill Meyer; Senator Deanna DeMuzio; Stephanie Baptist, Pathway Services; Linda Pruitt, Play for All Secretary; Dusty Douglas, Play for All Committee; Morgan County Commissioner Brad Zoeller; Village Trustee Mike Elliott; and State Representative Jim Watson.

Ground-Breaking for Godfrey “Play for All” Park Project 10-13-06

1828 South Main rezoned from B2/R1

to R3.

December 2006 Tax Levy adopted

for $302,000 and Road District 15 resolution

for $62,000.

Mayor Jumper rode periodically with

snow plow drivers during a serious

snowstorm and commended employees for

their work.

Businesses opened in the Village in

2006 included: Atkins Chiropractic, Fanco,

Quiznos, Fergurson Insurance, Contractor

Supply, and KLC Snack Shack.

January 2007 Preliminary Plat for Halls

Farm 1st

Addition was approved.

February 2007 Boy Scouts who would

sit for officials for Scout Citizenship Day

were: Mayor Jumper – Thomas Clatterbuck,

for Trustees Gotschall, Elliott, and Samples –

Pat Nichols, and for Trustees Waltrip, Smith,

and Douglass – Phil Paredo.

The FCC has been asked to arbitrate

between Sinclair Broadcasting and

Mediacom regarding their cable and

internet prices.

Site plan approved by Plans Committee

for Holiday Inn Express to build a 60+ unit

hotel on the south side of Comfort Drive.

Support was expressed for former

Clerk Helen Evans, Administrative Asst.

Delsie Clancy, and Office Manager Kathy

Simpson, who were all hospitalized.

April 2007 Support was expressed

for Trustee Mike Elliott, who was involved in

a serious workplace accident.

Sherman Oaks 2nd

Addition was

rezoned from R-1 to R-3.

Annual compensation of Fire Chief was

raised to $3,100, 1st

Asst. to $1,775, 2nd

Asst.

to $1,375. Sec/Treasurer remains at $850.

FOP amendment added Sergeant

position to eligible employees.

SJFD Auxiliary presented SJFD with

new Gas/Carbon monoxide sensor.

A flag that had flown over the U.S.

capital was donated by Ray LaHood for the

“Play for All” park, with ribbon-cutting

scheduled for 5-19-07.

Gee Whillikers Banquet Hall, owned by

Rick & Nicole Vaniter, held a ribbon-cutting

on 4-26-07 at 1852 South Main. The

Vaniters also own Central Rentals

Equipment and Sales, 1855 South Main.

May 2007 Clerical cap was raised

from $11 to $16/hour. Discussions were held

regarding moving supervisors from hourly

to salary rates.

Coultas Redevelopment Contract

approved. June 2007 Ground-breaking for new

Holiday Inn Express at 2501 Holiday Lane

was held earlier today, with all Trustees in

attendance (below):

Barb Baker, Brad

Fellhauer, and Jim

Burke of the “Play for

All” Committee

presented the Village with a check for

$50,000.

Final Plat of Hall approved for Hall

Farm 1st

Addition.

Appropriations approved at

$3,683,851, with anticipated revenues of

$3,453,000.

West Vandalia Project - sewer

extension to West is completed and 10”

waterline has been laid across Vandalia to

supply water to Hall Farm Subdivision. This

is a $1,000,000 improvement.

Used FEMA trailer purchased to be

used as Police Command Post.

August 2007 Sheila Meyers,

Celebration Chairman, reported successful

event.

After 3 years notice, the West Vandalia

project faced possible holdups until

Ameren-IP moves their poles out of the

right-of-way.

Water Department maintained perfect

compliance for past 12 months.

Honda Gold Wing convention at

Prairieland on August 4-5, 2007.

Participated in the Jacksonville/South

Jacksonville Day (8-16-07)at the Illinois

State Fair in the Hometown Pride area.

Fire Marshal Grant of $9,500 accepted

to buy boots and helmets for SJFD.

Applied for $90,000 FEMA Grant for

air-packs for the fire department.

September 2007 White Hall

Elementary Summer Program sent a “thank

you” note for the new water park in Godfrey

Park. It was amazing the large number of

summer schools, day cares, church groups,

birthday parties, and special needs groups

utilized the new park during the summer.

Stop signs were approved for streets

adjacent to Vandalia.

Prairieland Steam Show September 28-

30, 2007. Fire volunteers will again operate

the kitchen as a fundraiser.

Annual Christmas Party will be 12-14-07

at Gee Whillikers, 1852 S. Main.

West Central Mass Transit took over the

Senior Citizens’ Bus Program run by Prairie

Council on Aging. WCMT was given $2,500

for coupon rides and $2,800 that was

previously donated annually to Prairie

Council on Aging.

TIF Redevelopment Agreement with

Charlie Birdsell (Econo-Lodge) 237

Southbrooke Road, was approved.

October 2007 Completion of the new

Holiday Inn Express is

expected by mid-November.

John Green and Richard

Evans were thanked for overseeing the

project after the death of Building Inspector

Ron Walls on September 7, 2007. John

Green became temporary Building

Inspector.

November 2007 Greenwood Estates

water loop line is under way, and should

improve water pressure in that area.

Fire Department received new hats

and bunker boots from $9,520 Fire Marshal

Grant, Village’s portion was $788.

December 2007 Tax Levy passed in

the amount of $316,000, and Road

District 15 Resolution for $65,000. Illinois’ Smoking Ban goes into effect

January 1, 2008. The extent to which the

public would protest was uncertain.

West Central Mass Transit terminated

their lease of two fire bays on 2-28-08

due to moving into their new facility on

West Walnut in Jacksonville.

Zoning Ordinance was amended

concerning sign heights and dimensions.

January 2008 Illinois Smoking Ban in

public places went into effect

January 1, 2008.

Checks received from Play

for All Committee totaling

$40,000. They have now

DEVASTATING ICE STORM HITS VILLAGE DECEMBER 8-9, 2007

The freezing rain started slowly on December 8, and over a 24 hour period, changed the landscape and peoples’ lives dramatically. Many residents were without power—in the cold and dark—for varying lengths of time—from hours to days, gas power, cable, and telephone wires were ripped off poles and homes from the weight of ice clinging to them. Ominous crackling broke the quiet as trees lost limb after limb, damaging cars, homes, and property. The ice storm immobilized the entire community while the police, fire, and street departments worked round the clock. Village authorities sprang into action with emergency services responding to wires down everywhere, often intertwined among fallen branches and huge limbs. People were asked to stay inside as limbs continued falling for days. It was soon decided to provide free curb-side storm debris pick-up until March 31, 2008. The Village registered fifteen tree trimming businesses to assist residents. The State of Illinois declared Morgan County a disaster area and sent trucks and drivers for almost two months (2-1-08) to assist with the clean-up, along with boot camp crews. Ameren sent in numerous crews from out of the area to help, and power was restored as quickly as possible. The broken and ruined trees are a reminder of the December, 2007, storm emergency, but residents will remember, too, that their Village met the challenge with all the staff and resources available. Clean-up continued through March, 2008. – Kathy Simpson Kathy Simpson

fulfilled their base commitment of $425,000

to the park.

An additional commitment of $38,000 was

made on alternatives #2 & #7.

February 2008 Troop 107 Boy Scouts serving as Board

members for Citizenship were: Mayor

Jumper - Kendall Pocklington, Clerk

Douglass – Cole Bryant, Trustee Douglass –

Conner

Richardson,

Trustee

Smith –

Ryan Harris,

Trustee

Samples –

Caleb

Elmore,

Trustee

Elliott – Andy Selway, Trustee Gotschall –

Joe Cummings, Trustee Waltrip – Cory

Richardson.

Bid was accepted from Municipal

Emergency Services for $93,140 for 20 Self-

Contained Breathing Apparatus units plus

10 face masks for $1,900, bringing the total

to $95,040.

State of Illinois trucks and drivers have

been released from debris hauling relating

to the ice storm. Clean up continues

through March, 2008.

IDOT trained policemen to file traffic

reports on in-car computers.

April 2008 Asst. Fire Chief Richard

Evans, Rich Evan, Jr., and Josh Sorrill

demonstrated the newly purchased air

packs.

John Green was appointed Water/

Sewer, Streets, and Parks superintendent

effective 4-4-08 after receiving his Class B

Water Operator’s license.

$10,000 was saved in workers’

compensation, liability, property, and fleet

insurance by switching to Illinois Municipal

League Risk Management Assn. (IMLRMA)

insurance.

Trustees moved to a workshop forum

temporarily.

2006 CAT 420E ST backhoe purchased

from Altorfer Caterpillar for $53,000

including trade-in.

June 2008 Carl Hopkins was hired

for the newly formed position of Community

Development/Code Enforcement Officer

effective 6-9-08.

Linda Douglass repainted the

“Welcome” sign on South Main across from

the diner.

Village

ambulance

service was

established.

Gas Franchise agreement with

AmerenIP approved, providing for $7,500

annual payments.

Settlement accepted with R.E.I.D. II in

the amount of $52,370.

July 2008 Sheila Meyers, chairmen,

reported on the 7-26-08 Celebration.

Appropriations approved in the

amount of $2,673,660, with anticipated

revenues of $2,735,172.

Victoria Lane Booster Pump agreement

with 10-year time limit was approved.

1995 Ford Ambulance was purchased

from Winchester EMS for $9,500.

August 2008 Jacksonville/South

Jacksonville Day at Illinois State Fair will be

8-13-08 in Hometown area. This is the third

year we’ve been selected to participate.

Hotel/Motel tax was increased from 3%

to 5%.

September 2008 Godfrey Park

gateway, donated by Gordon Jumper’s

family in memory of their parents, will be

dedicated on 9-7-08.

New carpeting was installed in Village

Hall.

$35,442 (partially paid by outside

funding) in Communications equipment was

purchased for the fire department: a tower

($2,678), communications equipment

($25,702), and labor ($7,062).

Village Clerk’s compensation increased

from $350 to $450/month.

October 2008 Sunrise Rotary

sponsored Kelly Miller Circus at Prairieland

on 10-7-08.

Play for All park restrooms close for the

season on 10-15-08.

Free curbside bagged leaf pickup entire

month of November.

South Jacksonville won 1st

Place in the

Governor’s Hometown Award. Presentation

will be 10-20-08.

November 2008 Joe Roberts of

Buster Sanitation proposed curbside

recycling at a cost of $3/household, $2 of

which would be subsidized by the Village.

AmerenIP street lighting rates increased

about $5,000/annually.

West Central Mass Transit Agreement

approved, removing coupon program for

seniors and increasing Village’s annual

unrestricted contribution to $5,300.

Rees Construction will re-roof Village

Hall for $11,000.

Ingram Electric will install

uninterruptible power supplies at each

intersection at a cost of $7,500 each.

December 2008 SJFD Auxiliary

Cookie Walk at fire department on

12-13-08.

Christmas Party at Gee Whillikers on

12-12-08.

Tax Levy approved in the amount of

$327,420 and road district resolution for

$65,270.

Low bid on HVAC for fire house to

Leach and Remmers for $23,580.

Approved switching from dumpsters to

curbside recycling through Area Disposal

(Busters) at $3/month with Village subsidy

per customer of $2/month.

Service Awards 12-12-08

Mayor Jumper presents 30 year service award for Trustee John

S. Gotschall (left) to Jordy

Gotschall, his son (below).

Left: Mayor Jumper presents 30 year service award to Fire Chief David Hickox, who joined SJFD in Nov., 1978, when his father Willard Hickox was Chief.

Right: Mayor Jumper (left) & Fire Chief

David Hickox (right) present 20 year

SJFD service award to Asst. Chief Mike

McEvers.

Mayor Jumper (above) presents 15 year service award to Kathy Simpson, Office Manager.

Mayor Jumper (left) and Fire Chief David

Hickox present 20 year SJFD service award to Capt. Kevin DeFrates.

Right: Mayor Jumper and Fire Chief David Hickox (right) present 20 year SJFD service award to

Lt. Bill Cummings.

Mayor Jumper (left) & Chief David Hickox present an SJFD service award to Steve Waltrip for 10 years

as Sec/Treas.

Mayor Jumper (above) & John Green present 10 year service award to Linda Douglass of the

Utility Dept.

January 2009 Hotel/Motel Tax payments

to the Jacksonville Area Convention &

Visitors’ Bureau were extended until 2-28-

10.

Police Chief Richard Evans was

recognized for 35 years of service.

February 2009 The firehouse

furnace has been installed.

South Jacksonville Fire Dept. was the

recipient of this year’s Bar-to-Bar Classic,

about $12,000, thanks to the 65 volunteers

who worked on the fundraiser.

Mediacom announced they will stop

carrying KTVI channel 2, KETC channel 9,

KPLR channel 11, and KHQA channel 7.

IMRF rates are expected to rise

dramatically due to the widespread

stock market losses.

A contract was approved to sell water

to Scott County Rural Water Co-Op.

March 2009 The Village was notified

it would receive $105,000 for

improvements to East Vandalia through

the American Recovery & Reinvest-

ment Act (ARRA).

SJPD purchased 5 new rifles.

Health insurance premiums are

expected to raise about 17%.

April 2009 MABAS (Mutual Aid Box

Alarm System) agreement and by-laws

were approved.

Applied for $143,000 COPS Grant

which would fund a full-time officer for

3 years, then the Village would pay for

the 4th

year, making the Village’s share

about $33,000.

Contract approved for Constellation

Energy at Dewey Drive and the lift

stations. We will be paying 4¢-8¢ per

kWh instead of $10¢-12¢ from

AmerenIP.

May 2009 Incumbent election

winners were sworn in: Gordon

Jumper, Linda Douglass, Sonie Smith,

Mike Elliott, and Dick Samples.

Godfrey Park water toy opens for the season

on 5-22-09.

Global Information System (GIS)

agreement with Morgan County approved.

Left: Winner of 2008 Governor’s Award Sign presented on 10-10-08 for display at Godfrey “Play

for All” Park.

Governor’s Hometown Award on October 10, 2008 (L-R): Park Supt. John Green, Senator John Sullivan, Trustee Mike Elliott, Village President Gordon Jumper, Trustee Steve Waltrip, Treasurer & editor of project book Kathy Simpson, “Play for All” Chairman Barb Baker, Trustee Steve Douglass, Senator Deanna DeMuzio, Clerk Linda Douglass, Trustee and Play for All Committee member Sonie Smith, and Ella Skaggs, Play for All Committee.

Purchase was approved of a 1992

Pierce Aerial Platform Fire Truck with 100’

ladder from Missouri Fire Apparatus in

Grovesprings, Missouri. Price is not to

exceed $250,000, one year warranty, pump

and ladder certifications included.

All fire hydrants in the Village have

been added to the Morgan County GIS

mapping.

Committee meetings were reinstated

and the workshop format was abandoned.

Preliminary & Final Plat for First

Christian Church were approved for 80

acres on the east side of South Main. They

plan to divide it into 5 parcels, develop

parcel number 2, and sell the remaining

parcels. An IDOT entrance permit is

required.

1st

Annual “Abe’s Tractor Cruise Across

the Prairie” will be held on 6-13-09.

Simmetry Tower Lease was approved

for the SJFD tower.

Vending machine bid went to Illinois

Dept. of Human Services Business

Enterprise Program.

Regulation of development in the flood

plain areas of the Village was passed.

July 2009 Village received “Storm

Ready Community” status.

16th

annual McGruff Golf Tournament

on 8-10-09 at the Links.

Carson-Barnes Circus at Prairieland on

7-27-09.

FOP contract amendment including

Sgt. position was approved.

Appropriations approved in the

amount of $3,182,500, with anticipated

revenues of $3,202,130.

August 2009 State of Illinois

awarded the East Vandalia resurfacing

contract to K.E. Vas in the amount of

$310,000.

October 2009 Country South

Subdivision was vacated and returned to

farm ground at the request of owners.

November 2009 Buster will suspend

yard waste pickup from 12-1-09 thru 3-1-10.

Antenna tower erection and East

Vandalia project are both progressing.

December 2009 Water issues in

Twin Oaks Subdivision were discussed.

Tax Levy was approved in the amount

of $339,200 and Road District 15 resolution

in the amount of $66,850.

Vitale Subdivision final plat was

approved.

Service Awards 12-11-2009

Left: 12-11-09 Mayor Jumper presents a 35-year service plaque to Police Chief Richard Evans, who joined the police force in January, 1974.

Right: 12-11-09 Mayor Jumper & Fire Chief Hickox present SJFD 25-yr service plaque to Capt. Mike Meyers.

January 2010 Jacksonville Area

Convention & Visitors Bureau grant was

accepted for the fall concert in the amount

of $18,500.

Hotel/Motel taxes will be submitted to

the JCVB until 2-28-11.

Linda Douglass was appointed the

Village’s Freedom of Information Officer,

per new FOI regulations from Lisa

Madigan’s office. Other changes included

the first 50 pages of copies are free, set a

time limit on responses, outlined types of

documents that could be accessed.

Begin annual contribution for 3 years to

City of Jacksonville of $1,500 to defray cost

of fireworks.

Hardin Water Line Agreement

approved.

March 2010 Contract with Variety

Attractions for 9-11-10 music concert

approved.

Census returns are at about 90% for

2010 census.

Sheila Meyers, chairman, announced

that contracted bands are Jason Michael

Carroll as headliner and The Lost Trailers as

openers, not to exceed total of $38,000.

May 2010 Lt. David Bye & Fireman

Josh Sorrill completed paramedic training,

bringing the department to 8 paramedics.

Residents were given 30-day grace

period for complying with ordinance

prohibiting discharging groundwater,

drainage, or storm water into the sanitary

sewer system.

Volunteer firemen purchased a 1994

Chevrolet chassis from Missouri Iron for

$3,000 to replace the 1967 truck chassis

owned by State. Refurbishing is estimated at

$13,000 when completed.

Cap for salaried employees set at

$65,000.

Minor Drive Sanitary Sewer Plans were

approved. This project will be paid through

local funds.

June 2010 Low bid for Minor Drive

Sanitary Sewer from Magnolia to South

Main accepted from Phil Tullis Excavating

for $96,670.

July 2010 New police policy manual

is complete and available for review.

Appropriations were approved in the

amount of $5,013,305, with anticipated

revenues of $2,997.965.

Early pay-off plan for the IEPA water

plant loan of $1.8 million was accepted.

August 2010 Sheila Meyers reported the

7-31-10 Village

Celebration had been a

big success. Sheila (left) is

also Chairman of the

Concert in the Cornfield

on 9-11-10. Tickets are

$10/each.

Sheila and Mike

Meyers have served as

Celebration Chairmen or

Committee Chairmen since 1999.

New Police Procedures Manual was

adopted.

Mediacom Contract approved

stipulating they pay the Village 3% for the

next 5 years as a franchise fee.

Medics First of Springfield was

approved as the billing company for SJFD

ambulance service at $150/month plus 10%

of collections.

October 2010 SJFD will host the

Kelly Miller Circus at Prairieland on 10-5-10.

A fire was being extinguished at the

Village water plant in Oxville during the

10-7-10 Board Meeting. Alarms had called

the Bluffs Fire Department shortly before

the meeting. Damage was later estimated at

about $50,000 from an electrical problem.

Prairieland Steam Show attendance

was estimated at 12,000 for the September

event. SJPD provides police presence

annually.

Prairieland members in 2008 Parade.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN VILLAGE’S

FUTURE 11-1-2010

Labor Drive dedicated their $7.5 million

dollar renovations recently.

November 2010 Once construction

of their pipeline is complete, there is an

agreement for Exeter-Merritt Water

Cooperative to purchase water from the

Village.

A letter of support for FutureGen

regarding proposed development of a

carbon dioxide storage facility in Morgan

County near Meredosia was sent to the

FutureGen Consortium.

December 2010 Tax Levy approved

in the amount of $349,000, and Road

District 15 resolution of $68,500.

2010 Service Awards 12-10-10

Elevators installed during renovations.

Left: Trustee Dick Samples presents 30 year SJFD plaque to 1st Asst. Fire Chief Richard

Evans.

Above: Trustee Dick Samples presents 25 year SJPD plaque to Patrolman Rich Pulling.

Left: Trustee Dick Samples presents 15 year SJFD service award to Capt. Brian Glascock.

Above: Fireman Bob Crum earned a 15-year SJFD service award.

Above: Linda Douglass accepts 10-year service award as Village Clerk and Kathy Simpson accepts 10-year service award as Village Treasurer.

Diamond Jubilee Report July 1986

From that first meeting of newly elected

trustees in Mr. Heinl's greenhouse on an

August evening 75 years ago to the present,

the Village Board has worked to provide

streets, lighting, water, sewers, sidewalks,

police and fire protection, animal control,

building standards and recreational facilities.

At present, the Village Board is

comprised of a president, a clerk, and six

trustees organized into standing committees:

Water and Sewer; Finance, Lights and

Insurance, Building; Ordinance and

Personnel; Streets, Alleys and Parks; Police,

Fire and Rescue. Citizen committees, such as

the Park Board, Plan Commission and various

ad hoc committees, serve by appointment.

The Village Board of the 1980's continues

to operate in the tradition of President Weber.

Volunteerism is strongly recorded by Fire and

Rescue reports of an average of 24 volunteer

firemen with 12 trained as emergency medical

technicians and 10 as emergency rescue

technicians. Efforts began in 1983 to retire the

1970 pumper truck and on August 21, 1985,

the Village put a new Pierce fire truck into

service at a cost of $119,443. The Fire

Department currently averages 40 fire calls

and 90 rescue calls each year.

1986 Diamond Jubilee Little Miss Contestants

Police reports document in excess of 3,500

calls for both 1984 and 1985. From 1982 to

1985, the Police Department recorded 1,145

arrests, assisted at 421 accidents, and wrote

1,196 warnings.

In this same period Building, Ordinance

and Personnel issued 371 building and

plumbing permits for projected improvements

approximating $2,208,446. Streets, Alleys and

Parks acquired a new truck and snow plow in

1982 to bolster the Street Department. In

addition to routine snow removal, ditch

cleaning, mowing and maintenance, in 1985

alone, the Street Department used 628 tons of

rock chips, 15,234 gallons of oil and 40 tons of

blacktop.

Water and Sewer also secured a new

truck in 1982. Although the use of television

has simplified sewer inspection, routine

flushing of town and river lines, settling basin

cleaning, upkeep on lagoons and pumping

stations and well cleaning are continually

required. In 1985 the Village water plant

operated 5,125 hours to pump 115,094,000

gallons of water.

Lights, Finance and Insurance

emphasized finance to meet the water and

sewer increases necessitated by

Environmental Protection Agency regulations

in the early 1980's. Still the committee found

time to institute a departmentalized budget

reporting system, streamline reinvestment

procedures, inventory the Village's fixed

assets, propose a five year capital investment

plan and preview computer software for

accounting, payroll and billing.

The work of the Village Board goes on

with a 1985-86 combined budget of $749,258

for the General Fund, Water and Sewer, and

Road District #15—and, reaches into the

future with Bond issues coming due after the

turn of the century.

South Jacksonville began at the polls and

in Heinl's greenhouse in 1911, but the Village

continues to be young on its seventy-fifth

birthday, if one can judge by department

report goals for 1986.

Water and Sewer goal: “Live within

budget and have some left over."

Street Department goal: “Survive."

1986 DIAMOND JUBILEE COMMITTEE

Paul Blanchette Wilbert DeLong

Marge Prather Louise Coop

Don Hazelrigg Glenda Hazelrigg

Tom Holliday Richard Evans

Ralph Sullivan Carol Roberts

Toni Hazelrigg Seal by Tom Adkins

Slogan by Toni Hazelrigg

1986 Village Board & Dept. Heads (L-R): Clerk Helen Evans, Trustee David Passetti, Mayor Richard Godfrey,

Trustee John Gotschall, Attorney Larry Flynn, Office Manager Bea Pahlmann. Standing: Trustee Ralph Sullivan, Trustee Leslie Musch, Fire Chief Willard (Sonny) Hickox, and Police Chief Richard Evans.

Not pictured: Trustees John Waltrip and Larry Pennell. Above: Diamond Jubilee Chairman Paul Blanchette, Mayor Godfrey, and Glenda Hazelrigg.

Bed races at 1986 Celebration

Displaying logo items.

1986 HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

Carol Garner Nedra Green

Irene Duffer Karen Ladd

Nona Ervin Harry Beastall

Truman Reynolds

Above Seated: Clerk Helen Evans, Mayor Richard Godfrey, Trustee

Leslie Musch. Standing: Trustees David Passetti, Gohn Gotschall,

Ralph Sullivan, and Larry Pennell.

PRESIDENTS OF BOARD

Herman Weber 8/11/11-5/7/13

J. H. Hackett 5/7/13-5/2/17

L.0. Berryman 5/2/17-5/2/23

Sam L. Perry 5/2/23-6/4/30

C. R. Caldwell 6/4/30-5/6/31

Wm. E. McCurley 5/6/31-5/1/35

Otis Axe 5/1/35-5/7/41

Raymond Davidson 5/7/41-12/7/49

Leon Stewart 12/7/49-5/2/51

Otis Axe 5/2/51-5/4/61

Herbert Simke 5/4/61-11/10/61

J. W. Chambers 11/10/61-4/18/63

William Fanning 4/18/63-5/3/73

Richard H. Godfrey 5/3/73-4/20/89

Glenda R. Hazelrigg 4/20/89-5/1/97

Gordon D. Jumper 5/1/97-present

CLERKS FOR BOARD

C. W. Boston 8/11/11-5/1/12

John R. Hill 5/1/12-5/6/14

E. E. Beastall 5/6/14-5/1/35

George M. Cunningham 5/1/35-5/7/41

J. C. Kane 5/7/41-5/10/50

W. J. Schildman 5/10/50-4/18/57

C. Virgil Gibbs 4/18/57-4/20/61

Leon Stewart 4/20/61-6/30/68

E. W. Bobb 6/30/68-12/3/70

Irene Duffer 12/3/70-5/6/71

Thomas W. Goodwin 5/6/71-12/18/75

Karen J. Ladd 12/18/75-8/30/81

Barbara J. Henderson 8/30/81-5/24/84

Linda Nichols 5/24/84-4/18/85

Helen M. Evans 4/18/85-5/6/93

Joann Lindemann 5/6/93- 1996

Celeste Lindsey 1997 –4/17/97

Lou Estabrook 1997 – June 1998

Lisa Galloway June/98 – 8/30/00

Linda P. Douglass 9/1/00 - present

VILLAGE TRUSTEES

O. B. Heinl 8/11/11-5/1/35

William Spencer 8/11/11-5/7/13

E. E. Beastall 8/11/11-5/6/14

James Baxter 8/11/11-5/3/16

William Hembrough 8/11/11-5/5/15

James McGinnis 8/11/11-5/1/12

Second term 5/6/14-5/7/30

Loren Cannon 5/1/12-5/6/14

Grant Graff 5/7/13-5/6/14

William Barr 5/6/14-5/3/22

William Helfer 5/6/14-5/7/19

L. O. Berryman 5/5/15-5/2/17

Henry Goebel 5/3/16-5/1/18

W. I. Crabtree 5/2/17-5/7/19

Otto Buhrman 5/1/18-5/7/30

Sam L. Perry 5/7/19-5/4/21

R. D. Megginson 5/7/19-5/4/21

W. H. Hembrough 5/4/21-5/4/27

B. Kopmeyer 5/4/21-5/6/25

Orville Coultas 5/3/22-5/7/30

Thomas Ranson 5/6/25-5/4/27

F. A. Branstiter 5/4/27-5/1/35

George Schildman 5/1/29-5/2/34

J. D. Hembrough 5/7/30-5/4/32

Frank Winters 5/7/30-5/4/32

Arthur H. Scheele 5/6/31-5/3/33

C. R. Caldwell 5/3/33-5/1/35

Albert McCarty 5/4/32-5/3/33

Otis Axe 5/4/32-5/1/35

John T. Hackett 5/3/33-5/2/34

Frank DeSolar 5/2/34-5/1/35

Oather Thorne 5/2/34-5/2/45

Fred German 5/1/35-5/7/47

Leroy Barnhart 5/1/35-5/3/39

Leslie Cox 5/1/35-5/7/41

Russell Thompson 5/1/35-5/5/37

Howard Pennell 5/1/35-4/21/55

Virgil Gibbs 5/5/37-5/7/47

Rex Ransom 5/3/39-5/6/49

Edd Barrows 5/7/41-5/2/45

C. W. Rhodes 5/2/45-5/6/49

Olen Gotschall 5/2/45-5/6/65

Lewis Murgatroyd 5/7/47-4/21/55

Leon Stewart 5/7/47-12/7/49

Earl Walters 5/6/49-5/6/65

Herbert Simke 5/6/49-5/4/61

South Jacksonville’s longitude is 90.228 W, latitude is 39.708 N, has an area of about 1.65

square miles.

Richard Wells 5/2/51-5/5/55

Second term 5/6/59-5/4/61

Cecil Ford 5/5/55-5/6/59

Second term 5/4/61-5/5/77

Manley Birdsong 5/5/55-5/6/59

Harry Beastall 5/5/55-5/6/71

Ralph Sullivan 5/6/59-4/18/63

Second term 5/6/65-5/5/77

Third term 5/7/81- 4/1989

J. Wayne Chambers 5/4/61-11/10/61

Second term 4/18/63-5/6/65

William McKean 11/10/61-5/6/71

Owen R. Church 4/18/63-5/6/71

Leo Campbell 5/6/65-5/3/73

Paul Laughary 5/6/71-5/3/79

Robert Minor 5/6/71-5/1/75

Harold Odaffer 5/6/71-5/5/83

Gene Rickert 5/3/73-5/5/77

Larry Pennell 5/1/75- 4/16/87

Reginald Price 5/5/77-5/3/79

Ted Elder 5/5/77-5/7/81

Ernie Downey 5/5/77-5/7/81

Jesse Pinkerton 5/3/79-5/7/81

John S. Gotschall 5/3/79-present

Larry Martin 5/7/81-4/18/85

Leslie Musch 5/7/81-1/1987

David Passetti 5/5/83-4/16/87

John Waltrip 4/18/85-11/19/87

Don Gustine 11/19/87– 5/1/97

Janice Henderson 1/15/87 – 4/20/89

Larry Moore 5/16/87-12/6/90

Ed Heier 5/16/87-4/1991

Steve Waltrip 5/87 – 5/97

Second term 5/99-present

Gordon Jumper 4/20/89 - 5/15/93

Tom Holliday 4/18/91 – 11/19/98

Brad McElfresh 5/06/93 – 4/30/97

Jack Wankel 5/6/93–1999

Mike Underwood 4/17/97– 4/4/02

Connie Shugart 4/17/97–9/98

Mike Elliott 4/17/97– present

Joann Lindemann 11/98-5-6/30/02

Steve Douglass 1/7/99 - present

Sonie Smith 4/4/02-present

Dick Samples 6/6/02 – present

Building Inspectors

Ken Beaird 7-17-75-1981

Raymond Bourn 1981 – 3/1989

Wm. David Watson 4/20/89 – 3/31/93

Dale Crowcroft 4/5/1993 -4/30/97

Gordon Warrick 5/2/97 – 6/6/98

Ron Walls 11/1/98 – 9/7/07

John Green 12/7/07 – 6/9/08

Carl Hopkins 6/9/08 - present

From “This is Your Life, Mr. Weber” submitted by his great-granddaughter, Barbara McKean

Herman Weber (born 11-12-1854) came to the United States in 1871 as a 16 year old German immigrant. He settled in Jacksonville, Illinois. On November 25, 1886, Herman married Mary E. (Molly) Myers. Shortly after their marriage, Herman and Molly bought a house at 1524 South Main (pictured below). They had six children: Carl, Dorothy, Lewis, Anna, John, and Harry (pictured below). He established General Grocery Store in Jacksonville which provided employment for his entire family. A typical special was “Heebee Brand Beans, 6¢ a can or 12 cans for 70¢” (hard to believe those prices!). In 1911, aged 56, he became the first President of the newly-created Village of South Jacksonville, Illinois, and served for two years. At that time, the population of the one square-mile territory was 326 inhabitants. He was selected as Mayor from the six trustees elected to prevent forced annexation to the City of Jacksonville. Herman died on April 11, 1920 and Molly died in March, 1942. Herman’s oldest son, Carl, was the grandfather of Barbara McKean, who provided this family history and photos.

YOU KNOW WHAT IT COSTS

TODAY - WHAT DID IT COST IN

THE 1940’s and 1950’s?

1940: Car: $800

Gasoline: 18 cents/gal

House: $6,550

Bread: 8 cents/loaf

Milk: 34 cents/gal

Postage Stamp: 3 cents

Stock Market: 131

Average Annual Salary: $1,900

Minimum Wage: 30 cents per hour

1950: Car: $1,750

Gasoline: 27 cents/gal

House: $14,500

Bread: 14 cents/loaf

Milk: 82 cents/gal

Postage Stamp: 3 cents

Stock Market: 235

Average Annual Salary: $3,800

Minimum Wage: 75 cents per hour

1959: Car: $2,200

Gasoline: 30 cents/gal

House: $18,500

Bread: 20 cents/loaf

Milk: $1.01/gal

Postage Stamp: 4 cents

Stock Market: 679

Average Annual Salary: $5,500

Minimum Wage: $1.00 per hour

“Little Miss” Winners Past to Present by Renee Jumper

Michelle Maul 1986 Robyn Samples 1987 Makenzi Gillis 1988 Courtney Hickox 1989

Lindsey Beard 1990 Brynna Brooks 1991

Cassie Carls 1998 Lauren Hurley 1999

Ashley Ketcham 2000

Megan DeWitt 2001

POPULAR TOYS THROUGH THE

DECADES

1900’s Lionel trains, Crayola Crayons, Teddy

Bears

1910’s Model T Ford toy

cars, Erector Set (pictured

right), Tinker toys, Raggedy Ann

1920’s Lincoln Logs, Radio

Flyer Wagon, Yo-Yo

1930’s LEGO Building Sets, Sorry game, View-

Master 3-D Viewer

1940’s Chutes and Ladders, Tonka Trucks,

Scrabble, Candy Land

1950’s Silly Putty, Play-Doh, Matchbox Cars,

Barbie doll

1960’s Etch-A-Sketch, G.I. Joe, Easy Bake

Oven, Twister

1970’s Nerf Balls, Uno, Connect Four, Othello,

Rubik's Cube

1980’s Cabbage Patch Kids, Trivial Pursuit,

Pictionary, Super Soaker, Koosh ball

1990’s Pokemon, Furby, Star Wars Episode I

Figures

Bentley Stewart 2002

Taylor Zoerner 2003 Emily Haley 2004

Zoe Rae Wood – 2005

Ellie Smith 2006 Sarah Miner – 2007 MacKenie Oswald 2008

Abby Olson 2009

Carly Eddy 2010

Gracie McCombs 2011 2011 Centennial “Little Miss” Gracie McCombs in Parade.

Helen Evans Looks Back

Helen Evans, former Village Clerk, has

lived in the same house in the Village since

1964, when she bought it from the original

owners who had it built in 1962. Her house

and the house to the north were the last

houses built on that street.

At the time she moved in, there were

no trees in any of the lawns yet. Her

daughter, Barbara, was about 15 and her

twin sons, Richard and Robert, attended

Jonathan Turner Junior High School.

She said at that time there were a lot of

neighborhood children, and mothers got

together one night a week to socialize. She

didn’t attend because she worked and her

children were older than most of them.

Helen served as elected Village Clerk

from 1985 through 1993, working with both

Mayor Godfrey and Mayor Glenda

Hazelrigg.

Helen remembers that Mayor Godfrey

was upset that no photo could be located

for former Mayor Berriman (1917-1923) so

his spot was left blank in the 1986 Jubilee

Book when it was released. Later at a class

reunion, she spoke with a man from Florida

who lived with his grandfather on East

Vandalia as a boy. Helen later found (to her

amazement) his grandfather was the missing

photo in her book! She called Mayor

Godfrey right away and told him to sit

down, she had a surprise for him. She

relayed the story and told him her classmate

was mailing a photo, which is now displayed

in the Village Board Room. Helen

remembers Mayor Godfrey as “nice to work

with” and that he owned a grocery store at

the corner of East Greenwood and South

Clay (the site is now a beauty shop).

Herb Simke, Mayor from 1949 to 1961

worked with Helen in downtown

Jacksonville. He worked at the Farm

Services and she worked at Farm Bureau in

the building across from the old post office

on East State (now owned by Hamilton’s).

Besides Godfrey Grocery, there was a

grocery store on the north side of 1600

South Main before the location became

Spatz’s Ice Cream. Both businesses are long-

closed. Earl Terwishe, Sr. opened a full-

scale grocery at 1417 S. Main in the late

1960’s. The location is now a Dollar General

Store.

1417 South Main

South Main and North Main grocery stores

both opened in 1949 by three investors

operating as “Jacksonville Foods”. In 1950,

Earl Terwishe, Sr. was hired to manage the

1417 South Main store. He was formerly a

buyer for Kroger stores in St. Louis. The

original investors decided to sell and neither

manager could afford to buy both stores.

Earl, Sr. bought the South Main store. Earl

Terwische, Sr. died in 1984, then his son,

Earl Terwische, Jr. ran the store until 1988.

At that time, the inventory was sold to Jon

Evans and Tom Hayes. Mrs. Earl Terwische,

Sr. retained ownership of the building. In

1989 the inventory was sold to Jim

Cummings and was renamed “Cummings

Red Fox”. Red Fox ceased doing business in

mid-1992 when the grocery store was

permanently closed. The building is

currently a Dollar General Store. This writer,

who wishes to remain anonymous, had the

pleasure to be employed on a part-time

basis by all three owners during that time,

many people came and went through the

doors of the grocery store, and to this day,

many of those people continue to be her

friends.

Above: 2003 Little Miss Court Below: 2009 Little Miss Court

RADIO/TV MEMORY LANE

1926 RCA, General Electric and Westinghouse establish NBC, which operates two national radio networks. 1927 Philo Farnsworth transmits the first all-electronic television image. GE introduces a television set with a 3" × 4" screen. 1943 Radio classic Amos 'n' Andy is canceled after 15 years and more than 4,000 consecutive shows. 1944 The first instance of network censorship occurs. The sound is cut off on the Eddie Cantor and Nora Martin duet, “We're Having a Baby, My Baby and Me.” 1947 The Yankees beat the Dodgers in seven games in the first televised World Series. Meet the Press debuts on NBC. 1950 Saturday morning children's programming begins. 1951 Color television introduced in the U.S. 1952 The Jackie Gleason Show debuts. 1954 NBC broadcasts the World Series in color for the first time. 1955 Gunsmoke debuts on CBS, and will go on to be television's longest-running western. 1956 52% of television households saw 1st Wizard of Oz has its first airing on TV. 1957 Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS, ushering in an era of television shows that depict the ideal American family. 1962 Johnny Carson takes over hosting duties of The Tonight Show. 1963 NBC viewers witnessed Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald on camera — the first live telecast of a murder. 1964 Color television makes its way into U.S. homes. 1966 The first Star Trek episode, “The Man Trap,” is broadcast on September 8.

1967 Congress creates PBS. 1968 60 Minutes airs on CBS, beginning its reign as the longest-running prime-time news magazine. 1969 Children's Television Workshop introduces Sesame Street. 1971 All in the Family debuts. 1972 Claims that exposure to violence on television fosters aggression in children. M*A*S*H premieres on CBS. 1973 Saturday Night Live premieres on NBC. George Carlin hosts the first show. 1984 The Cosby Show debuts on NBC. The Supreme Court rules that taping television shows at home does not violate copyright law. 1988 Ninety-eight percent of U.S. households have at least one television set. 1989 America's beloved comedienne Lucille Ball dies at age 78. 1990 Ninety-nine percent of U.S. households have at least one radio. The Simpsons debuts on Fox and becomes an instant hit. Seinfeld debuts on NBC. 1991 Johnny Carson hosts The Tonight Show for the last time. 1996 President Bill Clinton signs legislation that significantly deregulates telecommunications, creating almost limitless opportunities for broadcasters and cable. 1997 The controversial television ratings system debuts TV-Y, TV-G, TV-Y7, TV-PG, TV-14 and TV-M, appear for 15 seconds in the upper left-hand corner of the screen at the beginning of each show. 1998 An estimated 76 million viewers watch the last episode of Seinfeld. 2000 Reality TV mania hits the U.S.

L-R: Early television styles to modern

television

Postcard showing “hobble” skirt.

NATIONAL TRENDS THAT AFFECTED

SOUTH JACKSONVILLE

About the Decade: 1910-1919

Social change was brewing in the teens as

our nation became increasingly

industrialized. In the past clothes had been

mostly hand sewn,

but the sewing

machine was

introduced, which

made the mass

production of

clothing possible

and affordable to

the middle and

lower classes It was

becoming

increasingly

acceptable for

women to work

outside the home.

Women wore more practical blouses with

skirts instead of dresses. The hobble skirt

which was popular in the teens often had a

button down vent in the back which could

be left open when walking. Not every

woman cared whether or not she had the

right to vote, and indeed there were women

who thought the idea of women voting was

unseemly, but nevertheless the Suffragette

Movement was in full swing.

About the Decade: 1920-1929

In the 1920’s women got the right to vote,

prohibition made drinking the nation's

favorite pastime, and with the radio hitting

homes across America

everyone was dancing

(“flappers” shown

dancing right). Fortunes were made and

spent recklessly and the

cinema was giving rise

to a whole new kind of

celebrity and glamour.

The automobile finally became affordable

and accessible to most people. Hemlines rose

until they reached just below the knee and

the waistline dropped to mid hip. Women

cut their hair into bobs both for shock value

and for its fresh boyish appeal. Men's fashions

in the early twenties were not all that

different from the previous decades.

About the Decade: 1930-1939

America's economy was smashed to

smithereens by the crash of 1929, leaving

families with no income. The nation was

depressed both financially and morally.

There was a great drought in the Midwest

which caused the exodus of thousands of

people heading west in the hopes of finding a

better life on the glamorous California coast.

Strikes were big news as Unions were

created to help protect laborers, jobs and

pay. Americans turned to radio and film to

boost their flagging spirits. One could listen

to the radio and go to the movies for very

little money. In sharp contrast to reality, the

movies of this period depicted a sense of

glamour unknown to their audiences.

Fashion in the thirties was greatly influenced

by the Hollywood ideal of style.

About the Decade: 1940-1949

With entry of the United States into World

War II in 1942, whether one was on the front

fighting or aiding the great war machine by

keeping the home fires burning, few people

were unaffected by the war. Among the

many commodities that were rationed were

silk and wool. Silk was being used to make

parachutes (and many women donated their

silk stockings to Uncle Sam), and wool was

needed for uniforms and blankets for

soldiers. Women's clothing became more

masculine as women took jobs traditionally

held by men as they went off to war.

In stark contrast to

the war efforts'

conservation, the

Zoot suit (right) was

a reminder that not

everyone supported

the war. Zoot suits

were purposely

made of an

excessive amount of

fabric and were mostly worn by “hepcats”

unwilling or unable to join the military. They

were often seen as being unpatriotic and

some enlisted mens’ objections ended in

violence.

About the Decade: 1950-1959

Above: 50’s fashion in the “Leave It To Beaver” household

With the end of World War II in 1945, the

American entered the inevitable awkward

transition from war to peacetime. Men were

returning from the war and trying to resume

their pre-war lives. Women, who had been

holding jobs traditionally held by men, were

encouraged to return to their posts as wives

and mothers. Some women were reluctant

to give up their newly found sense of

independence, but many were happy to take

up their traditional roles again. America

turned its interest to family life and the big

Baby Boom had its affect on both men and

women. Dancing lost some of its popularity

as a pastime as the cocktail party became the

most suitable entertainment for young

families. Men's suits were two piece rather

than three piece. Casual wear for men was

not entirely new, but in the fifties it changed

from having been clothes for sporting into

clothes for barbecuing on the patio. The

family man might wear khakis (left over from

the war), and polo or Hawaiian shirts.

Wars involving U.S. Troops in the past 100 years:

8-2-1990 Persian Gulf Conflict 2-28-61 thru 5-7-1975 Vietnam War 6-27-50 thru 1-31-55 Korean War 7-7-41 thru 7-31-46 World War II 4-6-17 thru 11-11-18 World War 1 5-1-16 thru 4-5-17 Mexican Border War

About the Decade: 1960-1969

Little shops called “boutiques” opened selling

cheap and colorful clothing for younger

people. During the decade, women started

wearing mini-skirts, leather boots and fake

eyelashes. Men wore Paisley shirts, velvet

trousers and high collared Regency jackets.

Men also began to wear their hair long. One

popular hairstyle was a “beehive”, and

another look during this time was the

“beatnik”. The Vietnam War started in the

60’s. Debate between politicians

and public reaction began as well,

The first hand-held calculator was

invented in 1967 by Texas

Instruments, ($2,500 each). The

first ATM cash dispensing machine

is installed by First Philadelphia

Bank in 1968. Roger Maris hit

homer number 61, setting a record

that wasn't broken until the

September of 1998 by Mark

McGwire. The "Hippie” look (right)

became popular, women wore

long floor length dresses “maxis”. The decade

was crammed with peace, love, war, and

excitement.

Pictured: WWI soldier (top), Vietnam soldier (right) and WWII soldier (bottom)

A STUDENT’S VIEW – 1952

The following report received an “A-“ when submitted on December 14, 1952, by 14-year old English student Harlan Thomas (son of Orlia Thomas, who became the Village’s first marshal two years later, on 11-18-54). It was submitted by Harlan’s sister, Donna Gutekunst:

1950's Chevrolet Bel Air

A History of the Village By Greg Olson

Seventy-three Morgan County citizens filed into John T. Harney’s small grocery store at 1520 South West Street on June 30, 1911, and cast votes on whether to form a new village. Fifty-eight people voted in favor of the proposition and 15 against. This event marked one of the first steps toward the formation of South Jacksonville. About two weeks prior to that special election, James H. Hackett, representing the residents who lived just south of Jacksonville, presented a petition bearing 37 signatures to Morgan County Judge Edward P. Brockhouse for the incorporation of the village of South Jacksonville. Exactly what led residents south of Michigan Avenue, Jacksonville’s southern boundary, to found South Jacksonville is not totally clear. Jacksonville newspaper stories from the summer of 1911 indicate there were several reasons. However, one particular Jacksonville Daily Journal article said residents feared the city of Jacksonville would extend the city limits south of Michigan Avenue. In fact, one unidentified resident of the proposed village told a Journal reporter in mid-June 1911 that the city of Jacksonville, apparently burdened by debt at the time, had nothing to offer those living south of Michigan Avenue and that village residents had the right to form their own government and levy taxes. Therefore, after all legal matters were addressed, the village of South Jacksonville officially came into being on July 7, 1911.

When the village was founded, 326 people lived within its boundaries — Michigan Avenue on the north, Vandalia Road on the south, the east side of the Chicago & Alton Railroad on the east and South Diamond Street on the west. One of the other major orders of business in South Jacksonville during the summer of 1911 was the election of officers. Chosen to serve as the first president of the South Jacksonville Village Board of Trustees was Herman Weber of 1524 South Main Street, a 56-year-old German immigrant and longtime Jacksonville grocer. The village’s first clerk was Charles W. Boston of 1527 South Main Street, a teacher at Maple Grove School on South Main Street, which later became known as South Jacksonville School. The first six trustees were James R. Baxter, a farmer who lived on South Diamond Street; Elmer E. Beastall of 336 West Pennsylvania Avenue, a plumber; Orlando B. Heinl of 302 West Greenwood Avenue, a partner in Joseph Heinl & Sons’ floral business and greenhouse at South Church Street and West Greenwood Avenue; William H. Hembrough, a retired citizen who resided on Vandalia Road; James McGinnis of 1629 South Main Street, a Jacksonville shoe merchant; and William S. Spencer, Jr., of 311 East Michigan Avenue, a plasterer and brick mason. Today, the village Mr. Weber and his fellow officers helped to found and organize a century ago has 10 times more residents than in 1911 and supports about 30 businesses, a wide range of municipal services and has a growing tax base.

Building Inspection Department 1911 – 2011

By Carl Hopkins

The last twenty-five years have shown a steady growth in South Jacksonville.

Some major buildings and additions in the last few years are:

Hertzberg Perma-Bound built a new 40,000 square foot warehouse 2008 and 2009

Affordable Housing (Labor Drive) renovation started on some of their apartments

in 2009. A twelve million dollar project.

Farm Credit Services built a new entrance on their building in 2009.

Prairie Power built a new twelve thousand square foot office building in 2009.

Village Market, a grocery store located inside Safeco Gas/Convenience Store was

started in 2010.

The Village of South Jacksonville had several new subdivisions established in 1996:

Brookfield Condo Addition

Lou’s Meadow

Village Acres were established. Village Acres is the location of The Comfort Inn

and The Holiday Inn Express.

South Jacksonville had more subdivisions started and completed in 1997:

Brookfield Village Place 1st

Addition

Sherman Oaks

Southern Knolls 4th

Addition

Timber Creek

South County Square (the location of Cinema 6 movie theater).

Hall Farm 1st

Addition was started in 2007

PRAIRIE POWER’S NEW OFFICE BUILDING BUILT IN 2009

VILLAGE MAP WITH SUBDIVISIONS MARKED STREET MAP CAN BE LOCATED ON OUR WEBSITE – www.southjacksonville.org

SUBDIVISIONS IN THE VILLAGE

South Jacksonville Fire, Rescue, & Ambulance Departments 1911-2011

By Fire Chief David Hickox

2007 SJFD (L-R) front: 1st Asst. Chief Richard Evans, Fire Chief David Hickox, 2nd Asst. Chief Mike McEvers. Seated: Sec/Treasurer Steve Waltrip, Captain Brian Glascock, Captain Mike Meyers, Lt. David Bye, Lt. Bill Cummings, Lt. Kevin DeFrates. Standing: Josh Mifflin, Tim Nicolson, Rich Evans, Jr., Zach Reed, Ryan Deeder, Steve Crawford, Dave Salcido, Tim Baldwin, Bob Crum, Kirk Hoots, Alan McClellan, Steve Chase, Mike Broaddus, Kerry DeFrates, Steve Chase, Josh Jennings, and Josh Sorrill. New firemen not pictured are Rhiane Hoots and Edgar Padilla.

Fire Chiefs for the Village of South Jacksonville have been:

Ottis Axe 1950 – 1958

Wes Slaid 1958 – 1966

Cilfford Wilkerson 1966 – 1968

Wilbert DeLong 1968 – 1969

Willard Hickox 10/68 – 10/93

Michael Elliott 01/94 – 04/97

David Hickox 05/97 - present

David Hickox became a volunteer fireman in January

1978. He then became 1st

Assistant Fire Chief on May 1,

1993. David was appointed as Fire Chief on May 1, 1997,

and still serves in that position.

A new ladder truck (pictured right) was purchased in

August 2009 for $250,000. With the purchase of this

ladder truck, it helped the Village ISO rating and also

helps with fire fighting at the three hotels within the

Village.

A new fire truck was purchased in 1999 from Pierce for $172,000.

In 2001, a new rescue truck was purchased from Pierce for $174,000. The firemen starting

raising money to purchase the rescue truck by doing fundraisers. A grant in the amount of

$75,000 was also received for the purchase of the rescue truck. In addition, the 1976

Pierce rescue truck was sold to the Morgan County Dive Team for $10,000.

In July 2008, an ambulance (pictured right) was

purchased for $9,500.

South Jacksonville Fire Department currently has

17 EMTs and of these EMTs, seven are paramedics.

We also currently have 22 volunteer firemen.

Fundraising was done in February 2009 with the

Bar to Bar Golf Classic. Funds raised from this fundraiser will be used to build a new

training facility which will be added to the northeast part of the fire station.

A new fire station was dedicated in July of 2004. Village Board members Joann

Lindemann and John Gotschall helped secure five acres from the Coultas Family on West

Vandalia. The new fire station, which was approximately 8,000 square feet, cost $485,000.

The volunteers helped construct the inside of the fire station with donations and

fundraising.

Over the last 25 years, the Fire Department has

seen an increase in call volume. Currently, we

have about 350 calls per year.

Groundbreaking for new firehouse on Sequoia 7-26-2003. (L-R) Fire Chief David Hickox, Senator Vince DeMuzio, Mayor Gordon Jumper, Representative Jim Watson, and Chamber President Ginny Fanning. Auxiliary Family Fun Day (L-R) David Hickox, Richard Evans, Brian

Glascock, Ryan Deeder, David Bye, Rich Evans, Jr., Mike Broaddus, Josh Jennings, Tim Nicholson, Dave Salcido, Mike McEvers, and announced Jim Aggertt.

Left: Asst. Fire Chief Richard Evans, Rich Evans, Jr., Brian Glascock, Josh Jennings, and Fire Chief David Hickox. Right: Mike Meyers & other SJFD volunteers working in Prairieland Kitchen.

2008 SJFD Auxiliary Board (L-R) seated: Carla Bradish, Mary Evans, Linda Tribble. Standing: Sheila Meyers, Sharri Richardson, Dani Glascock, Barb DeOrnellas, and Kristen Hoffman.

SJFD Auxiliary 2005 – 2011

By Dani Glascock

May 2005 – Conversations began with families and friends of the South Jacksonville Fire &

Rescue Department about organizing an Auxiliary to support the SJFD.

August 2005 – The South Jacksonville Fire Department Auxiliary, a/k/a SJFD Auxiliary was

officially incorporated. All monies raised by the SJFD Auxiliary are donated back to SJFD.

Dani Glascock was elected the first President of the SJFD Auxiliary. Board members

included: Dani Glascock (President), Sheila Meyers (Vice President), Mary Evans (Assistant

Vice President), Crystal Hickox (Secretary), Rusti Cummings (Treasurer), Carla Bradish,

Kristen Becker-Hoffman,

Vickie Pennell, Sherri Richardson, and Linda Tribble.

August 2005 – Doris Whitaker was the first paid life member of the SJFD Auxiliary.

December 2005 – SJFD Auxiliary holds its first fundraiser – Christmas Cookie Walk.

June 2006 – SJFD Auxiliary netted $4,000 from their “Family Day” fundraiser, which included

children’s games, food, raffles, bake sale, and lots of firemen entertainment. Eleven

firemen strutted their stuff on stage showing their special talents and wisdom in answering

questions. Those firemen included: David Hickox, Mike McEvers, Mike Meyers, Brian

Glascock, Dave Bye, Rich Evans, Josh Mifflin, Josh Sorrill, Ryan Deeder, Steve Chase, and

Josh Jennings. First Place was awarded to Rich Evans who had a Hawaiian themed

costume and proposed on one knee to his girlfriend (and Auxiliary member) Jennifer

Roberts for his talent. 2nd

Place went to Ryan Deeder who sang a great rendition of

“Summer Time” by Kenny Chesney and helped fellow fireman, Steve Chase out during his

performance of “I’m A Little Teapot”.

September 2006 – SJFD Auxiliary published the Firehouse Favorites cookbook. The

cookbook committee included: Jennifer Roberts (Chair), Barb DeOrnellas, Helen Evans,

Mary Evans, Vicky Fry, Dani Glascock, Michele Konrad, Brenda McEvers, and Sheila

Meyers.

December 2006 - 2nd

Annual Christmas Cookie Walk hosted by the SJFD Auxiliary.

December 2006 – SJFD Auxiliary donated $4,000 to the SJFD to assist in the purchase of a

thermal imaging camera.

January 2007 – SJFD Auxiliary donated $1,200 for a Sensit Gas Detector.

June 2007 – The second “Family Day” fundraiser was held with special guest appearances

during the firefighter’s contest by Sonny (Fireman Dave Bye) and Cher (Fire Chief David

Hickox). The firemen who participated were: Dave Bye, David Hickox, Richard Evans,

Brian Glascock, Rich Evans, Josh Mifflin, Mike Broaddus, and James Nicholson. First Place

went to Dave Bye and Mike Broaddus secured 2nd

Place with his Superman Re-enactment.

December 2007 – 3rd

Annual Christmas Cookie Walk hosted by the SJFD Auxiliary.

February 2008 – Sheila Meyers was elected President of the SJFD Auxiliary. Board members

included: Sheila Meyers (President), Mary Evans (Vice President), Kristan Becker-Hoffman

(Secretary), Barb DeOrnellas (Treasurer), Dani Glascock (Past President), Carla Bradish,

Brenda McEvers, Sherri Richardson, and Linda Tribble.

July 2008 – The SJFD Auxiliary “Family Day” fundraiser joined the South Jacksonville

Celebration in providing the Kids Korner filled with many games and prizes for the

children. The Auxiliary members were also shaking their stuff while mixing lemon shake-

ups.

December 2008 – 4th Annual Christmas Cookie Walk hosted by the SJFD Auxiliary.

December 2008 – SJFD Auxiliary donated $2,000 to the SJFD for purchase of various

equipment, including: hydrant valve, rescue throwline bags and rope, flat head fire axe,

claw hooligan entry tool, two hose nozzles, and double donut strap for hi-rise packs.

September 2009 – SJFD and SJFD Auxiliary manned the concession stand for the JHS

Volleyball Team.

October 2009 - SJFD Auxiliary hosted the first annual Trivia Night.

December 2009 – 5th Annual Christmas Cookie Walk hosted by the SJFD Auxiliary.

December 2009 – SJFD Auxiliary donated funds to assist with equipment for the new ladder

truck.

October 2010 – SJFD Auxiliary hosted its 2nd

annual Trivia Night.

December 2010 – 6th Annual Christmas Cookie Walk hosted by the SJFD Auxiliary.

December 2011 – SJFD Auxiliary donated $1,500 for an equipment “wish list”.

February 2011 – Dani Glascock was elected as President of the SJFD Auxiliary. Other Board

members include: Dani Glascock (President), Mary Evans (Vice President),

Jennifer Evans (Secretary), Barb DeOrnellas (Treasurer), Sheila Meyers (Past

President), Kristen Becker-Hoffman, Brenda McEvers, and Carla Neff.

Planned for Fall 2011

October 2011 – SJFD Auxiliary hosted its 3rd

annual Trivia Night.

December 2011 – 7th Annual Christmas Cookie Walk hosted by the SJFD Auxiliary.

EVERY VILLAGE DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION PLAYED A PART IN THE INCEPTION, DESIGN, FUNDING, GRANTS, ETC. TO BRING THIS PLAN TO A REALITY.

Public Works (Water, Sewer, Street & Park) Departments 1911 – 2011

By Superintendent John Green

Over the past 25 years, the Public Works Department has had several major projects take place which has greatly benefited the

Village of South Jacksonville and its residents. Because of these accomplishments, this again has helped to make South

Jacksonville the “go to” place to live, to raise a family, to retire.

Thank you for your support of the Village of South Jacksonville Public Works

Department over these many years. My hopes for the next 25 years will be to see significant growth in our community due to what we have accomplished over the past 25

years. We have put in place a fantastic platform for growth and development for our growing and prosperous community.

Please follow with me through this time line of events throughout the years….Enjoy!

John Green, Superintendent 1985:

• New pump installed at the Hardin Lift Station. • Rebuilt No. 1 high surface pump.

• Facility plan proceeding on schedule. • Water plant painted.

1986 • Helped with the 75th Anniversary Celebration.

• 60% sewers were cleaned.

• Hardin lot fenced.

1987

• Oxville well line was pigged out.

• The settling tanks were cleaned.

1988

• 6” water line was installed from Empire Gas to Vas & Moeller Ready Mix.

1989

• August 1989 the Village and the City of Jacksonville began negotiations for a

water waste treatment project. After many meetings, the final agreement was signed December 29, 1989 and submitted to the EPA. A resolution for the

construction contract for the Village with Sewer Inc. of Decatur, IL was received

and construction was scheduled to begin February 15, 1990.

1989

• A new street was opened in Twin Oaks Subdivision (Willow Drive). The entrance off 67 South to Minor Drive was widened with the 67 South

improvement. • Negotiations between the City of Jacksonville and South Jacksonville continued

throughout the year regarding rates to charge us when our sewer project was

completed. That contract was adopted on December 21, 1989.

1990

• Exeter/Merritt approached the Village wishing to purchase untreated water.

• Sewer Inc. started the mandated sewer project in February with the installation of a hydrant on Hardin.

• New sewer lines were installed on Tendick (which ended with a bore under West Morton, to the parking lot of Ace Hardware, and then across the parking

lot to Hoagland Blvd. • Ice storm in February 1990 caused the Village to pick up limbs at a cost of

$4899.66.

1991

October 1991 Illinois Powers program started which will change street lights over to sodium vapor lights which had a

six month completion date. Hamilton Drive was our newest street added to the Village. It is located just south of West Vandalia in the H.S. Clark

Subdivision which was dedicated in September, 1991. The Park Board hosted another successful Christmas Tree

lighting program.

1992

The Village entered into a state highway safety project

replacing informational signs. The Village entered into a contract with Motorola to furnish

new tone equipment for the wells and high surface tanks at Oxville.

1993

Outside water reader installation program began. New informational signs were installed in various locations of the Village as part of an IDOT grant from the State of Illinois.

Between September 14-23, 1993, there was an estimated 9.7 inches of rain which calculated out at around 217,280,000 gallons of water.

Water plant in South Jacksonville was repainted and the tanks at Oxville were re-

painted.

1994

• The Village hired a firm to video tape 5,850 feet of the sanitary sewer line on South Main.

• The salt pit at the Hardin Shed was rebuilt and blacktopped.

• The hydrants on the transmission line were flushed to provide clear water to

customers on the transmission line. The last time they had been flushed was

in 1978.

• Ben Hannel was appointed Acting Superintendent.

1995

• Purchase of two new trucks for the Public Works Dept.

• New control panel was purchased for the South Main lift station.

1996

• New control panel installed in September at the water plant -first phase, second phase installed in December 1996 at Oxville.

• Richard Dixon retired after 15 years of service.

1997

• Ricky G. Hearin appointed Superintendent on January 17, 1997. • New meter replacement (Read –O-Matic) program started in the Village. • Fire Hydrant maintenance program started in the Village.

• Fire Hydrants on the transmission line were marked and painted. • Water Tower inspected by Liquid Engineering, Inc. diving team.

• New sign at Godfrey Park. • Distribution Valve Maintenance Program started.

1998

• Surge protector installed at Oxville plant for protection against

the damage of electrical surges.

• New utility billing software system installed.

• New control panels were installed at the wells.

• Water plant was painted.

1999

• High surface pump motor replaced for the first time.

• Water tower painting project underway.

• Backhoe purchased for Public Works Dept.

• Well testing started.

2000

• January 2000 we started looking for property to locate a new

treatment plant on. After many options were explored, it was the decided to locate

the plant on property owned by Helen Dawson (10 acres) located at the top of

“Oxville Hill”.

• The Village has been diligently looking for a good water supply. Seven test holes

to date have been drilled at various locations.

• Large storm hit on May 26th that did a lot of damage to trees. Village crews

worked for 3 days with the assistance of the work camp to clean up from the

storm.

• Twin Oaks Subdivision storm sewer project began.

• 3 - ton dump truck was repainted. And purchased a

new 2000 Ford one-ton truck and a used 20 ft. flat bed

trailer.

• A new self - contained salt spreader was purchased and was mounted on the

1982 flatbed truck.

2001

• West Vandalia storm sewer project was completed.

• The Village is still trying to get a new water system built.

• New radio read system started for meter readings on the transmission line.

• Prairie Land Heritage Museum installs new water main.

• Southbrooke Road was widened 3 feet in July 2001.

• Leaf pickup program continues in the Village the month of November.

• Sidewalk Program continues.

2002

• Ground breaking ceremony for new water treatment plant.

• Flooding Spring 2002.

• Bid opening for new water project was held July 11, 2002. Division A - Pipe

lines and wells was awarded to Petersburg Plumbing in the amount of

$874,056.08 and Division B - awarded to Laverdiere Construction in Macomb

in the amount of $1,395,287.

• EPA low interest loan for the water plant was accepted on October 10, 2002

in the amount of $2525,884.

• 2000 ft of sewer line video taping was done.

• East Vandalia repair project .

2003

• Work continues on the new water plant. On September 24, 2003 the new plant

was started on a test run.

• Hydrant flushing and valve exercising programs continue.

• Division A - Wells & Transmission line progress continues.

• August 20, 2003 Supt. Ricky Hearin turns the valve to let the water from the

new well into our system.

2003 - continued

2003 - continued

2004

• In July, Rouland Construction got started on the new road off of Southbrooke Road called Birdsell Court. The sanitary sewer was put in first, then the water pipe, hydrants and valves were next. The storm sewer was last. Birdsell Court is

the new location for the Econolodge and it is expected to open by Spring 2005. • Sequoia Drive had 550 ft south off of West Vandalia. This goes to the new

firehouse.

2005

• Ben Hannel retired after 17 years of service. • Lead & Copper sampling year. This sampling is required by the EPA to be done

every 3 years.

• The Oxville loop line up Hill Crest Lane was completed in October.

• Sewer main was installed along the east side of South Main.

• Sidewalk replacement program continues.

2006

• The Play for All Park was started in October, 2006.

• Culvert & rock bridge was installed for the sidewalk by the cinema on Minor Dr.

2006 - Continued

• New roof at the Hardin Lift Station.

• Relining of manholes.

• Purchase of a new portable generator.

• High surface tanks at Oxville were power washed.

2007

2007 - continued

2007 - continued

2007 - continued

2008

• Water tower pressure washed.

• Fire hydrant flushing continues with

fire hydrant replacement.

• Tree planted in Play for All Park in

memory of Wyatt Crews.

2008 - continued

• Gateway to Godfrey Park dedicated September 7, 2008.

Gate donated by the Jumper Family.

• Work on the parking lot at Godfrey Park continues.

• John Green appointed Public Works Superintendent April 4, 2008.

2009

• The Village along with stimulus money (ARA) and MFT money we were able

to resurface East Vandalia & South Main all the way to the east side of the

railroad tracks at a cost of $350,000.

• The annual Village cleanup was done in June in conjunction with the city of

Jacksonville.

• September 20, 2009 we had 5 inches of rain in 3 hours. This caused a lot of

flooding in the Village.

• November was the annual leaf pickup program.

• Manhole lining program continues.

• Curb & sidewalk replacement programs continue.

2010

• Large snow storms early 2010.

• Minor Drive sanitary sewer extension project.

• Sidewalk & curb replacement program still continues on.

• Heavy, heavy rains in 2010.

• Sidewalk & curb replacement program continues.

• Fire damages water plant October 7, 2010.

• Fire hydrant replacement program continues.

• 1st “Concert in the Cornfield” preparation work continues.

2010 - continued

2010 - continued

2011

• Minor Drive Sanitary Sewer extension finally complete.

• 40 ft x 40 ft section of road replaced on Southland Park Drive.

• Hydrant flushing & valve exercising program continues.

• 2011 MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) maintenance program completed.

• 2nd “Concert in the Cornfield” and Centennial Celebration preparation is

underway. Large crowd expected in the Village…….We will be ready!

Happy 100th Birthday South Jacksonville…It has been an honor and privilege to serve the resi-

dents of this wonderful community.

John Green, Superintendent

Danny Wynn Public Works Department Jerry Chaudoin

Joe Culpepper Linda Douglass Tom McCarthy

Officer/Chief Orlia E. Thomas, 1961

The first uniformed, full-time policeman with a 1959 black and white Plymouth which was the first police car for the Village of South Jacksonville.

Orlia E. Thomas was appointed Village Marshall on February 1, 1967 at a salary of $525 per month. The most remarkable thing about Marshall Thomas is that he also worked in the Street and Water Department as well as serving as Marshall. Later, Thomas was appointed to Chief of Police and eventually retired on October 1, 1975.

Chief Richard A. Evans

Richard Evans was hired by South Jacksonville Police Department as a Patrolman on January 1, 1974. In June 1977, he was promoted to Lieutenant. On January 22, 1981, he was appointed as Chief of Police, and he still serves today.

Chief Richard Dennis

The second Police Chief in the Village was Richard E. Dennis. He was first appointed Deputy Marshall on June 1, 1972 at a salary of $525 per month. On July 1, 1975, his title was changed to Patrolman with a monthly salary of $709. On October 2, 1975, he was appointed Chief of Police at a salary of $725 per month. On January 22, 1981, he resigned his position with the Police Department.

South Jacksonville Police Department

By Police Chief Richard Evans

The Only Three Police Chiefs

In The History Of The Village

South Jacksonville Police Department—1986 (from left to right)

Richard Evans, Chief

Billy Hickox Rich Pulling

Brad McElfresh Bruce Smith

South Jacksonville Police Department 2010

(from left to right)

Barb Deornellas, Data Entry Jill Van Giesen, Administrative Assistant

Greg Lowe, Patrolman Paul Large, Sergeant

Brian Wilson, Patrolman Tim Mann, Patrolman

Rob Headen, Patrolman Richard Evans, Police Chief Mike Broaddus, Patrolman Donnie McIntire, Patrolman Mike Robinson, Patrolman

Rich Pulling, Patrolman Sami Pinkerton, Office Assistant

South Jacksonville Police Department—2000 (from left to right)

Richard Evans, Police Chief

Doug Howard, Patrolman Rick Howard, Patrolman

Kathy Simpson, Administrative Assistant Barb Deornellas—Data Entry

Martin Coad—Patrolman Paul Large—Sergeant

Brandon Retherford—Patrolman Mark Lane—Patrolman Rich Pulling—Patrolman

On April 21, 1987, McGruff made his first appearance in South Jacksonville before an assembly of 400 students at South Jacksonville Elementary School. Television, radio, & newspaper personnel were present to cover this special event which was made possible through a partnership between Laborer’s Home Senior Citizen’s Council and the South Jacksonville Police Department. Money raised from garage and bake sales, raffles, and craft fairs established the South Jacksonville Drug Enforcement fund for McGruff.

The McGruff Program provides numerous appearances of McGruff the Crime Dog at public functions, such as parades, school and scout groups, and day-care centers. Child Safety Programs include promotional materials purchased by the Department for the audiences, such as McGruff coloring books, pencils, and rulers.

Major funding for the McGruff program is provided by the Annual McGruff Golf Tournament. 2011 marked the 18th year for the Annual McGruff Golf Tournament. In the past 18 years, the golf tournaments have raised over $90,000.00 for the McGruff program.

~ McGruff the Crime Dog ~

~ McGruff Golf Tournament ~

The South Jacksonville Police Department assists with several events throughout the year. Each year, the South Jacksonville Police Department provides officers to handle calls during the annual Prairieland Heritage Museum Fall Festival and Steam Show, the 4th of July Celebration at Nichols Park, and the Village Celebration.

~ Special Events ~

Ptl. Tim Mann talks with children as he works at a

special event.

Cindy Beddingfield gets the McGruff booth ready for the

Village Celebration.

Ptl. Donnie McIntire pauses for a picture

while working at the Prairieland Steam

Show.

Ptl. Chris Dawdy & Ptl. Rob Headen work a

detail at the Carson & Barnes Circus.

Ptl. Rich Pulling at the Carson & Barnes Circus.

Ptl. Mike Broaddus dresses up as Superman

for the Village Celebration.

The South Jacksonville Police Department provides the McGruff Impaired Driver Simulator Program at various locations including driver’s education classes at area High Schools, programs at MacMurray College and Illinois College, and various other programs and events.

This program has been ongoing since July 1999 and has been extremely popular with driver’s education classes and the general public. This was first sponsored by Sheriff Jim Robson and the Wild Game Association members, Danny Brooks and Ed Elias.

Officers also teach students wearing the fatal vision goggles on the side-effects of being impaired.

~ DUI Simulator ~

Tasers were introduced as non-lethal weapons to be used by police to subdue fleeing, belligerent, or potentially dangerous subjects, often when what they consider to be a more lethal weapon (such as a firearm) would have otherwise been used. The Taser fires two small dart-like electrodes, which stay connected to the main unit by conductive wire as they are propelled by small compressed nitrogen charges. Tasers also provide a safety benefit to police officers as they have a greater deployment range than batons, pepper spray or empty hand techniques. This allows police to maintain a safe distance.

~ Tasers ~

Chief Richard Evans—Taser Training

Ptl. Tim Mann—Taser Training

Ptl. Brian Wilson—Taser Training

Ptl. Mike Broaddus—Taser Training

Ptl. Rob Headen—Taser Training

South Jacksonville Police Department and the Village purchased a trailer in 2007 which was previously used in New Orleans for people who had lost their homes as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

The trailer is used as an Emergency Operations Trailer at various events where our Department assists.

~ Command Post ~

~ Ice Storm ~ On December 9, 2007, Morgan County experienced a devastating ice storm. This generated numerous calls for assistance from the Police Department.

August 1971—Marshall Thomas’ salary was increased by $50.00 per month.

1971—Accidents in the Village were reported to be good compared with the National figures.

April 1972—An ad was put in the newspaper for a Deputy Marshall.

May 1972—The Police Committee selected Richard Dennis for the position of Deputy Marshall at a salary of $520.00 per month.

August 1972—Marvin McCready was not able to return to the job as crossing guard do to ill health.

August 1972—John Evans, Leo Campbell, and Pat Scroggin were deputized to act as school crossing guards.

November 1972—Orville Mullens was hired as School Crossing Guard at a salary of $140 per month on a 12 month basis.

December 1972—A portable walkie-talkie was purchased for the Deputy Marshall.

March 1973—A Ra-Gun radar unit which could be held in the hand was purchased.

December 1973—The Police Committee recommended to the Board to hire Richard Evans as Patrolman at a salary of $550.00 per month.

January 1, 1974—Richard Evans was hired as Patrolman with the Police Department.

February 1974—The Police Department received new badges.

June 1974—Cameras were purchased for each police car.

October 1974—Riot guns were recently purchased for the Department.

March 1975—The Police Committee is discussing hiring a fourth policeman.

April 1975—The Police Committee selected William Markillie Jr. as a new Patrolman at a salary of $575.00 per month.

1974—The Police Department reported 834 calls.

July 1975—The Village Board approved the purchase of a manual Royal typewriter for the Police Department for $129.95.

October 1, 1975—Orlia Thomas resigned as Police Chief.

November 1975—The Police Department will enforce the new Ordinance that cats must not be loose.

December 1975—The Village Board voted to provide complete uniforms for the Police Department including guns.

1975—The Department reported 713 calls.

April 1976—The Department sponsored its first bicycle safety program where they inspected and registered the bicycles.

July 1976—A bid for a new police car at a cost of $4,262.00 was accepted.

September 1976—The Village Board sold their animal tranquilizer gun since it was no longer needed.

June 1977—Chief Dennis promoted Ptl. Richard Evans to the rank of Lieutenant.

August 1977—The Police Department Committee discussed that the 911 emergency communication system would be installed in the next 12 months.

September 1977—The Village Board directed the Police Department to start writing tickets for dogs and cats running at large.

November 1977—The Police Committee met with the Jacksonville Police Chief to discuss communications and policies of the Village joining their communication system.

March 1978—There was a sign placed on South Main Street indicating that the Police Department was on Dewey Drive.

March 2, 1978—The Police Committee recommended to the Village Board that the South Jacksonville Police Department join communications with the City of Jacksonville and in turn would patrol Nichols Park.

April 1978—The Police Department received approval to wear dark blue shirts instead of light blue.

June 1978—The Village Board authorized the Police Department to put their phone number of their squad cars.

November 1978—Police Chief Richard Dennis reported that the system was hooked up for the 911 emergency telephone system and it was now working.

1978—There were 1,619 reported calls to the Police Department.

September 1979—The Village approved the purchase of two moving radar units.

September 1979—A new traffic flow program was established around South Jacksonville School during opening and closing of school.

April 1980—The Village Board discussed the ongoing problems of cats and dogs running loose in the Village.

May 1980—The Department received approval to distribute brochures on how the 911 system works to each resident in the Village.

July 1980—The Police Committee discussed with the County to form a County-wide animal control.

1980—There were 1,734 reported calls to the Police Department.

January 1981—Police Chief Richard Dennis submitted his resignation to the Village Board.

January 22, 1981—Richard Evans was appointed as Chief of Police.

1981—There were 2,619 reported calls to the Police Department.

February 1982—The Police Committee authorized future police officers to attend 400 hours of training from a local police academy.

April 1982—The Police Committee reported that Mr. Mullens, a 10 year employee as school crossing guard in the Police Department, would be retiring.

April 1982—There was a motion to allow police officers to also be firemen with the Fire Department.

1983—There were 3,034 reported calls to the Police Department.

February 1984—Police Chief Evans met with Warden McGinnis of the Jacksonville Correctional Facility and discussed handing out brochures to Village residents regarding the new prison.

March 1985—The Village Board voted to pay over-time to the Police Department.

April 4, 1985—Ptl. Rich Pulling was hired in the Police Department at a salary of $5.00 per hour and he still remains as a part-time police officer today.

April 1985—The Police Department received a grant from the State of Illinois from a program called I Search that would help fingerprint children in case they were missing.

1985—There were 3,574 reported calls to the Police Department.

March 1986—Chief Evans attends a conference on Missing Children in Chicago which was paid for by the I Search Program.

March 20, 1986—Chief Evans presented an Emergency & Disaster Plan for the Village as required by the State.

May 1987—The Department purchased a new squad car.

June 1987—Work was completed adding additional space to Police Department.

March 1988—MADD purchased two preliminary breath testing devices for the Department.

July 1988—The Department received a donation from the estate of Alta Decker in the amount of $12,775.00

September 1988—Five portable radios were purchased that were compatible with Jacksonville Police Department.

December 1988—The Department purchased seven bullet proof vests.

January 1989—The Department purchased a new police car.

June 1989—The Department purchased a new computer.

December 7, 1989—Chief Evans graduated from the DARE Program. He was the first officer in Morgan County to complete the class with local 6th graders.

1989—A part-time secretary was added to the Police Department.

May 1990—Two portable breath testing devices were donated from MADD.

1990—An in-car video camera was purchased with a donation from MADD.

1990—The Department received a $1,000 donation from the FOP Lodge to buy equipment for the office and squad cars.

1990—The McGruff program sold stuffed dogs, t-shirts, and sweatshirts to raise money to continue the success of the program.

January 1990—The Department purchased a new police car.

March 1990—An agreement was signed with the City of Jacksonville on the 911 system as a requirement of the Illinois Commerce Commission.

April 1990—Chief Evans attended the newly formed 911 committee for the new 911 enhanced system.

August 1990—The Police Department received an award from the Illinois Coalition for Safety Belt Use. A plaque was presented to Chief Evans at a conference in Chicago by the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority.

November 1990—Chief Evans was appointed by Mayor Hazelrigg to the newly formed 911 Board.

1991—The Department contracted with the Law Enforcement Television Network (LETN) to provide video training for its police officers via satellite hooked directly to the Police Department.

October 1991—The Police Department received the Friend of Education Award from the Jacksonville Educational Association for the McGruff Program.

December 1991—Remodeling of the Police Department was completed and has improved the operation of the Department.

January 1992—Chief Evans was elected Vice-President of the Central Illinois Chiefs Association.

April 1992—The Police Department along with Jacksonville hosted the Illinois Chiefs Association meeting.

July 2, 1992—At the Board meeting, George Murphy reported on a recent trip he and Chief Evans had taken to Washington D.C. in recognition of Sobriety Checkpoint Campaign sponsored by MADD and Nationwide Insurance.

July 1992—The Police Department received a new in-car video camera which was donated by MADD.

October 1992—The Police Department received a grant of $400 from the Central Illinois Police Chiefs Association for training.

March 18, 1993—At the Board meeting, Chief Evans recognized individuals for their work with the McGruff program. Those recognized were: Jordy Gotschall, Garry Thomas, Bill Buchanan, Bill Dreher, J.R. Heady, Don Hazelrigg, Lt. Steve Poole, Tom Holliday, John Gotschall, Tim Dresing, Dan Kindred, and Jim Aggertt.

August 1993—The Police Department received two new in-car video cameras which were donated by MADD.

August 1993—The Police Department received approval to purchase the new ALERTS (Area-wide Enforcement Radio Terminal System).

October 1993—Chief Evans has been elected to the position of Chairman of the Crime Prevention Commission Mobile Team Unit #10.

October 21, 1993—Chief Evans was recognized by Village President Hazelrigg for being elected to the position of Chairman of Crime Prevention Commission Mobile Team Unit #10 which covers Cass, Logan, Menard, Morgan, Sangamon, & Scott Counties.

December 1993—The Police Department received a grant to purchase two portable breath testing instruments.

1994—The Police Department purchased a new computer and printer. With this purchase, the Department now has two computer stations which can be used for word processing or accessing databases.

1994—The Police Department acquired a storage room within the Department.

1995—The Department received a three year COPS (Community Oriented Policing Service) Grant for salaries and benefits for a police officer.

On May 22, 1996—The first neighborhood watch group for the Police Department held a formal meeting. The neighborhood watch became a popular program during that year.

1997—Bicycle Patrol was added to the Department. Ptl. Sean Walker was the first officer trained and equipped with a Trek bicycle. The bicycle patrol began routinely in Labor Drive and Nichols Park area and assisted Jacksonville Police Department during Cruise Night.

1997— The Department was enlarged to accommodate small group meetings with an interview and interrogation room. The office was re-painted carpeted and a counter for a new computer workstation was installed.

1997—The Department had its first internet provider and its first webpage with its electronic address at sjpd@csj.net.

1997—The local MADD chapter purchased a new in-car video camera for the Department.

1997—The Department received a block grant in the amount of $20,000 for upgrading in-car communication with the installation of laptop computers.

July 31, 1997—Village Celebration held at Dewey Park, the temperature reached 100 degrees.

1998—The Police Department added new workstation computers which enabled the Department to run its records management system with the Jacksonville Police Department.

1999—The Department received six laptop computers from a grant from the State of Illinois.

1999—The Department received a grant from the Federal government to buy nine bullet proof vests for our officers.

1999—The Police Department attended a dedication at the new Williamson Funeral Home on Lincoln Avenue where they honored law enforcement with a memorial plaque.

December 2, 1999—The Department officers received a millennium badge.

2000—The Police Department received a grant from Illinois Department of Transportation for a crime prevention trailer to use for the McGruff program and Driving Simulator program.

2000—The Police Department sponsored the seatbelt convincer which is a demonstration of a low impact accident while the seatbelt is in use. This demonstration was co-sponsored by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

May 2001— The Police Department utilized the Greene County Boot Camp to clean Department vehicles.

July 2002—Ptl. Adam Potter was presented with the Department’s Special Award during the annual Illinois State Police Awards Ceremony. Ptl. Potter was recognized for assisting ISP District 9 resuscitate a victim who had no pulse and was not breathing.

2002—The Department, along with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department and Morgan County Health Department, received a community safety grant in the amount of $121,300.00. It was a pilot program with the Illinois Department of Transportation to identify special problems in communities and hire back police officers for those tasks.

2003—Ptl. Rich Pulling received special recognition and the credit for saving the life of Howard H. Smith. Ptl. Pulling found Mr. Smith unresponsive in his smoke-filled Labor Drive apartment. Ptl. Pulling removed him from the apartment and immediately began life-saving actions which Mr. Smith received a full-recovery from.

2003—A new webpage was created and maintained by Ptl. Mike Robinson.

2003—Ptl. Tim Mann was trained by the Department of Transportation as a child safety seat officer. This enabled Ptl. Mann to instruct parents on the proper installation of carseats in cars.

2003—The Police Department received second place in the Illinois Traffic Safety Chiefs Challenge award contest for municipalities with 10 or less police officers. This program honored Departments with traffic safety measures above and beyond other departments.

2003—The Department participated in a pilot program with the regional institute for community policing. The program was titled “It’s Your Call”. The officers were given scenarios in police ethics and a detailed narrative was formed for training purposes for small police departments.

2004—Ptl. Jason Bryant was credited with saving the life of John Dundon by jumping into Lake Morgan at Nichols Park after Dundon had driven his pick-up truck off the roadway and into the Lake. Mr. Dundon could not swim and Ptl. Bryant noticed that the pick-up truck was slowly sinking. Ptl. Bryant pulled Mr. Dundon from the water to safety.

2005—The South Jacksonville Police Department received a check for $10,000.00 from the Regional Institute for Community Policing for preparing an Emergency Operations Plan as a model for small communities in Illinois.

2005—The Department received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to purchase new body armor for all of its officers. The vests that the Department were using were deemed unsafe for officers to be wearing.

September 2005— A Homeland Security Grant was awarded in the amount of $15,000.00 for security updates within the Police Department, such as installing keypad entry systems and video cameras (inside and outside the building).

2006—The Police Department discovered the remains of its first meth lab in the Village of South Jacksonville.

March 2006—The Department received a grant from Homeland Security for security equipment at Village Hall.

2006—The first year the Village recognized the FOP as a collective bargaining unit for the Police Department.

November 2, 2006—The contract with FOP was ratified.

2006—The Village became a partner with the Morgan County Animal Control.

2007—The Police Department discovered a portable meth lab in the Village.

2007—The Department purchased a new golf cart to be used for DUI Simulator demonstrations.

2007—The Department presented a program and staged a fake bank robbery at the Bank of South Jacksonville.

2008—Ptl. Tyler Mansfield completed his Taser training and certification.

November 2008—The Department purchased two new in-car video cameras.

January 1, 2009—Chief Evans celebrated his 25th year with the South Jacksonville Police Department

September 2009—The Police Department provided officers to handle calls during Prairieland’s 40th Annual Steam Show & Fall Festival.

September 2009—After heavy rainfall, numerous areas were flooded especially the southwest portion of the Village.

May 2009—Ptl. Chris McClenning attends Mobile Field Force training in Springfield.

August 2009—Ptl. Chris McClenning attends the Commemoration of Flight 93 ceremony at the Jacksonville Municipal Building.

October 29, 2009—A biological contamination drill was held with the Police and Fire Departments.

September 11, 2010—The Police Department provided security for the Concert in the Cornfield which was held in the Village.

April 1, 2010—Ptl. Mike Broaddus was honored for his work with the “Help Sophie Smile” fundraiser.

April 4, 2010—An active meth lab was discovered in the 1700 block of South East.

October 2010—The Police Department provided assistance with the Kelly Miller Circus which was held at Prairieland hosted by the South Jacksonville Fire Department.

September 2010—The Police Department received a grant from the University Of Illinois Center for Public Safety and Justice, Institute of Government and Public Affairs for $6,000 to put together a meth awareness program for small communities. A committee which was formed for the education and awareness of methamphetamine in small municipalities was funded by this grant along with a video which was produced.

We saw our nation in utter distress.

We saw our nation in utter turmoil.

We saw our nation abruptly attacked

on our very own soil.

How could we be so trusting

and still fight the ongoing terror?

How can we ever trust again

without the smallest margin of error?

Mourning has blanketed our countryside

from coast to coast.

And it is the innocent lives lost

that touches our hearts most.

This is the time for the ultimate test

of our courage, strength, and pride.

This is the time to open the windows

and take a deep look at humankind.

We cannot forget those

who have battled for our freedom in the past.

And we must make a stand now

to assure our freedom will continue to last.

~ September 11, 2001 ~

History of South Jacksonville School

by Jane W. Murgatroyd

(Article believed to have been completed in the early 1950’s)

Fourth graders who entered the new school when it

was opened in September, 1949, will not remember

the old sprawling building that has now been

converted into the Ranch House Restaurant.

Mr. George Harney was a first grader there in 1878,

where he remained for the next eight years. The

original school had burned sometime before he

entered first grade. He doesn’t remember when it

burned, but he does remember that until the new

one-room school house was built, classes were held

in the old Story house. The original school was a

block north of Mr. Harney’s “new” school.

Prominent families in the village were the Hacketts

and Joneses, who lived on South Main; the

Dresbachs, who built the old Masters house (where

the Secrist Drive-In now stands) and ran a clothing

store on the Jacksonville Square. The Masons ran a

jewelry store on South Main and lived on the

corner of Greenwood east of West Street. The

Heinls, built a home on West Greenwood and a

greenhouse just west of their home in 1870. The

John Goltra family lived in a big house which is

today the third house south of Greenwood. It

should be understood that at this time the streets

now known as Greenwood and Pennsylvania were

still farm land, owned by Mr. Goltra.

The new one-room school opened in 1875, taught

by Professor Anderson. In 1879 a primary room was

added on the south side and a married couple,

Professor and Mrs. J. S. Hake, became the teachers.

In 1881, Miss Mary Lane became a teacher and

resided in the old Sibert place on West Vandalia

Road.

In the early 1890’s, the school was taught by

Professor Gilbert and Professor Sheehan. In 1893,

Chauncey Carter, who 54 years later became a

director of the Community Consolidated School in

South Jacksonville, entered as a first-grader. During

his eight years there, he was taught by Professor

Higgins, Minnie Anderson, Hattie Seibert, and Anna

McCullough.

The oldest living teacher in the Village, Mr. Henry

Reid, taught from 1910 to 1914. Preceding him, he

says Charlie Boson was head of the school from

1905-1910.

Teaching requirements in the late 1800's were

much different from what they are today. A person

who had completed the eighth grade, or what was

then called "common school education" was eligible

for a second-grade certificate and could teach.

However, in order to continue teaching, the

teacher had to renew his certificate each year by

taking an annual examination. Mr. Reid, not content

with a second-grade certificate, enrolled at Whipple

Academy, where he took courses in zoology,

physiology, botany, and physics. Thus he became

the possessor of a first-grade certificate, which was

good without renewal for two years. In 1902 Mr.

Reid built a home on west Greenwood Avenue,

where he has lived ever since.

Following Mr. Reid, Burley Jones became head of

the school in 1914 and served until 1922. With him,

Miss Ethel Sooy (now Mrs. Carpenter) taught the

primary room. This room had not been used

consistently through the years, as the fluctuating

enrollment of the school made a primary extension

necessary only at times. Frank Trusdale followed

Burley Jones, serving for one year, 1922-1923. Miss

Laura Young, a native of the village, took Miss

Sooy's place in the primary room and taught until

the spring of 1926.

In the summer of 1923 a third room for

intermediate grades was added to the schoolhouse.

Miss Conlee became teacher of this room, and Miss

Lela Ash became teacher of the upper grades, sixth,

seventh, and eighth. So it may be observed that for

a period of fifty years many teachers figured in the

history or the village school. A few are still well

remembered, but most of these are only names

today, without further identity.

Then a new era began for South Jacksonville. It

should be explained here that though we have been

using the name South Jacksonville School, it was

familiarly known as the Maple Grove School.

However, because it was frequently confused with

another Maple Grove School located south of

Jacksonville, the term South Jacksonville School

became increasingly widespread, until today few

people remember that the school ever went by

another name.

In 1925 the writer of this article, Jane Wright (now

Mrs. Lewis Murgatroyd) became head of the school.

To facilitate writing, I shall hereafter tell my story in

first person.

To me, the Maple Grove School was just another

school in the county. Then in the spring of 1925 Mr.

Herbert Vasconcellos, the county superintendent,

came to see me at Sherman School, north of

Jacksonville, where I was teaching. He asked me to

take the Maple Grove school the coming year and

was very frank to tell me it had acquired a

considerable reputation not only for roughness and

disorder among the students but also for constant

rivalry among the adults. Feeling that this offer was

a challenge, I accepted the contract from the

directors. They were Mr. A. J. Barber, Charlie

Caldwell, end Ralph Crabtree.

As soon as I began my teaching, in the fall, I

discovered what I thought were the sources of the

trouble, namely, that there was nothing for the

children to do to amuse themselves and that the

parents were divided into factions, the east and the

west, each faction wanting to control the village. I

saw that my problem was twofold: to provide

constructive recreational outlets for the pupils and

to unite their parents so that all of them would work

toward the same worthwhile goals. With these aims

before me, I began my long-range program.

The most immediate need of the school was

discipline. I made a point of participating in the

pupils' activities on the playground. We played

together out there and continued our cooperation

in the classroom. For the most part, that was all that

was needed. When an occasional disciplinary

problem arose, I dealt with it individually, and

thereby incurred the displeasure of some of the

parents, as a matter of fact, some of the very parents

who had been instrumental in bringing me there to

make the pupils mind. Because I continued to insist

on good discipline, a very small group of parents

became so highly offended that they decided to get

rid of me.

Their strategy was meant to be subtle. At this time

the directors had $10,000 in the bank with which

we had planned to build a gymnasium. Unwilling to

admit their real reason for wanting to dismiss me,

they argued that if I were retained, South

Jacksonville would have to build not only a new

gymnasium, but also a new school. Meanwhile I

went about my business of doing what I could for

the children.

Public opinion did not favor using any of the

district's money to provide something for the

children to play with. So we decided to make our

own money. First, I organized the P.T.A. in order to

get the backing of the parents. With parents and

children all helping, we put on a carnival, which

netted us about $100. Several hundred dollars more

were earned for our program when the P.T.A.,

under the presidency of Mrs. Ben Lurton, sponsored

a burgoo and athletic meet which became an

annual affair. With our funds we made an outside

basketball court and baseball diamond and

purchased the necessary athletic equipment. Also,

we bought playground equipment for the small

children and a piano for the school.

Several results were the outcome of all these

activities. For one thing, the common interests of

the P.T.A. brought the two factions of east and west

together, so that by the time the school election

rolled around, the great majority of parents

indicated at the polls their belief, which I had

always held, that children who can play successfully

together on the playground can work constructively

together in the schoolroom. From that time on, my

discipline problem was negligible.

The pupils profited in many ways from their athletic

program. It was so set up that everyone had a

chance to participate in the athletic activities, both

boys and girls. Our curriculum included tennis,

volleyball, basketball, track, baseball, later soft ball

and even croquet. The enthusiasm of the children

carried over to their families, to the extent that

shortly I had more offers of assistance in our athletic

program than I could use. Children, parents, and

even outsiders came to help and encourage us.

We began to participate in county, district, and

state athletic meets. Competition among the pupils

for a place on the varsity teams ran high. The

children knew that if they were the best, they would

be selected to represent their school, and that if

they were not the best, no matter who they were or

how influential their parents were in the village,

they would not be chosen for the varsity. By best

was meant not only athletic skill but also good be-

havior and a standard of school work that measured

up to the best of their individual capacities.

South Jacksonville School has an athletic record to

be proud of. We have won numerous blue ribbons

in local and state competitions. People of the

Jacksonville community shared our pride in the

records of many boys who began their athletic

training at the village school. Jerry Barber, who was

captain of our basketball team in 1930, is today a

nationally known golf pro. Johnny Orr, who was

captain of the winning Taylorville team when it

went to the state tournament in his senior year,

credits South Jacksonville School with his later

success in athletics. Following graduation from high

school, Johnny went into professional basketball,

and for several years has played with the St. Louis

Bombers. Ron Kemp, who helped us win many

trophies, started his basketball and track training at

South Jacksonville and went on to become one of

the outstanding all-time athletes at J. H. S. Dickie

Barnes, Bob Reeve, Charley Johnson, Russel Cole,

Frank Reeve, and Darrell Fry were all great track

men.

These names are readily recognized by the local

public and many of them by a much wider public. If

time permitted, I could name many others from the

school who have made good athletically. But I shall

mention only one more boy, not because his name

is famous, nor because he commercialized in

athletics, but because he, above all the others I

have known and worked with, represents the

highest values of an athletic school program. Briefly,

let me tell you his story.

On the first day of February, 1933, a frail, timid

unhappy little boy entered the sixth grade of our

school. A victim of polio depending upon a heavy

brace and a crutch to support his crippled leg, the

child took his place in the classroom with diffidence

and apprehension. His desire to be one of the gang

was obvious from the beginning, but he was afraid

to play with the other children, and his parents,

fearful that any sort of physical activity might he

injurious to him, did their best to guard against play

activities.

To get his mind off himself, I put him into a corner

of the playground with a basketball. Whenever I

had time, I would go out there, and we would

practice pitching the ball back and forth and

bouncing it to each other. By fall, he had overcome

his fear of playing with other children, and before

the year was over he had actually done some play-

ing on the team. In the eighth grade, he made an

incredible performance. He won a place on the

varsity basketball team, which played games that

season throughout central Illinois. At the state

sectional basketball tournament, he was picked as a

guard on the all-star team.

Two years ago (1946), I visited this boy, Harold

Ballard, who owns and manages a promising

upholstery shop in Pomona, California. In addition

to his business, he acts as instructor in night classes

in adult education. The evening I was there, Harold

and his wife entertained me overnight in their

attractive mountain home As I looked at this

delightful family, I felt a satisfaction beyond anything

else I have ever known. Mentally, I could not help

comparing this healthy, happy young husband with

the shy, sensitive little crippled boy who only

eighteen years before had felt that there was

nothing much ahead for him in life.

In the late 1930's we began our hot lunch program

on a simple scale. Because so many of the children

were undernourished, our P.T.A. decided to

provide a warm lunch every noon. At this time

there was no outside financial assistance for such a

program. The mothers took turns bringing food,

cooking it, and helping serve it. gradually, the

general health of the children improved, and gains

in weight were noticeable. In 1941, the W. P. A.

provided us with two cooks, and in 1943 we

benefited from the federal and state legislation

granting a school-lunch subsidy to public schools.

In my teaching, I have always endeavored to

correlate all academic subjects and all

extracurricular activities. Therefore, our hot-lunch

program became as important in our educational

program as athletics, arithmetic, and other subjects.

In health, we planned a balanced meal; in art, we

drew pictures illustrating proper foods and good

table manners, and we planned appropriate de-

corations for special occasions; in arithmetic, we

studied practical problems of expenses, and the

children had some experience in shopping and

paying bills; in conservation, we organized the

"clean plate" club. To belong, a child had to clean

up his plate. Names of members were posted and

were checked off whenever a child failed to eat all

the food on his plate. There was no rule compelling

any child to belong to the club, and I must say that I

was constantly amazed at the number of those who

worked to stay on the club roll. Even today former

students still come back to thank me for the clean-

plate club, which taught them to eat voluntarily,

and to like, whatever was put on their plates. In

1939 Boy Scout Troop 113 moved their meetings

from the State Hospital Grounds to South

Jacksonville School.

Among other activities of the P.T.A. were the Scout

organizations. In 1942 the P.T.A. began sponsoring

the Boy Scouts. This was followed by sponsorship of

the Girl Scouts and later of the Cub Scouts. Some of

the community leaders in scouting were Mrs. Manly

Birdsong, president of the P.T.A. in 1942, who

worked so faithfully to win the support of the P.T.A.

Others who were leaders in the scouting program

were John Heggarty, Les Steelman, Russell

Rawlings and many others.

For years I, along with many others in the village,

had become increasingly aware of the need of an

adequate, modern school building for South

Jacksonville. But because a new school would sub-

stantially increase the tax rate, there was much

opposition. To those of us supporting the idea of a

new school, the cause seemed hopeless. Then the

state passed a law abolishing all rural schools below

a certain minimum enrollment. The result of this

legislation was that in 1947 four districts--Strawn's

Grove, Buckhorn, Routt, and Narrows--consolidated

with South Jacksonville. In 1948 Hickory Grove,

Mound, and Prairie College were added to the

consolidation. In 1948-1949 school units continued

to be conducted at Mound and Prairie College.

Pupils from all the other schools came to South

Jacksonville School, which was more than

overcrowded. But by dividing two of our classrooms

and by making a small classroom in the basement,

we were able to struggle through the year. The

thing that buoyed us up was the fact that at last our

dream of a new school was about to become a

reality.

One of the most unforgettable moments of my life

occurred when on November 23rd

of 1948, I stuck

a spade in the ground and turned over the first

shovelful of dirt in the excavation of the new school.

In the fall of 1949, community Consolidated grade

School District #2 was officially opened in South

Jacksonville.

As far back as the beginning of our consolidation I

had reported to the Board of Directors that I did not

want to head the new school. I had seen the old

Maple Grove of 1925 change into a well-known,

progressive school. I was proud of our school, but I

felt that the time had come for me to turn over its

administration to someone else. I had decided that

from now on, I could render the greatest service in

the classroom. In 1949, J. Merle Wade became the

new superintendent.

The credit for making South Jacksonville School

what it is today belongs to many people: to the

pupils and their parents, who through the years

gave the school

their devoted

support; to the

P.T.A., which

was always

willing and

ready to do

whatever it

could to help; to

the loyal,

overworked

teachers, who

contributed so

much of their

1948 Jane Murgatroyd turning over the first spade of dirt for the new

South Jacksonville School.

time and effort to the school program; to the Boards

of Directors, who have shouldered so much

responsibility; and to the innumerable other friends,

who have given assistance in countless other ways.

On July 1, 1953, another new era commences for

South Jacksonville School. At that time it will

become a part of the Jacksonville school system.

This merger comes about as a result of the

considered approval of a majority of residents of the

consolidated school district.

7-26-76 Jacksonville Journal Courier. Larger wagon: Eliza Turner and Jane Wright Murgatroyd, standing are Ruth Cox Hoagland and Dorothy L. Cox. Children are Ann Marie Deen, Tammy Garner, and Pam Deen. Below are Village Cyclery entries for parade being

held by Wayne White and Lance Gardner.

Undated picture of South

teachers & students.

These students of South Jacksonville Elementary School posed for their picture about 1920. The picture was loaned to the

Jacksonville Journal Courier by Earl Walters. Students include front row left to right: Roberta Jones, Paul Burch, Harry Beastall,

—, Henry Clark, —-, Beatrice Smith, Harry Summers, Nelson Crozier, Keith Godfrey, Harry Henderson, —-, Truman Reynolds,

Paul Carter, George Taylor, Hazel Thompson, Vernon Stocker, Orville Massey, —-, Evelyn Sutton, Ruth Reynolds, —-. Kneeling

left to right: —-, Martha Curtis, Virginia Godfrey, Lambert Beastall, Russell Curtis, John Curtis, Henry Arenze, Jess Carter,

Raymond Virgin, Robert Taylor, Eula Caldwell, Violet Crozier, Lucille Barnhardt, —-. Second row seated: Beatrice Sutton, Irene

Crozier, Stella Massey, —-, Martha Jones, Thelma Arenze, Lucile Melton, Verna Stocker, Mary Clark, —-, Wayne Jarrett, Robert

Taylor, Gerald Crabtree, Jan Parks, Ralph Beastall, —-, —-, Earl Crabtree, Lloyd Massey, Bruce Thomson, Margaritte Sutton,

Bernice Virgin, Curtis Stocker, Robert Coultas, George Miller. Back Row: Teachers Laura Young and Mrs. Conlee Helen

Thomson, Ruth Lumsden, —-, Helen Massey, —-, Freida Lewis, Adelia Morton, Mary Ellen Walters, Hazel Massey, Elizabeth

Lewis, Katherine Lewis, —-, Blanche Jarret, Fred Massey, Earl Walters, Maurice Reid, Frank Walters, Walter Massey, Burleigh

Jones, principal. Ray Taylor, Orville Dalton, Ralph Crozier, and Forest Devore.

POPULAR SONGS - REMEMBER THESE? Some Hit Songs from 1946-1956 The Gypsy-- Ink Spots (also Dinah Shore) Heartaches-- Ted Weems Buttons and Bows-- Dinah Shore (RIGHT) Riders In the Sky-- Vaughn Monroe The Tennessee Waltz-- Patti Page Goodnight, Irene-- Weavers Vaya Con Dios-- Les Paul & Mary Ford Little Things Mean a Lot-- Kitty Kallen Rock Around the Clock-- Bill Haley & His Comets Sixteen Tons-- Tennessee Ernie Ford Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing-- Four Aces The Yellow Rose of Texas-- Mitch Miller Don’t Be Cruel/Hound Dog-- Elvis Presley Heartbreak Hotel-- Elvis Presley Some Hit Songs 1957 - 1967 All Shook Up-- Elvis Presley Love Letters In the Sand-- Pat Boone

Jailhouse Rock-- Elvis Presley (LEFT) Elvis had 140 top 40 hits and 18 #1 songs. He recorded from 1954-1977. Nicknamed “the King”, his gyrations while singing caused many teenagers to scream and their parents to object.

At the Hop-- Danny & the Juniors The Purple People Eater-- Sheb Wooley Mack the Knife-- Bobby Darin The Battle of New Orleans-- Johnny Horton Big Bad John-- Jimmy Dean I Can’t Stop Loving You-- Ray Charles Big Girls Don’t Cry-- Four Seasons Sugar Shack-- Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs He’s So Fine—Chiffons Satisfaction-- Rolling Stones I Want to Hold Your Hand & Yesterday—Beatles I’m a Believer-- Monkees The Ballad of the Green Berets-- S/Sgt. B. Sadler The Twist – Chubby Checker Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – Rolling Stones Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Some Hit Songs from 1968 - 1978 Hey Jude-- Beatles (RIGHT) The Beatles had 15 #1 hits in their 1,278 weeks on the top 40 charts. They recorded from 1962 until their last album “Let It Be” in 1970. I Heard It Through the Grapevine-- Marvin Gaye Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In-- Fifth Dimension In the Year 2525-- Zager & Evans Bridge Over Troubled Water—Simon/Garfunkel Joy to the World-- Three Dog Night Maggie May-- Rod Stewart The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face—R. Flack Alone Again (Naturally)-- Gilbert O’Sullivan Killing Me Softly with His Song-- Roberta Flack You Light Up My Life-- Debby Boone Some Hit Songs from 1979-1989 My Sharona-- The Knack Lady-- Kenny Rogers Physical-- Olivia Newton-John (RIGHT) Bette Davis Eyes-- Kim Carnes I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll-- Joan Jett & the Blackhearts Eye of the Tiger—Survivor Every Breath You Take-- Police Billie Jean-- Michael Jackson We Are The World-- USA for Africa That’s What Friends Are For-- Dionne & Friends Walk Like an Egyptian—Bangles Livin’ On a Prayer-- Bon Jovi Every Rose Has Its Thorn—Poison Some Hit Songs from 1990 – 2000 Nothing Compares 2 U-- Sinead O’Connor End of the Road-- Boyz II Men Livin' La Vida Loca-Ricky Martin Dreamlover-- Mariah Carey That’s the Way Love Goes-- Janet Jackson Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)-- Los Del Rio One Sweet Day-- Mariah Carey Candle in the Wind-Elton John The Boy Is Mine--Brandy & Monica You're Still the One-- Shania Twain (RIGHT) Jump-- Kris Kross I Do It for You-- Bryan Adams Breathe-- Faith Hill

In 1969, a group interested in preserving antique farm machinery and steam engines met in Jacksonville, Illinois, to discuss presenting to the public a show of long forgotten machinery. An antique farm machinery museum was established at the Morgan County Fairgrounds From 1970-75 the first Prairie Land Steam Show was held at the fairgrounds during the Morgan County Fair. In 1973 Prairie Land Heritage Museum Institute was chartered by the State of Illinois. The first officers were Pat Kenny, president; William Rees, first vice president; Arthur Kent, second vice president; Clifford Upchurch, third vice president; Elva McMahan, secretary; and Russell Winter, treasurer. By 1974, due to lack of space, the ninety-six members talked with state officials to obtain Illinois-owned property for expansion. In 1975 Prairie Land Heritage Museum secured a lease on 180 acres from the State for 17 acres of this land is located at the corner of Lincoln and West Michigan Avenues. Also in 1975 a real steam locomotive driven train was purchased from New Salem State Park near Petersburg. It consisted of an engine, passenger cars, depot, water tower and about one mile of track. The Steam Show was held at the former State Hospital property at Main and Michigan in 1976. The 1978 show had an added attractions, the miniature steam engine driven train actually ran for the first time. The addition of the train rides became one of the main attractions for the young and the young at heart. From 1978 to 1980 many major projects were completed, including 3 buildings totaling 13,600 square feet of space and new water lines were installed. In 1987 and 1988, the west end of the barn was remodeled into a hamburger stand. Like the bean kitchen, this is a project of the Ladies Auxiliary. In 1987 another 120 by 40 foot building was built to house the stationary engines. In 1989 electricity was buried through the center of the flea market area to accommodate the ever-expanding village of sales people. The steam cooked ham and beans are still the best around and the sorghum made from cane grown right on the grounds is still the sweetest around. In 1984. George Waters stated, "When you can stick your finger in it without getting burned, it's done." He was referring to the sorghum. The largest flea market in downstate Illinois keeps growing. Items available range from tractor parts, handcrafted furnishings, antiques, to pure junk. A tour of the grounds will show you threshing, plowing, baling, log sawing, sorghum making, blacksmithing, quilting, rug weaving and many other varieties of crafts and demonstrations.

HERTZBERG NEW METHOD

Hertzberg-New Method Bindery opened at 617 East

Vandalia, South Jacksonville, Illinois on June 17th,

1954. In the mid 1960's Hertzberg-New Method

began a new division of reinforced paperback

books that would become known as Perma-Bound

Books, and thus started the line of products that

schools and libraries nationwide view as, "the

strongest books you can buy." Perma-Bound, a

division of Hertzberg-New Method Inc. has been a

leader in the book rebinding industry for over 46

years. With about 500 employees, Hertzberg is the

third largest employer in the Jacksonville area.

Hertzberg Perma-Bound won the 2009 Hometown

Pride Award. Pictured below are front of building

and addition to their building.

Village Flag was designed by Kathy Simpson for opening of Godfrey “Play for All” park in 2007.

PRAIRIELAND

HERITAGE

MUSEUM

by Linda Berry

Left: McGruff & Chief Evans present $1,000 donation to “Play for All” representatives Barb Baker & Jim Burke.

My Memories of South Jacksonville . . .

Please share your “Memories” with us! Memories can be mailed to Village Hall, 301 Dewey, South

Jacksonville, Illinois 62650 or emailed to memories@southjacksonville.org – they will be put on our

website for everyone to enjoy!

My Memories of South Jacksonville . . .

Please share your “Memories” with us! Memories can be mailed to Village Hall, 301 Dewey, South

Jacksonville, Illinois 62650 or emailed to memories@southjacksonville.org – they will be put on our

website for everyone to enjoy!

My Memories of South Jacksonville . . .

Please share your “Memories” with us! Memories can be mailed to Village Hall, 301 Dewey, South

Jacksonville, Illinois 62650 or emailed to memories@southjacksonville.org – they will be put on our

website for everyone to enjoy!