Monday, December 03, 2007

City showcases new ambulance shed

Monday, December 03, 2007 - Posted 6:03:58 PM by Editor


Members of Minonk's Ambulance Squad pose in the new ambulance shed.  From the left is Janet Danbury, Ambulance Chief Deborah West, Michael Willis, Rhonda White, and Bruce Fischer.

The Minonk City Council held its bi-weekly meeting at the new ambulance shed on Jefferson Street.  Ambulance Chief Deborah West thanked the council for providing the newly refurbished ambulance quarters saying, "this brought the Minonk Ambulance Squad into the 21st century." West said that they now have the space and facilities needed to do adequate training for the squad which means not having to travel to Pontiac for training.  West said that the ambulance squad has 23 dedicated volunteers who deserve the modern facilities that the new ambulance shed provides.

Public Works Supervisor Charlie McGuire thanked Dave Block of Town & Country Construction for doing a great job in converting the former City storage shed into an up-to-date ambulance shed.

Mayor Bill Koos said that the ambulance shed project started 6 years ago and has been a worthwhile project.  The Mayor said that the new facility allows more training which is essential to keeping the EMTs properly trained to meet today's standards.  Koos said that the squad has kept their training up and they have demonstrated passion and commitment to their  cause.

Koos said that some departments now located in City Hall will be moved to the recently purchased SMF building at the north end of town.  In response to those critics complaining about the City spending money extravagantly, he mentioned that the City's cash balance has improved from $947,616 in September 2003 to $1,872,377 in September of this year.

Food Pantry needs more space

Cathy Hamer, a volunteer for the Food Pantry, said that they have been forced to turn down free food because of a lack of storage space and facilities.  Hamer said that the Food Pantry has been able to get free frozen food from Bloomington but are unable to store it because there is no freezer.  She added that to handle frozen food it is necessary to have running water and a sink to help break up the frozen food so it can be distributed. 

Hamer said the number of families utilizing the Food Pantry has increased to over 100 from an average of 45 to 50.  She said the average now is around 75 families.  She added that families from Dana and Rutland are also now coming to the Food Pantry.  She expects the number of families to increase as the economy starts to decline.  The Pantry currently has 7 volunteers and 2 drivers who transport people to and from the Food Pantry.

According to Hamer, the Food Pantry will need a 50% increase in space to handle the additional space needed for storage including the addition of a freezer, sink, and prep table.  She says that they are going to try to get a grant to help fund the need for more space.

Alderman Brian Petersen said that the City should coordinate this matter with the Township Board as they are responsible for the Food Pantry's functions.   Alderman Sean Cunningham said that money to fund any expansion will have to be put into next year's budget before anything can be done.  Mayor Koos said that the City will contact the Minonk Township Board and discuss the matter with them.
                        Viewer comments on this article

We all know wrote on 12/9/2007 at 12:08:17

The people that are up at the board meeting complaining are not taken serious.

mrx wrote on 12/8/2007 at 15:31:21

for "Opinion w/ no name?" Where's your name??????

Opinion w/ no name? wrote on 12/8/2007 at 04:16:22

You don't vote? You shouldn't complain! You don't go to the board meetings? You won't be taken seriously!

Food pantry wrote on 12/6/2007 at 08:41:48

may be the responsibility of the township, however, is it not already located on the back of city hall?? so how hard could it possibly be to let them have the old ambulance lounge as well???

Think! wrote on 12/5/2007 at 12:09:06

There are so many things wrong with some of these comments. Think before you type, and read what you wrote before you submit. To "helllooooo??," so you don't have to pull out your dictionary, I will provide you with the definition of "extravagant" - "spending much more than is necessary or wise; wasteful." At what point is it wasteful to help out other people by providing the necessary equipment for the wonderful volunteers to do their job by providing families with food that may otherwise not eat anything? I completely concur with "Just Wondering." It is an interesting detail that figures were not given from last year or even the year before. Until we know where the city sat financially in more recent years, we can't really estimate if money has been wasted, but we can attest to the fact that there has been much waste in other areas.

helllooooo?? wrote on 12/5/2007 at 04:32:02

What's the difference between giving the food pantry the old ambulance lounge and garage space and spending "extravagently"?

helloooo2 wrote on 12/4/2007 at 16:24:21

i believe the writers were trying to express their desire that the city indeed help out the food pantry and the township because of the importance it represents to the people of minonk, your rant that the food pantry is the responsiblity of the township is unwarranted and counter productive!everyone knows what taxing body maintains the food pantry! and the other writers are only stating what the mayor said concerning the budget and criticism he has received, which is apparent by looking at the quotes, now if thats not what he meant, then he should not of said it?

helloooo?? wrote on 12/4/2007 at 13:57:42

Is anybody listening before they cry? The food pantry is the responsibility of the township. The City has nothing to do with it, thus no resposibility to facilitate anything. These are two seperate taxing bodies. I'll bet if the City was asked by the proper entity about space or help, they would oblige as much as possible for the citizens of Minonk. As for the "surplus". The City has accumulated funds through proper budgeting and spending habits, plain and simple. "Extravagant" spending does not result in a "surplus" of funds. Proper budgeting and spending, however, does allow the City to maintain and manage sufficient operating funds for when that "down turn" comes.

idea wrote on 12/3/2007 at 20:06:37

Now that the ambulance has moved out of the city building, why not give their lounge and garage space to the pantry?? I hope the council does this before spending money on yet another building!

food pantry wrote on 12/4/2007 at 05:47:27

i totally agree on them needing more space. Can't they take up what use to be the ambulance lounge there at city hall??

Surplus wrote on 12/4/2007 at 04:44:59

With the mayor comments about having a surplus of money that has doubled, this still doesn't make it okay to waste money and lie to the public. Telling us your buying a building for something and not using it. Big deal Minonk has 1.8 million what is there to offer the citizens. A school system that is moments away from bankruptcy. We have roads and sewers that flood and back up every time it rains. Our best park doesn't even belong to the city. Minonk has lost 2 food production factories, a hardware store, a recycling facility and numerous other businesses in the last 10 years. Better watch bragging about your little surplus, there is a down turn coming that can go fast.

Just wondering? wrote on 12/4/2007 at 04:41:14

Koos stated: "In response to those critics complaining about the City spending money extravagantly, he mentioned that the City's cash balance has improved from $947,616 in September 2003 to $1,872,377 in September of this year." .....so is Koos saying that because the city has more money, they are justified in spending it "extravagantly"?......also, why are his cash figures over a 4 year period? what are the figures compared to last year? im not "complaining" or being critical, im just wondering?

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