Minonk Talk editorial

December 31, 2001
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An ode to 2001

The new year began on a wing and a prayer,
With the start of Minonk Talk to make people aware,
Of the need to be informed and to become involved,
In order to help our community's problems to be solved.

The IGA was robbed of cigarettes by thieves soon caught,
The City settled a lawsuit with a former cop that was distraught,
And then when the City thought that everything was going swell,
Farnsworth and Wylie told us we had a contaminated well.

After months of treatment and $24,000 in pay,
The EPA said the bacteria had gone away,
Alas, the relief to the City was soon killed,
When Farnsworth said that a $400,00 well must be drilled.

To add to the City's woes the city administrator quit,
Unsupported by the new mayor, Mr. Cotter left in a snit,
Motel 6 opened for business with landscaping to please,
But the Shell Truck Stop is all litter and no trees.

A new doctor came to town, Dr. Batayola is her name,
And the Peoria to Chicago Highway never came,
Sauder Implement celebrated 50 years in town,
But the Minonk Bakery unfortunately shut down.

The city elections brought in a new council and mayor,
Spencer, Cunningham, Koos, and Fink will now do our favor,
The school board has new members we should be aware of,
Schmillen, Klieber, Barth, Bernardi, and McNamara.

A hail storm damaged many homes one April night,
Doing repair to roofs was the homeowners plight,
To get a carpenter you had to say pretty please,
And the Shell Truck Stop is still all litter and no trees.

Meanwhile, the city was making sure that the infrastructure was sound,
Adding a new sewer to East Eighth Street after many trees were downed,
Finding that the sewer on Maple Avenue is clogged with debris,
Another $240,000 is needed to make our sewers flow free.

But all was not business, there was plenty of time for fun,
Starting in June with the "Western Days' celebration,
Continued on with the Fourth of July gala we all remember,
Completed with the Parade of Lights in December.

Superintendent Capasso left to be replaced by Dr. Stagliano,
Father Henderson replaced Father Gilles who felt it was time to go;
City Administrator Trent Smith was hired and was immediately up to his knees,
And the Shell Truck Stop is still all litter and no trees.

The Millenium Committee proposed a Community Center that is real nice,
Complete with a swimming pool and a $2,500,000 price,
The committee applied for a $350,000 grant to get the project going,
The biggest question is how much the taxpayers will be owing.

The school district increased the tax levy,
To $4,496,838, an increase of 513,933,
Heavy July winds and rain downed cornstalks with ease,
And the Shell Truck Stop is still all litter and no trees.

Judy McNamara was convicted by a jury of her peers,
For slapping a student, the ordeal caused many tears,
And Sheriff Meyers resigned after being accused,
Strip joints are not a place for credit cards to be used.

Everyone was jolted by the terrorist attacks in September,
Seeing Air Force One fly over Minonk was a day we all will remember,
A ceremony at Veterans Park was held to bring us together,
To support those in need from this dastardly endeavor.

Water rates will increase by $20 per bill,
To pay off the new well and have money in the till,
The well is to be put in the park despite resident pleas,
And the Shell Truck Stop is still all litter and no trees.

A new pavilion for the city park was proposed,
Only to have opposition from those who wanted it hosed,
The council voted to give the WWI plaque away,
And contractors ignored a meeting to put in their say.

There were new businesses who put out their sign,
Lindley Mechanical Service, Third Base Tap, and Priced Right Pallets come to mind,
V. P. Circle bought the Greentree Pharmacy building with plans that are tall,
To put in an office for businesses and an antique mall.

The city council voted to give the parking lot away,
To the Dollar General Store who wanted it their way,
Uftring Motors has a new building at I-39,
The price of their lot was not as fine.

The MDR trophies were rescued from the bus barn,
From an uncaring administration that didn't give a darn,
Cleaned and restored, they are being given away,
To those who won them and will keep them from harms way.

The year has been eventful, full of good times and bad,
So have a happy new year and do not be sad,
For now we have a reason to be pleased,
The Shell Truck Stop is still all litter but now has trees.

To reply to this editorial please send your comments to duphoff@minonktalk.com. Only letters with a valid signed name will be published in the email section.