Your article regarding your visit with Mary Paloumpis was very interesting! It brought to mind the special experience I had as a child of being able to attend her wedding in Peoria with my sister and parents. It made such an impression on me since it was so beautiful and different from any I had previously, or since, attended.

Thanks for all of your good work on "Minonk Talk".

We have not found addresses for Karen Schneider or Chuck Lynch as of 10-21-03. If you know their address, please contact Dawn Gaspardo at dgaspardo@flanagan.k12.il.us as soon as possible.

There are at least 21 classmates planning to attend at this time.

1.) The School districts financial problems and cutting extra curricular. This has been well publicized on this website and in local papers along with strong opinions about the issue. I for one, am a big supporter of extra curricular and sports in general. I played Football and went to all the Basketball & Baseball games when I was in High School. I now volunteer my time to coach Junior Football in the fall and help the High School program out when needed. Whether anyone in this community wants to admit it or not, extra curricular is part of education and growth as a person. Without that extra activity outside the classroom, what you have is kids feeling trapped, bored and no chance to socialize and express themselves. Also, not to mention the feeling of accomplishing something as a team, sportsmanship, strict discipline and hopefully respect for other players they are playing against. The most important thing sports in general brings to the table is teamwork ethic. Anyone who works in a somewhat big company would know that you have to know how to work in a team environment. That is how the industry is today. You work as a team not as individuals. I am sorry but you just can not get all that in a class room 6 hours a day 5 days a week with your head in the books. Don't get me wrong, I also think the class work, homework, and the true basics Reading, Writing and Arithmetic are very important and if not more important. However eliminating one throws off the balance of well rounded young individuals.

With all that said I feel as if the Committee that was formed by the School Council has a real tall task ahead of it but I am certain they will be able to succeed with idea's from the community. Some of the idea's I have voiced to several people is to come up with Organizations for the different extra curricular. Our JFL program is a non-profit organization that is very successful and one of the best in Central Illinois. The question I posed is run a Fall Sports Organization, Winter Sports Organization and a Spring Sports Organization. Each ran separately and each funds its own sports and other extra curricular. What I don't know at this point is if the IHSA can recognize these sports if ran from a separate non-profit organization other than the school. Another idea I have voiced is to hold a Casino Night or something along that lines that can raise money for extra curricular. After talking with different people that have ran this kind of event it raises quit a bit of money.

One thing that is certain and I feel strongly about it is that everyone in the school district especially Minonk need to ban together to get through this hard time. Rather than point fingers, blame certain people and complain about the past start offering solutions, donate time, money, or whatever to help the cause.

2.) My second concern involves just Minonk. I feel as if people in Minonk are so quick to complain about things, start controversy, or just not care about our town. My personal feeling is I love Minonk. I think it is a great community. I want to raise my (soon to be) kids here. That is why I am so involved with things within the town. It troubles me that over the past year I have seen more and more houses for sale in town. Two years ago you couldn't find a house for sale. Now I think I counted at one time around 35 houses for sale. If that is not a good sign of a community in trouble, I don't know what is. I have a few idea's of what is causing this. I am sure that the school's financial problems and cutting of extra curricular are a few big ones. Some people feel that there is not enough things offered in Minonk. In which I feel this is changing with the development of the Millennium Park, Suttons Park, and a future Miner's Trail going through town. I also strongly feel that people really don't feel any Pride in our town. Volunteerism is down and no one supports events that are put on in town or help with them. I knew by being on the 4th Of July Committee that we are in serious need of volunteers. We have a steady 9 or 10 person committee. Believe me, that is not enough to run a very successful event. It could be 10 times better every year if we had the help and support of the community. This would bring people into our town and then they could see what a nice community we have in Minonk. Same goes for all the other volunteerism that goes on from the Ambulance squad to the weekend help at the Parks with the construction that is going on in both areas. I just think more people need to become more involved within the community and make things better rather than finding things that are wrong with it and complaining about it. 3.) The third thing and last of my ramblings is I am concerned about publicizing problems in Minonk before they can be addressed. This is not a dig at this website in general it is for the community as a whole and all media outlets. I just wish if a concerned citizen has a problem or see something that should be addressed by the City it should be brought to there attention first so it can be addressed quickly and appropriately. The negative publicity is one of the worst things if we want people moving into a nice community. If they see all of this complaining and problems that need to be addressed who would want to move here. I am all for freedom of speech so I don't want anyone thinking I am not. I just think if there is a problem it needs to be escalated and delt with first and if anything is not done about it then it is fair game. That is just my take on it. I am just tired of people saying things such as "Toluca has no problems putting on a celebration." or "El Paso is a nice community and they have so much to offer.". You know what the difference is. Those communities have support from the businesses to the individuals that live in the communities. They take Pride in there Community and School. Everyone supports one another. I don't want to see the individuals that I know that are in there mid 20's to early 30's move out of town to the El Paso's or Bloomington- Normal's and leave where they grew up just because of no pride in the community or no support for the school. Without these people the community is dead in the water. I know my wife and I don't want to live in those communities I want to live in Minonk. I feel as if we have the individuals and businesses that can make this town into what it should be.

Eric Olson

My mother served on the squad for many, many years when I was little. I remember times that I was pulled out of bed in middle of night so she could answer to the call. She always seem to have it worked out to where I would go to a neighbors house so it was quicker for her to get to the ambulance shed. But there were times you would get the "ignorant" driver in front of you that just would not get out of the way so you could proceed to the shed. Then there were times we were short handed and would run with 2 a lot of times. But you know that call got answered.

There are a number of things you could do to help this situation, Mr. Rodseth... FIRST, don't criticize the one who did show up to help you! It was not his /her fault the rest of the crew was not there. I personally want to give my "applause" to that ONE E.M.T. for showing up at your residence by their self. That is wonderful, not knowing what they were gonna walk in on to treat ALONE!!!! SECOND, why not volunteer yourself if you are that concerned about having to keep El Paso Resque Services number for future refence.( they are always looking for help!) I know there has been many articles published telling all of us citizens about how short handed the squad is on help. THIRD.. I beleive you should contact the person from the Minonk squad that did show up to help you that day and " Thank" them, not run them into the ground for something they tried to do that day for YOU!!!! After all it has taken you 4 months to complain about this issue!!!!!

I do have high praise for the police deparment though. They were there with 3 minutes and kept me calm and comfortable while I waited for the Elpaso squad. Thank-you. At least somebody was doing there job right.

In conclusion if I were you I would sure keep Elpaso Rescue Unit on your list of emergency numbers. You will probably need it.

If the name 'The Golden Girls' sticks, others will be looking at some one like me with naturally white hair and start calling us The Silver Threads. We can't let this get out of hand. The picture title smacks of a Rush Limbaugh comment. I don't think we need an independent council set up to investigate. Why not call them The Wild Things or The Minors 55ers or The Rockeretts. Suggestions from anyone would be appreciated. If you see any of the five tell them how great it was to see their picture on MINONKTALK.

You can tell how they felt about all this because they ended by saying "Don t call us; we'll call you". Now I'm going to have to wait for the phone to ring.

Putting aside personal feelings regarding extra curricular activities, the question we, as Unit 6 citizens, need to ask is, "How can anyone decide what programs to cut when they do not have concrete figures as to what those programs cost?"

I admit, I have not been to as many School Board meetings as I should, but whenever I do, I leave feeling like I just talked to people our Superintendent blames the problem on - state and federal officials. Rarely is a direct answer given. It is much easier to skirt the issue and offer to meet with that person individually.

What's missing is accountability. We citizens want/need to know exactly what each program costs. Without that information, the Citizen's Advisory Committee is doomed for failure.

Those of us who want to save the school district will, believe me. What we want in return is an administration we can believe in; one that we trust is truly concerned about our students entire education experience and not another bullet point on someone's resume.

I sympathize with Mrs. Kalkwarf's disappointment in the Board of Education's decision to not fund extracurricular activities for the 2004-2005 school year. However, I feel there are some misconceptions about this Board decision that need to be clarified. The newly formed Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is just that, an advisory committee only. The members of the committee are the stakeholders in this process. They are the taxpayers, students and teachers of District 6. In other words, the Board is reaching out at the grass roots level to seek suggestions, ideas, options and advice on how to turn this situation around. All reasonable suggestions will be brought to the Board by a representative of the CAC for possible Board action. Ultimately the Board will make the tough calls.

Also, in response to Mrs. Kalkwarf's belief that a "referendum will not pass unless the administration has exhausted all options....." I offer this response for clarification. I, too, have heard the same comment from individuals in the Fieldcrest District. The Board has already cut fifteen positions from the Budget, raised fees across the Board, reduced administrative expenditures, slashed supplies and materials and curtailed capital outlay. While land values (EAV) have declined, what little commercial and residential development that has occurred has been scuttled by more severe decreases in land value (District 6 is 61% farmland) and the influence of tax increment financing districts more commonly referred to as TIFs.

The crux of the problem is that state revenues have sharply dropped off while expenditures have increased. The Illinois State Board of Education mandates rigid curricular guidelines. Unfortunately, non mandated activities and courses are not funded by state revenue. Extracurricular activities, advanced courses and other curriculum, such as agriculture are not mandated. In order to continue operating, District 6 must either cut programs or find new sources of revenues. Raising fees is only a short-term fix. Last year in order to make payroll, the Board issued $650,000 in tax anticipation warrants (TAWs) which means the District borrowed against this year's taxes. The District's payroll is $600,000 per month. That is for the Education Fund only. Another $350,000 in TAWs was also issued for the Building Fund, the District's second largest operating fund. Unfortunately, this is not the worst of it. In order to make ends meet this fiscal year (2003-2004) another $800,000 has to be found somewhere. This could be additional TAWs or Working Cash Bonds. The District started this fiscal year over $300,000 in debt in the Education Fund only; when you factor in borrowing the District is over $1,000,000 in debt. I can supply the specific figures to anyone who asks for them. A failed referendum last April asking for .90 cents would have stemmed the hemorrhaging of dollars, but the communities soundly defeated the proposition. District 6 will announce additional cuts by January, unfortunately the prospect of not touching sacred programs does not look good. At least $300,000 more in cuts will have to be made. Behind the scenes, the adminisration has released feasibility studies for consolidation with a nearby school district. District grade level configurations are also being studied. Co-oping sports and academics are other options being explored. And come this January the Board enters into negotiations with the Fieldcrest Education Association.

We are at the point of tumbling off the cliff onto the Financial Watch List. We are currently on the Financial Early Warning List. The next step is ceding local control to the State. The blame does not lie with the Board or the Administration, but lies squarely in the lap of our illustrious legislators and the administration in Washington, D.C. When you have a few hours, read the congressional record and see what our leaders in Washington DC are doing to our public schools. You would be sorely amazed! I could write for hours on the travesties that have visited upon our nation's public schools beginning with the White House, but we are now in Minonk, Illinois and have to figure a way to preserve our schools, the heart of our communities.

In closing, I understand assessed valuation of farm ground has dropped in value and our district is located in a predominately rural community, but we should remember that residential properties have continued to increase in value. I doubt this will continue if we do not have a good reason for families to move into or stay within our district.

I am 58 years old ,and I will have to move from this area, because I am scared that if anything happens to me I will not make it to proper help because of this lax of a rescue squad. I have lived here for almost three years and I am ready to go. I have also seen my water bill jump 4 times in totals. Have in mind I live alone, do not wash clothes and seem to use water sparingly because you can't drink it without getting sick to your stomach. A taxpaying citizen should not be afraid of his or her police protection, ambulance responses and drinking water prices.

Thanks,
Jessica Nichols

I am writing because I would like to respond to Mr. Rodseh's comments. Although it has been printed in the Woodford County Journal many times, apparently some people need to be reminded that the squad is a volunteer organization. I know this because my brother-in-law, and my sister-in-law are on the squad.

You would not believe how many of our family functions are interrupted because of an emergency. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law respond to these immediately, sometimes whether they are "on call" or not. They are quick because they live a very short distance from the shed. Other members have a little further to drive. Yes, I realize that there have been times that the ambulance can't "roll" as quickly as people think that it should. However, when you have a volunteer ambulance squad, I think you should be thankful that they are able to respond at all. How would you and your family feel when your life is always planned around being "on call?" A member can't leave town when "on call," and has to drop all activity when a call comes in, regardless if they are in the middle of something or not! Do you know how many times my young nieces are shuffled off at a '"pagers" notice to people who can babysit, so their parents can deal with your emergency? Do you know that there have even been times when I get a call that my nieces are sitting in their parents car at your residence because their parents drove there to help you, so I have to drive there from Rutland to get my nieces and take them home with me so you can be helped! Now, I don't wear a pager, so I wonder how many calls have been missed because ambulance members cannot find babysitters? And, since the city does not provide daycare for members' children, those who are lucky enough to find someone to take their kids at a "pagers" notice, would have to pay for them out of their own pockets.

People have busy lives, and what some members of this community aren't getting is that these members are NOT paid to be on call. This is NOT a job, but something that these people do to serve others. Other cities, like El Paso for instance, make it a priority to pay their ambulance members to be on call so they can assure that help is always available. The leaders of Minonk voted not to make this possible.(source:Woodford County Journal) People on the Ambulance Squad have to make a living too. They cannot sit around waiting for calls when they have to make money to support their families. Not everyone can work in town, and some who do cannot always leave their jobs. Therefore, whoever is available will answer calls. Did you know that some people on the squad have jobs that require them to work weekends? My family members do, and I also know that my family members would really love to having that "Monday through Friday 9-5 job," but that opportunity has not presented itself as of yet.

So, instead of criticizing a volunteer organization, Mr. Rodseh, you should contact your mayor and other town board members! Tell them that you want your tax dollars to support a full time staff! I do not know how much your taxes are, but apparently the leaders in your town don't think that they are high enough to allow them to hire a few full time Ambulance personnel. (Or maybe they don't think it is important enough, you should find out.) Then, after you contact the mayor and board members, why don't you contact a squad member and inquire about volunteering! I know that they are always in need of caring people, and it is obvious that you care, or you wouldn't have taken the time to voice an opinion. (and, four months after your emergency I might add.) Yes, Mr. Rodseh, go to a board meeting and voice your opinion! And, until you do, I think you should look further into situations before you start criticizing people!

In fact, many in this community should consider helping out as well. I challenge you to evaluate your schedules, and then, if you discover that you truly do not have the time to help; then be thankful that some people do, and don't criticize them. Remember, these people are taking time away from their families to help yours.

Christina Jenkins
relative of Ambulance members

As Dusty Baker said before the season started: "Why not us?" Heck yes, I think they can go all the way. I've been following the Cubs down here in Texas, watching the games on WGN, and reading about them on their web site and in the Tribune. Pitching! If it holds up, will win it for them...And, as a long-suffering Cub fan both in Illinois and now in Texas, I say "Let's Go Cubs!" The "Billygoat" curse has been lifted, so watch out Marlins!!!!

Thank you.

Thanks for the updates - I enjoy reading the Minonk website when I can!!

Speaking of the old administration, did they foresee this deficit happening? Were they aware of the cuts that would have to be made and were perhaps afraid to "rock the boat" and thereby suffer the wrath of the community? Maybe their time in office was short-lived and, therefore, they did not concern themselves with the economic future since they would be gone when the hammer dropped.

Maybe the answer would have been to start smaller cut-backs sooner, or maybe the fault should lie more with the meager funding the state is providing. Obviously, the citizens do not want a tax increase, so where is the answer? Do you have it? I don't have the solution, but it seems to me that anyone willing to take on this fiasco should have the support of the community. As for all you people out there that are so freely handing out the scorn, where would you make the cuts? Should we cut the curriculum, double the class size in order to eliminate teachers, dismiss all teachers aides, eliminate bus drivers, or maybe get rid of all maintenance and let the teachers do their work? These are pretty ridiculous suggestions, but if you have the answer, please apply for the superintendent's job - obviously you are smarter than Dr. Stagliano and you are over-qualified in your line of work!

The whole purpose of sending your child to school is that your child will learn. I expect that my child will learn to read, write, learn math, computers, science, and to work well with others. I do not send my child to school for extra curricular activity. I am a parent who invests time into my children, as it is first and foremost, my responsibility. My children have a rich experience with their extra curricular activities now. They are involved in church, 4-H, Scouts, matial arts, swimming, and we play sports in the summer! That is the key word: WE. The organizations that my children belong to are wonderful. I get involved as well, and my life is enriched in the process.

To say that kids will become vandals because they "don't have anything to do" is nonsense. Why is it the responsibility of the school to provide the kids with extra curricular activity? Where is your responsibilty as a parent? I am so tired of living in a "blameless society"- Wake up! It is each parents job to be responsible for their own children! Make the time to find organizations to get involved in with your kids. Spend more time with them. Vandalism WOULD be less if parents were more involved with their kids. Vandalism isn't created by 'boredom' -it is created by kids whose parents don't take the time. (time to teach their children morals, ethics, and values!)

If extra curricular activities are cut, we will surivive. I think it is time to examine just WHY you are sending your child to school. It is not realistic to think that your child will become the next Larry Bird, Deion Sanders, or Mark McGwire because they are in sports. Look at the statistics of our school thus far. It is, however, more realistic to expect that your child will become a community leaders, or even a world leader because of his/her education. I think it is more important that our students do well in their studies.

I am not against programs. I was in many extra-curricular activities in school and enjoyed them all. (Marching Band and Chorus were my favorites, and my experiences will always be remembered.) I sincerely wish that as my children grow older that they will have the opportunity to experience them as well; and I am willing to pay for them to be in these programs. I pay for their activities now.

I do not believe that cutting corners in education to fund extra programs should occur. If programs can be kept without losing teachers, then that is wonderful. If not, then by all means lose the programs. It is morally wrong to demand that taxpayers pay higher taxes so extra curricular activities can be funded. People on fixed incomes shouldn't have to pay higher taxes so kids can play sports. If a parent wants their child in extra programs, then that parent should network and find a way to support that.

I believe it is false to assume that people will not want to move into this community because we do not have sports. I think that most people place a higher value on what their child will be taught, rather than what they can play.

I, for one, feel it is much more important that my children attend a school where education and morality is valued most.