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Emails for September 2013
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Uptown Park | Park/Stage Proposal | downtown lots | Uptown Park | New Proposed Park | Good people in Minonk | Minonk Town Wide Garage Sale this Saturday | Mayor's downtown plan is excellent | Where is Minonk's nature trail | FHS Marching Knights raffling off blanket | Town-wide garage sale reminder |

Uptown Park

I have to say that I agree with many of the people that have voiced their opinions on the use of the fire site. I don't feel that what is proposed is going in the right direction. A mural sounds nice and would be visually pleasing to all. If the city wants this space to be user friendly, some trees and a few park benches would be great. Other than that it another park isn't needed in our town. We do have 4 parks already, as Keith Paris stated. We don't need another one. Some of Christine Cunningham's ideas were great in regards to putting money towards revitalizing some of the empty buildings we do have. There are plenty of other places tax payer money could go in our town. Let's use it wisely.

Jeanne Hawk


downtown lots

I think the city's main goal for the fire lots should be trying to bring business to them. A mural on the wall of the store would be nice and would still leave the lots available for development at a later date. The city has four parks already, if they want to do something then they could do work to suttons park to develop it and make it a nicer park.

Keith Paris


New Proposed Park

I'm wondering how much the new proposed park is going to cost?

Judy Marcoline


Minonk Town Wide Garage Sale this Saturday

Minonk's Town Wide Garage Sale is this Saturday, September 14 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. There are many, many items listed on the map. Thanks to all who participated and good luck with your sales. To view the map, click here.

Cathy McKay


Where is Minonk's nature trail

Hi Dave-

Where exactly is the nature trail? I think it would be nice if it's location was mentioned on Minonk Talk because most people I know don't even know where it is.

Thank you-
Rhonda White
Editor's reply: Minonk's nature trail starts at the north end of Minonk to the east of Burrough's Ag Service. It runs along the abandoned Illinois Central railroad tracks and leads out to the "Jumbo" 1/2 mile north of the city.

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Town-wide garage sale reminder

Just a reminder that the Town Wide Garage Sale is Saturday, September 14th from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. If you want to participate please print out the attachment or pick up a form from IGA or Minonk Community Bank. Please return the forms to me at 626 Locust Street or in the boxes at IGA or Minonk Community Bank. The deadline for filling out the form is Monday, Sept. 9th. After that time I will be emailing everyone a copy of the map of the sales and posting a copy on www.minonktalk.com

The sales are advertised in the following papers: The Woodford County Journal, and the Woodford Star; Streator Times Press; Toluca Star Herald; El Paso Journal and Craigslist. Each and every ad has a date / time of the sale and that the sales will be posted on this website for everyone to see.

Cathy McKay


Park/Stage Proposal

I am in agreement with Jack Marcoline on the proposed park/stage. I believe the proposal is based on the HOPE that it will be used, rather than practicality. I have discussed the topic, with another community member, to see if there was an interest in that group using the stage. I was told there was not an interest by that group, nor had anyone asked them if they would want to use it. The size of the size of the stage is not adequate to meet the needs of many groups, the lack of a backstage area is another issue, acoustics, lack of need, and unpredictable weather are just a few impracticalities. People nowadays, are accustomed to enjoying entertainment in climate controlled facilities. Trying to bring back memories of years gone by, isn't always forward progress. I do take pride in the history of Minonk. My husband has lived his whole life here. We have spent many years working on our "old" Victorian home, which has been a part of Minonk since 1896.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I am glad that this site offers a chance to do so. I agree that something should be done in that space but this is not the right thing to do with taxpayers money! I do like the idea of a mural painted on the wall. I think the money would be better spent on purchasing an existing building uptown that could be converted for community use and rented out (family gatherings, birthday parties, graduations, group meetings, vendor/craft shows, class reunions, etc).

Christin Cunningham


Uptown Park

Although I believe something should be done with the empty lot from the fire, I don't think spending $100,000 of the taxpayers money is the way to go. I think some grass, a few trees & some benches would be more than enough for a new park. The proposed public restrooms on the site doesn't seem feasible given the experiences the city has had with other park restrooms, such as vandalism & constant maintenance.

I believe the money could be better spent on other projects around town, like sidewalks, curbs & knocking down old, abandoned buildings.

Would city revenue be increased if fines were assessed to those who don't obey the city's ordinances? Abandoned buildings & unmaintained homes with their windows boarded, fences falling down, lawns not maintained, garbage & junk on front lawns & porches: this is what makes our town unattractive, not an empty lot uptown.

I hope the Minonk residents will let their representatives know how they feel about the current proposal.

Jack Marcoline

Editor's comment: Everyone knows that I am favor of developing Minonk's fire site with restrooms that will bring life back to downtown Minonk. I agree that Minonk citizens should express their opinion to their city representatives on developing the fire site.


Good people in Minonk

I would like to take this chance to thank a very special group of people. I had a lot of cleanup and hauling to do behind my building. After two back surgeries I was having a hard time getting it done alone. Aaron Palmore offered to help with the cleanup and haul things away. Last Sunday he showed up after work with his parents. I went home after letting him know what I needed done. Awhile later my best friend Barb called. She told me there was a small crew of people there and the lot was done. It made me cry to think this group of people cared enough to help someone without anyone asking. I want to thank Aaron and his family, Randy Ruestman, Christie Ruestman and her sister Cindy, Denny Kleen and anyone else that was there. This is just one example of why I've chose to live here in this small town rather than move back to Bloomington. I have met and made friends with some really wonderful people here but want to recognize these people in particular. Thank you all again for your kindness. People like you ARE RARE.
Thanks,

Nena Hamilton


Mayor's downtown plan is excellent

My thoughts on the open space in the middle of the park. The brick roads are part of Minonk's history, how about using the same kind of bricks in the open space?

Joan Weter


FHS Marching Knights raffling off blanket

The FHS Marching Knights will be raffling off this blanket at the September 14 home game. Raffle chances are $1.00 each.

Christy Kline