Published: November 03, 2008 10:23 pm      

Hoopeston approves 4-way stop

HOOPESTON — The city council unanimously approved a four-way stop to be placed on the corners of Seminary Avenue and Seventh Street and Honeywell Avenue and Seventh Street Monday night.

The stop signs were in response to area residents’ pleas following the death of 12-year old Colby Haskins on Oct. 19, due to injuries he received from a vehicle-bicycle accident that occurred Sept. 26 on the corner of Seminary and Seventh.

Steve Eyrich, who lives on the corner of Seminary and Seventh, thanked the council for seeing the need for the stop signs and adding that Seventh Street has been the “eastside expressway” for many years. He said many accidents have occurred since he has lived there.

“It is something that has needed to be done,” Eyrich said.

In other business, aldermen:

--Heard Alderman Ed Lotz say he had received calls concerning animal control. The problem, explained Lotz, is that the animal control officer works full-time and is on call after work and weekends.

Since the veterinary office closed, Hoopeston does not have a facility to house animals at this time and all animals must be taken to Danville. They are presently working on a solution to the problem.

Edith Shoemaker told the council that she has been dealing with problem cats for over a year and nothing has been done. Now she is dealing with other people’s dogs.

“I think a year is a long enough time to get control of the issue,” said Shoemaker.

Lotz explained that the problem was obtaining a facility to house the animals and a license to house them had to be purchased, which is quite expensive.

“This is your problem, not mine,” Shoemaker said. “I think this issue should be solved now.”

--Purchased a new ambulance from Horton of Illinois in Manteno for $133,786. Funds for the purchase will be taken from the accrual fund. The city would have the option of selling the old ambulance or using it as a trade-in, according to Alderman Brandon Hamilton.

--Learned that 40 students had signed up for the Mayor’s Youth Council and the first meeting will be Sunday.

--Learned that Dana Goodrum, economic development director, received one bid for updating the fire warning system and was waiting for a second bid.

The warning signal on the Willdon Building will be updated, she said. Other warning systems will have location changes in order to best serve the public in an emergency, following Emergency Management Agency’s analysis of Hoopeston’s warning system.

Lotz said that if the city gets rid of the Willdon Building, another location for that alarm system will be needed.



WHAT’S NEXT

The Hoopeston City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Hoopeston Municipal Building, 301 W. Main St.