PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit #250 Dwight, IL 60420 ** ECRWSS ** Local Customer IT’S FREE! Volume 22 • Number 43 Proudly serving the area since 1999 Wednesday, October 21, 2020 October is Dwight to Increase Fines for Breast Cancer Awareness month Parking/Ordinance Violations - Read pages 4 and 5 to learn more - October 13 Board of Trustee Actions by Madelyn Fogarty on the south side of the street in said Mayor Anderson. “Wish - The [email protected] pthe same aerea from 2-hrour ing the best of luck to them.” parking to non-restricted park - Village Administrator Kevin pages - Pages 8-9 today - The Village of Dwight will ing. McNamara reported that D Senior Living be increasing its standard ordi - An Ordinance Committee Construction has been back in nance fines, and parking of - discussion on mobile food ven - the village doing some finish - fense fines will also be dors was also reviewed follow - ing work on village streets. increasing, following the ap - ing inquiries about village Also, Superior Excavating will proval of recommendations regulations regarding mobile be coming back to reseed grass Gardner Village Board Briefs from the Ordinance, Judicial food vendors. The committee in areas on W James Street and Licensing Committee dur - has begun review of proposed where recent work was com - by Don Phillips ing the October 13 session of changes to Chapter 17 of the pleted. Dwight’s Board of Trustees. Dwight Municipal Code re - With fall underway and The Gardner Village Board After review of an updated garding Canvassers, Solicitors winter peeking around the cor - met in regular session October village fine rate schedule, it and Peddlers. After a review of ner, McNamara noted that 12, opening their regular busi - was agreed that the standard the City of Morris’ regulations, bagged fall leaf and yard waste ness with a recognition of Vil - fine penalty for ordinance vio - and talking with Livingston pickup will continue through lage Treasurer Sheryl lations will double with in - County Health Department re - November along with McDaniel. McDaniel is retiring creased fines as follows: garding county guidelines, sug - brush/branch pickup. from the village after serving • First Offense - $100 plus gested locations would be the In her DEA business re - for over 25 years. all costs village owned lot downtown on port, Jane Anderson noted the The board gave final ap - • Second Offense - $200 East Chippewa, Renfrew Park, recent ribbon cutting ceremony proval to the all-town cleanup plus all costs Lions Lake, and possibly Gar - that took place to mark the re - to be held on November 2. The • Third Offense - $300 plus rett Park. Proposed hours of op - opening of the Old Route 66 board originally considered all costs eration in village parks could Restaurant, echoing “amazing” November 9, but moved the Fines for parking offenses be from dawn to dusk, and 6 as her description of the newly date away from the recycling will also increase to $25, $50 a.m. to 10 p.m. at other loca - renovated business. Plans for day on the 9th. and $75 per first, second and tions, seven days a week. The Christmas activities sponsored Mayor Mike Serena re - third offense with no reduction various suggestions will be by the DEA, such as the Christ - ported the donated Micro Village of Gardner, Treasurer, Sheryl McDaniel, is retiring for early payment. Other vil - compiled and reviewed at a fu - mas parade, are still undeter - Pantry will be installed at the from the village after serving for over 25 years. Mayor Mike lage fine rate revisions were ture Ordinance Committee mined due to COVID Gardner Fire Department, after Serena recognized her at the business meeting October 12. approved, including littering in meeting. restrictions. Anderson indicated receiving approval from the public parks increasing to $500 In other business, a pro - the group will be meeting soon Fire Protection District. tower and related improve - funding available, such as Safe per offense to coincide with posal for a three-year contract to discuss and make decisions Village Engineer Casey Mc - ments. Commissioner Erik Routes to Schools. State standards. extension with auditor and ac - regarding Christmas events. Collom advised the board the Smith commented he had been The official ordinance(s) counting firm, Mack and Asso - DEA weekly Facebook trivia foundation work is expected to driving through the village and Mayor Serena reminded res - outlining these increases and ciates, P.C., was also approved contests continue with winners begin for the new water tower feels the streets are in good idents Trick or Treat hours will changes is expected to be voted by the board. The contract ex - receiving gift cards to local before the end of October. condition. He stated he would be October 31, between 3:00- on and approved at the Dwight tension begins with FY21 and businesses. Lastly, it was noted Mayor Mike Serena asked for like to address sidewalks as a 6:00 p.m. Mayor Serena pre - Village Board’s October 26 runs through FY23. that a group is being put to - motions to remove future project. Mayor Serena sented door hangers to allow session. In reports to the board, gether to work on getting a Planning/Zoning Officer & suggested repairs to Washing - residents to indicate they are Five “2-hour Parking” spots Mayor Jared Anderson ex - business incubator running. Building Inspector Dean ton Street, between 53 and the not participating in Trick or will be added to the north side tended congratulations to the The DEA is hoping to use Rankovich and appoint Dan railroad tracks, the street near Treat. The postings will be of West Main Street, on the Ahmedi family, owners of the space in its new location on Babcock to fill the position. the Gardner Garage, and Jack - available free of charge at the west end, following a request Old Route 66 Family Restau - East Main Street for a business Mayor Serena commented the son Street near Route 53. Com - village hall. Serena stressed from business owners in that rant in Dwight, which recently incubator which is an economic appointments and removals are missioner Hileman inquired on residents wear masks and fol - area and board approval. The 2- reopened following major ren - development tool offering made at the Mayor’s discretion. cost and timing to allow him to low social distancing as much hour parking spots will be ovations, and thanked them for space for small business start - Commissioner Dick Hile - adjust CD’s accordingly. Vil - as possible. Any changes will added in conjunction with investing in Dwight. ups and early-stage businesses man reported on the movement lage Engineer McCollom com - be broadcast on WCSJ Radio, changing the designation of a “If you haven’t had a chance to grow, learn, and develop of funds to pay for the water mented there may be grant 103.1 FM. like amount of parking spaces to get out there, it is amazing,” (continued on page 2) Halloween Happenings - Saturday, October 31 In Odell, Trick-or-Treat practice protocols such as Dwight Herscher hours will be 4:30-7:30 p.m. wearing protective face cover - Dwight Village of Herscher’s will hold Trick-or- The • • • • • ings, social distancing, and Treat hours October 31, 3:00 - Halloween Trick-or-Treat hand-washing should be fol - Stop by the Odell Library 6:00 p.m. hours are 4:00-6:00 p.m. lowed. Candy collected during any time and pick up a treat A Halloween Candy Hunt trick-or-treating should not be bag for kids and choose a will be held in the backyard at Mazon eaten until after hand-washing. miniature pumpkin and some Heritage Health , E. Seminole From 4:00-7:00 p.m., Drivers are cautioned to use re - Halloween coloring pages or St., at 2:30 p.m., sharp, Satur - Mazon will host Trick-or-Treat duced speeds and extra caution word search fun. day, October 31. A parade hours. when driving during these If you return a colored pic - around the building, near the hours and watch for children ture, they will hang it up in the windows, will be held after - crossing streets. Everyone is re - window at the library to help wards. Masks must be worn. minded that trick-or-treating is celebrate Halloween. A Hallo-Drive-Ween – optional and everyone can The library will have these drive-through trick-or-treat – make their choice to participate Cullom items available until they run celebration will be held at New or not. The Village of Cullom will out, or until Friday, October Life Church , 903 S. Old Route hold its regular Trick-or-Treat 30. 66, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. South Wilmington hours between 3:00-6:00 p.m. – Saunemin Trick-or-Treat hours will with trick-or-treaters going to Gardner those participating households The Village of Saunemin run from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Gardner will host Trick-or- with their porch lights on. Si - will hold its Trick-or-Treat South Wilmington. Treat hours between 3:00-6:00 multaneously, a driveway trick- hours between 4:00-6:00 p.m. p.m. Odell or-treat option is also available. Saturday, October 31. All safe Page 2 Wednesday, October 21, 2020 The Paper FOR THE RECORD It’s History… Tickets Issued by Dwight Police October 14: Justin R. Leith - liter, improper lane usage; Jon L. Ficarra, driving 21-25 MPH above limit. Weekly Ambulance Runs October 15: Cheyenne K. by Dwight EMS Melesio, driving 15-20 MPH above limit. October 9: W. Main, med - ical, Morris; County Hwy.