Off The Record

You have to wonder how long it took the Paxton Park District Board to figure this out? $2,500 in late fees doesn't accumulate overnight. What a brilliant/timely use of the taxpayer's dollars!

Following quote from the Paxton Record, October 28:

"The board approved a new policy allowing Administrative Assistant Beth Tabor to pay reoccuring bills, prior to approval at regular board meetings, so the bills can be paid by their due dates. The park district paid more than $2,500 in late fees waiting to get approval from the board for payment of monthly gas, telephone, Internet, trash pickup, accounting and other bills."

We asked in an entry a while back if anyone remembered the actual name of "The Green Front." The "Green Front" was called the Towne and Country. Dora Todd was running it when it burned. What year was that?

The vacant lots downtown we dubbed "The Green Front Memorial Park" are getting new sod. Is one of the lots privately owned? Either the Paxton Foundation or the Historical Society is paying for the sod. Isn't that private lot owner fortunate to have someone else paying to beautify their property? Is the same company who did the landscaping at the Federated Church doing the sod downtown?

If the solar powered street lights in the beautified downtown fail to light and there's no one left to see them, (all the businesses are closed and the buildings are empty because everyone moved away to find jobs) does it really matter?

The last week or so sure has been dreary and rainy. The sun has not parted the cloudy sky for days. Oh, my, guess what happened last night? A number of Pride in Paxton's solar powered street lights failed to light! Surprise!! These solar powered lights were manufactured by SEPCO of Stuart, FL. We're sure solar powered lights work wonders in Florida the "Sunshine State," however, we are in Illinois, land of many dreary days.

In these hard economic times, wouldn't Pride better serve the community by directing their efforts towards economic growth in the downtown? Our beautified downtown is populated by far too many vacant buildings. Beautification is frivolous when the state and local economies are so distressed. Save beautification for times of bounty.

The State of Illinois has unpaid bills piling up. It can't afford to be paying out frivolous grants.

Faithful diners make their annual voyage to rural Elliott Sunday Nov. 1st to The Pontoppidan Norwegian Supper. Many travel great distances to satisfy their cravings for "all you can eat" authentic Norse cuisine. The delicious dishes are skillfully, prepared by The Pont Members.