Gillespie, Illinois - Gillespie Today

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G i l l e s p i e Gillespie, Illinois - Macoupin County Illinois, - State of Illinois - United States Of America

F I N A L
Due to lack of public interest, this page will not have any further updates.

for current information for the City of Gillespie - contact Gillespie, IL. City Hall at 217-839-2919 - current information is not provided by the city for this website -

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March 2010
SAFETY ? Storm Damage A Tornado and Straight Line Winds Storm Damage shuts down Gillespie's Business District at approximately 11:30 PM May 13, 2009
A commercial building in the main part of the business district was severely damaged during the strom. Upon being examined by the Fire Department Chief, he condemned the building. On the second story, the back wall collapsed. An I-beam that supported the building snapped and caused the walls to begin sagging. A barricade fence was placed around the front area blocking the sidewalk and parking area immediately in front of the building.		In a short period of time the barricade was being moved and eventually was opened to allow pedestrian traffic right next to this condemned building. If there was a need for the barricade in the beginning, why is it being disregarded and not secured and maintained to keep the area safe. Is it best just to wait until someone is injured? What is in the best interest of the general public? Who should be responsible for whatever accident that could befall an unknowing individual? Who is responsible for maintaining the barricade? Should the barricade have been made more secure to begin with?
The following pictures show the disregard for public safety that has followed in the months that have passed since the storm.
October 2009		October 2009
March 2010		March 2010

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June 2009
2009 Illinois Law Enforcement Officers Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois Law Enforcement Officers, many from the Illnois State Police, joined by members of the Carlinville Long Distance & Cross Country teams Kickoff at Gillespie Muncipal Building at 7:00 A. M. on June 10, 2009 Leg 17 goes from Gillespie to the Sangamon County line on Illinois Route 4.

Black Diamond Days 30th Anniversary Parade June 7, 2009

June 2009

2009 Illinois
Law Enforcement Officers
Torch Run for Special Olympics

Illinois Law Enforcement Officers, many from the Illnois State Police,
joined by members of the Carlinville Long Distance & Cross Country teams

Kickoff at Gillespie Muncipal Building at 7:00 A. M. on June 10, 2009
Leg 17 goes from Gillespie to the Sangamon County line on Illinois Route 4.

Black Diamond Days 30th Anniversary Parade
June 7, 2009

Weeds

THANK YOU Very impressive and appreciated is the "Clean-Up" of Gillespie's main street (Macoupin Street) by Mayor John Hicks, Mrs. Hicks, and the dozen or so volunteers that joined them in removing weeds and debris from the business district. The landscaping for the beautification of the downtown area causes areas that have weeds growing at the base of the trees and unfortuantely a place to accumulate trash. In an unselfish act, Mayor & Mrs. Hicks provided tools and labor to begin the clean-up process on Sunday afternoon (May 31, 2009). In a short period of time they were joined by other volunteers, who provided their own tools, to assist them in the effort. A lot of improvement was acccomplished in only three hours. I must say Thank You and hope others will join in thanking them for this much appreciated endeavor.			An often heard comment from passersby was "I didn't think the Mayor had to work like that." Mayor John Hicks reply was "I don't think it matters who does it, as long as it gets done." Mrs. Hicks comments : "We Do Live In A Great Community". She adds that "We even had one business owner call and ask if she could 'buy' a tree to replace the one that was removed from her store front!" Anyone wishing to add their Thanks to this article can e-mail me and I will place it here.
My editorial of August 19, 2008 on this subject may be seen at : Onset of a Ghost Town

May 2009

      Storm Damage
A Tornado and Straight Line Winds       Storm Damage shuts down Gillespie's Business District and damages the High School at approximately 11:30 PM May 13, 2009

      In the aftermath of the School District's Elementary School in Benld, Illinois closed due to mine subsidence recently, Thursday morning the entire school district had to be closed due to last night's wind damage. The High School lost a major part of the roof, and the Middle School has to be inspected for damage. In a split schedule, the buildings were being used for all elementary, middle and high school classes. The school buildings are about eight blocks west of the business district that also received extensive damage.
      Fortunately at 7:00 AM, Thursday morning there was not any report of any persons receiving serious injury. About two dozen people were displaced from their homes. A lot of the city is without power and the crews are busy at work to restore service. Illinois Route 4 which goes through the business district was shut down until around 7:30 AM on May 14, 2009.
      Clean-up crews, with many volunteers have been busy for the better part of the night to try to get the highway open and to bring back some sense of the normal life. Many days of clean-up and repair work will be necessary to restore all of the functions of the city.
      The Fire Department has been busy answering calls and trying to assist the citizens in any way possible.

April 2009
Annual Pet Parade - 2009 Winners

	Unofficial Election Results April 7, 2009

Local Offices that were up for election The race for Mayor was the only contested one		Mayor (1) 2 Candidates John HICKS - 476 Dan FISHER - 470 City Clerk (1) 1 Candidate Mary DAVIS - 738 City Tresurer (1) 1 Candidate Jim ALDERSON - 746	Ward 1 Alderman (1) 1 incumbent Candidate Jerry DOLLIGER - 191 Ward 2 Alderman (1) 1 Candidate Frank BARRETT - 155 Ward 3 Alderman (1) 1 Candidate Brian WEIDLER - 124 Ward 4 Alderman (1) 1 Candidate John RONALD - 228

March 2009
Stray Cats
Does the general population really need to put up with the mess and health hazards created by allowing this to continue?
My editorial of March 31, 2009 on this may be seen at : Ugh !!! Stray Cats
Why ?

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September 2008
Weeds & Grass, anyone?
Is it in the best interest of the city and its residents for grass and weeds to be allowed to grow in yards and in the curbs and gutters of any neighborhood. I heard of a recent comment that grass clippings do not create a storm sewer problem. Common sense shows us that these clippings and debris do clog storm sewers. Supposedly this was in response to an alderman's statements at a recent city council meeting. Complaining about an alderman that is bringing this problem into a public forum is not any help, but appears as if someone is trying to justify their apathy and lack of pride in the city and possibly showing their laziness in just sitting back and watching the grass grow. Residents could help by cleaning up near their own property instead of denouncing an alderman for trying to make it known that this is a REAL problem that needs attention.
Weeds, debris, and a general apathy situation around the business district. My editorial of August 19, 2008 on this may be seen at : Onset of a Ghost Town
Autumn is a beautiful time of the year ! or is it ?