Changes made on fire department
On Jan. 28, the Red Bud Fire Department held their officer election and recognized some of their retiring members.

The officers are: Chief Kevin Miller, First Assistant Chief Alan Piel, Second Assistant Chief Bruce Rensing, Captain E.J. Roscow, Lieutenants Brian Montroy and Chad Langrehr, President Jason Guebert, Vice President Ron Shields, Secretary Sean Landgraf and Treasurer Tim Fahey.

Curt Guebert retired from the position of fire chief after serving for 11 years in the position, but he will continue to serve with the department.

Making up the new rural board is: Chair Dale Heller, Vice Chair Ed Piel, Membership Chair Orville Heller, Treasurer Mike Schaefer and Secretary Perri Mehring.

Earl Ruez, Ron Whelan and Gary Woods retired from the rural board. Ruez and Whelan have served on the rural board since 1975. Ruez has been the chair of the board since 1980, while Whelan has been the membership chair for the past 16 years. Woods has served on the board since 1989. 

Council has another park bill dispute
The matter of paying a bill for the Lincoln Park renovation project came up once again to the Red Bud City Council at their meeting Monday night.

This time the bill for $6,900.52 was coming from Nevois Construction. Alderman Harold Cowell introduced the matter to the council and added, “I still don’t think we should pay this bill. I don’t think the city owes the money on this.”

Alderman Glenn Linnertz agreed noting that it was a matter of the contract and that since the city is holding another company to a verbal agreement they had made, that they should hold to the written one in this situation.

Other aldermen disagreed, feeling that the bill should be paid. “They did over and above,” said Alderman Don Glasscock. “This is legitimate.”

“They deserve it,” added Alderman Bill Hanebutt.

Cowell pointed out that they would be setting a precedent with their decision.

After arguing the point a little longer, the aldermen took the matter to a vote. On a vote of five to three, with Aldermen Scott Shubert, Linnertz and Cowell voting against, the council approved of paying the bill.

On behalf of the civic center committee, Mary Hamilton addressed the council. She invited the council and citizens to a public presentation of the four civic center plans.

She noted that at the meeting, which will take place on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Red Bud SWIC campus’s performing arts room, they will present photos and ideas for both structure and operations. They will also be gathering public opinion and answering questions.

Mayor Ken Mueller briefly addressed trash pick up and recycling issues. He noted that to cut costs, the city is looking into having only one hauler. He also added that not all of the large recycling bins have been distributed yet.

Mueller then stated that he felt the city could save money by not having the large dumpsters in the parks when they are closed during the winter. He felt that the city should not be responsible for paying to dispose of people’s trash.

City Administrative Assistant Pamela Poetker stated that the dumpsters are supposed to be picked up, but are often left behind. She added that it is a problem though as the dumpsters tend to be overflowing by spring. 

Winners announced in local primaries
Despite having a few local races this year, the primary election on Feb. 2 still drew a number of voters to the polls. While absentee ballots are not yet counted, these are the results as reported by the precincts Tuesday night.

In Randolph County, the only competitive primary race was for county treasurer on the Democratic ballot. Winning was Doyle “Zig” Jones with 1594 votes. His opposition, Carla West-White received 1318 votes. Jones will run unopposed on the November ballot.

Winning in Monroe County on the Republican ballot for sheriff was  Kevin Hirsch with 1673 votes over Franklin Kohler, 1021. Hirsch will face off against Democrat Daniel Kelley for sheriff in the November general election.

Terry Liefer narrowly kept his spot as Monroe County commissioner, earning 1437 votes, over Chuck Pittman’s 1389. He is unopposed for November.

As for the proposition for the Waterloo Park District to rehab and repair the park district’s swimming pool, it was turned down 868 to 716.

In November, Democrat Pat Laramore will run against Republican James M. Odom for Randolph County clerk; Democrat Fred D. Frederking will be running against Republican Michael L. Hoelscher for Randolph County sheriff; and Democrat Ken R. Slavens will run against Republican David M. Holder for Randolph County commissioner. All were unopposed in the primaries.

In Randolph County, running unopposed in both elections are: for county supervisor of assessments - Wayne A. Voss, for 20th Judicial Circuit Court judge (to fill the vacancy of Patrick Young) - Robert B. Haida, for 20th Judicial Circuit Court judge (to fill the vacancy of William A. Schuwerk, Jr.) - Richard A. Brown, and for regional superintendent of schools - Marc L. Kiehna.

Running unopposed in both the primary and general elections in Monroe County are: for county clerk - Dennis M. Knobloch, for county treasurer - Kevin Koenigstein, and for county assessor - Carl D. Wuertz.

Here is how Randolph (R) and Monroe (M) Counties voted in the primaries for federal and state officials:

For U.S. Senator:  Democrats: Robert Marshall 216 (R) 71 (M), David Hoffman 690 (R) 258 (M), Jacob J. Meister 70 (R) 44 (M), Alexander “Alexi” Giannoulias 1380 (R) 763 (M) and Cheryle Jackson 236 (R) 69 (M); Republican: Donald (Don) Lowery 421 (R) 472 (M), Mark Steven Kirk 450 (R) 939 (M), Andy Martin 73 (R) 164 (M), Kathleen Thomas 101 (R) 242 (M), John Arrington 42 (R) 80 (M) and Patrick J. Huges 371 (R) 799 (M).

For governor: Republicans: Kirk W. Dillard 260 (R) 416 (M), Bill Brady 541 (R) 731 (M), Robert J. “Bob”Schillerstrom 14 (R) 33 (M), Adam Andrezejewski 210 (R) 751 (M), Dan Proft 100 (R) 149 (M), Jim Ryan 192 (R) 358 (M) and Anday McKenna 204 (R) 363 (M); Democrats: Pat Quinn 1197 (R) 417 (M) and Daniel W. Hynes 1627 (R) 815 (M).

For lieutenant governor: Democrats: Arthur L. Turner 179 (R) 142 (M), Terry Link 811 (R) 203 (M), Rickey R. Hendon 122 (R) 67 (M), Scott Lee Cohen 570 (R) 226 (M), Thomas Michael Castillo 467 (R) 337 (M) and Mike Boland 270 (R) 141 (M); Republicans: Don Tracy 81 (R) 175 (M), Jason Plummer 777 (R) 1542 (M), Randy A. White, Sr. 78 (R) 125 (M), Brad Cole 290 (R) 229 (M), Matt Murphy 173 (R) 313 (M) and Dennis W. Cook 76 (R) 269 (M).

For comptroller: Republicans: Judy Baar Topinka 686 (R) 1216 (M), Jim Dodge 334 (R) 677 (M) and William J. Kelly 417 (R) 738 (M); Democrats: David E. Miller 1796 (R) 780 (M), S. Raja Krishnamoorthi 268 (R) 164 (M) and Clinton A. “Clint” Krislov 277 (R) 149 (M).

For treasurer: Democrats: Justin P. Oberman 856 (R) 326 (M) and Robin Kelly 1505 (R) 807 (M). The winner faces Republican Dan Rutherford in November as he was unopposed.

For 12th Congressional District: Republicans: Theresa Kormos 615 (R) 1228 (M) and Teri Newman 730 (R) 1274 (M). The winner will face Democratic incumbent Jerry F. Costello in the general election.

For 116th Representative District representative: Republicans: John W. Piazza 500 (R) 1057 (M) and Glenn C. Farley 820 (R) 1475 (M). The winner will run against Democratic incumbent Dan Reitz in November.

Running unopposed in the primary, but facing off in the November general election are: Democrat Jeremy Randal Walker and Republican incumbent David Luechtefeld for 58th Legislative District state senator; Democratic incumbent Lisa Madigan and Republican Steve Kim for attorney general; and Democratic incumbent Jesse White and Republican Robert Enriquez for secretary of state.  

Carl Gross recognized for 45 years of service
Carl Gross was presented a 45 year service award by First Bank’s Southern Illinois Regional President Doug Distler at the Red Bud branch location on Jan. 28. 

Gross began his banking career with the First National Bank of Red Bud on Jan. 15, 1965 in the bookkeeping department. He managed this department for five years. He noted that at this time the bookkeeping system was completely manual until they started moving to computers in the 1970s.

He worked in all areas of the bank, including as a bank teller, loan officer and finally as bank cashier. As cashier, he was in charge of bank operations including accounting for bank investments and the preparation of the annual stockholders report. 

Gross remembers the bank moving from its former location on 201 West Market to its present location in 1980. He added that he even used his own truck to help with the move.

First Bank acquired the First National Bank of Red Bud in 1985 and promoted Gross to president. In that position, he served on several Illinois First Bank boards of directors in the 1990s. He was succeeded as bank president by Stuart Langrehr in 2003.

Gross currently is a senior vice president and loan officer and he manages agricultural and commercial account relationships in Red Bud, Chester and Valmeyer. 

Distler stated “Carl has had a distinguished banking career with First Bank and has played a major role in the success of our Red Bud branch over the years.”

“I feel fortunate to have worked in Red Bud and with the community for the past 45 years,” Gross said after receiving his award.

 
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