Recognition given to hunger, homelessness problems

By Margaret Downing

Reporter

LOVES PARK – At the Nov. 16 Loves Park City Council meeting, in the absence of Mayor Darryl Lindberg, Alderman John Pruitt, temporary chairperson, presented John Strandin with a proclamation declaring Nov. 14-22 as “Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.”

Representing the Rock River Homeless Coalition, which covers Winnebago and Boone Counties, Strandin said that, “Many non-profit organizations are hurting right now due to the stalemate in Springfield. Recognizing the homeless and hungry is done each year at this time, a week before Thanksgiving and just prior to the cold winter weather setting in.”

Pruitt noted that there are hundreds in the area dealing with hunger and homelessness – and this continues to be a serious problem. “Not only a shortage of food on the table but a shortage of affordable housing is a real problem,” he said.

In other business, a resolution was passed authorizing the purchase of a portable monitoring meter from a Waukegan company for use by the water department at a cost not to exceed $3,299.93.

A resolution authorizing the purchase of a guardrail for approaches to the Riverside Bridge from a Sycamore business at a cost not to exceed $16,582.50 was approved.

A resolution approving a re-plat of the northeast quarter of Plat No. 3 of Keeneland Estates was okayed.

Alderman Clint Little gave the weekly police activity report for the week of Nov. 8-14 and noted that 514 calls for service, 329 arrests, and 13 accidents had been reported. On the weekly fire department report dated Nov. 15, two false fire alarm calls, one natural gas leak call, one carbon monoxide or gas leak call, one assist police call, and five smoke or odor investigation calls had been logged.

It was also noted that firefighters had expended a total of 72 man-hours at the Nov. 11 Tribute to Veterans event where they passed out pizza and pop to a several hundred fifth graders, helped with seating set up and clean up.

Aldermen approved payment of $499,484.19 in general fund and all other bills, and $432,802.83 in water department bills, as presented Nov. 9