He doesn't see a tax increase until possibly after the November elections. New ways of raising money include increases in liquor taxes, video gaming, enhancing the state lottery and increases in license fees, plates and transfer fees. All that goes into a pool to help cover bonds used for the capitol projects. Further sales of bonds are on hold because of video gaming. Local governments could say they don't want it. He told members "as we look at next year, we've got a real challenge on our hands. We can't continue to operate the way we have in the past. I'm hoping that this year things will be different."
Rich answered questions from members about tort reform, changes in real estate licensing requirements and why businesses don't want to locate in Illinois.
February program chairman Ted Pawlias announced we'll have the following speakers in the coming weeks:
February 9 - A Boys Scout representative
February 16 - Clay Hinderliter
February 23 - Steve Hopper from McDonough District Hospital
President Debbie Vandemark presided at our first meeting of the month. John Moon led us in singing "You're In Kiwanis Now" and Chuck Nicholson gave the invocation.
Our annual Pancake Day has been set for Thursday, April 22, at the American Legion.
Debbie is planning an Interclub March 6 to the Monmouth Kiwanis Club Pancake Day.
Tim said the city has approved the sale of bricks for the Chandler Park playground project and a marketing brochure has been prepared.
Debbie says we need a replacement program chairman for the month of March and another one for April. She passed out a sign up sheet looking for volunteers to arrange programs for the next two months.
Another sign up sheet was passed around for the Picture Book of the Month program. We're looking for members to read to different classes.
We also passed around sympathy cards for Mary Haney and Walker Robb so members who were not here last week could sign.
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Bowlers are needed to represent our club at the Division 19 Spastic Paralysis Bowl-A-Thon Saturday, February 27, at Abbe Lanes in Abingdon. Debbie has pledge sheets. Over the years, our division has been successful in raising thousands of dollars for the Spastic Paralysis Research Program. |
Happy Birthday in February to Owen Thompson, Ted Huston, Jeff Paisley and Jeremy Benson!
Happy Buck$ this week from:
Owen Thompson - one for our guest speaker, another one to announce that he may be going to Haiti as part of a Salvation Army crew helping out that country.
Ted Pawlias - happy his physical turned out OK after having a problem with kidney stones while coming back from a trip to New Zealand
Jack Elfrink - happy his oldest daughter ran in the Miami marathon and qualified for the Florida ironman competition
Debbie - happy Jay was here to help work on dates for our April Pancake Day.
The 50/50 Drawing was won by Ed Fulkerson. He donated his share back to the club.
