South West Illinois News

City of Chester Beautification/Tourism Commission met October 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:

Members Present: Linda Raider, Pam Fraley, Cynthia Lawder, Toni Hosick, Tom Sauer, Cathy Sauer, Marla Yankey, Bob Lockhart, Norma Baughman, Brenda Owen and Sandra Starr. Alderman Ray Allison was present.

Pledge of Allegiance: Members stood and recited

Minutes of Previous Meeting: Cynthia made a motion to accept as written, Toni seconded, motion carried

Treasurer’s Report: Balance on hand as of September 30th, 2017 is $20, 316.08. The nontaxable net balance is $13, 464.88

Standing Committee Reports:

Anti-Litter: No Report

Banners/Christmas Lights: Pam reported a schedule was given to the City outlining when and where to change seasonal banners. A few banners on W Holmes Street along Evergreen Cemetery have not been changed from summer to fall. Tom reported he is checking with the state to put the Christmas swag lights on State Street

City Welcome Signs: No Report

Farmers Market: Tom reported the Farmers Market has completed for this season. The vendors have been pleased with the new location of the Welcome Center.

Planters: Cathy reported flowers in planters will be removed this coming Monday. She also reported due to rubber mulch in the flower bed at the Welcome Center planting flowers is nearly impossible since the soil is blocked by the rubber mulch. She suggested removing the rubber chips then adding soil to plant shrubs. The issue must be shared with the Park Board.

Riverboats and Tours: Linda Raider and Norma were the guides for the last riverboats stops in Chester. They commented how well the tours went and how nice the boat company has been. Brenda reported boats predicted to stop in Chester in 2018 are: the Mississippi Queen, Queen of the Mississippi, American Queen, Louisiane, Delta Queen and Viking’s new boats. The stops in Chester have been advertised by American Cruise Lines in Southern Living, Midwest Living, and Country Living magazines.

Take Pride Award: Marla reported the award has been presented to Mary Long on State Street across from Memorial Hospital.

Historic Preservation:

Stone Cottage: The Stone Cottage Market takes place Saturday, October 21st. Toni reported the vendor areas are marked for the 13 registered vendors. The Stone Cottage Committee will also participate making a total of 14 vendors.

Historic Registry: Applications are all submitted to the IHPA for review. Three of the four properties are at a final application status.

Chester Bridge: Brenda reported she attended a public meeting at the Chester High School. The bridge has preliminary approval as an historic structure. She read a letter requesting consulting status in the section 106 process that address the historic aspect of the bridge. Any repurposing of the bridge would include maintaining and accepting liability by the new bridge owner.

Evergreen Cemetery: Sandra reported all went well for the Evergreen Comes Alive tour, nice weather, 103 guests and donations of $453, positive feedback from guests. A post-tour committee meeting is scheduled for the following week to critique this year’s tour and list suggestions for what went well as well as how to improve the next tour.

Riverfront Improvement: Tom reported the committee met on the riverfront and determined the area needed six picnic tables, five benches and six trash cans (all removable during flood periods). Patti Carter is checking into a manufacture for style and cost. Tom asked Alderman Allison if improvements could be made to the sides of the bandstand such as a guard rail and the retaining wall next to the viaduct painted. Also about rip rap along the shore to prevent more erosion. Alderman Allison said he had contacted the Corp of Engineers but didn’t have success in the Corp addressing the issue. Norma asked if something could be done so boat passengers have safe passage to the City Steps. At present, there is a steep hill then crossing railroad tracks or the alternative route is on the road under the viaduct. Both paths are dangerous. Brenda asked if the Riverfront Committee would work on suggested solutions for a path to the City Steps.

State Bicentennial: The Randolph County Historical Society has 102 Johnny Appleseed trees that will be distributed to each county. The Randolph County tree will be planted on Kaskaskia Island in the park area by the Liberty Bell. A resident of the island has volunteered to care for the tree.

Commission Function Reports

Public Relations: No Report

City Council Update: Alderman Allison reported the Chester Police Officer James Brockmeyer Memorial dedication will be Saturday, October 28th at 11 AM. He also reported a chat pavement will be laid down Buena Vista during the winter months to allow residents access to their homes.

Welcome Center Update: Brenda reported Linda Sympson asked the group to consider a motion for a quarter page ad in the Scout Magazine at a cost of $225. This ad has been purchased in previous years and proved to be successful for the City of Chester. The motion was made by Pam and seconded by Cynthia.

Randolph County Tourism: No Report

Old Business:

Patti Carter’s request for tour guide survival packs was tabled in her absence. The group agreed that replacement American flags would be a project that ought to be supported by a local veteran’s group or scout fund-raising.

New Business:

•Brenda read a letter of support written on behalf of the group to the Board of the LST 325 in favor of the ship’s revisiting the Chester riverfront in September 2018.

•The Chester Library has been honored by being chosen to host the Smithsonian Exhibit Crossroads Change in Rural America. The exhibit will be on display September 8 – October 20, 2018. Chester Library will be the first to receive the exhibit followed by five other Illinois sites. Illinois is one of three states to exhibit the presentation in 2018, then it will go to other states throughout the United States.

•Cynthia reported Andrea and she were on a bus tour to New York City and met a couple who wrote and photographed for Posh Magazine. Cynthia and Andrea told the couple about Chester being the home of Popeye and were pleased to see an article on Popeye in the Fall 2017 issue.

•Norma reported the City has received 5,000 copies of the new Chester brochure.

•Brenda shared an invitation from Marlene Seymour to attend a re-dedication of the Pierre Menard Home given by The Liberty Bell of the West & Pierre Menard Chapters National Society Daughters of the American Revolution on Sunday, October 29 at 1:30 p.m. RSVP to Marlene.

•Brenda suggested the Commission consider buying magnetic signs for vehicles to use on occasions such as the Popeye Parade.

•Norma asked members if they would volunteer one hour at the Stone Cottage during the Christmas Walk on Saturday, December 2nd. The hours the Stone Cottage will be open are from 10 –2. She also asked members to consider volunteering to work in the food tent at the Eagle Fest in February. Brenda stated volunteers may sign up at the November meeting (for the Stone Cottage) and January meeting (for the Eagle Fest).

Adjourn: Toni made a motion to adjourn; Marla seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7.40 pm

http://www.chesterill.com/beautificationtourism-commission/