Braidwood Journal

Building clerk gets new title, raise

Published by admin on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 6:15pm

The city’s building department clerk will get a new job title, along with a raise, to accompany a growing list of responsibilities.

On March 13, members of the Braidwood City Council approved a resolution to reclassify the clerk’s position presently occupied by Donna Geiss.

The city has a collective bargaining agreement in place with the Service Employees International Union Local No. 73, which covers City Hall employees. That agreement provides for the restructuring of the building department clerk’s position, including changes to the job classification and description.

City hires new firm for annual audit

Published by admin on Thu, 03/15/2018 - 10:59am

The city of Braidwood will employ a new auditing service when fiscal yar 2018’s financial records go under the microscope in the spring.

On Feb. 27, members of the City Council approved an engagement letter with Sikich, LLP, of Naperville, for audit services for the current fiscal year ending April 30.

Per the agreement, fees for the annual report will not exceed $31,000.

TIF reports will run the city $2,300, while audits of federal expenditures will cost $3,600 each.

Custer makes final push to keep fire services

Published by admin on Thu, 03/15/2018 - 10:57am

Voters in Custer Township will make an important decision next week — fund the local fire district, or wait it out until the district eventually goes belly up.

More than 50 Custer Township residents showed up for a special informational meeting on Saturday, March 10 at The Center in Custer Park.

The board is asking residents to approve a referendum in the March 20 primary election that would increase property taxes. That increase, according to the board, will let the district reopen its fire station on Route 113.

Citywide cleanup set for April

Published by admin on Thu, 03/15/2018 - 10:55am

Residents who have a little more than the weekly trash to pitch will get their chance next month.

On Feb. 27, Mayor Jim Vehrs announced that Monday, April 16, will be this year’s date for the spring cleanup by Waste Management. The annual pick up date allows residents to get rid of their larger items without paying an extra fee.

Hamilton in the Spotlight for March

Published by admin on Thu, 03/15/2018 - 10:54am

The Reed-Custer High School Senior Spotlight winner for the month of March is Haley Hamilton. Haley is the daughter of Joe and Lisa Hamilton.

During her high school career, Haley has been involved in FCCLA, HOSA, Basketball, Volleyball, Softball, SSA, NHS, and NTHS.

She was also an ACE winner, a Writing Center tutor, and a class officer.

Haley’s teachers said she’s a hard worker who always brings a positive attitude to class.

Mrs. Rankin says that Haley has a positive attitude in class and always gives her best effort, even when it’s difficult.

City, PACE reach agreement for transport service

Published by admin on Tue, 03/06/2018 - 7:52pm

A new transportation service will make its way to Braidwood in the next few months. On Feb. 27, members of the Braidwood City Council approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with PACE, the suburban public transit authority, to secure a van to provide transportation locally.

The move has been under discussion at City Hall since late last year.

RCMS STEM program to get a boost

Published by admin on Tue, 03/06/2018 - 7:51pm

Braidwood’s middle school students will get a chance for hands-on training on some sophisticated machinery.

Christine Nelson, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, announced last month that new technology would be headed to the Reed-Custer Middle School STEM lab.

STEM – an acronym for science, technology, engineer, and math – is a focus of education designed to teach students the skills that can be applied in innovative careers.

Fish fry on March 16, 23

Published by admin on Tue, 03/06/2018 - 7:49pm

Because of Braidwood Mayor Vehrs, the Godley Park District, all the volunteers, and hungry friends and neighbors, the fish fry on Friday, March 2, was a huge success.

The Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) has announced that the partnership will continue with two more fish fry dates, Friday, March 16 and 23.

Vehrs’ locally famous fish fry will be served along with a new menu item for the non-fish lovers at the Godley Park District, 500 S. Kankakee St., from 4 to 7 p.m., while supplies last.

Dressed for prom at Melissa's Closet

Published by admin on Tue, 03/06/2018 - 7:46pm

For a few hours on March 3, the gymnasium at the Godley Park District was transformed into a formal wear boutique, where 1,963 dresses were on sale for just $5 each.

More than 400 teens walked out of this year's Melissa's Closet and Crystal's Jewelry Box event with a prom dress.

The annual event aims to outfit the teens for prom, in honor of Melissa Michalowski and Crystal Carr, two RCHS seniors who were killed in a car accident in December 2008.

City cracking down on late water bills

Published by admin on Tue, 03/06/2018 - 7:43pm

The city of Braidwood has had enough of folks who just don’t pay up when their water bills are due.

On Feb. 27, city administrator Don Labriola told members of the City Council that the city is fully engaged in plans to move forward with collections for late water bills, and to take steps to discontinue service for anyone who doesn’t pay their bill.

“We’ve gone through our collection ordinances, we’ve condensed them down to this policy. We will be following this policy to collect water bills starting immediately,” Labriola said.