TRASH TALKIN’
Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin mostly listened, asked questions, and jotted notes during three recent hour-long, closed-door meetings with community leaders on how to improve the city’s beleaguered trash removal system.
After more than a year of such brainstorming, Davlin remains tight-lipped about possible remedies. “It’s still too early to give any specifics,” says mayoral spokesman Ernie Slottag.
The city currently has no way of tracking the hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of area households with no trash pick-up. These households are the likely culprits of illegal fly-dumping that has made many alleys and wooded areas a public health concern.
Davlin told Illinois Times in April he would not eliminate the city’s current privatized collection system. Such a move would increase efficiency, but may also put some established waste hauling companies out of business.
“I’m surprised it’s such a touchy, political issue,” says Owen Anderson, president of Springfield Area Landlords Association. “Tim’s holding his cards pretty close.”
REAGAN REMEMBERED
Interstate 88, which runs through Dixon, has been renamed “The Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway” in honor of the only president born in the Land of Lincoln.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich ordered the portion of the interstate which falls under the state transportation department’s jurisdiction renamed immediately; he’s asked the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to rename the other toll portion of 88 as well.
Reagan, who died on June 5, lived in Dixon until he was 21. “When people drive on I-88, they’ll remember Ronald Reagan and everything he did for our country,” the governor said in a statement.
Friday, June 11, was also declared a state day of remembrance for the nation’s 40th president.
This article appears in Jun 10-16, 2004.
