Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 3

Saturday, February 23, 1855 -Mattoon (Il.f Journal Gaxette-A-3 1 0Gg: UAJUULI Three city commissioner candidates offer final views tion between city departments are two achievements of which the current administration can be proud, he said. Wedel. 68, and in his fourth term as to wise up and be fair to bids." Welch questioned the recent $50,000 purchase of land in Paradise Township for recreational purposes. He said the money could be better spent on facilities within city ff" 1y- Editor's note: This is the last in a series of articles on candidates running for city office in the Tuesday primary. One candidate Edgar Bly was not included.

The mayorrn wxiiuuie tins an unlisted phone number and failed to respond by written request. By DENISE SKOWRON 8tafi Writer MATTOON Candidates running for city commissioner voiced their goals if elected to city office. "Dan" Smith III Trains interrupting the flow of traffic is an inconvenience Martin Daniel "Dan" Smith III would like to see eliminated. "People on the southwest side are burdened by the tracks," he said. To lift that burden, Smith proposes the construction of an underpass between south 21st and 26th Streets.

As an example, Smith said last year, a high school student waited 40 minutes before getting medical attention for a broken leg because an ambulance was held up by a Other Tube-Lok plant to close Welch Brownie Wedel employee at Decatur Caterpillar, said, "I would like to see the tax dollar get an honest shake." Roger K. Welch Roger Welch said the city of Mattoon may become like the millionaire who lost all because he was a big tipper. "There is a lot of waste even though we are financially stable," said the 30-year-old financial consultant with A.L. Williams, Inc. Wise spending decisions come out of comparative shopping, he said.

"We've got Drivers pause Vtv VJr Rain won't drain on some commisslonerrsaid all parks have seen new- playgrmiri equipment in the past four years. Also, lighting at Peterson Park was improved and tennis courts were installed at Lawsori "Park, which also saw two new baseball diamonds, he said. The taxpayers saw an improvement of Kinzel Field when it was purchased from the school district, he added. The property now boasts seven baseball diamonds, four of which are lit. Most of the projects were made possible through federal revenue sharing funds, he explained.

Wedel said the city's recent land purchase is misunderstood. He said although a tract of land slightly over 10 acres was bought for $50,000, the property includes a five-room cottage valued at about $34,000. "That brings down the land price considerably," he said. The recent loss of industry cannot be attached to the performance of city officials, he said. Loss of market, rather than faith in Mattoon, is what forced parent companies to close the doors of three manufacturing plants last year, he said.

Photo by Joel Dexter flooded road. area 'plains' anyhow. A new culvert and bridge would cost some $80,000, he added. Dredging of the drainage ditch is also frowned upon by EPA officials, Eckstein said. 'The additional water in the river would be detrimental to fish, they claim A meeting will be held at 7 p.m.

Tuesday at the Sugar Bowl in Arthur to discuss the problem. Representative Tim Johnson is expected to attend. usually by assuming farm deeds. The Coles County office of the Farmer's Home Administration, where many farmers turn when they can't get a bank loan, provides funding to approximately 100 of the county's 1,000 farmers. ROGER K.WELCH For City Commissioner "SPAGHETTI SUPPER Sun.

Feb. 24, pm, Trinity Episcopal Church, 2200 Western. $2.50 adults, $1.50 under 12. Proceeds go toTtyXouthFund. SUNDAY BRUNCH 11-2, $5.95.

Lake Land Inn Candlelight Restaurant. SUNDAY BUFFET $4.95, Children 12 price. Ua.m.-2p.m. Jimmy's Supper Club SYMPHONIC BAND WINTER CONCERT Feb. 24, 2:30 p.m." MHS Gym.

Free admission THE KIDDIE KORNER Moving out. Last week at this location. Final clearance on all merchandise. Fixtures for sale. 1600 Lakeland Good Neighbor Shopping Center.

The Professional Touch Sorry our phone was out of order! Call now 234-6512 Moo, Wed, Fri Sat $-5. HairstyUng for men women $3 OFF WITH THIS API VOTE FOR Edward C. NeaL City Commissioner, Feb. 26. limits rattier than embark on a whole new project from scratch.

In order to attract business, "We've got to show them Mattoon is willing to improve and is not going to waste tax dollars." Responsible management of city funds, he said is "knowing what to invest in. Find ways to make money with the money we have now." With the upgrading of recreational facilities, Welch said Mattoon residents would not have to travel out-of-town where there are more opportunities. And the creation of festivals and city-wide events can draw out-of-towners as, well. Welch described himself as being "pretty firm on my stands" but open-minded just the same. "You need to bring people in (to city government) and listen to their views," he said.

George "Brownie" Wedel Despite charges that recreational facilities have been neglected, George "Brownie" Wedel said many improvements were made in the past four years. The upgrading of city parks and coopera in their vehicles before crossing Sometimes the flooding forces him to plant fields as many as three times. The area received almost two inches of rain the past couple days, bringing the flood. A larger culvert and elimination of brush in the drainage ditch would alleviate the, problem, he said, but Environmental Pro- tection Agency officials don't agree. Eckstein said the EPA claims that elimination of the brush would take away a wildlife habitat.

However, he contends that the flooded land drives wildlife awav, economy1 National Bank, said about 50 percent of the bank's commercial loans are agricultural. The bank serves 135 agricultural customers. McCarty said the bank has not had a bankruptcy in 29 years, although the bank has occasionally had to "work out" debts AT RIVIERA TAN SPA Open Sunday 11? Built-in face tanner-stereo. 235-0012 AT TED'S TONITE New "aockwork Orange" ATraOPlCfAN 15-30 min. sessions, $49.50.

234-7141, 201 Richmond E. BILL'S RADIATOR SHOP Open full time 8-6, 234-8754. CLEARANCE SALE On all merchandise. New spring shipment arriving Sat The Fashion Cellar, 1020 S. 17th.

CURVE INN "Bob Crossman" 23rd DAIRY QUEEN II 320 N. 19th open for season. EAGLES AUX. 3438 Sat. Feb.

23. Pancakes, biscuits gravy, sausage, bacon eggs. Donation. $2.00. Serving 7 a.m.-l2 noon.

Public welcome. FLAT BRANCH CAFE Humboldt, 856-3832 Sat. night, 8 ox. Ribeye or Whole Catfish, baked potato, salad bar, roll, Baked Ham, mashed potatoes gravy, green beans, salad bar, $5.99. Come try us! GRAND Open AT RICK 115 Don't forget your tickets Knockers, are Band" 8-1.

FOR Honest Work Money Happiness "TOO For JD's Aerobics KNOWLES Hand carved dinner special, and Sunday LOST COCKER Blond, pet. Reward. PRECISION BEAUTY 2921 Marshall, Open to Apple Dan Smith Roger train. "We spend a lot of money on roads in Mattoon and some really need it. But the southwest people of Mattoon are burdened by the tracks," he said.

"It's aggravating to have to sit and wait," he added. He said he was confident federal, state and local monies could be secured to finance the project which would involve the re-routing of 111. 16 at south 21st Street. Smith, a 37-year-old quality control Foster said when officials decided to close Mattoon's plant, they were confident business would pick up enough to keep the Oregon facility busy. "But we did not develop a sufficient business base to maintain operation," he said.

Bob Gildea, vice president and general manager of Mattoon's plant, said the closing of Portland's plant did not come as a surprise. "We thought there was a possibility they would close, but not before the end of the 1985 calendar year," he said. With the work force reduced by 20 percent, "We're winding down production," Gildea said. "At this point we are reducing the force by attrition. No one has been layed off.

They are temuqaUng at their own volition." v--" Workers who have already left the Mattoon plant have been successful at finding employment elsewhere, he added. officials Illinois Congressional delegation on how the state can improve its chances of getting GM to build the new plant here. Bruce suggests the state universities study Illinois' list of sites and decide which are strongest. "The state can then concentrate its resources on promoting the best sites in Illinois rather than shotgunning General Motors with 108 applications," he said. trial begins probably begin an hour later before U.S.

District Court Judge Harold Baker, said a spokesman for Baker. Steve Helm, a Danville attorney representing Lister and the two county agencies, said previously the trial could last about four days. Thomason was a road patrol officer before he took the leave to run.for sheriff. When he returned to the department after the primary, he was assigned to jail duty. He claims Lister, a Democrat, violated merit commission rules by assigning him to the jail.

Lister has said there were no openings for road patrol slots when Thomason returned from his leave, but that he was reassigned to patrol about a month after Thomason returned. tion, Reflections lower level. Sunday 7 p.m., "Christo: Ten Works ia Progress," film, EIU Tarble Arts Center. Include a trade provision committing the government to promote open access to world markets for U.S. farm exports.

Gear agricultural research toward increasing efficiency of agriculture rather than raising productivity. Bar farmers who plow up highly erodible land from getting government payments. It does not include a conservation reserve, passed by the House last year, that would pay farmers to take erodible land out of production. Shift Farmers Home Administration lending from direct loans to guarantees of bank loans. MATTOON The Tube-Lok Products Division of Portland Wire and Iron Works, Portland, Ore.

will be terminated. When Mattoon's Tube-Lok plant announced a phase-out last November, officials reported that the Oregon plant would continue operation. However, Lee Foster, company vice president, announced Tuesday that the loss of market has shut down the Oregon plant as well. Both manufacturing plants have reduced production and expect to close doors by the end of March. "It's because of the declining business activity no other reason," Foster said.

The poor health of Caterpillar a major customer is related to the shutdowns, he added. Both facilities manufacture protective cabs for construction equipment and supplied the cabs to Catepillar and other companies. Bruce meets area MATTOON Congressman Terry Bruce, D-Olney, will visit Coles County officials today to discuss applications for the new General Motors Saturn plant today. Bruce will meet with Tim Yow of the Coles County Board and mayors Clancy Pfeiffer and Roger Dettro. On Thursday, Bruce addressed the Lister-Thomason CHARLESTON Jury trial begins Monday in Danville for a $1 million lawsuit filed in 1982 by a sheriff's department employee.

Ken Thomason, a road patrol officer with the department, filed suit in July, 1982 against Sheriff Chuck Lister, the' Sheriff's Merit Commission and the Coles County Board after he was assigned to jail duty when he returned from a leave of absence. Thomason took the leave to run for the Republican nomination for sheriff in March, 1982. He was defeated by Charles Coffey, who is an investigator for the Coles County state's attorney's office. Selection of the six-person jury is slated to begin at 9 a.m. and arguments would Today 2 and 4 p.m., Children's concert with' pianist Kathleen Roach, Lake Land College Tneaier.

8 D.m., "Don't Drink the water," Charleston Community Theater, produc- bill (Continued from Page Al) years, substantially lowering price supports. For those crops except soybeans, which has no cash payment now, the bill would phase out by 1990 direct cash to farmers -paid when market prices fall below targets. A current 150,000 limit on these payments would be cut to in 1986, 15,000 in 1987 and $10,000 In 1988. Eliminate acreage reduction programs by 1989. Begin In 1986 to target price support loans to medium and small farms.

Regular price supports loans would be limited to 1200,000, Farm ARCOLA With about 100 acres of land under water, Louis Eckstein is not alone. Eckstein, who owns a farm about three miles northeast of Areola, said water from the Deer Creek Drainage Ditch floods his land regularly. He said about 250 other farmers share his gripe. "I've put up with this since 1956," he said. With the exception of one year, Eckstein said he has dealt with the problem since moving to the farm almost 30 years ago.

Area farm (Continued from Page Al) like Tom Bauer of Voris Seeds, inc. of Charleston say they try to work with farmers who are quick to notify the company if payment problems seem imminent. Although farmers must buy seed annually, they don't have to buy equipment every year. This year's buying is down more than usual, many implement dealers say. Purchases of new small items and new.

large items are almost nil, said Bill Huber of Huber and Sloan Implements of Tuscola. During January 1984 the company sold three or four new combines. This year they haven't sold any. "The used business is pretty good," Huber said, explaining that even used equipment sales are not up to par. Huber, who is also an auctioneer, said "equipment jockeys" are buying used equipment at sales and shipping it to other parts of the country where prices are higher.

A used combine that would bring about $28,000 here could bring as much as $36,750 in Ohio, Huber said. Although many area farmers are able to survive by some have sue- -cumbed to the money crunch. James Geekie, a trustee with the U.S. bandruptcy court, said he's worked with three to five farmers from Edgar, Coles, Douglas and Moultrie counties who have opted for "reorganziation." The court procedure allows farmers to develop their own plans to repay debts. At least one farmer in Geekie's area has been forced to liquidate turn everything over to the court to find assets to repay debts.

Farmers who want to, avoid bankruptcy status often opt to sell before banks foreclose. Huber said only six or seven of the 75 to 80 auctions he's worked have been forced. Many sales are for farmers who have decided to retire although retirement could have been precipitated by the poor economy. Farmers who stay in the business often rely on financial institutions banks and farm lending agencies for long-term and short-term loans. William McCarty, president of the Tuscola ANDERMAN FURNITURE OPENING! 12-5 Sunday MARY'S CLUB to pick up for Chicago $10 per.

They Pillow Sun. free food MAYOR Govt. for All In Pockets for All TALL" Mayor HEALTH CLUB Unlimited CJas.Jtahinow.258-6221 CAFETERIA roast beef $4 30 Saturday night. PUPPY 3 mos. Child's Call 230951.

DISCOUNT SUPPLY 2584363. public. Pectin $699.