Outgoing city clerk Sharon Hustedde swears in city officials John Hodapp, Rita Jurgensmeyer, Logan Speiser, Shannon Petrea, Don Perez and Michael Jansen. (Photo by Kelly Jo Ross) During a brief Carlyle City Council meeting Monday night, Mayor Judy Smith thanked the outgoing city officials for their service to the city.
The outgoing officials are alderpersons Brenda Johnson, Jeff Taylor and Eric Nordike, along with city clerk Sharon Hustedde.
Mayor Smith said that in honor of Johnson and Taylor, who have both spent many years serving the city, two trees will be placed at the Fish Hatchery Park in their honor.
City clerk Hustedde then swore in the newly elected officials — Don Perez (Ward 2), Logan Speiser (Ward 4), John Hodapp (Ward 3), Shannon Petrea (Ward 1), Michael Jansen (Ward 4), and city clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer.
The new committee appointments are as follows:
Finance — alderman Don Perez (chairman) and aldermen Kent Newkirk and John Hodapp.
Electric — alderman Michael Jansen (chairman) and alderpersons Scott Diekemper and Shannon Petrea.
Water & Wastewater — Kent Newkirk (chairman) and John Hodapp and Michael Jansen.
Police — alderman Jeremy Weh (chairman) and Don Perez and alderman Logan Speiser.
Street & Alley — John Hodapp (chairman) and Scott Diekemeper and Logan Speiser
Employee Concerns — Shannon Petrea (chairperson) and Kent Newkirk and Jeremy Weh.
Park — Scott Diekemper (chairman) and Jeremy Weh and John Hodapp.
Economic Development — Shannon Petrea as the city liaison.
Library Board — Don Perez as the city liaison.
A rendering of a new Carlyle sports complex, proposed by developer Duane Nordike. The idea rivals that of a complex proposed by Carlyle High School last month. A new proposal for a sports complex in Carlyle has made its way to Carlyle.
Developer Duane Nordike recently presented plans during a public forum meeting at Case-Halstead Public Library.
Park and Recreation director Andy Brackett opened the meeting and said that the Parks Department was looking at options for a soccer complex and local developer Duane Nordike suggested a proposal on the west end of Carlyle, near Life Church.
It was reported that the ground does not flood and is located one-half mile west of the current property that the city owns.
The site, a 27-acre tract, calls for four ball fields, 240-space parking lot, a concession stand, playground area and soccer fields.
Entry would be from Old State Road, between the church and the soccer area.
The 300-foot soccer field area would be for soccer players of all ages, with more games being played at the same time for younger soccer players.
Nordike showed rendered drawings of the complex, which originally called for two baseball fields and two softball fields, however, it was decided to go with four softball fields.
He added that the fields would have grass outfields and trenched infields, as turf infields are too expensive.
It was also noted that the concession stand will have restrooms and will be located in the middle between the softball fields.
Recently, Carlyle residents heard preliminary plans to add ball fields in conjunction with Carlyle High School.
Nordike said that he was already in the process of developing his proposal and plans and was not in competition with the school district.
While no pricing was included, Nordike said that the land would be included in the total costs and a "total package" would be added, with a percentage of fees added to cover unexpected costs.
Nordike said that cost estimates will be laid out in the near future and he will present those when available.
Last weekend, the city of Breese said a final farewell to Robert John Astroth, a man whose legacy in education spans decades. Affectionately known by students as “Mr. A,” Astroth passed away Wednesday, May 8 in his home.
Astroth was best known for his lengthy service as an educator. Originally a social studies and geography teacher in East St. Louis, Astroth taught in several area schools including Aviston, Christopher and Springfield before becoming a Central Cougar.
“Mr. Robert Astroth was the first Superintendent of Central Community High School and was largely responsible for the birth of the district,” reads Central High School’s official press release regarding Astroth’s death. “As the leader of the former Aviston High School, he worked to join the district with Breese Public High School, forming Central Community High School in 1971. He followed that by leading the district through the construction of the current school facility which opened in 1974.
“Mr. Astroth served as Superintendent of Central for twenty-four of the forty-eight years of Central’s existence. He led the district through the early stages of forming an identity for a new school district and the many years of success to follow. His work made huge contributions to this community. All present, past, and future Cougars enjoy a school that he built and are living in a school community that he dreamed of and made come to life. We are all just standing on his shoulders.”
Astroth retired from his position in 1994 after 42 years in education, 31 of them as superintendent. The Central football field is named in his honor.
| Fri., May 10 |
445.41 |
| Sun., May 12 | 445.64 |
| Tues., May 14 | 445.71 |
| May 8 | .00" |
| May 9 | .80" |
| May 10 | .00" |
| May 11 |
.00" |
| May 12 | .43" |
| May 13 | .01" |
| May 14 | .00" |
