Clinton County was proclaimed a Purple Heart County. Pictured are (front row, from left) Dave Maue, Bob Zahn and Charles Deters; (back row) Clinton County Board chairman Brad Knolhoff, owner of Standin' Proud Veterans Tribute museum Carl Huels, Kathy Rakers Kampwerth, museum administrator Larissa Monken, Clinton County board member Greg Riechman and Clinton County Veterans Assistance Commission superintendent Colbey Voss. Photo by Matt Wilson The Clinton County Board approved a proclamation making Clinton County a Purple Heart County during its board meeting on Monday, Aug. 17.
Board member Greg Riechman had asked the board to consider making the proclamation during the July board meeting. With August being Purple Heart Month, he felt like the August board meeting would be the perfect time to make that proclamation.
Board chairman Brad Knolhoff read the proclamation, which was approved unanimously.
Clinton County joins St. Clair as the only two southern Illinois counties to be named Purple Heart counties. There are only 10 Purple Heart counties in Illinois.
Riechman said there is a lot to be proud of in Clinton County and the past, current and future veterans are one of them. A jewel in the county is the Standin' Proud Veterans Tribute museum in Bartelso. Carl Huels founded the museum and educates people on those who have been lost and also to promote the honor flight to Washington, D.C., Larissa Monken, Carl's daughter, is the administrator. Colbey Voss is the Clinton County Veterans assistance commission superintendent.
"I want to thank Carl, Larissa and Colbey for having discussions about making Clinton County a Purple Heart County," Riechman said.
Riechman said one of the things they found out when they had the honor flights for the local veterans was how decorated the Clinton County veterans are.
There were multiple veterans, including Purple Heart winners, that attended the Clinton County Board meeting. Riechman and others humbly requested that Clinton County becomes a Purple Heart County.
Knolhoff read the proclamation that stated the board holds the men and women who have selflessly served our nation in the United States Armed Forces in the highest regard and extended its deepest gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration still in use awarded to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, who have been wounded or killed in action against an enemy in the United States.
The Purple Heart is dedicated to preserving the legacy and honoring those who have been wounded or made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation. The proclamation stated that Clinton County realizes and deeply values the courage, patriotism and sacrifice of its Purple Heart recipients and all veterans who have served honorably. Clinton County's designation as a Purple Heart County will serve as a lasting and visible reminder of the sacrifices made by the service members and further demonstrates the county's commitment to honoring and supporting veterans and their families.
A framed copy of the proclamation was presented to Huels following the meeting.
"It was a great feeling to hear that proclamation read in front of the county board," Huels said. "It's a good feeling that the purple heart recipients are going to get the recognition they deserve."
Huels hopes other counties will follow in line. When they were doing the research, they were shocked to find out that St. Clair was the only county south of Springfield to be a Purple Heart County.
Huels said they have worked on making Clinton County a Purple Heart County for about four months.
Organizers are going to ask the Clinton County economic development and tourism boards for funds to help put Purple Heart County signs throughout Clinton County.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, David Gazda Jr. asked the board for an update on the cell tower on Marydale Road. Knolhoff said the permit has not been submitted yet. David Gazda Sr. continued to speak against the cell tower and said it is wasting farm ground and there is health issues related to cell towers.
Director of Clinton County Senior Services Sara Gaston updated the board on the center in Carlyle. The center delivered more than 25,000 meals to homebound seniors, served over 3,500 meals at their congregate center, and provided information and assistance to more than 1,500 seniors.
Carlyle resident Gene Hemingway talked about issues with the four-way stop at State Route 127 and Franklin Street. He also praised the workers at the Senior Services Center in Carlyle. He said a new senior center building is needed because it is a hazard.
"The seniors need to be somewhere else, just for accessibility," Hemingway said. "They need to have a place they are comfortable to access and see the wonderful services these workers provide."
During the zoning and subdivision portion of the meeting, the board approved a special use family split for Darrell Loepker in Germantown Township; Jared Kues' first subdivision in Sugar Creek Township; and a text amendment for energy storage systems. The text amendment was approved by an 8-6 vote with some members saying, "reluctantly yes."
In the facilities portion of the meeting, Gary Arentsen said there is an open maintenance position.
In the finance portion of the meeting, the county authorized the treasurer's office to conduct business with the designated list of county banks to collect property taxes.
County engineer Dan Behrens said the county was awarded a grant for a safety project about a year ago to do some work on Jamestown Road north of Breese. It is over a $1 million project that will probably be around 90% federally funded. That is scheduled for a January letting and the project involves safety lighting, safety shoulders and improvements to the roadway slopes.
There are plans to resurface Shattuc Road in Fiscal Year 2028, which begins next August.
Radio committee chairman Curt Haselhorst said the emergency radio project remains on a delay. They were hoping to find out more information during a phone call on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Jesse Thole was approved as the Clinton County trustee for Eastern Madison County Ambulance District. It is a new district that the voters in St. Rose Township voted in favor of joining other communities in forming a larger ambulance district. It is made up of communities in Madison, Bond and Clinton counties. It is a five-member board and the agreement is there will be a Bond County and a Clinton County member and those individuals will alternate voting rights every other year. It was important that Clinton County had a member at the table.
Thole said the district has been in service since December 2024 and it has done well.
The next county board meeting is 7 p.m. on Sept. 21.
