From the mayor’s desk: Meadow Martell

August is that time of the year when it starts feeling like we are on the downside of summer. The weather is still good, and the focus is on finishing projects before the weather changes. In the next couple of months, the public works staff will be working on cleaning storm ditches throughout town. The city’s storm water system consists of ditches, catch basins, curbs and gutters and storm sewer lines. All of these components work together to collect the runoff and deposit it into local receiving streams which then take it to the river.
The bulk water station is complete and open. One challenge is that the old station provided an opportunity to fill smaller containers. This option was never approved by city staff and that option no longer exists at the new bulk station. The new system is different. Valves open and close slower so trying to fill anything less than 500 gallons is not an option.
This Thursday, Aug. 15 is the last Concert in the Park. The entertainment will be pop, rock, and country music by NEVIN. If you bring a picnic to enjoy don’t forget that no alcohol or smoking is allowed in the park. I love walking around and watching people enjoying the music and seeing happy kids playing on the playground and the splash pad. There are softball games happening, skateboarding, and cornhole playoffs. I am pleased and grateful that our Jubilee Park is living up to its name.
I count myself fortunate that I live close enough to the Illinois River that I can walk there almost every day. For 14 years I have been observing this beautiful river and its many changes. Recently my neighbor and I took a ride on Westside road to see the Pomeroy Dam action happening on the other side of the river.
I spoke with the worker who was directing traffic as the big equipment was coming in. I was sad and disturbed to hear that he often gets called names. We talked about how the work is moving carefully and slowly forward with a lot of oversight. This is a well thought out project that is being implemented incrementally to mitigate any disturbances and impacts. Fish and other living water creatures are being carefully monitored by Fish and Wildlife. The dam has served its purpose and now it is outdated, and it is time to let the water and fish run free. I am looking forward to enjoying a truly Wild and Scenic Illinois River.