SIUC Research Booklet

Received a spiral bound booklet from SIUC, mailed in a box, highlighting professors and students conducting research at the university. Nice looking booklet but not sure why the university sent it out. It only highlights 4 pieces of ongoing research and most of the booklet is taken up with pictures. There is a call to action on the last page, directing me here to find out more, and I am certainly glad to see that members of the university conduct research but still not sure as to the reasoning behind the mailing.

EPA Meeting About Koppers

Just a reminder that there is a meeting with the EPA tomorrow night at the Eurma C. Hayes Center.  According to the press release, representatives from Brightfield's will be there as well to answer questions

The Carbondale Community is invited to an Information Session on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., regarding the cleanup of the former Koppers Wood-Treating Site. The meeting will be held at the Eurma C. Hayes Center, 441 East Willow Street. The USEPA is the sponsor of the meeting which will feature an information session, poster session, as well as a question and answer session.

                                                       

The public is advised that although representatives from Brightfield's will be present at this meeting to answer questions that might arise regarding their proposed solar panel project, this meeting is not considered one of the two meetings required by the City of Carbondale as part Brightfield's Special Use Zoning Permit process.

More information on this meeting can be obtained by contacting Rafael Gonzalez, USEPA - Chicago, at 1-800-621-8431 or gonzalez.rafaelp@epa.gov

Pravin Varughese Death

The results of Pravin Varughese's toxicology report came back negative, indicating he was neither drunk or under the influence of drugs when he died.  The thing that bothers me about Chief O'Guinn's statement in the story is that the terrain where Varughese fled to is "difficult terrain". If you are familiar with the area, it is not. Located just east of Buffalo Wild Wings, the area is quite flat and covered with small trees. While in spring and summer, the area can get quite swampy, in 14 degree temperatures, the ground would have frozen solid and, with no leaves on the trees, the lights of Buffalo Wild Wings are easily visible less than 100 yards away from the area into which Varughese ran. Assuming he was conscious, he could have made it to the building in less than five minutes.

However, the bank from Highway 13 down to that area is about 30 feet long and fairly steep. If Varughese tried to run down it in the dark, he could easily have slipped, fallen and knocked himself out. Lying on the frozen ground, in what are described as a t-shirt and jeans, he could have died from exposure in a couple of hours.

City Government Employee Pay

In case you were ever curious about the pay of those in Carbondale city government, here's a handy list of those making over $75,000 per year, along with vacation days and sick days earned:

Vacation Sick
Employee Position Compensation * Vacation Days Granted Sick Days Granted
Baity, Kevin City Manager 143,079.68 15 12
Kimmel, Mike City Attorney 99,875.28 15 12
Snyder, Leonard Assistant City Attorney 80,493.12 15 12
McCoy, Deborah Admin Svcs Director 99,875.28 25 12
Ursini, Donald Finance Director 98,142.24 10 12
Davis, Jeffrey Accounting Manager 82,231.68 20 12
Jones, Mark Information Systems Mgr 83,651.52 20 12
O'Guinn, Jody Chief of Police 108,539.80 10 12
Grubbs, Jeff Deputy Chief of Police 95,949.16 20 12
Reno, Stan Deputy Chief of Police 87,875.56 20 12
Vacant Position Lieutenant 82,000.00 10 12
Reno, Heather Lieutenant 86,448.76 20 12
Goddard, Mark Lieutenant 83,219.32 20 12
Stearns, Mark Lieutenant 82,363.24 20 12
Edwards, Paul Lieutenant 85,592.68 20 12
Brunner, Richard Sergeant 84,257.80 16 10
Wilson, Douglas Sergeant 81,731.32 16 10
Dunning, Matthew Sergeant 81,731.32 20 12
Banks, Kevin Sergeant 81,731.32 16 10
Kemp, David Sergeant 80,436.76 16 10
Michalesko, John Fire Chief 110,086.64 20 12
Keim, David Ass't Fire Chief 96,058.70 9 6
Heern, Gary Ass't Fire Chief 96,666.20 9 6
Lomax, Ted Ass't Fire Chief 83,984.96 9 6
Kaufmann, Terril Fire Captain 82,784.96 8 12
McBride, Steve Fire Captain 80,042.72 8 5
Wallace, Chris Develop. Svc's Director 97,326.72 15 12
Henry, Sean Public Works Director 98,831.28 15 12
Belles, Gary Civil Engineer III 79,641.36 20 12
Hardin, Robert MES Manager 80,206.32 10 12
Snider, Don Traffic Control Supervisor 81,036.00 20 12
Harrison, Anthony Mgr of Water Operations 81,036.00 10 12
* Compensation includes wages and salaries, employer share of health insurance,
clothing and vehicle allowances, and other contractual benefits.

Farmer's Market Opens

I assume you already knew this, but if you did not, the Murdale Farmer's Market opens for business this Saturday.  This early in the season, most likely just flowers, bedding plants and maybe some hothouse grown produce. Rain should be over by then but likely to be a bit cool.

Koppers Meeting

In order to address concerns about the ongoing cleanup at the Koppers wood treating site, and its potential home for a solar array, the EPA will host an open meeting from 6 to 9 p.m.  on April 9th at the Eurma C. Hayes Center, 441. East Willow.

The session starts with a poster session, whatever that is and someone feel free to post a comment or email me explaining what a poster session it, then moves to presentations and Q&A at 6:45 until 7:50, followed by another poster session until 9.

Since most of the controversy over the Koppers cleanup has come from residents of the northeast side of Carbondale, I would hope there is a good turnout from that area.  I also hope those who attend come ready to ask questions in order to clarify points about the development, rather than wanting to confront the EPA in order to re-confirm their own beliefs.

Aldi Wants to Sell You Beer

The only thing on the agenda for this Thursday's Liquor Advisory Board meeting is an application from Aldi for a Class C2 license, allowing it to sell package beer and wine. Given Aldi's business model, I don't imagine the store will offer a very large selection, probably 1-2 types of beer and an equally large selection of wine.