Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 3

News from Central Illinois Fight Hate Week A paper 'graffiti wall' of hateful speech will be burned at Millikin Saturday Local OpinionA4 4 'zf scsr Questions or comments regarding this section? Contact Night Editor John Reidy at 421-6973 ta Irk si (SoiuMtv Imiaril fails to mmwm bnimt member Keith Ashby, R-Decatur. With no amendments offered, the resolution setting a levy for the general fund failed by an 8-U vote with all Republicans and board members David Wolfe, D-Oakley, and Bryan Smith, D-Decatur, voting against it. Board members Jerry Potts, D-Decatur, and Karen Zaiz, D-Decatur, were absent. If the board fails to pass a resolution setting that levy before the end of the year, the county would be unable to collect about $3.9 million in taxes under the existing proposal. Later in the meeting, the board's budget for the 2008 fiscal year failed by a 9-10 vote, with both Democrats and Republicans casting opposing votes as some members were confused whether the board could or should pass a budget with the levy unresolved.

An earlier resolution by board member Kevin Meacham, D-Decatur, to table the budget had failed by an 8-U vote. Board Chairman Bob Sampson, D-Decatur, instructed board members to leave their calendars open for several dates in November so a new meeting can be scheduled. The board is required by state law to pass a budget before the start of its new fiscal year Dec. 1. But he and finance committee Chairman Jay Dunn, D-Decatur, both said that board members who had objections should have been more involved in the process earlier rather than raising issues now.

The county has been scheduling special meetings to discuss the budget since July. Mary Tallon can be reached at or 421-7984. Lack of resolution to tax levy question left some members confused By MARY TALLON Staff Writer DECATUR Five years ago, the Macon County Board had to schedule a special post-Thanksgiving meeting to approve a spending plan because the county couldn't decide what cuts to make to balance its budget. This year, the board will have to schedule a special meeting to pass a roughly $59.4 million budget after it failed to do so at a meeting Thursday in which some board members objected to the county having what they consider too large a surplus while still asking taxpayers for more money. Prior to the regular meeting, a state-mandated "truth in taxation" hearing was held because the county is increasing its levies by more than 5 percent in some funds, including the health department, retirement and general funds.

The general fund levy increase was sought in part with the idea that the board would establish a rainy day fund, Auditor Amy Stockwell said. But some board members objected to no specific proposal for the rainy day fund being included in the budget. They questioned the $262,423 proposed increase in the general fund levy when Stockwell anticipates a surplus covering three months of operating funds, even after nearly $1 million in internal debt is retired. "I feel that a 7.2 percent increase in the levy is not said board VETERANS DAY 18-year-old pleads guilty to animal torture ill' 1 lliifeM lull i 1 UlUrw fiy A ill I j1eU rj fir" Charges in trooper death A second Decatur man has been charged in connection with the three-vehicle crash that killed an Illinois State Police trooper, according to The Associated Press. Shaitan Cook faces seven counts of aggravated driving under the influence and four other charges in the Oct.

28 accident that killed 24-year-old Brian McMillen, a Pana native. Sangamon County prosecutors allege the 28-year-old Cook had ecstasy, horse tranquilizers and alcohol in his system at the time of the crash. Justin Taylor, 22, of Decatur previously was charged with aggravated drunken driving, reckless homicide and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. McMillen was responding to a call for assistance from the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office when the accident happened northeast of Springfield on Dye Road, about three-tenths of a mile south of Interstate 72. Cook and Taylor are being held on $1 million bond.

DECATUH Delinquent taxpayers Macon County Treasurer Steve Grimm has announced that 2,000 delinquent taxpayers as of Oct. 31 have yet to pay their taxes in advance of this year's real estate tax lien sale. The lien sale is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 16 in the fifth-floor board room of the Macon County Office Building, 141 S.

Main St. Delinquent taxpayers still can pay their bills until the close of business hours at the treasurer's office Thursday, Nov. 1 5, but the treasurer is accepting cash payments and certified bank checks only. The treasurer's office is in Room 302 of the county office building and is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday. Call 424-1426. Blanket collection New and unused blankets are being collected until Friday, Dec. 21, at Vinnie's Barbee-Q, 1250 South-side Drive and 104 South U.S. 51 or 427 Leighty-Tabor Science Center at Millikin University.

Donors will receive a $5 coupon. Proceeds will benefit local charities, shelters and hospitals. mmm Second Saturday Book Sale Friends of the Decatur Public Library Second Saturday Book Sale will be 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov.

10, in the library's second-floor retail space. Hardback books are $1 or $2. Paperback books, records, cassettes, CDs and books on tape are 50 cents. Call 424-2900, ext. 100.

Poinsettias sale Poinsettias in red, pink, white, marble and winter rose may be ordered at the Decatur-Macon County Senior Center for pickup after Tuesday, Nov. 27, for $11 each. The delivery fee is $2 per location in Decatur and $5 per location elsewhere in Macon County. The price drops to $10 each for orders of 50 or more plants. Call 429-1239.

mmm Lovelace benefit A benefit for Andre Lovelace will be 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, in the AIW Hall, 2882 N. Dineen St.

Entertainment includes DJ Brad, DDT, Lenny and the Road Kings, Whiskey and a Pickle and Ambient Green. Call 791-1021. mmwu Seeking top toys Christmas soon is approaching, and the Herald Review is working on an article about this year's "must-have" toys. Grownups or children with thoughts on this year's top gifts are encouraged to call staff writer Mike Frazier at 421-7985 or e-mail Herald ReviewRalf Pansch Veterans of the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces salute during the singing of the 'Star Spangled Banner' on Thursday afternoon at Parsons School.

They were there for the school's Veterans Day Assembly. ahitin oldier ff our By RON INGRAM Staff Writer DECATUR Joseph H. McGee, 18, pleaded guilty Thursday in Macon County Circuit Court to animal torture in connection with an Oct. 20 incident in which he tied a rope around a cat's neck and dangled the cat in front of a pit bull until the dog killed it. McGee entered the plea under a partial plea agreement with the state's attorney's office under which he indicated he will seek probation at sentencing and the state agreed to cap at two years its recommendation for a prison sentence.

Circuit Judge Katherine McCarthy accepted the plea and scheduled a sentence hearing for Dec. 13. She dismissed a second charge of aggravated cruelty to animals as part of the plea bargain. McCarthy said the maximum possible sentences under the plea were up to three years in prison, a $25,000 fine and up to 30 months probation. The animal torture occurred in the rear yard of a house in the 100 block of West Packard Street.

The cat, named Bubba, belonged to a 4-year-old girl who lived nearby. It had escaped from its residence and was found by McGee. Neither McGee nor either of two other men who ran into the house when police arrived at the scene of the animal torture claimed ownership of the pit bull. The dog was taken to the county Animal Control and Care Center. Roy Austin, chief animal warden, said the dog had to be euthanized because of his behavior toward other animals.

"He was fine with adults, but he did not play well with other animals," Austin said. Ron Ingram can be reached at or 421-7973. Area schools recognize those who have sacrificed for our country returned from a year in Iraq and soon will be deployed to Afghanistan. Allen was one of the military guests at Parsons School's Veterans Day event on Thursday in Decatur. As she left the auditorium afterward, she stopped to pick up and hug her niece, Haley Culter-Smith.

E-mail helps her stay in touch with family, she said, and she tells the children, like Haley, not to worry about her; she'll be fine. "I'm there to defend their freedom, so they can have a better Life," Allen said. And, she said, smiling, that people often stop her to thank her for serving. Many of them tell her they couldn't do what she does. "It gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that you did something worthwhile," she said.

"That's why I do what I do, because others can't." Valerie Wells can be reached at or 421-7982. By VALERIE WELLS Staff Writer Charlie Kinkade piloted the Hig-gins boat that carried Theodore Roosevelt Jr. to the Normandy beach on D-Day during World War II. "My niece interviewed (Kinkade) for a research paper," said Karen Smith-Cox, a teacher at Lovington High School. "He said there were so many bodies and wreckage he had to land at a different place (than planned)." Kinkade was one of the honored guests at Lovington Grade School's Veterans Day program Thursday, and Smith-Cox introduced him to her students and told them all to shake his hand and thank him for his service.

Since watching the PBS miniseries "The War," she said, she can't even think of veterans without tears. Thanking veterans is what Veterans Day is all about, Principal Anthony Galindo said. "They protect us from any and all who would harm us or take away our freedoms," he told the assembled children. Roger Burgess, a 20-year Navy veteran and adjutant of American Legion Post 429, quoted the film "The Great Raid," a true story in which Lt. Col.

Henry Mucci said, "Nothing in our lives will ever be as important as this," as he leads a rescue mission to save 500 American prisoners from the Japanese. "Can a CEO claim he has more responsibility than a 21-year-old squad commander on patrol in Baghdad?" Burgess said. Military service taught Myron Kirby to appreciate his home, his family and his freedom. Kirby is the commander of the Department of Illinois in the American Legion. "(The service) puts an imprint on a veteran that you can never shake," he said.

Being in the service makes Sgt. Nichole Allen feel she's giving something back, she said. She just Tax levy issue up in the air after two resign from Oaldey Township Letters mailed to county Republicans to seek replacement son being replaced and to reside within the township, Nelson said. But the township board may impose some experience requirements, he said. With winter approaching, the prospect of snow and needing to plow township roads is looming.

Nelson said he is confident that county engineer Bruce Bird could be prevailed upon to assist the township with road maintenance if the need arose "Our roads likely would get plowed only after the county roads were clear," Nelson said. Ron Ingram can be reached at or 421-7973. James Gresham. A letter soliciting applicants for the posts was mailed Wednesday to all registered Republicans in the township, Nelson said. Nelson said there are legal steps the board could take to get a tax levy filed, but "we don't want to stretch the law." The highway commissioner's salary is $34,000 a year, and the clerk receives about $3,000, Nelson said.

The problem with the highway commissioner's job is he is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he said. The only requirements in state law to be the highway commissioner are to be of the same party as the per call from a Herald Review reporter seeking comment on their actions. The couple are both Republicans, and the township board's appointees to replace them must be of that party. Wolfe said he already has been contacted by someone interested in the town clerk's post. He said efforts to find a highway commissioner are under way.

A meeting earlier this week to discuss finding replacements was attended by the township's two Republican trustees, Roger Nelson and Walt Morgan-thaler; Wolfe, who is a Democrat; and Macon County GOP Chairman supervisor. "If he would have turned in his levy, we would have had 60 days from the date of his resignation to fill the vacancy," Wolfe "In reality, we only have a couple weeks." The tax levy must be reviewed and approved by township trustees at their Dec. 4 meeting, Wolfe said. If that does not occur, the township could not collect that levy next year and would lose the revenue, he said. Neither of the Blacks indicated any reasons for their resignations in the brief letters they submitted last week to the township board.

They did not return a By RON INGRAM Staff Writer OAKLEY The Nov. 2 resignations of Oakley Township Highway Commissioner Andrew Black and his wife, Town Clerk Cynthia Black, have left the township board of trustees scrambling to find replacements. Andrew Black's resignation has put the township in a bind because he did not submit a signed 2007 real estate property tax levy, said David Wolfe, township .1.