Greenville Doesn't Need Preservation Regulations

I disagree with a letter to The Greenville Advocate (from the August 5th edition) proffered by Kathy Brewer, a Greenville College graduate who decries the end of Hogue Hall and wants Greenville to create a "historic preservation ordinance."

I think GC should be criticized for this decision from the hilltops of our green town, but I don't think an "ordinance" is needed. Greenville needs to mind its own business when it comes to private property-- need I bring to mind the "take the turret down/no put the turret back up" debacle involving the Sanders' property, or the threatening letters sent to various town individuals for the look of their yards by former code enforcer Bill Grider while the main drag College Avenue boasts some of the ugliest, most gunked-up yards in town, for which nothing is ever done?

Greenville gets it wrong when it interferes with people's right to their own lives and property, so I say NO to any historic preservation ordinance.

Greenville College ignores state's warnings about Hogue Hall

I was dismayed to read in The Greenville Advocate that the state historical preservation agency asked Greenville College to wait to demolish Hogue Hall in a less haphazard manner in order to save more of its historical dimensions to incorporate into the new building.

Of course, the state's advice was ignored by the GC higher-ups who made this decision. Now, Greenville College has no Hogue Hall and has to conduct a fundraising drive in the middle of what might be the worst recession since the Great Depression! Sure, Greenville College wants its own "bailout" from the state of Illinois, but frankly Illinois needs to spend its money on more important things right now. The head of the preservation agency notes that her reluctance to go along with the demolition would be noted if the college wants state funds, and I think that would be an appropriate punishment. Ignore the state agency's sound advice? Then you don't get state funding.

Whoever made the decision at GC to demolish Hogue Hall and not even give alums advance notice to see it needs to be fired. Honestly.

What's Taking the Thrift Shop So Long?

The Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop was supposed to open in the old Super Valu building by the end of the summer. It still hasn't moved, and what's the hold-up here?

I'm told by my inside spies that the delay is due to the hospital's massive renovation of the old Super Valu building. While I believe the very deserving volunteers of the Auxiliary do deserve some office space, we all know that what the hospital does best is remodel.

Therefore, I predict that it will be past the now-given date of November for the move. You might as well do what you do best.

Why No Mr.Bond County?

Last month, I attended the Witt Labor Day Parade. Despite its tiny size, Witt manages to cough up a more exciting parade than Greenville has most years, with participation even from Springfield-area musical outfits and everything.

I noticed that many, many counties and towns around Greenville have Little Mr. pageants. Greenville has had Little Miss Bond County for a long time. Little Miss Bond County used to be crowned, but now they're all crowned.

Hillsboro has Mr. Muscle. That's too old-fashioned and stereotypical, but why doesn't Bond County move into the 21st century and hold a Little Mr. Bond County pageant?

Could it be for lack of participation? This year's Little Miss pageant could apparently only attract one little guy as an escort, unlike the two or three escorts of past years.

Bond County Health Department moving too fast with bidding

I applaud the board of the Bond County Health Department for building up a surplus of over $1 million, enough to move to another building.

However, I'm concerned that they are moving too fast with bidding and groundbreaking on this project. After talking about it for months if not years, bids will be sought October 9, the bid will be accepted October 13th, and groundbreaking will be held October 22nd. Why only four days between garnering bids and accepting one?

Supposedly, Korte Construction is acting in a "construction management" capacity with the Health Department building, and they are advising on the bidding timeline and process. Could they be working to shut other potential bidders out of the process?

For a process that has taken years to reach this point, why is the most important stage being rushed?

Hula Hoop Craze in Greenville, 1958

From The Greenville Advocate:

"As the latest craze sweeps the nation, distraught parents continue to go from store to store in search of some type of toy referred to by their children as 'hula-hoops.'

Local merchants have receieved several shipments of the plastic hoops but have not been able to procure enough to meet the increasing demand.

Many Greenville merchants have created waiting lists.

Local school yards are a mass of different colored hoops twirling through the air. The hoops are twirled around the waist, neck or legs by doing moves like those required in the hula dance."