Normal residents Myra and George Gordon are Illinois Prairie Community Foundation Philanthropists of the Year (Photo courtesy of Illinois Prairie Community Foundation)

McLean County

State organization honors Normal couple for philanthropy

The Illinois Prairie Community Foundation recently named George and Myra Gordon to its 2017 Philanthropists of the Year program. The Normal couple has lived in the community 45 years. The foundation recognized the Gordons for numerous contributions over the years, including founding Operation Recycle and roles on the Multicultural Leadership Program, McLean County Board and the Cedar Ridge Elementary School Promise Council.

The foundation will recognize the Gordons at a luncheon at noon Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

Attorney general continues open meetings review

Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office continues its nearly year-and-a-half-long investigation into its review of open meetings violation allegations linked to the McLean County Board of Health. McLean County State’s Attorney Jason Chambers initially filed the complaint to Madigan’s office in May 2016.

The core of the complaint addresses concerns over health department business conducted in executive session. Madigan’s office has not indicated when it will complete its review of the complaint.

Bloomington residents can now get the famous Giordano’s deep-dish pizza, at its new location at 1505 N. Veterans Parkway. (Photo courtesy of Giordano’s Pizza)

Bloomington

Giordano’s opens its first McLean County eatery

Giordano’s, the popular Chicago chain known for its deep-dish pizza, recently opened a store at 1505 N. Veterans Parkway in Bloomington. The restaurant, replacing a former Qdoba, is the first such location within McLean County.

According the company, the Bloomington Giordano’s is offering dine-in and carryout service at this time. Later, additional features — including online ordering and carryout — will be added. Indoor seating, in addition to an outdoor patio area, are part of the company’s operating plans.     

City begins seasonal leaf collection this week

The city of Bloomington’s public works crews began picking up leaf piles this past Monday, Oct. 16, and the service will continue into the next month. DPW officials are asking residents to place leaf piles to the back of the curb on the grass, to the shoulder of the road or at the edge or near driveways.

Crewmembers will not accept bagged leaves. Residents should not create piles higher than three feet, and they should not be placed out into the street.

Normal

Town seeks applicants for city manager post  

City Manager Mark Peterson is not retiring until next spring, but town of Normal officials have already begun the process of seeking his successor. The municipality recently began posting the position through several avenues, including platforms associated with GovHR, a Northbrook-based consultancy company that works with governing agencies in seeking out top-level staffers.

The town has listed a number of qualifications for the position, including 7 to 10 years of experience in senior management, some in the municipal sector. The town also is seeking applicants who have attained a master’s degree in public administration or business administration.

Uptown Normal trees lit up for ISU homecoming

A tree lighting took place this week in the town of Normal, though it was not in recognition of the upcoming holiday season. Illinois State University President Larry Dietz and Normal Mayor Chris Koos lit up trees throughout the Uptown Normal area on Monday, Oct. 16, to help kick off Homecoming Week. The trees, adorned with ISU’s signature colors, will remain lit through this weekend.

‘Stop for Pedestrian’ signs installed along Constitution Trail  

In an effort aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety, town of Normal officials have installed “stop for pedestrian” signs on roadways intersecting with the popular walkway. Public works crews recently installed signage at the intersections of Lincoln, Locust and Willow streets, Raab Road and Shelbourne Drive.

In a statement, City Manager Mark Peterson said the signs are designed to remind motorists of laws that are already in place.

“The signs are a visual reminder of the existing pedestrian crosswalk law requiring vehicles to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk,” Peterson said.     

DPW crews flushing hydrants through end of week  

Town of Normal’s public works department is conducting its routine flushing of fire hydrants through the end of the week. Crews periodically flush the hydrants to remove sediment and stagnant water and test equipment.

During the flushing, residents’ water supply might intermittently appear discolored. For a listing of when the flushing will take place, visit the town’s website at www.normal.org.

–McLean County News Briefs–