Tazewell County News Briefs

Chronicle Media

Gary Manier

COUNTY

Six honored for work with children, families

The Tazewell County Health Department has recognized six people who participate in programs to help children and their families with difficult issues.

The Margaret Burt Public Health Partnership Awards were presented to Pekin Police Chief John Dossey, Pekin Police officer Mike Eeten, Edison Junior High School Principal Bill Heisel, Heart of Illinois United Way/SAL Child Care Connection advocate Nancy Hinnen and Tazewell County Health Department volunteer Judy Oakford.

Health department staff nominated the recipients.

Eeten was honored for his part in the Tazewell County Teen Initiative. The program was started in 2006 after the deaths of 15 teenagers in car accidents over approximately 15 months.

Dossey was recognized for his work in the Bridges Out of Poverty program, which helps highlight differences in America’s class system.

Heisel, as principal, helps students in many ways, including the teaching of a sex education class at his school. The class teaches students about sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy and other topics to help them make good choices. Heisel is available to talk to teens who can’t talk to their parents.

The (Gordon) Poquette Leadership Award recognizes a Tazewell County Health Department staff member for leadership in public health’s effectiveness through financial or strategic areas. Billing Coordinator Shannon Risch received the award.

Rummage sale to aid special needs programs

A rummage sale to benefit programs for special needs people in Tazewell County will be held May 12-May 13 at Mineral Springs Park Special Facilities, 1701 Court St., Pekin. Admission is free to the sale, which will be held 4-7 p.m. May 12 and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 13. The sale is being organized by the Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Association. To donate items to the sale, call (309) 201-4005.

MINIER

Program gives teens taste of law enforcement career

The Minier Police Department is recruiting members for its Law Enforcement Explorer Post. The group includes males and females, age 14-20, with an interest in a law enforcement career. The organization is open to young people throughout the area. There is no residency requirement. 

With a nationwide shortage of qualified police officer applicants, the Law Enforcement Explorer program is one way for young people to learn about how they can serve their community through law enforcement. Careers included crime scene investigators, state troopers, police officers, border patrol, air marshals, private security, federal agents such as the FBI and DEA, corrections, military police, 9-1-1 operators, K-9, parole and probation, deputy sheriffs and intelligence positions.  

Law Enforcement Explorers meet year-round, twice monthly with guest speakers from various law enforcement agencies. Members also get the opportunity to be involved in less-hazardous police duties such as traffic control for public events. The teens will also participate in role-playing police training and attend state and national law enforcement conferences.

The Explorer Post has an elite honor guard unit, which appears at sporting events, parades, and other public events.

For more information, contact Minier Police Chief Daryl Weseloh, 309-392-2442. 

WASHINGTON

Mayor honored for leadership

Gary Manier was recognized for his accomplishments as Washington’s longest serving mayor when he became the first recipient of the Ed Rapp Leadership in Action Award. The award was presented at Bradley University’s annual Innovations in Construction, Asphalt and Transportation Conference that attracts speakers and attendees from around the world.

The ICAT’s executive board, made up of business and elected leaders from across the political spectrum, selected Manier, who was one of 13 nominees, including four who live outside the United States.

Rapp is a former group president and CFO at Caterpillar Inc., who discovered in 2015 that he has ALS, an incurable nerve disease that weakens muscles.

Manier was selected for the award for his leadership in Washington’s growth, the response from a devastating tornado that hit Nov. 17, 2013, and leadership on a project that built the Five Points Washington multi-purpose facility in 2007. He is serving his fifth term as mayor.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–