The city council agreed to support the Association for the Developmentally Disabled of Woodford County’s longstanding recycling program by providing an annual $30,000 in funds from the city’s General Fund, paid in quarterly installments. (Photo courtesy of ADDWC)

After months of haranguing with the Eureka City Council over the city’s underfunded recycling program, Keith McArdle will ring in the New Year content that his efforts were not in vain.

On Dec. 16, the city council agreed to support the Association for the Developmentally Disabled of Woodford County’s longstanding recycling program by providing an annual $30,000 in funds from the city’s General Fund, paid in quarterly installments.

The city convened next to the Cannery on Bullock Street to have enough room for residents to attend after a public outcry that arose when ADDWC announced it would shutter the program on Jan. 1 for lack of money.

Eureka Mayor Scott Zimmer migrated the council meeting to accommodate a larger public turnout.

The council first voted 6-2 to approve funding the program. Voting against funding were Councilmen Chuck Germann (Ward II) and Milt Hinnen (Ward I). The council then unanimously approved funding ADDWC through the city’s general fund, rather than billing residents and business by adding a line item to a municipal utility bill.

“Thank you to the mayor for his leadership on this issue, and to the City Council for approving the funding,” said McArdle, who serves as the president of ADDWC. “The support from the community at the meeting, and throughout the process, was greatly appreciated.”

ADDWC’s recycling program began 15 years ago in Eureka, and has since expanded to the Woodford County towns of El Paso, Minonk, Goodfield and Washington.

The program provides meaningful work for more than 40 disabled adults, some of whom hail from McLean County.

Association for the Developmentally Disabled of Woodford County clients will continue to enjoy fulfilling employment with the agency’s recycling program, which began 15 years ago. (Photo courtesy of ADDWC)

In October, ADDWC purchased Pekin’s iconic confectionery Maurie’s Candy and plans to open the shop early next year across from the Woodford County Courthouse at 116 N. Main St. Renovations of what was formerly Peking Garden began in November and the kitchen, which came with the Maurie’s purchase, should be installed before New Year’s.

Sales from Maurie’s Candy, ADDWC may well alleviate some of the recycling program’s financial woes, while providing additional work for its clients. The city will reconvene with ADDWC representatives in November 2020 to assess the program’s finance and determine if any funding is needed for the coming year.

For news about ADDWC, or for more information on the services they provide, visit www.addwc.org, or their Facebook page, “ADDWC”.