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Robert J.
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MANY RURAL HOMES GET TREATED WATER FIRST TIME The newest customers of Fayette County Water Company east of Ramsey are drinking tap water in the new year. It was not too soon for those whose wells were poor or contaminated. FCW board member Paul Sarver of Herrick said 170 meters were installed since late 2011 along a 67 mile extension of 6-inch pipeline constructed last year. A portion of 8-inch pipeline crossed the Kaskaskia River to serve customers on the north side. The extension brings treated water to rural Herrick and Cowden while also giving both of those villages a back-up water supply. The west end of the new pipeline is two miles north of the Twin Churches corner in Carson township. Sarver sees little chance of another extension to bring it to rural Ramsey homes because homes are too dispersed or lack of easements. Betty Lofland is one of those new water customers in Carson township. “I’m the happiest person in the world,” she declared last week while drinking a glass of fresh tap water in her kitchen. “Now I can quit hoarding all those coins it takes to buy water in Herrick and Ramsey. You can lose a lot of money in those machines, too,” she pointed out. “And I’ll sell my old truck and water tank. There are times when I used to haul water every day! Before the new water line was hooked up, my well pump went bad and kicked on every few minutes. I’ll have a terrible electric bill for that.” “I will keep filling my jars at the (Kaskaskia Gardens) spring to make coffee and tea. “I thank Mike Casey and my brother Floyd White for getting me hooked up with treated water in my lifetime,” Lofland added. Sarver said some rural home owners declined to hook up with the new line because their wells are good. “And they say treated water costs too much. How does our half cent per gallon compare to those little bottles of water at the store … about $8, even $16 a gallon?!” During construction, customers paid $250 for a meter, an issue often stressed by Sarver in his weekly Rabbit Town observations in this newspaper. Customers won’t see their first monthly bill until early April. The first bill will be for $26 and water rate is $5.50 per 1,000 gallons. Sarver said he understands the inconvenience of water sales machines. “They always need repair The coin machine at Wright’s Corner tower has been vandalized three times since autumn. Now it’s out of service because it can’t be fixed until spring.” With this 67 mile extension Fayette Water Co. now has 370 miles of water line.
COMPUTER LABS, P.B.I.S. ARE DISTRICT ASSETS Glowing reports of improved student behavior was given to Ramsey Board of Education on Thursday. It was the annual Positive Intervention Behaviors and Support report. Teachers pointed out that with five years of PBIS training behind them, students are demonstrating at annual ‘boot camp’ that the three R’s of PBIS: “Respectful, Responsible, Ramsey Pride/Safety, have become second nature. Ramsey Grade School has been named Best PBIS School two of the last three years by the state agency. The quantity and availability of computers is also a high standard for District #204 students. In a technology report to the school board, Diane Strobel and Mike Reiss said the ratio has improved from four students per computer to only two per. “Most students have access to computers at least 3 to 4 hours per week,” the report continued. That is at least a three-fold improvement in just two years. Last year, the district made great strides with a state grant of $189,000 which increased computer lab rooms and three mobile laptop labs. New software gives teachers and technology specialists access to every computer’s use. In 2011, 25 teachers attended technology classes. Professional development is offered during institute days, even after school hours. A new website is changed every two or three days and provides parent forms. Regional Superintendent of Schools Julie Wollerman held a hearing with the board on the district’s request to opt out of serving meals during Summer School. Either breakfast or lunch would cost about $2,000. Supt. Wollerman made no immediate determination on the request. The same request was allowed last year. Superintendent Melissa Ritter reported that the midterm financial picture shows all funds on track with the budget. Insurance covered the recent break-in and theft which was estimated at $5,360, except the $1,000 deductible. “The security system worked,” Mrs. Ritter said, “but it also opened our eyes of possible better security which we’re working on.” Fayette Co. Health Depart-ment got approval to administer the Tdap Booster vaccine April 5 for grades 5-9. Parents will be notified of the opportunity. Ramsey Grade School Promotion was set for Tuesday, May 22. High school graduation was set previously for Sunday, May 20. Sports Boosters got approval for a Fish Fry fundraiser on March 30. Scott Hunt reported complete designs for the energy efficiency grant for grade school doors and windows and boiler replacement. The resignation of high school tutor Hayley Savo was accepted. Kelly Pryor was hired to fill that tutor position.
This is the base of Ramsey Creek hill at 10 a.m. Saturday; 16 hours after the freezing rain turned roads impassable. The van with lights (left) carrying Ramsey mail got to this gleaming, icy hill after a stressful 8-hour trip then could get no further. Debris on the road shows where motorists looked for traction on the shoulder. More photos on page 16.
RARE FAMILY UNAFFECTED BY ICE STORM The weekend was filled with citizens exchanging harrowing stories how they or a family member survived Friday’s rush hour ice storm. Basically, several hundred motorists spent hours trying to get home instead of the minutes it normally takes. It took Sheriff Aaron Lay five hours from Effingham to Herrick (normal 20 minute trip) where he stopped to help other folks. He said 3/4 of his force spent the entire night on duty. Ramsey firemen had all the trucks out and, along with county officials, stopped all traffic in and out of Ramsey because in all directions cars were stalled on Ramsey or Ash Creek hills, in turn blocking other cars. Ramsey Cafe and Casey’s gas station were jammed with stranded motorists. Mark Hortenstine opened the Christian Church to about 50 people, including some local folks. Julie Benhoff and son Adam joined to help feed and entertain them. Others brought blankets. By about 2:00 a.m. Saturday, freezing rain had stopped and highway trucks were able to free some roads. Most local folks left then but many stayed at the church until daybreak. Freezing rain began after 4:00 p.m. Friday and quickly coated sidewalks, rural roads, streets, Rt. 51, the Interstates and car windows. Thirteen months since the last bad ‘black ice’ storm, people were falling and injuring bones and muscles again! Just enough time allowed RHS to cancel that night’s Rams game. Several boys and girls games were cancelled Saturday since the ice was so long melting that afternoon. First National Bank opened with minimal staff Saturday morning and convenience stores were able to do the same. Township and village road crews were affected by slick roads like everyone else. The mail delivery van was stalled Saturday morning at the foot of Ramsey Creek hill, having started his duties in St. Louis at 2:00 a.m that morning. Hearing of his plight, Steve Marley took his 4-wheel drive truck and relayed it to the Post Office just before 10:00. It was too late to deliver all rural mail but some got through by intrepid carriers.
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