Bushnell

Bushnell Sewer Project Moves Forward

James Lenz — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:03:26 +0000

Bushnell is moving forward on a project to replace sewer lines in the Wells-Hale part of the city.

Mayor Steve Russell says construction should begin in the spring.

He says, “(We'll) try to make them larger. Try to handle flow. You know, people were getting backed-up in their basements, stuff like that when we did have rain. So we're hoping that this will help cure some of that.”

Russell says the city will have to coordinate the construction with the golf course since some of the lines run under it.

Bushnell Mayor Won't Seek Re-election

James Lenz — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:35:49 +0000

Bushnell voters won't see a familiar name on their ballots next April.

Mayor Steve Russell will not seek another term. He spent a lot of time considering his decision.

He says, “I figured it's time for a new person to see what they can do for Bushnell.”

Burned-out Restaurant is a Hazard

James Lenz — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 21:36:44 +0000

The Brickhouse Restaurant in Bushnell burned down in March of 2011.

Nothing has been done to the Main Street site since the fire. Debris remains in the alley behind it.

Mayor Steve Russell says the building is an eyesore and a safety hazard.

He says, “A lot of people say, 'You know, how much longer do we have to look at this mess? Can't we get it cleaned up? And, of course, if we condemn the property and the city goes in and does it it's going to cost several thousands of dollars.”

Bushnell Lands New Dentist

James Lenz — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:17:59 +0000

Bushnell will soon have a new dental practice to fill the office that has been vacant since the retirement of the city's only dentist, Dr. David Jameson.

Dr. Paige McCord came from Arizona. She expects to open her practice in mid-June.

The city initiated an active recruiting effort in March. McCord says she heard about the opportunity at a high school reunion.

She will open a general dentistry practice and offer cosmetic dentistry. She has practiced for seven years.

Bushnell Recycling Schedule to Change

James Lenz — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:19:47 +0000

Bushnell has been gung-ho about recycling. The sheer volume will be reflected in a schedule change later this month.

Currently, Waste Management picks up all the city's recycling at curbside every other week.

Mayor Steve Russell said the company has asked to expand its schedule.

He said, “They said that they would have to make the change because the recycling was going so much better in Bushnell than it had been.”

Bushnell Will Install Emission Controls at Power Plant

James Lenz — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:08:52 +0000

Bushnell hoped to avoid spending the $650,000 for catalytic converters on the engines at its power plant. Mayor Steve Russell said the city keeps the plant as a back-up and doesn't run it regularly.

However, maintaining the power plant brings in $25,000 monthly payments.

Russell said the city buys electricity from a consortium, the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency. The agency makes those payments for the city's generating capacity. One condition is that the power plant meets EPA regulations. New regulations require the installation.

New Dentist Could Re-open Old Office

James Lenz — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:03:47 +0000

Dr. David Jameson's retirement left Bushnell without a dentist. The city has moved to fill the cavity in the community.

Mayor Steve Russell said, “We had a team of people here made up of several interested people that might like to work with us and get the word out there that we were interested in having a dentist in Bushnell.”

Representatives from the Bushnell Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corporation pitched in. He said Kim Pierce of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce also helped with the search.

Bushnell Voters To Decide Fate of Infrastructure Funding

James Lenz — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:03:38 +0000

Bushnell Mayor Steve Russell said the city is “very frugal” when it comes to street repairs. He said the city has a long-term plan to fix streets, sidewalks and gutters. All it needs is a new source of revenue to make that happen.

The city is putting a half-cent sales tax increase before voters next Tuesday. If approved, the city's sales tax would increase to 7.25%.

Employees Air Insurance Concerns

James Lenz — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:37:17 +0000

Bushnell switched health insurance plans last year to lower costs. Instead, it raised the hackles of employees.

The two sides this week. Fifteen employees submitted their complaints and questions in writing.

Their biggest complaint was the deductible. It increased $400 from the old plan to $1,900.

Bushnell Responds to Employees Complaints

James Lenz — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:50:06 +0000

Bushnell city employees are saying the city did not tell them how much this year's health insurance coverage would cost them.

This year's plan provides a $500 deductible. The city pays 80% of the next $7,000 is costs. Employees can pay up to $1,900 in health care. That's about $400 more than under the current plan.
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Mayor Steve Russell said the city is asking employees to submit their questions-and complaints-to city hall in writing. The deadline is February 29th.