The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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June 16, 2009

Council discusses negative article

BY CAROL HICKS

HOOPESTON — City council members heard several complaints Tuesday about an article in the Chicago Southtown Star written by Guy Tridgell last week and its negative composition.

"It’s probably the most negative thing I’ve ever read," said Josh Caudle, owner of the historic Lorraine Theatre. "There’s so many positives that were ignored, such as the Lorraine Theatre, the A.R.T. Theatre, and the restaurants in the downtown area."

Even the aldermen and women wondered why the accent in the article was so negative. The article, which was a targeted piece aimed at the retirees around the suburbs of Chicago, according to Paul Manion, city attorney, said it was an attempt to lure Chicago retirees to Hoopeston where the living is so much cheaper than the big city.

Dana Goodrum, economic development director, and Manion went to Chicago about two weeks ago to talk with the Southtown Star about doing an article geared toward the retirement sector of the suburbs of Chicago and the advantages of living in a small town like Hoopeston.

However, Caudle quoted from the article that "Hoopeston is dying" was not a positive draw to bringing people to the city.

Tom Bookwalter, Hoopeston police dispatcher, said he thought it was the "reporter’s slant of what he didn’t see." Alderman Bill McElhaney agreed that it was the discretion of the reporter as to how an article is slanted.

In other business, council members:

-- Aapproved a conditional use for Tim Lane II for a motorcycle business, Vicious Cycles, at his home at 615 S. 4th Street.

-- Learned that Brian and Robin Lawson applied for a facade grant for their building. The Lawsons are painting their building in the 300 block of East Main Street. According to the grant, half of the paint money will be reimbursed once the work is completed and receipts are turned into the city.

"It’s going to be a welcome addition to the town," said Mayor Bill Crusinberry.

-- Learned that Built To Last Construction of Hoopeston was awarded the bid for the sidewalk program at $3.69 per square foot.

-- Learned that Ribbe Trucking of Bismarck was awarded the resurfacing bid on the streets to be repaired in north Hoopeston.

-- Learned that two Children At Play signs requested by families were placed on Front Street recently.

-- Heard from Crusinberry that he had received a request from an individual wanting to sell fresh produce along Illinois Route 1 and Route 9. The individual needed to work the request out with the property owners on the highways, according to Crusinberry.

WHAT’S NEXT

Hoopeston City Council members will meet at 7 p.m. July 7 at City Hall, 301 W. Main Street.

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