SPRINGFIELD TO HOST AMERICA RECYCLES DAY RECYCLING EVENT

Mayor Tim Davlin announced today the City will host an America Recycles Day recycling extravaganza event on Saturday, November 14, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

“By participating in America Recycles Day Springfield will provide a collection for three different materials,” Mayor Davlin said. “We will again collect all colors of glass bottles and jars that food or drink came in. We will also be accepting private documents to be shredded and recycled. And, for the first time, the city will accept old holiday light strands for recycling. This recycling service is not just for city residents, but for all area residents.”

All colors of glass containers are acceptable: clear, brown, green and blue. Only glass bottles, jars or jugs that held food or drink will be accepted. Other acceptable materials are private documents to be shredded and recycled, up to four large bags/boxes per person, and old Christmas or holiday light strands. Old holiday lights are generally very energy inefficient and are sometimes a fire hazard. New holiday lights are usually LED lights, which are much more energy efficient.

Participants should enter the Illinois State Fairgrounds at Gate 11, at the corner of Sangamon Avenue and 8th Street. The event is cosponsored by the City of Springfield, University of Illinois Springfield, Illinois National Bank, F&W Resources, Affordable Shred, SPARC and Illinois Department of Agriculture. For further details, call the city’s Division of Waste & Recycling at 789-2327.

Street Lane Reductions Next Week

The westbound curb lane of Iles Avenue will be closed to traffic west of Veterans Parkway beginning Monday, November 9th, for street repairs. On Tuesday, November 10th, the southern eastbound lane and the westbound left turn lane will be closed to traffic to complete the street repair. Each repair should take one day, weather permitting. Motorists should avoid the area during heavy traffic times or drive with caution and be alert for workers in the street.

And, the southbound curb lane of Peoria Road, between Garfield and Wood Avenues will be closed to traffic Tuesday, November 10th, for storm sewer and street repair. The repairs should be completed in a week, but may be delayed by weather. Motorists should drive with caution in the area of this work and avoid the area during heavy traffic time if possible.

Sewer repair to close traffic lanes

The northbound curb lane of Chatham Road and the eastbound curb lane of Cherry Road will be closed to traffic starting Wednesday, November 4, 2009, for sanitary sewer repairs. One lane of traffic for northbound traffic will be provided at all times. One lane of traffic for both east and westbound traffic will be provided east of the intersection of Chatham Road and Cherry Road. The sanitary sewer repair should be completed in a week, but may be delayed by weather. Motorists should drive with caution through this area and avoid the area during heavy traffic time if possible.

Circle Drive between Sheffield and West Lake Drive will be closed to traffic beginning Wednesday, November 4, 2009, for sanitary sewer repairs. The work should be completed in three days, weather permitting. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes to avoid the area.

CITY TO RESURFACE TWO HEAVILY-TRAVELED STREETS

The City of Springfield is poised to resurface two of its worst streets, Eleventh Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Thanks to a state grant of $635,000, the City will soon overlay and repair the two major streets.

“Hopefully we can still get these projects done this fall,” Mayor Tim Davlin said. “But, if the weather prevents completion, we will work on them as soon as we can this Spring. These two aging thoroughfares are clearly in need of resurfacing so that they can better handle current and future traffic loads.”

“I want to thank State Representative Raymond Poe for including these projects into the state appropriation,” Davlin added. “Without his help and assistance, we would still be looking for funding to resurface these busy streets.”

The projects cover Eleventh Street from Ash to Stanford, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive from South Grand to Ash. The emergency repair funds cover milling, overlaying, and curb and gutter replacement. The Springfield City Council is prepared to approve the two projects at its next meeting.

MAYOR DAVLIN ISSUES REMINDER FOR FIFTH ANNUAL RECEPTION FOR VETERANS

Mayor Tim Davlin today reminded veterans that his fifth annual Reception for Veterans will be held on Wednesday, November 4th at 5:00 p.m. the Northenders VFW Post 10201, 2349 Stockyard Road.

“Just as in years past, we pause from our busy schedules and invite veterans to join us for an informal reception,” Mayor Davlin said. “The eve of Veterans Day Week is a perfect time for us to gather and show our veterans that we greatly appreciate everything that they have done for us.”

The annual Reception for Veterans was created and developed by members of the Mayor’s Veterans’ Advisory Council, whose members plan and organize the reception. It is traditionally held in early November, in connection with Veterans Day each year.

This year’s speaker will be Daniel W. Grant, Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Grant is a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a serving member of the Illinois National Guard. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The reception is free and open to any Springfield Veteran, no matter what branch of the military or what time period they served.

SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PROMOTES HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Mayor Tim Davlin and Police Chief Ralph A. Caldwell Jr. today reminded Springfield residents to be aware of children walking in the neighborhoods as they trick or treat on Halloween.

“The safety of our children is very important and this can help them in having a fun filled Halloween,” said Mayor Davlin. “We also want to remind adults they should accompany the trick or treaters as they go about their neighborhoods.”

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MAYOR DAVLIN NAMES ROBERT L. WILLIAMS AS NEW POLICE CHIEF

Mayor Tim Davlin today announced that he is appointing Assistant Chief Robert L. Williams to be the new Chief of Police, to replace Chief Ralph Caldwell who is retiring. Williams appointment requires the approval of the City Council. He will serve as acting chief in the interim. “I couldn’t be more pleased in appointing Robert Williams to be Police Chief,” Mayor Davlin said. “He brings to the table an extensive list of accomplishments, having served in a number of key positions within the police department. I know he will do a great job as chief and I have every confidence in him.” Williams is a 22-year veteran of the Springfield Police Department having started as a Patrol officer in April of 1987. He has served as Deputy Chief of Professional Standards which includes the day-to-day oversight of Internal Affairs for the entire Police Department. He also has served as Detective/Sergeant in charge of the Juvenile Section. Williams holds a Master of Science in Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University, a Bachelor of Arts in Social Justice from the University of Illinois at Springfield, and an Associate degree from Lincoln Land Community College. A Springfield native, Williams is married and has two daughters.