Latest news with #Commercial-News
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
D118 to pay $817,367.84 to former superintendent Dr. Alicia Geddis
As part of a settlement agreement with former superintendent Dr. Alicia Geddis, Danville District 118 must pay her $817,367.84. Geddis will also remain on paid administrative leave until her contract ends on June 30, 2026, according to the signed agreement, secured by the Commercial-News via a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request. The full payment includes: * $250,000 in liquidated damages as part of a prior settlement in 2021. * $20,000 for Geddis' attorney's fees. * $542,197.35 for Geddis to "compromise her claim for defamation" on the part of certain members of the Board * $5,170.49 for "expenses incurred" by Geddis, including "reasonable monthly expenses incurred in the performance of her duties." This is a developing story. For the full story, see Saturday's edition of the Commercial-News.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local election 2025 Q&A: DACC Board of Trustees
On April 1, several elections will take place across Vermilion County, including those for alderperson, mayor of Hoopeston, Georgetown, and Westville, school boards, DACC college board, and village trustees. As part of this year's local election coverage, the Commercial-News is running a series of question and answer stories, giving each candidate a chance to share their vision for their community so voters can make a more informed decision when they head to the polls. Today, we learn more about a few of the candidates running for a trustee position on Danville Area Community College's Board of Trustees — Lisa Martin, Gregory Wolfe, Aaron Biggs, Laura Williams, and Amanda Krabbe. Candidates were limited to three sentences each in their answers. ------------ WHAT EXPERTISE WOULD YOU BRING TO THE BOARD? Lisa Martin: "I aim to leverage my DACC graduate education, including a Master of Science in Education from the University of Kansas with a focus on social and behavioral sciences, as well as special education and transition, to effectively contribute to the board's initiatives that promote the inclusion of all students and help others access similar opportunities." Aaron Biggs: "I bring expertise in manufacturing, critical thinking, and project management, which are essential for aligning DACC's programs with workforce needs. My experience allows me to represent a key sector —industrial/manufacturing — that is currently underrepresented on the board. This background will help ensure the Board's decisions reflect and aligns the community's employment landscape and needs." Gregory Wolfe: "I bring 12 years of passion and experience as a trustee. I am very active in the state and national trustees association, where I also hold leadership roles. I learn, network, and bring back ideas for our board to discuss and consider, and I am also a strong, proven leader who gets things done through good times and bad." Laura Williams: "The expertise I will bring is 28 years as a DACC employee along with two years as a student; a collective 30 years of experience that has given me insight into all aspects of the college. Additionally, I have a Master's in Education degree, specifically in higher education administration from the University of Illinois. I have proven leadership qualities as evidenced by my many promotions in administrative roles, my ability to bridge gaps between student/employee needs and administrative/fiscal responsibilities, and my role in helping DACC become an Achieving the Dream Institution on the national stage." Amanda Krabbe: "I have experience and insight from all sides of the college: I am a graduate of DACC, I taught at DACC for 16 years obtaining an employee perspective, both of my older kids attended DACC and as a parent I learned to navigate that part of the system as well, and now, I have guided high school students through the enrollment process too. I want to see support and unity from the part-time faculty and employees to the students they serve. We need to do whatever it takes to keep DACC here and going strong for many more generations." ------------ HOW WILL YOU WORK TO IMPROVE DACC FOR THE STUDENTS, STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION? Martin: "I will work toward improving disability services, expanding credit-transferable certificate programs for Associate's Degree pathways, incorporating AI instruction for our students, and continuing to support the expertise of our staff and administration." Biggs: "I will work to improve DACC by first thoroughly understanding the college's mission, structure, and needs through deep immersion. Then, I'll build strategic relationships with leadership and staff to align governance with the college's goals. Finally, I'll advocate for student success by supporting relevant, career-focused programs and expanding support services to ensure job readiness." Wolfe: "I have always made my number one priority student access and success, and that will never change. Hiring a new President is a top priority as it establishes leadership that aligns with the college and board's goals, mission and expectations." Williams: "Amongst my top three priorities is to ensure student success by offering diversified career paths, strengthening partnerships with K-12, investing and keeping up with rapidly-changing technology in the classrooms, establishing clear paths with business/industry, and investing more in the Faculty experience. Second, Workforce Training will be bolstered by securing business/industry partnerships that engage resources and provide on-the-job experience in order to produce competent employees, diagnose real-world skill gaps, and identify emerging best-practices. Finally, the Financial Stability and future of the College must be prioritized immediately by seeking innovative grants and funding opportunities, maximizing student engagement and recruitment, leveraging State/national resources, and revisiting policy to ensure income matches output." Krabbe: "My top priorities are to keep DACC here in Danville and accessible to everyone, to help DACC to stay focused on the needs of those they serve: the students! I also want to encourage DACC to spend more time in the community." ------------ WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU BELIEVE THE BOARD SHOULD LOOK FOR IN A NEW, PERMANENT PRESIDENT AFTER DR. FLETCHER'S INTERIM PRESIDENCE ENDS IN JUNE? Martin: "The next president of DACC should hold a Doctorate in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field, and possess the necessary experience and skills to enhance the college reputation, with key attributes including strong communication, active listening, problem solving abilities, and the capacity to collaborate with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and governing boards." Biggs: "The Board should seek a president who deeply engages with students, faculty, and the community while balancing the operational needs of the college. This individual must have a strong vision for growth, innovation, and addressing future challenges in higher education while balancing the understanding of growth through engagement with the local workforce and the community. Collaborative leadership and strategic thinking are essential qualities for guiding DACC toward long-term success and sustainability." Wolfe: "[The next president should be] a person with integrity and character, who communicates well. Our next president needs to be open to new ideas, honest with staff and faculty, and very visible on campus and in the community. They must move the college forward and understand the college culture quickly and respect it." Williams: "I want a president that has proven leadership skills with a track record of moving an institution forward, someone who is innovative with unquestionable integrity, and a transparent visionary with a shared dream who honors our past and builds enthusiasm about our future. I want a leader who understands it takes every single person doing what they do every single day to make the College a place where students, faculty and employees want to be. Finally, I want a leader who helps guide DACC to be the college all other colleges want to be." Krabbe: "I envision the new president bringing the connectivity and the family atmosphere back to DACC. I expect the new president to work diligently to make employees /instructors feel valued and supported by the administration. The new president will provide a rigorous and practical education that will keep students motivated to succeed beyond expectations."
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local election 2025 Q&A: Georgetown mayoral race
On April 1, several elections will take place across Vermilion County, including those for alderperson, mayor of Hoopeston and Georgetown, school boards, DACC college board, and village trustees. As part of this year's local election coverage, the Commercial-News is running a series of question and answer stories, giving each candidate a chance to share their vision for their community so voters can make a more informed decision when they head to the polls. Today, we learn more about two candidates running for Mayor of the City of Georgetown — challenger Darren Alexander and incumbent Darin Rednour. Candidates were limited to three sentences each in their answers. ------------ What is the top issue facing the City of Georgetown, and what do you intend to do about it, if elected/re-elected? Darren Alexander: "It is essential for the residents to have a clear understanding of the decisions being made by the city council and the rationale behind them. Not everyone is able to attend council meetings, and some individuals may not feel fully welcome, so I am committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment at these meetings. I will ensure that meetings are recorded and made available on the city's website, providing accessibility for those unable to attend in person." Darin Rednour: "Blight is one of the biggest challenges facing our town, and it's an issue that affects not just property values but also our sense of pride and community. Over the past terms, we've worked to address neglected properties by joining the Vermilion County Landbank and starting a demolition fund in the city budget. If re-elected, I will continue to expand these efforts." ------------ How do you plan to engage your constituents, if elected/re-elected? Alexander: "I will actively engage with the community by being present in various local settings, utilizing social media platforms, and maintaining a physical presence at City Hall. My goal is to address concerns in real-time, rather than requiring residents to wait for scheduled meetings to voice their issues. I believe in open communication and ensuring that residents feel heard and supported at all times." Rednour: "Transparency isn't just a promise, it's the foundation of trust in our community. After hearing from many of you about the need for better communication, I'm committed to keeping everyone informed through a Quarterly Mayor's Message newsletter. Whether you prefer reading it online or in print, this short and easy-to-read update will share essential town projects and upcoming events so you always know what's happening in our town." ------------ Why should you be elected? Alexander: "I aspire to be elected as mayor because I believe the community is in need of positive change. My commitment to Georgetown's success is unwavering. I want residents to feel confident that they have a mayor who prioritizes their best interests and is dedicated to the long-term prosperity of our city." Rednour: "Having lived here my whole life, I care what happens to my hometown, the people of the community and the city employees. For the past 20 years on the town council, I've worked hard to keep the city fiscally viable. If re-elected, I will continue to work hard to keep things heading in the right direction, achieving the goals we've set, and keep the city functioning as a unit."
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aldermen to vote on cannabis consumption lounge, Riverfront Trail design
Residents and visitors to Danville may soon be able to consume cannabis on-site in a reservation-only consumption lounge at Seven Point Dispensary. At tonight's City Council meeting, aldermen will vote on whether to amend Chapter 150 of the city's code, which previously prohibited on-site consumption of cannabis at dispensaries in the city. Seven Point's plan to open the lounge has been in the making since at least 2022, when CEO Brad Zerman first brought the idea before City Council. At that time, Danville Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. was opposed to the idea, primarily due to safety concerns over guests leaving the lounge while still under the influence of cannabis. 'I still have concerns about public safety,' Wiliams told the Commercial-News, saying his concerns have not been alleviated since 2022. 'It almost seems like you're encouraging people to drive high, which I don't think is a good idea,' Williams said. 'A person can go to a bar and have a drink or two and could spend some time sobering up. But if you're in a room while people continue to smoke, there's almost no chance you're leaving sober.' At Seven Point's presentation to Danville's Zoning and Planning Commission earlier this month, Zerman and others from his team explained how industrial air filters in the lounge would remove smoke from the air, preventing a smoky atmosphere. The regular City Council meeting will be held tonight at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Public comments will be allowed before the vote happens. Vermilion Riverfront Trail Design agreement During the Public Works portion of the meeting tonight, a professional service agreement for a concept design of the long-anticipated Vermilion Riverfront Trail will be voted on by the aldermen. Back in 2022, the Golden Nugget Casino donated $3 million to the City of Danville with $1 million earmarked for a riverfront trail and park. Work on the project was halted, however, when crews ran into issues underground. 'We had a sewer issue that arose there that we had to redo, and we couldn't do any work until we got that work done,' Williams said, adding that there were also some topographical issues on the southeast side of the loop that would have prevented stairs being built. If the proposal from RJN Group, Inc. is accepted, the project will cost the city $240,600, which will come from Fund 402, the city's storm and sanitary sewer fund.
