Latest news with #VillageHall
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dedicated to the village
May 23—Former Coal Grove mayor, council member McKnight dies COAL GROVE — The Village of Coal Grove has lost one of its most committed public servants. Bernard "Tom" McKnight, who served two stints as the village's mayor, as well as three years on council, died Saturday, May 17, at age 88. First elected in 1976, McKnight served as mayor for 19 years, serving from 1976-1991 and from 2000-04. Among his achievements as mayor was overseeing the rebuilding of the Coal Grove Village Hall, which was destroyed by fire prior to his election. McKnight also started the annual Family Fun Days festival in the village, led the building and naming of Paul Porter Park, secured money for the Coal Grove boat ramp, and secured more than $20 million for infrastructure. The village's present mayor, Andy Holmes, said "Tom was very important to our community" and that his motto was "to serve the people of Coal Grove." "And he truly did that, until the end," Holmes said. He said that, until recent months, McKnight could be seen in his retirement driving around the village, accompanies by his dog, checking on things. "He was always making the rounds and active," Holmes said. Council member Denise Paulus was McKnight's neighbor, both at home, and when she began her time on council. "He sat beside me at meetings," she said, stating he served as her mentor, when she was new on the body. "And I never learned more than during that time." Paulus said the village passed a resolution in 2020, when McKnight resigned to name the town hall after him. She said she recently came across it again, and realizing McKnight was ill, approached Holmes about revisiting the matter and making it happen. "That was in April," she said, crediting Holmes for quick action. "It was God's timing." A dedication ceremony took place on May 8, with McKnight and his wife, Linda, present, where a plaque was installed in his honor in the council chambers. Similar signage will be posted on the building's exterior. McKnight thanked the mayor and council for the honor and spent an hour speaking with the public and reminiscing about his time in office. Holmes spoke of McKnight's contributions at the ceremony. "He believed in the power of community, and in the strength of listening," Holmes said. "He knew that leadership wasn't about being the loudest voice, but the most compassionate heart. And he never asked for recognition, only for the opportunity to make a difference. His legacy isn't just in the roads paved or the policies passed — it's in the lives he touched, the kindness he showed, and the hope he brought to this village." McKnight, a lifelong resident of the village, was a member of Memorial Methodist Church of Coal Grove and was also a Little League coach in football, basketball and baseball. He is survived by his wife, to whom he was married for 66 years, as well as his daughters, Tomi Blankenship, of Coal Grove, Shelli, of Tampa, Florida; and son, Kyle McKnight, of Coal Grove. Visitation and funeral service for McKnight were Friday at the Memorial Methodist Church. Burial followed at Woodland Cemetery in Ironton. You Might Like Business Blast from the past Gallery Prom season 2025 — Vol. 5 Education Meet the Class: Mackenzie Wilds News Parade events kick off Thursday
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Orland Park projects big deficit on some Centennial Park West concerts; moves Taste of Orland back to Village Green
Orland Park is projecting a loss of more than $500,000 for some upcoming summer concerts scheduled at its new Centennial Park West concert venue. The figure is based on estimated ticket sales for the events scheduled for July and August, and the village is already committed to paying the bands that are lined up, a bill of more than $500,000. New Mayor Jim Dodge, during his campaign in which he defeated two-term Mayor Keith Pekau, was critical of the village spending on the concert venue and said Orland Park was losing money on the events. Orland Park and other communities typically subsidize a good chunk of the cost for special events, such as concerts, hoping to make back some of the money through revenue from things such as ticket sales. Spending and revenue projections were discussed by the Village Board committee meeting Monday. The board narrowly voted to bring the annual Taste of Orland food and music fest back to the Village Green, adjacent to Village Hall and the Civic Center. That's where it has been held until last year, when it was moved to Centennial Park West. Adjacent to the larger Centennial Park, Centennial Park West, 15609 Park Station Blvd., is a 12-acre park and includes a 3,200-square-foot permanent performance stage. The park is also the site of Orland Park's Fourth of July fireworks. Last month, before Dodge and three trustees he ran with were sworn in, the former Village Board approved about $1 million for work at Centennial West, including installation of two large video screens. The screens could be used for showing up-close shots of performers on stage, but also to show movies, village officials said. Several concerts are scheduled for the Centennial Park West venue this summer, including Yacht Rock and Soft Rock Night on July 12, with Firefall and Ambrosia opening for headliner Pablo Cruise. Also on tap are Lynyrd Skynrd performing on Aug. 8 and Trace Adkins on Aug. 30. According to the village, projected revenue, including tickets sold so far, for all three events will be $468,600. Total expenses for the three events are expected to be a bit more than $1 million. The hiring of the headliners and opening acts for all three nights, budgeted at $500,000, will be $561,000, according to the village. The village expects that overall revenues, including beverage sales and future ticket purchases, for the three nights will fall short of expenses by $537,380. While the numbers were discussed by trustees, there was no action taken. All of the acts scheduled to perform are under contract, meaning they'll be paid if the village decided to cancel, said Ray Piattoni, the village's director of recreation and parks. Piattoni said 'special events are very difficult to break even' on, and said the annual Taste event typically costs about $100,000 more to host than is recouped in revenue. He said Orland Park subsidizes 52% of the cost for special events such as concerts and Taste. Piattoni said the Taste draws 20,000 to 30,000 people annually over the course of three days. Resident Joe Solek, before the Village Board voted 4-3 to bring Taste back to Village Green, urged against the move. He said at the Village Green site, the village has to rent a stage, lights and sound equipment, things already in place at the Centennial Park West venue. Solek said it would be 'a step backward in the evolution of the village' to relocate the event. Another resident said he favored bringing Taste back to its original site, calling it 'the heart of the village.' Trustee John Lawler said he spoke with many residents while campaigning and said most were not happy with Taste being moved to Centennial Park West. 'It's the center of Orland Park and appeals to more people there,' Lawler said. Trustee Cynthia Katsenes, who voted against the move, said she's heard just the opposite, with many 'folks saying how they liked it better' at the new site. Trustee Bill Healy, also voting against moving Taste, said he thought it went 'splendidly' at Centennial Park West. 'Long term, that's the future of it,' Healy said. Trustee Dina Lawrence, who supported bringing the event back to Village Green, said it had more of a 'neighborly' feel there. 'Maybe we won't do it forever (at Village Green), maybe we'll change our minds,' she said.
Chicago Tribune
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Orland Park projects big deficit on some Centennial Park West concerts; moves Taste of Orland back to Village Green
Orland Park is projecting a loss of more than $500,000 for some upcoming summer concerts scheduled at its new Centennial Park West concert venue. The figure is based on estimated ticket sales for the events scheduled for July and August, and the village is already committed to paying the bands that are lined up, a bill of more than $500,000. New Mayor Jim Dodge, during his campaign in which he defeated two-term Mayor Keith Pekau, was critical of the village spending on the concert venue and said Orland Park was losing money on the events. Orland Park and other communities typically subsidize a good chunk of the cost for special events, such as concerts, hoping to make back some of the money through revenue from things such as ticket sales. Spending and revenue projections were discussed by the Village Board committee meeting Monday. The board narrowly voted to bring the annual Taste of Orland food and music fest back to the Village Green, adjacent to Village Hall and the Civic Center. That's where it has been held until last year, when it was moved to Centennial Park West. Adjacent to the larger Centennial Park, Centennial Park West, 15609 Park Station Blvd., is a 12-acre park and includes a 3,200-square-foot permanent performance stage. The park is also the site of Orland Park's Fourth of July fireworks. Last month, before Dodge and three trustees he ran with were sworn in, the former Village Board approved about $1 million for work at Centennial West, including installation of two large video screens. The screens could be used for showing up-close shots of performers on stage, but also to show movies, village officials said. Several concerts are scheduled for the Centennial Park West venue this summer, including Yacht Rock and Soft Rock Night on July 12, with Firefall and Ambrosia opening for headliner Pablo Cruise. Also on tap are Lynyrd Skynrd performing on Aug. 8 and Trace Adkins on Aug. 30. According to the village, projected revenue, including tickets sold so far, for all three events will be $468,600. Total expenses for the three events are expected to be a bit more than $1 million. The hiring of the headliners and opening acts for all three nights, budgeted at $500,000, will be $561,000, according to the village. The village expects that overall revenues, including beverage sales and future ticket purchases, for the three nights will fall short of expenses by $537,380. While the numbers were discussed by trustees, there was no action taken. All of the acts scheduled to perform are under contract, meaning they'll be paid if the village decided to cancel, said Ray Piattoni, the village's director of recreation and parks. Piattoni said 'special events are very difficult to break even' on, and said the annual Taste event typically costs about $100,000 more to host than is recouped in revenue. He said Orland Park subsidizes 52% of the cost for special events such as concerts and Taste. Piattoni said the Taste draws 20,000 to 30,000 people annually over the course of three days. Resident Joe Solek, before the Village Board voted 4-3 to bring Taste back to Village Green, urged against the move. He said at the Village Green site, the village has to rent a stage, lights and sound equipment, things already in place at the Centennial Park West venue. Solek said it would be 'a step backward in the evolution of the village' to relocate the event. Another resident said he favored bringing Taste back to its original site, calling it 'the heart of the village.' Trustee John Lawler said he spoke with many residents while campaigning and said most were not happy with Taste being moved to Centennial Park West. 'It's the center of Orland Park and appeals to more people there,' Lawler said. Trustee Cynthia Katsenes, who voted against the move, said she's heard just the opposite, with many 'folks saying how they liked it better' at the new site. Trustee Bill Healy, also voting against moving Taste, said he thought it went 'splendidly' at Centennial Park West. 'Long term, that's the future of it,' Healy said. Trustee Dina Lawrence, who supported bringing the event back to Village Green, said it had more of a 'neighborly' feel there. 'Maybe we won't do it forever (at Village Green), maybe we'll change our minds,' she said.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Proctorville council to meet May 29
May 20—The Proctorville Village Council will host their May meeting on Thursday, May 29. The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Village Hall, Mayor Bill Elliott said. This is a rescheduled meeting, which was originally set for May 22. You Might Like News Drivers should avoid U.S. 23 in Russell/Flatwoods area because of chemical leak News Profile 2025: Collecting memories (WITH GALLERY) News Coal Grove dedicates Village Hall to McKnight News Ironton Municipal Court hosts Lunch and Learn
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Roundabout concerns discussed at Llanwern council meeting
This was one of the key local matters addressed at the Llanwern Community Council meeting, which took place on Monday, April 28, at Llanwern Village Hall. The roundabout is part of the ongoing Redrow development on Station Road, which has faced delays due to the installation of an electric substation. Work is expected to be completed within two months. Another issue discussed at the meeting was the confusing pedestrian markings at the Redrow development. In addition to these concerns, it was announced that a new litter bin has been installed near the ponds on Spine Road. It was also confirmed that the show homes in the development will remain, although some plants may become available for residents. At the meeting, PCSOs also noted an increase in off-road biking incidents with the arrival of warmer weather. Newport Council has increased its efforts to tackle this issue by using drones and physical barriers, which have resulted in recent bike seizures. Patrols will also be keeping an eye on the Llanwern Golf Club car park following concerns raised by the community. Updates were also given regarding Glan Llyn. Speed monitoring efforts are ongoing, and there has been a call for clearer 20mph speed reminders. The flooding of the playing area remains a problem and is under observation. In the realm of planning developments, the council reviewed various ongoing and pending applications concerning residential, commercial, and infrastructure developments, including the primary school, local retail units, and green space enhancements. Two applications were recently approved for an electric substation and site security enhancements, while a proposal for a home extension was refused. Lastly, the council approved the 2024/2025 accounting statements and the Annual Governance Statement. The internal audit is scheduled, and new PAYE direct debit arrangements have been authorised in line with updated national insurance requirements. Preliminary plans for the Village Hall car park have been submitted to Newport City Council. Trustees will continue to cover annual utility costs, with a review planned for December. The next council meeting, including the Annual General Meeting, will be held on Tuesday, May 27, both in person at the Village Hall and remotely.
