County Deputies, Karen Feldkamp Recognized for Their Service at County Board Meeting

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF PAUL KUHNS WITH DEPUTIES ERIC LOY AND JONATHAN TORBECK)

Effingham County Board members Monday gave recognition to three current or former County employees.

County Sheriff Paul Kuhns recognized Deputies Eric Loy and Jonathan Torbeck for resuscitating an elderly Dieterich man last week. Kuhns said the deputies arrived just ahead of the ambulance crew and worked on the 88-year-old man, who was not breathing. The work by the deputies helped the man begin breathing on his own.

Kuhns said, "We do a lot of CPR, sometimes it doesn't work, in this case, it did." It was Loy's third such award. 

(COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JOSHUA DOUTHIT WITH KAREN FELDKAMP)

The Board recognized the retired Karen Feldkamp for her 29 years' service to the Effingham County Health Department. Feldkamp, who also was noted for her work with IEMA, said, "It was great working in this county; we work really well together."

Board members heard from Patty Winn about plans to replace the gazebo on the lawn of the Courthouse Museum and shared her concerns that what will be developed will not complement the museum building.

Board Chairman Josh Douthit said there are problems with the current facility's structural integrity and safety. Douthit said they want whatever is developed to be ADA accessible and "something for all".

The plans for the facility are not finished, and will be reviewed by the Board's Building and Grounds Committee in July before it is considered by the full Board.

Winn said she's concerned whatever is built will "look cheap next to the Courthouse". Douthit said the project has been shared with the Historical Preservation Agency. The work will not begin until the Farmers Market season concludes.

Meanwhile, it was decided to seek bids on the removal of two large pine trees on the south side of the Courhouse square. The trees are dying. County Engineer Greg Koester suggested that maybe his staff could remove the trees, and that offer will be considered. The Board also awarded a childcare research committee gap scholarship to the Beard family for 12 months at $300/month.

Sheriff Kuhns reported that radio upgrades and Spillman upgrades will be going on this week to improve communications, and county board member Dave Campbell reported that around $35,000 remains available in the county's revolving loan fund for new or expanding businesses. The Board also got reports from Kathy Schroeder on the Millroad Thresherman Associaton's event in August and from Phil Hartke on plans for this year's Effingham County Fair.

A number of appointments were approved, including:

--Josh Douthit to the Airport Commission as board member Chris Keller asked to be removed from the Commission

--Ken Wohltman to another term on the Airport Commission

--Twila Orr, Dr. Robert Einhorn and Dr. Jennifer Dust to new terms on the Board of Health

--Larry Taylor and Karen Mahaffey to new terms on the Housing Authority

--John Maguire and Dave Mahon to new terms on the 911 Board

--Faith Griffin and Gerald Jansen to new terms on the 377 Board

--John Taylor and Jim Ping to new terms on the Board of Review

--Duane Kremer as a trustee of the Teutopolis Fire Protection District

Also Monday, the County Board approved use of the Historic Courthouse courtyard and parking lot on August 8 for a movie showing by the Heart Theatre...approved use of the same area on June 13, July 11, August 15 and September 12 for use by FACE for their monthly concerts...approved lease renewal for third floor space in the County Office Building for the local congressman for the next term...approved lease renewal of current office space for Pre-Trial Services for 2025 and 2026...and approved a 911 control room entranceway RFP and publishing of the RFP.

The Board also approved disbursement of $1,000 of hotel/motel funding for Edgewood Fest...disbursement of $1,000 of hotel/motel funds for the Effingham Noon Rotary annual fireworks display...disbursement of $1,500 from hotel/motel funds for the Dieterich 4th of July fireworks...approved a consultant agreement with American Environmental Corporation for a county hazard mitigation plan...approved disbursement of $9,247 in Illinois DCEO business resiliency grant funding for grant management services agreement to South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission...and approved an amended salary schedule to accommodate the salary for the victim witness coordinator.

Board members Elizabeth Houston and Sandra Gillet were not present for Monday's meeting; Gillet's on her honeymoon.