Council Hears How Explorers Assist City Police

(FROM LEFT, CITY POLICE OFFICER AND EXPLORER SPONSOR MATT SAGER TALKS WITH THE EFFINGHAM CITY COUNCIL.  TO HIS LEFT ARE EXPLORERS MITCHELL SAGER, TREY WINTERROWD AND LANDON TUCKER ALONG WITH CITY POLICE CHIEF MIKE SCHUTZBACH)

Effingham City Council members Tuesday heard that members of the Effingham Explorers Post bolster enforcement presence and save the City money.

City officer Matt Sager joined Police Chief Mike Schutzbach at the Council meeting and was accompanied by three members of the Explorers post.  Mitchell Sager is Matt's son and Trey Winterrowd and Landon Tucker were also present.  They are three of more than a dozen young people ages 14-21 serving as Explorers.

Sager said the Explorers are of particular service in areas of high traffic such as parades and running races.  He said the service of the Explorers eliminates the need for anywhere from two to four hireback officers.

It's more than a case of cheap labor, though; Sager said many Explorers are interested in law enforcement and this is an opportunity for them to find out what a law enforcement career is like.  He said such knowledge helps the young people make an intelligent decision about whether to pursue law enforcement.

At Tuesday's meeting, Council members purchased rock salt for the winter driving season, granted Effingham Sunrise Rotary permission to hold the Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 27, and heard that resurfacing of Holiday Drive will take place on Wednesday.  The work will begin at 6am from Henrietta to Penguin.  Motorists are asked to take an alternate route.

The Council granted permission to close West Evergreen Avenue from Outer Belt West to the entrance to Heartland Peterbilt on November 23 for fire department training, and agreed to increase the number of liquor licenses for establishments allowing consumption of alcohol at the premises by one.  Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse is locating in the former Fashion Bug site on the city's northwest side.  Owner Benny Qiu said the restaurant will feature hibachi style cooking at the tables of patrons and a menu of seafood, sushi and steaks.  Qiu hopes to be open within two to three months.

Council members agreed to give one of the recently replaced city squad cars to Lake Land College's Criminal Justice class, heard that discussions are underway with Lake Sara Services on water rates with a decision hoped for in November, and heard that a special Council meeting will be held on October 23 to act on bids for projects the City hopes to complete by the end of the year.