Braidwood Journal

City creates budget for 2018

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 6:03pm

The city of Braidwood has a hopeful look for the 2017-2018 fiscal year (FY18), putting together a balanced general fund budget for the 12-month period that kicked off on May 1.

This year’s annual budget ordinance shows anticipated general fund revenue and expenditures of $3.5 million.

“A lot of things are a lot the same from last year,” said Julie Quigley, the city’s financial officer. “We did [increase] our general income, general revenue, by $94,800, and then upped our expenses that same amount, so everything balances.”

Godley, R-C reach easement agreement

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 6:01pm

The Godley Water District and the Reed-Custer School District have come to an initial agreement, on the way to turning school district property over to their neighbors to the south.

On May 17, the school board approved a resolution authorizing the execution of a permanent easement for the Godley Water District on the property of the Reed-Custer Primary School in Custer Park.

The 200-foot easement over vacant land adjacent to the school will be used as the water district looks to expand.

Lions host Veteran and Senior Expo

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 5:58pm

The songs of Frank Sinatra and others of that era filled the Old Smokey City Park on Saturday, May 20, during the Braidwood Lions Club’s Senior Citizens and Veterans Health and Wellness Expo.

Visitors were treated to songs sung by “Ole Blue Eyes” as they were treated to lunch and information important for seniors and veterans, including representative from Hines VA Hospital.

This was a first-time event for the Lions, taking the place of the club’s Senior Citizen and Veterans Holiday Pancake Breakfast, which the Braidwood Lions previously held at the beginning of December.

Sign-up for senior freeze, exemptions

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 5:56pm

The Custer Township Assessors Office will host a senior event on Thursday, May 25, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Custer Township building. Staff from the Will County Asssessors Office will be available to assist seniors.

The event will allow seniors 65-years or older to sign-up for the senior freeze and exemptions which aid in reducing the real estate taxes.

To qualify, seniors must be 65-years-old, own and live in the home and have a total household income of $55,000 or less. Participants must bring their drivers license, income for 2014 (1040) and the latest tax bill.

Home permit argument gets feisty at City Hall

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 6:53pm

A Braidwood couple looking to rehab their home has hit a roadblock. A disagreement over the issue led to a heated interaction between the homeowner and city officials during the Tuesday, May 9, City Council meeting.

As it was first reported in The Braidwood Journal last week, Braidwood resident Chris Earling is battling with the city over work he’d like to do on his newly purchased home.

Senior Citizens and Veterans Expo coming to Old Smokey

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 6:51pm

Local senior citizens and military veterans are welcome to Old Smokey City Park in Braidwood on Saturday, May 20, for a free Senior Citizen and Veterans Health and Wellness Expo, sponsored by the Braidwood Lions Club.

The event takes place at the Lions Pavilion from noon until 4 p.m., and will feature vendors, exhibitors, organizations, and local businesses who will be on hand to discuss and showcase a variety of services, products and information geared toward Senior Citizen and Veterans Health and Wellness.

Got Water?

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 6:50pm

It’s been more than two weeks since heavy rains drenched the area with as much as five inches of precipitation.

But while local rivers and creeks are back to normal and most of the water has drained, some homeowners in Braidwood are still suffering with standing water in their yards.

But city leaders said there is at least a little hope – and help – available for those who are stuck with persistent puddles on their properties.

Sesquicentennial addendum now available at BAHS

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 6:48pm

An addendum to the 2015 Braidwood Sesquicentennial commemorative book is now available to those who purchased the book following the successful celebration of the city’s 150th anniversary.

The books were created by the members of the Sesquicentennial Committee, and are being sold at the Braidwood Area Historical Society Depot Museum.

BAHS member Dee deGroh said a handful of businesses were inadvertently left out of the original book, but are now included inside the addendum.

Neighbor wants better monitoring of noise

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 6:47pm

On any given Friday night, Braidwood’s local hot spots may have plenty of visitors and music playing.

But one Braidwood resident said she’d like to see the police help damper the noise that she can hear from her home.

Carol Meyers lives on Division Street in Braidwood, across the pond from Joneseez Barbecue.

On May 9, Meyers approached the city council, telling them that the noise that sometimes comes from the bar is too loud inside her home.

Veterans Display at BAHS Museum

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 6:45pm

Braidwood Area Historical Society member member and Navy veteran Ed Bunting shows some of the items currently on display at the BAHS Depot Museum, including a model of a machine gun that Bunting built himself.

The museum is hosting a special display of memorabilia, artifacts, replicas, newspaper and magazine clippings, uniforms, and other items in honor of veterans.

Many of the items on display are part of Bunting’s personal collection.

In addition to being a former Navy photographer, Bunting is also active in historical reenactments of battles.