The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 2

A2 THE PANTAGRAPH, Thursday, June 17.J993 Dedicated firemen led Bloomington through 125 years 2'- By STEVE ARNEY Pantagraph staff Bloomington Fire Chief Alan Otto sees a certain breed of individual attracted to the fire-fighting profession. "It takes an individual who likes a certain amount of excitement in the job, has a certain amount of desire to help people and gets a certain feeling of satisfaction," Otto said. When one speaks of dedicated firefighting, a sight that sticks in 'Assistant Fire Chief Paul Fowler's mind dates to Aug. 28, 1984. The Griesheim Building was burning in downtown Bloomington, and a sense of frustration prevailed.

"I saw grown men shed tears because we couldn't stop that fire," Fowler said. "Firemen are very compassionate." But Eric Vaughn, a fire investigator for the department, has a theory about who becomes a firefighter. Those who get the top marks for psychological fitness are disqualified in the application process, he said, joking. "You have to be a little differ-Please tee FIRE, page A7 Pwrtagraph, McLoan County Historical Society ind fire department He photo Above: The Griesheim Building fire Aug. 26, 1984, in downtown Bloomington was a frustrating one for the city's firefighters as they watched it burn.

Below right: Bloomington firefighters checked the roof of the Johnson Transfer building for hotspots after a Feb. 19, 1991, fire that destroyed the Nu-Air Corp. building at 405 S. Center St. I Ad "Basso rtWa Till- v-.

nil i r- 1 iyicW -I Department anniversary events Saturday Above: The "Great Fire of 1900" destroyed most downtown buildings north of Washington Street, leaving the city in Right: Driver A. Giermann, Capt. J. Butler and pipeman H. Woods of Engine Co.

4 posed at the No. 4 station on South Main Street. Sparky and Smokey the Bear will make an appearance. Children can ride a fire pole slide. The event is free and lasts until 3 p.m.

Also during that time, Bloomington's three fire substations will host open houses. The city will close the 500 blocks of West Jefferson Street and West Monroe Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Parking will be available at the old Reliable Drug Store lot in the 500 block of West Washington Street and-at First Christian Church across from the fire station.

The Bloomington Fire Department's 125th anniversary celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday at the headquarters fire station, 310 N. Lee St The opening ceremony will feature a memorial for firefighters killed in the line of duty. The tribute includes a bell-ringing ceremony, an honor guard salute, bagpipe playing and the reading of a poem. The food starts rolling once the ceremony ends.

Hot dogs, with or without firehouse chili, will be served along with soda, cake, popcorn and chips. Antique fire equipment will be on display along with fire department memorabilia and photographs. Downs residents raise dust concerns -ONE WEEK ONLY- LOWEST PRICES THIS SUMMER! 3 SAVE 40 Off Manufacturer's Suggested Prices ON 34 OF OUR MOST POPULAR PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE FURNITURE STYLES SAVE ON SELECTED CHERRY OAK DINING ROOMS ACCENT PIECES BEDROOMS In-Stock and Special Orders SALE ENDS SATURDAY, JUNE 19 By BOB HOLLIDAY Pantagraph staff While the dust has barely settled on- McLean County's decision Tuesday to end the fight against a Controversial asphalt- plant at Downs, a new dust storm is brewing. Dust is mushrooming from a heavily traveled gravel road leading to the asphalt plant and a acavel pit It was visible yesterday tfpni Kellie Milby's house a half mire away. Mrs.

Milby fears it may be a long, hot summer if she has to keep her 6-year-old asthmatic son, Luke, in the house because of his sensitivity to dust Rex Mikel, who lives about a quarter mile from the plant, stays inside and keeps his air conditioning running. "I can have my car washed and two hours later you can't tell," he said. A solution to the dust is near, according to David Stark, president of Stark Excavating. Stark, who said about 125 trucks a day are going to and from the gravel pit many more than go to the asphalt plant said the road should be oiled later this week. "We want to be a good neighbor," he said.

Jim Buhlig, vice-presidentsecretary-treasurer of Freesen owner of the asphalt plant said Freesen wants to be a good neighbor also and has applied calcium chloride and water to the road and is considering a more permanent improvement He would not be The PantagraphBOB HOLLIDAY Kellie Milbie, who lives a half mile from an asphalt plant near Downs, is worried dust from the plant will cause problems for her 6-year-old son, Luke. -v specific. Freesen's plant went into production yesterday, a day after the McLean County Board decided to drop its fight against the plant and two days after a judge paved the way for the plant by reversing an earlier ruling. Buhlig said he's pleased that the county has abandoned its opposition and hopes the village of Downs will give the plant which will force better competition on asphalt prices, a chance. Downs officials haven't decided whether they will appeal the court ruling.

Pauline Turner, a village board member who hopes Downs appeals, feels McLean County government and Circuit Judge William Caisley "sold Downs down the river." Published dally and Sundav bv Tha Chronica Publishing Company. Seoond-clasa poataga paid at Award of Merit Mrs. Bickerstaffs address and her leadership positions were incorrect in Tuesday's Pantagraph. 301 W. Washington St, Bloomington, 61702-207 TELEPHONE (308) 829-04111 00-747-732S Horn rflluY 827-7323 ClasaHled ada 828433 NEWSROOM Aaat Man.

Editor MatroBualnaaa Faatunta Sporta Night Farm Copy Photo EXT. Jan Dennli 230 Mark Pickering, editor 262 Steve Qleason, editor 250 Bryan Bloodworth, editor 246 Stu Werner, editor 241 Chrte Anderson, editor 253 VI Ollmore, editor 241 David Proeber 226 FURNITURE INTERIORS Setting it right Betty Bickerstaff of 2708 Ridge Road, Bloomington, has been hon-( ored with the Silver Beaver Award, the' highest award a Boy Scout council can give to a volunteer. Mrs. Bickerstaff has served as den leader, den leader coach, Tiger Cub organizer and Cub training Chairman. She is a district Cub Rbundtable commissioner and council Cub training chairman.

"During 13 years as a volunteer in the W.D. Boyce Council Boy Scouts of America, she has received the Cub Woodbadge, Scouters Training Award, Scouters Key, Doctor College of Commissioner, Distinguished Commissioner and District MINIER The Minler Village Board is looking into purchasing or leasing a pager system to be used by any police officer on duty at a cost of about $180 per year. The board also approved engineering plans for a water main project on Stringtown Road and passed the prevailing wage ordinance at its Monday night meeting. The pager price was incorrect and the other actions were omitted from a story jn Wednesday's ADVERTISING Advertising Director Dleplay Classified EXT. 270 340 331 MaryKeogh John Hodman Loretta Vance PEORIA BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL 2514 N.

Sheridan Road 207 N. Landmark Drive 685-1008 454-2244 Mon. 6k Fri. 10-8, Thurs. Sat.

9-5 CIRCULATION Bill Hertter, manager 358 PRODUCTION Dan O'Brien, manager 310 Home Dellvery2 weeks uamer oeiry a $5 50 $5.80 Motor route dally Sunday Carrier a Motor Route Sat $3.10 Mall delivery available where no carrier or motor route eervlce la offered. Call for rate Information..