The Pantagraph du lieu suivant : Bloomington, Illinois • Page 5

OCAL News of our communities, our region and state A5 The Pantagraph Thursday, June 26, 1997 Dist. 87 budget move complicates teacher contract talks By JOHN BERRY Education Association, said reducing the amount budgeted for teacher salaries won't get the district a contract. "It shows what they are willing to pay the teachers and it is not acceptable," said Goerlitz, whose union will meet with district negotiators four more times this summer. Teacher salary outlays were recalculated after Robert Meeker, assistant superintendent for operations, recently discovered the district will spend about $500,000 less this year than the $15.3 million it expected. "What we did may have an implication on negotiations, but in the business office it was part of a formula based on last year's expenditures.

It wasn't influenced by contract talks, it was just coincidental. Budgets are part of a 12-month cycle," said Meeker. The union and the district are in the midst of contract negotiations for the second time in six months. In December, the teachers accepted a one-year deal that averted a shutdown of the nine schools in the district. Goerlitz said teachers won't start school in August without a contract.

The district reduced spending in other areas by about $700,000, eliminating a projected $1.5 million deficit. The changes will allow the district to balance its $37.95 million budget, which is about $1 million more than it spent this year. The planned budget will force the district to increase its tax rate 2 cents to $4.46 per $100 of assessed valuation. The school portion of a tax bill will increase $6 for the owner of a $120,000 home. Meeker said the district's fiscal picture! also was helped by the state legislature's; decision last, month to maintain state aidj for schools at the 1996 levels, a $400,000 pre-; sent for District 87.

An increase in the property values in the district also helped Meeker balance the: budget. The district also is spending $500,000 this, summer to replace the air-conditioning-system at Bloomington High School. Pantagraph staff Reducing salary costs $300,000 in next year's budget was a paperwork move for District 87's operations director, but it may aiiect contract talks with teachers. rrUrt me iuwcicu prujeuuon was pan 01 a third draft of the district's 1997-98 budget read during the school board's meeting Wednesday. Board members are expected to approve a final version later this summer.

Diane Goerlitz, head of the Bloomington Markowifz ans Dillman ower play Mayor says she wants to resolve one township dispute at a time 7f ca Y'' I Om It A If 'I I I I 1 ('d Driver given jail sentence Jeen shows remorse for passenger's death By STEVE ARNEY Pantagraph staff 1 A Normal teen-ager who was driving a car that crashed and killed a 14-year-old passenger told a judge Wednesday that he is overwhelmed by remorse. "I stayed up nights crying over jt," said 17-year-old Martin Baud, who was earlier convicted of reckless homicide in the March 1996 of Becky Burk of Normal. "'I'm not as close to my friends anymore. It's always on my mind. I can't concentrate much anymore." Judge Michael Prall spared Baud from prison, citing a lack of prior criminal behavior, his work history and his schooling.

He sent Baud to the county jail for two months, allowing him to leave in morning to work and, when the fall semester begins, to begin his "senior year at Normal Community "High School. He also ordered Baud to pay a $500 fine, instructing his parents to make him pay it himself; perform 240 hours of community service work; and serve 30 months on probation. If Baud fails to follow probation requirements, he will serve an additional 120 days in jail, Prall said. The sentencing came after emotional testimony from Baud, "friends of his family and the mother of the crash victim. Burk's mother, Kathy Whittier, told Baud she refuses to forgive him.

"It's destroyed me as it would 'j. i The PantagraphLLOYD YOUNG Water wheels Ben Johnston-Urey, seated, and Nick Savage found an inventive way to use a sprayer they filled with water to keep cool during Wednesday afternoon's steamy temperatures. Both are from Bloomington. Twin City mayors bring By Pantagraph staff Bloomington Mayor Judy Markowitz on Wednesday criticized City of Bloomington Township Supervisor Mary Ann Dijlman for her confrontational actions at a township meeting this week. Markowitz said Dillman's attempted takeover of the meeting Monday night while Markowitz was in California for a national mayor's conference was ill-advised.

Markowitz, who normally chairs the monthly ses Judy Markowitz sions, had asked Alderman Mike Sprague to conduct the meeting in her absence. But Dillman argued she had the legal right to do so, and refused to participate further when her request was denied, leaving to sit in the audience. "I don't know what motivated her," the mayor said Wednesday. "It seems to me someone in leadership who has one conflict going on would resolve that before going on to another one." Markowitz was referring to the tenuous relationship between Dili-man and Bloomington aldermen in recent months. Aldermen have been critical of the township's administrative expenditures, arguing they are too high for the number of clients it serves.

But Dillman said Wednesday that her actions should not have come as a surprise to Markowitz or the trustees because she had sent a series of six memos outlining her goals for her second term in office, which began on April 30. would be aided by her navigator. Markowitz said she also was intrigued by President Clinton's proposals to revive cities with housing grants and federal loans. One of the president's incentive proposals would give police officers a discount on their loans if they move into low-income neighborhoods, she noted. Some of the ideas put forth at the conference were much simpler.

Markowitz noted that one mayor opened up her office one Saturday a month for casual discussions on issues and concerns with any constituent who wanted to stop by. "That's something I might do," she said. Karraker, a four-year veteran of the conference, said he brings ideas back every time he attends. "There's several things I found appealing," Karraker said, noting that he has picked up helpful hints about cities and their sister city programs, and their relationships with school districts and so ment of Transportation engineer, talking about what can happen when heat and moisture combine for summer road "buckling." "Parents basically have a year to get their act together. They don't have to complete a five-year drug program in a year, but they have to show a concerted effort." State Rep.

Tom Dart, a south Chicago Democrat, on legislation he authored to quicken the process of terminating parental rights in child abuse and neglect cases. One of those goals was to chair township meetings and earn he right to vote at the meetings. Dill-j man said mayors run townshipj meetings in only three townships: in the state. The others are led by: township supervisors. i "I was carry-! ing out my plan! to move my plat-i form Dillman said of, her actions at' the township meeting Mon-j day night.

She said she did not; have the oppor-j tunity to pursue; the leadership; role at May's; meeting because; it was consumed: with budget Mary Ann Dillman matters. So, the township's June; meeting was her first chance. Dillman said she knew Mark-; owitz would not be at the June; meeting, but she didn't think that would pose a problem because of her previous memos to board; members outlining her goals. i However, Markowitz said Wednesday morning that she did not know Dillman was planning to pursue the leadership matter at the June meeting. "I don't think it was well-advised," Markowitz said.

"I want to sit down with Mary Ann on a one-to-one basis and find out what's going on and where she's coming from," the mayor Dillman said she met with Markowitz Wednesday afternoon and the two hope to arrange a work session between the township board and Dillman. "We hope to speak to all concerns," Dillman said. A date has yet to be scheduled. home ideas cial service programs. He declined to be specific about which programs he was most interested in until he presents the information to the staff.

Like anyone else who attends a conference, Markowitz and Karraker also rediscovered the fact that many problems are universal. "We're all dealing with gangs and drugs, welfare to work, new technology and teaching our children to use it and downtown re-vitalization," Markowitz said. Dwindling financial resources and federal funds being funneled through the states before reaching the cities are other common laments, both mayors said. The conference introduced ideas for urban potential, but the reality of funding with dwindling grants while keeping tax rates stable set in pretty quickly upon the return home, the mayors said. "As local officials, you're always under pressure to provide service.

It's always a matter of trade-offs," Karraker said. "Every time I see a tombstone leaning in a cemetery, I want to go over there and straighten it up." Butch Tharp of Farmer City, who is into tombstone and cemetery restoration. "The department (DCFS) is not in the business of paying off everyone's bills because the clients choose not to pay them themselves." McLean County prosecutor Judy Renner, defending a DCFS decision not to help a client obtain housing by paying off thousands of dollars in delinquent utility bills. HllUllMllMimiMI MM any mother. It has completely destroyed our life.

It has completely ripped everything apart, and it can never be fixed never." She talked of a foreign exchange trip to France her daughter wanted, the wedding she will never have and the loss of companion- shiD for her brothers and sister. I "He has his memories. He has his life," Whittier said. Baud was driving from Hudson 5 to Normal March 3, 19, after ex- pressing concern over the original Baud hadn't been drinking that night, but he did accelerate to 102 mph on a two-lane, dimly lighted country road before losing control of the auto at a curve. Assistant State's Attorney Teri Dimmick questioned the teen- ager's remorse and said Prall should consider a prison sentence.

Baud's attorney, Keith Davis, called it a case with an abundance of hindsight by the state and a lack of foresight of a young driver. Adult friends of Baud and his parents say Baud became quiet and distracted after the accident. But Baud maintained employment at BroMenn Regional Medical Center and then Taco Bell. He wants to play golf and football next season and graduate on time. They Called him a normally level-headed teen-ager, and the judge said he has "outstanding qualities." Edgar headed for CHICAGO (AP) Gov.

Jim Edgar plans another visit to the nation's capital today to huddle with Senate Maioritv Leader Trent Lott and at- Prosecutors: Gifts bought influence SPRINGFIELD (AP) A state contractor tried to win influence by giving cash to state workers at a strip joint, campaign contributions to Gov. Jim Edgar, and beef and lobster to his top aides, a prosecutor contended Wednesday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Chesley charged during opening statements of a federal bribery trial that Management Services of Illinois Inc. and its owners bought influence in state government with bribes, gifts, free trips and gambling money.

In return, Chesley said, MSI got multimillion dollar no-bid contracts. Chesley cited major campaign contributions MSI gave Edgar, including more than $100,000 when he ran for re-election in 1994. But Chesley asked jurors not to focus on Edgar or other top Republicans, saying "the governor is not on trial here." MSI and William Ladd, its current owner, and Michael Martin, a former owner, are being tried on federal bribery-related charges along with a former state welfare administrator, Ronald Lowder, who later worked for MSI. They have pleaded innocent. Washington, still weighing Senate bid By VICTORIA PIERCE Pantagraph staff Most professionals get to attend a conference now and then, but rarely does the experience have the potential to change the way an entire city does business.

But when local mayors Judy Markowitz of Bloomington and Kent Karraker of Normal returned from the four-day U.S. Conference of Mayors in San Francisco, their heads were filled with programs that could benefit area residents. "The word out there was partnerships," said Markowitz, fresh from her first mayors' conference. The idea is to reach beyond the city administration to partner with school districts, social service agencies and health-care providers to ensure that everyone including low-income families has access to programs or medical care, she said. A few cities have "navigators," who help people wade through the system, she said.

For example, a woman who needed a follow-up checkup after a mammogram "He told me his parents owned the railroad." Lexington Police Chief Spencer Johansen, explaining the defense offered by a suspect caught with a case of stolen tools belonging to the Union Pacific Railroad. "It's not unusual to see a slab raise 6 or 8 inches above the level of the pavement." Jim Easterly, an Illinois Depart seeking re-election. Edgar has spoken once before with Lott about the possibility of running for the Senate, and the Mississippi senator made it plain that he believes the governor would offer Republicans good prospects for capturing the seat. i parently listen to fresh reasons why Ihe should run for the Senate himself. "I don't think that anyone should take this as a sign that I'm leaning that way instead of another way," Edgar told a news conference Wednesday.

Edgar said he will announce "sometime this summer" whether he plans to run for another term as governor or challenge U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun, who is "They approved a 4 percent employee raise for salaries, and that's what I gave them." City of Bloomington Township Supervisor Mary Ann Dillman, responding to questions Monday from township trustees, who say they authorized only a 3 percent raise. "Serviceadmin, salaries: Salaries for service staff and administrative positions are all covered in this line Line item reflects a 1 percent decrease allowing for a 3 percent salary Increase instead of 4 percent." Budget memorandum to trustees from Dillman, dated March 5. "This Is my first time in nois.

I think that all the people here talk funny." Candace McWhirter, a student from Atlanta, who attended I this week's Bands of America symposium at Illinois State University. "They Just sent him to the hospital so they could load the beer in their trunks." A Normal policeman, joking after a truck driver left his rig full of beer for a trip to the hospital after a recent accident. "I'm taking a gamble. But I feel like life's full of taking chances." Dean Magro, who coached Chenoa to the Class 1A state football championship last year, but resigned recently to become an assistant for Peoria Limestone, which has won two games in the past three seasons..