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Journal-Courier, Jacksonville, IH., Monday, August 24, 1992 3Few want to be Morgan County chairman■y frank fuhriqSpecial to tha Joumal-CourlsrMorgan County Democrats will pick a new chairman this week, but no one is clamoring for thejob.Bill Gross of Jacksonville, currently first vice president, is considering a run for the post, but will only make up his mind when precinct committeemen meet for anelection at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday atthe Knights of Columbus hall.'Til probably decide at 7:45Tuesday night,” Mr. Gross says.f the people want me, I’ll probably serve.”Mr. Gross, a retired coach from the Illinois School for the Visuallylt;«Big fairlosingbig moneyManager wants morecorporate sponsorsBy CHRISTOPHER WILLSTh# Associated PrsssSPRINGFIELD — Facing about$100,000 in State Fair losses each day, manager Bud Hall is preaching the need to raise its prices and attract more corporate sponsors.He says the fair needs to increase the price of admission as well as fees for contest entries and space for vendors. And it must supplement state money with donations and volunteer work, he said.Impaired, is a former alderman and in the past has run for staterepresentative and countytreasurer. He is married to Morgan County Clerk Barb Gross.Local attorney David Leefers, mentioned by some Democrats as another possible candidate for chairman, says he is not interested in the position.Several Democratic Central Committee members refused to comment on the election of a chairman. Larry Long, second vice chairman, admits that “it’s been real quiet.Former Democratic County Chairman Don Thorsen, who resigned Aug. 1 after five years, willnot make any endorsements but offers a warning for his successor. “It’s a tough job in this town, because they're all Republicans,” he says. “It’s a no-win situation. You’re going to get ridiculed one way or another.”ftMr. Thorsen, a retired engineer, resigned because of health problems including “a whale of an ulcer,” but he says it was not a result of being county chairman.HHe blames Republican control of state government for the local Democratic Party’s difficulties. “You don’t have the patronage to hand out, so it’s hard to enthuse some of the younger members, he says.t#says. ”1 think the Democrats nationally look good. Once you get the national government Democratic, you have an inroad into state government.Mr. Gross is likewise hopeful. He points to the success of a fundraiser in Meredosia earlier this month as proof that local Democrats are beginning a resurgence. The harmony was so beautiful at the fund-raiser,” he says.Everybody chipped in and everybody sold tickets. Those are the things I would stress as county chairman — cooperation and teamwork. It’s the same as when I«(iicoached. If vou don’t have (har-»»Mr. Thorsen is optimistic that Democrats locally can ride the coattails of their presidential candidate. If you can win the top of the ticket it trickles down,” hemony), you don’t have anything.Mr. Gross is confident that he could win the support of the central committee if he decides to run. “If it came to a vote, I think I'd win,” he says.GrossBaby talk‘ ‘We just have to start running it like a business. We’ve missed the boat,” Hall said. “I don’t think we ought to take a big loss.”But companies differ on the value of sponsoring events and having a big presence at the fair. Some call the exposure invaluable, while others say they have better ways to reach customers.Overhauling the fair’s finances is necessary. Short on cash and long on bills, state officials cut the State Fair budget about $1.7 million this year.Combined with last year’s cuts, that means the fair is running on almost one-third less money than it used to, Hall said.That puts pressure on fair officials to make every dollar count and to head off any attempts to label the event a money-losing frill Illinois no longer can afford.The fair lost more than $1.6 million in 1990 and about $1.2 million in 1991, Hall said. This year, with the fair trimmed from 11 days to nine, he hopes to keep the loss “substantially under a million.”One way to offer more events with less state money is with corporate help.Corporate sponsors are giving about $200,000 this year, Hall said. Some sponsors donate money, others give equipment, and others put on games and events.Coca-Cola, for instance, helped the fair buy a new electronic billboard. In exchange, the company gets a share of concession business and vending machines.“We feel the fair is good expo-Al» LiMrtHiiHiiSPRINGFIELDPresident George Bush greets 7-month-oldPaul Schmit II, held by his father, Paul Schmit of St. Louis, as theyeat lunch at the Illinois State Fair Sunday. Mr. Bush and his wife, Barbara, visited the fair during a brief campaign stop in Springfield.Durbin calls for ethanol reversalU.8. Rep. Richard Durbin, C 20: Urged Environmental Protection Agency administrator William Reilly to “take the necessary steps” to ensure thaethanol-blended gasolines canbe used in the nine most polluted U.S. cities.★ ★ ★CAMPAIGNas a foreign lobbyist is symp-oftiiilimply put, ethanol means jobs for Illinois,” Mr. Durbin said. “Increasing ethanol use will bring about the kind of economic change that is vital to thlt; economy of downstate Illinois.” U.S. Senate DemocraticTHEY SAID ITfv*tomatic of the revolving door ethic practiced so frequently during the Bush and Reagan administrations,” Ms. Braun said. “This practice gives the appearance of a government for rent and leaves the American people wondering whose side these officials are on.”represent the candidate in his absence and promote Mr. Williamson’s stands on the issues.■ State Rep. BUI Edley, D Macomb: Says downgrading Illinois’ credit rating is one more sign that the Edgar administration should use business-like accounting principles.“The administration has beennominee Carol Moeeley BraunQuoted a Chicago Sun-Times article which reported that R publican challenger Rich Williamson lobbied the U.S. government on behalf of foreign companies shortly after leaving his position as assistant secretary of state for international organizations in the Reagan and Bush administrations.IIMr. Williamson registering■ U.8. Senate Republican nominee Rich WIHIamaon:Announced the appointment of Marvin Losey as Cass County coordinator for the Williamson for U.S. Senate campaign. Mr. Losey will organize volunteer support throughout the county,cooking the books by using a shoebox accounting system that fools nobody but the uninformed,” Mr. Edley said. “The pros want real numbers, not phony financial flim-flammery.It’s time for the governor to tellglt;Illinois citizens the truth. The professionals already know it.”BrieflyBaylis man chargedwith exposing himselfPITTSFIELD — A Baylis man was arrested Saturday afternoon after an alleged incident of indecent conduct.According to Pike County deputies, Dallas Bruce Patterson, 36, of Baylis was charged with indecent conduct after police received reports of a person exposing himself while driving around Barry.He was alleged to have exposed himself to a 16-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl. An investigation by the Barry police led to his arrest. He isscheduled to appear in Pike County Court Sept. 15.Elliott shareholdersget 24 cent dividendFirstbank of Illinois Co., parent company of Elliott State Bank, has announced that itsregular quarterly dividend will be 24 cents per share.The dividend is payable Oct. 1 to shareholders of record Sept. 11.Firstbank of Illinois Co. isthe largest Illinois holdingcompany headquartered in downstate Illinois.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••DATEBOOKTODAY■*W‘wPublic agenda► Morgan County Board of Commlaaloners, 9 a.m., courthouse.^ Jacksonville City Council, 6:45 p.m., Road District 14 meeting; 7 p.m., council meeting, Municipal Building.Organizations,support groupseeeeeeeeooooooooaoeoo •••••••••#• ••••sshmsh► Growth Support Group(community-based anonymous support group), 7 p.m. in Passavant Area Hospital’s classroom C (east wing).^ Oversatara Anonymous, 7p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.^ Alcoholics Anonymous, 8p.m. at 1301 Monroe St.,Beardstown; 8 p.m. at BowenBuilding, Jacksonville Developmental Center grounds, Jacksonville; and 8 p.m. at McNeff Hall (2nd floor), East South Street, Mount Sterling.^ A I-Anon, Alatsen and Prs-Alatesn, 8 p.m. at Bowen Building, Jacksonville Developmental Center grounds, Jacksonville. (For Alateen info, call 243-4584)The monthly meeting of the Greene and Jersey County Alzheimer’s Support Group will be held at 7 p.m. at the Greenwood Manor Nursing Home, 410 Fletcher, Jerseyvil-le. For information call the Case Coordination Unit at (618)
Newspaper Details
Jacksonville Journal Courier
Jacksonville, Illinois, US
Mon, Aug 24, 1992
Page 3
Full Page
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