50 years ago: Builders pool resources to flush out vandals at construction sites

100 years ago, Oct. 22, 1925

In an effort to work in harmony for the interests of O’Fallon, the city council and a delegation of members from the Business Men’s Association met in special session in the City Hall Tuesday night.

The meeting was called at the suggestion of the business men to take up the deplorable condition of South Lincoln Avenue which is almost impassible due to the depressions. The business men contend that the street is an object of considerable criticism on the part of outsiders who traverse it and that steps be taken to have it repaired temporarily until the paving case which is resting in the court can be disposed of.

Due to the delay of getting a satisfactory decision and with the beginning of winter weather the committee pointed out that the improvement would have to lay dormant until next spring, which necessarily would require a temporary improvement by filling in the bad places with cinders.

The committee also offered the council the co-operation of the Business Men’s Association which the council accepted. The Association already has offers from bus companies who use the street to assist in the work by furnishing trucks.

Several other business firms have agreed to put trucks to work and the city will furnish men to spread cinders. Others who have trucks and desire to assist in the work can do so by conferring with William C. Ahrens, chairman of the good roads committee.

Efforts will be made to start work tomorrow morning and anyone desiring to assist will be welcome, according to the committee.

During the conference the business men also touched on licensing of outsiders who come to the city for the express purpose of peddling or delivering wares to the retail trade. This, the business men contend is detrimental to the merchants who are legitimately established in business and should be curbed by a license fee, similar to that of other cities.

The revised ordinances provide for various licenses but it appears that more revenue could be derived if more stringent steps were taken. The council took no action in the matter but promised to lay the proposition before the city attorney in the hopes that an agreeable plan can be devised.

75 years ago, Oct. 19, 1950

Mrs. Ethelynne Sullivan of the St. Clair County Tuberculosis Association showed films and gave a lecture on the Tuberculosis testing program to all students of the O’Fallon Township High School, Wednesday morning at 11:15 a.m.

She gave cards and consent slips to the 48 seniors and 62 juniors to take home to their parents to be filled out and returned to the school by Friday if possible or by 9 a.m. Monday at the latest.

The juniors and seniors who have their parents approval will receive the Tuberculin Skin Test at the high school, Monday Oct. 23. The tests will be administered by Dr. Walter S. Brooker, director of Pleasant View Sanitorium. There will be no charge for this test.

The Pleasant View Sanitorium is now the Fairview Heights City Hall.

50 years ago, Oct. 23, 1975

Local builders and general contractors are offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone vandalizing or stealing material at construction sites in the city of O’Fallon.

Robert Weinel told the city council Monday night that the builders are being robbed and vandalized constantly. Weinel was robbed of $1,000 worth of tools at a construction site in the 900 block of N. Lincoln Sunday. A citizen band radio, a radial arm saw, a power unit and other tools were taken.

The thieves had broken out a plastic panel to an overhead door at the site to get the tools.

The Kenneth Goodrum Construction Co. was also hit at two separate job sites. A total of $400 damage was done.

“I think the council should do something about the situation. If another police car is needed, get it. We (the builders) are getting very close to forming a vigilant group,” Weinel said.

The contractor suggested that the council permit the police to monitor the citizen band airwaves where builders could report vandalism and theft before culprits get away.

However, Mayor Gary Mackey said the monitoring of the citizen band may cause some confusion and police may be directed to a call that may not need primary attention. Mackey said the scrambler units being installed at the police department will help in cutting down on theft and vandalism.

“Right now thieves and vandals can monitor police calls and leave the scene when they hear a police car has been dispatched to the place they’re working over. With the scrambler units, they won’t be able to monitor the calls and this should put most of them out of operation,” Mackey said.

Weinel said that his request was not an attempt to put down the police department.

“We know there a lot of problems and the builders want to help the police,” Weinel said.

Macky said that the department is working on more surveillance of the construction areas to prevent further vandalism and thefts.