Raymond board discusses success of Independence Day celebration, hires part-time officer at meeting Monday

RAYMOND (Heartland Newsfeed) — In the meeting of the Raymond Village Board on Monday, July 3, the board approved their 2017-18 fiscal budget and hired a part-time officer on a probationary basis among other items of discussion. Before going into committee discussions, a brief announcement from Police Chief Valerie Sheldon involved some discussions with an individual who has expressed interest in helping in the village’s department on a part-time basis. After discussions with this individual, learning about his educational and training background and law enforcement history, which includes the Taylorville, Morrisonville and Harvel police departments, it was Sheldon’s recommendation to bring him in to meet the board. Following meeting with the board and answering questions from board members, the board unanimously voted to hire Anthony “Tony” Telford as a part-time officer with a six-month probationary period. Village President Dennis Held thanked Sheldon, streets superintendent Mike Masten and water superintendent Rick Broaddus for putting in extra time during the village’s Independence Day Celebration that took place this past weekend. Masten noted they are planning on oiling and rocking the roads around the village around August 7 or 8 during his streets and alleys committee report. During trustee Greg Bernhardt’s finance report, which was mainly about the fiscal budget, he noted an ongoing issue with high-pressure solicitors, which has been something of a concern for a while and recommends that some signs be placed around the villages noting that solicitors are not allowed within village limits. According to the current ordinance as written, a solicitor is someone who goes door-to-door trying to sell a product or service to someone who isn’t already an established customer. This does not apply to sales companies like Schwan’s or other food or product delivery businesses that only deliver to existing customers or political candidates petitioning for ballot access. It was noted that some of the troublemaking solicitors includes Illinois Gas and Electric (ILG&E) and Ambit Energy among others. Sheldon noted in her brief report about how the celebration was a success, except for the night before, regarding a female individual who was asked to leave the bar, but wouldn’t leave. Trustee Bob Pennock was a witness at the time of the incident, which did lead to the instigating female getting tazed a couple times. With limited discussion from other committees and no new business up for discussion, the board dismissed at 7:57 PM, set to reset for their financial meeting on July 17. Present at the meeting were Village President Dennis Held, Village Clerk Susan Greenwalt, Village Treasurer Sally Broaddus, Streets Superintendent Mike Masten, Water Superintendent Rick Broaddus, Police Chief Valerie Sheldon and trustees Bob Pennock, Scott Pinkston, Joe Martin, Bruce Poggenpohl and Greg Bernhardt.