STATION EDITORIAL

Posted May 16, 2024

While we’ve heard all the bad news about doing business in Illinois, I want to share some GOOD stories with you!

I’m writing this editorial on May 16th.   Earlier today, I covered the grand opening of the multi-million dollar Great Western popcorn oil plant recently completed in the Pana Industrial Park.  The City of Pana and the Pana Industrial Development Corporation, worked together for months making this plant a reality.   Kirby Casner, Pana’s economic development director, led the charge and should be complimented for her tenacity in getting this plant and its 50 jobs, up and going after a fire 2 years ago totally destroyed their former plant west of Assumption.

And, we’re on the verge of some great things happening in Taylorville as well.   The Christian County Economic Development Corporation, led by its executive director and Taylorville native Matt Hart, are working with the City of Taylorville to not only bring new business and jobs to the Christian County seat, but to re-purpose many vacant buildings for new owners that will also bring jobs.

In our Clinton-Monticello-Lincoln market, Curt Homann is leading the DeWitt County Development Council and that non-profit entity is providing grants to deserving county businesses to expand, as well as working with county officials in attracting industry and jobs to the county.

The Piatt County seat of Monticello continues to push dirt, build new homes, and expand.   Its school complex, thanks to a tax referendum passed a few years ago, is now the envy of schools and residents across Central Illinois.  And, new retail businesses continue to open.

The Logan County seat of Lincoln, christened by Abraham Lincoln himself, has established an organization called the “Lincoln Economic Advancement and Development” or LEAD, with members made up many different business categories.  The organization is privately funded by the business community.

These are examples of what the communities in our listening area are doing to grow.      Be listening and watching on our media platforms for the great, positive things happening right here in Central Illinois!  That’s our opinion, we welcome yours.   Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted May 16, 2024

Dear Editor:

On June 28, 2024, I will retire.  I will have completed 9 years as the CUSD 15 superintendent and 33 years of my public-school career.  It went by very quickly!  I have told friends, and now I will tell all of you, that this has been the best 9 years of my career. 

I moved my family here in July of 2015 excited to take on a new position that I hoped would allow me to grow professionally and as a person.  I will say that the experience did not disappoint me, and I sure hope it did not disappoint any of you either.  I got to share my perspective on leadership and my faith.

I want to express my gratitude to the board that hired me back in December of 2014.  They had confidence in me to do the work and let me operate the district accordingly.  I can’t express how much their support meant to me.  I want to express my gratitude toward those that have served on the board since then, who also gave me the same support.  The board in place today has been an outstanding group with which to work.  We went through a tough couple of years together during the pandemic, but I knew I had their support every day.

I have gotten to know many great people over my time working for CUSD 15.  The teachers and support staff have been great as we have tried new things and strived for improvement every year.  Again, we survived two tough years together as well.  I will never forget that!

The administration team changed a little bit from 2015 until today.  I have enjoyed working with all of them as individuals and as a team.  I truly believe we all helped each other during our time together.  The Unit Office staff has changed over since 2015.  They are a wonderful group of people who have supported me to the utmost each day.  I miss those that started with me and retired before me.

I appreciate my friends in the local media who were probably too good to me at times.  Local law enforcement has been a wonderful partner as well, and I could list numerous community agencies and dignitaries with whom I’ve worked.

Lastly, from my wife Jody and me to the community of Clinton, we thank you for the immediate embrace of our family when we moved here.  My youngest son was half way through high school when we moved.  Who does that to their kid?!  The community and his classmates made him feel welcome immediately and allowed us to exhale.  It also allowed us to add to our family. 

I’ve made so many good friends in the business community while doing business, being a member of Rotary and working with city and county government.  I never met any resistance because the entities all worked together for the betterment of the community.  

I can’t think of a better place to have ended my career, and a better place to live in retirement.  Although my job at the district is ending, Jody and I will still be living here in the place that made us feel like we were at home.  I will see you around town.  God bless!

Curt Nettles
Supt. Clinton CUSD 15
Clinton, IL 61727