And what so many people do not realize is that there  could very well be pedophiles in small towns like Danville.  They can be business owners, professionals, elected officials and blue collar workers.  Often, someone knows of a ****, but will not come forward to tell the proper authorities.  In my opinion, that makes that person an accomplice in the destruction of the lives of many victims.  If one hears a rumor, do not be so fast to dismiss it as just that. Start listening for more.  Chances are if you continue to hear the same thing about someone over and over, there is probably truth to it.  A **** can be anyone and either sex.  It may be someone working with children on a daily basis or operating a business which focuses mainly on children.  Be cautious who you trust your children with.   If you feel uneasy about an individual or that person makes your skin crawl, it may be that person is a ****.

That's a very good idea.  Usually, after really trying to communicate my needs to a foreign accented person, I ask nicely to speak with someone who can speak English.  Two things have happened:  I have either been connected with an English speaking person or else I have been hung up on.  At that point, I do get to speak with an English speaking person because when I call back I insist on it immediately.

In my opinion one of the most important financial responsibilities a person can have is to support one's child/children.  The fact that Rickey was slow in paying taxes,etc. is not a reason to assume he would not make a good mayor.  I have been told that people facing foreclosure are often advised to not make tax payments.  I do believe that Rickey is a moral and ethical man who would never deny his child and certainly would not have to be "taken in" by the authorities to answer such charges.  Read between the lines.  Go to judici.com. to view all mayoral candidates'  records.

I hate to be negative about the possibility of this situation being handled properly, but in the past I have called CRIS on numerous occasions reporting a case of an elderly man not being cared for properly.  There have been visits made to his house, but nothing has changed.  The last time I called, I mentioned one of the board members by name.  I got an immediate response, but, still, the man does not receive the care he should and often suffers from neglect, bordering on abuse.  As far as the DPD, I think Bruce Stark is a good one to contact when a case involves possible exploitation of the elderly.

If you go into Judici.com you will see that Mel has had money problems in the past.  If my memory serves me right, he lived with his mother until she died.  He moved here from Indiana after he was arrested for solicitation and starting attending the First Church of Christ.  He acted very pious while there and seemed rather uncomfortable when he saw me there (I am assuming because he thought he had kept his secrets hidden).  Then he befriended a VERY wealthy much older widow and was often seen driving her Caddy.  Then she died.  Sorry, I don't feel too sorry for people who depend on others for their existence or to get them out of jams.  You had better consider yourself very lucky that you are out of this situation and stay away from him unless you are a glutton for punishment.  Just some advice.

 I have a neighbor who is of the same persuasion as Mel and who, being older, allows himself to be used by the younger gays in this town and surrounding towns.  In his younger days, he, too, used people--gay men and old and lonely women.  In fact, he inherited a house from a retired female school teacher.  Now he has a HIV positive boyfriend who is 40 years his junior.  I used to think he was being taken advantage of, but have come to the conclusion that he is merely the recipient of what he used to dole out.  Also know of a transvestite 70-ish man in town who gets involved with and performs favors for any male willing to give him the time of day.  If he doesn't have HIV he is very lucky.  And he should know better because he is in the medical field.  But I guess his drive for satisfaction coupled with his loneliness are too strong for him to resist.  There is always someone out there ready to take advantage of the vulnerable.

I will lay you odds that Mel will be back.  He will just wait until this has all died down.  He should be ashamed of himself.  You know that he should be able to live quite comfortably from his VA retirement.  But maybe acquiring younger guys has become too costly since he is so much older.  I used to think he was a nice, if pitiful, guy until I saw him with the wealthy widow......

I know Mel.  I am really surprised he would be involved in anything like this.  I know he got in trouble a few years ago for soliciting a male undercover officer at Ellsworth.  Do you think this guy has a like lifestyle?  Maybe you should get a hold of his preacher.  He used to attend First Church of Christ.  They have consolidated now, but you could find them.   It sounds like Mel has lost it.

I have been asked to post that there is a church sanctuary in the Danville area that is available for rent by a not for profit group.  It would seat approx. 250.  It would be good for an upstart church or various other groups for  meetings.   It could even be used for weddings.  If interested you can call 217-799-8858.  Thank you.

This was not a rumor.  I was present as this person is a very dear friend and I help her with her business.  So, not only did she hear this--I did, too.  I was relating an experience.  She received some of the fees she had been assessed a few weeks ago back into her account.  I am NOT a rumor monger and I guess I have as much right as anyone to post experiences.  So---unless this forum is limited to a select few, I will continue to post when I feel like it.  Like I said, I WAS THERE with my friend and heard the explanation of the Federal Reserve taking her check.  So, instead of being so quick to jump on someone for posting, why not just ignore the post if it upsets you so badly?

A friend has had some problems at Iroquois Federal credit union and did not receive a satisfactory explanation.  Some of the checks she wrote were deducted from her account twice and her direct deposit pension check was "taken away" by the Federal Reserve according to two bank employees.  While she was there trying to get her account straightened out, another customer was having the same problem.  She had similar problems  a few weeks ago and was assessed $100 in fees.

Be watchful.  A teller at First Financial told her that is how their  problems first started when it was First National.  Could this financial institution be experiencing problems?

I, too, sincerely hope everything will be resolved and that the animals'  welfare will be kept in mind when the final decisions are made.  We all know that too often this is not the case.  And, how do the animals tell us that--heh, things are not really as good as they appear?

That is why I would caution everyone to approach animal welfare groups like they would any other charity.  Ask questions and get answers.  Anyone operating a reputable animal rescue, etc. will be happy to share their records with you.  Ask to see their kennel license, which should be prominently displayed.  Ask for a list of the board of directors and a copy of their financial records showing how all monies are spent.  Ask for their 501C3 number--don't just assume that because you have been told that your contributions are tax deductible that they really are.  When you make a contribution you should receive a copy of a letter for your taxes stating their number and the amount you contributed. (Government agencies such as the county animal shelter will not have a number, but other agencies should if they are asking for donations which are to be tax deductible.)

ALL foster homes for the rescue should be licensed.  Too often, people doing rescue allow unlicensed people to do the fostering because they are desperate for homes.  But this often has terrible consequences.  I recently heard about the death of several dogs resulting from their being fostered by a woman who has absolutely no business having any animals.  She lives in one of our local communities and reportedly has been reported to the authorities in the past.  So, these poor dogs were not helped.   They had terrible deaths due to bad conditions.  Also, ask what criteria the volunteers have to meet before they are allowed  to work with the animals.  One does not know what goes on behind closed doors and as I have already said, the animals cannot tell.  Ask for a complete tour of the facilities.

You have a right to do all of these things.  They are asking for your contributions, whether that is money, supplies, time or services, and you have a right to know all about the organization.  They should be completely transparent.  Like any type of "charity,"  animal welfare ones have at times been discovered to be fronts for money-making ventures, some of which are illegal, and all of which are wrong because they have taken advantage of animals and the ones who care about their plight.  BE AWARE!

Connie Brunkow has been fired by the corporation which bought Hillcrest hospitals several years ago.  Story is she wasn't bringing in enough money.  However, they reportedly will close that clinic.  Sounds more like the corporation wanted to close clinic, so Connie and her staff suffered the consequences.  What really confuses me, and makes me very angry, is the fact that they continue to employ "vets" who have a very poor record.  Guess they don't care how many go out in body bags as long as money was made in the process.  This is my personal opinion, but I have personally experienced loss at the hands of one of theirs further north.  Also, have talked with several who have also lost their beloved pets as a result of .....

Winston, the lift is not a chair.  It is something like a very small hoyer lift.  I can find them on the internet, but am not computer savvy, so do not know how to copy them here.  All local places have been querried, and cannot help.  But thank you for your interest and concern.

Pretender, I forgot to tell you that my ex now lives in an apartment at Devonshire.  I will tell him to get a hold of you.  Of course, he may not listen to me as he never did when we were married!  The low cost program of which you have heard could still work for you.  I will talk with Sherri  for you if you like.  Why not save some money now to have for obedience training because with that breed and size of puppy I believe it will need it.  I recently rescued a very sweet little puppy which quickly became a huge rowdy dog.  I have yet to find him a permanent home and he definitely is too much for me to handle.  I love him and he is sweet, but he needs someone who can handle him and walk him, etc.   The last time I tried to walk him was not a pleasant experience.

Pretender, I hope you will consider another vet like Cooper/King at East Lake.  I cannot tell you why on this forum, but may call you and tell you.  I will also tell the manager at pet store.  I have VERY good reasons for suggesting this.  Also, it is not too late to make arrangements at the low cost spay/neuter program.  I WILL call you.  A friend of mine does the driving for this and I am sure she will help you in any way possible.  I have already talked with you about this when you were considering a shelter animal.  You used to work with my ex.  You told me to tell him hi and I have.  He often eats at CRIS for breakfast if you can get there.

A Danville woman needs to rent an electric sit to stand lift.  They retail for $5000 and Medicare/insurance will not help, so if she can rent one or buy used she would greatly appreciate it.  She has been hospitalized and confined to a nursing home for months.  Now home, she can no longer assist in standing/sitting.  Does anyone know of one which is available?  Thanks.