Trenton's city council on Monday authorized police chief Mike Jones and mayor Bob Koentz to seek a contractor to complete renovations at the police station.

The police station has been in various stages of construction for a while now, and the only remaining work is the installation of new flooring, painting, and some molding. Police chief Mike Jones has done the bulk of the work so far on the project. Councilwoman Margaret Conley suggested having a contractor finish the work in the interest of expedience.

Koentz agreed, saying Jones' workload is making it difficult to complete the project. "I don't think it's fair for the chief to have to do that stuff in addition to his normal duties," Koentz said.

"I doubt the police chiefs in any other town do their own remodeling work," seconded councilman Randy Reibold.

The council approved the expenditure of $475 for new software and installation to solve a glitch in the city's LOCIS water billing software. Peggy Wellen, who takes care of the water billing, said the city will be required to install the new software, Comet Serve 32, by May of next year anyway when new updates require the system accelerator. The software is $375, and network streaming installation will cost an extra $100.

Conley, chair of the council's Committee on Aging, reported that a new stove and refrigerator have been delivered to the Western Clinton County Senior Services nutrition site, and a new employee, Sharon Wilken of New Baden, has been hired. Conley said the senior meal site will have a fundraising chicken dinner October 28.

Street and alley superintendent Mike Jones reported the Kilian Construction, contracting for the Illinois Department of Transportation, will soon begin a resurfacing project on Old Route 50 (Broadway) through Trenton. Jones asked council members if he should ask for a price to resurface the parking lanes at the same time. The parking lanes are the city's financial responsibility. Some council members suggested they had already agreed to resurface the lanes at the same time. Jones said not doing so would create a lip between the roadway and parking, a trip hazard. "We'd be crazy not to finish that up," said mayor Koentz.

Water and sewer superintendent Roger Maue said a new pump has been installed in the sewer lift station near Dollar General.

Trenton mayor Bob Koentz interrupted two vandals destroying property in the Nut House Park Thursday night, and both juveniles have been charged.

On Sunday night, the park was vandalized again, and Koentz speculates it was the work of the same two juveniles.

"I corralled two little criminals Thursday night at the Nut House Park, and last night (Sunday) there was another incident that we think was retribution for me catching them on Thursday," Koentz told city council members Monday.

A police investigation is underway for the Sunday night incident, and Koentz said the city will prosecute whomever is determined to be responsible to the full extent of the law.

"We're going to throw the book at them," Koentz said. "We're going to nail them with everything we can, and I don't even want to get a phone call from their parents, because I don't care. We're going to be absolutely unmerciful. If we catch these little SOB's, I don't care if it's their first offense or their tenth. No mercy."

Koentz, who lives near the Nut House Park, said he heard noises emanating from the area Thursday night while sitting on his deck. He walked over to investigate, and found two juveniles vandalizing the plastic rocking toys there.

"When I was walking over, I saw one of them throwing this large metal chunk at a rocking horse. They might hae been called a few things they shouldn't have been called. We're not going to tolerate it. There's no reason for this crap," Koentz said.

Sunday's vandalism was more extensive, although police have not yet determined whether the same two youths were involved.

On Sunday, vandals removed the glass fixtures from each of the lights under the park pavilion and broke them in the street and around the park and also broke the covers off the electrical outlets under the pavilion. A scarecrow display the Nut House Club had erected was also vandalized. One of the scarecrows was placed in a portapotty on the park grounds, and the other was set on fire.

Police chief Mike Jones said that since the park property is subsidized by state and federal tax dollars, the destruction could qualify as a felony offense, no matter the dollar value of the damage.

Three building permits were issued during the past month, and Trenton's planning commission and zoning board of appeals will both consider zoning issues at their meetings in October, according to zoning administrator Christine Benson.

Philip and Kellie Kunz have been issued a building permit for a patio on Northland Court; Alan and Stacey Emig were approved for a storage shed on East Fourth; and Munie Leisure Center was approved for an in-ground pool on West Missouri, the James and Linda Weekley residence.

The city's planning commission will on Thursday, Ocober 18 consider city requests for the vacating of East Third Street near the new Wildwood subdivision in northeast Trenton and changes to the provisions for curbing in the city's subdivision code.

The zoning board of appeals will consider a city request for a stiffer requirement for fencing surrounding residential pools.

A new business, From Hair 2 Eternity, is opening at 6 South Main, and Dr. Curt Wesselmann has begun work on his new chiropractic and physical therapy facility at 206 West Broadway. Wesselmann's business is now located on South Main Street. Wesselmann's request for a sign permit at the location has been approved.

Benson said Wildwood Estates developers Trenton Land Development, LLC, have asked the city to seek remuneration from Clinton County Electric Cooperative for some curbing they believe the utility broke while installing light poles in the subdivision. Benson said Clinton County Electric has requested more documentation about the incident, and she is in the process of tracking down that information.

- 1907 -

Daughters were born to Con. Crepps and wife and also to John White Jr. and wife.

The city authorities are determined to put a stop to the practice of letting poultry and horses free on the walks, streets and vacant lots.

Now is the time to buy shoes. Frank Vogt is going to quit the shoe business.

City authorities are not doing their duty when they permit boys under 18 to smoke in public places. It is a disgrace for any city to permit youth, incapable of realizing the grave danger to which they subject themselves, to follow the path that leads to destruction.

- 1917 -

The first airplane from the Scott Aviation Field near Belleville to pass over the vicinity of Aviston flew over town Friday morning traveling east at a lively rate.

The ten cent horse whiskey has been kissed goodbye during these high cost of living days. All of the liquor dealers have hiked the price to 15 cents since the war revenue bill went into effect.

A marriage license was issued in St. Louis Monday to Louis Heithaus of this city and Miss Anna Washford of Aviston.

L.A. Louden, the local Ford agent, has completed the foundation of the new garage on South Main Street.

- 1927 -

Ralph Cunningham and Miss Bernice Ahrens were married at the M.E. Church in Frankclay, Mo. Sunday

Charles Hellman, formerly of this city, died in Belleville on Sept. 30 at the age of 80.

About 100 people lost their lives and 500 were injured when a tornado struck St. Louis last Thursday.

Wheat sowing is going full blast this week. Some of the anxious ones were sowing last week.

- 1937 -

Henry Holten, 80, father of Adolph Holten, died in East St. Louis Friday.

Henry Bauchens, a retired wagon maker of Summerfield, died Sunday night.

Fred Merkel, 72, a prominent real estate dealer of Summerfield, died Sunday.

The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Alberternst of Aviston died Tuesday night of diphtheria.

The Rural Womanís Club elected Martha Heinicke president for the coming year.

- 1947 -

Miss Angela Weisenfeld was married Saturday morning to Vernell Quitmeyer in St. Mary Church.

John Haas, retired farmer, died at his home Oct. 2 after an illness of six months. He was 79 years of age.

James Montgomery died Oct. 6 at the age of 86 years.

A son, Larry Dale, was born to Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Satterfield on Sept. 18 at McLeansboro.

Walter Simms, 77, retired railroad worker of Summerfield died Oct. 3.

- 1957 -

Alex Trame was named commander of Stahl Post 778 of the American Legion.

Miss Mary Scheveling of New Baden died Oct. 2 at the Mascoutah Nursing Home.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Zurliene on Oct. 3.

The Wesclin Warriors won the MBC baseball championship with a perfect record.

Army Pvt. Arnold Koerkenmeier has arrived in Germany for duty in Karlsruhe.

- 1967 -

The medical building fund campaign opened Oct. 1 and as of Tuesday $5,000 has been invested. The goal is $40,000.

The City Council approved wage increases for the maintenance and police departments as well as sick leave and vacation proposals.

Miss Gay Isaak of Carlyle and Maurice Rensing of Trenton were married Sept. 30 in St. Mary Church, Carlyle.

Seaman Apprentice Paul Trame has returned to San Diego after a tour of the Southwest Pacific as a unit of the Pacific Amphibious Force.

The Clinton County Red Cross workers met in Carlyle and packed 200 ditty bags for shipment to Vietnam.

Ken Graul won first place in the individual events of the Land Use contest held at Wesclin. Dale Fischer was second, Steve Hammel third and Bob Graesser fourth. The Wesclin team was first among the 14 schools entered.

- 1977 -

Gilbert Zitzmann of St. Louis and formerly of Trenton died Saturday, Oct. 1.

The Goodwill Industries blue and yellow truck will be in Trenton to collect used clothing, shoes and small household items.

The marriage of Miss Pat Maue and Jim Haselhorst was solemnized Sept. 24 in St. Augustine Church, Breese.

Trenton won the Clinton County Baseball League playoff title in two straight games by defeating Bartelso 5 to 1. Beckemeyer was the winner of regular season play but lost to Bartelso in the playoffs.

- 1987 -

Al Haselhorst was elected president and Loretta Griesbaum treasurer at the regular meeting of the Trenton Senior Citizens held October 8 with 85 members present.

Edmund A. Brichler, 84, of Belleville, died October 9.

Paul Schauster of New Baden was elected president of the Wesclin Boosters, with vice-president Tom Rakers, secretary Georgiana Brown, and treasurer Bruce Wegman. They will assume office October 26.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tragesser will celebrate their 40th anniversary on October 25 with a mass of thanksgiving at St. Mary Church.

Miss Diane Spihlman became the bride of Victor Dean Mitts September 12 at St. Mary Church in Trenton.

Pidgeís Tavern was the $35 weekly winner in the Citizens for Trenton drawings.

-1997-

Rick Koentz of Trenton used a bow to fell a 600-pound elk September 24 while on a self-guided hunt in northwestern Colorado.

Jennifer Varel of Trenton and Matthew Frericks of Quincy were married September 6 at St. Mary Church, Trenton.

Ann Zeisset of Trenton is new president-elect of the Southern Illinois Health Information Management Association.

Regina A. Klostermann, 97, of Trenton and formerly of Chester, died Friday, October 5, 2007 at Carlyle Healthcare Center. She was born May 24, 1910 in St. Rose, daughter of Anna, nee Hoff, and Joseph Schrage, Sr., and they preceded her in death. She married Bernard F. "Barney" Klostermann September 24, 1930 at St. Rose Church, and he died February 9, 1971. Other precedents included a son, Richard Klostermann; three sisters, Bernadine Schumacher, Anna Wilke, and Sr. Jeanette Schrage, ASC; and five brothers, August Schrage, Otto Schrage, Joseph Schrage, Robert Schrage, and Leonard Schrage. Surviving are a daughter, Ruth (Herman) Haselhorst of Trenton; two sons, Paul (Bunnie) Klostermann of Chesterfield, Missouri, and Frank (Shirley) Klostermann of Collinsville; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Hedwig "Hattie" Welling of Aviston, and Dorothy Maloney of St. Charles, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Mrs. Klostermann was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Mary Church and Altar Sodality, where she served as a past president. The funeral was Monday from St. Mary Church, Trenton. Interment St. Mary Cemetery, Trenton. Memorials to St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery Fund or Christian Foundation for Children and Aged will be received through Moss Funeral Home.

Condolences to mossfuneralhome.com