On Wednesday, November 5th, the Ayer Public Library Committee commenced its monthly meeting at 6:00 pm sharp. Before the meeting, the board members talked about their recent Halloweens and what their favorite candy is. This meeting also unveiled the new carpeting that was voted on in the past meeting to end the dizzy spells caused by the old carpet’s pattern. Fear not, though, the old carpet squares will not go to waste; they’re to be used as floor seating for children at library events. 

At this meeting, there was a quite special topic discussed. Our little library has just received a gift of  $10,000 from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The Ayer Public Library has been a proud Carnegie Library since 1908, when Carrie A. Briggs, the library board secretary, reached out to the Carnegie Endowment Fund to receive funding to build a Carnegie Library in Delavan. Andrew Carnegie, a lover of literature, education, and a believer in the importance of public libraries, wanted his amassed wealth to make education more accessible around the country. This was to pay tribute to his upbringing and the library that helped him become who he was. The foundation agreed that this town needed a library building and granted $10,000 to the cause, though it took years of back and forth. The final decision was approved in 1913, and within a year, the library was erected in 1914 from that $10,000 donation. All Carnegie Libraries that remain now were granted the same gift this year. While 10 thousand dollars isn’t enough to build another building of that beauty and stature, it is an amazing amount of money that is going into building restoration and upkeep. Though they’re not quite sure what they’re going to spend the money on yet, rest assured, they have plenty of wonderful ideas circling for it! They’ll be announcing once they have reached a decision. 

It’s once again time of year for the committee members to report to the Illinois Library Association what they’re doing to meet the goals and expectations of the Illinois Public Library Standards. These standards ensure the library maintains proper disability accessibility, complies with state and federal regulations, operates with a balanced and transparent budget, and continues to serve as a reliable and enriching resource for the community. The committee members sectioned out this report and are working diligently to get it in. The results of which will be discussed at next month’s meeting. In a similar fashion, it’s time for the annual review. This year’s audit is underway, for which a motion was passed to request an extension on their submission. The library board will be sure to report the proper documentation to the Illinois State Comptroller. 

Mel Clauser has been busy as a bee working with the community to consult them on Medicare Part D. A cause that’s been going well, as townsfolk are keeping his sessions fully booked. If you qualify for Medicare Part D, or wish to find out if you do, consider signing up for one of these sessions. 

Ahead of the holiday season, the committee voted to set the library staff’s holiday bonus. These hard workers will be finding out what their gift is soon. They also made the decision to turn the water off in the old annex building during the winter months. The water will be turned back on once it begins to warm up. This decision will save the Library 60 dollars a month and protect the pipes from damage, as they won’t be needed during this time, and water would otherwise be left in them to freeze. The next meeting was announced to take place on Wednesday, December 3rd. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm. 

 

Last week, Delavan’s FFA Chapter attended the National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, held in the Lucas Oil Stadium. The National Convention is one of the largest student leadership gatherings in the country, bringing in FFA members from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to the formal delegate work and awards, the conference offered its members ag-industry tours, a career expo, and leadership workshops. This experience allowed Delavan’s FFA members to connect with other chapters, explore future agriculture careers, and strengthen their leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.

The atmosphere at the conference was unlike anything many of these students had experienced before. From the energetic and loud sessions to the constant buzz in the expo hall, the FFA National Convention was filled with exciting new opportunities. This year, Delavan FFA had the honor of hosting the Inter-State Tailgate Social, an event designed to bring different chapters together to network, share experiences, and have fun. Additionally, this year marked Delavan’s FFA advisor and teacher, Theo Allen’s tenth National Convention. His dedication and passion for agriculture continue to guide and inspire the chapter.

Representing Delavan at the National Convention were juniors Riley Fann, Jaxton Westbrook, McKinleigh Sipka, Isaac Meeker, Maddy Albers, and seniors Kaelenn Morris and Annalise Clendenny. These dedicated FFA members not only took part in leadership opportunities but also had lasting memories throughout the trip. On the way home, the chapter was able to visit Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and the Louisville Sluggers warehouse. Reflecting on the experience, Maddy Albers stated, “The vibes at National Convention were amazing. Everyone was happy, excited, and full of energy. People made new friends, laughed a lot, and had the best time.”

Overall, the trip was an unforgettable experience for the Delavan FFA Chapter. The members returned home energized, inspired, and excited to continue growing through FFA. The chapter looks forward to applying their knowledge and experiences to the school and community. Delavan FFA is proud to represent its school at the national level and is already looking forward to next year’s convention.

In a closely watched decision this week, the City of Delavan approved the creation of a new Event Coordinator position—an initiative aimed at enhancing civic life and fostering stronger community connections through year-round public events.

The vote to approve the role was evenly split among the city’s aldermen. Aldermen Levi Birkey of Ward 1, Douglas Bury, and Linda Slabaugh of Ward 3 voted in favor, while Aldermen Joshua Lusher of Ward 1, Brent Nafziger, and Joe Watts of Ward 2 opposed the measure. With the council deadlocked at 3–3, Mayor Adam White cast the tie-breaking vote in favor—albeit with a note of caution.

“I vote aye, with it being temporary,” White said after a noticeable pause. “If it doesn’t work, we can obviously not do this next year.”

A Role Designed to Inspire

The newly approved position is intended to bring energy, organization, and creativity to Delavan’s public calendar. The Event Coordinator will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing a wide range of events—from festivals and parades to farmers markets, concerts, holiday celebrations, and outreach programs.

In addition to strengthening local engagement, the position is also expected to help attract visitors from surrounding areas—drawing new foot traffic to Delavan’s downtown and encouraging patronage of local businesses.

Budget and Funding

The position is budgeted at $20,000 for the current fiscal year, with $15,000 allocated for the coordinator’s salary and $5,000 earmarked for marketing and advertising of events. Funding for the role will come from a reallocation within the City Administrator’s budget. The arrangement is temporary and will be reconsidered in April 2026 when the city council reviews and votes on the annual budget.

Collaboration and Leadership

The coordinator will serve as the main point of contact for vendors, sponsors, entertainers, volunteers, and public agencies. They’ll also work with city departments, local businesses, and community organizations to promote collaboration and ensure events reflect Delavan’s unique character.

Responsibilities include developing promotional materials, managing social media outreach, preparing event budgets, soliciting sponsorships, applying for grants, and overseeing logistics such as permits, staffing, safety plans, and cleanup. Post-event evaluations will help guide future planning and improvements.

Seeking the Right Candidate

The city is now seeking applicants who are highly motivated, personable, and thrive in fast-paced environments. Ideal candidates will be organized, creative, and passionate about community-building.

City officials hope to fill the position and have the new coordinator begin work in earnest starting January 2026.

In a unanimous vote at Tuesday night’s meeting, the Delavan City Council approved the issuance of $1.5 million in municipal bonds to fund long-overdue improvements to the city’s aging sewer infrastructure. The bonds will be sold by the Bank of Pontiac, which will facilitate the financing of the project.

The centerpiece of the initiative is the dredging of Delavan’s wastewater lagoon, which was constructed in 1984 and has never been dredged in its 41-year lifespan. Over time, the lagoon has accumulated significant amounts of sludge, sediment, and non-organic material, reducing its capacity to effectively treat the city’s wastewater. Nathan Barnett, Delavan's superintendent of public works, warned that failure to address the buildup could leave Delavan vulnerable to fines and regulatory action from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).

In addition to dredging, the bond-funded improvements include a comprehensive inspection of the city’s sewer lines using camera technology. The footage will help prioritize repairs by identifying root infestations, structural damage, and areas requiring pipe lining or full replacement. These upgrades are expected to reduce the volume of debris entering the lagoon, improving its long-term performance and reducing future maintenance costs.

The bonds will be serviced over a 15-year term, with annual payments totaling just over $150,000. However, city officials acknowledged that Delavan’s sewer operations have been running an annual deficit for several years, with expenses outpacing revenue from sewer fees. Adding a $150,000 line item annually to the expense of the sewer operations will only exacerbate the problem. To address this funding gap, the council is exploring the formation of a new additional tax increment financing (TIF) district. If approved, the district would capture future increases in property tax revenue to help cover the cost of bond repayment.

The council’s decision reflects a growing recognition of the need to modernize essential systems and plan for long-term fiscal health. Residents can expect updates as the city moves forward with engineering assessments, permitting, and the initial phases of lagoon dredging.