EDITOR'S NOTE

The Warren County Newswire will be on hiatus until September when our student reporters and editors return to campus.  Thank you for your interest in our publication.   See you in September.

WANTED: MIDWEST IDENTITY

By Nick Raes 
         
       “The Midwest is going through an identity crisis,” suggests Natasha Loder, Midwest correspondent for the British publication The Economist, “the lack of distinct identity and livability within the region is preventing it from attracting business.”

            Loder, who has received several honors including an Outstanding Journalism Award from the Consultative Group on International Consultative Research, told a Monmmouth College Citizenship class this week that one reason behind the Midwest’s struggling economy was the region’s lack of branding and unique identity. She said that compared to other states, the Midwest lacked a “distinct identity” that can attract investors who could build infrastructure and boost the economy.   States such as California, New York, and Hawaii have advertised themselves in a way that emphasizes their positive qualities that attracts business. Loder suggested that the Midwest needed to follow these states’  in order to begin revitalizing its economy.

            Another way that the Midwest could improve its economy and infrastructure, Loder said, was by focusing on attracting outside investors instead of feuding over existing businesses within the region. She said that if the region could attract enough businesses, they would not need to argue over the few businesses that still remain within the region. Instead of spending money on billboards with statements like, “Are you Illinoyed by Taxes? Visit SolutionIndiana.com.”   Loder argued that Indiana could have better used that money on projects that would have attracted international investors.

 
            Loder also said that cities within the region needed to fund projects that would make the cities “more livable.” She argued that attracting investors isn’t enough. States and cities also need to be able to retain them in order to progress economically. Loder cited the city of Carmel, Indiana as an example of what she suggests should be done within the region. According to her, Carmel is in the process of funding community improvement projects such as building cycling paths and improving the appearance and maintenance of public parks and recreational areas. Loder suggests that these projects are building its infrastructure and giving the residents and businesses “a reason to stay in the area.” She reasoned that If more states were to make areas more “livable”, then people and businesses would be less likely to leave the region.

Loder lives in Chicago.  She is a native of London, England and will return there when her three year tour in the U.S. is over.
             

Monmouth Teachers Using ‘Revolutionary’ Teaching Strategy

By Libby Meyer

Two grade school teachers at Harding Elementary School have caught the attention of parents, teachers, and school board members by introducing their students to a “revolutionary” learning program.  

 Second grade teacher Melinda Fry and third grade teacher Laura Anton  have implemented features of the Kagan Cooperative Learning Program in their classes.  Both teachers were introduced to the Kagan program at a three-day conference in Chicago.

According to Kagan’s website, its mission is to “develop and share revolutionary instructional strategies proven to boost engagement and achievement.”

By implementing some of the “Kagan Structures” into their daily routines,  the teachers have seen a positive impact on their students.  At different points throughout the day students are split up into groups of four, intermixing students of various academic abilities.

“In their teams they play a much more active role in the learning process,” Fry said. “I also think the students enjoy taking on a leadership role in helping their peers learn. They all have strengths in different areas and they love to share their strengths with others who may need the assistance.”

Working in small groups allows the students to improve their social skills and engage more actively in their own learning. “They truly work as a team to complete group assignments and assist/coach each other when needed,” she said.

After a presentation to the Monmouth-Roseville school board, complete with a video documenting the Kagan Structures in action, Superintendent Edward Fletcher was equally impressed.

“Instead of the teacher standing in front of the class presenting all of the lessons, these Structures allow the students to interact with each other and learn through active participation,” Fletcher said. He added that he would like to see Kagan expanded to other grade levels and more junior/senior high school classes.

The Packinghouse Returns to Galesburg

By Elisha French
After three decades, the last year has been difficult for the locally iconic Packinghouse restaurant.  In March of 2012, the Packinghouse was closed for renovations and a menu overhaul.  The motivation for the move was to help the Packinghouse continue after the retirement of owners Jay and Mary Matson.  This effort was led by Chef Mick Hug.

That restart only lasted a matter of days as Hug left and Todd Erling stepped in.  The restaurant changed their hours and some of their philosophy of food.  Erling made changes more than just interior or menu but completely rebranded the restaurant in June.  The restaurant went from being the Packinghouse to Todd Erling’s Chop House.  In this process, he removed the salad bar and the notable cinnamon rolls.  This however, didn’t last as the Chop House closed on Jan. 1.  The Matsons expressed this was due to Erling having health issues.  Today Todd Erling is head chef at Big Al’s in Peoria.

Kevin Cerar, owner of the Barnstormer and Petey’s in Monmouth, told the Courier that after he heard about the Chop House closing, he began to inquire about the building.  He thought about what would work there and wasn’t concerned about the previous year’s events.
“Sometimes you have to change things up and do something new,” Cerar said, “but with the Packinghouse’s history in the area, going back to what worked is in the best interest of the area.”  Cerar called the Matsons and worked out an agreement to obtain the rights to the menu, recipes, the use of the name and to lease the building.

Moving forward, Cerar believes he will employ 45 full time and part time employees.  As far as the menu, locals will find many classic favorites have returned.
“The cinnamon rolls, salad bar, and slow roasted prime rib will all be there along with some other personal touches.”

However, Cerar will not be incorporating menu items from his other two restaurants onto the menu.
“If we do something then it will be new and not like the Barnstormer or Petey’s.  [The Packinghouse] will have its own personality.  That is a key for survival of all three restaurants.”
While Cerar will be putting in time at the Packinghouse, he expressed that he still has to be concerned about the Monmouth restaurants as well.  The Packinghouse will have a limited reopening on Easter weekend and will begin operation from there.
Elisha French
Contributing Writer

A NEW BRAND FOR MONMOUTH

By

Mike OlszewskI

A new branding campaign for struggling local businesses in Monmouth is on the back burner and waiting to be launched. Within the next year residents will begin to see major renovations to the downtown area. One change will include a new brand name for Monmouth’s downtown businesses, “The Shops of Monmouth.” Monmouth’s City Council hopes that this new branding campaign will serve as a creative way to bring more businesses and families to the downtown area.

 

“You can’t just throw up a small shop in a small town like this, it has to be more of a destination, there has to be a reason to come here,” said Paul Schuytema, Director of Community Development. Schuytema added, “The whole idea of branding is to find something everyone can get behind. We have met the challenge of rehabbing all the buildings in the downtown area, the next step is figuring out what businesses will fit.”

 The new branding campaign, sponsored by Midwest Bank, hopes to attract new businesses to boost Monmouth’s economy.  “The Shops of Monmouth” will become the town’s way of publicly advertising to large franchises and businesses.

 “If we have a really vibrant retail and cultural base in our downtown everyone wins, businesses, Monmouth, Monmouth College, and even the students. We are tending the garden and getting the soil ready right now,” said Schuytema. He hopes that by creating an attractive brand name for downtown Monmouth, they can reduce the “leakage factor” and bring business back, “The money is being spent, we just have to market it right”.

 As of now, Monmouth’s City Council’s goal is to keep building its residential market to attract more businesses. If you are looking to become part of the campaign or would like your business in downtown Monmouth, visit ShopsofMonmouth.com for more information.

'STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT"

By Sarah Mabley

Mayor Rod Davies presented the city's plan for the new development of the downtown district in Monmouth, Illinois this week.  Along with the mayor, City Administrator John Cratty and Director of City Development Paul Schuytema each spoke of  the opportunity to ¨strike while the iron is hot¨ in the downtown district. 

According to Davies, City Hall sees new growth opportunities for downtown in retail, dining, and cultural activities in the heart of our community¨.  He said that his administration sees very real ways to leverage the limited TIF income and continue development. He also said that there is clearly a benefit to all of the downtown residential population. There is an opportunity for downtown to grow into a real destination for retail, dining, and cultural activities.

¨There are a lot of moving places but the upside to our community is huge. It´s a challenge we can face head on if we can see the destination of a vibrant, thriving town. It´s where we live, it´s Monmouth¨ Davies said.    His comments were made to about 40 members of the Monmouth Rotary Club who attended the weekly meeting.

Another speaker at the Monmouth weekly meeting of the Monmouth Rotary Club was Paul Schuytema who discussed real prospects for the new development to the downtown district.  The vision for downtown Monmouth is of an exciting and vibrant retail district in the same vein as Seminary Street in Galesburg, Illinois, Schuytema said. ¨We are trying to re-imagine our downtown as something that will work in our small, rural community¨.  He pointed out that targeted businesses are one way to bring business downtown. Loft apartments, cultural activities, and retail businesses will be major pull factors set for another generation, according to Schuytema.¨If we had talked about 2 years ago, renovating 12 buildings in this economy in the state of Illinois we would have been run out of town on a rail¨, Schuytema continued. He said that City Hall is thinking beyond into the real future. 

¨What we are trying to do is map a course so we are always playing a couple of chess moves ahead. Plans are being made down the road. Yes it´s kinda scary but we´d rather have the problem to find the people to occupy the retail stores than find the 5 to 10 million dollars that it is going to take to get these building up to code¨, he summarized.

John Cratty was last to take the podium  talked about why new development makes long term sense for the communit. He said a major goal is to get the old buildings up to code, and to spur future economic growth. He addressed the challenges because of the slow economy in the state of Illinois. However, according to Cratty new development is an investment in the future because it prevents major costs. When old buildings are left to themselves, they suffer costs to the community of Monmouth. For example, a small building fire could cost the city millions of city dollars, Cratty explained. Cratty used to be the fire chief in Galesburg, Illinois. ¨No matter how bad the state is doing, we still have to serve and protect the people of Monmouth¨

CAUSE OF MONMOUTH FIRE STILL UNKNOWN

By Zack Johnson

            Fire officials are continuing their investigation into a fire that destroyed Danny’s Tap, a popular bar in Monmouth last week.  The fire was discussed extensively at the city council meeting following the blaze.

            Monmouth Fire Chief Casey Rexroat told council members how the fire department responded to the fire.  He reported that no one was injured in the blaze but the north side of the building was completely destroyed. Luckily the building’s firewall prevented the flames from harming the south side. He said that the investigation had been delayed due to instability of the structure so the cause of the fire still is unknown. .

                        Until the fire department is able to complete an investigation, the Monmouth City Council will have to wait and see what happens before they can take action.  Monmouth Mayor Davies told Council members that, “Whether it was started by accident, natural causes, or arson we will have to learn from it”.

            In other business before the council, Mayor Davies took a vote concerning a vacant lot neighboring Monmouth-Roseville Elementary. The motion passed unanimously, changing the lot from a residential estate to a public area. This location will eventually be used as an extension of the elementary campus, allowing the school district to provide a fenced in play ground for school use. This plan has been receiving a great deal of support from the community and will be put into action soon.

            Monmouth Police Department is also making some actions to improve the force. They recently received a new squad car that will take action in a couple of weeks. Officers of Monmouth will also being attending a cultural diversity class to expand and enhance their knowledge of culture on December fifth.

            The Monmouth City Council holds their meetings the second and fourth Monday of every month at seven P.M. Meetings are held at City Hall on 100 East Broadway in Downtown Monmouth.