Shannon Jones named new Deputy City Clerk
DU QUOIN - There was a changing of the guard Monday night at the Du Quoin City Council meeting.
Shannon Jones was sworn in as the city's new Deputy City Clerk, soon replacing the retired Tami Burdel, who served the city a stunning 38 years. That is the longest term served of any city employee on record past or present. Jones, who is presently training under Burdel, officially takes over the position Dec. 6.
"You have big shoes to fill," Mayor Guy Alongi told Jones after complimenting Burdel for her "great work."
City Clerk Andrew Croessman said Burdel "has been a rock" in the City Clerk's office for years and believes Jones "will be a rock" moving forward.
Jones said she simply wants "to do a good job" for the city and hopes she can live up to her predecessor's high standards.
Jones is no stranger to city work. She has worked 18 years altogether - 10 with the police department as a dispatcher and the last eight in the water department.
In other personnel news Monday, the council hired Paula Myers as a Utility Clerk effective this week. Myers has a master's degree in business and is retired from Rend Lake College. She will earn $13 an hour to start with a rate adjustment after a 90-day probationary period.
It was also announced that Dave Beard had retired from the Street Department after 22 years on the job.
The council - with the unanimous votes of Commissioners Chuck Genesio, Jill Kirkpatrick and Michael Ward, as well as Alongi - gave final approval of an ordinance amending Chapter 21 of the city's code of ordinances related to liquor licenses, cutting back on the number of licenses of those establishments that sell alcohol. The measure specifically affects future businesses.
No current establishment had its liquor license revoked.
The council also approved a resolution authorizing a redevelopment agreement between the city and Richard W. Zimmerman; between the city and Alongi's Restaurant; between the city and Richard Steven Vavro; the city and Travis Williams; and the city and Southern Illinois Bank. All the agreements concerned renovations to buildings with some reimbursement from the city.