City asks Dist. 300 for $125,000

In a creative, yet unprecedented intergovernmental proposal, Mayor Guy Alongi has sent Du Quoin Community Unit District 300 superintendent Dr. Gary Kelly and his Board of Education a very sincere letter seeking $125,000 in district funds over three years to help accomplish renovations at the Du Quoin Municipal Swimming Pool.

The city is looking at a $300,000 to $350,000 renovation to the pool, diving boards and pump house gauges either all at once or in phases.

The proposal is well-placed in that the Du Quoin pool is home to the league champion Swimming Indians. The 90 team members largely come from Du Quoin's schools. Dozens--maybe hundreds--of other Du Quoin-are children benefit from the pool every summer.

Dr. Kelly said he has received the letter and the matter is on the Board of Education's Thursday agenda.

"I can't speak for the board, but I think definitely it is something they will consider," he said.

On many levels, the city and the district are joined at the hip. The city collects a half-cent sales tax to pay off the local share of bonding on the new Du Quoin High School. Even that agreement holds some possibilities on accomplishing this request. The schools call upon city resources all the time--auxiliary police for sporting events and street and drainage work in the school neighborhoods. The relationship is inescapable and should remain positive.

"He (the mayor) and I have had discussions about these things and we want to foster achieving these things," he said.

At this writing, the mayor has substantial financial commitments in hand from local groups. Plus, the city has pledged $40,000 toward the work this coming year.

The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the media center at the Middle School to consider this and a handful of other items.

All parties seem very positive in finding the solution to make repairs to this all-important facility.