NEW IDEAS—YOUTHFUL LEADERSHIP

By MARY LYNN HAWLEY, Village Secretary, Odin, Illinois

New ideas from a youthful leadership has initiated a resurgence of optimism in the Village of Odin, a resurgence best exemplified by the handling of mandated sewage treatment renovations.

Presentation of check from sale of bonds to FmHA. Left to right; Dan Ramey, Village Administrator, Tom Beyers, FmHA, Larry Hodge, Village President, Michael Jones, Village Attorney.

Like many other Illinois communities of its size, Odin (population 1,350), has been wrestling with the fact it must update its sewage treatment facilities in order to meet the clean water mandate of the IEPA. The original plan called for Odin to upgrade its primary treatment mechanical plant to an expanded and expensive secondary treatment facility. But when the EPA changed its filtering requirements from sand to rock, Odin's board of trustees changed course; a move that will save money and induce growth. In years gone by Odin prospered in the wake of the Southern Illinois coal and oil boom. Built around the intersection of the Illinois Central and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroads, main street was home to arcades, hotels and banks. But the mine closed and like the oil field fires that once lit up the night sky, those main street businesses died out.

For years hence the village was a quiet little place, A bedroom community of good people who commuted elsewhere to work. For the most part it still is. But something is different now. A new sense of optimism prevails.

The best example of this optimism is the perception of the sewage treatment renovations. The renovation was discussed by community leaders for years. It loomed in the distance as an unavoidable and necessary evil of the future. But the current board of trustees, whose member's median age is 26, have turned burden into bartering tool.

By turning to an aerated lagoon system with rock filters as its system design, the village will save $1.2

Hilmer C. Landholt Died February 26, 1988 * * * Mr. Landholt was Corporation Counsel, City of Decatur for 22 years * * * Former State Legislator * * * Served as a pilot in World War II — spent 1 year as a prisoner of war * * * Served on many committees for the League * * * Our condolences to his family and many friends

NLC Conferees Left to right: Steven Sargent, Executive Director; Mayor Anthony Vacco, Evergreen Park, League President; Mayor Gary Anderson, Decatur, Board of Directors, National League of Cities and Illinois Municipal League.

March 1988 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 7

million in the next 20 years; $600,000 in construction costs and $635,000 in operation and maintenance costs. The savings will reduce the village's need for grant funding, not only helping Odin, but freeing up more funds to be made available to other communities.

Furthermore, this method of wastewater treatment frees up the existing primary treatment plant so it can be used as a pretreatment facility by industry. And this is a plus which village officials plan to showcase.

"This can open up great opportunities for our community," said Village President Larry Hodge, who took office at the age of 24. "Rural Illinois has been hard pressed in recent years and its up to us in small communities to show business and industry that this is a good and profitable place to be."

Hodge points out other measures the village has recently taken to improve the quality of life. Operating as its own contractor the village is in the process of updating its water system, replacing antiquated lines and looping existing ones to maximize fire protection and encourage land development. And using a limited work force the village was able to replace over a mile of sidewalk last year; acting as its own contractor. In both instances this method of operation will result in a savings of 50 percent compared to the cost of simply letting the jobs to the private sector.

Through a unique working arrangement the village makes the best use of its fine human resources. The police chief does double duty. He is also the Superintendent of Streets and Alleys. The village secretary doubles as the village financial officer. And if help is needed in another department, the two man water and sewer department is always happy to help.

The village also employs a part-time village administrator in association with another community of equal size, providing quality management assistance at low cost. And the village readily uses labor made available through "workfare" programs like JTPA, CEFS, General Assistance and public service workers supervised through the Marion County Probation Department.

This spirit of cooperation in Odin extends to the village's fine public school system and its civic organizations. All have worked together with the village to see long-dreamed-of improvements at the city park recently become a reality. They include the placing of new lights, dugouts, and fencing at the old ball diamond, construction of a second brand new ball diamond and construction of a new play area for small children.

Construction on the new sewage treatment facility has already begun. And that step, coupled with the enterprising spirit of their young leaders, has the people of Odin looking forward to welcoming new families and new businesses into the community. •

Page 8 / Illinois Municipal Review / March 1988