Tuesday evening, the Watseka City Council voted 5-3 to preserve the Stephen’s Brother’s Opera House, also known as the JC Penny Building. The vote is potentially reversing the direction the full council had taken to begin the demolition process in September of last year. The Council action sets in motion more back-and-forth rhetoric on an issue that's raising even more questions.
Leading the charge to save the structure was Third Ward Alderman Benny Marcier who made the motion which was quickly seconded by fourth Ward Alderwoman Yami Rolphs.
Before voting on the motion took place, Alderman Scott Anderson requested the floor to read from a prepared statement. In the statement, he presented a petition that needs to be signed by registered voters within the city limits, allowing for an advisory question to be placed on the upcoming consolidated election ballot in April. The question would ask the voters within the city to decide if any more tax dollars should be spent on the building. Mayor John Allhands thanked Anderson for his suggestion and quickly returned to the roll call vote.
Voting in favor of the motion to save the building were Aldermen Marcier, Dennis Cahoe, Scott Muench, and Don Miller along with Alderwoman Rolphs. Voting against the effort were Alderman Scott Anderson and Brandon Baragree and Alderwoman Jenny DeLahr.
Then, a second motion was made, also by Marcier and seconded by Rolphs, to pay the Carlisle Group of Manteno $22,000 to prepare the reports and documents requesting bids from contractors to begin work which will secure the Opera House building and replace its roof. It's work to be paid for by the City of Watseka.
Once again, voting in favor of the motion were Aldermen Marceir, Dennis Cahoe, Scott Muench, and Don Miller along with Alderwoman Rolphs. Voting against the effort were Alderman Scott Anderson and Brandon Baragree and Alderwoman Jenny DeLahr.
Controversy has surfaced about seemingly never-ending costs to taxpayers for consulting fees and the cost of work yet to be done -- at taxpayers expense, before the building goes to a preservation group of citizens to pursue rehab efforts. The preservation group seek 501 3C status for financial benefits.
More questions arise about more payments to this Manteno-based Carlisle Group, which just recently penned a letter to the City severing ties with the City. The Watseka Council discussed the Carlisle letter in the last month in which Carlisle stated it was ending any future business relations over refusal to pay a $7,000 bill submitted for work not agreed on under contract.
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