Gibson City Approves $ 250,000 to Repair Flood Damaged Homes | Local News
GIBSON CITY – The town of Gibson is doing “tremendously” to help people repair the damage suffered in the August floods, said Reverend Ray Lantz of First Presbyterian Church.
Gibson City Council passed a resolution Monday to spend emergency funds on a $ 250,000 contract for the Gibson Area House Rehab Foundation.
At least 200 Gibson City residents evacuated after flooding
Lantz, who is a member of the GAHRF board of directors, said the nonprofit was helping people who could not pay for repairs with the help of their insurance, from a loan to the administration of small business or private loans.
Pictured is the Reverend Ray Lantz of the First Presbyterian Church in Gibson City.
FOR THE PANTAGRAPH First Presbyterian Church
Lantz said they are still working on “essential projects” in Phase 1, which includes replacing water heaters, boilers and forced-air ovens. The city’s contract funds in Phase 2 “rehabilitation projects” will provide repair work on building foundations, drywall and flooring, and mold removal, according to Lantz.
In an interview with the Pantagraph on Thursday, Mayor Dan Dickey said he consulted with mayors of other towns that had suffered from flooding, including Watseka and Roanoke. He said they told him they ended up doing a lot of demolitions.
“I’d rather spend that money on people to stay and not let them go,” Dickey said. “In Gibson City we are all family. We may not have the same last names, but we are all family.”
The mayor added that emergency funds have been around for decades and “it was an emergency”.
“They’re our neighbors, they’re our family, they’re our friends, and we just want to help people,” Dickey continued.
“It’s an investment in our future,” Dickey said.
Lantz said the second phase of the project could take up to two years. He added that they had received 80 requests for help, out of 800 damaged homes in Gibson City and the village of Elliot.
Dickey said the funds contracted would only go for homes within Gibson City limits.
Lantz said contractors are extremely busy at the moment and may need to provide assistance from outside Gibson City.
He also said that as of October 22, the foundation had received $ 275,000 in non-government donations, of which $ 180,000 was allocated to Phase 1 projects.
Scattered damage reported after ‘unusual’ downfall storm in central Illinois
Lantz also paid tribute to Gibson City Rotary, which he said provided $ 25,000 to replace a number of washing and drying machines.
“We have the money to heal a lot of people,” Lantz said.
Gibson City Boy Receives New Make-A-Wish Illinois Playset
A wish for Ryder
Ryder Luparell, 5, tries out his new game board on Saturday morning in Gibson City as his older brother Logan watches. Ryder was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last year. He was referred to Make-A-Wish Illinois by a member of his medical care team at St. Jude Midwest Affiliate at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and his wish – a game for his backyard – was installed this week with the “big reveal” on Saturday.
PHOTO WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE STATE FARM
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The Luparell family try out their new game board on Saturday morning in Gibson City. Ryder, 5, second from left, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last year. He was referred to Make-A-Wish Illinois by a member of his medical care team at St. Jude Midwest Affiliate at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and his wish – a game for his garden – was installed this week, with the “big reveal” on Saturday.
PHOTO WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE STATE FARM
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Ryder Luparell, 5, gets a first glimpse of his new play on Saturday morning in Gibson City. Ryder was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last year. He was referred to Make-A-Wish Illinois by a member of his medical care team at St. Jude Midwest Affiliate at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and his wish – a game for his garden – was installed this week, with the “big reveal” on Saturday.
PHOTO WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE STATE FARM
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Make-A-Wish Wish Maker Jen Lask tries out Ryder Luparell’s new game board on Saturday morning in Gibson City. Ryder, 5, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last year. He was referred to Make-A-Wish Illinois by a member of his medical care team at St. Jude Midwest Affiliate at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and his wish – a game for his garden – was installed this week, with the “big reveal” on Saturday.
PHOTO WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE STATE FARM
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Make-A-Wish-granting Corey Schieler tries out Ryder Luparell’s new game board on Saturday morning in Gibson City. Ryder, 5, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last year. He was referred to Make-A-Wish Illinois by a member of his medical care team at St. Jude Midwest Affiliate at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and his wish – a game for his garden – was installed this week, with the “big reveal” on Saturday.
PHOTO WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE STATE FARM
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Pictured is a render of Ryder Luparell’s new game setting in Gibson City. Ryder Luparell, 5, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last year. He was referred to Make-A-Wish Illinois by a member of his medical care team at St. Jude Midwest Affiliate at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and his wish – a game for his garden – was installed this week, with the “big reveal” on Saturday.
PHOTO WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE STATE FARM
Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison
