Cobden Names IsomAs New Police Chief
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Cobden will have a new police chief effective in early April.
The job was on a busy agenda at this week's regular meeting of the Cobden Village Board of Trustees.
The meeting was Monday night at Cobden Village Hall.
Current Cobden police chief Dennis Holbrook is planning to retire on April 8.
As Holbrook's retirement draws closer, the village board on Monday night unanimously approved Mayor Wes Lyerla's appointment of David Isom as police chief effective April 8.
Isom has been working as a police officer in Cobden.
He has served as police chief in Anna. He was an officer with the Anna Police Department for many years.
In other business at Monday night's meeting:
Police Officer: The village board voted to employ B.J. Hale as a police officer effective March 26 for a six-month probationary period.
Wine Festival: The board continued discussion about plans for a wine festival which would be held during the Labor Day weekend in Cobden's downtown park area.
Members of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Association plan to use their not-for-profit status to apply for a Class C liquor license for the proposed two-day event.
The association members plan to present an application for use of the park in the near future.
The village board anticipates revenue being generated by sales tax during the event, as well as increased sales for local businesses.
2010 Census: Mayor Lyerla met recently with a representative of the U.S. Census Bureau regarding the 2010 census.
The bureau is requesting assistance in encouraging participation in the census count by including information in village newsletters and mailings, forming a census committee, helping to recruit census workers and finding a location to conduct training of census employees.
Stimulus Funds: The village received a letter from State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, encouraging Cobden to research and apply for federal stimulus funds.
Village superintendent Larry Nance will work with the board's utilities committee to determine priority projects for Cobden.
Pay Increases: The board authorized pay increases in varying amounts for 12 village employees. The increases will be effective with pay checks issued on May 8.
Memorial Day Service: An item will be placed in the village newsletter seeking volunteers to assist with or sponsor a Memorial Day service.
Water Fluoridation Award: The village's water system once again has been recognized and commended by the Illinois Department of Public Health for maintaining perfect compliance for 12 consecutive months in accordance with the State of Illinois' fluoridation law.