" I have to agree that murals are nice things to look at, but I think a better thing for the editorial board to support might be the cleanup of the old Young's plant in central Mattoon. This seems to be the elephant in the middle of the room that no one wants to talk about. In taking it's usual vanilla stand on a local issue, this board continues to show it's unwillingness to tackle a real issue. I ask the question: how can you showcase a community with that eyesore right in the middle of town? Will this thread disappear after today, like so many do when they criticise the local powers? I salute the paper for allowing people to express their thoughts, but wish they would be a little less obvious about removing anything that might prove embarrassing to the local power structure, before it even gets a chance for discussion. "

" I agree, and I'll bet I'm not the only one who feels this way. In short, elected officials, get off your rumps and do something about this eyesore. If there is a legal problem, putting the clean up on hold, at least tell us about it. How about it, what's going on Mr City Attorney? "

" http://tinyurl.com/2yqmyf
JG editorial board Feb 10, 2006 "

" Chris, I'm getting an error page, when I try to go to that link. (Just an fyi) :) "

" What's your point, Chris. If you're saying they did address this issue it was over two years ago, according to the date of your link, and like Rotty I couldn't bring it up either. What gives? "

" The JG uses a search engine that seems to expire the search results so you can't link back to their articles. Perhaps they should look into this. I remembered the column and thought it would bring something to the discussion. I'll copy and paste it...... "

" February 10, 2006
Section: Editorial
Page: a5
Memo: Published in the Journal Gazette and Times-Courier




Young Radiator site must be cleaned up
The Young Radiator Co. plant closed in 1986, but it won't go away.


It stands like a great, gray wreck in the middle of Mattoon while other buildings that have witnessed better days have come down.

We've watched the demolition of three elementary schools Lincoln, Washington and Bennett all a hair's breath after the opening of two new elementary schools.

The former Central School is currently under the wrecking ball.

Out on Broadway East, workers have dismantled the steel-ribbed Blaw-Knox plant. The remaining facilities at the site are being put to good use.

The former New York Central Railroad depot, a heavy block structure with its large rusting canopy once shielding passengers waiting to board trains was demolished not long ago.

The Young plant endures, a cavernous hulk of uncertain, shambling stability.

The old brick portion was demolished in 2000 in the wake of federal court wrangling involving the owner and the former Young owner.

The assessor's office lists Magna Tax Service Inc., P.O. Box 1452, as the current owner of the property.

Since the plant shut down, it has been on a steady march to decay; marking time to the drumbeat of promises portending its demise.

Its soil, contaminated with chlorinated solvents and hydrocarbons, remains a perplexing environmental and legal problem.

In 2003, an effort was made to contain contaminated groundwater at the property. Digging a 20-foot trench, crews installed an impermeable barrier as part of a groundwater remediation project.

Webtec Corp., an environmental firm, checks on groundwater to determine if the barrier will prevent the spread of the contaminants.

Application was made in 2004 to enroll the site in the Remediation Program of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

All of this, we are told, is part of a long-term process to eventually clean up the Young plant site.

We'd like to believe the plant will be leveled sooner, rather than later.

The hard reality, however, is two decades have passed and Young's hasn't. Efforts to clear the site occurs in spurts, ebbing and flowing, apparently in concert with the din of publicity.

What we are asking the Mattoon City Council to do is to make the cleanup of the Young Radiator site a top priority.

We'd like regular reports from city officials on just exactly what progress is being made in the effort.

In short, we want relentless concrete action.

At a juncture in the city's life, when economic development is crucial, it really makes the city look bad to have a crumbling factory in its midst.

It sends the wrong message to prospective investors about our commitment to economic progress.

- JG/T-C Editorial Board "

" I think the site is tied up in legal procedings, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be brought to the front every few months so the council knows how the citizens feel about it. Another area that needs cleaned up is the scrubby trees that grow along the subway. We were told the RR would be required to clean that mess up as soon as the Champaign Ave bridge was complete. That was 2 years ago also. What gives?? "

" Thanks for all the effort, Chris, and you're right, we need to keep reminding the powers to be, that the people are sick and tired of this mess and their lack of action. That editorial was 2 years old and nothing has been done to clean this eyesore up. I think those that aren't willing to do something about it should be voted out next election. Anyone agree with me on this? Talking of murals is a crock, as long as this mess continues. "

" I don't mind talking of murals, but the other issues need to be addressed as well. Funding for these murals are from private donations specifically for the murals. There is no reason we can't do both. "

" How about it Preston, gonna let us common folks know what's happening with this? "

" Here is another piece from August 2005 that goes a little deeper into the status of the site. I am assuming nothing has changed.
http://tinyurl.com/2pbudz
The minutes from the August 2005 council meeting http://tinyurl.com/3a8q9a
According to the IEPA website a "No further remediation" letter was issued for the site. They consider it clean as long the slab isn't broken. That makes the site pretty much unmarketable.

Proposing a solution to the Young Radiator Site is like touching the third rail of Mattoon politics. Everyone knows there is a problem, but no one is willing to look at the 500-pound elephant in the room. Eventually, this topic will be addressed on the level necessary to remove this thorn from Mattoon's side. "

" Thorn in Mattoon's side? Yup, that's a good term to describe the eyesore at the old Young's plant, Chris. We all know commissioner Ervin reads these messages, but will he only react when he is personally criticised, with articles for the paper such as the one describing the duties of his security folks at LLC? Well, he and all of his fellow commissioners are being criticised on this issue. How about it, Randy? Are you going to step up to the plate, or are you going to go along with the herd in ignoring this issue too? Mattoon needs at least one commissioner with the guts to take this issue on. I noticed the city attorney ignored the question put to him, and from his responses in the past, we know he reads this message board too. Where are you at Preston? In closing, I would like to say that I'll bet if anyone was willing to take this issue on, as a campaign pledge, I have no doubt they could secure a seat on the council and replace one or more of the do nothings currently holding a seat. What the heck, we had a man take the mayors seat over the leaf burning issue, a few years ago, and this is surly a bigger issue than that. "

" I am told a "No further remediation" letter has NOT been isssued. The IEPA website is confusing on this. But once the letter is issued, the City has plans for the Young Radiator site. "

" C2, I don't know if they're still the owner, but the Secretary of State's website still lists MAGNA TAX SERVICE CO., INC. (incorporated 09/02/1987) with a status of "goodstanding". Dennis D Ballanger, Decatur, is listed as President and Secretary of the corporation. DENNIS D BALLINGER09/02/1987 GOODSTANDING "

" C2, FYI. I don't know if they're still the owner of the Young property, but the Secretary of State's website still lists Magna Tax Service Co., Inc. (incorporated 09/02/1987) with a status of "goodstanding". Dennis D Ballanger, of Decatur, is listed as President and Secretary of the corporation. No phone number is listed on the SoS's website. Go for it. Tell him "Mr. Ballanger, tear down this wall!" "

" I would think the city fathers would tell us commoners what's going on, if in fact there is a legitimate reason for a delay in cleaning this mess up. Their silence speaks volumes. "

" back to the topic at hand.......why not get some local talent to paint the murals? then the benefit is two-fold. showcase local business/history and local artists? "

" The best way to "showcase" Mattoon would be to clean up the old Young's plant, period. "

" pg1983: A couple of things. 1. Who says the mural has to be a picture of something historical? Why must we in Mattoon always look to the past, as if our better days aren't ahead of us? Anyway, I think the idea of the mural is to reflect the community... which MAY be the past, but many of us live in the present with an eye to a better future. Mattoon is more than the past... it's our love of youth culture -especially youth baseball/softball, it's our vibrant faith community and active volunteers, and a strong spirit of individualism, and so on. I hope the idea is to capture local values in a huge piece of art. Of course, there are lots of walls across town should be available for art, so probably some will have historical themes. I personally hope the very first one won't be historically-based though. I hope it's inspiring and forward-looking. 2. Local artists are more than welcome to submit portfolios to the facilitators of this project. They have the same opportunities to participate as anyone else. I believe the mural committee is hoping to attract the very best talent for the project (of which painting is just one part). That means matching the right artist to the type of art the community decides to put up there. For instance, if the community wants a "photo-realistic" art, then only certain artists would qualify. If we want an abstract piece, then others would qualify, and so on. I think also, there is hope that these "experts from out of town" will train some of our local artists to continue adding murals to walls across town in the coming years. "

" Old school baby! While the future may be bright, the past is where the sun once shined. We should never forget our roots, otherwise there would be no future. Old school baby! "

" The murals will be an addtion to uptown no matter what they are. I agree we shold get local talent. History would be a great thing maybe capture the memories of street fairs that used to be right at that spot. The only bad thing about this issue is Justin Grady is involved with it. That will surely make it fail. "

" Holy Cow, My Point Of View posts: "The only bad thing about this issue is Justin Grady is involved with it. That will surely make it fail." (Hmmm, see policy: "statements that can harm somebody's reputation".
// Unbelievable! If Justin Grady sues Lee Enterprises for libel or slander, will the anonymous poster be included in the suit?
"

" Oh come on, Tom. They were just expressing their opinion, and you of all people should understand that. I don't know of anyone on this site who is more opinionated than you, well...maybe me. LOL... "