The winter season always provides driving challenges for central Illinois. The winter of 2008-2009 was no exception. The West Peoria Street Department’s two full-time and two part-time employees were well-prepared and responded quickly to each weather challenge.
In 2008-2009, the street department crew plowed the streets a total of 28 times. They spread 350 tons of salt on the West Peoria streets. This was half as much salt that was spread in 2007-2008. Besides using less salt, the street department experienced no problems with equipment in 2008-2009.
Late on December 26 and early on December 27, a black ice storm hit our area. Most people were unaware of it. After the West Peoria streets had been cleared, Henry Strube heard a 911 call for help. The Farmington Road hill was impassable. There were cars, including a police car, stuck on the hill. The 911 dispatcher could not get the county highway or the state to respond. Henry took it upon himself to take the truck, full of salt, and back up the hill to spread the salt. Everyone got out without wrecking their cars.
Within an hour, Lt. Gaa called and complimented Henry on a great job and wanted to make sure the city knew how much the county appreciated his efforts.
The residents of West Peoria (& Peoria) again benefited from a first class snow removal crew.
