The Macomb Park Board voted last week to name the new basketball courts at Patton Park in memory of Valencia Pettigrew. She had served on the park board from 2014 to 2019, eventually becoming the board vice president.
Commissioner John Hemingway described Pettigrew as 'an exemplary advocate for the park district and the needs of residents.' He said the memorial plaque and pedestal should be in place by the end of October.
Park Director Blake Severs told commissioners that all improvements to Patton Park have been completed. He also reported that 600 people attended the August movie in the park at Veterans Park. Severs said that 100 Western Illinois University students took advantage of discounted rates at the Ball Fore Family Entertainment Center on the last weekend in August.
The park director announced that Allie Foster has been hired as program supervisor for the McDonough County Special Recreation Association. She previously worked for the Northwest Special Recreation Association. Severs said he has received six applications for the vacant position of superintendent of support services, and that he will be screening applications for a marketing specialist.
District Treasurer Phil Weiss reported that the district's consolidated project fund totaled $386,446 at the end of August. He said the general fund ended the month at $275,949, and that the district received a second property tax disbursement of $236,586.
