The Community Record

Hydro-Gear celebrated its 15th anniversary on Saturday the same way it does business: keeping a low profile, thanking its employees and giving back to the community.
Out of sight from the highway, at the back edge of its property, the company threw a day-long party for its employees and their families. The carnival-like atmosphere included inflatable games, a climbing wall, music, and food. The attractions and food stands were staffed by the Sullivan Show Choir Boosters parents and show choir members, resulting in proceeds of $5,000 for the Boosters.
Hydro-Gear was created in 1991 as a joint venture between Agri-Fab, also located in Sullivan, and Sauer-Sunstrand, now Sauer Danfoss. The company provides world-class hydrostatic drive systems to original equipment manufacturers in the lawn and garden industry. Products include high-performance hydrostatic transmissions, gear reduction READ MORE

Sullivan fishing tournament pays off

By Carol Elder

In 2006, the City of Sullivan invested $2,000 in sponsorship for the Illini Team Trail fishing tournament, a series of 6 fishing competitions at Lake Shelbyville. Tournament organizer Mike Black estimates that participants in the tournament spend over $250,000 in the Sullivan area over the course of the summer. And, when one considers the economic development wisdom that each dollar spent in a local economy circulates 6 times, the tournament yields an economic benefit well worth the City’s investment.
The Illini Team Trail holds six competitions at Lake Shelbyville throughout the fishing season. Thirty boats in the tournament go on to compete in a final competition, called the Classic, at which the top prize is a Ranger boat worth almost $30,000. With READ MORE

Sullivan ready to move
forward with skate park planning

The audience at Monday night’s City Council meeting was not typical. Nine young people, ages 13 to 18, members of the Skate Park Committee, attended to seek advice from the Council on what they should do next to make a skate park a reality in Sullivan. Sullivan police officer John Love, speaking for the committee, said that the youth, also assisted by Sullivan High School teacher Becky Lawson, have been researching skate park companies, costs and sizes.
Love suggested that the next step is to determine the size and location of the park, so that a concrete pad can be poured. He said that the committee’s research indicated that most groups with whom they have spoken wish that they had built a bigger pad to hold the large number of people wishing to use the park. Once the concrete pad is poured, then skating features can be installed as funding permits.
Commissioner Mike Mossman told the Skate Park Committee, “The Council thinks this is a worthwhile project,” and said that he would be available next week to meet with the students and Mrs. Lawson to discuss their ideas. Then, the Council can work with the committee to READ MORE

Strange crops in Shelbyville

This scene may seem a bit odd to those who have grown up in the Shelbyville area. Familiar fields often left empty after harvest will soon host a Wal-Mart store. Submitted photo.