UNION - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama will visit Franklin County tonight at 6 in Union's city park, reports the Illinois senator's campaign. Obama is touring outstate Illinois and Missouri today, including a 3 p.m. stop at the college campus in Rolla. Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill is an integral part of the Obama 2008 campaign, with the senator reportedly advising Obama to spend more time in the rural areas of the Midwest and specifically Missouri, which is considered an all-important swing state. In Rolla, Obama is expected to speak at the UMR campus before heading to the city park in Union.

Tickets for the Union gathering were limited on Tuesday to 200, with eager Obamamaniacs lining up for tickets as early as 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Sullivanjournal.com will cover the event, depending upon weather and local news events.

SULLIVAN - The two major construction projects in the city - wastewater treatment plant and Elmont overpass - are being prepared for major amounts of concrete. According to the city engineer, Robert Schaffer, both will require some amount of logistical precision. And the Hwy. D/south outer road intersection opens up.

Treatment plant: "Right now they're tying steel, which takes a lot of time," said Schaffer from his City Hall office late Friday afternoon. "Once that's completed, then they'll start pouring concrete." According to Schaffer, the treatment plant will pour in several phases, but the sheer amount of concrete will necessitate not only a lot of planning, but also a lot of trucks. "There's about 3,000 yards of concrete to be poured and most concrete trucks....

SULLIVAN - On June 25 Code Administrator Dan King met with a group of area contractors to listen to their concerns. As a result of that meeting - reported exclusively by www.sullivanjournal.com - King has set forth answers and recommendations to those concerns. The list is comprised of eight recommendations that may or may not become adopted by the City Council in the form of ordinances changing or adopting code(s) comparable to the recommendations set forth by King.

During the City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 15, the Council decided to post the recommendations via the media for a period of approximately 15 days to allow for commenting. The link below contains the recommendations:

http://www.sullivanjournal.com/images/Ads/danking.pdf

Original story at: http://sullivanjournal.com/administrator/index2.php?option=com_content§ionid=0&task=edit&hidemainmenu=1&id=242

SULLIVAN - The City of Sullivan's economic developer, Sandy Allison, has resigned. Citing changes in city government, fuel prices and problems with selling her home in Rolla, Allison made it official to Sullivanjournal.com via e-mail that the resignation was effective immediately. Below is Allison's official statement to the City of Sullivan:

I have tendered my resignation as Director of Economic Development for the City of Sullivan effective immediately. I have enjoyed my time in this position while working for the city and the growth and development I was part of during this period. There are so many great people I have met and worked with here that have made it such a rewarding experience. However, recent changes in city government, the increase in fuel prices and the inability to sell my home in Rolla have affected my ability to perform the job I was hired to do. So at this time, I feel it is best to step aside. Sincerely, Sandra Allison

Phone calls to Allison on Monday were not returned. More as this story develops.