By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – This week’s annual presentation of the State of the City will, for the first time, be an inclusive address that combines both municipal and school updates.
Mayor Thomas Karnes said Thursday’s annual address will first feature Lincoln Park Public Schools Supt. Terry Dangerfield presenting the State of the Schools.
Karnes said the joint addresses will provide a more comprehensive overview of how the community is faring, an optimistic outlook in spite of having been only recently ended an active period of state-mandated emergency management.
“We’re better than in recent years,” Karnes said. “We don’t have a lot of money but we have plans, and new construction and road repairs going on.”
Last year city officials announced the first positive fund balance since before a nearly $5 million annual deficit resulted in state oversight. Emergency Manager Brad Coulter ended his on-site supervision of city finances in December 2014, although City Manager Matt Coppler will continue to report to a Regional Transition Advisory Panel.
The State of the City/State of the Schools address is presented by the Rotary Club of Lincoln Park and will begin at 1 p.m. March 10 in the auditorium of Lincoln Park High School, 1701 Champaign. For more information go to www.lincolnpark.govoffice.com or call 313-386-1800.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)