The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard the “State of the City” address from the Taylorville mayor, during their weekly luncheon Tuesday.  

Mayor Bruce Barry said the community is more optimistic than it’s been in a long time, citing the many areas of town that’s expanding or new construction taking place.

Barry added that he’s enjoyed being mayor of Taylorville the past 18 months, and is pleased with the progress he and the city have made during that time.  Barry said that during his tenure, police and fire department union contracts have been signed, and he’s working towards getting a new agreement with another city labor union.

He then turned his remarks toward the December First tornado, saying that some 13 fire departments and 15 ambulances from outside of Taylorville, plus local first responders, showed up in the hours after the disaster, doing search and rescue in the areas affected.  

Barry complimented the huge volunteer effort from outside the city, which helped in clearing debris in the days immediately after the tornado.

Above is Kiwanis president Michael Evanchak, who presided at the meeting; Mayor Barry; and Kiwanis program chair for Tuesday John McClure.

Sarah Brockelsby (center) was inducted as the newest member of the Taylorville Kiwanis Club during their Tuesday meeting.  Brockelsby was sponsored by Kiwanis member Sarah Van Huss (right).  Kiwanis president Michael Evanchak is at the left.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.