GALESBURG — Discussions continue on a Knox County Courthouse tree that is particularly popular with crows.
The Knox County Board's committee on the sheriff's department, Knox County Nursing Home and Mary Davis Home ended its meeting Monday night with a conversation on the tree.
That tree is closest to the parking lot as one walks from the lot to the main entrance of the Courthouse, 200 S. Cherry St. The same committee had voted to cut down the tree and replace it with another one at its meeting last month, but the Knox County Board voted to explore more options at its meeting Dec. 26, 2017, sending the matter back to committee.
Several board members brought up various techniques used to deter crows from occupying certain areas as they migrate through Galesburg every winter. Those included bright lights, noise makers and even displaying dead crows in effigy.
Board Vice Chairman Robert Bondi, R-District 2, said the Galesburg Downtown Council replaced many trees in that area to deter crows from setting up shop and defecating on the sidewalk in front of downtown businesses.
Board member Jared Hawkinson, R-District 4, said he was defecated on by a crow in the Courthouse parking lot after a board meeting.
"I should not have to worry about being defecated on by a bird on Courthouse property," he said.
No action was taken on the tree as the discussion is expected to continue at future board committee meetings.
In other news Monday night, the board discussed heating issues at the Courthouse that have cost an unknown amount of money up to this point.
Knox County Sheriff David Clague said Board Chairwoman Pam Davidson, D-District 3, authorized an emergency order for work to improve heating in the courthouse. That came after the internal temperature of the historic building was 50 degrees Jan. 2.
Apparently, the existing heating system would no longer heat the building if the exterior temperature was 0 degrees or below and would also start to work less effectively if the outdoor temperature fell to 20 degrees or below.
Board members were critical of this flaw in the heating of the Courthouse.
"We've had issues with this system since we put it in," Davidson said.
Klingner and Associates has cleaned out three electric radiators, which are now in use, that had been dormant for the last few years after the new system was installed. Additionally, three furnaces were installed in the basement of the Courthouse that will pump heat into the building.
While Courthouse employees might smell gas, it is not dangerous and is just the result of having not used the three radiators for a few years. That smell should dissipate once the old gas meter is replaced, Clague said.
Robert Connelly: (309) 343-7181, ext. 266; rconnelly@register-mail.com; @RConnelly_