Aldermen will discuss fundraising roadblocks

Conceding that they might not even be able to prevent the practice, Vandalia officials still plan to discuss fundraising roadblocks at the next city council meeting.
Mayor Rick Gottman told aldermen on Monday that he had recently received complaints about the roadblocks from three residents.
Those residents, he said, expressed concerns about traffic and safety issues related to the roadblocks.
The roadblocks are held at the intersection of Veterans Avenue and Sunset Drive by various local organizations, including the Vandalia Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and Vandalia Band Parents, and for different causes, including the Children’s Miracle Network.
Gottman said that the Illinois Department of Transportation allows roadblocks only at four-way stop intersections.
Asked by Alderman Terry Beesley whether the city has the authority to prohibit the roadblocks, because the state allows them, Gottman said, “No.”
But the mayor, because of the residents’ complaints, said he would still like the council to discuss the issue at its Monday, Oct. 6, meeting.
And, Gottman said, he wants to get feedback from local residents on the roadblocks
The council meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at city hall.