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Board approves courthouse-lawn use after public dispute; critic alleges political motive
Summary
A public commenter said the Board's earlier rejections of his courthouse-lawn requests were politically motivated; the Board later approved his April dates and another group's May 17 event. Board members discussed differences between competing requests.
Chairman Chris Timmermann opened the Bond County Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. and the Board heard public comment from Dale Hawkins, who "expressed displeasure with the Board's decision regarding his requests for use of the Courthouse lawn," saying the limitations appeared politically motivated because Farmers' Market dates had been approved months earlier.
Jeff Rehkemper responded during the same public-comment period, "attempting to explain the difference between the requests," and the Board later approved Hawkins' requested April dates (April 12, 19, and 26, 2026) by roll-call vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays. The Board also approved Barb Schaufelberger's request to use the courthouse lawn on May 17, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the 102 County Seat Network Day of Prayer (motion carried 5-0).
The approvals and the earlier objection underline a tension between recurring events and ad hoc requests; Board members did not announce further procedural changes to scheduling at the meeting. Board member Jacob Rayl later suggested meeting with Rehkemper to review related materials, but no additional formal action was recorded on scheduling policy at this session.
Votes at the meeting on the two lawn-use requests were recorded as carried by roll call with five aye votes and no nays.
