2009 No-Bell Award goes to Bill Donels

This year’s NoBell award winner is identified by the following service:

He delivered two paper routes by bike. He mowed lawns, pulling a mower behind his bike from job to job.

He serves on the SBC Board,

He is a board member of the League of Illinois Bicyclists,

He serves on the Citizens Advisory Board for the Springfield Area Transportation Study.

He attends public meetings on behalf of the SBC in nearly every capacity for trails, for Bike Month, etc,

He was the point person for Route 66 Day Publicity event for the Springfield area,

When you thank him for his effort, his reply is “Thank You”.

He is one of those persons who keeps his cool no matter the circumstances. With his knowledge of engineering details he is able to keep the discussion on point. In short he is the ideal representative of bicycling in any public venue.

By now, I’m sure you have concluded that Bill Donels is the 2009 NoBell recipient.

Bill is a graduate of Iowa State with a degree in landscape architecture. In his professional life he worked for IDOT and then IDNR, concluding his career as Trails Manager for DNR.

He was a member of the Springfield Greenways & Trails Committee and helped draft the 1997 study.

He was instrumental in helping save the Interurban Trail. Over the last 5 years, he stopped counting the meetings he attended after 100. Those meetings included IDOT, the Springfield Park Board, the Springfield Area Transportation Subcommittee, area legislators, Senator Durbin’s office, the developer, contractors, etc. His knowledge of the issues and quiet reasoning helped work out many of the problems facing the trail. He made effective use of his skills in the successful resolution that made the new Interurban Trail what it is today.

He participated in the establishment of the Bicycle Advisory Council, attending City Council meetings and meetings with the Mayor’s office.

Bill has served on the SBC board as an at-large member for 4 years. During that time he has been a voice of reason, while maintaining a sense of humor.

During his tenure with IDNR, his expertise was helpful in planning for the Wabash, the Interurban and the Sangamon Valley Trail. He also helped IDNR build several trails including the Tunnel Hill Trail, Prairie Wind Trail and the Great River Trail.

Bill does not seek the limelight in his work on behalf of cycling, but he has been an effective voice for cycling in Springfield and in Illinois. We, the members of SBC salute you, Bill Donels for your work on our behalf in Springfield and beyond.

Join me in congratulating Bill on work well done.

Presented January 23, 2010

List of all NoBell winners here.