Peoria Pundit

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“Build the Block” beat “Block the Block.” I’m sad, but not surprised. I take pleasure in the fact that we put up a good fight.

I was rooting for Beth Akeson in the 3rd District. When the votes were counted, she was down by 16 votes. If there’s not a recount, she’s insane. That’s about a half-vote per precinct. I didn’t want Tim Riggenbach to win because of his enthusiastic support for the tax increase referendum was all I needed to know about his support for essential services first.

I continued to support Barbara Van Auken, not because I agreed with all her votes, because I didn’t and she knows which votes I’m talking about. But she is a friend, she’s supported me when others did not. And I think those who backed Curphy Smith because Van Auken didn’t give them the 9-1 vote the wanted (as opposed to the 10-1 we sometimes get) were fooling themselves. In the end, her large margin of victory is a sign that her constituents agreed with me and weren’t distracted by side issues.

I didn’t have a favorite in the race for city treasurer. Half of one is the same as a half dozen of the other.

It’s for the best that Jim Ardis won as mayor. I’ve been POd a bit at some of his votes. But on ballance, he’s the best mayor we’ve had since I first attended  a council meeting back in 1980.

And as for the fifth district race … I really don’t give a rat’s ass. Almost none of the people who live up there give a rat’s ass about people who live south of War Memorial Drive, and I’m just returing the favor.

It’s done. Done. Over. We have to move on and rebuild our relationships with each other. This election has turned  friends into enemies. It is important that we ALL grow the Hell up a bit and realize that politics is not anything worth losing friendships over.

And now some site news: I’m moving on. Well, actually, I’m moving back. I started blogging exclusively on The Blog Peoria Project because I wanted to resurrect the site using the original domain name, which I had ignored for several years, except to keep it running. But I keep running into site issues. Peoria Pundit gets more than 1000 unique visitorts a day and even more hits and page views. It’s too much for the structure of the site, especially with the host I’m using.

So I’m going to blog at the old site from now on, which should reduce loads on Blog Peoria.

More news will follow.

UPDATE: You 5th District people have no sense of humor. And for that, I am sorry. Anyway, I’m closing comments on this site, as I am now blogging here again.

I have something I need to reveal, but the fewer people who know it, the better. So I thought I would place a visually appealing image in this post in the hopes of distracting readers.

Perhaps people will think I’m starting up with the eye candy thing again and that all the words were some nonsense about Scarlett and her husband, that loser who was on the show about the pizza parlor with the actress from “Monk.”

So, if don’t really need to know what embarrassing thing happened to me today, then gaze upon Scarlett, sigh, and move on to the next post. ‘Kay?

Scarlett Johansson

Read more »

From Citizens for Responsible Spending:

Greetings to all!

Peoria County voters today is your day to vote! Your vote counts. Each and every vote counts. This rare occasion to cast your vote in a binding referendum to raise or not to raise your taxes.

We encourage you to contact all your family and friends in Peoria County and then have them contact their family and friends in Peoria County and so on and so on to get out the vote today.

Citizens for Responsible Spending (CFRS) advocates for your NO vote.

Wrong plan. Wrong funding mechanism. Wrong time.

A better block can be built.

Additional information, telling ‘the rest of the story” is available at our website — www.nomuseumtax..org. By clicking the media link, there are recent press releases available for viewing and printing as well as a printable flyer.

It is your community, your voice, your money and your decision..

Happy voting!

Cordially,

Karrie E. Alms
Chairman, CFRS

Scott Janz says the Museum Tax vote is like reliving the past.

I got an email moments ago asking me if I was going to be making any endorsements. I’ll give the answer I’ve been giving for months.

No.

I have several reasons, but it’s mostly because when I seems to make endorsements recently, that person loses. Besides, if you read my posts, you ought to get a feel for for who you think I’m going to vote for anyway.

So I am not endorsing Laura Petelle for District 150 school board.

But you might want to visit her site to see this post.  Then make up your own mind.

I have often implied that the existence of the Peoria Civic Center is a fraud perpetrated against the taxpayers. After all, it cannot operate for a single day without the promised-to-be-temporary Hotel, Restaurant and Amusement Tax.

But this isn’t a post about that boondoggle. This is a post about a different boondoggle.

According to the Peoria Journal Star, Lisa Williams, who pretends to have the real-life power to communicate with the dead on Lifetime television’s “Life Among the Dead,” is bringing her magic act to Peoria Civic Center at June 7. Gullible dummies will be paying $45 to $65 to this con artist.

For those who are wondering why I am calling her a con artist, here is an explanation: There is no such thing as psychic powers. No one really talks to the dead. No one. There are no doubt grieving people who have convinced themselves that have. But people like Lisa Williams are frauds. All of them. Period. End of discussion.

It is a sad state of affairs, but even in the 21srt century, there are still people who believe this unscientific drivel. But then, some people still cling to the equally irrational belief that vaccines cause autism.

I blame the media, which thinks the standards of objectivity requires them to treat this nonsense with respect. Folks, we all have the equal right to have an opinion, but not all opinions are equal. The end result of “equal time for frauds and morons” creates the impression this B.S. is OK. Feh.

Now, I like television shows like “Medium” and Ghost Whisperer” like any American. But they are fiction. I liked Star Trek, but I know William Shatner is just an actor. And if anyone tried to sell me a boarding pass the USS Enterprise, I’m going to take a pass.

Lisa Williams is fundamentally no different than grifters who run scams on grieving widows. At least when she limited her act to television, she got money from advertising. Harmless fun, right?

Wrong. Now this active, practicing fraud is in town to take directly money out of grieving people’s pockets. These victims will be your friends, co-workers and relatives. It is disgusting. Why not just sell licenses to three card monte games, right next to the downtown pushcarts. Along as the Peoria Civic Center Authority gets a cut, right? I mean, we have to pay for those expensive new offices somehow, cause legitimate events aren’t coming here.

But, hey, I cannot image life in Peoria without the Peoria Civic Center.

The community room at Godfather’s Pizza was packed once again last night by parents and teachers distressed over the proposed District 150 school closings of Kingman and Tyng. Several of the teachers present reported that Superintendent Ken Hinton met with them last week, spent 25 minutes shoving his agenda down their throats, and 5 minutes to seemingly address any questions, before it was time for class.

One teacher reported that Hinton told them that the closing of Kingman this year made the most economic sense. He saw “no reason why the board would not approve that decision”. Translation: They approve everything else I send down the pipe, why would this be any different? Kingman parents and children were not told the fate of their students for next year but it is assumed they will be split up and dispersed throughout the District. Hinton further explained that the entire district will see larger class sizes as a result.

Please see Peoria Story for more detailed coverage of last night’s meeting.

There is a community wide protest set for 5:15 p.m. prior to this evenings regularly scheduled board meeting. Several plan to call for for the firing of Ken Hinton, as well as the resignation of Board of Education President Dr. David Gorenz, who they feel has not done enough to reign in a rogue administration.

You should attend this evenings protest and board meeting if:

1. You agree that the arbitrary, expeditious closing of neighborhood schools would further de-stabilize neighborhoods

2. You fear that your school may be next on the chopping block (and it might!)

3. You feel that moves of this nature put the physical safety of our children at risk.

4. You feel that moves of this nature significantly threaten academic achievement.

5. You feel that moves of this nature will exasperate the movement of families out of the district and/or into private schools.

6. You are mad as Hell that despite Hinton’s recommendation to close multiple neighborhood schools, not once has this administration or this board seriously considered any significant reduction in a bloated administration and excessive, unnecessary spending that has virtually NO impact on student achievement.

7. You hold the current administration and board at least partially responsible for the current economic and academic chaos that has befallen our district and feel they will be unable to affect the public confidance needed for a successful reconfiguration of the district.

8. You demand and deserve to be heard via the public hearings that were scheduled and shortly thereafter canceled, prior to the closings of any schools.

9. You feel that the District has not adequately explained the cost savings to the district for such drastic cuts.

In short, you should just be there. Let’s take back our schools and take them back now!

An email just hit my inbox with a letter from Arbor District residents ragging on 2nd District Candidate Curphy Smith.

Here it is:

April 6, 2009

Neighbor-to-Neighbor

Election for City Council 2nd District is tomorrow. As 10-year residents of the Arbor District, located within the 2nd District, we feel the need to respond to Curphy Smith’s recent campaign literature. We have a long relationship with both Barbara Van Auken and Curphy Smith, and until now, we’ve remained rather quiet about this campaign. Information has been distributed from Curphy’s campaign camp that is over the top and unwarranted.

As many of you know, we have worked closely with Barbara on several issues concerning all of our neighborhoods. She has always been honest and forthcoming with information, which we respect. She’s dedicated to all the issues in the District, working tirelessly on them. Barbara’s promises to us have never been broken (we personally know Curphy Smith has broken vows and promises he’s made), and she has always worked hard for the 2nd District. Barbara respects Bradley University and its mission to provide a safe educational environment for their students and neighbors. Simply stated, Barbara understands the dedication and time commitment of being a council member, and is still passionate about being our representative. She desires the job…not just the title.

Her diligence to facilitate the rebuilding of the arbors in the Arbor District was supported not only by the neighbors, but the City Council. The City Council voted UNANIMOUSLY on April 10, 2007 to approve additional funding for the arbors, however most of the funds were allocated in the Capital Fund Budget before Barbara’s first term. The previous arbor was held together with metal bands, and a danger to public safety. The “extravagant monument, “ as referred to by Curphy’s campaign, is almost identical to the original, and was rebuilt per the request of the neighbors, to preserve a historical landmark for which the neighborhood is named; they weren’t rebuilt for Barbara’s benefit.

Barbara Van Auken has accomplished many great things and will do more for our District and our city. She has experience, fortitude, and she has our vote. Re-elect Barbara on Tuesday, April 7.

Respectfully,

Nathan and Michelle Wagner

[Editor's note: Welcome Politico/GlennThrush readers. Check out our other posts about Aaron Schock.]

The ongoing national discussion about Aaron Schock’s youth, good looks and abs sometimes makes me worry that it could cause voters to overlook the significant attributes that really matter in his capacity as U.S. Congressman.

However, articles such as the following Los Angeles Times interview offer reassurance of how perfectly capable Schock is of assessing the big picture and using the circumstances as they exist to continue to deliver exceptional representation to his constituency.

Aaron Schock, GOP’s fresh face, mixes TMZ and house committees
By James Oliphant
5:48 PM PDT, April 4, 2009

Reporting from Washington — He is the Republican Dream Date, a smooth-speaking, polished product of Illinois, as comfortable with Facebook as a face-to-face. John McCain’s daughter gushed over him as the future of the party. He blogs for the liberal webzine Huffington Post, which said he sports the best abs in Congress. TMZ trails him like a pop star.

And he is two decades younger than Barack Obama.

Aaron Schock, 27, hasn’t wanted for attention since being elected to the House of Representatives last fall. He has bounced from Stephen Colbert’s show to CNN, and his own videos go viral on YouTube.

Much of the interest stems from his unlined face and full head of brown hair. (He recently brushed aside a suggestion from Howard Kurtz on CNN that he take off his jacket and show his physique for TMZ, which had asked Schock to compare his abs to President Obama’s.)

Schock offers an alternative to GOP tent poles such as Sens. McCain of Arizona and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and House Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio.

For a fresh face, you have to turn to Schock and other Republicans such as Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia. But the Illinois congressman can top them all in one respect: He’s Capitol Hill’s first Reagan baby, born during the Republican lodestar’s first term.

Look at it another way: Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), who at 82 is the House’s longest-serving member, had been in Congress for 26 years when Schock was born.

Congress is one place where being young is newsworthy. The average age of a lawmaker this session is 58.2.

And Schock is prepared to take full advantage. Other politicos might feel trivialized if they were ambushed by TMZ’s cameras or won a “most attractive member” poll. But for the media-savvy Schock, it’s all about keeping the channel open.

“First, you’ve got to get their attention,” Schock said last week outside the House chamber before he entered for a vote on the budget. “Step 1 in getting anyone’s vote is getting their attention.”

That may be part of the long-term plan. Schock’s Internet reputation belies his serious, even wonky approach to his new job. On Thursday, he hosted a conference call for reporters to discuss his plan for a payroll tax holiday for small businesses. At his request, he serves on three committees, more than most freshmen are allowed in their first term.

He has joined the Republican Study Committee, a home for deficit hawks. This week, he goes on his first overseas congressional trip. (The location is undisclosed because of security concerns.)

Cantor, the House’s rising Republican strategist and party whip, named Schock a deputy whip, making him part of the leadership team. Already, Schock has campaigned for other Republicans, such as Jim Tedisco in the special congressional election held in upstate New York last week. (Balloting in that race was so close that the winner is not yet known.)

Cantor calls Schock one of his “young guns” and says, “In only a few short months in Washington, he has already established himself as a leader.”

Schock acknowledges that “I’ve been given opportunities other members haven’t.” He likes to speak about diversity in terms of age, sounding at times like a generational warrior, battling for his demographic.

“Everyone talks about black or white or men and women, but the caucus of 20-year-olds is pretty lonely,” he said.

And his age, Schock said, “gives me a different perspective from [the rest of] our party. People say ‘ Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan.’ I was born after he became president. While I think it’s important to study history, we have to make our party relevant for the future.”

In that vein, Schock sees himself as someone not rooted in many of the political battles of past decades. “The issues of [racial] discrimination are by and large issues of the ’60s and ’70s. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t stay vigilant on issues of discrimination. But I grew up in a very color-blind society,” Schock said.

He wooed the African American vote in his Peoria district and got a fair chunk of it.

Trevor Francis, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, called Schock “critical” in the party’s efforts to expand beyond its traditional base.

Schock said he had been approached by more senior members of the House, looking for advice on how to reach young people, particularly through modern media tools.

“People are starting to go: ‘Hey, maybe I do need a Web page. Maybe I need a Facebook page,’ ” he said.

The unmarried lawmaker has always been on the fast track, a kid in a hurry to grow up. He was elected to the Peoria school board at 19, then to the Illinois House at 23. So, Washington at 27 seems on schedule.

Right now, Schock’s celebrity is larger outside the House chamber — a place defined by the privileges of seniority — than in it. His tiny office, on the fifth floor of the Cannon building (most of the building’s elevators only reach the fourth floor), looks more like a dorm. Visiting dignitaries new (such as Colbert) and old (such as J. Dennis Hastert, the former Republican House Speaker from Illinois) have signed the walls.

Schock said he didn’t want to slow down, get too comfortable with all of this.

“I know why [members of Congress] don’t continue to work as hard as you do when you first get here,” he says. “Because it’s a lot of work.”

The emergence of bright, engaged younger people on to the political scene in my opinion bodes well for our children’s generation. Other local young politicians to watch are Ryan Spain, Peoria City Council and Jimmy Dillon of the Peoria County Board.