I thought your readers should know that Roberta Parks the EO of the Chamber of Commerce who wrote the Chamber press release accompanied representatives of the District on a trip to California to look at Charter Schools. It would be interesting to know who paid for this trip. If this is true, she is clearly biased in favor of the district and that should have been disclosed. Also, an fyi to Roberta – there are more than 6 people who participate on the Peoria blogs.

There are just six of us? Is that how the Chamber defends its indefensible defense of the school board’s miserable management of our schools? ‘This is just six bloggers out there getting everyone all riled up.’

Seven years ago, there was just one. There are HUNDREDS of Peoria bloggers now. Most don’t blog much at all. Depending on your definition, there are maybe a couple dozen who comment on politics and government. If you must apply a number to those who are doing their best to shed some light on District 150 and raise the heat on them, I put that number at no more than six.

Apparently, that’s enough to get ‘em good and mad.

But even if even if there were just six people who operated blogs, that doesn’t count the commenters. Certainly, they are not a unified group. But they have one thing in common: They don’t sit on their asses waiting for official pronouncements from The Powers That Be to tell them how they should think and feel about anything. They tend to be people who go out and get the info first hand. They don’t necessarily trust the media or the sources that feed reporters the info they need to crank out copy to fill the blank pages and empty air time that greets them as they start their work days.

You see, in the old days, people like those in the Peoria Area Chamber and Commerce could easily write off a handful of critics. They know how the game is played. They know how to manipulate the media. They know that the newspaper bosses and the advertisers tend to see things their way anyway. And back then (God, it seems so long ago, doesn’t it?) if the media was on their side, that was it. Game over. There was no real way to get critical information out to the audience, unless you want to lick a bunch of postal stamps.

So writing off six critics as cranks could work. Not so much now, thanks to the Internet.

Look at the mainstream media. Have any of them done any reporting on the details of the audit report that former Journal Star reporter Elaine Hopkins pointed out? The PJS editorial board was quick to come out and support District 150’s plan to close schools. The bloggers — filling the news media’s FORMER watchdog role — provided critical thinking and looked deeper than the shallow sound bites the media were being fed.

So that’s why we have six or so people sitting at their computers cranking out criticism of Peoria’s silly school bosses, the tax increases for museums and the bad roads and sidewalks.

Because someone has to.

I thought about running it, but then I remembered that I sell advertising space for this very purpose.

That’s how I go green.

Peoria Area Chamber PAC Supports LaHood for State’s Attorney

Peoria, IL — The Peoria Area Chamber Political Action Committee is the latest organization publicly supporting Darin LaHood in the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s race. The Peoria Area Chamber PAC released this news shortly after candidate forum the Chamber itself hosted for LaHood and his opponent, an incumbent State’s Attorney of 20 years.

“Addressing crime in Peoria is the number one issue in this race. I have put forth a five-point plan to combat this problem while my opponent has indicated his office would only offer more of the same,” explained Peoria County State’s Attorney candidate Darin LaHood during the Wednesday morning forum at the Heartland Partnership office. “Every police organization — including six unions — has endorsed my candidacy, along with eight City Council members and numerous other community leaders. People understand that we need a new approach to fighting crime.”

“The support from the Peoria Area Chamber PAC means a great deal to my campaign,” said LaHood. “I am thankful for all of my supporters — who may not always agree with one another on all the issues — but do agree that we need a change. I’ll restate it; as State’s Attorney, I will work with all citizens of Peoria and collaborate with groups and leaders from all sectors to make Peoria safe for our families.”

Before Chamber members present for the debate, LaHood discussed how the business community can continue to grow, greater economic development can take place, the City of Peoria can become the destination for home buyers in the area rather than more suburban developments and an overall quality of life can be achieved if crime can effectively be addressed. That, said LaHood, has to be a priority of the County’s top prosecutor, something that has been lacking in his office for the last 20 years.

Forty-year-old Darin LaHood presently practices law with the Peoria firm, Miller, Hall & Triggs. Prior to that, he served as Chief Terrorism and Federal Prosecutor for four years with the United States Department of Justice in Las Vegas, Nevada. LaHood gained experience as a county prosecutor during the years he spent as an Assistant State’s Attorney in both Tazewell and Cook Counties. LaHood and his wife Kristen are both Peoria natives and are raising three children. The are active in numerous Peoria charitable and civic organizations, and are members of St. Vincent de Paul Church. To learn more about Darin, volunteer opportunities or contribute to the campaign, visit www.DarinLaHood.com.

ANNUAL AWARDS SPOTLIGHT AREA BUSINESSES

Peoria, IL – Mark your calendars and join hundreds of business and community leaders as we “Excelerate For the Future” at the Peoria Civic Center September 18th at 7:30am during The Heartland Partnership’s Annual Meeting Breakfast.

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce will present the 23rd annual outstanding small business awards. The chamber will also hand out the Athena Award to a woman who shows outstanding achievement in her profession and not only excels in her chosen field, but is always working to better her community. The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois will present two growth and development awards to companies that make significant contributions to area communities and demonstrate success and growth. The Heartland Partnership will honor a non-profit organization that strives to create a brighter future for our region with the Community Wealth Award.

In addition, we’ll share success stories of The Heartland Partnership Family of Companies and Ken Schmidt, former Director of Communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, will shed some light on how he was able to turn the Harley-Davidson Motor Company around and create one of America’s most celebrated businesses.