Peoria Pundit

Yeah, I used to do Newsbytes on an almost daily basis. I let is slide a couple of times, then got out of the habit. Well, hopefully, it’s back for good. All links via the Journal Star unless noted.

• They’re down to just three candidates for Peoria City Manager. But the juicy paragraph in this article is word from Mayor Jim Ardis that there may be interest in adding a candidate to the mix who has yet to be interviewed. Could that candidate be current interim Peoria City Manager Henry Holling. Yes, I’m aware that Holling took himself out of consideration when he accepted the temporary gig. But  I have found Holling to be  soft-spoken  manager who hasn’t ruffled any feathers.  Maybe that appears to some on the council. Just speculation on my part.
• I’m extending my best wishes to Officer Ann Ruggles, who is retiring at police information officer for the Peoria PD.
• I’ve been a critic of both Peoria School District 150 and Bradley University. Yet I have a hard time working up any outrage over news that the two may team up on the proposed math, science and technology academy. The school would be a charter school created by District 150, but operated by a different entity and not subject to some of the same restrictions most public school’s operate under. I have expressed concern that any school chartered  under District 150 auspices would be under too much control by the district. But Bradley University is a strong enough entity to resist the subtle pressures that could be applied District 150. And while I certainly have been a critic of how Bradley University treats it’s neighbor homeowners, it cannot be denied that the school has an excellent academic reputation. It’s certain that nearby Whittier School benefits from the student teachers BU provides. So, at first blush, this seems a win-win.
• Likewise, I’m bullish on the future of Manual High School, now that curriculum changes mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act are in place. Too bad that with all the highly-paid administrators and consultants employed by District 150 lacked to mental  brain power to figure out how to adequately staff the school. The principal is begging for more teachers. Here’s an idea: But some of these administrators to work doing something useful. Apparently, they instead decided to move the students elsewhere (WEEK) because they didn’t have the proper paperwork. Huh? So they DO have adequate paperwork for Woodruff and Central?

CBS-31 just reported that Steve O’Malley, the deputy city manager of Burnsville, Minn., has decided to turn an offer to become Peoria’s new
city manager.

I wonder why he turned it down? Did any of the six council members who wanted to hire him change his mind? Who is the front runner now. Perhaps the current interim manager, Bern Ewert. According to an agreement before his hire, Ewert was supposed to not even be a candidate for the job. But Mayor Dave Ransburg is an Ewert fan, which is a mark against him in my book.

I haven’t been particularly impressed with Ewert. He’s a go-along, get-along guy, and sits there at council meetings with a sour look on his face, like it’s an affront to his dignity to listen to anyone who doesn’t agree with his recommendations.

Perhaps he figured out what whoever is chosen is going to spend all his time taking crap from one faction or another on the City Council. I say Peoria ought to switch to the “strong” mayor/council form of government, in which the guy elected mayor is directly responsible for day-to-day operations. Right now, the city manager has no real authority.

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