Peoria Has Something B-N Doesn't Have??

So many times I’ve picked the JS and read about things that Bloomington and Normal have that Peoria doesn’t have – like two or three Interstate Highways. When I looked at the front page of the JS on 4/29/05, I learned we do have something Bloomington and Normal doesn’t have and that is plenty of water. Surprise!! I quote from the JS “Bloomington and Normal are interested in tapping into Peoria’s water supply if the City Council decides to buy I-A.” “This is not a pipe dream. This is a real possibility. It is by no means a certainty, though,” said Terry Kohlbuss, executive director of the Tri-Planning Commission and a buyout expert.

The JS goes on to say “the idea was explored in a conference call Thursday with “city officials” from both communities.”

Hold on a minute!! On 4/30/05, the Pantagraph, the major newspaper serving the Bloomington-Normal area, headlined the following: OFFICIALS: REPORTS THAT B-N WANTS TO USE PEORIA WATER EXAGGERATED. “All we said is we would listen,” said Bloomington City Manager Tom Hamilton. There’s been no numbers, no timing, no nothing to talk about.” Normal City Manager Mark Peterson agreed. “We have had conversations; we’re not committing,” Peterson said. We are continuing to pursue and talk with rural water systems in western McLean County.”

The Pantagraph continues “both Hamilton and Peterson said they have had limited conversations with Peoria officials. “Jenny, it would be interested to let the public know just who these Peoria officials were and was Mayor Elect Ardis, Council members to be Manning and Van Auken involved or even consulted? Or was this mainly done by PAAG representatives?”

What is going on here? Kohlbuss has spoken repeatedly in favor of the buyout group who invested fair size amounts of money for the study and appraisals. Is this a typical elite power play? The community understands what is going on and voted like Dave Ransburg suspected they would; 81% NO. They want the city to stick to the core business of running cities. Many people feel some elected officials weren’t doing a very good job of running the city, let alone trying to manage a management group the city would have to hire to run the now city owned water company!

There is a possibility that I-A would like to sell at the appraised figure. They better than anyone know the true value of the franchise. Also I suspect I-A could sell water services and pay the water source communities affected a fee for doing it.

I write as a voter and taxpayer in the city confines. New mayor and new council members, listen to the people. They know more than some politicians think they do.

I leave you with this quotation sent to me by my friend Karrie: “The job of a citizen is to keep his (or her) mouth open.” (Gunter Grass)