Monday, December 06, 2010

Peoria County Democrats Re-Elect Board Chairman

As predicted, the 10 Peoria County Board Democrats voted as a block to retain the present chairman, Tom O'Neill, for another two years. The 8 Republicans nominated veteran Carol Trumpe, who when she counted the votes, voted for O'Neill, leaving him with a winning margin of 11-7.

Voting for board chair and vice chair are always verbal starting with the most veteran board member. As the voting nears the end of the horseshoe, anyone counting knows whether their vote will just be counted or may decide the end result. It is my opinion, this type of vote should be secret.

The Republicans did gain two seats on the board in November narrowing the margin of from 6 Republicans and 10 Democrats to 8 and 10. The Republican replacing me is a business person and Fennell and Rosenbohm are business people which should benefit Peoria County taxpayers.

Who will replace me in asking the hard questions remains to be seen but Peoria tax payers should be concerned, especially when it comes to property taxes. The County has the best run governmental body in Peoria County, but it doesn't take long for situations to change. I am concerned that those who will still be in charge for the next two years, believe that the public sector can do a better job than the private sector and government expansion will lead the way to "grow Peoria County".

As a strong advocate of the private sector and less growth stifling rules and over regulation of much of the private sector, I do not agree. Concerned voters including most Tea Party types are objecting to the expansion of local, state and federal governments. The favoritism by both Democrat and Republican public bodies to many in the private sector as witnessed by the the excessive local government loans to the defunct FireFly, a Caterpillar spin off; the taxpayer bail out of the union controlled General Motors, the failure to control our borders, our rapidly rising debt fueled by excessive public pensions plus unsustainable subsidies to alternate energy sources such as ethanol, solar and wind power are samples of what those who believe in capitalism must honestly address.

By honestly, I mean less greed for money and power.

My next blog will point out all the taxpayer funded projects Peoria County is pursuing and how these projects can or will affect your personal finances. Maybe not in the very near future but in the years to follow.

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