I promised my readers this priority wish list report a week or so ago. Here it is.
One item originally presented by myself in 2004 to the Peoria County Board who approved and then to our legislative bodies, was a law that would require homeowners with private sewage disposal systems, to be have these sewer systems inspected on a regular basis. My suggestion that the older ones be inspected every 3 years and the newer ones meeting code, once every 5 years. It is probably unknown to most homeowners with old sewage systems that improperly cleansed sewage systems contaminate the groundwater. Private sewage system disposal systems are considered by the EPA as a major factor in groundwater pollution. My belief that the bill is hung up in the legislature because it would mostly affect the farmers and townships. There are an estimated 30,000+ private systems in the entire spread of Peoria County. Those up for election don't go out of there way to lose voters.
Where are our vocal environmentalists? Radicals always attack the big (See the JS todeay) because that's how they get their publicity and funds from the elite wealthy do-gooders.
I note that the radical environmentalists so active in Peoria County have paid no attention to this private sewage pollution same as they have paid no attention to what appears to be 7 acres of "no trespassing" land that was once an ammunition dump last owned, to my knowledge, by a Canadian Company. This land is to the South of and adjacent to the PDC Hazardous Waste landfill at Pottstown, a waste facility so violently under attack by local environmental groups who continue to use the word "toxic" in every description of this 30+ year old carefully tended landfill.
The no trespassing signs posted everywhere near this 60 year abandoned dump indicate danger and most likely to the waterway that flows through it into the Kickapoo and then into the Illinois River. I understand 3 concrete buildings on the site have no windows and steel doors heavily protected from any entry.
Hmm.
Back to the the wish-list. You can find it in today's JS. High on the list is streamlining the election commissions that is a no-brainer. That is if properly sold to the public and a stubborn City Council who has opposed each referendum to combine. Perhaps "streamlining" means to combine, as appeared on the 2004 referendum. Anyone who can understand figures would immediately see a savings to property tax owners of more than $300,000.00 each year. I srongly supported the 2004 referendum which failed by a vote of 8000 to 6000.
If it is really on the cities wish list, just get it done. Or perhaps it's easier for the council to raise taxes and fees.
Another wish is to "pursue appropriate Medicaid reimbursements for Bel-Wood Nursing Home". Typical thinking of politicians. Why not pursue proper reimbursement to the private owned nursing homes against which Bel-Wood competes? Someone clue me if the private sector isn't in the same boat.
Another wish is to legalize concealed carry, legislation I have strongly supported.
Another wish is "to continue with public safety pension reforms". Why not only public safety? Did you note what 6 figure pensions local educators receive? Ken Hinton, former Peoria School District #150 Superintendent,who was a perfect example of the Peter Principle, receives among other benefits, an astounding $166,237.00 pension handout a year. (JS November 10, 2010). John Garrett and Ed Griffin, also are examples of the PP, draw $150,000.00 a year pensions for life.
Now the wish list from the bankrupt state gets more interesting. "Funding assistance with the following city road projects, $60 million for road projects including kick starting the long envisioned extension of Pioneer Parkway to RT. 6.
I see nothing about the once projected $100-300 million sewer renovation. Peoria City/County both continue to pollute the Illinois River while we build and desire more $17 million islands in the Illinois River for out sportpeople and habitat. These sportpeople are probably people who won't be attending the taxpayer largely funded zoo expansion and the new museum.
In the meantime the Fed's money printing presses are running 24/7, the state can't pay its bills and the Chinese keep selling us cheap merchandise, stealing our (and Russia's) military private design secrets while lending us more money on which we can't afford to pay the interest.
Then we need money for Southtown Development, the Warehouse District, the YWCA needs at least $3 million, the new museum remains underfunded, how much, who knows, creative bookkeeping? Financial figures from the PRM Committees are closely held; the jail is overcrowded and our infrastructure is going downhill, the poor get poorer and more dollars are needed for charity and welfare. I'll list more "needs" later that are probably properly labeled as wishes.
Anyway, folks, try not to be negative. The stores need your dollars, our workforce need jobs and the credit card companies are making a "bundle".
Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all.
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