Sunday, November 23, 2014

Widmer Health Issues - Last Blog Possibly For Awhile

I have blogged 2500+ blogs all available by clicking on my "Search Bar" upper left hand corner and entering subjects like the PRM, Lakeview, Peoria Park District, Obama and ObamaCare, Peoria City, Peoria County, #150 School district, belligerent unions, Bel-Wood, Heddington Oaks, etc.

I have an appointment with a Cancer Center in a warmer climate. Then another heart doc to check out my leaky heart valve. My TIA, caused by being off my blood thinner too long while the urologist tried to abate my bladder cancer, left little damage that will probably eventually disappear.

Got a card from 13 of my tennis buddies in Sarasota hoping that I will be able to rejoin them soon. Me too.

Two good books to read, "All the Truth is Out", a non-fiction book by Matt Bai, 2014. "A Dancer in the Dust", a novel; by Thomas H. Cook, 2014, a read that is more truth than fiction. Both books sadly portray the down hill course our nation is and has been taking for decades.

Books that portray accurately the status of our country leave me feeling sad because there is little I can still do about it.

Appreciate Thanksgiving by giving thanks for what we still have which is still more than any country in the world. But never believe that when you reach my age and start having health problems that you are entering your "Golden Years".

Saturday, November 08, 2014

Peoria's Warehouse District New Year's Prediction - 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, Etc.

Another State, Local and Federal boondoggle. This $32 million plus expenditure of borrowed money, still unfinished, will NOT  attract a lot of new businesses nor will few people move into the lofts. Northbound traffic will seek difference routes as at least 2-3 times a day traffic moves at about 5 miles an hour. Of course, drivers will need to drive extra miles if they are trying to reach downtown. This expensive project is supposed to be good for business, residents and pedestrians.

Plenty of people are already pissed off about these happenings on Washington Street.

I'll stand by my predictions. I've only been wrong on one so far in 14 years.

Hope I'm wrong on this one.

Time will tell. Meanwhile, the City of Peoria streets, curbs and sidewalks continue to go downhill probably at an accelerated pace after this winter.

Wednesday, November 05, 2014

Illinois, Nation Face Brighter Days

It is hard to turn a 400 yd long loaded oil tanker in a narrow space against a 60 mile an hour wind. That is the situation Republicans find themselves in this morning, especially in the State of Illinois While unseating a supposedly popular Democrat Governor, Democrats still control both houses in Illinois as far as I have learned this morning.

On the National level, it was expected by both parties that they would lose control of the Senate, making Obama a lamer duck than he already has proven.

The local Journal Star tried their best to beat down the best candidate running for the Peoria County Board. However, Republican Brad Harding shook off the JS endorsement of his Democrat opponent and won going away. Unfortunately, the chastened Democrats, running a $5.5 million deficit, still control the board by a 10-8 margin. It is likely that Democrats Andrew Rand or Mike Phelan will be the next Board chairman and a brighter light would probably appear at the end of the tunnel.

I am not enthralled with the performance of the Democrat County Board Administrator much as I am not enthralled by the leadership of our largest public school in Peoria.

For Illinois, one of the best moves it's political leaders could make would be to become a right-to-work state joining at least 18 other states, the last being Wisconsin, where Republican Governor Scott Walker rather easily won another term. This, after union bosses from all over the nation and most  unionized teachers bosses, did their best to oust him.

The country and many states are in a mess. Don't expect miracles by do demand massive improvements as the national deficit edges toward $18 trillion and the of Illinois is in debt up to their upper lip..


Tuesday, November 04, 2014

The English Girl - by Daniel Silva

Between the time elections close today and the results start coming in, you can start reading this intriguing book.

I will be returning this book to Lakeview Library within the next two hours. If you like political fiction, a fast moving read, suspense in every chapter and a fiction with more reality than this author says is entirely "coincidental", then you can relax prior to being gleeful or baleful as the results flow in late tonight.

Monday, November 03, 2014

Peoria County Board - Electing Both Republicans Would Even the Count - 9 Republicans and 9 Democrats

Take under consideration that Peoria County is running $5.5 million growing deficit. The County Board has a majority of 10 Democrats and 8 Republicans. . Even the power structure by voting for Republicans Oyler and Harding.

Both are better qualified to represent all residents of Peoria County.

Re-Elect Brad Harding to Peoria County Board

Harding caught heat for complaining that the County Roadways were in bad shape. His claims were finally acknowledged when the full board agreed that $1.5 million was needed to repair many of these dangerous County roads.

Harding brought a 6 pack of unopened Budweiser six-pack of  beer into the County Courthouse as a birthday spoof to Democrat Board member Junior Watkins. It was noted by a Democrat enemy of Republican Harding's' and reported. Had it been any Democrat it would have been recognized as a joke and it would not have been reported.

Harding took a Republican friend who was running for a political office for a tour of part of the courthouse. This was reported by the Democrats as a breach of security. Had it been a Democrat making the tour with a Democrat, it would not have been reported.

These incidents made big headlines in the local rag know as the Journal (urinal) Star. Recently,the Journal endorsed his Democrat opponent who has half the knowledge and the voice for truth that Harding has.

I have worked with Harding on the County Board and he is a voice of reason no matter where the chips fall. The County Board needs this type of person to look after all the residents of Peoria County's well-being.

A vote for Harding would be a vote for sanity on the County Board. The board, currently controlled by Democrats. have run up a $5.5 million deficit with more taxes, larger fees and a greater deficit for the County in the future.

This endorsement comes Merle Widmer, a Peoria County Board member from 2000-2010 when he elected not to run for a fourth term. He started his employment on the board with the boards's finances so bad, the board had to borrow $1.5 million to meet payrolls. When he left in 2010, the board had substantial financial surpluses in all funds. Today, the Democrat dominated board is heading for the wrong direction and at a rapid pace.

So sad.