Peoria Public Park District Rumors, Truths and Speculation

These are rumors as those visited don't want me to use their names. When the PPD hired an administrator or park superintendent, the former holder of this highly paid position was not happy. When the new hire looked more closely at the position she was filling, she found that "retired" Queen Bonnie would be critiquing her every move. She also was concerned about the financial condition of the PPD.

She was also concerned that the power structure, mainly the Foundation, was not in favor of hiring a person whose background appeared to be mostly sports oriented.

Queen Noble want a person who had worked for her and who she could control behind the scene. Emily Cahill was the exact person. It will be interesting to see how the duo intends to extract the district from it's wobbly financial condition. (Cahill's starting salary is $150,000.00 a year plus boukou benefits. Before Queen Bonnie, the position paid zilch)

For almost 16 years, the PPD has been trying to get out from the deficit coming from the RiverPlex, even with administrative services picking up most of the indirect services costs,  a facility that was supposed to pay off it's loan in 10 years but had to extend to 16 years. It is very likely the loan was extended again but you will not read anything negative aboput the PPD from the JS who gets considerable revenue from PPD advertising. PPD deficits were the reason the PPD was not able to build the 40 acre sports complex at the corner of Fox Rd. and RT.91 that was to be part of the transfer of Meinen Field to Bradley. Bradley University took out a mortgage showing they paid $13,000.00 and acre for this land. It is the major reason for the closing of Donovan Golf Course, also, next to no erosion control, (the lengthening earth delta into the Illinois River comes almost 100% from some of the PPD's 8000 acres of wooded areas) the poor condition of the clay tennis courts at Glen Oak and the terrible condition of the hard courts at lower Glen Oak.

The deficit is one of the reasons the PPD was not able to complete the new zoo expansion as planned. The Barton's had to step in with their money but even that was not enough. The entrance off Prospect was to be changed and a huge sign was to be erected touting the African Experience.

It will be interesting to see how Board President Tim Cassidy and the Cahill complex extracts itself from their precarious financial condition without again raising fees for this $40+ million budget.

It is the reason shy fees go up every year, that and increasing pension costs.

Trump - Far Best of Two Highly Controversial Presidential Choices.

This is a totally different world we live in now and will be totally different in the future. Read the summation of the Benghazi report out today. Read the 50 reasons the Clinton's would not make  our country a stronger and better country and consider the bomb blasts in Istanbul today and think if you want a person who would basically disarm the citizenry if she could and vote for the only person who would respect your legal right to own weapons for your and the defense of others and ramp up security to make all innocents more safe.

Stay home and don't vote and you deserve what will happen to your grandchildren and their children in the future.

Sorry, I did see this coming and blogged about the future or wrote and had published "letters to the JS editors" many times.

Don't believe the recent report from some University that says individual gun ownership is down. Do you think people with criminal intent, citizens who fear our own relatively inept government officials, are going to tell some college kid surveyer the truth?

Everyone legally selling guns report increased sales. Survey and truth collide.

Red Cross Poster Wasn't Politically Correct

But it was VERY true.

So sad.

No Dialysis Center as Promised at Heddington Oaks

On November 10. 2012, the JS Local Page posted a heading "Peoria County looking to add dialysis center" at the new County owned Nursing Home, Heddington Oaks. "Having a unit at at Heddington could make the the facility more self-sufficient". 'It would also bring in another $2 million in yearly revenue",  said Administrator Matt Nieukirk, long departed for a job in the private sector.

On my recent visit to this mausoleum, opps. nursing home, I asked to see the dialysis center and was told by a lady in charge that there was no dialysis enter. She said when people needed treatment Heddington contracts with a company for their services.

Heddington has more private pay than I reported. Sometimes as many a a dozen. Whether they come from Peoria County I did not learn. However, the old BelWood accepted clients from other counties at the expense of Peoria Property tax Payers; a dozen or more and mainly from Tazewell County.

Nothing more was ever mentioned in the JS ss to why a dialysis center was never installed.

Heddinton Oaks has been a financial failure with bonds due to be paid off over the next thirty years. Expect it to be put quietly on the market by year 2020 as it continues to cost property tax payers in Peoria County close to $5 million a year. It was supposed to break even. and be a "safety net" for thepoor. Total cost of the project was around $50 million spread over q 30 year bond..

Warriors Loss To Cavaliers - Something Fishy?

Officials better check Vegas gambling. Something wasn't right during the game and a close look at the emotion of one losing player after the game should be highly scrutinized.

Iv'e watched a lot of championship games and played and coached quite a few. Something wan't right with the play and emotions  of one of the Warriors star player.

Huffington Post - A Bull-Crap Media - Rank Them Near Or At the Top

Need I say more. They are one of the best in distorting headlines to make the reader believe that the headline tells the WHOLE STORY.

Trump Didn't Say "Ban All Muslims" Read on

People seem to be reading less and less and much of what they read are romantic novels to make up for what is missing in their own lives. (Like the 10, 20 30, 40, or 50 Shades of Gray or Grey) Yes, I went to see it and almost fell asleep it was so phony and boring. Few woman today are so stupid or sex nymphomaniacs.

The media loves to stir up controversy with their headlines because they know that is what people remember. Trump said "Ban all Muslims" until we take rapid steps to more thoroughly vet those fleeing from other  countries. He was not talking about Muslims who are legal citizens or here on business or a vacation. But the media thrives on any controversial statement without bothering to emphasis the content of the statement.

Case in point. When I was arrested in Florida in 2013, and the NEWS forwarded to 13 media types courtesy of the Jerry and Jim  Stowell, few were concerned about the outcome which was I WAS NEVER CONVICTED. And JS lying reporter Matt Buedel wrote that my home in Peoria has an UPSTAIRS ,insinuating that some sexual act by an 88 year old man euucleated by Prostrate Cancer in 2002, with three women, one an aunt and the other a college attending sister. Buedel also lied when he said I "stepped down" from the County Board which anyone who reads all articles in which they show interest knows that I announced publicly over 2 years before my third term was up,
 that I would not run for reelection for a fourth term when I reached the age of 85.

My announcement was publicized in the Peoria Observer by now deceased DeWayne Bartels in which his headline was "Widmer Will Be Hard to Replace". Interesting is that before Bartels was promoted at the Observer, that paper had endorsed my opponent.

This is not the country of my father who passed through Ellis Island at the age of nine months. His was a farming family and most welcome in the 1800's. Sure, some bad people got through. The






 various Mafia types are hardly descendants of the writers of the Constitution.

Orlando Terrorist - I Don't Give a Damn About His Sexuality

Most media is turning into National Enquirer wannabees. I'm not interested whether he was concerned about his sexuality. I'm concerned why the FBI wasn't able to take action BEFORE he started his rampage. Surely they knew things the innocents didn't know.

I suspect things will change in securing us from the 500,000 or more potential terrorists already in this country now and more if Obama has his way. Change? Yes the country would be wise to elect someone they may not like but who will take action to PROTECT THE INNOCENT CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY.

How can anyone possibly imagine Botox Hillary facing up to real terror?

I haven't read anything yet as to whether he gained his weapons legally or not. That should be of great concern to all of us. I'm curious as to why security wasn't checking entrants for weapons when you have that many people jamming a club that is about as popular as a strip club to the ordinary citizen. I suspect a large number of lawsuits and the business to be in severe financial jeopardy.

Botox - Hillary a Testimonial For Wrinkle Removal - And a Testimonial For Corruption

Compare her looks in some of her past speeches. You will note many of the facial wrinkles have disappeared. However, she can't erase her and her husband's corrupt past and present.

Maybe it's not Botox but she has changed her looks to appear younger.

May Trump in Cleveland Not Turn Out Like Kennedy in Dallas

I fear for the safety of Presidential Candidate Donald Trump during the Republican Convention in Cleveland. I had left Dallas, where I was in a management position of a Fortune 500 Corporation, only 4 month before the assassination of President John Kennedy. I was naive as to the danger President Kennedy faced.

I am no longer naive. I will attend the convention and make my small contribution to Mr. Trump's safety. It is reported that 80 organizations have requested permits to parade in Cleveland. Also reports from the Police Chief that he does not have enough officers and enough riot equipment to keep peace between the idiots and the Trump supporters.

The Chief says it is too late to ask why he doesn't have the resources and why and too late to make adequate preparations. Although I suspect that Governor Kasich will have his National Guard on high alert. On the other hand, Establishment Republicans may not be very concerned. Like Ray LaHood and Carol Trumpe, a long time member of the Peoria County Board.  Carol has said in the past, she could not vote for a male over a female because of her position as a leader for more women in government.

So sad.

Much more water will pass "over the dam" before August 1. Let's pray that the water is clear as can be through these troubled days.

James Cavell's "Whirlwind" 1986 - Suggested Reading After Orlando

Terrible Tragedy in Orlando. I deeply regret this type of rising terror. My sympathy to all those who are suffering so much and whose lives are forever affected. We have so much to learn about terrorism and especially about the terrorists who live among us. This outstanding author always portrayed the real world around us thru his fiction.

I would estimate we have over 500,000 people, possibly more, in the U.S.A., who if given the opportunity, would kill innocents in the name of  religion.

I am ill as I follow what is happening in our country and the world.

Please Don't Legalize Marijuana Because it May be Harmful to the User

Harmful to the user? Not always true. Keep it illegal so are kids don't use it, says a an opinion printed last week on the JS Editorial page. Certainly not true at all. Drug dealers throw wads of $100 bills around in many recreational or drinking and gambling spots in Central Illinois. HOW DO I KNOW THEY ARE DRUG DEALERS.  Here, again, I wasn't born yesterday. Kids, people, adults are using Mary Jane  or some type of weed by the dozens of thousands right here in the area. However, I'm not stupid either. I would never encourage anyone to use any type of drug,, pain pills half as much as the amounts recommended, prescription pills, often a guess by the doctor or pharmacist,, alcohol, etc. Sometimes even if prescribed by a physician. to some people who believe drugs are the answer to their self-inflicted problems.  At my age and activities, I could use 2 to 4 painkillers a day. I don't even use half a small bottle a year. Nor do I use a Chiropractor. Not for 15 or more years once I learned more on how to keep my body healthy.

But no one needs my encouragement nor will few if ant heed my warnings of the problems that usually ensue. I have lost some "friends" because I advocate the legalizing of marijuana. Sorry, but they have their heads up their a.. Sorry, but everyone has that problem more than once in their lives. The more use is denied, the more popular the use becomes. Prohibition, abstinence, etc works sometimes with quite a few.  Right, I said "sometimes".

I blogged before how my mother taught abstinence. She told me "if you bring a girl home pregnant, I will kick you both out of my house". A lesson, thankfully, I never forgot..

Here is what legalizing does. It releases hundreds of thousands of eradication employees and allows them to be rehired as preventative measures employees. It will help put many dealers out of business. Yes, they will still sell hard drugs but the "easy" money will mostly dry up.

A good part of the money now flowing to the dealers and producers will now flow to legit business and some to taxpayers.

I know the die hards, like the ones who will vote for Hillary because she is a WOMAN will be like the proverbial skippers of the Titanic.

No, I have never been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor (and never will) except by Jim and Jerry Stowell, most of the Liberal media, some jealous bloggers and the usual Merle Widmer haters who know little about what goes on in my life.

Again, so sad.

Alcohol: The Worst Overall Drug Sold Legally - Case in Point

A young girl goes to a party. Whether she went alone or with others is moot.
She may have been drinking alcohol or may not have been when she arrived is moot.
A young man arrives at the party (repeat above)
At some point the two meet up. She severely intoxicated. His alcohol content is double the legal limit.
At some point they (together) go to a semi-secluded area and a sexual act is performed.
Whether she was unconscious during the act or became unconscious by the large amount of alcohol she she consumed is not know nor is it impossible for anyone to know.
Their performance was witnessed (at some point) and the young man ran off. Possibly under threat of two possibly larger young men or a natural impulse to run, guilty or not. Ask any policeman.
At some point, she was taken to the hospital where she denied remembering anything that happened.
Reports indicate no scratches or bruises on either the girl or the boy.
Reports indicate that none of the girls clothing were torn.
Reports do not indicate if any tests were taken to see if the two boys may have participated in the copulation. Just a question. Were any tests taken and if not, why not? Young people learn to lie at a very young age.(When I was in the service, I was told of a gang (gang meaning anywhere from two to whose counting?) rape on base on an intoxicated social service worker)

Questions. Where were the girls friends or acquaintances who saw she was intoxicated and called a cab or her parents or anyone with authority? Who put on the party and what were their actions while intoxication by participants was taking place?

Based on information presented publicly at this date, I stand behind the decision of the judge. But I also call for a much more complete investigation. Events may take on different forms and witnesses stories may change under more intense interrogation of all involved.

But, as is often too late, too many assumptions are made and decisions rendered before all the facts are in. Men, and boys should be warned early in life that if they have "relations" with a woman, all she has to do is claim she was raped and the Man/boy will 90% of the time be automatically arrested. Somewhat similar to rear ending  another vehicle. You are AUTOMATICALLY guilty no matter what stupid thing the driver ahead of you did.

If the girl can't remember anything, that is all she can testify. Also, when people are intoxicated, "shit happens" using approximately 16,000 deaths a year in intoxicated related vehicular accidents.as a horrible example.Millions of lives are altered by alcohol. Many people are "closet" alcoholics as I know first hand. And thousands are basically bedridden. And, no, I don't drink alcohol or "soft' drinks, nor have I ever done drugs except legal prescriptions.  Period.

Ray LaHood Won't Vote For Trump??

Goes against your Republican Central Committee's declared statement. "It is better to vote for someone you dislike because it keeps the position open for a more qualified person in the next elect". What say, Ray.

There is no doubt that Darin is more of a Republican than you ever were. If you weren't pretty much a a Republican with Democrat leanings, Obama would have never appointed you as Secretary of Transportation. A position for which you had NO qualifications. Many have forgotten your fumbling and bumbling over the attempted billion dollar "highway to Chicago", the six hundred million Rt. 29 impossibility, your attempt to force Florida to build a high speed rail from Tampa to Orlando where the major costs would have fallen to all taxpayers, but mainly those in Florida and I could go on and on.

So I will. People never remember your signature on a petition to expand LINCOLN Library where books sit that no one has read in so many years, they used to stick together, where programs are scheduled but only the spokesperson shows up. Most of the time one could shoot a gun through that library and never come close to hitting a patron among the seldom used bookstacks. Yet at the same time, you wrote me a letter saying it was not your job to help Peoria Public School District 150 with their on-going problems.

If you vote for a Democrat President, you and stay-at-home registered Republican voters will help eventually kill the party. Sooner or later a strong candidate will emerge to lead a third party and the Republican Party will then become the
third party".

Sure, Trump is not a guy I would have a beer with but he is the best choice out the worst choices one could imagine.