tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671777.post115024321615245537..comments2023-10-21T05:31:04.705-05:00Comments on Merle Widmer's PEORIA WATCH: OptimismMerle Widmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08788275198834985986noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671777.post-52553209449914387742007-09-09T11:32:00.000-05:002007-09-09T11:32:00.000-05:00I think that Mr. Widmer is a little off base if he...I think that Mr. Widmer is a little off base if he is suggesting that Lowell (Bud) Grieves is to blame for some of the Recent follies that the City of Peoria has made! Remember that being mayor is not like being King! The Mayor has to have the support of the city council and the community to push forward with a city venture. In addition, Mr. Widmer is quick to forget some of the great improvements to the city that Mr. Grieves has made. Did we forget about the purchase and renovation of The Mark Twain Hotel? What about The Purchase and renovation of the beautiful Packard Building? I could go on and mention other projects that Bud has been involved with such as The Spirit of Peoria and The Landing at the river front... Correct me if I am wrong, but those are all very viable operations that Mr. Grieves has been involved with not only in the ownership capacity, but also being an entrepreneur and taking a risk in order to enhance the downtown of Peoria. Shouldn't we look to the folks that are currently operating the ventures that are failing rather than criticizing the visionaries that developed the concepts for the future of the community?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671777.post-1150676981080382362006-06-18T19:29:00.000-05:002006-06-18T19:29:00.000-05:00I am a frequent reader , but seldom commentor. Yo...I am a frequent reader , but seldom commentor. You post has hit squarely home with how I feel about some of the things this towns leadreship has done. Very well said.BJ Aberlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12384688911753706362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671777.post-1150545164805960212006-06-17T06:52:00.000-05:002006-06-17T06:52:00.000-05:00Hooray -- conservatives play in Peoria!Hooray -- conservatives play in Peoria!SeƱor Limpiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567912063857531889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671777.post-1150489037433430602006-06-16T15:17:00.000-05:002006-06-16T15:17:00.000-05:00slide to the sewerslide to the sewerKEAlms/SAPartridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11985912629327697355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671777.post-1150488988090155362006-06-16T15:16:00.000-05:002006-06-16T15:16:00.000-05:00Merle:You know very well that the business plan is...Merle:<BR/><BR/>You know very well that the business plan is the bountiful taxpayer pocket not objective data that any private business would be required to provide for a loan that they would have to repay. Eh gads, in my twelve years, the slide to the is slicker and deeper each year.KEAlms/SAPartridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11985912629327697355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671777.post-1150377222272936132006-06-15T08:13:00.000-05:002006-06-15T08:13:00.000-05:00Marty: raze the deck? I think if it comes to tha...Marty: raze the deck? I think if it comes to that, people should be charged with a crime. they should parade Grieves and anyone else that voted to put that ugly river view blocking piece of s**t and make them tear it down with sledge hammers at their own expense and that goes for the gateway. Who puts an under sized convention room 3 stories in the air? Even host an event there? I have and what a pain to transport risers, food, instruments, in one undersized elevator to the top. If Old Chicago goes and the top is vacant, then you can bet that will becoame a VIP deck for the fireworks show on the fourth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671777.post-1150375763048309552006-06-15T07:49:00.000-05:002006-06-15T07:49:00.000-05:00Also, what is the city going to do with the riverf...Also, what is the city going to do with the riverfront if Old Chicago vacates? Supposedly that company will file bankruptcy soon if they haven't already. The city should consider razing that ugly, inappropriately placed complex and start from scratch if it becomes tenantless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671777.post-1150372903112939762006-06-15T07:01:00.000-05:002006-06-15T07:01:00.000-05:00Many of these projects that have been realized ove...Many of these projects that have been realized over the last decade or so in Peoria were all greeted with optimism by many in the beginning. But I know some of us felt they would become white elephants (almost from the time we heard of them). But I know most of us hoped they would not and would prosper. However, the country club community leaders like Grieves, Vonachen, Cullinan, Ransburg, etc., apparently would not be "deluded" by scepticism. (Ardis was elected in reaction to this crowd I feel).<BR/><BR/>Several years ago, while the ballpark and riverplex were being built, I had heard from someone who knew several Chiefs ball players and dealt with them on a frequent basis. Even the players were using the term "white elephant" in describing the future ballpark and plex. Makes you wonder if a demographic study was ever done. I say that on the fact that most of the folks I had casual conversations with over these issues at the time didn't believe they would flourish and become profitable. And these people were from various walks of life from cab drivers to investment advisors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7671777.post-1150310484109599162006-06-14T13:41:00.000-05:002006-06-14T13:41:00.000-05:00We are on the same page. If I was in your distric...We are on the same page. If I was in your district, I'd vote for you. I worte a letter to the forum today basically saying the TIF's we have are failures in most regards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com