Gary Panetta - "A Nauseating Bunch of Crap"

Panetta's article below my comments was sent to me by a friend who assinged the above title to this article in today's Entertainment section of the JS

Nitpick? General Obligation bonds that will stick the already stuck taxpayer (72% from the taxpayer for the now $94+ million dollar museum; $147 million for the entire project)? Of course, the referendum didn't promise an IMAX but the MUSEUM BACKERS DID BEFORE THE REFERENDUM and Kathleen Woith promised one as late as February 2010, in an email. Revenue bonds were the vehicles promised to finance the project as was determined by Peoria County who will OWN the museum building and be liable to maintain the surroundings.

Of course there is a small savings using General Obligation Bonds, bonds that put the burden of the museums failure on the taxpayer, but all those savings will dwarf when the taxpayer is FORCED to take over after the first 20 years or sooner while this highly potential 'white elephant' will continue to sit on our riverfront for the next (fill in the blank) years.

The Journal Star is reluctant to mention that private and public funds of $13,450,000have already been spent including $41,000+ on 'trying' to secure an IMAX and that taxpayer funds are going to be the main contributors to the badly UNDERFUNDED endowment.

Tax dollars to be used to fund the ENDOWMENT???

Yes, the facility tax referendum did not exactly SPECIFY how this money was to be spent. The County Board first capped the tax to be used for the museum at $34+ million, now $41, but this tax expires in 20 years while the museum building could survive for 100 years.

Nit-picking? If so, it takes a nit-wick to know a nit-picker. Improvise? Much to do over nothing?

Indeed.

Merle Widmer

Backstage: Don't derail museum with nitpicks

By Journal Star staff
Journal Star
Posted Sep 12, 2010 @ 12:05 AM
PEORIA -
Opponents who want to stop the new museum undoubtedly think they are sincerely trying to make local government more responsible.

I think they're nitpicking and making much over nothing much at all and potentially mucking up a project that could turn out to be a real turning point for the city's art scene. This museum provides an opportunity to trade in Lakeview's current cramped quarters for something more spacious that could do real justice to arts and sciences and history exhibits, an opportunity for the city in a public way to signal that the arts matter in Peoria.

But Councilman Gary Sandberg and others would disagree. They're launching a petition to block the use of general obligation bonds to fund the new museum. The County Board's decision to use general obligation bonds instead of revenue bonds, Sandberg and others say, is another example of "bait-and-switch" by museum supporters who said that revenue bonds would be issued instead.

You'll remember that last year voters were asked to approve a sales tax hike to fund the museum. The County Board said if such a hike were approved, it would issue a revenue bond to help pay for the downtown complex.

I know. Your eyes are probably glassing over at this point. What's the difference between a revenue bond and a general obligation bond? What's really at stake here?

Less than you might think, despite what opponents might say.

Recall that bonds are really nothing more than special contracts - written evidence of debt owed by a corporation or a government.

Governments issue bonds because bonds are easy ways of borrowing money for municipal projects. When a city issues a bond it promises bondholders that it will pay back both the principal and the interest of what it has borrowed when the bond matures or comes due.

There are different kinds of bonds. Revenue bonds are bonds that are secured by specific income from the issuer. They pay for income-producing projects - income that takes the form of rent, tolls, fees and concessions. Money from rent, tolls, etc., is returned to investors, i.e., the people who bought the bonds.

A classic example would be a city that issues a revenue bond for a water project. Revenue would then be generated from usage and connection fees.

General obligation bonds are much different. They are not secured by specific income from the issuer. Instead, cities pledge to use all of their resources to pay back bondholders. Resources include raising more funds through credit and general taxation, including property taxes.

Cities use general obligation bonds for things that don't directly generate income but that are seen as generally valuable to the community: roads, equipment, public parks and - drum roll, please - museums.

By switching to general obligation bonds, is the County increasing a higher potential burden for taxpayers? The answer is yes.

But let's be realistic. Voters approved (by a slim margin) what's going to be one of the most important public projects in downtown Peoria in a long time.

You don't need to issue a general obligation bond to increase the potential liability that tax payers may have to shoulder in the future. That liability was already taken on when voters OK'd last year's referendum. A public project of this size by definition requires public sharing of the risk.

So why issue a general obligation bond? Why would the County - after mentioning on its website that revenue bonds would be issued - now favor general obligation bonds?

Basically, doing so would be cheaper for local taxpayers. Investors consider revenue bonds a higher risk than general obligation bonds. That's because revenue bonds, as I pointed out above, are secured by specific income. This income may or may not pan out. General obligation bonds are secured by a government's ability to raise taxes.

For the sake of argument, let's suppose the petition succeeds and the general obligation bonds are blocked. The County would then have to stick with its original idea: Issue the revenue bonds, potentially more costly to local taxpayers. Do museum opponents really want that?

This point goes to the heart of what's essentially wrong with current objections to the museum. Circumstances change. We don't live in a static world. Ideas, such as issuing revenue bonds, which may have made sense a year ago may not make sense now. Other alternatives - such as a general obligation bond - may make more sense now.

The same goes for the IMAX. IMAX may have seemed like the perfect solution at one point (although it's by no means off the table at this point). But as more information is gathered, it seems that other ideas might be more cost-effective for the new museum. What's wrong with allowing civic leaders some latitude to improvise in light of new information and circumstances?

The situation would be different if, in addition to approving for a sales tax increase, voters also had voted for an IMAX or for revenue bonds. But these alternatives, remember, were not on the ballot. Only the sales tax was. And the sales tax was approved, if by a bare majority.

The anti-museum people are passionate and mean well - and certainly should be allowed their latest effort. Unfortunately, this petition may have the unintended effect of simply rigidly dictating each jot and tittle that local officials are supposed to follow as they attempt to make one of the most important projects in downtown Peoria a reality.

I, for one, won't be signing it.

Gary Panetta is the fine arts columnist and a critic for the JS

Tennis News - Local and National

Breaking news: Richwoods girls defeat Central girls in tennis 108-1, East Peoria girls beat Central girls in tennis, 108-19.

The tennis coaches at Central and Manual, I haven't seen a Manual score yet this season so maybe the aren't fielding a team or reporting the scores, get well paid for coaching and this pay adds to their pensions. They need to know very little about the game or to have ever played a competitive match and do not have degrees in Physical Education.

Then how do they get these paying jobs? They usually volunteer. The kids get bus rides around Central Illinois and time off from the classrooms and attending practice is usually not a requirement.

On the National scene, the Bryan brothers from the United States made in into the doubles finals of the U.S. Open today before what appeared to be a sold out crowd in New York. Doubles matches in the past have drawn very little coverage from the media who are more impressed by 135 mile an hour serves by singles specialists. Full houses are quite unusual for doubles but spectators are beginning to see it more exciting to watch than singles. Having played tennis for 30 years and having won over 250 awards, I have learned to appreciate the skills and techniques of doubles tennis over the power of the single players.

In singles, most of the ranked players hold serve because of the power generated by ever increasing racket technology so most sets are decided by tie-breakers or by one break of serve.

Interest in tennis is lagging in Peoria. Why, lack of qualified coaches who belong to the teachers union, lack of outstanding coaches in the area and a genuine lack of interest by the park district.

Too bad. Tennis is a lifelong sport. I intend to keep playing into the nineties, not unusual for those of us born in the generation called the "best ever".

Peoria Park District News

As reported in the "Voter", a publication by the The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria: "Cameras are being installed in park police vehicles; lockers at the RiverPlex have been broken into (again) with the locks apparently needing to be replaced to provide better security; and female fighting has occurred at the parks, including a fight promoted to draw an audience."

My, now we know why the Major League type softball complex was never built, the sports complex at Fox and Rt. 91 was never built as promised by Mrs. Noble as early as 2003, the parking lot for the zoo never built, the new entrance to the zoo never built and the giraffe that committed suicide, never replaced.

The park was spending too much money repairing vandalism. And covering other deficits.

Wait till the first "incident" occurs in the 'underground' museum parking garage and people will accelerate the question as to why Lakeview wasn't expanded in it's spacious land location? Remember, I blogged Park Board President Tim Cassidy's reply to that question was "that we were never asked".

If you are not aware, the Peoria Park District owns the approximately 60 acres and all the buildings at the North and Northeast corner of Lake and University. That includes the theatre, library, museum, Owens Center, etc.

24/7 Schools

"BU, District #150 Projects bear fruit", writes Dave Haney in today's JS, "partnership connects students, community via public service."

Read my comments on The Peoria Chronicle blog today and my blogs dated March 4, 2009 titled "Charitable Contributions", my blog dated 4/27/07 titled, "Schools an all day Affair", and my blog, "Community Gardens", dated 8/19/10.

Expensive new buildings have now built. Old ones have been remodeled. Like we needed new buildings to use them for 24/7 programs??? The problems of the past have been lack of the the right leadership along with some community apathy. Maybe new leadership and new buildings and a new superintendent will re-kindle interest. However, "Ivory Tower" leaders, of which I have seen many, will never get the job done right.

If the past is any guideline, after all the hype, expect interest to die down as it has in 24/7 schools in Peoria in the past. I'm optimistic we will do better this time.

As a reminder, despite all the Boys and Girls Club advertising and fund-raising, they only have one small building on Kansas. Yes, I know they operate other programs in the community and tout large numbers of people reached. The former headquarters on Grinnell has been closed for over three years yet still is listed in the phone book and has an active phone ring that no one answers. When I was a board member of the B & G Club, I learned that one visit one day inflated the total of people served. Numbers of people served and results were and are difficult to assess.

People feel good about donating money. I suggest you "follow your money". Garfield, Trewyn, Manual and Harrison are the targeted schools so states the JS article. Volunteer or visit and make your own assessments as I did. Your tax dollars are being spent whenever public schools are involved.

Tailwagger's Classic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dale Losher, TAPS Volunteer





Located in Pekin , Illinois and founded in 1958, TAPS is a no-kill shelter and a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization funded solely through adoptions, donations, memorials and fund-raising events. The goal of TAPS, Tazewell Animal Protective Society, is to provide a safe environment for injured, misplaced, and homeless cats and dogs until they can be placed in permanent loving homes. We also provide education to pet owners and the public about overpopulation and pet care. All our animals are rabies vaccinated, micro-chipped, and spayed/neutered before they can be adopted.

Our longest running fund-raising event, the Tailwagger's Classic, is coming up on September 26th, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event is planned to take place at Mineral Springs Park , Royal Avenue Shelter and includes; a main event - this year will be a dog and sheep herding demonstration - exhibiting the Border Collie as a working dog. In addition to a main event, there will be several shorter demonstrations on obedience, search and rescue, and therapy dog training, as well as a Talent and Costume contest, a dog walk, a raffle, pet related booths and much more! We hope to continue to growing this fun family event - making it bigger and better each year ---pre-registered participants will receive a free ten dollar entry into our Las Vegas drawing. For pre-registration go to www.tapsshelter.org/ .

We are looking for help getting the word out regarding this important event. Please let me know if you require additional information.





Sincerely,




Dale Losher

2010 Tailwagger's Classic Volunteer

916 Broadway

Pekin, Illinois 61554

Eric Turner, Peoria City Councilman and Mayor Wanna-be

While being interviewed by WEEK News 25 and his comments about the Citizens For Responsible Spending petition drive to "Let the voters decide on museum changes", Turner said and WEEK 25 (as well as City Councilman Montelongo), misstated that the petitions were to "forbid the county from issuing bonds to fund the museum."

How badly can you mislead the public. Hey, you half-educated OPM spending liberals, the petition clearly states opposition ONLY to the County's switching to GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS that remove the risk from the bondsellers and put the long-term risk on the taxpayers.

Turner, who once ran for mayor and would love to run again; he is a minority and the "minority" card goes over big in the public sector in Peoria, said, "he thinks the success of this petition drive would kill the project." I doubt whether, Turner, Montelongo, and WEEK even read the petition or if they did, didn't understand it, a petition to block the GO bonds only and let the voters decide whether they are concerned about all the mis-truths and false promises made before and after the referendum, from the NO IMAX belatedly announced, the lack of private funding, the substituting of General Obligation Bonds, the millions of outstanding and noncollectable pledges, the absent $5 million promised from the bankrupt State of Illinois, the nearly $14 million already spent by the PRM, the money secured by LaHood in 2007 not yet "in the bank", the shrinkage of space, the questionable exterior design, etc.

It is this type of no research politician and sensationalized reporting that has put Peoria in the no growth "pickle" they are in.

To cap the false statements made by Turner and Montelongo and publicised by WEEK, the release erroneously reports "The official ground breaking of the $41 million building project is next week." $41 million?? How about a $92+ million project not including the Visitors Center; a $145-7 million overall project, as reported by the County in recent days.

Apathy, big egos, and a suspect press dominate the scene in Peoria. Where are these "characteristics" getting us?

As previously reported, Turner is the guy that put his name on a letter requesting millions to expand Lincoln Library, particularly noting that the basement is "dank and dark" while admitting to me in a email which I saved that he had not set foot in the basement of this underutilized library which is NOT DANK AND DARK and, if so deemed, could have been corrected by a humidifier and better lighting. Maybe a thousand dollars or so.

Jim Montelongo - State Political Wanna-be

Here's what Peoria City Councilman and higher political wanna-be Jim Montelongo said, while speaking on WEEK News 25. His opinion was sought about the current Citizens for Responsible Spending drive to get petitions signed to prevent Peoria County from selling General Obligation Bonds. Bonds that now will put the taxpayer on further risk for the $41,600,000 taxpayer funded museum:

"I think it was their right as citizens to protest something. And try to see if there is enough support behind it. I'm NOT PARTICULARLY HAPPY ABOUT THAT."

It's the dissenters legal right to petition but Montelongo "is not happy about that?"

No wonder the city is in such bad financial shape and now he wants to take his EXPERTISE to the bankrupt State of Illinois???

A couple of years ago I was to introduce Montelongo as one of several speakers to a small gathering. He constantly reminded me to prononce his name right.

This guy has a super ego and is one of the problems at city hall. He is typical of so many Republicans who are the wrong candidates. Republicans have an excellent opportunity to replace many of the OPM spending Democrats but not with this type of candidate.

Peoria Public School District #150 - Expenditures vs. Enrollment

In 1997-8, the budget for #150 was $107,966,000 and enrollment was 15,258.
In 20o7-8, the budget for #150 was $166,503,000 and enrollment was 13,825.

But then rising costs are not new in the public sector.

For a complete breakdown of these D150 figures, visit C. J. Summer's "The Peoria Chronicle" blog.

Take a good look at your property bill and see where your money goes and consider if you are getting the results you expect. I believe you will notice that your Assessed Valuation (the tax levy has gone slightly down, 0.1186 total in the last ten years) is rising while the SELLING value of your property declines.

Not always of course because of location, location location.

Not to worry, though, the new $92+ million Peoria Riverfront Museum will be holding classes to educate those who don't get educated in #150 classrooms. And the welfare checks being spent by the uneducated, will keep the economy humming. I think, isn't that Obama's plan? Spread the wealth to the havenots?

Read much about the plight of people Chavez in Venezuela and Castro in Havana?

In Peoria County, we are going to build a $55 million dollar nursing home for the "poor", mainly 165 Medicaid residents, while collecting $3,200,000 in yearly escalating property taxes to "maintain" the present BelWood. With a $1.6 million dead records storage under the new BelWood. Like there aren't any vacant spaces and buildings close to the courthouse??

Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to borrow $51 million for the new BelWood and pay interest for 30 years? Or collect $41,600,000 from extra sales taxes ($approx. $4million a year for 20 years) to fund a museum that most people do not want.

Again, not to worry, the "movers and shakers" in Peoria can tell their out of town friends of all the enhancements we have. Includes the Caterpillar Visitors Center while Cat moves most of their manufacturing jobs to "right to work" states like Tennessee, N. Carolina and Texas. While the unions grow more powerful in the Peoria public sectors. And don't forget the "oohing" and "aAhing" over the coming "big screen" and the giraffe; once there were two of them. Unfortunately, these friends evidently don't come to stay as will be shown when the $50+ billion COST census (estimated cost so far, BUT IT CREATED JOBS) figures are announced in 2011 or 2012.

And while in Peoria, visit the E. Peoria gambling boat the Peoria drug dealers. Many of the gambling visitors stay in E.Peoria while the big casino money goes to the "out of town" owners. And taxes to the bankrupt state of Illinois.

I note speeding fines in Illinois are going to rise dramatically to cover the politicians OPM spending. That will help make the poor poorer and people to avoid this state.

Mark Johnson Resignation Re-Visited

When Mark Johnson was hired as the person to oversee Peoria County's stake in the PRM project, Board Member Jimmy Dillon said, "We have to have somebody there during construction process to make sure tax dollars are being appropriately spent", "Johnson already has all the knowledge of the museum project and it's a perfect opportunity."

The JS reported that Johnson is likely to chair the building committee while the facility is being constructed.

Now Peoria County Board member, Andrew Rand, manager of the local ATM medical services appears, to be overseeing the building construction committee.

Interesting. Or could it be that Johnson twice publicly called the project a "mess"?

Johnson announced his resignation effective September 1, 2010.

Gold Plated Shovels Tomorrow??

Probably. Maybe Ransburg will pay for them. Since the Museum has already spent approximately $14,000,000 (that's 14 million)of the money collected for the museum and still have $19 million in OUTSTANDING pledges, about 1/4 of what is needed for the Endowment, I suggest they use plastic or tin shovels.

Photo Op? No, I'll not be there. Maybe I'll drive to Chattanooga and see a wide screen.

The-Peoria-9-12-Project - Oust Kilbride

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Jody Pitcher
To: The-Peoria-9-12-Project-announce@meetup.com
Sent: Sat, September 4, 2010 5:43:29 PM
Subject: [The-Peoria-9-12-Project] NO Kilbride

Why Vote NO Kilbride?
Our State Government is just like our Federal. It is a Tri-partite system made up of Executive, Legislative and Judicial. Many of us are working hard to elect a new Governor and new legislators that better represent our views and values. But what are we doing about the Illinois Supreme Court, the highest ranking legal body in the state?
The IL Supreme Court is comprised of 7 members. 3 are elected from District 1, entirely within Cook County. As you can imagine each of those members are hopelessly Democrats. However, the rest of Northern Illinois has conservative Republican Bob Thomas from District 2. The Springfield area in District 4 elects Republican Rita Garman. The Metro East and Southern Illinois territory of District 5 elects conservative Republican Lloyd Karmeier. So who is the tie-breaker on the court? Who holds the balance between the Republicans who are pro-family, pro-business, and pro-Constitution and the Democrats who put trial lawyers, labor unions, Michael Madigan and Richie Daley on their favorites list? It is Justice Tom Kilbride of Rock Island.
Kilbride won election in 2000 by defeating Sen. Carl Hawkinson of Galesburg by 53-47. Chicago Democrat boss Madigan pumped over $600,000 in campaign cash into the race to win it for Kilbride, who has been a loyal and reliable Democrat vote on the court for the entire decade. The most important vote Kilbride cast was this last February when he provided the critical 4th vote to overturn Illinois’ tort reform law which had prevented jackpot justice by capping non-economic damages in lawsuits at $500,000. This decision is terrible for the Illinois business community and the medical community. Rural doctors and other medical providers are being driven from the state as malpractice insurance becomes unaffordable thanks to judges like Kilbride. Another important reason to oust Kilbride? According to www.justpac.org, Kilbride is the worst Supreme Court Justice on law and order cases. He has voted for the interests of convicted felons over the police in 81% of split decision cases. That is frightening.
What does Kilbride need to do to get another 10 years on the court? To be retained on November 2nd, 60% of the people who vote on his name must punch “yes.” Our job is to ask for a Vote NO. If he does not receive 60% then the seat will be declared vacant until the 3rd Tuesday of March election of 2012 where there will be a Republican and Democrat primary to see who will face off in the November, 2012 election for a 10 year term. There are plenty of good conservative attorneys and judges in the 3rd District who could run for the position if it opened up. Among them are Tazewell County State’s Attorney Stu Umholtz, Henry County Judge Ted Hamer, and Appellate Justices Dan Schmidt and William Holdridge.
Any questions on the basic premise of this campaign, please visit www.vote-no-kilbride.com or call Chairman and Founder of Vote NO Kilbride, Jon Zahm, at 815-483-4710.




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"The Peoria Chronicle" Blog Today

C.J. Summers questions how Peoria County can use "Build America Bonds" established, I believe, in 2007 to fund the museum.

Good question and perhaps our county administrator will answer for all our readers.