So many statements, some outright falsehoods and other half-truths, have appeared over the years in some form or another, two very recently, has prompted me publish and re-publish many of the facts that surrounded the original controversy over the siting and building of the RP. Facts are gleaned from all records I've accumulated. Many events occurred before I started blogging in 2004. I did join with many in the community to protest taxpayer funding of direct competition to the established private sector. And to protest the site proposed for the indoor Recreation and Fitness Center. For the first time in history, I ran against the sitting park board president but was overwhelmed by the media, outright lies and half-truths from the park board president and the treasurer. I was out spent by a margin of $5 to $1.
Most of the projections made by the PPD did not pan out. The major one was that the RiverPlex would be self supporting and later very profitable. It has operated at substantial losses since opening day. These are facts, generally denied by PPD officials. However, the saying goes, "To ignore or deny facts, does not change the facts".
One news media recently said that "some" public money was spent on this project. Actually, more than one-half of the original costs were supported by taxpayers dollars. $5 million was pledged by the Bielfeldt Foundation, (this foundation has withdrawn it's pledge to the proposed museum), and OSF committed $4 million to be used for leased space for their Fitness Center. PPD documents dated 12/31/2001 and 12/31/02 recorded these advancdes as "deferred revenue, as the JS had reported that the lease payments of $4 million would be paid "upfront" to help make up the building shortfall of $4.5 million. ($10 million in tax bonds and $5 million pledged from the Bielfeldt Foundation, $4 million from OSF to make up the projected $19.5 million construction costs). With change orders and furnishings, the entire project totalled just short of $21 million.
In early 1999, JS reporter Jennifer Davis wrote, "While the city owns the RecPlex (original name) land, it already agreed to lease it to the park District and spend $4.7 million on nearby parking and street improvements". TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
Later, the lease was turned into a land swap. On 3/13/99, I quote Jennifer Davis, "RecPlex land swap has its opponents", 'Some sort of fair land trade is required since the proposed RecPlex site is currently protected property, paid for with a $424,000 federal grant, TAXPAYER DOLLARS, on the condition it remain open space'. Deceased Bill Rutherford, master conservationist spoke up against the development of building on this valuable piece of riverfront property. "It's beyond imagination that land beneath a bridge with no access to the river (a seawall exists along this strip of land) to be equivalent to the land where the RiverPlex now stands", said one opponent out of many thousands.
So the City Council started over again.
On 8/18/99, JS reporter Mike Ramsey wrote, "City Council Approves Land Swap. By this time the land swap switched from the "under the bridge" property to some land near John Gywnn Park. "Tom Tincher, City executive director of riverfront development, (Tincher is the gentleman named in my recent blog) said an "informal" appraisal put the land value of the RiverPlex site at $5 a square foot; $430,000; this appraisal made in a letter to Tincher dated 8/25,1999, from James W. Klopfenstein, State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser. On 8/27/1999, Tom Tincher wrote a letter to Mick Rosendahl, Senior Grant Administrator, IDNR, in Springfield as follows: "The proposed land swap site (by Gwynn Park) is a natural extension of an important recreation facility serving families and children who reside within neighborhoods adjacent to downtown Peoria. Expanding this park by adding open space at this location (a major problem never presented was that a THROUGH street separates the park parcels) will provide for the development of family picnic areas and will improve public access to the park and provide a much needed open space buffer ($5 a square foot!!) between the more active recreation facilities and the adjoining office uses.
A local appraiser has completed his field work in appraising the replacement open space site. He has determined that the property should be valued at $5 dollars per sq. ft. We would certainly appreciate your help in expediting the processing....."
Tincher and Klofpenstein said this despite attention being called that land adjacent to this $5 a sq. ft. land had recently sold for $2 a square foot. Tincher never mentioned that FACT in his letter to the IDNR.
Interesting.
THE FACTS; The land the city approved in a land swap with the park district is basically worthless. It sits barren in back of the outfield of John Gwynn Softball Field, a softball field with lights, unused for quite a number of years. The land the PPD swapped for the extremely valuable riverfront RiverPlex property has never been used a picnic area, a most unlikely spot for a picnic. The land has not been used for anything including a "buffer". A buffer from what?
Go drive by this $5 a sq. ft. "parkland with its 'picnic benches' and NO restrooms, water or any other utilities" off Richard Pryor Pk.. It's the land directly behind the unused ball park, no picnic benches, scraggley trees and piles of dirt in the front. Accessed by a bicycle path. Worthless unused city property.
To the credit of the JSEB, they wrote in 1999, "City commitment to riverside park unfulfilled" and wrote "Based on comments made at Tuesday's council meeting, many Peorians do not view a two-acre neighborhood?? tract in the center of town, in the same light (and value) as parkland on the river. They have a point".
Do tell! Only Jim Ardis, Gary Sandberg and Patrick Nichting voted to oppose the land swap.
Tom Tincher's credibility?? James W. Klopfenstein's credibility?? IDNR indifference??
Many have wondered why the RP was built in downtown when the PPD had called the Lakeview Musuem complex owned by the PPD, the "center of the city". The susposed reason was as Carlotta Bielfeldt of the Foundation told me "because I want it there".
This is part one of a series exposing the "real story" behind the manipulations of the PPD, the succumbing to pressure of the city council and the incredible naivety or incompetence of the IDNR, the large expenditures of public money continuing year in and year out to support a recreation and fitness center, never supported by anywhere near a majority of PPD property taxpayers.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Peoria County Board Updates
Peoria County Board Chairman William (Bill) Prather called me Monday to inform me that for health reasons, he will not run for reelection at our Full Board Meeting Monday December 1, at 6:00. I had previously announced I would not run for a third term as Vice-Chairman. These two Chairmanship office positions will be determined next Monday evening. I understand Bob Baietto, a Republican and Tom O'Neill, a Democrat are interested in the Chairman's position. While the VC is often considered merely a title, I did conduct four full board county meetings and four Executive Meetings. The VC is automatically a member of the Executive Committee.
Mr. Prather continued all of our county board goals, the major one being a "Financially Solvent County Government". We estimate ending 2008 with a fund balance of $53 million plus and we estimate the ending fund balance in 2009 to be $69million plus.
When I was first elected to the board in 2000, we had a negative fund balance.
Why so much in our fund balance? These funds, all in balance this year, are sometimes known as "rainy day" funds. An amount is mandated by the state to be held in reserve. Our surplus is well over the mandated figure.
It is a general board opinion that Mr. Prather was a very good board chair and if health permitted, would have been reelected for another term. He will remain on the board for at least the next two years of his term.
Mr. Prather continued all of our county board goals, the major one being a "Financially Solvent County Government". We estimate ending 2008 with a fund balance of $53 million plus and we estimate the ending fund balance in 2009 to be $69million plus.
When I was first elected to the board in 2000, we had a negative fund balance.
Why so much in our fund balance? These funds, all in balance this year, are sometimes known as "rainy day" funds. An amount is mandated by the state to be held in reserve. Our surplus is well over the mandated figure.
It is a general board opinion that Mr. Prather was a very good board chair and if health permitted, would have been reelected for another term. He will remain on the board for at least the next two years of his term.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Pelosi's Private Jet
Word out there is that Pelosi's private oversized (200 capacity)jet will cost the taxpayers over 5 3/4 million per year just to fly back and forth, 3 days a week, between California to D. C.
Couldn't she fly commercial? And in a snaller jet?
Couldn't she fly commercial? And in a snaller jet?
Missed Projections and Random Facts
Tired of all the stress surrounding you? Check out any of the books written by Fannie Flagg but especially "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe". A very realistically fiction writer with a good sense of soft humour.
Tired of hearing that the Rec/plex, oops, I mean Riverplex that opened in 2001 after much debate, is a profit Center? Evidently some PPD official is saying that is a good profit center. Not hardly when the PPD Financial statement of 12/31/07 says that the RiverPlex has NEVER been able to pay it's principal and interest on it's original bond. PPD President Cassiddy says it was never supposed to. Ha.
I beg to differ short of calling Mr. Cassidy a liar. When Cassidy was doing a hard sell on the RiverPlex and the Fitness Center, here again is what Mr. Cassidy told the JS. I quote, "If the growth of our community continues at only a fraction of what is has in the last five years, most, if not all of the bonded indebtedness will be paid through RecPlex operations". Since the new named RiverPlex opened in 2001, it has NEVER been able to meet it's bonded indebtedness of over $800,000.00 per year and it still has 13 years of payments in the $800 thousand dollar range due each year. (JS, 9/21/99)
Also, Mr. Cassidy said "Contrary to media reports, there will be no required membership fee". (JS, 9/21/99) Ha. Then why did they they sell memberships even before the RiverPlex opened?
How's the touted Fitness Center doing? Profits were to be split with a major hospital and the PPD. What profits? Last year, the Fitness Center lost $500,000.00+, about the same as every year since it opened. Look it up in PPD's Financial Statements.
Now the PPD is "stuck" in the zoo red ink. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2008, it is now scheduled to open in the summer of 2009. And the highly hyped $32 zoo will now be a $25 million zoo. Not even the major donor to the zoo was aware that the present zoo loses approximately $400,000.00 a year.
Will the new zoo be greeted with "ah and oh's? You bet. Same as if anyone built and displayed anything new and expensive.
Even with the PD taking in record property taxes and a budget of almost $42 million, the PPD has not even started on the sports complex they swapped for Meinen field. This complex was to be open in 2006. Nor have they broken ground on the $1.2 upgrades they promised for Peoria Stadium.
As was hinted when the 2009 budget was released, increased taxes may be needed for 2010 and beyond.
Before the year is over I fear we will hear about more missed projections all blamed on the economy and lack of grant money. Wasn't it IBM who had the slogan "Plan Ahea
d"?
I have a dislike for people who make promises to the public to stay in office or to keep their jobs and then hope that their promises "fade" away. Don't count on the Journal Star to reveal these missed projections. They don't want to kill the next big tax-collecting project that may be seen on a referendum early in 2009.
Make sure you know all the facts like seeing an operating statement. If it says "operating costs are projected at $4.2 million overall per year ,year after year", and overall attendance 360,000 per year, year after year. Be wary. Bet if the museum was operating in 2007, they would have missed projections over the last two years.
Then I suggest you read all my blogs titled "Missed Projections". But should you have a lot of extra money, no problem, unless Obama gets serious about "spreading the wealth". And he will as he said so again today. It's those who make a lot of money he is talking about. But I'm sure you are aware of that. That's why the "movers and shakers" are asking for more of "your" money every year after every year, till they need another expensive non-taxable enhancement project.
With all their pompousness, the PPD is actually cash strapped and should property taxes fall in this depressed economy and grant money from the State dry up, expect to see the PPD struggling to maintain the approximately 9000 acres they control, not in the least of which is erosion control and the further amount of topsoil being added to our river every day.
Dream big the "movers ans shakers" tell everybody? Evidently too many people did as encouraged. Look at the mess this country is in. And the "recession" hasn't even hit Peoria. Yet. And remember, all these things are good for you. Takes you off your couch and on your feet. I agree. Where I differ is how we are going to keep paying after the glow has worn off. And pay for all the priorities on the drawing boards like improving our infrastructure, like $100-300 million dollars in sewer line replacements. And $27 million for libraries? And $120 million for new schools. Just to mention a few priorities.
The moral of all this? Never dream beyond your ability to afford to pay for what you commit and count on severe dips in the (your) economy or maybe just read more factual stuff and just, occasionally, authors like Fannie Flagg or Carl Hiaassen.
Tired of hearing that the Rec/plex, oops, I mean Riverplex that opened in 2001 after much debate, is a profit Center? Evidently some PPD official is saying that is a good profit center. Not hardly when the PPD Financial statement of 12/31/07 says that the RiverPlex has NEVER been able to pay it's principal and interest on it's original bond. PPD President Cassiddy says it was never supposed to. Ha.
I beg to differ short of calling Mr. Cassidy a liar. When Cassidy was doing a hard sell on the RiverPlex and the Fitness Center, here again is what Mr. Cassidy told the JS. I quote, "If the growth of our community continues at only a fraction of what is has in the last five years, most, if not all of the bonded indebtedness will be paid through RecPlex operations". Since the new named RiverPlex opened in 2001, it has NEVER been able to meet it's bonded indebtedness of over $800,000.00 per year and it still has 13 years of payments in the $800 thousand dollar range due each year. (JS, 9/21/99)
Also, Mr. Cassidy said "Contrary to media reports, there will be no required membership fee". (JS, 9/21/99) Ha. Then why did they they sell memberships even before the RiverPlex opened?
How's the touted Fitness Center doing? Profits were to be split with a major hospital and the PPD. What profits? Last year, the Fitness Center lost $500,000.00+, about the same as every year since it opened. Look it up in PPD's Financial Statements.
Now the PPD is "stuck" in the zoo red ink. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2008, it is now scheduled to open in the summer of 2009. And the highly hyped $32 zoo will now be a $25 million zoo. Not even the major donor to the zoo was aware that the present zoo loses approximately $400,000.00 a year.
Will the new zoo be greeted with "ah and oh's? You bet. Same as if anyone built and displayed anything new and expensive.
Even with the PD taking in record property taxes and a budget of almost $42 million, the PPD has not even started on the sports complex they swapped for Meinen field. This complex was to be open in 2006. Nor have they broken ground on the $1.2 upgrades they promised for Peoria Stadium.
As was hinted when the 2009 budget was released, increased taxes may be needed for 2010 and beyond.
Before the year is over I fear we will hear about more missed projections all blamed on the economy and lack of grant money. Wasn't it IBM who had the slogan "Plan Ahea
d"?
I have a dislike for people who make promises to the public to stay in office or to keep their jobs and then hope that their promises "fade" away. Don't count on the Journal Star to reveal these missed projections. They don't want to kill the next big tax-collecting project that may be seen on a referendum early in 2009.
Make sure you know all the facts like seeing an operating statement. If it says "operating costs are projected at $4.2 million overall per year ,year after year", and overall attendance 360,000 per year, year after year. Be wary. Bet if the museum was operating in 2007, they would have missed projections over the last two years.
Then I suggest you read all my blogs titled "Missed Projections". But should you have a lot of extra money, no problem, unless Obama gets serious about "spreading the wealth". And he will as he said so again today. It's those who make a lot of money he is talking about. But I'm sure you are aware of that. That's why the "movers and shakers" are asking for more of "your" money every year after every year, till they need another expensive non-taxable enhancement project.
With all their pompousness, the PPD is actually cash strapped and should property taxes fall in this depressed economy and grant money from the State dry up, expect to see the PPD struggling to maintain the approximately 9000 acres they control, not in the least of which is erosion control and the further amount of topsoil being added to our river every day.
Dream big the "movers ans shakers" tell everybody? Evidently too many people did as encouraged. Look at the mess this country is in. And the "recession" hasn't even hit Peoria. Yet. And remember, all these things are good for you. Takes you off your couch and on your feet. I agree. Where I differ is how we are going to keep paying after the glow has worn off. And pay for all the priorities on the drawing boards like improving our infrastructure, like $100-300 million dollars in sewer line replacements. And $27 million for libraries? And $120 million for new schools. Just to mention a few priorities.
The moral of all this? Never dream beyond your ability to afford to pay for what you commit and count on severe dips in the (your) economy or maybe just read more factual stuff and just, occasionally, authors like Fannie Flagg or Carl Hiaassen.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Jim Stowell and his "Day Late and a Dollar Short Comments"
I don't know why I take my time and energy to comment on Peoria School Board #150 board member "new idea" to trade with the PPD properties adjacent to the PPD; houses and land foolishly purchased by the school board to build a "state of the art" school. Stowell was an ardent supporter. The PPD had 4 members with enough common sense, and a lot of public pressure, to kill the deal. A deal that the PPD and #150 may have secretly agreed to, the "outsiders' commonly known as taxpayers, may never know as the Executive tapes were "accidentally" erased. Now Stowell wants to revive the library location AFTER the Library Board paid a million+ plus for land for the new libaray. Land that few in their right mind would have ever considered for any type of library, unless, by chance, a "dead archival library", and Stowell wants dialogue to perhaps NOW build the new north library at Expo in a PPD/Library/Expo swap. Where was he with this idea was originally broached by Councilman Bill Spears, requested by our mayor for the library board to at least consider Expo as a multi-purpose site, (JS, 5/31/08), thoroughly covered by myself in my blog of 6/11/07, titled "Library Debate" and turned down stone cold by Library President McKenzie "no new library was ever considered at Expo by the library board", also in the JS on 5/31/08?
Where was Mr. Stowell then??
Bill Spears original idea had some merit. I would have added relocate the Lakeview Library to Expo and turn the then empty Lakeview back to the PPD who owns the land and building. One large branch library on the north side would have fit the bill. To my knowledge, and I talked to quite a few people,no one ever approached the Expo Board with any idea except now Tom Tincher, Water Resources Council. More on that later in another blog.
Sources tell me that PPD President Cassidy was cold to Stowell's idea insofar as no one had contacted the PPD Board or the Expo Board.
Interesting that Expo as a more multi-purpose site keeps coming up and no one other than Tom Tincher appears to be talking to Expo board members?????
To say that Peoria Public School Board is in way over there heads is to put it mildly. too bad, as most are well meaning, no pay and in a thankless job under any circumstance. Not a single business person on a approximately $150 million dollar "budget", I think, (read my blog on the recently "discovered" need for more property taxes).
Enough, but it was good to know that stocdkbroker Stowell voted against the library referendum and did not favor the stupid location either. But then, there is no business person on the gullible library board either.
Oh, yes, one wonders why the Dunlap Library fits in any equation. Simple, the underutilized new Dunlap Library is only 5 miles from Expo, so 2 1/2 miles is the furthest anyone with an Alliance Library card would have to drive to access either library. Some people drive 20 miles to work each day.
Sure, the idea has a lot of merit. EXCEPT, where is the cash strapped PPD going to cme up with the money to buy all that property along Prospect and what about the other forgotten homeowners on the "east of Prospect" side streets? PPD buy them out too? Some of them would like to see the PPD try to enforce "imminent domain". Some more unneeded publicity? Hmmm.
And who would run this multi-purpose recreational center at Expo? The PPD? Good grief. And who would ante up the money to buy some part of Expo. Expo is not just going to sell out and walk away. No way.
all this makes for "copy" and how else am I going to make aliving now that we are in a "deep recession". Recession, sure. Wait, suffer and see and depression may seem a more appropriate term.
Where was Mr. Stowell then??
Bill Spears original idea had some merit. I would have added relocate the Lakeview Library to Expo and turn the then empty Lakeview back to the PPD who owns the land and building. One large branch library on the north side would have fit the bill. To my knowledge, and I talked to quite a few people,no one ever approached the Expo Board with any idea except now Tom Tincher, Water Resources Council. More on that later in another blog.
Sources tell me that PPD President Cassidy was cold to Stowell's idea insofar as no one had contacted the PPD Board or the Expo Board.
Interesting that Expo as a more multi-purpose site keeps coming up and no one other than Tom Tincher appears to be talking to Expo board members?????
To say that Peoria Public School Board is in way over there heads is to put it mildly. too bad, as most are well meaning, no pay and in a thankless job under any circumstance. Not a single business person on a approximately $150 million dollar "budget", I think, (read my blog on the recently "discovered" need for more property taxes).
Enough, but it was good to know that stocdkbroker Stowell voted against the library referendum and did not favor the stupid location either. But then, there is no business person on the gullible library board either.
Oh, yes, one wonders why the Dunlap Library fits in any equation. Simple, the underutilized new Dunlap Library is only 5 miles from Expo, so 2 1/2 miles is the furthest anyone with an Alliance Library card would have to drive to access either library. Some people drive 20 miles to work each day.
Sure, the idea has a lot of merit. EXCEPT, where is the cash strapped PPD going to cme up with the money to buy all that property along Prospect and what about the other forgotten homeowners on the "east of Prospect" side streets? PPD buy them out too? Some of them would like to see the PPD try to enforce "imminent domain". Some more unneeded publicity? Hmmm.
And who would run this multi-purpose recreational center at Expo? The PPD? Good grief. And who would ante up the money to buy some part of Expo. Expo is not just going to sell out and walk away. No way.
all this makes for "copy" and how else am I going to make aliving now that we are in a "deep recession". Recession, sure. Wait, suffer and see and depression may seem a more appropriate term.
U.S. Department of Energy
Established during the Carter administration. Does anyone know what they have really contributed to the GDP with the hundreds of billions they have spent? Other than to HELP, ALONG WITH ARROGANT MANAGEMENT, AN INEPT CONGRESS, and DOMINATING UNIONS, kill the economy, the Big 3 and the value of most of the countries in the world. Don't be surprised if Obama appoints someone "married" or at least joined at the hip with the radicals in the Sierra Club and their ilk. But then, the ineffective Republicans didn't abolish the department either. But then, the Democrats really have been in charge the last 2 years.
I thought the last 4 years of my life were the worst I've ever seen. Brother, (a figure of speech)I (we) haven't seen anything yet. Wish I were 40 or so and was as wise as I am now. I would be raising some hell for those who have brought this mess on those of us with "common sense".
As I get older, there appear to be less and less.
I thought the last 4 years of my life were the worst I've ever seen. Brother, (a figure of speech)I (we) haven't seen anything yet. Wish I were 40 or so and was as wise as I am now. I would be raising some hell for those who have brought this mess on those of us with "common sense".
As I get older, there appear to be less and less.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Chrysler's Nardelli
He of the massive salary, bonus and golden parachute like $200 million dollars when he was pushed out of Home Depot, pleaded his case along with GM's Wagoner and Ford to Congress today. What a bunch of crap from the wealthy arrogant elite (and a goodly share of their "gophers", for whom (or who) I have a particular dislike. I didn't hear the union testimony.
Everything I read, heard and watched says let them go bankrupt just like everyone else who is inefficient, unrealistic, greedy, arrogant, etc......
Probably cost me money but I'm very, very tired of what is going on in this now socialistic country.
Everything I read, heard and watched says let them go bankrupt just like everyone else who is inefficient, unrealistic, greedy, arrogant, etc......
Probably cost me money but I'm very, very tired of what is going on in this now socialistic country.
U.S. Representative Aaron Schock - OUCH
Today's JS quoted Aaron as saying regarding the auto industry bailout, "Fundamentally, I don't like the federal government getting involved in the private sector." That's noble, Aaron but I believe you strongly supported the massive agriculture subsidies, the unequal distribution of a trillion dollars, (McCain didn't and said so) during your campaign. Agriculture certainly is a "private" sector.
Also in today's JSEB columnist George Will is quoted, "Spreading the Wealth? What do you call this. He asks about rent-control in New York, sugar subsidies to which billions are granted to a few thousand sugar producers, Medicare and its intrusion into the private sector, the banks bailout, (I could go on and find at least another thousand),and the $25 million already granted to GM.
I will admit that your successor seldom saw a taxpayer dollar he didn't like to spend including his support of others like the library referendum and the public school at Glen Oak Park, his connection, perhaps, that his son, Darin, is married to Queen Bonnie Noble's daughter, Administrator of the aforementioned park district.
I know Aaron doesn't have time to read my blogs, but maybe someone will refer him to my site and perhaps he can explain what he meant and his position on "government interference" in the private sector. And maybe Ray LaHood can explain, how, over all his years in office, he didn't get up on a table and pound it into the Democrats that Fannie and Freddie, Frank, Dodd, Rangel, Reed, plus Bush appointee Cox, and all their ilk, did not demand that federal regulations then and still in place were not ENFORCED in all the years prior to the meltdown.
Good question???
Also in today's JSEB columnist George Will is quoted, "Spreading the Wealth? What do you call this. He asks about rent-control in New York, sugar subsidies to which billions are granted to a few thousand sugar producers, Medicare and its intrusion into the private sector, the banks bailout, (I could go on and find at least another thousand),and the $25 million already granted to GM.
I will admit that your successor seldom saw a taxpayer dollar he didn't like to spend including his support of others like the library referendum and the public school at Glen Oak Park, his connection, perhaps, that his son, Darin, is married to Queen Bonnie Noble's daughter, Administrator of the aforementioned park district.
I know Aaron doesn't have time to read my blogs, but maybe someone will refer him to my site and perhaps he can explain what he meant and his position on "government interference" in the private sector. And maybe Ray LaHood can explain, how, over all his years in office, he didn't get up on a table and pound it into the Democrats that Fannie and Freddie, Frank, Dodd, Rangel, Reed, plus Bush appointee Cox, and all their ilk, did not demand that federal regulations then and still in place were not ENFORCED in all the years prior to the meltdown.
Good question???
Peoria School Dist. #150 - Needs More Property Tax Dollars?
On 9/16/08, the JS reported "District #150 OK's balanced budget", with the $143.4 million plan to keep programs the same, pay for building projects. Even have a $215,000 surplus. Today, Distinct #150, is asking for "about $3.4 million more" by increasing the tax levy by 5.6%"
Reason: An increase in tort liability insurance (can't wait for the Obama administration, ha) which were underfunded and "masked" as expenses and co-mingled with education and building funds". "This sort of 'trues' up the revenue to actual expenses," Treasurer Guy Cahill said.
Enough, stop right there. I have consistently said that the top person on this school board should have experience in the private sector as a business manager and a financial manager.
This is what you have gotten all these years from having an "educator" who know little about business and finances as the top administrator.
Now more taxes on my home and more to come when the zoo turns out to be the user and taxpayer money pit long projected, the $100-200 million sewer project gets underway, the new bond payments for the new schools start coming through, the new museum......and on.
Hey, all the professionals, like the doctor who emailed me today asking my support of the museum, and those with guaranteed salaried jobs with full benefits when they retire, employed business executives and managers, can probably afford it. I and a lot of other can't.
Reason: An increase in tort liability insurance (can't wait for the Obama administration, ha) which were underfunded and "masked" as expenses and co-mingled with education and building funds". "This sort of 'trues' up the revenue to actual expenses," Treasurer Guy Cahill said.
Enough, stop right there. I have consistently said that the top person on this school board should have experience in the private sector as a business manager and a financial manager.
This is what you have gotten all these years from having an "educator" who know little about business and finances as the top administrator.
Now more taxes on my home and more to come when the zoo turns out to be the user and taxpayer money pit long projected, the $100-200 million sewer project gets underway, the new bond payments for the new schools start coming through, the new museum......and on.
Hey, all the professionals, like the doctor who emailed me today asking my support of the museum, and those with guaranteed salaried jobs with full benefits when they retire, employed business executives and managers, can probably afford it. I and a lot of other can't.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Quotes of the Week
Quotes from two of my favorite "pretty left wing Democrats": Pelosi - "Over the weekend the House would aid the failing Big 3,(starting with GM, my comments) though she didn't put a price on her plan. The House is ready to do it". Frank said "There's no downside to trying".
Trying what? Give them a bunch of billions to fund their ridiculous pension plans? More money to fund managements bonuses and obscene salaries? More money to buy vehicles that buyers aren't buying? More money for what? How about Pelosi agreeing to free trade pacts she is holding up with Columbia, Peru and South Korea? Not nearly enough. Get a promise from Obama that he will stuff the EFCA and the Free Speech act or should I say the "Stifle Conservative Speech?
And what will the dominating unions of the Big 3 give in return for taxpayer bailout money?
Why not change the Federal governments restrictions on the makers so that they can sell the same car that foreigners are buying in foreign countries? Like the Ford my grandson drove in the Mideast only to find he can't buy it in the U.S.?
What kind of bargain did Congress make with the Big 3? What kind of a bargain is Congress foisting on the rest of the U.S. citizens?
Trying what? Give them a bunch of billions to fund their ridiculous pension plans? More money to fund managements bonuses and obscene salaries? More money to buy vehicles that buyers aren't buying? More money for what? How about Pelosi agreeing to free trade pacts she is holding up with Columbia, Peru and South Korea? Not nearly enough. Get a promise from Obama that he will stuff the EFCA and the Free Speech act or should I say the "Stifle Conservative Speech?
And what will the dominating unions of the Big 3 give in return for taxpayer bailout money?
Why not change the Federal governments restrictions on the makers so that they can sell the same car that foreigners are buying in foreign countries? Like the Ford my grandson drove in the Mideast only to find he can't buy it in the U.S.?
What kind of bargain did Congress make with the Big 3? What kind of a bargain is Congress foisting on the rest of the U.S. citizens?
Naked Women and STD's
"Word on the Street" quoted Al Zuccarini, owner of one of downtown Peoria's bsst tourist draw. "It amazes me a lot of the time...I didn't know I was the cause of gonorrhea and chlamydia" in reference to "Hachett" Sandra Fritz, an active member of Citizens for Community Values,Inc., when 62% of Peorians endorsed an advisory referendum banning full nudity in adult cabaret and strip clubs.
I suspect that 60% of the voters were not aware of that the Supreme Court decision in Erie vs. Pap's provided nude dancing constitutional protection under the First Amendment in 2000. (Peoria Observor, "Peoria passed poor ordinance", dated 10/23/03). The editorial reads "Trampling on the First Amendment is much more dangerous than a non-stop line of strip clubs and adult bookstores,etc",. The Peoria Council tried, failed, and cost the taxpayers a lot of money.
The Peoria County Board, myself included in the majority vote, voted to accept Fantasyland strip club with some restrictions they agreed to such as signage and windows. The majority of us wanted to avoid a massive lawsuit we would have lost.
Ask the County Sheriff how many problems the County has had at that location. Next to none last time I asked the sheriff.
At the time a Charlie Griffin of Morton wrote a LTTE saying Mrs. Fritz had lived in 11 other cities before landing in Peoria. Mr. Griffin said he was from San Diego and had now lived in Peoria three times as long as Mrs. Fritz and had seen a lot of problems in Peoria more important than worrying about the adult entertainment business. He invited Mrs. Fritz if she didn't like it here to leave it.
Hmmmm.
I suggest Mrs. Fritz in her "sexual crusade about STD's" spreading in strip clubs to look where the real source is. Why right here in our local middle and high schools! Who would have "thunk" that, Mrs. Fritz?
On 11/02/07 I blogged, "Adult Kids?" quoting an Associated Press article dated 2/27/04 in the WSJ stating that "teenagers and young adults account for more than half of the newly diagnosed cases of sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. despite the fact that they constitute only A QUARTER OF THE SEXUALLY ACTIVE POPULATION.
On 10/19/07, the JS reported that a police officer gave alcohol to a teen ageer who was later pulled over for a DUI.
Mrs.Fritz is fighting a losing battle in the wrong places for the wrong causes. Maybe she can find out why the Community Builders in this community have been pretty much an ABJECT failure except to line some individuals pockets. Maybe she can tell me why the Boys and Girls Club Administration and Board continues to advertise that the Grinnel Stree location is still open when it has been closed since May 1 of 2007? Hmmm.
I suggest Mrs. Fritz can visit a strip club someday and I'll ask her to show me where the stippers are having "communicable sexual activity" with their customers.
Bet trade would pick up rapidly. For a short while.
Maybe try tackling internet porn that kids, their friends,girl friends and boy friends, and sometimes their dads are watching. That MAY help prevent the spreading of STD's, not attacking strip clubs where sexual intercourse is banned.
If Mrs. Fritz visits these strip clubs and caberets (certainly Big Al's) and finds sexual intercourse going on she can bring in the law.
That's legal.
P.S. Lucas D. Herr, of Mackinaw, also wrote a LTTE titled "Moralists Shun Democracy", and suggested, "It is in fact a fascist point of view and should be kept in their churches that moralists should keep trying to tell individuals how, where and when to be moral".
Hmmmmmm.
I suspect that 60% of the voters were not aware of that the Supreme Court decision in Erie vs. Pap's provided nude dancing constitutional protection under the First Amendment in 2000. (Peoria Observor, "Peoria passed poor ordinance", dated 10/23/03). The editorial reads "Trampling on the First Amendment is much more dangerous than a non-stop line of strip clubs and adult bookstores,etc",. The Peoria Council tried, failed, and cost the taxpayers a lot of money.
The Peoria County Board, myself included in the majority vote, voted to accept Fantasyland strip club with some restrictions they agreed to such as signage and windows. The majority of us wanted to avoid a massive lawsuit we would have lost.
Ask the County Sheriff how many problems the County has had at that location. Next to none last time I asked the sheriff.
At the time a Charlie Griffin of Morton wrote a LTTE saying Mrs. Fritz had lived in 11 other cities before landing in Peoria. Mr. Griffin said he was from San Diego and had now lived in Peoria three times as long as Mrs. Fritz and had seen a lot of problems in Peoria more important than worrying about the adult entertainment business. He invited Mrs. Fritz if she didn't like it here to leave it.
Hmmmm.
I suggest Mrs. Fritz in her "sexual crusade about STD's" spreading in strip clubs to look where the real source is. Why right here in our local middle and high schools! Who would have "thunk" that, Mrs. Fritz?
On 11/02/07 I blogged, "Adult Kids?" quoting an Associated Press article dated 2/27/04 in the WSJ stating that "teenagers and young adults account for more than half of the newly diagnosed cases of sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. despite the fact that they constitute only A QUARTER OF THE SEXUALLY ACTIVE POPULATION.
On 10/19/07, the JS reported that a police officer gave alcohol to a teen ageer who was later pulled over for a DUI.
Mrs.Fritz is fighting a losing battle in the wrong places for the wrong causes. Maybe she can find out why the Community Builders in this community have been pretty much an ABJECT failure except to line some individuals pockets. Maybe she can tell me why the Boys and Girls Club Administration and Board continues to advertise that the Grinnel Stree location is still open when it has been closed since May 1 of 2007? Hmmm.
I suggest Mrs. Fritz can visit a strip club someday and I'll ask her to show me where the stippers are having "communicable sexual activity" with their customers.
Bet trade would pick up rapidly. For a short while.
Maybe try tackling internet porn that kids, their friends,girl friends and boy friends, and sometimes their dads are watching. That MAY help prevent the spreading of STD's, not attacking strip clubs where sexual intercourse is banned.
If Mrs. Fritz visits these strip clubs and caberets (certainly Big Al's) and finds sexual intercourse going on she can bring in the law.
That's legal.
P.S. Lucas D. Herr, of Mackinaw, also wrote a LTTE titled "Moralists Shun Democracy", and suggested, "It is in fact a fascist point of view and should be kept in their churches that moralists should keep trying to tell individuals how, where and when to be moral".
Hmmmmmm.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Auto Industry Bailouts?
Only with about 10 criteria wrapped up in one statement: A drastic change in top management and restructuring of all salaries, bonuses, and personal and family "goodies". Start with top management.
The bailout plan would be "pay as you go" plan. Make fast, drastic changes and pay-out bailout money as the changes are made.
This new management would be required to break the stranglehold the unions have on the economy and once again have union leaders working hand in hand with new top management for the general good of the company and the public.
A lot of "blood" on the streets from management, employees and unions, dependents retirees and stockholders. Better than a depression worse than the 30's. Why worse than the 30's? Because back then people knew how to "really" work and the unions didn't control the public sector and all "old traditional school" industries like GM.
Some forward progress would be the no longer need for casino's, billion dollar sports complexes, Hollywood "characters" brought back to earth from "lolly-lolly land", Hispanic illegals and other illegals would return to their homelands to rebuild their own countries, Hollywood mansions would be turned into drug rehabilitation and retraining centers and low danger prisoners would be used to rebuild our bridges and ailing infrastructures.
Allow visas only on the need of special skilled people. It is time for other countries to take in most of the oppressed. Don't they feel guilt for the messes they too, have contributed to in the world, especially in parts of Africa?
Let the radical environmentalist rant and rave. Listen to the real environmentalists for a change. Forget affirmative action, multiculturalism, color, gender and race in most decisions. Over-emphasis of these distractions are hindrances in the natural involvement of the human race. Reward the culture of a person giving high preference to responsibility and attitude.
Tear down our obstructionist tariff barriers. Enter into trade agreements with countries like Columbia who do like us and need us. We would have less need of imports, especially toys and tainted food from China. We have nearly enough innovation and natural resources to be self sufficient. (think nuclear energy, clean coal, oil shale and off shore drilling)
Over say 10 years, the country will be better off. If some country thinks we are weak enough to be invaded, we could put Wall Street icons, financial, brokerages and Freddie Mac "talent", Congressional members, overpaid professional athletes, all could be used to fight on the back and front lines and prove their leadership or jump to the other side (many please do if it happens).
A lot of people suffering? Not as many as in parts of Iraq, Afghanistan and much of Africa. Sorry for many of us but not the ones who are capable of putting in full days of "real" work. And especially no sorrow for the ones that got us in this mess.
The bailout plan would be "pay as you go" plan. Make fast, drastic changes and pay-out bailout money as the changes are made.
This new management would be required to break the stranglehold the unions have on the economy and once again have union leaders working hand in hand with new top management for the general good of the company and the public.
A lot of "blood" on the streets from management, employees and unions, dependents retirees and stockholders. Better than a depression worse than the 30's. Why worse than the 30's? Because back then people knew how to "really" work and the unions didn't control the public sector and all "old traditional school" industries like GM.
Some forward progress would be the no longer need for casino's, billion dollar sports complexes, Hollywood "characters" brought back to earth from "lolly-lolly land", Hispanic illegals and other illegals would return to their homelands to rebuild their own countries, Hollywood mansions would be turned into drug rehabilitation and retraining centers and low danger prisoners would be used to rebuild our bridges and ailing infrastructures.
Allow visas only on the need of special skilled people. It is time for other countries to take in most of the oppressed. Don't they feel guilt for the messes they too, have contributed to in the world, especially in parts of Africa?
Let the radical environmentalist rant and rave. Listen to the real environmentalists for a change. Forget affirmative action, multiculturalism, color, gender and race in most decisions. Over-emphasis of these distractions are hindrances in the natural involvement of the human race. Reward the culture of a person giving high preference to responsibility and attitude.
Tear down our obstructionist tariff barriers. Enter into trade agreements with countries like Columbia who do like us and need us. We would have less need of imports, especially toys and tainted food from China. We have nearly enough innovation and natural resources to be self sufficient. (think nuclear energy, clean coal, oil shale and off shore drilling)
Over say 10 years, the country will be better off. If some country thinks we are weak enough to be invaded, we could put Wall Street icons, financial, brokerages and Freddie Mac "talent", Congressional members, overpaid professional athletes, all could be used to fight on the back and front lines and prove their leadership or jump to the other side (many please do if it happens).
A lot of people suffering? Not as many as in parts of Iraq, Afghanistan and much of Africa. Sorry for many of us but not the ones who are capable of putting in full days of "real" work. And especially no sorrow for the ones that got us in this mess.
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