Grandview: Can’t we all just get along?
More than any other recent issue, the Grandview Hotel controversy has devolved from debate over public policy into bouts of name-calling, conspiracy theories and other childish behavior. Both sides of the issue have been guilty of it. I’ve done it too.
I’m sick of it.
Does fighting to keep the Grandview open make it necessary to call city staffers names? And in the end, doesn’t it end up weakening your argument when you do so? Is it necessary to malign Chase’s character and his sanity because he’s trying to keep his business open?
Yes, it can be infuriating to have to deal with politicians and bureaucrats who want to pound square pegs into round holes. And God knows Chase can be a pain in the neck.
But sitting back and looking at the posts and comments on this and other blogs, I can’t help put reflect that this isn’t the proudest moment in the brief history of Peoria’s little corner of the Blogosphere.
For better or worse, this blog’s comments section has become a public forum. I don’t want to start telling people what they can and cannot say, and I’m not going to start now. I’m not going to start banning commenters or closing posts to comments.
But I can urge people to grow up. Stop the name calling and wild accusations, and leave your personal agendas at home, or at least keep then your own blogs.
Now that Chase has put at least one family back into the hotel — and hiring them to perform some of the cleaning and repairs the city wants Chase to do during the closure — there is probably going to be a new round of public comment and a response from the city. I just want all the commenters, including Chase and his critics, to remember that this isn’t some theoretical debate about property rights or public policy and court rulings. There is a real, living family whose fate is being discussed here. Remember that.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Hey: some City people, like Scally and the police department get complimented for doing what they can in the nicest, most professional way possible. Others are little sneaks and deserve a little dissing.
What I have noticed is that those whose tasks are “essential” (i.e. police and fire) don’t seem to engage in the “sneakiness” of those whose tasks appear to be more “political” or “bureaucratic”. I think that is because the politicians and bureaucrats have to find ways to justify their existence within the municipal corporation. Those who have real work, don’t.
Yes, there is a real, live human family living at the Grandview, which has been legally closed and declared a public nuisance. Seems to me that Chase has set these folks up for yet another hard fall. My post and comments regarding Chase’s sanity are legitimate. After reading his comments, declaring himself a village idiot, jedi warrior as well as comparing his battle to those of Ghandi and Martin Luther King. Add these comments to all his other manic drivel and I really think the insanity statements are not only fair, but compassionate. Otherwise, we would just have to call the guy a heartless bastard.
Like I said.
Bill: update. Judge Barra moved on his own to consolidate City v. Jain and City of Peoria v. Me (the case that Ray filed against me trying to enforce the first case) Then I filed my motion to recuse as a matter of right, and the dark clouds parted, the sun streamed down and Judge Barra gave what I would describe as a relieved and pleasant look as that motion was granted.
As soon as we know who the next Judge will be….it will be 72 hours before we can appear before that Judge on motions to dismiss/summary judgment.
I told you this would eventually happen. The Court and Ray could have allowed it to happen 2 months ago, but that was their decision. Afterwards, Andy Kravetz told me that he went up to Barra and asked him: So….which judge do you not like?
BTW: Ray had no problem with the people who are working. As long as they are not paying money. I asked him if he would none-the-less file a contempt petition against me, just for the principal of me being a contemptuous person in general. He declined.
I also counseled Corporation Counsel on smiling for the cameras that were waiting and perhaps tell them a few jokes. He really did a good job of explaining to them what transpired in Court.
Oh yeah, I also picked up an application for a liquor site license. Since the City has run off anyone staying at the hotel who had a problem with alcohol, I guess that I shall use this downtime to prepare the premises and staff to run Peoria’s newest Adult Beverage establishment….DIS-BAR.
And if anyone asks.
It’s not over ’til the Village Idiot Screams!!!
In order to stay on topic, one can’t help but call Chase’s mental state and motives into question. His comments continue to be the result of an ADHD riddled brain, exacerbated by an egomaniacal aspect.
However, I hope that noone has to endure many more nights at the Grandview. Nobody deserves the circus tent it has become and will continue to be, given the past and current ownership.
Rob’s just jealous that he doesn’t have a ticket to the circus.
A local business owner friend of mine once said: “I’ve always told you that instead of complaining about it, step-up and be the better man and do something to resolve it!” I think this should pretty much sum up what Chase is trying to accomplish. As far as anyone “living” here, well, I see the day when the name gets changed to the Grandview Lodge and people are going to be very comfortable staying here after the improvements are completed. Norman Swartzkauff once said when asked why him (during the Gulf War) and his answer was:”if not me, then who?”. Well, if not for the hard effort & work of the current staff, then who’s going to change this place….you? Maybe the neighbors who’ve been complaining should take up a remodelling colllection among themselves and help instead of making negative comments to their council member friends.
Well said, Dave.
Say this place does remain open. The family of indigents who live there and now work there help get the place cleaned up and can have enough money to find themselves a better living situation. Or hell, just go ahead and remain on and keep having their rent be a part of their pay. It’s a job, at least. Maybe if they’re given such responsibility they’ll do a bang-up job and will have earned their keep and lose the indigent label.
So now this place is well into remodeling, being turned into a “lodge” or “boutique hotel” or whatever Chase has going on in his head (shudder). That’s a business. Making money. Creating jobs. Taxable income for the city of Peoria.
Who’s the loser in this?
Now the next thing that will be said is “Chase doesn’t have that in his sights. He’s just looking for another way to make the city dance.” That may be true.
But what if (another shudder) his intentions are pure?
My thinking is to just go ahead and close the place down and start from the beginning. Take your lumps and wait it out, then make it a nice place. At this point, however, I think we’re getting a good lesson in due process and will have this matter to refer to when something similar comes up again.
This was all part of the plan, he will now spruce it up a bit, then the liquor license, then an adult license, then rooms by the hour……
Wrong assumption (and you know what the explanation of assuming is)Mr. Duke. More like meeting rooms for AA meetings, a healthy atmosphere for people to gather for food & drinks (in moderation, of course) and a clean, safe place to stay for business folks as an alternative to the other overpriced lodging. I’m sure the staff wants the remnants of Mr. Jain’s skeletons cleaned out of ALL the closets over there and they have a firm conviction to do so.
A note: Along with the staff, Captain Scally and Corporation Counsel Randy Ray are calling the shots on the place. I told Ray yesterday at Court that since the City is going to be footing the bill for the place during the “closure” He and Scally can call the shots during this time as to who can or cannot be on the premises. The staff who is on the premises has an excellent working relationship with Scally and all of the other police officers in the neighborhood, so while they are cleaning the place up…..I am going to Disney Land……just kidding. I’m sure I can find something to do…….like sue Kris Jain.
Lest I forget….anyone taking bets on how long it will take Judge Barra to issue an assignment order. Sorry, but I can’t help but think it would be just a bit funny if he were to take 90 days. Or even funnier still, if the judge Barra assigns it to recuses himself and then the next and the next, until the 90 days is up.
Years ago, I had O’Brien recused after he said, …I don’t care what the law is, I don’t like this law…… So I did a motion to recuse for hostility, which would have gone in front of a hearing in front of another judge and somehow….the file just disappeared. It never made it back to the Chief judge for assignment to a judge for a recusal hearing….it just disappeared.
That was only one of the numerous “events” that left me a little jaded about the system.