FeedThe voters will decide whether CeaseFire comes to Peoria
August 28, 2006 in Overset
I don’t want to seem like I’m picking on Molly Parker, cause I’m not. I just want to answer a question she posed in her Word on the Street tidbit about the CeaseFire referendum that Peoria City Council member state house candidate Bill Spears placed on the ballot for November. The CeaseFire program helped create a 40 percent drop in shootings and homicides when it started in Chicago. There’s some state money to be had for starting a similar program here. The referendum is not needed for the City of Peoria to apply for the funds, which makes some people think Spears is grandstanding.
That brings up another problem. Is money for this program doled out on a need basis or is it just another piece of pork fed to lawmakers who support the governor’s budget? While the program makes up only a small piece of the state budget - $5.6 million this year - the state should hand out grants to cities that demonstrate a need based on their population and crime statistics, not to political players who clamor the loudest.
CeaseFire already has become a staple of Spears’ campaign and he deserves accolades if it successfully reduces crime in Peoria. But there’s also no denying that putting the initiative on the ballot is a political move, and frankly, an unnecessary step in securing the funds.
First, it makes no sense to complain about politicians doing nothing about the crime problem, they gripe that they are playing they try to do something. I’m not sure that 40 percent drop can be attributed to one program, but I’m not going to begrudge an effort to keep juveniles out of gangs, although the libertarian in me thinks this sort of thing is better handled by private organizations.
It also seems to me that putting the issue before voters will involve them in the effort from the beginning. By getting people out to the polls on this issue, the public becomes emotionally invested in the program, making it’s odds of success even greater. Anything that gets people to stop complaining and start working is good. And if the voters decide this is nothing but pork, they can vote it down.
But is Spears hoping this translates into votes for him? You bet.
In my opinion, something has to be done to counteract the Republican Party’s history — allegedly — of buying off the leaders of Peoria’s African American community.
August 28th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Bill sez: “It also seems to me that putting the issue before voters will involve them in the effort from the beginning. By getting people out to the polls on this issue, the public becomes emotionally invested in the program, making it’s odds of success even greater. Anything that gets people to stop complaining and start working is good.”
I sez: Bullshit!
“The referendum is not needed for the City of Peoria to apply for the funds…”
If it is such a good idea and there is such a groundswell of support, then apply for the grant NOW.
Your arguement about getting voters involved doesn’t hold water either. The 25%-35% that will turn out for this election are the ones already engaged and involved.
I have no opinion of Mr. Spears, either way, but this IS grandstanding, pure and simple.
August 28th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
“I have no opinion of Mr. Spears, either way, but this IS grandstanding, pure and simple.”
And this makes him different than other politicians in what way?
August 28th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
Spears has got a bigger grandstand. I agree with Mouse, why in the hell do we need to vote for it? And if we do vote, only the smallest percent turn out anyway. Is ths going to cost us taxpayers more money??
August 28th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
I sez: “I have no opinion of Mr. Spears, either way, but this IS grandstanding, pure and simple.”
Bill sez:
“And this makes him different than other politicians in what way?”
but Bill also sez:
“putting the issue before voters will involve them in the effort”
So then I sez:
So Bill, it is a good thing it is on the ballot and a few minutes later you agree it is grandstanding? Make up your mind.
Bill sez some more:
“Anything that gets people to stop complaining and start working is good.”
I sez: How will this vote “get people to stop complaining and start working” ? How will YOU to stop complaining and start working to make Peoria, Peoria County, Dist. 150 or even just Pottstown a better place?
August 28th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
Is the program going to be run like the “Weed & Seed” was?
All weeding and no seeding. now that it is gone what have we “seeded” in the targeted site? More money for what?
I wish the state would put back the funds they robbed from the health insurance system that was lowering costs for the partisapants.The so called ballanced budget the state has will come back to haunt us all. More pork barrel spending.
Spears is grandstanding on this, just have the council approve the request to file for the program and see where it goes.
August 28th, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Weed an seed was a black hole for money. Nothing got done
August 28th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
Have to agree with the commenters on this one WHOLE HEARTEDLY.
Nothing but politics pure and simply and five months from now, where will we be? No where further than we are now. If we can apply now, let’s do it. With the groundswell of support that Bill Spears has on this one, we should be able to make it happen now — so we can benefit sooner rather than later.
Let’s use the referendum process for something more meaningful and where there is a real policy question to put before the voters!
I give him lots of credit for raising awareness on this topic, but none for execution. It’s the safe way to go and say “Let the voters decide” and while they are at it, maybe they’ll vote for me also!
August 28th, 2006 at 10:04 pm
Nothing is probably going to happen with this, and the momentum will be lost and we will be denied funding because there are areas that are worse off. Time wasted
August 28th, 2006 at 10:05 pm
not to be pessimistic, but it was a good effort.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:34 am
Putting this on the ballot is useless except for Spears. I like Spears and probably will vote for him, but gee to use an issue that we all agree needs to be addressed to maybe get votes really smells. I mean, you go vote, see the thing on the ballot, vote for it and then remember it was Spears that brought this to the ballot, and lo and behold, there’s his name on the same ballot. hmmmmm I am afraid it will not work regardless and fear all it will do is spend taxpayer money and elect another politican to office. Maybe I should be optimistic huh?
August 29th, 2006 at 10:05 am
I found your comment about GOP buyoffs of the african-american community interesting Bill. Any proof/examples? Specifically, anything directed at Schock? Or are you ready to announce your support for Spears openly and figure that anything that evens the playing field is appropriate…. Is this about your pique at Schock not sending you his press releases? And since when have you excused a politician because “they all do it”?
August 29th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
Bill, since it seems all of a sudden the cat has your tongue on this subject, let me help you out.
Dear Worthy Commenters,
You are right. I am sorry.
Hugs and Kisses,
William Dennis
August 29th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Mouse: I’ve decided to NOT delete your comment and ban you, even though you are pretending to be me … which is a major no-no.
Seriously, are you people REALLY pissed off at this referendum, or are you really pimping for Aaron Schock? I can well imagine his backers being upset at this whole CeaseFire thing since it’s generated a ton of publicity for the Spears campaign. It’s more press than the JS has given Spears during hisw years on the council. Usually, the papers are just tripping all over themselves to cover his every utterance.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Yes, part of what’s going on is election-year politics. That’s the way elections work. Politicians do things to show they are worthy. I’m not on any CeaseFire bandwagon, as I don’t swallow its claim that it caused a 40 percent reduction in violent crime. And I would prefer voluntary funding as opposed to state funding. It’s no different that Aaron holding “community meetings.” As far as I know, Spears isn’t using public funds to promote the CeaseFire meetings and slapping his face and name in big bold print on the flyers.
And I stand ready to criticize CeaseFire if it in any way is used to advocate Gun Control.
Yes, the referendum wil cost a few public bucks. But a referendum is a good a way as any to built public support for a project that a guarantee you will get funding from the state.
Piqued at Schock for not sending me press releases? Nah. Less work for me. The offer is still open to ANYONE. Send me a press release and if it’s relevant to the City of Peoria, I’ll probably print it.
August 29th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
Feh.
(my words, not Bill’s)
August 29th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
Is the title of this post correct?
August 29th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
The final decision is up the legislature. Speaker of the House Michael Madigan — who is backing Bill Spears in a Big Way — will no doubt have a lot to say about it though. I seriously doubt if the referendum fails that they will cough up the money, however.
August 29th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
Who is going to vote against getting money from the state to fight crime? Is there a catch that I’m missing?
August 29th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
Yeah, clayton…I think its between fighting crime in Peoria or sending the funds to Africa to fight aids…huh?
Yep, I think we should get the funds. Since, we are just throwing money everywhere else for no good reason, and putting our children in greater debt than ever before..sparking a vicious downward cycle thats going to contribute to higher crime in the future. Why do we have to petition this s**t anyway. Oh yeah…because judges are giving out light sentences.
August 31st, 2006 at 1:30 am
Republicans buying off African-American leaders???? PUHLEEEZ!
Councilman Clyde Gulley was on page one of the Journal Star last December saying how pissed off he was that the Democrats were trying to shoe horn the nomination to Spears and that he would challenge Spears in the Demcrats’ primary. Then pop goes the wizard and he has a nice new job and no primary was necessary. The U.S. Attorney ought to be investigating that payoff.
Bottom line about Ceasefire—crime has skyrocketed while Bill “Nero” Spears has been on the city council. Whatever Spears does now is merely trying to give him political cover for a big problem that got out of control while he fiddled on the council.
August 31st, 2006 at 5:07 pm
I want to petition for an issue to be put on the ballot.
I want to bring more oxygen to this area. I need 3000 signatures, together we can make this happen.