Dead on arrival
School Superintendent Ken Hinton knew when he handed his counter proposal for a new Glen Oak School to Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis, that it would be dead on arrival. The district is insisting pm building a huge suburban-style megaplex campus on the park. The option to build at the present site with acres in addition to what is proposed by the city is a smoke screen. There aren’t six votes on the the city’s own proposal, let along any counter proposal that calls for more land acquisition on the city’s dime.
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 
Billy Dennis
re: http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/09/21/post-writer-flunks-out/
first, it was the NY post, not Washington
2nd, the John Mainelli article got picked up by so many outlets that rumors were out of hand. Mainelli was also on TV talking about this which made the firs even stronger . If you read his article and hear him on the TV show you can hear/see how the slander is so thickly laden.
Bill:
IF accurately quoted from the PJStar article —
“Hinton told board members about the proposals before he delivered them, but they all declined comment Thursday. Many said they looked at a draft document and didn’t feel comfortable discussing it.”
What are D150 Board Members or any elected officials elected to do? Look at draft documents, which can radically change from one draft to the next? Or rather are they elected to be leaders delving into the deep manure pile to find out all the details from the actual proposal delivered? I know — a rhetorical question.
“Board-Superintendent Relationship 2:130 — Final authority for all matters concerning the District lies with the Board of Education.”
This voter/taxpayer/citizen would like the Board to step up to the plate and take charge.
What the hell is “Paul” talking about??
When was the last time a public body completely ignored the wishes of the involved citizens? What is it behind this move, is it to perpetuate Ken Hinton’s name or regime? I think not-but what the hell is the reason he is so insistent with this idea? Has anyone thought thru the long term consequences of this idea of a community school at this site? You are not only going to waste your time, but you will ruin what is left of Glen Oak Park-what was, and is now, a place for family entertainment. Be sure that the ruffians will be taking over the school and park and will chase out any semblance of decent entertainment and place to go. School Board officials should be ashamed of themselves for fallng for this mirage- Hinton and Cahill are going to take us for a ride we will never be able to dig ourselves out of. Last word-turns the lights out as you enter or leave the
East Bluff.
Ive lived in East Bluff for more than eight years. Although this neighborhood has and does have its share of difficulties, there is one aspect that separates East Bluff from all comparable neighborhoods in Peoria. That aspect is Glen Oak Park and not only is it the gem of East Bluff, I and a multitude of others agree that it is a great asset to the city of Peoria. In my opinion, acre for acre, Glen Oak rivals such notable parks as Balboa in San Diego, CA and the Rose Gardens of Portland, OR. Both of which I have seen first hand. Building a school at the proposed Glen Oak Park site will not only destroy the beauty of the park but pose a hazard to at least 100 students trying to cross Prospect ave not to mention the students of Woodruff High. The park grounds will become a school ground which is absurd. We already have a great site for Glen Oak School………its original site at Frye and Wisconsin ave. In conclusion East Bluff residents are opposed to the Glen Oak Park site and demand that Mr. Hinton listen to us and leave the school where it is.