Geography takes flight from reality in the Blago administration

November 23, 2006
By Billy Dennis

Aren’t we all so proud we re-elected this hair sprayed as governor? It’s bad enough Rod Blagojevich thinks the state capitol is 200 miles to the north, but he doesn’t have a clue where Peoria is located:

The news release sent out Wednesday stated: “Gov. Blagojevich announces acquisition of helicopters from federal government that will strengthen public safety in Rockford, Peoria.”

It then goes on to say that police departments in Belvidere and Byron will each receive Bell OH-58A helicopters the state had obtained. Both of these cities are more than 130 miles away from Peoria.

Initially, CMS spokesman Justin DeJong said the helicopter at Byron would service the Peoria area, but when told that Byron is more than a two-hour drive away, DeJong said he would look into it.

Here’s a little help with that research, dude:

The excuse of the day is that everyone jumped the gun with the press release the gun and that the Peoria area is next on the list. The trouble with THAT is that while there has been a little “gee, wouldn’t it nice to have a helicopter talk” locally, there hasn’t been any serious discussions about how to share the helicopters among local agencies, nor does anyone have any idea how to pay for their use and upkeep. And Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy says the costs wouldn’t be worth the benefits. Peoria needs more jail space than it does a helicopter.

While Blago is handing out free helicopters all over the state — whether they are needed or not — the state is still balancing it’s budget by not paying into the retirement fund for downstate teachers.

Blagojevich,helicopters,Central Management Services

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3 Responses to “ Geography takes flight from reality in the Blago administration ”

  1. Peo Proud on November 23, 2006 at 11:44 am

    Well, the people spoke and we’re stuck with him for another 4 years. I’d hope that the Federal Governmnet finally catches up with his crooked ways and indicts him, but I’m not sure the next in line is anything other than a stuffed shirt occupying the office of the Lt. Gov. Best we’ve seen out of him is “tea bags”.

  2. PeoriaIlliniosan on November 23, 2006 at 11:54 am

    Don’t blame me, I didn’t vote for him.

  3. Peo Proud on November 23, 2006 at 10:16 pm

    Nor did I but the majority did….so collectively we’re stuck with him.