FeedPolitics: Is it too early to talk about the next Peoria City Council races?
September 27, 2007 in Statehouse & Capitol
I know, I know. It seems like we just now seated the newest members, Jim Montelongo and Ryan Spain. But the district and mayoral election will be held in April of 2009. That’s about a year and a half away, and I absolutely guarantee you that the folks with a yen to sit around the infamous Horseshoe are working behind the scenes to measure if not enhance their chances. No doubt those who already have the job are wondering the same thing I am.
So here is some rank speculation, peppered with a rumor or two just to spice it up.
In the first district, I hear that a certain Peoria blogger — or perhaps he wants to be considered an anti-blogger — is planning a run for the 1st District council seat now held by Clyde Gulley. I’m thinking if anyone has a shot to beat Mr. Gulley, it will have to be someone the neighborhood organizations can unite behind. Last time around, the anti-Gulley vote in the primary was split among neighborhood association friendly June Moore and the late Frank Lewis leaving Greg Banks to face Gulley.
Almost from the moment he took office, people have talked up Bob Manning as a future candidate for mayor. He’s not going to run now, of course, unless his friend and ally Jim Ardis decides to not run for re-election. Manning has impressed people with his ability to work out compromises and for his willingness to take a stand and stick with it, such as with the Glen Oak School siting issue. Manning has also been mentioned as a Republican candidate for the 92nd House District seat being vacated by Aaron Schock.
But, Manning scoffed at the idea of running for the legislature, and Ardis probably will seek re-election. But if either happened and Manning isn’t on the ballot for 3rd District, who would seek his seat? Well, there’s always Gale Thetford, who held the job before him. She didn’t make the cut in the at-large races, and promptly disappeared. Angela Anderson, who finished third in the primary, isn’t living in Peoria anymore, I believe. Brad Carter — who also didn’t make the cut in the at-large primary — might be interested in serving as Third District council member, but I doubt he would run against Manning.
In the 2nd District, I’ve heard a rumor that Barbara Van Auken might want to run for mayor. I doubt it. She’s a friend and ally of Ardis. She’ll run for re-election. I doubt that Marcella Teplitz will make a run again, not after all the mess that’s been associated the revolving loan fund with which she and some of her ardent supporters are involved. But I have no doubt that politically active neighborhood associations in the West Bluff will spur someone one to run against her. If there’s not a strong push by Van Auken to get Fire Station 11 open AND the garbage tax off the water bills, those two issues will fuel any opponent’s campaign. BVA is just one of 11 votes on the council, but she made both issues in her first campaign. She’s been very active in her district though.
Bill Spears took a beating when he ran against Aaron Schock. But Spears remains popular in his district. He faced token opposition last time, and I’m not hearing any complaints about how he represents the 4th District. And I’ve gotta think Pat Nichting is completely ensconced in the expansion happy 5th District.
And who will run for mayor? As I said earlier, I would be surprised if Ardis doesn’t run. He’s garnering praise from all corners for the way he’s handing city council business. Sure, the Journal Star takes potshots at him occasionally, but even the people who run its award-winning (snicker) editorial page realize that criticizing Ardis just makes the paper look foolish.
If anything, Ardis is sensitive to the effect being mayor has on his family because the microscope they live under. That fact, if anything, might give him reason to not run. But as I said, I think he enjoying himself and believes he still has work to do.
So, who would run against him? I’m sure that somewhere there’s a Peorian who thinks having a million dollars in the bank makes him qualifies to lead the city. And we’ve seen the mess of things those people leave behind. How about candidates from the most recent primary? Bruce Brown might still be interested. I doubt Eric Turner (who endorsed Ardis after the primary and whom Ardis named deputy liquor commissioner) would run against him. Gary Sandberg probably won’t for the same reasons he didn’t run against Ardis in 2005: There’s too much mutual respect between the two, even though there are occasional disagreements over issues and the two have different leadership styles.
September 27th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Wouldn’t it be nice to see some new fresh faces, along with some new fresh ideas?
September 27th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
didn’t you have that opportunity 6 months ago?
September 27th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Billy,
The Randolph Roanoke Revolving Fund has been investigated, audited and stalled by the city for three years now. I would like to know what has ever been shown to be wrong with the Randolph Roanoke Revolving Fund. I can give you a straight answer right now…NOTHING!
Repeating a lie until people believe it is good for dead fascists, but it does your credibility no good. Don’t perpetuate lies that were made up for political reasons. It is time stop repeating this lie.
I also call on the city leaders to let us get back to work. The city needs all hands working together to help Peoria.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Tim Vega: This is a question and not an accusation. Were the operators of the fund ever able to provide the city with all the information that the city asked the fund to provide? Are there any requests for data and/or documents that the city has made that the fund has not or could not provide?
September 27th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
For those who are wondering what this is about, see these posts about the Randolph-Roanoke Revolving Loan Fund. My last post on the matter was a little less than two years ago.
I’ll drop a letter to City Manager Randy Oliver to see what the city is doing with this. And when I find out, I’ll email Mr. Vega for his reaction.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Randolph Roanoke Revolving Fund:
The city was given every document they requested. They were also given every document we have had. There were some documents that the city misfiled and could not find. This raised some suspicion, but the city eventually found the documents in their files. Thank you.
September 27th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Me: “I doubt that Marcella Teplitz will make a run again, not after all the mess that’s been associated the revolving loan fund with which she and some of her ardent supporters are involved.”
According to my archives, these are the only words I’ve written about the Randolph-Roanoke Revolving Loan fund since a post in October 2005.
For this, you say: “Repeating a lie until people believe it is good for dead fascists, but it does your credibility no good.”
Exaggerate much, Mr. Vega?
But I give you credit for originally. I’ve been doing this close to six years now and you are the very first to equate me with Joseph Goebbels.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Somebody’s a little touchy… and it isn’t Billy….
September 27th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
C.J.
No one likes to see injustice. Also, there was no offense intended to Billie.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:08 am
Dr. Vega:
First: my name is “Billy.”
Second: So why compare me a dead fascist, if you intended no offense? Do you consider it a compliment to be with Nazis? I find it a big off-putting, all things considered.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:52 am
…and now Dr. Vega and his doppleganger Jack Teplitz are at it again, controlling the new Renaissance Park Foundation. They destroyed the Randolph Roanoke Revolving Fund and the West Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services, and have now renamed what was left of the WBNHS in order to get their hands on some MORE not-for-profit $$$.
I hope the bloggers and the mainstream media keep an eye on this one!
September 28th, 2007 at 6:04 am
I fully plan to take out a petition and give the first district another choice. I firmly believe that our district has had no representation per se and I will have the help and support of some of the same people who help and supported Spain. Whether or not this goes anyplace is yet to be seen but I have talked to a lot of people in the 1st and they are not happy with the current councilperson.
Randall L Emert Sr
September 28th, 2007 at 9:26 am
AntiPundit,
What would you do to improve the first district? You don’t have to answer here, as I know you have your own blog. But I’d be interested in hearing, not what you wouldn’t have done or what you would have done differently than Clyde, but what in positive terms you would do to improve the first district from this point forward.
(I mean that sincerely, btw; I’m not being smart-alecky, even though it may sound that way in writing.)
September 28th, 2007 at 9:33 am
PeoriaGuy: Tell me more about this “Renaissance Park Foundation.” What is its purpose? Do they get any public funds?
September 28th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Dr. Vega: Here is the response I received from Mr. Oliver: “The City involvement with the Randolph-Roanoke Revolving Fund (RRRF) was terminated with the exception of one property. All remaining City funds have been returned by the RRRF, other than those related to this one property, and no additional funds have been allocated. We are not aware of any funds that have been inappropriately applied. There are a number of Code Enforcement issues with the aforementioned property that are currently the subject of various actions. “
September 28th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Psst:
“For this, you write say: “Repeating a lie until people believe it is good for dead fascists, but it does your credibility no good.”
… very first to equate me with Joseph Goebbels.”
Goebbels stole the line from Lenin. He might be equating you to Lenin.
And Scott: “Wouldn’t it be nice to see some new fresh faces, along with some new fresh ideas?”
With the 2 or so hours it took this thread to get ugly and accusatory, why would anyone WANT to submit themselves to Peoria politics?
September 28th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Thanks, Eyebrows. I feel so much better now.
September 28th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
CJ: I will put up; probably on my blog what I think should be done in the first district. I have been told that I should remove my bog before any serious campaigning begins but I feel that people in the first want someone who will stand up for their interests and tell them like it is in plain English. I seem to have a knack for saying things I believe whether or not it is appropriate. The council needs different faces and ideas than rotating the same set of people we have had for the last 10 years. They seem to just change seats. That is why I was so glad to see Spain get on the council. He is still a “newb” and he has had been ignored as far has help with council matters by a few on the council, one in particular. He will come around and I think he’ll be an excellent At Large councilman before all is said and done. Myself? There are some positives I can see for the 1st, some of which have been largely ignored by Gulley. I guess for right now my main attribute will be that I will listen to and vote according to the wishes of the 1st district residents and businesses. We (the taxpayers) pay good money (some nicely paid) to have a city staff work the day to day processes of the city. I will see that they earn it. Yes, I will be a city services first person.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
I live to serve, Billy.
Sign on to AIM and I’ve got a tip for you.