Local: Two links for C.J.

October 19, 2007
By Billy Dennis

Citizen journalist C.J. Summers went to last night’s forum on the school siting issue, and has a comprehensive report on his site. It is well-written and is far less biased and condescending that the brief Journal Star report. Concerned citizens are going to need more online journalism like this as GateHouse continues to turn what was once a faily good newspaper (you shoulda read it back when Rick Baker was in full bloom) into little more than an advertising rag.

C.J. Also asks this question: Who supplied the alcohol to 19-year-old Danny Dahlquist? If he hadn’t been drunk, he might have woken up and tried to escape the fire that killed him. Right now, there are three students walking around the Bradley University campus who essentially got drunk and killed a guy, albeit by accident. What does this say about BU’s commitment to a safe campus? What does the lack of any charges or arrests say about Peoria’s criminal justice system?

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3 Responses to “ Local: Two links for C.J. ”

  1. Eyebrows McGee on October 19, 2007 at 11:55 am

    “What does the lack of any charges or arrests say about Peoria’s criminal justice system?”

    To be fair, I’m not sure it’s a Peoria problem. Alcohol-to-minors is rarely prosecuted; the prosecutions in Lake County are the first I can remember in ages. And when it is prosecuted, a large segment of the community predictably gets all up in arms about “they were just doing the kids a favor” or “it’s safer for the kids to drink at home/on campus than to be driving around.”

  2. anonymous on October 19, 2007 at 12:08 pm

    Bill, your jealousy of not working for the PJS is becoming too glaring. Try to hide it more or just apply.

  3. Billy Dennis on October 19, 2007 at 12:56 pm

    Anonymous: You caught me. The entire purpose of this six-year-old blog that constantly criticizes the Journal Star is to try to encourage them to hire me, or at least to soften up resistance when I apply for a job there. Do you think it’s working? I mean, publishers and editors LOVE to be criticized.

    Full disclosure: About a year or so after I started this site (but before its popularity took off), I did apply for a job with the state desk, and was interviewed by the state desk editor. They were essentially looking for stringers who would be paid by the story. Nothing came of it.

    But yeah, if GateHouse decided to create a position of full-time blogger, with the ability to write any damn thing he/she wanted, I’d apply.

    Until then, I think I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.