Today’s news: Schoolin’ shouldn’t get in the way of chores

February 25, 2008
By Billy Dennis

Today’s news links via the Peoria Journal Star:

  • What struck me about this story about a presentation District 150 officials made at First Federated Church is how quickly the commenters started to complain about two aspects of the talk: Getting churches involved in tutoring programs and expanding the school day. One commenter was worried someone who didn’t believe exactly what she/her believed might have access to her/his children. Others complained that you can’t have longer school days because then children from poverty-stricken children might not be able to provide babysitter duties for they younger siblings.
  • Finally, finally, we seem to have a city council and a public works director who understand that that the solution to traffic flow problems isn’t to constantly widen streets and pout up more traffic lights. The city is going to study the traffic problems at West Main and University. There is simply NO ROOM to widen the streets there without taking out storefronts. The solution should be to give commuters a way to get back and forth to work without using this intersection.
  • There was an “armed standoff” that ended without any gunfire yesterday. Seems some guy got into a domestic dispute (apparently slugging his girlfriend) and showed at least one and maybe two weapons to the girl’s mother. So naturally, one of the racist jerks who scour the Journal Star for crime stories  made some comment. Only it turns out the perp was white.
  • The best thing that could come out of this meeting between an electronics recycler that wants to expand and neighbors who do not want that to happen is an understanding that the business isn’t being a bad neighbor intentionally, and that they do something positive for the community. Certainly a location OR a compromise can be found to accommodate its mission (FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a frequent customer of Retro-Tech).
  • Today’s Word on the Street  is kinda weak. Sorry guys. The intrepid do of John Sharpe and Karen McDonald lead with a rehash of the FOIA/Social Security Number controversy that was in the next last week. There’s no new information, just council members reiterating how concerned they are. Actually, the juicier tidbit was news that Peoria County administrator Patrick Urich had what was called “preliminary discussions” about applying for the vacant Peoria city manager job, but decided to stay pat. Sorta says a lot, doesn’t it?

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4 Responses to “ Today’s news: Schoolin’ shouldn’t get in the way of chores ”

  1. Anon E. Mouse on February 25, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    Just you watch – Peoria will take a page from the Boston playbook. Look for a “Big Dig” on Main Street hill.

  2. AnotherExJSer on February 26, 2008 at 5:01 am

    Wow, Billy, your posting volume really is down. I’m thinking about organizing a poster’s union (I have some experience in organizing labor) to demand a cut of your ad revenue.

  3. VONSTER on February 26, 2008 at 8:04 am

    Mouse: But we don’t have Ted and John to oversee the waste and corruption…

  4. Billy Dennis on February 26, 2008 at 10:32 am

    ExJSer: Expect to find some jackrocks in your driveway …