I recall the hand-wringing over the summer of violence, when there were multiple incidents of young people fighting and brawling at carnivals.
As John Sharp points out on his j-blog, the “Do Right” program came along and in 2009, there weren’t any incidents.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say the program worked.
Of...
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Local
People, places and things around Peoria. Smart newspapers run the local news up front.
Something worked in Peoria
Instead of worrying about Peoria’s image, let’s worry about Peoria’s reality
I thought I was in store for a puff piece when I saw this headline: City Councilman leads effort to brand region.
But Peoria Journal Star reporter John Sharp actually made some phone calls and got some balance for his article on Peoria City Councilman Ryan’s Spain efforts to “brand” the city.
I like this graph:
“You...
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Limiting public comment won’t cure culture at D150
Peoria School District 150 is contemplating limiting the number of times it will allow citizens to address the board at meetings. Technically, they aren’t limiting the amount of time a citizen can speak, but are limiting the sections of a meeting in which this occurs.
My two cents: As someone who has sit and listened...
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Event: Fine Arts Night at Trewyn
From Facebook:
Event: Trewyn School Fine Arts Night
What: Exhibit
Start Time: Thursday, March 18 at 5:30pm
End Time: Thursday, March 18 at 7:00pm
Where: Trewyn School, 1419 S Folkers Ave, Peoria, IL
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A personal note
The World’s Most Obnoxious Yankee Fan had an operation today. They took a valve out of his heart and replaced it one from a cow. The doc said the old valve was calcified … the worst he has ever seen. That’s what he gets for mixing milk and Beamish.
But he is out of surgery,...
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Are there ANY teachers at D150 who are even slightly happy?
I’m reading DeWayne Bartel’s column about Glen Oak School teachers who claim that having to serve under their current principal is the most horrible thing imaginable.
I’m thinking that this is the MOST amazing district ever. ALL the supervisors are bullies and ALL the teachers are angels sent from heaven. All would be perfect if...
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A special request for the folks who run Crimestoppers
Please, please, please … either film a new commercial, or stop running the one about the scaffolding stolen from Habitat for Humanity. I am faily certain there are a few unsolved deaths and other serious crimes that could use the attention.
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Too little facts about Greeley case to make any judgments
I’m a little confused by the the details we know so far about the teacher’s aide who allegedly hit a student at Greeley Alternative School last week. The sparse Peoria Journal Star article doesn’t even mention the teacher’s name, but it does say that the incident happened Thursday, but that “officials” learned of it...
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It’s not like it’s a bus stop …
Why is there ALWAYS some guy standing in front of the cell phone store in the 600 block of West Main? And why is that person ALWAYS wearing a red article of clothing?
Just asking.
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Press release: PeoriaReads!’ ‘Great Gatsby’ screened at the Apollo
Press release:
Romance and mystery are timeless, but the clash between wealth and poverty seems as timely as today’s news about unemployment and executive bonuses, so F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 85-year-old novel The Great Gatsby is both timeless and timely.
The classic novel is the PeoriaReads! pick for this year, and besides various events at the Peoria...
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Women can’t do ANYTHING right
Via the Journal Star: Woman in custody after Sunday stabbing:
Police reported the victim was conscious, alert and walking around following the incident. A woman was taken into custody shortly afterward.
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Press release: Rep. Gordon urges rejection of Ameren hike
Press release:
Rep. Gordon: Judge-recommended Rate Increase for Ameren Illinois Shouldn’t Stand
PEORIA, IL – Reacting to Thursday’s ruling by an Administrative Law Judge recommending a $56 million rate increase for Ameren Illinois Utilities, state Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) is urging the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to reject the proposal in light of the current economic...
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It would be a shame to lose Judge James Shadid
Soft-on-crime judges are one of the things hurting Peoria. Judge James Shadid is NOT one of those judge. So I have mixed feelings about this:
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., on Friday sent the names of four people, Shadid being one of them, to the White House for President Barack Obama to consider to fill...
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Fire some administrators in District 150? About. Damn. Time.
After years of complaints by teachers, parents and just about anybody paying attention, it looks like Peoria School District 150 is going trim the administrative fat.
Letters of “non-renewal” went out Wednesday morning, and face-to-face talks were held with many employees, notifying them of the uncertainty and saying they would have to reapply for their...
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Central Peoria gets screwed in favor of developer-friendly north Peoria
The low two different road projects submitted bids that were higher than expected. Rather than to reject the bids and try again, the council will cancel one of the projects. Guess which one is gonna get canceled? The one in far North Peoria where there’s all the new development, or the one in old...
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Peoria Undriveability Update: Got a fenderbender? You are on your own
From Peoria City Hall:
Date: February 21, 2010
Released by: Alma Brown, Communications Manager
Subject: Traffic Collision Alert
The City of Peoria is under a traffic collision alert effective immediately.
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Peoria Undriveability Update: Parking ban in effect
Bad news for people who live in older neighborhoods and don’t have driveways. the city will not begin fining you for parking on the street. It’s important that the main streets be cleared of snow so commuters won’t be inconvenienced:
Date: February 21, 2010
Released by: Alma Brown, Communications Manager
Subject: City Crews and Parking Ban
City crews...
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Peoria Undriveability Update: Few problems yet
From a press release:
Date: February 21, 2010
Released by: Alma Brown, Communications Manager,
Subject: CITY CREWS
A small amount of snow overnight has resulted in little problems on the pavement. The City is reporting primary streets as wet and residential streets slightly covered.
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‘Catch and Release’ Kevin Lyons talking tough about Open Meetings Act violation
Oh, look. Someone in the mainstream media noticed there might be a violation of the Open Meetings Act:
A half-hour scheduled “meet and greet” Peoria School District 150 officials held Tuesday with the apparent next superintendent and members of the media violated the state’s Open Meetings Act, Peoria County State’s Attorney Kevin Lyons said Friday.
“Violations...
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My final word on the meeting that wasn’t
I just received an email from District 150 spokesperson Stacey Shangraw. It’s about (what else) the continuing controversy over whether or district 150 violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act by not letting me attend a meet-the-superintendent event at district headquarters on Tuesday (the links are included at the bottom of this post).
I complained about...
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About Peoria Pundit
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 The Blog Peoria Project, which promotes community-based citizen journalism in his hometown, Peoria IL. Call me at (309) 863-5748 and leave a message.
Recent Blog Peoria Posts
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It a development that surprises almost no one who’se been paying attention at District 150, it seems that the renovations at PHS are not being done in a competent manner March 21, 2010Billy Dennis
This arrived in my email inbox moments ago:
District 150 Administration and School Board
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are writing as concerned parents and supporters of Peoria High School students. We have been attending school functions and meetings hoping to hear about the upcoming changes for PHS and have been incredibly disappointed with the district’s total lack [...]Original post by Billy Dennis
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In a development that surprises almost no one who’s been paying attention to District 150, it seems that the renovations at PHS are not being done in a competent manner March 21, 2010Billy Dennis
This arrived in my email inbox moments ago:
District 150 Administration and School Board
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are writing as concerned parents and supporters of Peoria High School students. We have been attending school functions and meetings hoping to hear about the upcoming changes for PHS and have been incredibly disappointed with the district’s total lack [...]Original post by Billy Dennis
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The only thing missing from yesterday’s tea-bagger protest was Bull Connor, attack dogs and some fire hoses March 21, 2010Billy Dennis
Some of the anti-health care people sure do have some interesting views on race:
Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., told a reporter that as he left the Cannon House Office Building with Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a leader of the civil rights era, some among the crowd chanted “the N-word, the N-word, 15 times.” Both Carson and [...]Original post by Billy Dennis
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Spring Turning March 21, 2010witchsbrew
The Cosmos strives for equilibrium today. The hours of daylight and dark are equal. Spring returns–even if the day is dark and cold, rainy, snowy, spitting sleet. It’s the thought that counts.
Modern Wiccans call the day Ostara. I am not found of the name. Like Easter itself, the name is taken from a Teutonic lunar Goddess Eostre. Mike Nichols, author of The Witches’ Sabbats, from the website of the same name, “Her holiday, the Eostara, was held on the vernal equinox full moon.” Technically that will fall on the 29th of March. According to Nichols, the Roman Catholic Church divided the vernal holiday into Easter–the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox–and Lady Day, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on March 25th. This, of course, the day that the Angel Gabriel announces that Mary is “with child.” “Lady Day” was the name used by our first Wiccan founders.
I think I prefer the simpler “Spring Turning.” It was the phrase I used in my own fiction back before I was “officially” Pagan. It signifies a becoming. As Nichols says, it’s a springboard to Beltane, May 1st. Processes begun at the equinox find fulfillment at Beltane.
I hadn’t planned to celebrate the day, but a friend called late in the morning and said, “Let’s go to Bloomington to the Mennonite Relief Sale.” The day was dreary; and I knew that by the time we got there, most everything would sold, but I hadn’t been to the Relief Sale since it left Peoria. I was pleasantly surprised to get a bunch of pussy willows. I can’t remember the last time I had pussy willows.
And on the way back, I asked to stop in a Kelly Seed to look over their new shipment of heirloom seeds. I haven’t decided yet if I am going to plant a garden this year or slit my wrists, but Global Village in the Heights is collecting supplies for Haiti this month, and one of the things on the list is garden seeds. So I bought heritage melons, squash, radishes, and corn. And a packet of mixed lettuce if I decide to plant for myself. Spring is such a fickle time of the year…
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How Railroads Promote Ind’l Development – Past and Present March 20, 2010David P. Jordan
I think the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway’s 172-page Industrial Development Brochure is incredible for its detail, and it shouldn’t leave prospective buyers of listed properties and buildings with too many questions. But if they do have any, they can always contact the railroad.
Closer to home, RailAmerica’s Toledo Peoria & Western Railway lists these properties. I’m curious, though, why two of them, here and here, which are nowhere near TP&W track, are listed (furthermore, they could find out that “Middle Road” is not spelled “Middel.”).
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., owner of two local shortlines – Illinois & Midland Railroad and Tazewell & Peoria Railroad – provide few details on their website, but it does say this:
I&M’s extra-wide 200-foot right-of-way, and adjacent industrial sites on both I&M and T&P, offer excellent location opportunities for manufacturing, distribution and transload facilities.
Before the Internet Age, railroads published and circulated booklets detailing industrial development sites in various communities they served. One example was the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad’s 1964 booklet. One page of the Peoria section, which appeared in the railroad’s 1963 Annual Report, can be viewed by clicking the thumbnail below.
The Rock Island’s promotion of both the Galena Road Industrial Park and Pioneer Industrial Park caught the attention of the Peoria Journal Star, which mentioned it in a June 16, 1964 editorial.
Past and present, American railroads know that to remain viable long term they must continuously promote their services to prospective industrial and logistics firms. And the only change is the type of media.
- David P. Jordan
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I write this with all love and respect to the local guys because they ROCK, but Comcast is Satan March 20, 2010Billy Dennis
I’m the kinda guy who is always going to wait until the very last minute to pay his cable bill. Usually, I find out it’s due when I can’t get on the Internet
So I’m in the Comcast office on Dries Lane ever other month.
Those guys rock. Professional, friendly and quick. Kudos.
But when I have actual [...]Original post by Billy Dennis
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Day by Day: Skin status update 3/20/2010 March 20, 2010Billy Dennis
Today’s strip: Chris Muir is hearing my pleas. Sam is again in the low-cut, skin-tight little black dress. Chris treats up to a front view and a maddeningly curvaceous profile.
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Day By Day: Skin status update 3/19/2010 March 20, 2010Billy Dennis
Today’s strip: Now this is more like it. Sam is in a skin-tight, low-cut little black dress. There’s a front view and a side view. You go, Chris!
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It’s official: The Captain America movie is going to suck March 20, 2010justiceblogofamerica
Via Slashfilm:
Now there’s a slight update: according to IESB, the shortlist is now only three names: Chris Evans (Sunshine, The Fantastic Four); Channing Tatum (G.I. Joe, Stop-Loss) and Sebastian Stan (Gossip Girl). I’ve stumped for Evans before, but am a bit surprised that he’s still on the list, because of that Fantastic Four association. But that’s no big deal in the long run, as the Marvel Studios film universe has nothing to do with the Fox version of Marvel’s characters. (Confusing!) Evans is easily the best choice here.
Feh. We need a traditional square-jawed hero for this role, not some pretty boy. Evans is an X-games sorta guy. Cap is a baseball/football/track letterman kinda guy. And the FF movies sucked and that kinda stink don’t wash off.
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Let’s not kid ourselves, we are ALL thinking the same thing about that retired white cop who pulled a gun during a Pekin traffic stop and somehow didn’t get his sorry ass shot March 20, 2010Billy Dennis
But I am far, far to politically correct to suggest that a black guy who did this wouldn’t be sitting in the Tazewell County Jail right now. Just sayin’.
Here are some possibly related postsDecember 23, 2009 — Five Peoria police layoffs averted (0)November 29, 2009 — Pekin is on the right track (2)October 22, 2009 [...]Original post by Billy Dennis
Tell Peoria Business Directory
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AAMCO Tranmissions Unknown Date FormatAAMCO is your local automotive repair specialist from synthetic oil changes to rebuilt transmissions.
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Health and Harmony: Barb & Dick Lulay Shaklee Independent Distributors Unknown Date FormatExtremeHealthMakeovers.com offers top quality products with an impeccable reputation. The Shaklee products are all natural, safe for you and your family, and safe for the environment. Customer satisfaction is guaranteed.
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dESCO, LLC Service Management Software Unknown Date FormatThe Better Way to Run Your Service Company ESC simplifies the management and operations of service companies. ESC will organize and streamline the work flow of both small and large service companies, making them more manageable and profitable.
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Mitch Williams Magic Productions Unknown Date FormatMake your events absolutely unforgettable, with entertainment programs by international award winning sleight of hand artist and speaker, Mitch Williams.
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ExplorePeoria.com Unknown Date FormatExplorePeoria.com is a locally owned & managed information portal website featuring a comprehensive events calendar, free e-newsletter, a business directory, free classified ads, restaurant menus, real estate listings, job listings and much more.
PeoriaChronicle
- City mulls over cuts to basic services, giving $37M to hotel developer March 20, 2010According to this Journal Star article, the City of Peoria is looking for ways to cut basic services like sidewalk and sewer improvements due to a nearly “flat projection” in sales tax growth. Meanwhile, according to this other Journal Star article, developer Gary Matthews is still pitching his hotel plan which relies on $37 [...] […]
- Should principals be empowered leaders or branch managers? March 18, 2010The extent to which mechanistic thinking is corrupting our culture might be illustrated in relation to any number of fields of activity. For instance, our educational system suffers disastrously from the dominion of the administrative mind, which is, by the very nature of modern administration, generally mechanistic in its thinking (and therefore unfitted to […]
- Another D150 administrator put on paid leave March 16, 2010District 150 Director of Technology and Library Media Services Mary Ward has been put on paid administrative leave as the district performs an internal investigation. If past is prelude, taxpayers may be paying her to do nothing for a long time. The last administrator to be put on paid administrative leave, Mary Davis, [...] […]
Merle Widmer’s Peoria Watch
- A Common Sense Judge March 21, 2010Forwarded to me by my daughter Mary Jo Greytak whose son is in the armed services. She checked with Scopes. All my family support strong judges and strong actions against terrorists, often called "insurgents" or "freedom fighters" by the liberal press. For comments on my site, please email them to me. If researched and factual info, I wil […]
- FireFly - What Community Leaders Said March 15, 2010"Calling FireFly 'the poster child' of Peoria NEXT", National City regional president Doug Stewart said that technology was not in short supply in Peoria. "Ideas are not our problem. The issue is management, first, and capital second. If we are going to hit a home run, FireFly is the closest thing we've got."Doug was probab […]
- FireFly Closer to Burning Bright March 15, 2010So wrote Molly Parker, reporter for the JS in May of 2007. The resolution by the County to guarantee, along with the city, a six million dollar loan to FireFly by National City Bank, State Representative Dave Leitch, Vice-President, who personally urged the County Board to approve this loan. Quoting Ms. Parker,"The resolution passed both committees by v […]
CapitolFax
- Sunday update: Lt. Governor hopeful videos March 21, 2010
- Reader comments closed for the weekend March 19, 2010
- *** UPDATED x1 *** Afternoon campaign roundup March 19, 2010
- More thoughts about Garrett’s lite guv candidacy March 19, 2010
- Question of the day March 19, 2010
Pieces of Flair
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