A couple things I read over the weekend that are worth passing on to anyone else who would be interested:

• The Jane Fonda Effect — This is an article on nuclear energy written by “Freakonomics” authors Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt, and published in the New York Times. It’s pro-nuclear-energy, in case you’re wondering. Although they mention it in passing at the end, the article left me wondering whether, for all its pluses, if the bugaboo in nuclear energy is what to do with all the waste. It still seems to me that the cleaner-burning coal would be a better solution.
• Working to Reduce Sewer Overflows to the Illinois River — If you want a clear, easy-to-read explanation of what the whole Combined Sewer Overflow, or “CSO,” problem is about, look no further than Gene Hewitt’s article in this month’s Interbusiness Issues. Well-written and informative, it left me with only one question: why can’t they just enlarge the interceptor sewer or create some sort of temporary retention area for those 28 days it overflows? I’m guessing such a thing would be too large and/or expensive to build, but it seems like the obvious answer at first blush. I’d love to see a follow-up article on what the possible solutions are, and the pros and cons of each.

General News | 8 Comments »

Also from today’s Word on the Street column is the big announcement of who will replace Jenni Davis on the City Hall beat:

“Word on the Street” first appeared in the Journal Star on Oct. 11, 1999. City Hall reporter Jennifer Davis has been the column’s only constant face, but she is moving on to a new position as Lifestyles Editor for the Journal Star.

John Sharp will take her place covering the City Hall beat, and his face and voice will appear in this column shortly, joining political reporter Karen McDonald.

My congratulations to both Jenni and John on their new posts. I’ll miss seeing Jenni at the city council meetings and reading her excellent reports, but I’m happy she’s gotten a promotion at the paper. As for John, I wish him the best of luck as he works to get up to speed on his new assignment.

Peoria Journal Star | 7 Comments »

As I was reading the Word on the Street column this morning, it reminded me that there’s an historic meeting coming up tomorrow night. The Peoria City Council and the District 150 School Board will sit down and try to establish a more positive working relationship. Here’s the official notice and agenda:

NOTICE AND AGENDA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE PEORIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT #150 SCHOOL BOARD AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2007, BEGINNING AT 6:00 P.M. AT VALESKA HINTON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER, 800 W. FIFTH AVENUE, PEORIA, ILLINOIS, AS FOLLOWS:

ROLL CALL

INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

INTRODUCTION Dr. David Gorenz, President, of District #150 School Board and Mayor Jim Ardis

ITEM NO. 1 Presentation and Discussion Regarding State of the District, Vision for Our Future, and Ideas to Address Goals.

ADJOURNMENT

Exciting stuff, huh? It will be interesting to hear the presentations from each side. In the past, the school board has asked the city for money and support while simultaneously telling the city to butt out whenever they made any suggestions or requests of the school board. Hopefully, this will open up a new chapter of true cooperation — one where the school board does some giving and not just taking.

City Council, City of Peoria, Peoria Public Schools | 2 Comments »