Comments on: Krupa calls Gordon “chronic truant”

By: Sharon Crews

Sharon Crews — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:18:32 +0000

This is a repeat of my comments on PeoriaRocks–but I decided to throw them in here as well. Someone on this blog questioned Joan’s sincerity and postulated that her loyalty would be only to her rich friends, etc. Those speculations about Joan did not resemble the person that I know.
Yesterday I spent over an hour, maybe two, with Joan Krupa and four other West Peorians who are supporting her run for office. I haven’t spent that much time with Joan since twenty plus years ago when we were in the same Sunday class, a very interactive discussion group where we often talked—among many other topics–about our faith with relationship to our political views. For several weeks, I was also in a Bethel Bible series class that Joan taught. Since her return from China, our paths have only crossed in the hallways of our church. So it was very good to spend time with her yesterday—and my decision to vote for her in this election was reinforced.
I do not say all that to give either Joan’s or my “religious” credentials, but rather to tell you that I believe I became “acquainted” with Joan’s heart and mind because of the nature of our relationship. In a political year of so much divisiveness, I find Joan’s own humility and acceptance of others’ views to be a refreshing change—not to mention great qualifications for political office.
In the past and now, Joan has been able to accept my often “not so Republican” views that I have often “shared” with those around me. Frankly, all my conversations with her have proven to me that she will be very able to “reach across the aisle” in our state legislature—an asset that should be very apparent to those who are following the chaos that exists in Springfield right now. I believe she will be able to work with her fellow legislators—Democrat and Republican—to work for the best interests of downstate Illinois.
Most of all, I appreciate the career choices Joan has made throughout her lifetime. If you look at her resume, you will notice that she has spent much of her life serving youth and the underserved of our society. As a family, the Krupas (Ted, Joan, and their children) have exemplified this same kind of desire to help others. Certainly, in our world that has become so cosmopolitan, Joan’s own experiences in China and that of two of her children who now live overseas prepare her in a unique way for political service.

By: Ian Schwartz

Ian Schwartz — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:49:14 +0000

My comments here are more of a reflection on the political process.

If the Gordon camp had a press release, with some of it harping on the fact a candidate was 2-5 minutes late, I would have said the same thing on this blog.

If you have seen my work before, you would know I am not a shill for any campaign, company or cause.

By: korlack the mord of decar

korlack the mord of decar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:28:41 +0000

Ian Schwartz? Some dubious impartiality and credibility at best. From reading him posting many times I would question what it is he had to say about the weather on a rainy, cloudy day. Is he against the wind or only just supporting the rain and clouds?

By: rex

rex — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:45:27 +0000

Ian, I’ve never seen a news anchor in blogs before being a shill for a candidate before. Now we can interpret your reporting from the obvious partisan perspective that you have demonstrated. That unprofessional partisan advocacy doesn’t say much for HOI but hey, you gotta do what’s in your heart.

Pretty lame report you did last night on the 92nd District race. Gordon lied to you and you let her get away with saying the charge that she missed 40% of her school board meetings was false. Then you let her change the subject.

What about a follow up question: Ms. Gordon, what percentage of Pleasant Hill School Board meetings did you attend? Are you really saying that official school records will prove these charges wrong? If we go to the school to look at the records, are you saying they will show good attendance by you at the meetings? Huh?

Ian, did you ever try real reporting and verifying a candidate’s claims in the middle of a dispute? How about acting like a true reporter and calling the Pleasant Hill School and asking for Gordon’s attendance report at the school board meetings she is a member of??

If you do that you will receive proof that Jehan Gordon flat out lied to you. Are you not insulted that a candidate would lie to you like that?

Or do you just intend to keep apologizing for Jehan Gordon’s bad behavior. Bad behavior now compounded by lying to the media on your report last night.

Jehan Gordon thought school records to the contrary were irrelevant when she said in the primary she graduated the U of I. Now she thinks she can say the opposite of what official Pleasant Hill School records show. Wow, what a pattern of deceit–and stupidity.

By: New Voice

New Voice — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:24:33 +0000

Tulip Buster,
“…doesn’t care about serving, just the prestige.”

Are you talking about Gordon or Schock?

I would consider Krupa, but if she is such a swell guy, why the association with Schock and LaHood? There is no doubt Krupa is a community contributor, but so is every other Rotary Club member in Peoria. Peoria has been kicked down the wrong road by all of these ‘well-wishing’ community leaders before. IS Krupa sincere?
I don’t know. Party politics stinks in Peoria anyway. Why stink it up even more by adding another Republican to the list?

PS. – Did anyone get Larry his signs????

By: Ian Schwartz

Ian Schwartz — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:27:54 +0000

Real change. Enduring change. Honest change.

Sounds like I’m reading a press release.

By: New Voice

New Voice — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:38:26 +0000

This may sound funny, but “without malice” brings up an interesting point. Krupa may not be rich [depending upon your definition of 'rich'], but she is definitely cozy with Peoria’s little group of power-brokers. Tulip may be a little “blatant,” but I think she has the right of it.

I for one, have been tired of LaHood politics for years. Now here comes round two.

I dare anyone to tell me [with a straight face] that Schock is really in this race for the people of Peoria [18th Dist]! Aaron Schock’s only motivation is to skip up the ladder.

ANONYMOUS,

“Two bit thief?” Are you talking about LaHooD?

By: Tulip buster

Tulip buster — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:24:13 +0000

Tulip, you see things in a most convoluted way.

Change??? By electing Jehan Gordon???? She will simply add to the corruption and dysfunction there already is in Springfield. That’s strengthening the status quo, not change.

Jehan Gordon is a world class opportunist though in grasping for the politically popular change mantra right now. The facts just show her election would be the opposite.

Change??? If Gordon is elected, Speaker Madigan will TELL her how to vote on every bill because he is either donating or directing every dollar she will get for her campaign fund. Not so with Krupa, who has raised the bulk of her funds right here in Peoria from people who believe in her and have seen what she has done for this community.

Krupa is someone who worked as a teacher in the Peoria County Jail teaching inmates herself. She led United Way. Was one of the founders of the Bright Futures progam for at-risk kids and worked there herself. She was an elementary school teacher. She has always been exceptionally active in her church. And leading the Heartland Community Health Clinic she expanded service from 850 patients to 18,000. She has a lifetime of working for the poor and underprivileged in Peoria. That’s not talk, it’s having walked the walk–which changed many underprivileged lives for the better. Real change. Enduring change. Honest change.

Jehan doesn’t care about serving, just the prestige. That’s why she doesn’t show up at school board meetings. Sounds nice to her that she can say she is a school board member as she tries to be a state representative, but she isn’t going to be bothered by school personnel matters or budgets. That’s too tedious and boring for Jehan.

By: without malice

without malice — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:42:06 +0000

Tulip,
your comment is a blatant trolling post to excite people. JK isn’t anymore “rich” than JG is a crumb-bum, but even a 5th grader with any brains could figure out who to vote for.

By: Tulip

Tulip — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:38:15 +0000

We have a rich, white Republican and a black candidate who comes from a markedly different background. Personally, I know what to expect from the likes of Krupa. She will vote with the Republicans. She will support the wealthy and protect her own interests and the interests of her friends. I cannot say that Jehan Gordon is an ideal candidate, but I believe that, as our Democratic candidate, she is someone who will vote our Democratic ideals. She is probably our best choice for change.