Daily Archives: August 1, 2008

Peoria Journal Star, Peoria Pundit, Peoria Times-Observer

GateHouse Media continues to spiral downward

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GateHouse Media, the parent company of the Peoria Journal Star and Peoria Times-Observer, saw its stock fall to just 44¢ per share at the close of trading today. Also, according to Compliance Reporter:

GateHouse Media’s corporate family rating and probability of default rating was downgraded last Monday by Moody’s Investors Service, on concerns the Fairport, N.Y.-based publisher is facing possible default on its credit agreement. The corporate family rating was dropped to Caa1 from B2 and the probability of default rating was dropped to Caa2 from B3.

And, of course, Billy Dennis has been outdoing himself in his coverage, even getting an interview with analyst Lauren Rich Fine.

But you won’t hear about this in the local media. No coverage from radio or TV, and certainly nothing in the Journal Star or Times-Observer. I guess mum’s the word on their imminent demise. All analysts agree that GateHouse will need to sell off a lot of the newspapers they’ve bankrupted themselves buying. Who knows what that portends for our newspaper of record here in Peoria. They’re certainly not telling.

City of Peoria

Question of the Day

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The City of Peoria is working on revitalizing the area now known as “Sheridan Triangle.” That’s the portion of Sheridan Road bounded by Hanssler to the north and McClure to the south. Some of the businesses in that area include Dudley’s (ice cream stand), Craig Upholstery, Whitey’s Tip Top Tap, and the Sports Page. One large business that moved out was Lippman’s furniture store.

Some of the things the City has been doing to revitalize the area: giving the area “enterprise zone” status, implementing a facade improvement program where the city helps pay part of the cost of beautifying the public face of the business, and improving the streetscape to make it more pedestrian friendly and new urban.

So, my question is — and this is the “question of the day” — what kind of store(s) does this area of town need? What should be established in these empty storefronts? I’m especially interested in hearing from those who may live near this district, but anyone can feel free to give their opinion as to what kind of store(s) should be established in this area.

2008 Campaign

Darin LaHood to Create an Urban Advisory Committee

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From a press release:

LaHood to Create an Urban Advisory Committee to Improve Communication
State’s Attorney candidate cites disconnect between community and the Courthouse

Peoria, IL – Since launching his candidacy last October, Darin LaHood has been touting the importance of ‘partnering with community leaders from our urban and high crime areas to rebuild a level of trust.’ The challenger for Peoria County State’s Attorney has taken another step in fulfilling that proposal by announcing his intention to form an Urban Advisory Committee (UAC) made up of leaders and activists from Peoria’s African American community that would meet with and advise him on a regular basis in addressing issues of concern. The Committee is a way for LaHood, as State’s Attorney, to be pro-active instead of re-active on issues and concerns facing the African American Community

LaHood hosted a gathering of over 60 community members, predominantly African Americans, on Thursday at Chef Leo’s Bistro 320 in Peoria to announce the plan and to begin the formation of his UAC. Patti Polk, a longtime leader in Peoria’s African American community said the LaHood plan is needed to provide residents better access and ability to be heard by County government and specifically the State’s Attorney’s Office.

“Too often, the community voices are shut out of the process,” said Polk referencing the relationship between citizens and the local government. “Darin LaHood has made a concerted effort to be available to all Peorians and to listen to their concerns about the criminal justice system. His commitment and attention to these issues as a candidate will undoubtedly translate to an accessible and attentive State’s Attorney’s office – something sorely needed. I am honored to assist Darin with his efforts and when he is elected in November I will proudly serve on the UAC.”

Discussing the disconnect between the present States Attorney’s office and the Peoria African American community, LaHood told those assembled at Chef Leo’s that there has been a ‘collapse of trust.’ He said to rebuild that trust, it is important to have a diverse office staff, provide citizens accessibility and to simply ‘show up’ and let the residents know that you care about the issues that affect them.

“Law abiding citizens in many parts of our community have lost faith in the local criminal justice system,” said LaHood. “It is critical that we re-establish this level of trust and the obvious, simple first step is to improve communication. That’s what I intend to do with the UAC and I am very excited about the positive response this announcement has received.”

Darin LaHood, 40, was born and raised in Peoria. He is a former Chief Terrorism and Federal Prosecutor who served four years with the U.S. Department of Justice in Las Vegas, Nevada. LaHood was also an Assistant State’s Attorney in both Tazewell and Cook counties. LaHood and his wife, Kristen, returned home to Peoria in 2005 to raise their three children: McKay, Luke, and Teddy. LaHood currently practices with the Peoria law firm of Miller, Hall, & Triggs. Darin and Kristen are active in numerous Peoria charitable and civic organizations and are members of St. Vincent de Paul Church. Visit www.DarinLaHood.com to learn more about Darin, volunteer opportunities, or to contribute to the campaign.