Daily Archives: June 7, 2009

General News

Berean Bookstore reopening under new (old) ownership

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Well, it was less than four months ago that Berean Bookstore announced they were closing and had a big going-out-of-business sale. But now word comes that they’re opening again this Thursday. Here’s a letter that recently went out to folks on the old Berean mailing list:

June 5, 2009

Dear Faithful Friend,

It is with great joy and privilege that I am writing this letter today. After much prayer and clear direction from God, we have been led to open a new Christian bookstore in the community. We plan to open Hoerr’s Berean Bookstore on Thursday, June 11th in both Peoria and Decatur (located in the old Berean locations) and later in the summer in Bloomington (in a new location). Since you have been faithful friends of Berean over the years, we wanted you to know about this new bookstore!

My family had owned Berean back in the 80’s and 90’s. In light of Berean closing, we feel led to provide a lighthouse for the community again. A place of fellowship; where you can pick up a great book, grab a cup of coffee, sit down on a comfy chair, and meet a life long friend.

We want to thank you in advance for your support of our ministry and are eager to meet and serve you in yours. May God bless you and yours.

In Christian love,
Joe Hoerr
President

It will be interesting to see what changes are made under this new (old) ownership. Hopefully their stock will include more books/music and less tacky Christian gift product than the old store. Best of luck to them.

Peoria Public Library

New library branch uninspiring

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north-libraryThe Peoria Public Library’s architect for the new north branch has released an artist’s rendering of the site (see picture to right). The Journal Star reports that the design of the new library is “a collaborative effort between PSA Dewberry, the Farnsworth Group and Burnidge Cassel Associates”:

“You’re going to have something that this city can really be proud of,” said Rick McCarthy, principal architect of PSA Dewberry of Elgin. “These designs really make a statement about libraries.”

So I’ve been looking at the picture, trying to figure out what statement this makes about libraries. Frankly, if looks like a slightly-modified 1950s modernist-style building. If you didn’t know what it was, you might think it’s an office building or school. The round reading room is a miniature version of the planetarium being planned for the downtown museum. I guess what I’m saying is that it’s not an architecturally-significant building. It’s neither imaginative nor inspiring, nor does it evoke a sense of permanence.

Hence, it will blend perfectly in the fifth district.

Crime

Crime creeps north

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Residents of North Peoria are “startled” by recent crimes in their neighborhoods. What an interesting word the Times Observer chose to describe residents’ reaction to crime: startled. It means “to frighten suddenly; to alarm; to surprise.” In other words, they didn’t expect there to be any crime up where they lived, and are shocked — startled — to discover that crime knows no boundaries.

Mike Wisdom, president of the Chadwick Estates Neighborhood Association, is quoted as saying, “We always felt isolated from crime.” Peoria Police captain Mike Scally said, “When you live in an area of low crime, a little bit of crime is alarming.” Peoria City Councilman George Jacob agreed that “crime in Peoria’s far-flung neighborhoods is ‘surprising.'”

The converse, of course, is that this crime wouldn’t have been surprising elsewhere in Peoria, such as the south side or on the bluffs. But because it’s all the way out here, it’s notable. Conventional wisdom is that these “far-flung neighborhoods” popped up as an effort to flee crime and deterioration (real or perceived) in the older parts of Peoria.

Incidentally, there are those who would prefer a Balkanized Peoria. I’ve heard the sentiment expressed that we should keep crime generally contained on the south side with the bluffs acting as buffers so that everyone living north of the bluffs can live in safety. Whether or not residents feel that’s the way it should be, it is generally accepted as the way things are.

Crime statistics support this view. A quick look at the CrimeView Community website shows the following total numbers of crimes by council district in the last 90 days:

  • District 1: 1,217
  • District 2: 507
  • District 3: 491
  • District 4: 370
  • District 5: 199

By now, you’re no doubt saying, “So what? Tell us something we don’t know. This is all so obvious.” And I guess that’s the point of my post. We’ve accepted this state of affairs in our city. It’s the way it is. It’s the way it’s been for so long, we’ve become complacent. I can hear the objections: “Every city has problems with inner city crime.” “We’re doing everything we can.”

Here’s a thought experiment. Ask yourself, if the property damage and home invasion crimes that happen on the south side suddenly started happening in the fifth district with the same frequency, what would be the City’s reaction? Would any additional pressure be put on the police department? Would they be given any additional resources? How about Code Enforcement? Planning & Growth? Public Works?

Should we be satisfied with the status quo? Are we really doing the best we can to reduce crime?