Category Archives: 2011 Election

2011 Election, City Council, City of Peoria

So far, five people are definitely running, and two definitely aren’t

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City Council hopefuls have six days to file petitions to be placed on the ballot. Today, five candidates filed:

  • Ryan Spain (incumbent)
  • Eric Turner (incumbent)
  • Chuck Grayeb (former councilman)
  • Chuck Weaver (Zoning Board of Appeals chairman)
  • Jim Stowell (District 150 School Board member)

Two incumbents are definitely not running:

Potential candidates have to collect a minimum of 165 signatures to be placed on the ballot, and they have until 5 p.m. next Monday (Nov. 22) to file. Incumbent Gary Sandberg is expected to file at 4:59 p.m. on Nov. 22, as is his usual practice. He likes to be the last name on the ballot. As for who will be first on the ballot — we’ll find out tomorrow. It will be one of three people: Spain, Weaver, or Grayeb. They filed at the same time, so their names will be placed in a lottery to determine their order on the ballot.

If more than 10 people run, there will be a primary on Tuesday, February 22, 2011. The general election will be held Tuesday, April 5, 2011.

2011 Election, City Council, City of Peoria

Add Spain to the list

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The Journal Star reports that Ryan Spain announced he’ll be running for reelection to the Peoria City Council.

“The city of Peoria needs leadership that is not afraid to make difficult decisions to position Peoria for the years ahead,” Spain, who was first elected to the council in 2007, said in the news release. “This means living within our means, streamlining services and investing in the future.” […]

Spain said he pledges to continue to “work hard to improve economic competitiveness” of Peoria and stimulate economic development and job growth.

Mr. Spain voted to continue funding ArtsPartners, advocated for development of regional branding (just imagine how much that would cost), and voted to give an East Peoria developer nearly $40 million to build a private hotel next to the Civic Center with an attached pedestrian bridge. Living within our means, indeed.

2011 Election, Amtrak, City Council, City of Peoria, Transportation

Quick comments on the news

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Scanning over the Journal Star this morning, there are several interesting articles:

  • Transportation Symposium — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood had some words of wisdom for Peoria about the possibility of getting passenger rail service: “Get your act together…. Get your priorities. Put them on a list. Agree on them,” he said. “Make sure your elected representatives know what those priorities are.” Those priorities should be to establish direct passenger rail service between Peoria and Chicago. The Peoria Passenger Rail Coalition advocates for that outcome.

  • Another City Council candidate announces — Andre Williams is going to run for the Council, joining Chuck Weaver and Chuck Grayeb who have already announced. I imagine there will be more surprise candidates next week. If more than 10 people run, there will be a primary in February to narrow the field to 10; the general election is in April. Williams is a strategic planner who wants to see the City clarify its vision and compete against larger cities like St. Louis for economic development instead of East Peoria. It will be interesting to hear how he thinks we ought to do that.

  • Carnegie’s closed –Not to be nitpicky, but I believe the restaurant is actually called Carnegie’s 501 now, a shadow of its former glory when it was known simply as Carnegie’s. This comment from hotel manager Bill Carter was telling: “We’re temporarily closing to make some improvements. Depending on what happens with the new hotel [emphasis added], it could reopen as a remade restaurant or it could just reopen with some improvements.” Wait, I thought Mr. Matthews had all his plans finalized and all his funding secured? That’s what he told the council months ago. Why all the uncertainty?