Category Archives: Radio

City of Peoria, Peoria Journal Star, Radio

“Outside the Horseshoe” reviews top stories of 2006

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Jonathan Ahl had WMBD-AM’s Dave Dahl and the Journal Star’s Jennifer Davis on WCBU’s “Outside the Horseshoe” program (listen to an .mp3 of the show) this past Tuesday to review 2006. The six top stories they identified and discussed:

  1. At-large Council Elections — Morris and Grayeb are not seeking reelection, so there is a lot of speculation on who might be filling those positions, and if the other three incumbents will remain.
  2. City Budget — No significant changes from last year, despite having a new council that was supposed to fully staff Fire Station 11 and eliminate the $6/month garbage fee.
  3. Snow — The city wasn’t prepared for the big December 1 snowstorm and did a poor job clearing the city streets. Ahl’s panel decided that it wasn’t any one thing that was to blame (it was a combination of factors), but the council, et. al., are looking for one scapegoat.
  4. Crime — 18 murders in 2006, “Target Peoria” crime forum, surveillance cameras, saturation patrols, and whatever happened to the parental-responsibility ordinance idea?
  5. East Bluff Replacement School — District 150 was, and still is, trying to find a 15-acre site in the East Bluff on which to build a new school to replace/consolidate Glen Oak and White schools.
  6. Civic Center Hotel Controversy — I have to admit, I had almost forgotten about this one. It’s been so “underground,” as Jennifer Davis said, that one wonders whether some back-room deals are being made, or if the idea is being abandoned.

After listening to the show, I have to say the panelists did a good job of covering the big stories of the past year. But there were a couple of stories I was surprised they didn’t cover: the PDC landfill controversy (granted, that was a Peoria County issue, not a city issue, but it was still a big story affecting the city) and the proposed Land Development Code for the Heart of Peoria area (which I think is significant because it’s a huge step forward for the Heart of Peoria Plan, which was adopted by the council in principle, and now will have the chance to be adopted in practice).

And I think they should have had a blogger or two at the table just to round things out. Not necessarily me, although I always have fun on the show, but at least Billy Dennis who has been covering Peoria politics for the blogosphere for a number of years now. After all, it’s people like Billy and me who were named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year this year, right? 😉

Blogosphere, Radio

Thank you

This is a little belated, but I want to dedicate this post to say “thanks” to everyone who listened to Bill and me the other night on Outside the Horseshoe with Jonathan Ahl.  Several of you had very kind things to say, and I appreciate it.  It’s always a bit scary going on a program where you have no ability to edit your comments yourself (like you can on a blog).

I want to specifically say thanks to Mazr since I was unable for some reason to leave a comment on his blog (the “submit” button is grayed out).  So please consider this my comment saying “thanks” for your post.  You’re too kind.

I also want to thank Jonathan Ahl for being such a good and professional interviewer.  It was a pleasure being on the show.  He put me at ease and asked very thought-provoking questions.  It was a good experience.

Blogosphere, Peoria Mayor, Radio

Open Forum: What did you think of the State of the City address?

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WCBU (89.9 FM) is replaying Mayor Ardis’s State of the City address tonight at 7:00, followed by an interview with Bill Dennis and me on our reaction to Ardis’s address.

One of the things I love about blogging is the dialogue that takes place in the comments section.  I learn a lot from those who reply to my posts, so I want to open up this post for your reaction to the State of the City address.  What did you like about it?  Was there anything that disappointed you?  Do you think the city is on the right track?  Feel free to also comment on Bill’s and my interview on WCBU tonight.  I look forward to reading your insights.