I awoke on New Year’s Day to the shocking news that our neighborhood grocery store, Haddad’s Supermarket, burned down overnight. The building is a total loss. None of the news reports that I’ve read so far say what caused the fire. I would imagine that’s yet to be determined by fire investigators. You can read … Continue reading Sad start to 2011: Haddad’s burns down (Updated 3x)
Everybody drive safely and drink responsibly and all that… but most importantly, have a Happy New Year!
I thought this was kind of funny. On page B1 of the Journal Star Thursday, December 30, there’s this little blurb: What’s up with Bar Louie? Blogger and entertainment editor Danielle Hatch is still trying to find out details on why there’s a closed sign on the door at the Bar Louie restaurant a the … Continue reading Bar Louie is gone
By now, you’re all aware of Old Chicago’s big announcement about their location atop Riverfront Village: they’re closing for the winter. The story was covered by WMBD-AM and the Journal Star. From WMBD: Old Chicago along Peoria’s riverfront is closed until April 4th, according to CFO Dale Paulsen. Paulsen says it’s best for the riverfront … Continue reading Questions about Old Chicago and Riverfront Village
Today at 3:00, the Joint Review Board (JRB) approved the East Village Growth Cell (EVGC) TIF unanimously with no discussion. Dr. David Kinney, representing Peoria Public Schools District 150, voted “present.” The meeting lasted three minutes. A presentation on the EVGC TIF was given to the JRB at the last meeting on December 10, but … Continue reading Joint Review Board approves East Village TIF
Yesterday I read George Will’s column in the Journal Star (here’s the same article in the Washington Post), and then the New York Times editorial. They both happened to be on the same subject: States in crisis, with Illinois in the limelight. The New York Times says the Feds should step in and give more … Continue reading New York Times and George Will have different answers to state crises
I’d like to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas! Hope the holidays are happy for you and your family.
As a candidate for City Council, I received an expected questionnaire from the Peoria Area Chamber PAC, except that it’s not the Peoria Area Chamber PAC anymore. It’s the Business PAC of Central Illinois, or “Biz PAC” for short. The letter explains that they are “no longer a subsidiary organization of the Chamber,” but rather … Continue reading Business PAC no longer affiliated with Chamber
News came yesterday that the federal government will be paying for ten of our police officers for the next three years. Nevertheless, Peoria will still be losing three officers, as 13 positions were cut from the 2011 budget. Peoria can’t afford them because it’s too busy spending its money on civic centers, hotels, risky start-up … Continue reading Feds to provide money for basic City services
There’s an article in today’s Journal Star I just couldn’t let pass without comment. City officials including Mayor Jim Ardis have … expressed some of their frustrations with other taxing bodies in Peoria — namely Peoria Public Schools District 150 — for increasing its property tax rate while the city avoids similar hikes despite increasing … Continue reading Don’t be fooled by empty rhetoric from City officials