I stopped blogging for several years shortly after the big Wonderful Development opened downtown. You may recall that they remodeled the Pere Marquette, opened the new Courtyard Marriott, and had plans to put in restaurants and bars and retail, and oh, goodness, that block was going to be hopping! And the best part was, it … Continue reading Saving downtown one new hotel at a time
On Thursday, the City of Peoria held a public meeting to discuss ways to redesign the intersection of Main and University. A hundred-year-old water main recently broke there, and while patching has been done, there need to be more extensive repairs made that requires the whole intersection be rebuilt. Since it’s being redone anyway, this … Continue reading Why a pedestrian bridge over Main is a bad idea
After listening to President Obama’s speech this afternoon regarding Syria, I read an article in the newspaper. I imagine the national pundits have already made note of the contradiction I discovered, but I don’t listen to a lot of talk radio, so it struck me as a profound about-face. Here’s what Candidate Obama told the … Continue reading Candidate Obama vs. President Obama on presidential power
I was dumbfounded to read this in the “watchdog” press this morning (emphasis added): City Manager Patrick Urich confirmed Friday afternoon that the City Council ordered funding for Officer Jeff Wilson’s legal fees withdrawn as part of the marathon executive session Tuesday night…. The city decided to continue funding Wilson’s legal fees in June when … Continue reading City apparently violates Open Meetings Act; “watchdog” media don’t question it
PEORIA — Attorneys for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., have notified the City of Peoria, the Peoria Park District, and Peoria Public Schools (District 150) that their client wants to purchase “a portion of Peoria Stadium on War Memorial Drive … for the construction and operation of a Walmart Super Center.” The letter states that they have … Continue reading Wal-Mart wants Peoria Stadium for new Super Center
The finagling museum CEO Jim Richerson is trying to get more of your money, Peoria County. You thought the museum would be satisfied after you foolishly agreed to raise your own sales tax rate during a recession to give them $40 million. Now you’ll see why giving money to the museum is like feeding a … Continue reading More not-so-shocking news from the museum group
The Journal Star has a report on the latest passenger rail scheme dreamed up by the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. Essentially what’s now being pitched is a multi-stop commuter rail line running from Peoria’s airport to Bloomington’s, with stops in each city’s downtown area as well as in the bedroom communities between the cities. And, … Continue reading Passenger rail plans go from bad to worse
In a stunning revelation no one could ever have seen coming, the Journal Star reports that the Peoria Riverfront Museum is not holding up their end of the bargain with Peoria County taxpayers. For months, county officials have asked for — but not received — audited financial statements from last year, federal tax forms and … Continue reading Translation: Attendance is low and we’re losing money.
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood warned of disruption to the nation’s air travel if automatic federal spending cuts are allowed to go through (known as the “sequester”). The Chicago Tribune reports on how such cuts would affect air travel in Illinois (emphasis added): LaHood said the cuts will also mean the elimination of overnight shifts … Continue reading Sequester could impact air traffic towers in Peoria and Bloomington
First district city council candidates Denise Moore and Randall Emert have filed formal objections to Gary Sandberg’s bid to run for the same office. They both claim that Sandberg does not meet the residency requirement per the state’s election code. Emert’s Challenge Emert’s challenge is simple: he says, “It is my understanding, that under law, … Continue reading The challenge to Sandberg’s eligibility: an analysis
