I have to agree with Billy Dennis. The stimulus money Peoria received should be used to improve infrastructure, not put a new roof on a private organization — even a private organization as laudable as the Center for Prevention of Abuse.
The Center does wonderful work here in Peoria, and I don’t begrudge them asking for stimulus funds as it’s not easy to raise money, especially in the current economic climate. But they simply don’t take priority over improving infrastructure in South Peoria. The Center already has numerous benefits by virtue of its not-for-profit status. It doesn’t pay property taxes or sales taxes, and yet it wants tax money to help buy a new roof. Meanwhile, taxpayers in South Peoria continue to live with substandard basic services and have their needs put at the bottom of the list.
“After 23 years, it’s time to say, ‘let’s get this done,'” Martha Herm, executive director of The Center for Prevention of Abuse, was quoted as saying in the Journal Star. There are a couple problems with this statement. First, it assumes that the Center is somehow entitled to public funds; it’s not. Second, South Peoria has been ignored far longer than 23 years. If we’re going to base this merely on time spent waiting for public investment, South Peoria has everyone beat.
The roof did not deteriorate over night. Plans should have been made years ago to raise money to replace the roof. It is not the city’s responsibility to pay for the project. Should the city pay to replace roofs for local churches, schools and other not for profits in the city?
C.J., certainly I agree–it’s time for south Peoria.
I forgot to thank Billy, also. I am always heartened by people who remember to support the south side of Peoria. Of course, other areas of the city need to be maintained–but the south side is often forgotten.
Right on! Been some mismanagement on part of the Center for Abuse, this problem did not appear overnight.
The fact that the center needs a new roof is not in itself evidence of mismanagement. I have not heard word one from anyone about any management problems over there. Again, this is a GOOD organization. They do good work and deserve support. But, it is not an appropriate these funds.
If a building isn’t infra-structure, if a center to assist victims of abuse isn’t infra-structure… what is?
…The basic structure or features of a system or organization
…The stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area; “the industrial base of Japan”
…The basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of the community, such as transportation and communications systems, water and power lines, and public institutions including schools, post offices, and prisons.
…The facilities, systems and equipment required to provide public services and support private sector economic activity including network infrastructure (eg, roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, large information technology systems), buildings (eg, hospitals, schools, courts), and ..
I think Center for Prevention of Abuse qualifies.
http://www.centerforpreventionofabuse.org/get_the_facts.php
get the facts
The Center for Prevention of Abuse is the only agency in the state of Illinois to provide combined services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault/abuse, and elder abuse.
Here is the board of directors:
Bob Williams, President
Caterpillar
Nancy Wright, 1st VP
Heinold-Banwart, Ltd.
Daetta Jones, 2nd VP
AmerenCILCO
Mark Scheirer, Treasurer
Illinois National Bank
Dorothy Abbott, Secretary
CEFCU
Mike Baynard
Mathis-Kelley Construction Supply Company
Jeffery Corron
Marquette Group
Catherine Emanuel
Methodist Medical Center
Sandy Gallant-Jones
WEEK-TV
Kyle Ham
Heartland Partnership
Daetta Jones
AmerenCILCO
Darin LaHood
Miller, Hall & Triggs
Gary Matthews
EM Properties, Ltd.
Lisa Miller
WMBD-TV
Rick Miller, MD
OSF St. Francis
Mike Murphy
Pearl & Associates
Pam Shaheen
Community Volunteer
Keith Sutherland
IT Service Mgmt. Inst.
Daniel Trunfio, Jr.
Aventine Renewable Energy, Inc.
Emma Vandeveer
South Side Trust & Savings Bank
Patricia Wilson
Caterpillar Retiree
Well… if you own a structure and are not planning for the basic upkeep of that structure, replacing the roof periodically being part of that…. that might constitute mismanagement in my estimation.
I see where you are coming from, Mahkno. But if you are running a charity that provides services for abuse victim, what do you do when the economy tanks and you might have MOTE young mothers and their kids showing up on your doorstep. I image deferred maintenance might happen. Again, I have no first-hand information, but I have a hard time casting this organization in a bad light.
“After 23 years, it’s time to say, ‘let’s get this done,’”
Sorry, but that says mismanagement all by itself.
Wow,
Folks, this is a non profit organization, Clearly the understanding of such about their funding the work they do and the service to community is more than lacking. So instead of acting like starving hyienas looking to shred apart an injured gazelle, get educated on the way things work for non profits. When given limited funds you chose between client services and sometimes capital projects. They do not charge the battered women and children for their services. Their work sometimes saves lives in our community of the most vunerable. I work for a non profit, and quite frankly when there are budge cuts, low amounts of donations, or delays in payment tough choices have to be made. People work for these non profit, are often required to have significant amounts of education, certifications, etc. but work for very low wages, because they believe the services need to be provided. So Lay off the mismanagement claims and work towards a solution for a much needed community resource.
I retired from a non-profit agency, also–District 150. I go to church at a “non-profit” agency. My salary for teaching was paid for with tax money. Those who are employed at my church are paid through financial gifts from the congregation. My point is that not all non-proft agencies can expect taxpayer funding. Organizations such as the Center for the Prevention of Abuse really do have rely on charitable contributions. Granted though, the stimulus money seems to fall into a different category. As C.J. stated, I don’t object to these agencies applying for the money–but they do need to “stand in line” behind some of the infrastructure expenses. Just my opinion.
If I read Pauls comment right OSF should also qualify for funds also.
Marty,
technically OSF would qualify for stimulous money. Money that they write off for service the poor, past due public aid funds, pharmacy funds due, etc. are slated, I believe for some of the stimulous funds directed through the state.
Unbelievable! Th stimulus money got more of a discussion on the blogs than it did at the city council meeting. Even Councilman Gulley was lulled/duped/whatever into voting for the non-sidewalk option. Unbelievable.
OSF is not really a non-profit as they are totally in it for the money. They PURPORT to be non-profit, but operate in a totally different manner. Try asking them for help if you are anything but completely indigent. They will give you the services, but force you into bankruptcy. I have 3 friends in the OSF bankruptcy boat right now.
I am an employee of the Center for Prevention of Abuse. I know first hand the services The Center provides the City. I do not disagree this stimulus money should go to help the City. However, it should be noted that the Center for Prevention of Abuse helps the City of Peoria in many ways. The Center for Prevention of Abuse takes in thousands of your fellow citizens in their darkest hour. They have done so for the past 35 years.
Two thirds of the clients, the Center sees, have come from Peoria city. Not only that, but you may be surprised to learn that The Center helps with several several city services. These include helping to issue Orders of Protection, training police officers how to respond to domestic violence situations, and teaching children how to be safe in District 150 schools. The Center takes in 15 new clients every day; several are from southern Peoria. The Center is a very important, yet not a well known part of Peoria, dealing with issues most people want to avoid.
The Center is funded by 85% government money. We are also already funded by City grants to provide services in the Courthouses and in the community. None of these grants helps us put a roof over our clients heads though, they are for staff only.
As for the management of the facilities, the management has been looking at the roof for the past few years. The oldest part of the Center, where the roof needs to be replaced, is 35 years old. There is more than just a roof that needs to be replaced. We have had to replace furnaces, carpet, our kitchen facilities, and many other normal wear and tear items. As a not for profit, we have to strategically improve what we can afford, by prioritizing. Our management has done a great job with this, and it is now time for the roof. These funds are available now, and they coincide with our roof repair needs.
Moreover, it may surprise you to learn the government is more interested in helping with funding staff, not buildings. Infrastructure grants are very hard to come by, and a lot of our infrastructure money comes from donations. The problem is that the Center just doubled the size of its building in 2004. It is difficult to rally people to give another $80,000 after they just spend $16,000,000 on a recent capital campaign. Plus, the economic climate does not help.
Also, we attempted to get this money from other sources, and we applied for funds under the exact same line item last year. The money was denied last year, but, with the stimulus funds, this project was brought backup for this year. In addition, the money being decided upon tonight only pays for a portion of the roof, the other part is being paid by a State grant. It is a smaller portion, but the Center is not depending on the City for all of it.
There is also a problem with spending this money solely on sidewalks because the stimulus money must be spent on shovel ready projects. As with all government grants, this money has a deadline as to when it can be spent. The City at this point can only spend the money on projects that are ready to go. To my knowledge, many of the sidewalks in South Peoria still need to be surveyed and studied. They are therefore disqualified from this money. Also, don’t forget that majority of this $150,000 is going to repair firehouses, normally these would be considered a high priority by CJ.
Lastly, on a personal note, when I started at the Center for Prevention of Abuse, I thought it would make a great jumping point to a better career. However, since I have been working there, it amazes me just how many people from this area depend and benefit from their services. I would not be so quick to dismiss the Center as just another not for profit. Many of you probably know people who have been touched by the Center, and are unaware of it. In the 4 years I have come to respect the staff at the Center, and care deeply about its mission. There is no more deserving cause or organization for this money. For those of you who support all of this money going strait to South Peoria, I ask you to reconsider. This money can benefit the whole city through the programs of the Center. For those of you who support us and our cause, I thank you. We can not do it with you, or the City of Peoria.
I apologize. I meant to say in the last sentence, we can not do it “without” you, or the City of Peoria!!! Thanks again to our supporters!
As usual and as I’ve stated before, I am always amazed how a new topic brings out a whole new group of responders–added to those of us who have to put our two cents’ worth in no matter what the topic. I would love to know how many readers this blog actually attracts. Also, I realize my error in stating that taxpayer (government) money doesn’t help fund services offered by non-profit agencies. I guess, in the case of the stimulus money, there are just many deserving recipients–the choices are difficult.
I agree that this agency provides an invaluable service to Peoria and the tri-county area. We are very lucky to have a top notch organization like Center for Prevention. That being said the agency recently raised “$16,000,000 for a capital campaign” but didn’t plan for repairs for a roof that the “management has been looking at for the past few years”
I am confused!
Bad precedent to set. How does the city turn down the next charitable organization that comes looking for stimulis funds?
Non profit vs for profit… one quick lesson:
…at the end of the year if there is money left over a for profit business they put that money in to the shareholders hands
…at the end of the year if there is money left over for a nonprofit business they put that money into the hands of the administrators as bonuses or raises
mazr: shouldn’t the question be how can we find a way to let the city said yes to the next charitable organization that comes looking for help?
I certainly would have city money spent at the soup kitchens and shelters than on dubious “revitalization” projects.
Feed the hungry, comfort the sick, and visit the prisoners… you know, be a mensch.
Totally agree kcdad…..but when does the South Side get proper drainage and sidewalks? I doubt it’s a “dubious” project to the people who stick it out down there.
Not only the south side… University Ave all along Forrest Hill to Nebraska… I am not suggesting those are the “dubious” ones… I am thinking about city money for the Marriott, or Museum, or moving Big Al’s, or doubling the Mayor’s salary…
Generation Why — Thanks for the insight. Again, in no way did I mean to impugn the Center; I agree they do wonderful work in the city. Also, I was not advocating for the money to be spent only on sidewalks, as I do agree with the expenditures for the fire stations as well. However, the city has limited funds — we just found out Tuesday night that the city is looking at a $2.5 million deficit in 2009 and more in 2010. We have to set priorities. My point is, these basic infrastructure needs in the first district have been put off for decades. When do they become the priority? They’ve been put off for longer than the Center has even existed!
But C.J…. sidewalks BEFORE people?
I don’t understand why “infrastructure” is some kind of magic. We argue about what it is; but take it for granted that more infrastruture is good. Sorry, but its crazy. We need to be looking at what investments, infrastructure and otherwise, will produce a return on investment in terms of jobs, standard of living, etc. Some infrastructure projects have a negative ROI. Some non-infrastructure projects probably have a huge ROI. Granted, you can phony up the numbers and make money pits like museums look good, which is one reason govt. “stimulus” is really a bad idea to start with, but let’s try to get our eye on the ball, “its about the economy, stupid.”
“its about the economy, stupid.”
too bad.. why isn’t it “all about people”?
I thought we were talking about an economic stimulus, Joe, or are you admitting it has nothing to do with helping the economy? Is it really about advancing a political agenda?
Mouse, mouse mouse… If you stimulate the economy, what are you trying to do? Make numbers go up on some chart, or are you trying to make life better for people?
For example… is 1 trillion dollars being spent on banks, investment and insurance companies going to be better for the charts or for the people than say, giving every middle class or lower adult member of society $20,000, $30,000 or $40,000 in cash?
Which is going to be “better” for our nation? In the short or long run, which is better for the economy?
Show ME the money. Now.
kcdad, of course we should be trying to make life better for people.. so giving $1 trillion to anybody is bad. What you really should be doing is providing incentives for private investments. Look at Abraham Lincoln’s economic policy. The Homestead Act, the Pacific Railroad Act, among others. Maybe today we should be encouraging people to start new banks and insurance companies?
Mouse,
Homestead Act opened up land to anyone who could ‘improve’ upon it.
Pac Railroad Act cleared the way for Robber Barons to invest, make a fortune, etc….
Essentially, the U.S. economy is consumer driven. Right now the American consumer is hiding in a cave somewhere. These govt bailouts should be geared towards putting more power [money] in the hands of the consumers; pay off mortgages, car loans, education loans, credit card debt, etc.
Afterall, we all know ‘bad mortgages/loans’ are what got AIG and the rest in trouble [or so they say….].
You have to have money to make money……….
P.S. The down-side of my plan is that people like KCDAD will spend their money on drugs and hookers.
NV: People like me don’t have to pay your sister… oooohh, he did not just write that!
Haaa! Little do you know… My sister’s job is recession-proof!!
No job is recession proof.