What do people want from city government? They want their streets to be plowed quickly after it snows so they can get to work on time. They want to feel safe when they go outside at night. They want the fire department to respond as quickly as possible when there’s a fire or other emergency. They want their garbage picked up, and their streets and sidewalks maintained. They want zoning and code enforcement policies that protect their property values and provide a fair and predictable investment climate for their business and residence.
In short, they want basic services delivered in an efficient and cost-effective manner. That’s the reason we have city government in the first place. That’s why we pay taxes.
I’m afraid the City Council has lost its focus. Instead of putting our tax money toward essential services first, it has opted instead to put large amounts of our tax money toward dubious investments, such as backing a loan for the ill-fated Firefly Energy and committing upwards of $40 million to build another downtown hotel, just to name a couple. Worse, it cuts these deals in secret, giving citizens no opportunity for meaningful input before they’re enacted.
This is not a recent phenomenon. Past council decisions have also compromised our ability to maintain the basic services the City is obligated to provide. MidTown Plaza alone is costing us a half million dollars a year to bail out. As a result of poor decisions such as these, in combination with the recent economic downturn, the City is looking at structural deficits and has had to cut core services each year. Our debt service already accounts for 17% of our budget, and will increase once bonds are issued for the proposed hotel.
I believe it’s time we got back to the fundamentals. We need to get our focus back on our core services — services that benefit all Peorians, not just a privileged few; services that will set the table for economic development without having to resort to developer welfare. And we need to get our focus back on the citizens of Peoria. Perfunctory public hearings have led to a dispirited and jaded public; this is not healthy for our City. Citizens should have ample opportunity for meaningful input, and that means asking for public comments as early in the policy/project development process as possible.
We need more council members who are committed to putting basic services first. And that’s why I’m running for Peoria City Council. I want to see the City focus our resources on our core services, work toward lowering our debt, and take the secrecy out of City government. This is the surest way to make the City an attractive place to live and do business.
A word about The Peoria Chronicle
One of the questions I get asked most frequently is what will happen to The Peoria Chronicle if I’m elected. I have no plans to change anything about the blog. It’s not unprecedented for elected officials to have active blogs (Merle Widmer is but one example), so I see no problem with continuing this site as is. In fact, I think it would be an asset. One of the things I love about the blog is the opportunity to discuss issues and get different points of view. The more civil discourse we can have as a community, the better.
We don’t always agree – and I can’t vote for you, but I think you would make a terrific councilman. Good Luck!
With all that said are you in favor of the “East Village / OSF TIF”? Since it most likley will be approved before the election.
I am not able to vote in Peoria elections either, but I do believe it is time for the Council to start refocusing on basic services. Especially in these times of budget deficits.
On the other hand, I respectfully disagree with your take on some of the decisions the Council made in the past. Mid-Town Plaza was built during times of a better economy, and Firefly was thought to be the next great generator of jobs and technology in batteries. When these loans were voted on, I don’t think anyone back then could have predicted the economy collapsing in late 2007-early 2008.
I have no opinion on the Marriott Hotel deal, other than I hope it gets built, is successful, and generates the income that’s been promised. I just know many folks are doubters on that deal.
If I could vote, I do believe my choices would be Summers, Grayeb, and Sandburg. I believe all three put basic services at the top of the list. I hope someday we will get back to private investors who are willing to risk their business success with their own money instead of public money–I think they might even try harder to achieve success and to avoid failure.
Watch who the mayor endorses then run the other direction. It is that simple.
I always find it interesting how many people comment on this blog about everything everywhere Peoria and then when it’s time to vote they are the first ones to say “I can’t vote” but if I could…
I can’t vote in Peoria elections but I do work in Peoria and have to deal with a lot of the issues in the city. Also, Peoria is a metro area, how Peoria goes so do the surrounding areas.
Most of the time my comments relate to District 150–I live in West Peoria, which is served by District 150 schools. I have noticed (especially bloggers about PJS posts) are very free about their opinions about District 150 even if they don’t live in District 150 territory. I guess all of us are affected by what Peoria does, etc.–you know, “No man is an island”–neither does any community stand alone.
I hope the voters of Peoria will vote in a strong basic services slate in 2011. In 2013, the District elections will be held and we can then finish the job.
Just like Walk of Shame, I work in Peoria, but don’t live in Peoria…but I do care what happens in Peoria, both in the city and the schools.
This is to “who on this blog can vote in Peoria?”
Love this post. Perhaps we can have a new city motto. How about this?
Peoria – if you love it, live there. Otherwise, STFU.
Also, remember that the people who seem to have the most sway in city and District 150 decisions are on the PeoriaAREA Chamber of Commerce–a significant number of people who do not live or vote in Peoria.
I currently live in Peoria and will be voting for CJ. I’m partial to Peoria but there’s a good chance I won’t be here 5 years from now unless there are some drastic improvements. At this point I’m not confident in sending my kids to 150 when they are of school age. Along with paying more in taxes than what I’d pay across the river. It really makes it hard to justify staying in Peoria the way things are going now.
Are ya going to allow crack cocaine people off the hook that what the city about now oh my god
Jane Weedi you could become a hero and people will go out their to be nice to you, if you just won’t no on throwing the city’s money away oh my god
what did that one say its christmas are realestate taxes are going up are utility are going up that not christmas to me, but the council of job killing taxes it is
good luck CJ. We definitely need some people who know how to research an issue and think independently.
Good luck, CJ!! You’ve got my vote!
All 5 votes! Or maybe 1 for sandberg and 4 for you.
C.J. – Bob, IMO, is representative of most young families’ thinking. As I posted previously, my children are HS age and we will be moving back to the area soon, and I am really torn about moving to Peoria (even though I feel Richwoods would be a good HS choice for them). I agree C.J., the basic city services are the first order of business . . . but I want MORE. I want a more vibrant community that offers family amenities, especially with the high property taxes I am looking at.
Best of luck. I’m not sure how I’m going to split my vote yet, but you’ve definitely got 2 or 3 from me, and the same from my wife.
Sorry, forgot to say that I am really glad you are running.
C.J…..tell your dad I’ll be looking forward to stuffing envelopes with him.
I have a feeling there are some in this town who are really hoping you don’t win.
Frustrated:
Just seeking to understand …. “more vibrant community that offers family amenities, especially with the high property taxes I am looking at.”
What does family amenities mean? Thanks for your help.
I can vote and I do. I will vote for CJ.
Mazr–probably a few of the others who are running!
I will vote for CJ.
Those who want family amenities, vibrant community, etc., should know that I also want that; as I imagine so does CJ. I simply believe that the avenue to achieve that is to provide strong basic services (safety, streets and sanitation, good schools, etc.) that are the core of what a municipality does. The rest will follow. Instead of chasing mono-rails and worshipping at the church of whats-happening-now, it is better to keep the steady, sometimes slow, path of progress. Many do not because they like shiny objects and buy candy bars and magazines from the check-out aisle; want money, glory or prestige of having brought some great idea to town.
Thanks for all your kind words. I’ll respond to individual comments later tonight. Right now, it’s time to liveblog the council meeting! đ
What are family amenities and why is the city responsible for providing them? Fix my sidewalks, make sure my neighbors cut their grass, plow/maintain my streets, and make sure I am not getting mugged/shot/raped/robbed. Other than that, stay out of the way and out of my utility bills.
I believe your non-endorsement from the Journal Star will read something like:
“While we appreciate C.J. Summers’ passion for Peoria, we are unable to endorse him due to to his unwillingness to back important civic projects. His stubborn refusal to back the Kellar Trail and proposed museum cast doubt upon his willingness to work with others to ensure Peoria moves forward.”
Best of wishes, Peoria needs your voice on the Council.
Just like their non-endorsement of Karrie Alms.
A Journal Star “endorsement” and 99 cents will buy ya a double cheeseburger off the Value Menu at McDonald’s.
Karrie: Happy to explain family amenities. I lived in North Peoria prior to moving out of town. Contrary to popular belief by frequent bloggers on Peoria Chronicle, many North Peorians are not uber rich and so I was constantly âfrustratedâ with the lack of quality family services offered near my home at an affordable price.
1. Limited daycare facilities. I lived in the Knolls area when my children were born but moved North because the “better” daycares were out there and I was tired of driving North to drop off my baby only to turn around and go downtown to work. Have not been shopping, as of late for such services, but imagine little has changed in that regards to the availability of quality daycare.
2. No library out North. I guess this one is finally being taken care of. Lakeview was sufficiently close but often had no books on the shelves and did not have research material for student papers, etc. We often ended up driving to Peoria Heights and using their library which was much newer.
3. No public pool. Used to go to Lakeview but it became too crowded and nasty. Then Willow Knolls converted to a Y and that was ok for a couple of years and then it became run down and overcrowded.
4. Fitness facility (think Washington Five Points). River Plex, while nice, is not centrally located. The other health club facilities in Peoria are private and are geared more for adult exercise for the most part.
5. Park district programming. My children participate in the Park District competitive swim program and so this past summer I drove back and forth from Woodruff and Central pools, dropping one off at each facility. I made the mistake a number of times of winding my way through the neighborhoods that lie between these two pools and I had more than a few scary encounters. The last straw was when the yellow tape across the street prevented me from passing through because there had been a shooting. I was often in tears this summer driving around Peoria and seeing what a blighted mess it has become. Sorry, but I shouldnât have to drive into the âhoodâ for my children to participate in park district athletic programs.
I agree with the thinking that we have to build a stable, safe, and attractive community first. We need to get families moving in or moving back to the center of the city. Once we stabilize, we can start to enhance. It’s ludicrous to pour our money into hotels and museums when our neighborhoods are crumbling and the police can’t control the drugs and the shootings. I agree with “Frustrated” that it is very upsetting to drive through what were once lovely, family-friendly neighborhoods and see decay, loitering, and rats and criminals going about their business in the broad daylight.
Let’s tend to basics. The other developments will grow from there.
Frustrated: Thanks for your help. It is frustrating on so many levels. It would be interesting for elected officials or even candidates to read ‘Working at Warp Speed’ and then to participate in the Project Game. It would at least make for an interesting Youtube posting.
Let us know where we can get our yard signs!
Martin — I’m skeptical of the East Village TIF, but I want to read the report that will reportedly be put on the web today before making a decision. So far, the “plan” has been too vague to analyze. Also, from the comments at the council meeting last night, it doesn’t sound like the process has been open or that neighbors have been adequately informed about what’s happening. That’s a huge red flag.
Dennis in Peoria — Regarding MidTown Plaza, you don’t need hindsight to see that project was bad. The City did its own study before the project was approved which came back showing it would not be successful. Staff recommended against it. But the council inexplicably decided to believe the developer’s study that showed the project would draw people from East Peoria and Morton to shop at Cub Foods! I recognize that sometimes you have to make a decision based on the best information you have at the time, and despite your best efforts and judgment, a project can turn out less successful than you hoped or expected. But that’s not the case with MidTown. The best information they had at the time clearly informed them that this was a bad project; they should never have approved it. As for Firefly, I can see why that would have been an attractive investment. However, you have to ask yourself, is backing start-up business loans a basic function of city government? Should our tax dollars essentially be used as venture capital? Furthermore, the deal was brokered by David Leitch — an elected official who also happened to be a VP at National City, the bank that made the loan to Firefly. There were plenty of red flags on that deal. Also, Firefly didn’t fail due to the economy, but due to its product not working.
Frustrated, et. al. — Thanks for your feedback. I think your comments show the problem perfectly. If police protection and code enforcement go down the tubes, all the park district programming and other amenities lose their value. We have to shore up the basics first in order to be successful in attracting/providing amenities.
Vonster — Will do. I’ll keep everyone updated. Thanks!
Good luck, C.J. I’ll be sure to recommend you to my parents.
CJ, thank you, I stand corrected. Let’s hope that the business of issuing loans for start-up businesses that have faulty revenue projections does not become a habit over in EP. They’ve already started that trend with Bass Pro.
Like PeoriaIllinoisan, my only question is how to allocate my 5 votes. I would be interested to know how you would vote if you were not a candidate. Good luck.
Your right C.J. First things, first. You really do your homework. I hope you get an opportunity to serve.
C.J. said “but I want to read the report that will reportedly be put on the web today before making a decision. So far, the âplanâ has been too vague to analyze. .” Wow, if more of are elected officials operated like that, wouldn’t it be swell.
I wish you the best of luck. We definitely don’t see eye-to-eye on everything, but I think that you should be damn near everybody’s first choice for a seat. IMHO, you have proven beyond any reasonable doubt that you have your fellow citizens’ best interests (rather than your own pet projects or biases) at heart. You are well-researched, pragmatic, and strong proponent of openness, accountability, and responsibility. Too bad I don’t live in Peoria anymore so I can’t vote for you… đ
I’m sorry, C.J. But I cannot support you for City Council. There are enough stinking Cardinals fan sitting around that horseshoe. It’s an established fact that God is a Cubs fan, and I do not think it’s wise to p*** him off any mroe than he already is.
I vote in Peoria! I’ll be watching this campaign closely.