I saw the Chicago Tribune use this feature called TagCrowd on Blagojevich’s speech, so I thought I’d use it for Mayor Ardis’s State of the City speech. It’s not a particularly meaningful feature, but it’s a fun novelty:
address area budget business center central citizens city coming commission community continue council councilman crime department development director district dollars economic fire future group help illinois job leadership local members people peoria planning please process program project promise provide public re schools staff strong successful thank today ve work year
created at TagCrowd.com
it was a totally meaningless speech, so why not try a feature that’s not particularly meaningful?
Mouse,
I disagree with you [sorry].
I found Ardis’s speech particularly ‘meaningful’, especially since it was followed by CAT’s announcing more layoffs.
Maybe Ardis should change it to “it’s better over here………………..almost, O.K., maybe not so much………………….., O.K.,…………………….is it getting warm in here or is it just me?”
Would everyone rather have the mayor just say how bad things are? I don’t get it??
He isn’t saying things are perfect here but compaired to other areas of the country including Chicago things are better.
I am glad he is trying to stay positive.
Peoriafan, that would be the “tallest midget” line of thinking. I would have rather Ardis just forgot the whole idea.
your right
It’s not better here and we should just all roll over and die!
peoriafan, the point is, it’s just more talk. You can say “it’s better here” all day long, every day, it means nothing.
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” —- Joseph Goebbel
Hey NV… I just applied for a minimum wage job that will pay me more than I make teaching!
Karrie — I understand your point is about the power of propaganda, but I have to take issue with your comment.
First, I don’t believe that Mayor Ardis is trying to implement the “big lie” theory, nor do I think he could if he wanted to. He doesn’t have the power of the press under his control, so his ability to perpetuate a myth is impossible. But I don’t think he’s trying to deceive anyone in the first place. I think he sincerely believes, and for good reason, that the Peoria area is weathering the economic crisis better than the rest of the country. I think that, rather than wallowing in self-pity, he’s choosing to try to stay positive and try to lift people’s spirits — to be an encourager. And I don’t personally find any fault with that.
Second, I have a strong distaste for arguments that invoke Nazism. The atrocities that were perpetrated by the Nazis were so horrific that I think it dishonors the victims of their regime to compare our petty troubles to what they endured.
I think we must find a way to disagree with others that doesn’t call into question their character and motives.
Peoriafan,
I guess being optimistic is fine. There is no harm done. What we need in the Heart of Illinois is a REAL statistical analysis of how hard the eco-downturn has really hit us. Several homes on my street have been foreclosed or are up for sale ‘by owner.’ CAT’s news is not helping, Krispy Kreme, etc……..?
C.J.,
Karrie is invoking history in her own unique way. I do see your point though. I don’t know about Ardis. His speech does not register an 8 or above on my sincerity meter. The guy supports the museum plan at the same time he is rambling about “sound investment.” Of course, the museum is not the only issue. Correct me if I am wrong, but won’t he be up for re-election soon?
I can only offer my ‘humble’ opinion, but I believe that Ardis is merely continuing the history of [crappy?] govt. in Peoria. Ardis is not alone to be sure, considering the group he has to work with, little wonder the guy hasn’t had a break down! I am afraid Peoria govt. has a reputation for throwing good money after bad, and letting ‘THE BIG ONE’ get away……..
Pekin’s mayor has the exact same ad out as Ardis.. “It is better here!” (Except he claims Pekin is in the top 25 Metro areas in the country, as opposed to Ardis who says we are in the top 40)
CJ: I apologize for not making myself clear in my usual long entry style.
I was not making any reference to Mayor Ardis. I apologize to him if he or anyone else who thought that I was referencing him, because I was not. I have directed comments to particular individuals or groups based on my experiences with them. I am receptive to those individuals or groups expressing or writing their take on the same experience. Anything I say or write, I attach my name and the public documents which support my position are available to anyone else so that they can verify the truth of my writings for themselves. The truth sets you free. We learn by being inclusive, no one person nor groups has all the answers to improve Peoria.
Is it better here than other places? Yes. Is it worse here than other places? Yes.
You are correct — the power of propaganda is significant. Spin is used and when a dissenting opinion surfaces, you are not being bipartisan or whatever the label of the day is attached to you. The ability to squash public questions by limiting citizens from asking questions is troubling in society as a whole and as well as being a citizen in Peoria. There are forest and tree perspectives and sometimes people see both the forest and the trees. The issue becomes irrelevant and the bashing and destruction of the message begins.
Mayor Ardis takes a positive attitude. I have talked with Jim and he is a half full rather than half empty glass person. I have talked with Jim on different occasions and he is to be applauded for his optimism.
I also believe that we should have positive attitudes. Thoughts are things.
If I wanted to go to Chino and my map was labeled Chino but was really a Chicago map, I am going to be in a difficult. No matter how hard I tried to use the map given to me, it would be next to impossible to get to Chino only using that map because from Peoria I would not being going west to get to Chino (which is located in California) vs. going northest to arrive in Chicago. If someone else can do it, who had no prior knowledge or additional information, no gps and no other clues, divine inspiration might be the only answer. If you can accomplish that course, bravo, I cannot.
I can have a positive attitude but I will still be going the wrong direction, ie, I am still lost.
In my opinion, citizens have paid for the same groupthink ‘build it they will come’ projects during the fifteen years I have lived in Peoria. Other citizens tell that this thinking has been going on for decades. The deterioration continues.
You can see what has happened. If you like it great. If you do not, and I do not, then you can advocate, complain, do nothing or whatever you chose to do or not to do. I choose to stand for something — to advocate for transparent, inclusive, public process and a vision. To encourage others to care, take opportunities (usually at perceived risk) to make Peoria better to give voice to his or her vision which should really part of our vision, not the vision solely from the top of the socio-economic ladder. The vision that we are supposed to be rah-rah about because our tax dollars are needed, yet we did not get to be part of the vision making. Recently when we have been part of the vision-making than there is lip service given to implementation and enforcement. Think recent LDC examples which CJ has previously blogged. Change can be difficult.
Is it better here? Yes. Is it better here? NO. Depends on your prospective. There are other places in the US which are worse off than Peoria and vice versa. Is it better here for transparent, inclusive, public process? In my opinion, NO.
And CJ, I have a strong distaste for Nazism too. We need to remember that Nazism was not created in a day or one incident, rather overtime and one action led to another until it became the horrific monster and destroyer of various groups of people. History teaches us what happens and we need to remember and learn from those lessons. I do not feel that I am dishonoring the victims because of our petty troubles. There are dangers to political apathy. Cancer starts with one cell, divides to two, then to four, then to eight and so on.
A friend recently sent this poem to me, attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.
Niemöller said he was not quite sure when he had said the famous words but, if people insist upon citing them, he preferred this version:
“In Germany, they came first for the Communists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then . . . they came for me . . .
And by that time there was no one left to speak up.”
Thoughts to ponder.
My husband tells me that sometimes it is difficult to follow intent on a blog — I agree. I apologize again. Short entries must not be my strong suit! 🙂
Sheesh. Please don’t upbraid Karrie again. It’s ironic that Goebbels would admire the non-admission.
Someone is sure bilking the little tax poll the J Star is taking. All of a sudden it is 2-1 in favor of tax! Amazing! Has the poll been rigged [again]? Don’t know, but what the PRM group has done in the past to get it’s way………………………….
NV: At the end of the day — polls are just that — polls. The results of the vote are what matter.
I have lived in Peoria all my life and i love this community . Mayor Ardis is one of the best Mayor’s Peoria has ever had. He really gets it and it is better here because its home and this community has seen hard times . But we all stick it out because its home . Mayoe Ardis does his very best and we should all get behind him and support him. I will be voting to keep him. He is a very strong leader.When we hurt , he cares, he gives his all to this community. Thank God we have his strong leadership.
Mamma, then please tell mr. Ardis if he cares so much to quite trying to close our schools. If this town is hurtin for money they should not do the museum. Put it into our schools instead. thankyou.
Karrie wrote:
“Is it better here for transparent, inclusive, public process? In my opinion, NO.”
Um, what does an improvement look like? Elected officials stopping what they’re doing when you’re talking and saying, “you know, she’s right”?
Seriously, how does a more transparent local government look differently in your worldview from the reality of how you see it today? I am genuinely interested…
“He really gets it and it is better here because its home and this community has seen hard times ”
What he really “gets” apparently, is that people like you Mamma believe anything your “leader” tells you.
How can it be “better” when you just admitted we are seeing hard times… and believe me, they are not in the past.
Did you miss the announcement that “It’s better here” is a universal advertising slogan like “where’s the beef” or “don’t squeeze the charmin”? Everyone is using it. It means exactly what it means in Pekin, East Peoria and anywhere else… buy my wagon load of goodies.
here are just some of the many advertising takes on this phrase… from Wendy’s to Caportorto pizza
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B07E1DC163FF930A35755C0A9679C8B63
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/oct2004/nf20041014_4965_db035.htm
http://capotortos.com/
http://www.nakedjen.com/nakedjen/2008/10/its-better-here.html
and of course, our own:
http://www.edc.centralillinois.org/goto/ItsBetterHere
SEE!?!?! KCDAD IS A COMMUNIST!
Mr. ED [no pun intended],
Maybe Karrie means it would be NICE if local govt. would at least ‘kiss’ us before they tell us to bend over………….
HELLS BELLS man, I would feel better if city/county govt. would at least LOOK at me while they ignore me.
Right now Merle Widmer is on my ‘happy-pants’ list.
I pardon him.
Just to let you all know what an expert I am on the economy, big business, etc…. I am going to explain my plan to bring CAT back from the brink, AND ensure that no one loose their job.
What you do is take a few million dollars [best est.], and invest in a local visitor’s center / museum! SEE!?!?!?! Shock and awe! This will bring the region, nay…the WORLD to its knees.
All of you poor slobs who lost your CAT jobs can now find well-paying construction jobs!
Brilliant. No need to thank me. Just DON’T forget my bonus!
ed: more transparent government …..
(1) Have a community plan – vision statement of where we want to be in five, ten years developed by the community not a plan conceived and then shopped by the administrators and elected officials as to what will be coming forward. We do not need more consultants and more studies, we need respect and collaboration and input from all the stakeholders to come up with ideas, solutions and a plan. Common sense is at least as important as credentials behind your name.
(2) Lay out the challenges before us. It is great to form committees, nevertheless, when the same group of people participating on multiple issues (committees), we usually get the same collective thinking and solutions. Instead, change up the mix.
Have public input — compile ideas and return and report with the community. Have another round of public input and return and report with the communiy. Repeat as long as it takes. We need to stop being in fire drill mode for every tough decision. That mode only breeds mistrust and resentment.
But you might say that takes too long, too messy, it won’t work? I say that this is far more effective than the continued struggle and fierce battles to stake out positions in reactive mode. It may be difficult for administrators and elected officials to carry out the solutions and will of the people.
It will require a different way of thinking and a different sharing of power than we have had in Peoria for decades. If we are truly interested in the best end result, this is the only way that it will work. Our community has tried the ‘we know best’ mode and look where we have arrived? Invite all stakeholders.
(3) Then elected officials need to stay on course, not getting bumped off for this development nor that development. This is the plan and get the job done. Enforce the plan in a consistent manner.
The unspoken slogan in Peoria seems to be – ‘Any development is good development.’ That is why we have a patchwork of hodge podge and not an effectively nor efficiently planned city. This ineffective planning results in greater consumption of our tax dollars to provide basic city services. As we continue in this same planning mode, we further destabilize and erode our City’s core and promoting the destruction of our city.
(4) Continued town hall meetings and forums to return and report that we are staying on track. What can we do better? How can individuals become involved to help effect the changes we want to see in our future? We live in a dynamic world not a static world. Nevertheless with an overall community developed vision of where we what to be in the future will allow our community members to rally around a specific set of goals and become truly great. Tranformative leadership —- think of Charleston and Mayor Riley’s commitment to community input and planning.
http://www.charlestoncity.info/dept/content.aspx?nid=496
Charleston was a pit and has become a jewel.
The recent school closure issue is seemingly evidence of vacuum planning. The District has not done an effective job communicating news. Then came up with a plan that it was ‘our way or the highway’ and looked what happened. Solutions came forward — evidence that people want to be positive and be part of the solution and they accomplished these results for FREE on their own time. They also showed respect to each other that ideas and solutions can be developed and advanced.
It is important to remember ….
Trust is earned not givin. – Jack Fought
We have to create the future or others will do it for us. (Babylon 5 – Final Episode)
Marxist, you dweeb, and you are a greedy capitalist. I know what you would do with that bonus…
… you would buy a new coat with leather patches on the elbows.
Marxist?!?!? You can’t even spell the word [and ONLY my mother calls me a dweeb]!
Anyway, for a guy whose call-sign sounds like the name of a fastfood restaurant chain…..you seem O.K.
Karrie,
I hear you loud and clear. You make perfect sense [as usual]. I have advocated for a number of changes to the current museum plan for years. C.J., yourself, and a host of others who post here have proposed a number of plans and ideas; all to no avail. It will all come down to the vote in April. Either the PRM will get their way or not. If they do?
If they do not, I will be curious to see if they care do figure out why they NEVER seemed to gain public support for their project. Do they care?
District 150 has become a bureaucratic nightmare. Public discourse in Peoria seems to have disappeared. Wonder what next.