Dairy King in the Gov's Mansion?

Received a form from Senator/Governor Wanna-be Oberweis today. Yeah. Like I'm going to circulate this guy's petition. I gotta take care of a few things first. Like counting each individual fiber in my shag carpet. Don't get me wrong, Mr. Oberweis, you make an outstanding chocolate peanutbutter ice cream. (No kidding. It is amazing.) But this guy has no shot in hell of holding an elected office higher than precinct committeeman, and even that's a stretch.

Would someone with a brain please report to Republican headquarters?

Christ, what is taking so long to come up with a viable candidate for Governor?

Edgar, get in the game or get out. I don't care. If you don't decide shortly I will not vote for you based on the fact you clearly cannot crap and get off the pot in a timely manner. Plus, I still remember that education tax stunt you tried to pull just before your last term was up.

You ain't as Republican as you appear, but at least we know you're not too good to live in Springfield.

End Abortion. Issue Sex Licenses.

Don't bother reading this unless you are going to read the ENTIRE post.

I am pro life. I'm anti abortion with all the sad, but necessary, exceptions: rape, incest, when the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother, or when the baby so morbidly deformed it would only know a life of endless physical pain if born. Yeah, it happens. More than you think.

If one makes the decision to have sex, the natural consequence is pregnancy. If one makes the decision to have sex and responsibly uses the best birth control available, pregnancy is still a risk. Compare it to driving a car. I know, there are HUGE differences, but stay with me here. The only way emotional issues are ever intelligently debated/discussed is with logic.

When you turned sixteen, after months of supervised instruction, you probably went to the Department of Motor Vehicles. You took an eye exam, a driving test and completed a written exam. At that point, the State deemed you intelligent and competent to get behind the wheel of a multi-ton vehicle capable of high speeds. Driving is the most dangerous activity most of us ever engage in. Society trusts you to make good decisions in an inherently dangerous situation daily.

So, lets say you are driving home one very dark night on an isolated road. You have both hands on the wheel. You haven't had a single alcoholic beverage. You are not speeding. You are not sleepy. You are not talking on a freaking cell phone. You are not distracted by turning the dial on your radio, picking your nose, scratching your butt, or even sipping a latte. You are the Felix Unger of safe driving.

A pedestrian steps into the path of your car. Some air head jogger, complete with a MP3 player blaring rap music in her ears, wearing all black, who didn't bother to look both ways before crossing the street. You couldn't see her. You couldn't stop in time. You collide right into her.

The jogger, bleeding heavily, likely mortally wounded and in great pain, moans for help. You are scared. You might be charged with vehicular homicide. Involuntary manslaughter. You weren't doing anything wrong, but hell, you know lawyers now days. You could go to prison and the jogger's family could sue you in civil court. You could lose absolutely everything. Again, you did nothing wrong. In fact, you did everything right. You took every precaution. You're a good person.

Do you have to stop and give aid?

Yes. Of course. Such an accident is a daily risk of driving. Despite the best intentions and precautions, such tragedies happen. As a society, we trust you to manage the risk and behave humanely should such a horrific event occur. Society and the State trusted you with a license and a car, you should trust us (society and the State) to sort it all out. You have to trust the police to measure the skid marks correctly. You have to trust the District Attorney not to charge or prosecute. You have to trust the Judge to throw out a frivolous law suit.

Because driving carries such enormous risks, it is limited to those people who theoretically have the maturity and education to behave appropriately.*

Too bad we can't license sex.




*Yes. I know. There are a lot of idiots on the road.

IMHO: President Bush (Still) Snorts Cocaine

Bush must still be getting high. Often. It is the only explanation for his plan to completely rebuild the Golf Coast without raising taxes. Not only is he not going to raise taxes, but President Bush wants his temporary tax cuts to become law.

I'm a Republican. One reason I'm Republican is because I think many in Government like to waste money they didn't earn on pork projects no one needs. Therefore, I picked the party that pledged to take less of my money. I like my money. Little pixie fairies didn't give me my money. Mummy and Daddy didn't provide me with a trust fund. I have been poor and it sucked. It sucked eggs. Therefore, I'm very protective of my money.

The thought of local government using my dear, sweet money to finance some doctor's parking garage peeves me to no end. That state and national government see fit to use my beloved money to enable some slob, allergic to labor, to continue to sit on his/her lard ass for another generation or two keeps me up at night.

However, when my fellow Americans are suffering horribly after a catastrophe beyond their control... Yes, by all means, let me get my checkbook. I expect to feel at least a little pinch. I think most reasonable people do. Passing the entire $200 billion dollar burden (plus interest) on to my children and grandchildren by slapping the cost of Katrina recovery on to the national debt is inexcusable.

A small child recently asked me, "Why don't they just make more money so there won't be any more poor people?" I attempted to explain inflation by saying anything too plentiful wasn't likely to be valuable. You know what? The five year old got it. You know what else? Bush doesn't. Which is scary. Really scary. I don't want to think that our Commander in Chief is that stupid.

I choose to believe he is simply snorting tons of coke instead.

Edgar relieved Blago deceived

Another day in Illinois, another politician and his cronies caught with their hands in the Teacher's Retirement Fund cookie jar. This time it is our beloved *snicker* Governor, Blago. He says he was completely clueless, he had no idea his underlings -who have already pleaded "guilty"- were doing. Even though I am a Republican*, I actually hope Blago is telling the truth because this crap is getting really old, and really embarrassing.

Illinois is the cesspool for dirty, greedy politicians. Other states have their share of political thieves, but it seems Illinois always has someone on the take. There is always an investigation, indictment, or trial underway in the land of Lincoln. We mostly have Chicago, the land of "Vote early and often!" to thank. However, the whole state pays the price.

In the meantime, if this scandal is handled properly by the ugly right, Jim Edgar can stand down. The Republican Party won't need the reluctant Edgar to run after all. Blago has become instantly beatable. Anyone remember JIM Ryan? JIM Ryan ran against Blago in the last election for Governor. JIM Ryan was Attorney General before Lisa Madigan was gifted the post. He was popular and scandal free. Why did he lose? Name confusion, for one. JIM Ryan was in no way related to GEORGE Ryan, our former scummy Governor with a trial underway, but they had the same last name. So, people assumed the worst.

Blago seized upon voter stupidity and launched a series of scummy t.v. ads trying to link JIM Ryan to the GEORGE Ryan scandal, accusing Attorney General Ryan of refusing to investigate Governor Ryan. In reality, the Governor Ryan was investigated/prosecuted at the Federal level. The State Attorney General office is, of course, out ranked by the feds.

But hey! All is fair in love and war. Look for the same half truths and out and out lies to be splashed across t.v. screens soon.

Paybacks are a bitch.


*(Kiss my fat conservative ass, Vonster. I'm a Republican with a brain.)

Communists, Katrina, Capitalism, and Doggie EKGs. The week in review.

Oh, Dear. What a week for Peoria. No refugees from New Orleans but (much to Bill Dennis' dismay) Commies from China instead. Now, kids, can't we all get along? Nah. It would be a lot more fun to swarm Mayor Ardis' press conference tomorrow with the representatives from Peoria's beloved communist sister city with "FREE TIBET" signs. Afterwards, we can all go down to the riverfront for Octoberfest and really teach those wannabe Germans a thing or two. Or... we could just drink beer.

I contacted a realtor and started looking at houses in Dunlap. The best arguments against such a move were that both my life and my blog would be boring if I made such a move. Pretty damn weak. I wouldn't have to give up my "PollyPeoria" tag because I would still be in the City of Peoria, just exploiting the Dunlap school system. Talk to Fifth District City Council Member Patrick Nichting if you have questions.

As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I like a guy who can apologize. President Bush's apology/self flogging last night just didn't cut it. An apology and a huge check drawn on a federal bank was the only thing that could possibly save Bush's skin, and he knew as much, so it just doesn't count. It's kind of like when a serial killer shows remorse in order to avoid the death penalty.

Lately, I've been trying to watch as much BBC World News as possible. I'm interested to see how other countries are viewing the United States in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Wouldn't you know it? Katrina is all capitalism's fault! Yes, you see, we Americans have downsized government too much in order to fund tax cuts. We thought the free market would protect us from natural disasters. Silly me. The lesson I walked away with was that government could be both big and ineffective.

My dog, Frenchy, is now classified as geriatric. I took him to the vet for his yearly checkup and shots. The Doc heard a heart murmur and ordered Frenchy a doggie EKG and blood tests to see how his major organs were holding up. Apparently, Frenchy could require doggie doses of Lipitor or something. Needless to say, I do not have canine prescription coverage. When I asked the vet if all the tests and interventions were really necessary, as French is eleven years old and his life expectancy is twelve or thirteen, he looked at me like I was Satan. I love Frenchy. I do. However, FRENCHY IS A DOG. Frenchy licks his butt, and therefore clearly does not fear death. When the time comes and Frenchy suffers arthritis and/or chest pain, I don't think Frenchy would freely choose doggie Celebrex/Lipitor over a peaceful ending. Everyone knows all dogs go to heaven. They made a movie about it.

Doggie EKGs. Jeeze. People are starving in Niger at this moment. They are dying horrible, painful deaths. Many of them are children. It never ceases to amaze me that the wealthiest nation on earth can also be the stupidest.

Welcome home, Mrs. Stepford.

To be honest, I've always felt smug driving through the newer subdivisions of north Peoria. My personal definition of tacky Americana has been those huge McMansions crowded against one another. After all, what is the point of a owning mini estate if you can smell your next door neighbor frying bacon? What is the point of an 8,000 square foot home with doors you can easily/accidentally put a foot through? Crown moulding is nice, but crown moulding composed of glue and saw dust? Puhleeze. What is with all the houses built with three sides of expensive brick and vinyl siding on the back? Do suburbanites think they are fooling anyone? I've always reserved an arrogant chuckle for lawns so big as to require a riding lawn mower, complete with tiny trees more accurately described as sprouts. More taste than money, I guess.

I spent this afternoon at a barbecue of a co-worker who lives in Dunlap. You know what? Dunlap is looking pretty damn good. Her house had all the cheapo elements previously mentioned, but I was too busy enjoying the surround sound system - echoing throughout the ENTIRE house - to notice. Her kitchen is something that would bring Julia Child back from the dead, complete with slate countertops and commercial grade appliances. You could put a king size bed in most of the closets. And the bathrooms... My God in heaven! Truly an ode to American plumbing. I could live in her master bathroom. Jacquzzi. Bidet. Chandelier. A shower with two heads. The surround sound was in the John too, along with a flat screen TV. Okay, and now the best part...

The neighborhood. These folks were nice, never snotty, and laid back. Kids were everywhere. Kids ran in and out of each other's homes, they rode bikes in the middle of the street, they chased each other up and down pristine sidewalks. This is the childhood I had. Apparently I just need to spend half a million bucks to provide it for my offspring. Everyone's kids, including the Catholics, attend public school. Mothers I talked to said Dunlap's Ridgeview Elementary doesn't have more than 20 students per class.

Can I tell you? Not ONE car drove over the speed limit. I didn't hear one freakin' boom box or feel a single car radio vibrate the house while driving by. No litter anywhere. Not even a cigarette butt! I didn't know how much fear I had incorporated into my being until this afternoon, when it dawned on me, I was more relaxed than I had been since... God, who knows? For the first time in a long time, I felt completely safe. And, yes, there were at least a couple of black folks living on the street. It doesn't matter what race you are. I have come to the conclusion that if you have a mortgage costing you at least $3,000 a month, it is all but guaranteed your neighbors will have their shit together. Lawns get mowed. Trash gets hauled to the curb. Snow gets shoveled. Peeling paint, repaired. Kids decently behaved. Well, there were a few brats and sullen teens, but their parents were present and accounted for, and they knew it.

I'm not sure why I live where I do anymore. What am I trying to prove? What are the chances my neighborhood will ever improve? Statistically, it is more likely to fall further into decline. Where are all the thugs going to go? Jail? Seattle? Siberia? The kids roaming the streets are unsupervised and probably unloved, and my staying isn't going to change it. My tax money hasn't succeeded in doing squat to improve the public schools. It's depressing as hell and life is short.

They may be in debt up to their receding foreheads in Dunlap, but they are also having a great time.

So, take my all brick house, my hardwood floors, my charming moulding and baseboards, my heavy six panel doors, my towering ancient oak trees... all yours... for the right price.

When I told my girlfriend I was considering a move to her neck of the woods, she smirked rather smugly, handed me an unnaturally cold Amstel Light, and said, "Pol, everyone was wondering what was taking you so long."

Katrina: Millionaire. Billionaire. Zillionaire...

One of today's headlines reads, "Katrina May Cost Over $300 Billion." Wow. Who is doing the math on that one? I'm not saying they are wrong, I'm just wondering where they got their numbers.

Congress put their stamp of approval on a $50 billion aid package for Katrina's victims. I don't fault their generosity. I just want someone to explain how government can tap the Magic Money Fairy over night to aid those suffering the effects of a natural disaster but constantly claim poverty when it comes to public education, health care, anti-terrorism measures and social security?

How much of that $50 billion will ever appear? Of the dollars that do make their way out of D.C., how many of them will fund low interest loans to those businesses and individuals actually hurt or even slightly impacted by Katrina?

It was revealed this past week that Peoria's own Smoothie King was the recipient of $70,000 low interest 9/11 loan. Sucking down a tutti frutti smoothie must somehow soothe Peoria's collective 9/11 grief.

Nope. I'm not a liberal. I just believe it is wise to question government's priorities. Lately, I've been wondering if they have any.

9/11. Where were you?

When recalling national tragedies the question used to be, "Where were you when President Kennedy was shot?" More often than not the answer today is a youthful smirk followed by, "I was just a twinkle in my parent's eyes."

New generation. New scar. There has been some healing, but the scar from 9/11 is tender, easily inflamed and ugly. Wars have been declared. Countries have been invaded. Laws re-written. 9/11 casualties continue to swell. 1,900 American military dead. Countless Iraqis dead.

At what point can our government declare the War on Terrorism won? What are the chances we will ever be able to find and stop every single enemy before they attempt to harm us? How many little Iraqi boys are growing up hating America? How many Iraqi men grew up on a steady diet of U.S. hate following the first Gulf War?

That's one of the lessons learned from 9/11, isn't it? By saving Kuwait, we created an entirely new and unexpected enemy.

There is a difference between supporting the troops and supporting the cause. I haven't heard of any soldiers returning home only to be spit on by a fellow citizen. Lesson learned from Vietnam. I have profound respect and gratitude for those who sign up to protect, fight, and put themselves in harms way for this nation. I am also keenly aware those who are sent to fight our wars have no say in creating them.

Operation Iraqi Freedom doesn't seem to be freeing anyone. We may have successfully removed a cruel dictator from power, but we haven't done anything about the environment that created his power. We can't. Kurds. Sunnis. Muslims. What made anyone think that Americans had the power to heal ancient wounds that we can't possibly understand? Is a Civil War preferable to a vicious leader? Many civil wars conclude with the crowning of a vicious leader.

How are we ever going to get out of Iraq? When Iraqi forces can police themselves? Where have we heard THAT before? Answer for the twinkling eye crowd: Vietnam. Over the last two weeks, the hard lesson learned in this country was that we have a hard time policing ourselves. Another lesson taught by that bitch, Katrina, is that the United States is (or at least includes) the third world. Our country harbors those who are too poor and destitute to get out of harms way, and our government is either too inept or uncaring to do much for them.

But we care about those poor souls in Iraq. We do.

I remember where I was on 9/11. I can tell you what I had for breakfast. The street I was driving on when I heard the news on the radio. Where I stood in my kitchen for days, watching non stop news coverage. There will always be a part of me that remains in shock. Hi-jacking a plane, that, I knew was possible. Perhaps inevitable. Plowing planes into buildings? I still can't wrap my brain around the sadistic logic. Yet, the very best of American bravery and kindness was abundant on September 11th and the days and months that followed. We should be proud of the wounds we suffered and survived. We should allow them to heal. We could start by taking better care of our own citizens on a daily basis.

9/11 should leave a scar, not a chip, on America's shoulder.

What a man, what a man, what a mighty fine man.

I like a guy who can apologize. I'm not looking for a long winded, angst filled, whiny poem. Just a simple, "It's my fault/responsibility. It won't happen again. I'm sorry."

Mayor Jim Ardis made just such an apology during Tuesday's City Council meeting for a comment he allegedly made to the Journal Star editorial Board. The JP Star quoted Ardis as saying that he believed City Manager Randy Oliver earned a solid "B minus" job performance grade. I was left with the feeling that the comment was taken out of context or a misquote, but Ardis didn't elaborate. Had he laid blame at the editorial board's feet, where it probably belongs, Ardis' apology wouldn't have been sincere. Hopefully, the classy apology will go a long way to heal any wounds inflicted unintentionally.

I also immensely enjoyed Mayor Ardis' Letter to the Editor in today's Journal Star. It seems the Editors were wrong (No! Really? Couldn't happen!) when they quoted Ardis as saying that he no longer supported eliminating the Garbage Fee or fully staffing Fire Station 11. The editorial Board decided to add insult to injury by stating Ardis' new position showed a new maturity that should be a complement to the recently unelected. Ardis' response was classic: Huh?

One must realize that, "Huh?" is polite code for, "What the hell are you freaks smoking?" As it turns out, Ardis would very much like to eliminate the garbage fee and restore Fire Station 11, but understands that it would take a continuous revenue stream to do so. That is, Ardis knows he is Mayor, not a benevolent king. It will take six votes and the right priorities from Council to get the job done.

So, about Fire Station 11... If Bob Manning, Councilman and CPA extraordinaire, can devise a prudent financial plan to purchase a severely overpriced water company, I'm thinking this guy can find us $700,000 a year to fully re-open Station 11. No pressure Bob. I'm very impressed with Manning and so is everyone I know on the East Bluff. He is kind. He is humble. He has good manners. He returns phone calls. He gets stuff done. Refreshing in a politician.

I'm going to make a very premature prediction, just so I can be the first to say "I told you so" in the very distanct future. Manning is the heir apparent for the Mayorship should Ardis not seek another term.

I hope City Council (and all government bodies, everywhere) learned a lesson from Hurricane Katrina. Forgiveness is possible for raising taxes or not eliminating an unfair fee. However, you will be ridden out of town on a rail if you bank on a tragedy not occurring on your watch. Tragedies inevitably happen. They always have. If people die because proper equipment and manpower are not available to put out a fire at a school, nursing home, or factory, there will be no excuse or reason worthy of forgiveness.

I got the curse

Gas prices will drop big time tomorrow.

How do I know? Because I spent $48.00 at the friggin pump today. Low life evil bastard oil company scum. No, I do not drive a huge SUV.

My long time curse has been that gas prices always fall significantly the day AFTER I fill up. As I was digging under my car seats for spare change and wondering if the lint covered Life Saver discovered beneath the driver's side could suffice for dinner, it dawned on me! The price gouging that has occurred since Hurricane Katrina was probably a conspiracy to get Americans to appreciate the sky high gasoline prices that were around before the disaster. Get it? Soon we will be relieved, content and even happy to pay "only" $2.25 for per gallon of gas.

Evil genius oil company bastard scum.

Note to self: Call Smith Barney in the morning. Buy Exxon stock.

Beat up by a girl.

I was subconsciously raised, more by society than my parents, to believe I had won life's biggest lottery by just being born American. As a kid, I thought the entire Soviet Union was a grey, bleak, cold place where people spent their days waiting in long lines for toilet paper and returned home to a one bedroom apartment overflowing with extended family. Citizens THERE weren't FREE like they are HERE. They couldn't gather as they wish, or have meetings, make money, or travel on a whim. Ah, what a blessing to be born American, where if you work hard anything is possible. Greatest nation on earth. Superpower. Strong, Technically superior. Wealthy. Nations cower at our shadow. They come to us for money. They come to us for aid. The richest nation on earth, we have a plethora of whatever anybody might need, want or desire. Screw with us and you will pay. Merely wound us and we will hunt you down and make you regret the day you ever chose to tangle with mighty America. Iran calls us "The Great Satan." There's a lot of respect in that insult. From the comfort of my living room, I have witnessed chaos and pain that followed natural disasters in other corners of the world. Droughts and famine. Earthquakes and floods. The tsunami. I was led to believe that because of our well funded government, with its superior planning and organization skills, along with a kick ass military, the same type of aftermath wasn't possible here. If not invincible, we were close.

Katrina put us in our place. Like everyone else, I couldn't understand why help didn't get there faster. Why weren't there convoys and warehouses of food and supplies ready to go at a moments notice? As always, the media found a way to arrive in a timely fashion. Why not the National Guard? We have an Office of Homeland Security for Godsake! "Disaster Preparedness" has been the national sirens song since 9/11. I was led to believe that I lived in a sturdy brick house. Nope. It's stucco, Baby. The cheap kind that cracks. Our wealth, just veneer. The Leher Newshour interviewed a representative from the Army Corps of Engineers Friday. He stated New Orleans' levees were never intended to stand up to a Level Five hurricane. Using probability formula, it was decided that making stronger levees was too expensive and unnecessary, as category five hurricanes happen "only" every one to two hundred years or so. Huh. It appears they knew we were about due. No doubt, there will be plenty of contestants in the Blame Game in the next few months. Also, powerful ammunition has been loaded in the racism gun. The fact that the ones who suffered most were poor, African American, and in many cases infirm and elderly will be a stain on America for the foreseeable future.

I don't know if more could have been done earlier for New Orleans. I'm not an expert in disaster relief. It was painful as hell to see other Americans suffering and held captive in inhuman conditions, surrounded by a city drowning in fetid water. It was a scene thought possible in a place like Haiti or Bangladesh but certainly not in the capitalist land of milk and honey, these United States of America.

Time may prove that no amount of preparedness could have matched Katrina's force.

That said, I am humbled and no longer confident someone will appear to pull me or my loved ones out of the rubble after a tornado. I won't be feeling safe at airports, even with extra security. We are a nation that has nickled and dimed away our infrastructure. What else are we unknowingly doing without? The same government entities responsible for this weeks agonizing slow rescue are the same entities stating another terrorist attack is inevitable. If we can't shelter a city from a hurricane, one clearly visible on radar screens days before striking, what chance is there for survival after -say- a dirty bomb?

Was it not possible to get aid to New Orleans sooner, or is our military stretched too thin? Is it realistic to expect that we can fight a war on the other side of the world and still have resources for emergencies at home without implementing a draft? Was the Bush Administration gambling a disaster of this magnitude wouldn't hit while they were busy fighting for Iraq's soul? If we can't save one of our own cities, is it arrogant to think we can save a deeply divided foreign country so far away?

America is the land of the free. America is home of the brave.

It may also serve as World Headquarters for the cheap and the naive.

Oh, Quitcherbellyachin' !

I appreciate politicians who are consistent, even if their positions are directly opposed to mine. Those politicians who govern with a philosophy or a moral code they refuse to stray from (even if wrong) deserve more respect than those who put a wet finger in the air and judge their popularity before making any decision or casting a vote. I also don't appreciate public bickering from elected officials. I resent politicians who take shots at one another in the press. As adults, I expect pols to get along, especially when they don't agree. One should always read the job description before applying for employment. Politicians should expect colleagues and constituents will often times disagree. A mature pol will handle disagreements with grace and not by roasting them in the press (that is what bloggers are for). A mature pol will air grievances face to face, behind closed doors.

I am profoundly disappointed with our newly elected City Council. My disappointment stems not from decisions or votes, but childish behavior.

Personally, I am relieved we didn't buy the water company. Nonetheless, I am concerned why certain councilmembers voted as they did. The calm voice of reason on the Council has long been Bill Spears, Councilman for the Fourth District. Spears voted for continuing due diligence a few months back but voted against this time around. Hmm. Then we discover Spears is a Democratic Party contender to run against Aaron Schock. Ultimately, a candidate will be chosen by the Illinois Democratic Party Chair. I respect Spears' desire for more power and influence, ala Springfield, but Peoria citizens voted for Spears, not party chair Michael Madigan. Madigan is also a Chicago Ward boss, and solid devotee of nepotism. His daughter, Lisa, was given the party nod for State Attorney General after practicing law for just a couple of years. No kidding. Madigan was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1994 after graduating from the night program at Loyola Law School. I hope Spears didn't base his vote on future political aspirations, but his flip flop is suspicious. I can only pray that Jacob's vote against buying the water company wasn't influenced by his ambitious brother-in-law. Yet another conflict of interest to arise from the Jacob appointment.

Lately, Gary Sandberg's behavior has been disconcerting. Publicly name calling those colleagues who disagreed with his position to buy the water company "spineless" lacked judgment. I'm sure Sandberg's position is heartfelt, especially considering his position might have been political suicide had the purchase actually gone through. Sandberg needs to give voters more credit. Trust those who put you in office to see the transparent motivations of others. Or, at least trust Schock will aptly reveal Spears' motivations come campaign time.

Today's Journal Star quotes Mayor Ardis as giving City Manager Randy Oliver a "solid B minus" job performance grade. A tasteless move, straight from the Ran$burg Book of Manners. Attaching the "minus" to Oliver's grade was a public insult and I wonder if it was designed to send Oliver packing. Regardless, the petty statement hurts Ardis more than Oliver.

This past week Mayor Ardis announced that he doesn't see restoring Fire Station 11 to full capacity or eliminating the garbage fee as being financially feasible any time soon. Disappointing to be sure, but not as disappointing as Sandberg's very bitter, and public roasting Ardis for the statement. I have yet to hear Sandberg put forth a motion to fund basic services first and fluff second. After all, what politician wants to tell constituents there will be no new basketball hoops, no flower baskets hanging from street lights, or funding of neighborhood association newsletters unless and until council finds a way to plow streets, pick up trash, and put out fires with tax money already allotted?

That the new council needs to reminded why they were elected only four months after being sworn in to their posts is profoundly disappointing. Voters were sick of the bickering and in fighting. Voters wanted things to get done, and wanted them done with a bit of class. We thought if we elected a Council that had the same priorities, basic city services, we wouldn't have to endure pettiness played out in the press and on the chamber floor.

Grow up. Get it together. Get along.