Kerry isn't the only one. It happens in local politics too. Ambition breeds dishonesty.Gary Sandberg left a really interesting comment on my last post. The fluff piece City Hall sent to every Peoria household (and some in East and West Peoria too) cost taxpayers $80,000.00. Yeah, I know, sick eh?
I'm not a big proponent of term limits for politicians. I'll impose my own term limit by voting, thank you very much. However, what I would like to see from the next group of City Council candidates is a sworn, signed, notarized statement that they have no other political agenda/goal than to represent the constituents they are currently trying to sway.
Peoria City Council has just passed another crappy budget, one that does nothing to restore the basic services cut by the previous "progressive" pigs. Nor does it eliminate the double tax on garbage collection. I wonder, however, if Gulley, Spears, Nichting, and Morris didn't have higher political aspirations if the story and budget would be much different.
Spears used to do what was best for the Fourth District. In the past, Spears seemed truly concerned about Peoria's disintegrating storm sewer system (think New Orleans)and adamant that monies be used from the upcoming budget to begin solving the problem. Spears previously favored buying the water company. Restoring Station 11 was a priority. Guess what? Wanna see a politician flip flop? Take a look at Spears since announcing he is running for Schock's 92nd District seat. He isn't fighting for the Fourth District anymore, he is running a campaign from the Council floor. What is good for the 92nd District isn't what is right for the Fourth District. Residents in Rolling Acres would probably more than willing to cough up a little more money at tax time to prevent their basements flooding once again come spring thaw.
Morris, who I swear thinks he is a Kennedy, has always been about pleasing Republican conservatives. That is, Peoria's far North. Would someone from Republican H.Q. please sit down Johnny for a heart to heart and let him know that he has gone as far as he is going to go. IMHO, no at-large seat is more up for grabs than Morris'. The guy is condescending as hell and typically doesn't know what the frick he is talking about. Yet, he continues to talk and talk and talk and talk about it. Frankly, Morris doesn't have the I.Q. to go farther. It was pretty obvious to me who Bob Manning was referring to on "Around the Horseshoe" last week when he revealed that some of his colleagues hadn't even read the budget and therefore couldn't cast an educated vote for or against it. My guess: Morris still reads Dick and Jane books at home.
That Gulley was toying around with running against Aaron Schock was the comic joke that keeps on giving. A snowflake has a better chance in hell. Will someone at Democrat H.Q. clue Clyde in that he, too, has reach the pinnacle of his political career? If the vote hadn't been split by five pissed off candidates fed up with Gulley's stupidity, Clyde would be looking for an unemployment check in the mail about now.
One only need to look at who funds Nichting to know who he is trying to please. Take a look at his campaign disclosure financials and then take a gander at his votes. Pat loves developers and developers love Pat. In all honesty, I believe District Five residents are paying more than their fair share of taxes (and, no, I don't live in the Fifth). Remember, there are folks in Weaver Ridge forking out $15,000 grand a year in property tax and still don't have public schools that are worth a damn. Nichting's No New Taxes votes don't bother me. However, Nichting did vote to support the Heart of Peoria Plan and yet no one has done more to undermine the plan and encourage suburban sprawl than Nichting. There will be no "smart growth" while he sits around the horseshoe. Under his continue reign, look for the Fifth District to go from cornfields to a sea of strip malls and asphalt. Remember, this guy supported a taxpayer funded parking garage for Dunlap Doctors and Enterprise Zone status for Menards on Pioneer Parkway. Nichting wails of weeping could be heard throughout town when LaHood decided not to run for Governor. Nichting was panting for Dave Leitch's seat (who wants LaHood's).
If you have higher political aspirations and want to start at a local level, fine. As a voter, I would just like to know about it. Signing a pledge saying that you don't have any desire for a bigger title wouldn't be a binding contract, but it would let us know where your heart really lies. Just might make for a few more honest politicians. Imagine that!
6 comments:
OUT OF THE PARK!!! HOME RUN!!!
I think Councilman Sandberg is referring to the city's public information officer's salary when he refers to the $80,000, not the amount it cost to send out the mailing in question.
GS, correct me if I'm wrong on that.
I'm just guessing, but I bet it cost a bit more than $80K to print and send out all of those circulars... perhaps a lot more.
Polly,
No my post said the PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PUBLICATION is paid $80,000 per year including LONGEVITY but that $80,000 doesn't include the 35% in benefits. (Sorry Polly, in this case, Chase is correct and ACCURATE) I think it is "very conceivable" that the person has not spent the entire year working on the recent mailing.
Ooops. Polly profusely apologizes. I was thinking that postage (especially by including Peoria Hts. and East Peoria) and the slick quality of the paper might easily cost $80.000. See, I guess skimmed your comments. Will try to do better in the future. It's all my fault. It's all my fault. It's all my fault. Bad blogger. Bad, bad, bad blogger. I guess both Chase and I can expect coal in the stockings this Xmas.
Is there a way to find out how much the mailing did actually cost Gary?
Yes there is a way of finding out it's cost. I think at a buck a piece (7 pages tri color with bulk postage) to 32,000 City addresses plus those in West Peoria and Peoria Heights $35,000 is a starting price.
The only problem is when I ask anything ..... the staff keeps calling 692-2564 with the facts and claim I won't answer the phone.
I heard by way of Jennifer Davis of the Urinal that the whole process "MAY" have been farmed out which only begs what is the $80,000 per year position doing IF the City Manager subcontracted this "fine piece of fluff" out????????
Keep in mind, coal is just a diamond in the rough.
PS. Civic Federation is the "heavy Weight Private side people" all throwing in a minimum of "X" Dollars. I forgot what the magic number was/is, but it consisted of several zeros. I don't believe the "public side" participants (ICC, etc.) were expected to pay, but as you may guess I wasn't asked to "ante up". I believe two architectural firms were and did and there seems to be a correlation with which architectural firms get the plum jobs.
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