Da Bears are going to the Super Bowl. I don't care. Please stop talking about it. What, all the sudden Peoria loves Chicago? As if our town has something to do with this "miracle." Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them and all -well, I would be- if I cared. For me to get really excited, I have to see how this was going to be a financial boon to our fair State. It seems to me that the dollars will mostly fall in Miami, where the game will be played. Why is the hallmark football game of the year being played in the tropics anyway? It's football, not some prissy cricket match. How teams deal with crummy weather is part of the sport. They should play the game in Chicago, Denver, or Buffalo.
I'm sure Peoria had a big impact the great presidential hopeful Barak Obama as well. Seeing an outline of Illinois projected on the national news sure does a lot to swell the pride of some Peorians. Whatever makes you happy.
Today's Word On the Street caught my eye. The last couple of paragraphs anyway. I'm not sure why someone from our region throwing a fundraiser favoring Edwards over Obama is column worthy. However, Aaron Schock's relationship with Junction City owner Alexis Khazzam is interesting. Aaron received $26K from Khazzam in his later days of campaigning. Now Khazzam has employed Schock. Something about Schock doing something for Khazzam by heading up Project Springboard! The project will encourage Bradley students/grads to compete for start up funds for their very own Peoria business. Uh, okay. Sounds like someone has been watching too many Apprentice re-runs. I'm sure Alexis Khazzam is aware of our brand spanking new taxpayer funded business incubator being built within spitting distance of Aaron's office. The whole thing is probably legit, but odd. We will have to wait for Aaron to file a tax return in order to see how much this alliance/job pays. To be fair, the State Rep gig doesn't pay much. Neither did the School Board stint. Most successful pols are independently wealthy. Maybe Aaron is trying to shore up his personal bank accounts in order to move on to bigger and better offices? Aaron, I love ya, but you really need to write a cheesy book with a cheesy subtitle if you ever want to be president.
Speaking of Aaron Schock, WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO WILLY NILLY?! I'd think you'd be all over this. I miss you, Buddy. Time to shake off the post Ray Lahood re-election blues and get back to blogging. Jeeze. Your team took the House and the Senate. The White House is yours to lose. Isn't that better than just getting Ray Dingleberry bootkicked out of office? The election gods had to do something to keep you humble.
If your mind is too open, your brain will fall out. Warning: Names, identities, descriptions, and pictures have been changed and/or used to protect the innocent as well as the guilty. PollyPeoria should not be used or quoted as a source for your senior college thesis.
Monday, January 22
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6 comments:
The Bears heading to the super bowl brings central IL one thing..... 2 weeks of "The Super bowl shuffle...." Ugghhhhh!
Polly, I hate to break it to you, but there are a lot of Bears fans in Peoria. That's kind of like saying Cardinal fans should stop talking about going to the World Series.
And the Schock/Shazam thing? Something funny about the whole deal. And legal or not, Schock should say to himself "Would my constiuents think this deal is shady?"
Mazr, I don't begrudge Bear fans their excitement. I'm weary of the bizarre enthusiam from folks who don't know what a first down is who are suddenly Bear manaics. I guess I'm a bit cynical when it comes to sports enthusiam. I appreciate the entertainment value of a good game and watching talented athletes, but I'm perplexed by those who are so invested in a particular team (unless they are players, coaches, managers, owners, of course). There isn't much team loyalty among professional players. They tend to go wherever/whoever offers the biggest check. In reality, aren't you just rooting for a jersey? I've always found the euphoria and/or major depression that follows big games odd. Fans actually think they have something to do with a victory/loss even if they just watch the match on TV. I could never imagine being so worked up over a game that I'd want to fire a gun in the air, riot in the streets, turn over a cop car, or, frankly, buy a t-shirt announcing that I'm a fan of the World Champion Bulls, Bears, Cubs, Cards, whatever...
I'm in Schock's district and I don't mind him moonlighting for Khaazam, especially since this seems to be a public service type project. I just think they would be wise to disclose the amount of pay up front. I would have a problem with the arrangement if told Aaron is making over -say- $20K for the deal. After all, Schock has a full time job. He works for us.
I'm not sure what the Representative salary actually is. Aaron had stated it was around $30,000.00/yr. actual, but including benefits, etc., it was around $57,000.00/yr. As usual, government officials being clear as the Illinois River.
And, from my understanding, Aaron is doing a JOB for Alexis, not just the Bradley thing. The Bradley thing will be his focus, I'm guessing, but he will also be doing other things, too. I think his compensation for the year is going to be a good deal more than $20,000.00... I'd start with about 5 times that. We'll wait and see if that is as clear as the Illinois River, as well.
Regardless, it appears that the vast majority of folks around here see nothing wrong with the tag-team. I'm out...
Prego,
When I am asked my salary or when I'm forced to report it on a tax return, credit application, etc. I do not include benefits such as health insurance, 401K, life insurance and so forth as part of the figure. Do you?
I understood that Aaron duties were specific to this admittedly odd project. If Alexis is really paying Aaron $100K (with or without benefits) feces is sure to hit the fan. That kind of money implies fulltime work, and Aaron already has a full time job working for residents in his district.
Always good to hear from you Prego. Happy New Year.
Ah, good one Vonster. I like Ernie Russell. Wish Blair had made way for him sooner. Koehler is a painful sore to endure.
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