George Jacob who is attempting to keep his gifted At-Large seat on the City Council. Damn. His signs are everywhere. I think they are breeding. I'm seeing them in my sleep.
I admit, I'm a Jacob fan. I gave George a very hard time at first. I think Polly (subconsciously, of course) dreamed Ardis would pick ME for the post. I still have some hang ups with allowing those with liquor licenses to serve on City Council. I don't think George, specifically, would abuse the power, but someone else will.
Despite the very powerful strings that were pulled in order to give him the post, George seems like an honest and humble guy. He abstains from voting on any liquor requests that come before the Council. However, his posting opens the door for more liquor license holders to hold City Council seats, which is inevitable and problematic. What if there are four, five, six or more such Council members? They would all have to abstain from voting on liquor licenses which is quite a few votes. Moreover, council members retain influence regarding liquor licenses regardless of whether or not they abstain from voting. (i.e., "You vote for my bar owner buddy, and I will vote for extra funding for more police patrols in your District.) As it is, a liquor license vote could be held up by a tie with just one council member abstaining.
That aside, I really like George Jacob. I was pessimistic that a rich guy from very North Peoria would get his hands dirty with those of less economic means. Wrong. "Curious George" -as dubbed by Molly Parker and Jennifer Davis- shows up at meetings well prepared, doesn't make long winded speeches only to glorify himself, and has gone above and beyond by spending time in the East Bluff needling (my word) the police to be more aggressive with the criminal\slumlord\renter-from-hell elements that are ruining a formerly nice neighborhood and could be again with a little TLC.
George's use of so many yard signs is perplexing. I know politicians shouldn't take anything for granted, but a beer distributor has many friends, even if he isn't as likeable as Jacob. Moreover, Jacob is cozy with Peoria Firefighters/election workers extraordinaire. If Jacob can't make it through the run off, I will be dumbfounded.
Jacob's campaign colors- reddishbrownish and white is strangely familiar. Weren't those Thetford's colors in the last Council election? Problematic for Gale. My theory as to why she is running... to get rid of the leftover\plethora\fire hazard of yard signs overflowing from her basement from her last failed election.
