Whoopie! Peoria is joining the big leagues! We are on our way to looking like every place else. Look at War Memorial near the new mall. Peoria no longer qualifies as Hickville now that Starbucks has come to town. Yeah, I know, its been here for awhile. Look for all the other standard big box stores and restaurants to follow. Another Culver's is locating across from the new mall, and so is TGIFriday's.
I've taken a few road trips this summer and I've come to realize that it is getting harder to find differences between one town and other - everywhere is starting to look the same. No matter how far you travel, you are within spitting distance of Wal-Mart, Walgreens, McDonalds, a cell phone store, Chili's, Blockbuster, Best Buy, Home Depot, etc.
In a couple of years, I predict that stretch of War Memorial will become our retail suburbia hell - looking more like a major airport landing strip than anything else. I wonder if all the folks living in Lynnhurst are ready for all the tack, trash, and traffic headed their way? Will property values increase or decrease?
Note to those who don't want to live next door to ugly, characterless boxes, hostile traffic, and corporate signs the size of drive-in movie screens: Get organized, get business friendly Fifth District Councilman Patrick Nichting on the line, and start complaining...Loudly.
If it hasn't happened all ready, more people will be attracted to those communities that keep out the ugly. Communities who value charm may well come out ahead of those who happily bend over for retail corporate America. All this corporate branding may be a good thing for neighborhoods like East Bluff. There may be more crime here, but this neighborhood has retained a lot of it's charm - should anyone want to apply a little elbow grease. As people tire those cookie cutter caves that spread across the landscape like mold spores, property values in older neighborhoods may actually increase. This happened to Wicker Park in Chicago. Five years ago it was gang banger hell, now it is Yuppieville. Hmm... there might be a good late night infomercial profit potential for anyone willing to exploit the idea. Someone be a dear and give Tony Robins a call.
Saturday, August 6
Tuesday, August 2
Happy Night Out Against Crime to you, Happy Night Out Against Crime to you, Happy Night Out Against Crime Dear Voter, and thanks for the night off!
No city council meeting tonight. Our elected officials are dutifully celebrating "National Night Out Against Crime." Please let me know if you see one of our beloved council people out with a flashlight and carrying a banner. $20 bucks to anyone who e-mails me a picture of said councilperson first. What are the chances that at least a couple of them took a vacation out of town this week? (I would.)
They outta be picketing the Grandview Hotel tonight, could help take the spotlight off the fact that the City will not win its court case against the owner, or ever get that rat hole shut down.
Update (and happily put in my place): The local 10:00 news showed Bob Manning, Third Council Councilman, and Ray LaHood, congressman and guv wanna be, at Nat'l Night Out Against Crime festivities in the East Bluff. Old Town South resident/activist LaVetta Ricca (Would someone throw this lady a parade? She sure deserves one.) held festivities in her neighborhood, but Clyde Gulley was either not in attendance or didn't make the news. Mayor Jim Ardis wasn't seen at Night Out Against Crime activities but instead started today's Run for St. Jude.
They outta be picketing the Grandview Hotel tonight, could help take the spotlight off the fact that the City will not win its court case against the owner, or ever get that rat hole shut down.
Update (and happily put in my place): The local 10:00 news showed Bob Manning, Third Council Councilman, and Ray LaHood, congressman and guv wanna be, at Nat'l Night Out Against Crime festivities in the East Bluff. Old Town South resident/activist LaVetta Ricca (Would someone throw this lady a parade? She sure deserves one.) held festivities in her neighborhood, but Clyde Gulley was either not in attendance or didn't make the news. Mayor Jim Ardis wasn't seen at Night Out Against Crime activities but instead started today's Run for St. Jude.
Maybe God doesn't hate the French.
Where do these folk worship? Count me in!
An Air France plane crash landed in Toronto today, all 309 people escaped without a single major injury, just before the whole damn (well, apparently not) thing burst into flames.
I'm sure all of the passengers gave a prayer of thanks, hopefully on their way to play the lottery.
An Air France plane crash landed in Toronto today, all 309 people escaped without a single major injury, just before the whole damn (well, apparently not) thing burst into flames.
I'm sure all of the passengers gave a prayer of thanks, hopefully on their way to play the lottery.
Monday, August 1
Willy, please report to the Chocolate Factory.
It's been many, many moons since Willy Nilly posted. You okay, Dude? I miss you. I need you. I'm going through withdrawal. Surely someone in Springfield must be ticking you off...
Your vote costs, er, I mean counts!
Today is the day. Expense reports must be filed with the Election Commission by the end of the day or candidates could be imprisoned, fined and/or embarrassed by the press. This is what it costs to win, lose and/or attempt to buy an election in the City of Peoria:
District One: Clyde Gulley, $7,917.02
Franklin Lewis $ 417.00
June Moore ?
District Two: Barbara Van Auken $16,947.36
Marcella Teplitz $24,864.19
District Three: Angela Anderson $11,374.25
Bob Manning $21,494.00
Gale Thetford $20,173.74
District Four: Bill Spears $2,420.81
District Five: Patrick Nichting $3,093.77 (This guy still has $34,034.37 in his war chest. Anyone really think he isn't going to run for bigger and better things?)
Mayors Race:
Jim Ardis: $ 53,824.63
Bruce Brown: $ 9,647.30
Dave Ran$burg: $237,546.48 (Somebody find this guy a worthwhile charity!)
Eric Turner: $ 11,169.99
There were four candidates other than Gulley in the First District primary but only Franklin Lewis and June Moore filed. Lewis spent $417.00, but Moore's statement isn't clear. It appears that Moore still has a couple grand left should she want to run again.
Also, D. Doc (who ran against Van Auken and Teplitz in the Second), Tremayne Allen (who ran against Bill Spears in the fourth) and Dan Gillette (who ran against Nichting in the Fifth) haven't reported anything. They may not be required to file if they didn't spend more than $500.
Gulley, Spears, and Nichting are the only winners who didn't spend more than what the job actually pays.
Teplitz and Thetford spent a fortune to lose. Turner and Brown spent some money too, but that was for the Mayor's race, and it was nothing compared to Ardis and Ran$burg. Anderson was a bit of a surprise. The newcomer spent $11,374 but still lost in the primary. Ouch. But, Jeeze, what can you say about Ran$burg? Over $230,000 spent on a failed attempt to boost his ego. Now that's gotta hurt, even for a millionaire.
I find it amusing that most of the candidates waited until the deadline to file. Ardis is wins the award for procrastination, he was the last to turn his report at 4:39 p.m. Think these guys would prefer that we not know how much money they spent or where they got it? Or, maybe they are just very, very busy. Riiight.
District One: Clyde Gulley, $7,917.02
Franklin Lewis $ 417.00
June Moore ?
District Two: Barbara Van Auken $16,947.36
Marcella Teplitz $24,864.19
District Three: Angela Anderson $11,374.25
Bob Manning $21,494.00
Gale Thetford $20,173.74
District Four: Bill Spears $2,420.81
District Five: Patrick Nichting $3,093.77 (This guy still has $34,034.37 in his war chest. Anyone really think he isn't going to run for bigger and better things?)
Mayors Race:
Jim Ardis: $ 53,824.63
Bruce Brown: $ 9,647.30
Dave Ran$burg: $237,546.48 (Somebody find this guy a worthwhile charity!)
Eric Turner: $ 11,169.99
There were four candidates other than Gulley in the First District primary but only Franklin Lewis and June Moore filed. Lewis spent $417.00, but Moore's statement isn't clear. It appears that Moore still has a couple grand left should she want to run again.
Also, D. Doc (who ran against Van Auken and Teplitz in the Second), Tremayne Allen (who ran against Bill Spears in the fourth) and Dan Gillette (who ran against Nichting in the Fifth) haven't reported anything. They may not be required to file if they didn't spend more than $500.
Gulley, Spears, and Nichting are the only winners who didn't spend more than what the job actually pays.
Teplitz and Thetford spent a fortune to lose. Turner and Brown spent some money too, but that was for the Mayor's race, and it was nothing compared to Ardis and Ran$burg. Anderson was a bit of a surprise. The newcomer spent $11,374 but still lost in the primary. Ouch. But, Jeeze, what can you say about Ran$burg? Over $230,000 spent on a failed attempt to boost his ego. Now that's gotta hurt, even for a millionaire.
I find it amusing that most of the candidates waited until the deadline to file. Ardis is wins the award for procrastination, he was the last to turn his report at 4:39 p.m. Think these guys would prefer that we not know how much money they spent or where they got it? Or, maybe they are just very, very busy. Riiight.
The Journal Star Thinks You're Fat
A new day, another really stupid editorial by the JP Star. Too many Americans are overweight. Really? You think? Apparently a ladder truck had to be used to lift a 400 pound deceased Peorian from their digs last month. We are also informed that OSF has spent big bucks on a levy system to lift the hefty to and from beds. Oh, yeah! And OSF also has 17 people working full time solely lifting people. The editorial fails to mention that said staff spends a good deal of their time lifting frail, elderly, weak, infirm... Well, you know, SICK people. Everyone knows being overweight is bad for you. Or at least everyone knows that the health community says being overweight is bad for you. Why not an editorial about the perils of smoking? Tomorrow probably.
Well, those slim, trim, omega whatever inhaling, fish eating, health nuts are screwed too. Today's Wall Street Journal had an incredibly long article about mercury in tuna fish. Apparently there is a ton of mercury in tuna and you shouldn't get near the stuff. Actually, tuna is harmless. No, tuna is healthy and you should ingest every morsel that you can get your deformed mercury tainted hands on. No one can agree, including the EPA and the FDA, both who are lobbied big time by the fish industry. My advice, eat more steak. (Mad Cow disease is only found in ground beef and only in the nasty parts of the cow you would find disgusting anyway. I think that's what they said on the Oprah Show.)
Another day, another scare tactic by the media to screw and guilt you out the things you enjoy. If you're not overweight than you're probably bulemic, or worse, anorexic. Well, you're sure in the hell not ideal because then you'd never have a reason to watch CNN or buy a newspaper.
You know what I think? Being a bit overweight is good for you.* All that fat and grease lubes up the joints. It keeps the heart nice and moist. It probably keeps those neurotransmitters flowing through the brain all slick like. What happens when you fail to put oil in a car? It seizes up and dies. How many stories have we read about strong, "healthy" young athletes falling over dead of heart attacks? Well, a couple anyway. Preservatives? Yum! Gobble up those Twinkies. If preservatives can keep a Twinkie "fresh" for five years, think what a box or two of the treats will do for your skin and arteries. If we believe the media, terrorists are going to set off a dirty bomb any day now. Therefore, any gut hanging out is a sign of a responsible and prepared individual with necessary reserves in case of emergency. At a minimum, we all should be storing some Twinkies and MSG along with the duct tape and bottled water (one gallon, per person, per day!) in our paranoid-if-there's-a-thermal-nuclear-war-you-don't-want-to-live-anyway-survival-kit.
*Polly, like the medical community and the media, is talking out of her ass and has no absolute proof to back up her claims.
Well, those slim, trim, omega whatever inhaling, fish eating, health nuts are screwed too. Today's Wall Street Journal had an incredibly long article about mercury in tuna fish. Apparently there is a ton of mercury in tuna and you shouldn't get near the stuff. Actually, tuna is harmless. No, tuna is healthy and you should ingest every morsel that you can get your deformed mercury tainted hands on. No one can agree, including the EPA and the FDA, both who are lobbied big time by the fish industry. My advice, eat more steak. (Mad Cow disease is only found in ground beef and only in the nasty parts of the cow you would find disgusting anyway. I think that's what they said on the Oprah Show.)
Another day, another scare tactic by the media to screw and guilt you out the things you enjoy. If you're not overweight than you're probably bulemic, or worse, anorexic. Well, you're sure in the hell not ideal because then you'd never have a reason to watch CNN or buy a newspaper.
You know what I think? Being a bit overweight is good for you.* All that fat and grease lubes up the joints. It keeps the heart nice and moist. It probably keeps those neurotransmitters flowing through the brain all slick like. What happens when you fail to put oil in a car? It seizes up and dies. How many stories have we read about strong, "healthy" young athletes falling over dead of heart attacks? Well, a couple anyway. Preservatives? Yum! Gobble up those Twinkies. If preservatives can keep a Twinkie "fresh" for five years, think what a box or two of the treats will do for your skin and arteries. If we believe the media, terrorists are going to set off a dirty bomb any day now. Therefore, any gut hanging out is a sign of a responsible and prepared individual with necessary reserves in case of emergency. At a minimum, we all should be storing some Twinkies and MSG along with the duct tape and bottled water (one gallon, per person, per day!) in our paranoid-if-there's-a-thermal-nuclear-war-you-don't-want-to-live-anyway-survival-kit.
*Polly, like the medical community and the media, is talking out of her ass and has no absolute proof to back up her claims.
Saturday, July 30
NIMBY. Why is it wrong?
N.I.M.B.Y. It stands for "Not in my backyard!" Nimby is applied to people who don't want controversial establishments - a group residence for retarded adults, or a homeless shelter close to thier homes. It is a term mostly used to label someone as intolerant and unsympathetic to plight of the poor and disadvantaged. Nimby is used against yuppies who don't want their expansive green lawns and mini McMansions vulnerable to those who don't share the same tax bracket. Or so I thought.
I went to college in a huge city. I loved it. There were risks, but those very same risks gave the City its character. On my way to classes I would sometimes buy a Happy Meal for my favorite mentally ill homeless man. Sam had bad days and worse days. There were days when Sam would be thankful for a free meal and I'd get a, "Thanks Poll, you sure a purty lady." Other days Sam's voices would get the best of him, and he would greedily grab the bag and grunt, "Thanks for nothing, Bitch." I was a little frightened, but I knew that within a day or so "Good Sam" would be back and I would be "purty" again.
Traffic, the occasional whiff of sewer gas, taxi drivers who thought they owned the road, and grumpy commuters shoving their way onto the subway didn't bother me. The city had the worst and the best of everything. The worst crime, traffic and pollution. The best restaurants, museums, shows... Culture. Employment brought me back to this smaller city and I love it more than my college digs.
However, I admit that the older I become, the more sense Nimbys make. My siblings are parents now. They have made the natural evolution from selfish adventure seekers to protectors of their young. The transformation is catching. As much as I wish Sam mental health, I don't want him near my nieces. I would never consider allowing them to ride their bikes alone through the neighborhood like I did as a kid. I have gone from web surfing Overstock.com for great shoes to web surfing the state police web site for any possible pervert lurking nearby.
The excitement and risk of a urban environment was forfited for a dull, quiet and safe - though expensive- suburban environment. I wouldn't mind a group of retarded adults living next door. Such a home would not be a threat and my nieces could benefit from the experience. However, if a homeless shelter, crime ridden motel, or a 12 step drug/alcohol meeting center attempted to move in next door to my sister's family, I would join her in going postal. Cultural and financial sacrifices were made so that the kids would have a safe and happy childhood.
My examples of unwanted establishments are not equal in their risk or distaste, but each of them would expose my sister's kids to adult situations/senarios that a small child shouldn't have to ponder. Would a recovering alcoholic pose a threat to my nieces? No. Not likely. Would a steady stream of recovering alcoholics pose a threat? Yes. It seems plausible. Would one homeless person be a threat to my family? Hopefully not. Would 20 homeless folks temporarily seeking a meal and place to sleep pose a threat? Yes. Possibly.
Admittedly, in these days of non stop CNN Amber Alerts and terrorist briefings, it is difficult to distinguish between real threats and imagined. It is more and more difficult to assess risk and vulnerability. However, when it comes to kids, no one should blame a parent (or over involved Aunty) for wanting to error on the side of caution.
I went to college in a huge city. I loved it. There were risks, but those very same risks gave the City its character. On my way to classes I would sometimes buy a Happy Meal for my favorite mentally ill homeless man. Sam had bad days and worse days. There were days when Sam would be thankful for a free meal and I'd get a, "Thanks Poll, you sure a purty lady." Other days Sam's voices would get the best of him, and he would greedily grab the bag and grunt, "Thanks for nothing, Bitch." I was a little frightened, but I knew that within a day or so "Good Sam" would be back and I would be "purty" again.
Traffic, the occasional whiff of sewer gas, taxi drivers who thought they owned the road, and grumpy commuters shoving their way onto the subway didn't bother me. The city had the worst and the best of everything. The worst crime, traffic and pollution. The best restaurants, museums, shows... Culture. Employment brought me back to this smaller city and I love it more than my college digs.
However, I admit that the older I become, the more sense Nimbys make. My siblings are parents now. They have made the natural evolution from selfish adventure seekers to protectors of their young. The transformation is catching. As much as I wish Sam mental health, I don't want him near my nieces. I would never consider allowing them to ride their bikes alone through the neighborhood like I did as a kid. I have gone from web surfing Overstock.com for great shoes to web surfing the state police web site for any possible pervert lurking nearby.
The excitement and risk of a urban environment was forfited for a dull, quiet and safe - though expensive- suburban environment. I wouldn't mind a group of retarded adults living next door. Such a home would not be a threat and my nieces could benefit from the experience. However, if a homeless shelter, crime ridden motel, or a 12 step drug/alcohol meeting center attempted to move in next door to my sister's family, I would join her in going postal. Cultural and financial sacrifices were made so that the kids would have a safe and happy childhood.
My examples of unwanted establishments are not equal in their risk or distaste, but each of them would expose my sister's kids to adult situations/senarios that a small child shouldn't have to ponder. Would a recovering alcoholic pose a threat to my nieces? No. Not likely. Would a steady stream of recovering alcoholics pose a threat? Yes. It seems plausible. Would one homeless person be a threat to my family? Hopefully not. Would 20 homeless folks temporarily seeking a meal and place to sleep pose a threat? Yes. Possibly.
Admittedly, in these days of non stop CNN Amber Alerts and terrorist briefings, it is difficult to distinguish between real threats and imagined. It is more and more difficult to assess risk and vulnerability. However, when it comes to kids, no one should blame a parent (or over involved Aunty) for wanting to error on the side of caution.
Thursday, July 28
New School Board Member: Well, there's good news and there's bad news...
It finally rained. The heat wave broke. The lawn is revealing a few blades of green grass. DAVE RAN$BURG WAS NOT CHOSEN FOR THE DISTRICT 150 SCHOOL BOARD!!! Yes, Virginia, there is a God.
The Board picked Steve Morris, attorney and sibling of At Large City Councilman/congressman wannabe John Morris. I don't know Steve Morris. His resume only lists his wife, but no children, under family. I was rooting for Alma Brown, who ran against David Gorenz for School Board. Ideally, a school board member should have children in District 150 Schools. However, beggars can't be choosers. It could have been so much worse.
The Board's choice came as a surprise since the media reported that Ran$burg had five votes. Perhaps Ran$burg miscounted/lied or maybe he didn't really want the seat. Ran$burg never seemed enamored with the job. Limelight denied. Insert happy dance here.
Except for the years Steve Morris attended college and law school (Creighton) he has lived in Peoria his entire life. He has done some volunteer work in the community. Anyone who is willing to take a seat on the rapidly sinking, debt ridden, District 150 ship without pay deserves a chance. Steve Morris is an unknown. The only reason for pause at this point is the fact that he is related to John Morris, the biggest ego and windbag on the City Council.
We can only hope this particular apple fell a little further from the tree.
The Board picked Steve Morris, attorney and sibling of At Large City Councilman/congressman wannabe John Morris. I don't know Steve Morris. His resume only lists his wife, but no children, under family. I was rooting for Alma Brown, who ran against David Gorenz for School Board. Ideally, a school board member should have children in District 150 Schools. However, beggars can't be choosers. It could have been so much worse.
The Board's choice came as a surprise since the media reported that Ran$burg had five votes. Perhaps Ran$burg miscounted/lied or maybe he didn't really want the seat. Ran$burg never seemed enamored with the job. Limelight denied. Insert happy dance here.
Except for the years Steve Morris attended college and law school (Creighton) he has lived in Peoria his entire life. He has done some volunteer work in the community. Anyone who is willing to take a seat on the rapidly sinking, debt ridden, District 150 ship without pay deserves a chance. Steve Morris is an unknown. The only reason for pause at this point is the fact that he is related to John Morris, the biggest ego and windbag on the City Council.
We can only hope this particular apple fell a little further from the tree.
Wednesday, July 27
Lack of literacy reigns supreme at PJ Star
Does the Journal Star employ proof readers? Does anyone who works at the Journal Star read their own newspaper? Does the Journal Star employ people who can even read? The typos in this rag are unbelievable.
Today's "Local & State" section includes an article about State Senator Bill Brady's announcement that he is running for governor. It is a fairly interesting tidbit about an ultraconservative labeling himself a "mainstream conservative." In the last paragraph we learn that Brady is pro-life and that, unlike Blago, he does not support benefits for same sex partners of state workers.
The article ends like this:
Brady said government should encourage "procreative marital
That's it. Brady could be for encouraging procreative marital sex toys and Journal Star readers would be the last to know. How does a newspaper drop the ending to a story? This makes the PJ Star's inability to correctly spell Peoria's longest serving council member's name -in a headline no less- a mild mistake.
Perhaps I should give the editors more credit. Apparently they are aware that most of those who buy the PJ Star just get it for movie times and to see what's on sale at Kohls.
Today's "Local & State" section includes an article about State Senator Bill Brady's announcement that he is running for governor. It is a fairly interesting tidbit about an ultraconservative labeling himself a "mainstream conservative." In the last paragraph we learn that Brady is pro-life and that, unlike Blago, he does not support benefits for same sex partners of state workers.
The article ends like this:
Brady said government should encourage "procreative marital
That's it. Brady could be for encouraging procreative marital sex toys and Journal Star readers would be the last to know. How does a newspaper drop the ending to a story? This makes the PJ Star's inability to correctly spell Peoria's longest serving council member's name -in a headline no less- a mild mistake.
Perhaps I should give the editors more credit. Apparently they are aware that most of those who buy the PJ Star just get it for movie times and to see what's on sale at Kohls.
Tuesday, July 26
Show me the money (or, at least the receipts).
Today the Journal Star editorial staff out did itself. They claim that former second district City Councilwoman Marcella Teplitz and her husband, Jack,"tireless volunteers." I have a lovely bridge to sell to anyone who believes it. I'll throw in swamp land for free.
The editorial does a pathetic mud slinging at City Councilwoman Barbara VanAuken by accusing her Campaign Manager, Robert Powers, of asking too many questions about a public fund that Mr. Teplitz once headed. You know you're reading a crappy newspaper when it slights someone for asking too many questions.
The situation (stay with me here, it's entertaining):
1. The City loaned $185,000 to Randolph-Roanoke neighborhood in order to buy, rehab, and sell 209 W. Columbia Terrace in 1993. The property was in horrid disrepair and the scene of repeated crime. The neighborhood continued to buy distressed homes, "recycling the public money throughout the neighborhood."
2. The problem: No properties have been purchased since 1996.
3. The solution: Two residents, Robert Powers and Paul Day, asked to see the fund records. Powers and Day say that they were refused access and were shut out when they asked questions.
4. Jack Teplitz headed the loan fund until 2003. Marcella Teplitz was president of the Randolph Roanoke Homeowners Association when the fund was created.
5. City planning and growth management director, Pat Landes, says, "Every penny is accounted for."
Great. Problem solved. PROVE IT!!! Open the books and let us all have a peek. (Apparently the editorialist knew better than to ask.) When government acts like it has something to hide, it shouldn't be surprised when citizens get suspicious and disgusted. It's a given that said citizens will support the opposing candidate - who pledged to be honest and open. Tick off the right citizen, and you might find someone who is willing to get off their ass to run a successful campaign for a better candidate. It's called grass roots democracy, and done well, it is a beautiful thing.
The Teplitzs have probably made more enemies than friends. Hell, neighborhood association meetings during their reign are rumored to have gotten physical - with fists thrown, shoving, name calling, and people storming out. Clearly there wasn't a unified group working to better the neighborhood. There were those who wanted to improve the area and there were those who tirelessly continued to power grab.
The PJ Star is still sucking sour grapes. They endorsed Teplitz in the last election. Luckily, the overwhelming majority of second district citizens know the only legitimate use for the editorial page is to line the litter box. It seems that Marcella and Jack Teplitz, as well as Editorialists Shelley Epstein and Mike Bailey are still grieving. Guys, you lost. Get over it already!
The editorial does a pathetic mud slinging at City Councilwoman Barbara VanAuken by accusing her Campaign Manager, Robert Powers, of asking too many questions about a public fund that Mr. Teplitz once headed. You know you're reading a crappy newspaper when it slights someone for asking too many questions.
The situation (stay with me here, it's entertaining):
1. The City loaned $185,000 to Randolph-Roanoke neighborhood in order to buy, rehab, and sell 209 W. Columbia Terrace in 1993. The property was in horrid disrepair and the scene of repeated crime. The neighborhood continued to buy distressed homes, "recycling the public money throughout the neighborhood."
2. The problem: No properties have been purchased since 1996.
3. The solution: Two residents, Robert Powers and Paul Day, asked to see the fund records. Powers and Day say that they were refused access and were shut out when they asked questions.
4. Jack Teplitz headed the loan fund until 2003. Marcella Teplitz was president of the Randolph Roanoke Homeowners Association when the fund was created.
5. City planning and growth management director, Pat Landes, says, "Every penny is accounted for."
Great. Problem solved. PROVE IT!!! Open the books and let us all have a peek. (Apparently the editorialist knew better than to ask.) When government acts like it has something to hide, it shouldn't be surprised when citizens get suspicious and disgusted. It's a given that said citizens will support the opposing candidate - who pledged to be honest and open. Tick off the right citizen, and you might find someone who is willing to get off their ass to run a successful campaign for a better candidate. It's called grass roots democracy, and done well, it is a beautiful thing.
The Teplitzs have probably made more enemies than friends. Hell, neighborhood association meetings during their reign are rumored to have gotten physical - with fists thrown, shoving, name calling, and people storming out. Clearly there wasn't a unified group working to better the neighborhood. There were those who wanted to improve the area and there were those who tirelessly continued to power grab.
The PJ Star is still sucking sour grapes. They endorsed Teplitz in the last election. Luckily, the overwhelming majority of second district citizens know the only legitimate use for the editorial page is to line the litter box. It seems that Marcella and Jack Teplitz, as well as Editorialists Shelley Epstein and Mike Bailey are still grieving. Guys, you lost. Get over it already!
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