PAUL GORDON

There isn’t much to say about national politics right now. Later this month Donald Trump will be sworn as the 47th President of the United States and from then on we’ll all be watching to see what happens.

With both chambers now controlled by the GOP, with cabinet positions held by Trump backers with dubious qualifications and promises to abolish or at least greatly change the departments they will run — and his own promises of retribution — it remains scary to think what might happen.

Yet, we’ve seen threats be mostly bluster in the past. And we have also seen Congress set aside party affiliation because it recognizes what is best for the country. That hasn’t happened much lately but it is possible.

Anyway, keep your eyes open and, if so inclined, your prayers coming. Four years can either be a long time or go by in a flash.

Tent City Blues

I, for one, was not surprised by the way the City Council vote went on the city ordinance banning tent cities in Peoria. With one possible exception, anyway. I thought Tim Riggenbach would be one to oppose it since he represents a district (the 3rd) that’s not exactly filled with Peoria’s top 1 percent.

Those who voted for it had some nice comments ready for that City Council meeting when the ordinance was approved. What wasn’t heard in those comments — or from the opposing side, either — were possible solutions to the homelessness problem in Peoria.

What we would have liked to hear was a challenge to Peoria’s elite and its corporate leaders to work with local governments to develop a solution. It’s been done in other cities and, while not perfect, those were better than thumbing noses at the homeless who have had to resort to living and freezing in tents.

Look, I know I am blessed. And my wife and I give where we can, while thanking God for our good fortune. If I was incredibly wealthy I’d get hold of some property, erect a dome, hire some security and open it for those tent dwellers. They’d be expected to abide by certain rules or leave.

Pie in the sky? Oh, yeah. But so is expecting those affected to pay fines when they have to scavenge for food.

So is expecting them to “understand” why the ordinance was adopted when all they want is a place to lay their heads.

Meanwhile, across the pond

There is intriguing news coming from across the pond — in this case, the Illinois River — including the prospect of a new amphitheater in Washington.

I would simply like an explanation how this project would affect traffic in that area. I mean, that particular area has congestion now. What would the ingress and egress into the parking lots look like?

And while we’re talking about new developments in Washington, luxury apartments are planned for acreage across Business 24 from Cherry Tree Shopping Center. As long as the ingress and egress isn’t off of or on to Route 24, that’d be fine.

But I wonder why developers are not looking at available property maybe a quarter-mile away. It’s where Georgetown Commons apartments sat before they were destroyed by the Nov. 17, 2013 tornado.