The Community Word

When I was on the Peoria County Board everyone agreed that it was very important to develop and maintain positive intergovernmental relationships. Matter of fact, it was an annual goal. The recent agreement for the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department to take over one aspect of security at the Greater Peoria Airport is a good example of intergovernmental cooperation.

Congratulations to Sheriff Mike McCoy and Director of Airports, Ken Spirito. The six year agreement is a win-win deal for the airport, the county and the Air National Guard.

The National Guard now assumes total responsibility for fire fighting and rescue operations.

You would think the agreement would be greeted with applause by everyone. Not so by reporter Dave Haney and the Journal. One of the sub-heads in the newspaper story said, “Safety officers may lose jobs after board approves agreement with police.” Not so, says Sheriff Mike McCoy who was obviously annoyed with the negative spin on a positive story by Haney. “No one is losing their jobs,” McCoy told me emphatically. The sheriff said he worked closely with the airport and the two unions involved to work out a smooth transition.

McCoy said a lieutenant and four officers from his department will have an office at the airport and will provide security for the property and airport equipment,

POLITICAL CHAT

I love politics. Always have. As a youngster, I would help Dad place yard signs around the 10th ward back in the days when the city had aldermen. Over the years I learned a lot from local political veterans Bill Kumpf, Milo Nelson, Warren Reynolds, Ray Neuman, Dick Neumiller and others. Dad, though, was my hero. He was wise, a good judge of character, and a master at handling his critics. This experience helped me, to some degree, as I was baptized into the political process. One thing is certain. No matter how hard you try, you can’t avoid making enemies. Some people take losing very personally, especially at our local newspaper. Never could understand that. In politics and in life, you win some and you lose some.

A current political development I don’t understand is why three good Republicans have decided to run against each other for Ray LaHood’s congressional seat. Aaron Shock’s decision is somewhat understandable. He surprised everyone with his upset of the District 150 incumbent a few years ago. And there were a few raised eyebrows when Shock defeated his Democrat opponent for a state House seat. That’s quite a record. So it’s understandable that he has a desire to move up the political ladder.

Enter John Morris. Nice guy. A former city councilman, John has a reputation for patting backs and shaking hands. Morris has pretty much been someone who is first out of the box and quick on the microphone to cheer on popular projects. Why he decided to take on Shock is not so understandable.

I know he’s out working hard, but I doubt he can outwork Aaron or outspend him. While the third Republican in the race, Jim McConoughey, will outspend both Shock and Morris together, he has no real political experience. I’m mystified that someone who’s never served in any elective office believes voters should feel confident sending him to Washington with the “big dogs.” And that’s ditto for former basketball coach Dick Versace and other candidates who’re seeking to go to Washington or Springfield with zero elective experience. Had I been Republican county chairman, I would’ve advised Morris to seek Shock’s seat in the House.

Back to McConoughey. He’s unleashed attacks ads against Shock without using his name, calling him a “professional politician” and other terms. My question to McConoughey would be: “If you go to a dentist or doctor, do you want a professional or an amateur?” I think most voters want experience, the kind of experience Shock and Morris have.

OTHER POLITICAL NEWS

Former Peoria county board member Jeff Lickiss is seriously considering a run for District 6, but this time as a Democrat. Al Mayer, the Democrat who defeated Lickiss, is seeking the Democrat nomination for Aaron Schock’s seat. As this column was being filed, Lickiss was not definite whether he would or would run not for county board. If he does, chances are he will file as a Democrat.

Another former county board member, Bill O’Brien, is busting his buttons these days, and for good reason. His son Michael, attending John Marshall Law School in Chicago, recently ran in the Chicago Marathon. A former runner at Peoria High, Michael completed the grueling 26.2 mile race under unbelievable conditions. It was so hot and humid thousands of runners quit and close to 10,000 more failed to show up after registering. The event was a fund-raiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It was O’Brien’s first marathon and he raised $1,500. Congratulations to Michael. Obviously, his running skills were inherited from his mother, Norah, a teacher in District 150. The only time his father runs is for the bathroom at 2 a.m. Michael is working in the Cook County state’s attorney’s office when not attending law classes.

STILL AT IT? WHAT A SHAME!

Mary Harkrader is still at it. Appointed chairman of the Peoria City Election Commission by fellow Democrat Judge Richard Grawey, one of Mary’s first acts was to fire long-time City Election executive director, Jeanette Mitzelfelt. The highly regarded and respected Mitzelfelt, understandably, sought and received unemployment compensation.

She was granted compensation over Harkrader’s objections. Stung by that defeat, Harkrader appealed the decision. Harkrader lost. All was quiet until after Mitzelfelt’s compensation period ended. Using taxpayer monies, Harkrader then sought to have Mitzelfelt repay the unemployment compensation. Once again, Harkrader’s appeal was denied. Case closed? Not at all. Harkrader has now turned to the Circuit Court in an effort to reverse the decision of the unemployment compensation hearing officer. Of course, Peoria taxpayers are paying for this seemingly personal vendetta by Harkrader and fellow Election Commissioner Camille Gibson. How sad. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel for this ongoing soap opera. Someone with a cooler head and greater wisdom and power, reportedly has told the dynamic duo it’s time to back off and move on. Hope fully, his influence will bring to a close this locally embarrassing debacle that has been ignored for some strange reason by the Journal and its awarding winning columnists.

Don’t count on it. There’s another chapter being written, this time by Mitzelfelt. Mary and Camilla are the focus of her chapter. Details are forthcoming.

CHECK THE WATER HARRY REID’S DRINKING

Senate majority leader Harry Reid can lay claim for saying the dumbest things these days. Remember his foolish and anti-military statement that “the surge is not working.” Of course, it was and has. Even liberal media reporters agree great military progress has been made in Iraq as the result of the surge just like the landing at Normandy in World War II. Duh.

Reid’s latest stupid statement was his announcement that global warming caused the fires in California. When asked about it later by a reporter, he denied saying it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Two of Peoria’s former mayors celebrated birthdays in October. Jim Maloof was the center of attention on WOAM’s “Breakfast with Royce and Roger,” Thursday, October 18. Joining Royce and Roger for the morning celebration were Pete Vonachen, George Shadid, Alicia Butler and Bob Sulaski. It was a fun time as they chatted about the early days in Peoria. Later that evening, relatives and friends gathered at Agatucci’s to wish Maloof the best on his 88th birthday. Former Mayor Dick Carver and his wife Judy were in town that same week. The Carvers and a group of friends celebrated Dick’s 70th birthday at the Creve Coeur Club in the Twin Towers.

WMBD AXES ANOTHER RADIO VETERAN