The Community Word

Amazing. President George Bush comes to Peoria again and the smear merchants at the Peoria Journal Star see nothing positive about his visit. It’s hard to figure why the left-leaning newspaper and their intellectually-challenged writers would find anything negative about the leader of the greatest country in the world making a return to our city. Could they be angry because his approval ratings are much higher than the 9% “enjoyed” by the Democrat Congress with such Illinois luminaries as Senators Dick Durbin and Obama?

Could they be upset because the “surge” has been successful and we’re winning the war in Iraq? (Deaths so far in Iraq for the month of July are lower than in the city of Chicago.) Could it be because this President and his administration created more jobs than at anytime in the history of this country with the lowest unemployment during any previous administration? Could it be the left is disappointed that Mr. Bush has prevented any terror attacks on America since 9/11? Could the newspaper’s smear attacks be the result of their disappointment that this President didn’t commit adultery in the Clinton Oral Office like their hero?

Despite all of the negative and hateful articles, the President’s appearance was hugely successful. It was virtually a sold out affair with close to 1,500 people gathering under the enormous large white tent at the Weaver Farm. Couples paid $1,000 to be able to see and hear from their popular Republican Party leader. Organizers had scheduled 30-35 minutes for the photo sessions with President Bush. Because of the large number of requests for the $5,000 photo opportunities, the President smiled with, and for, adoring supporters for close to one hour even though he was on a tight schedule. Our local newspaper did its best to damage the President’s visit, but like the paper itself, the sad effort fell flat. Congratulations to those who made it all possible! It was a great and historic event!!!!

Congratulations to Peoria’s TV stations and radio station WMBD! They provided outstanding coverage of the President’s visit to Peoria. It was a job well-done!

OTHER POLTICIAL NOTES

Jeff Lickiss is running again for a seat on the Peoria County Board. A former member of the board, the Republican is running against Allen Mayer, the Democrat who opposed Jehan Gordon for the state office currently held by Aaron Shock. Even though voters in County District 6 are primarily Democrats, Lickiss feels he has a good chance to upset Mayer because of Mayer’s surprise opposition to fellow Democrat Gordon. Mayer, who’s white, originally supported Gordon, an African-American, and then changed his mind angering local Democrat leaders. He decided to run against her. He lost. Lickiss hopes anger toward Mayer will translate into votes for him. A number of high profile Democrats have privately indicated their support for Lickiss.

Speaking of the County Board, another former member, Democrat Sharon Kennedy, reportedly is supporting Republican Joan Krupa in her contest against Jehan Gordon. Kennedy, who’s been a major player in Peoria County politics for the Democrat Party, has also angered party chairman, Billy Halstead. Kennedy works for Advanced Medical Transport on Sterling Avenue where her boss, Andrew Rand, is running unopposed for the seat of fellow Democrat Jim Thomas. Though he’s been very active for Democrats, this is Rand’s first effort for public office. He picked a good time to run. It’s hard to lose to “Unopposed.”

A NEW BEL-WOOD NURSING HOME?

Based on recent discussions by Peoria County Board members, it appears the board is planning to construct a new nursing home. For a time, members considered renovating Bel-Wood. However, the fiscally wise decision is to construct a brand new facility though nothing definite has been decided at this date.

The next issue facing board members relates to location. Should the new facility be located adjacent to the existing Bel-Wood or somewhere else in Peoria County? At least one member of the board, Pat Hidden, is strongly opposed to changing locations. Fellow Democrat Mike Phelan reportedly argues the new Bel-Wood should be closer to medical facilities. Some of the sites discussed include land behind the former Zeller Zone Center on North University and land north of the city near the Shoppes at Grand Prairie. The subject will create a lot more debate and heat than deciding whether to renovate the existing Bel-Wood versus building a new one.

Since this issue will affect current and future Bel-Wood residents, their families and all taxpayers, it would be wise for Peoria County to hold a couple of public hearings for citizen input if and when the board votes to build a new nursing home.

NAMES IN AND OUT OF THE NEWS

Pete Vonachen is back home after being hospitalized for a week at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. I’m glad to see he’s recovering, albeit slowly, from the illness that required some inpatient care.

In a recent column, it was suggested the Glen Oak Amphitheater be named the Fogelberg Amphitheater after singer Dan and his father Larry. Lee Wenger reminded me the band shell at the amphitheater is named after the late Fred Huber who directed the municipal band and other bands for many years. But that’s okay. You’ll remember the two names, Vonachen Stadium at Meinen Field. It would work. Bottom line: we need to memorialize the two Fogelbergs. Dan Fogelberg was every bit as famous nationally and internationally as Richard Pryor or anyone else who the city has recognized in some way, shape or form. Let’s do it while Dan’s mother and Larry’s wife, Margaret, is still alive.

How about naming Woodruff Field on North Adams after the late Tommy Correll? They named the football field at Woodruff High School after Virgil Boucher who coached for far less years than Correll. Correll coached all sports first at Kingman High School.

Kingman is in the 3100 block of North Madison, a short distance from Woodruff Field. When Woodruff High School opened, Correll was named to coach basketball, football, baseball, and track. As an aside, his wife, Grace, was an accomplished artist. One brother, Charles, was Andy on the famed “Amos and Andy” radio show, and another brother, “Red,” worked for District 150. Someone should step forward and lead the charge to rename the field, “Tommy Correll Field.”

Speaking of big names in the entertainment world, Elaine “Sparky” McFarlane made her second exclusive appearance on “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” in June. The lead for “Spanky and Our Gang,” she exhibited a wonderful sense of humor and a continued fondness for Peoria and friends like Steve and Trish Schmidt. She was in town for a political fund-raiser for Steve who’s the Democrat candidate for Peoria Coroner. She also made an appearance at Bloomington Central Catholic High School where she graduated a few, no, many years ago. Some of her biggest hits were “Lazy Days,” “Sunday Will Never Be the Same,” “Like to Get to Know You,” and “Making Every Minute Count.” Spanky was joined by one of her guitar players for a little jamming session at Daryl Klusendorf’s Sky Harbor Steak House during her visit to Peoria.

Mayor Jim Ardis is to be commended for his leadership in bridging the gap between the City Council and the Peoria Library Board. The political feud could’ve escalated over the cost for construction and renovation bonds, but the Mayor rose above the fray and maintained a degree of fiscal responsibility. Peoria taxpayers are, in the end, the winners.

Now it appears the library board is fumbling the ball again by selecting a site near the Hardware Department at Menard’s.

MEDIA REVIEW

Our local newspaper missed it big time regarding the name of the store coming to Sheridan Village. Remember they speculated it was Whole Foods. I knew they were dead wrong simply by going to the Whole Foods web site, something I did before the newspaper even suggested Whole Foods might be the new tenant. The Whole Foods web site lists all of their store locations along with prospective sites. Peoria was never mentioned. The Journal Star announced the pending arrival of Hy-Vee and this has stimulated additional rumors such as the closing of Schnuck’s next to the Metro Center. My source says, “Not so.” However, I’m told Schnuck’s is considering construction of a new and additional store north of Peoria, perhaps in the area of the Shoppes at Grand Prairie. Not a bad marketing idea. That area is under-served for grocery shoppers.

A STRETCH?

In a recent story by PJS reporter Karen McDonald, she referred to Democrat candidate for Congress, Colleen Callahan, as a former broadcast journalist. Karen, let’s be honest. Colleen reported farm news on WMBD. You know, soybeans down and corn up. That’s not a broadcast journalist. Nice try.

HATS OFF TO KEN HINTON

District 150 Superintendent Ken Hinton deserves praise for defusing what could’ve been a nasty exchange between at least two school board members at the Monday, July 7th meeting on North Wisconsin. After Dr. David Gorenz narrowly won re-election as President of the board (4-3 vote) over long-time member Martha Ross, Ross decided to level some charges about why four members voted against her. Fellow board member Jim Stowell responded with the words, “I take exception……” In a word, the charges were about alleged racism. It could be a double-edged sword since all of the black members voted one way as did the white members. Stowell was interrupted by Hinton who praised all of the board for focusing on doing what’s best for the children. He talked about the good work in the past and said it was time to concentrate on the future. It was brilliant strategy by the school superintendent and was totally missed by the media, but not by those who watched on public access television. Hinton disrupted what was potentially an inflammatory conflict that would’ve been harmful to the school district and our community. Sadly, Dr. Gorenz, who chairs the board, sat idly by as the firestorm started. And while Martha Ross made some inappropriate remarks, she had reasons to be angry.

And Stowell should’ve kept quiet. In my opinion, Dr. Gorenz, after serving the customary two terms, should not have sought a third year. It was time to step aside and allow Ross to become President by a unanimous vote. He didn’t. Though Hinton doesn’t chair the board, he took control and ended the debate in a positive way. Gorenz, Stowell and Ross should thank him.

SHOP LOCAL

Peoria Journal Star business reporter Paul Gordon recently suggested consumers should focus more on eating at locally owned restaurants like Sky Harbor Steak House and Avanti’s versus franchise operations like Applebee’s and Texas Road House. Not a bad idea. Of course, Gordon forgot to mention the Peoria Journal Star isn’t locally owned either. Still his point is well made. Look what’s happened to locally owned grocery stores. And how many of us remember drinking milk from Stafford’s Dairy and Schierer’s and Borland’s and Meadowbrook? All gone. Replaced by the big guys.

The same is true for local radio stations. WSIV was once owned by Pekin businessmen Ken Patterson and George Udry. The station, now called WVEL, is part of the national radio group, Regent, based in Covington, Kentucky. Regent also owns Peoria stations WGLO and River Country. And WMBD, once owned by a Champaign, Illinois, family, is owned today by Triad, out of California. Known locally as JMP Group, the California company takes profits from not only WMBD, but also from WSWT, The Drive and WIRL. The latter station was owned years ago by the Small family of Kankakee. Sadly, profits from Peoria radio now go not only out of Peoria, but out of Illinois. The exception is WOAM and True Oldies 94.3, owned locally by Bob Kelly of Kelly Communications.

So maybe Peoria businesses should consider buying advertising from a locally owned radio stations first, if we’re to follow Gordon’s suggestion. I wonder how local car dealers would feel if consumers started buying cars in St. Louis, Detroit or Indianapolis.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

“Be nice to people on the way up, you might meet them on the way down.” ——— Anon.

QUOTE OF THE DECADE

“The surge (in Iraq) is not working.” —Harry Reid

Tags: Roger Monroe, Journal Star