More than 825 people attended the retirement party at the Bradley Renaissance Center for business manager Ken Goldin, Friday, May 25. Goldin was honored for 50 years of service on the Hilltop and in the Peoriacommunity. Space doesn’t allow for mention of everyone who spoke glowingly (for the most part) about “Moose,” as he is affectionately known. However, B.U. president Joanne Glasser gave a surprisingly humorous speech about Goldin complete with some funny facial expressions. Mayor Jim Ardis did his usual fine job on behalf of the city while emcee Dave Snell brought laughter to the gathering with his impersonations. What made the night special was the fitting tribute paid to the deserving Goldin and the outstanding people who attended. There were ageless community leaders like Jim Maloof, George Shadid, Bud Ruff, Harry Whitaker and Pete Vonachen. Pete was making his second public appearance after hip replacement surgery. The night before he was at Peoria Chiefs Stadium as the home team celebrated ten years at its downtown location. There were beautiful women smiling and greeting friends. And there were true Bradley friends like former Brave coach, Jim Molinari, now heading the basketball program at Western Illinois University and NCAA batting champion, Joe Napoli. It was an exciting night and I was proud to be a part of the celebratory event. By the way, the food was terrific.
HOMETOWN RADIO
When new WOAM-AM radio station owner Larry Nelson of Plano, Illinois, was considering a themeline or tagline to use, I offered a couple of ideas. I liked “WOAM, Happy Radio” and “WOAM, the station with a smile.” Nelson opted for “Peoria’s Hometown Radio, 1350 WOAM.” It was a stroke of marketing genius primarily because that’s what WOAM is. Between Royce and Roger, there’s 150 years of hometown experience. No station can match it, especially when it comes to hometown guests and news. As an example, federal judge, Jim Shadid, and Memphis Grizzlie business executive, Dana Davis, both Peoria natives, walked in the front door at WOAM at 7324 North University and into the studio where Royce and Roger were doing their usual morning banter. What followed was more than 40 minutes of jokes, stories, and laughter, all unplanned and unscheduled, including Judge Shadid’s account of his meeting with President Obama in the White House.
That Friday morning was followed by a special Memorial Day observance, Monday, May 28, with guests Bob Michel, Vietnam veteran Tom Maher, former Mayor Bob Lehnhausen, and plastic surgeon Dr. Harrison Putman. Michel, Maher and Lehnhausen talked about their combat experience while paying tribute to those who made supreme sacrifices for our country. Dr. Putman described the work he does on behalf of Iraq and Afghanistanveterans with facial and neck disfigurements caused by IED explosives.
BASKETBALL CAMP FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
During his visit with Royce and Roger on WOAM, Dana Davis revealed the dates for his annual basketball camp. The free camp for boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 13, will be held August 14-17 with a fund-raising luncheon at the Par-A-Dice Hotel, August 13. The event is named after former Bradley star J.J. Anderson and features NBA players as instructors.
EXCITING NEWS!
Employees of the county’s Bel-Wood Nursing Home will among the first to learn of the facility’s new name. A special meeting of the Peoria County Board will be held Tuesday, June 5, at Bel-Wood for the official announcement. A name has been chosen, but county officials are tight-lipped. No, it will not be named “Heading Home” as suggested by member Phil Salzer. Actually, that’s not a bad name. The new nursing home is being constructed on Heading Avenue and “home” could mean as much about receiving care, treatment and rehabilitation toward returning home as “heading” for Heaven. Other board members quickly dumped on the Salzer “tongue-in-cheek” suggestion.
REJECTING RAND
Andrew Rand is one of the newer members of the Peoria County Board. He also serves as business administrator of Advanced Medical Transport, owned by the three local hospitals. It’s his second “tour” as administrator. I don’t know if he really believes his suggestion to eliminate the county’s Auditor and Recorder of Deeds offices will save money or just a move to grab some headlines. Regardless, Auditor Carol Van Winkle and Recorder of Deeds Nancy Horton have both come out swinging with strong arguments refuting Rand’s suggestion. At least two others with more governmental experience have joined in arguing against Rand. County Clerk Steve Sonnemaker and former county board member Jeff Lickiss have made public statements defending the integrity and cost-savings of retaining those offices. Lickiss, in particular gave an extensive list of valid arguments. Lickiss said Rand’s assertion that removing the offices will save $1 million over ten years was false and that Rand has provided no evidence to the contrary. The former board member also said Rand’s idea will result in a loss of accountability by removing elected officials in favor of appointees. There’s no question in my mind, based on 22 years experience working in the Courthouse, that this is a bad idea. Hopefully, it’ll be rejected by voters if the board votes to put it on the ballot, costing taxpayers in more ways than one.
GOOD GRIEF
More chaos in School District 150. Teachers have joined others in the community to express disappointment and disapproval of Superintendent Granita Lathan. The teachers have voted no confidence with an “unsatisfactory” rating. Their vote was expressed with a protest before a school board meeting. It’s hard for me to understand the strange silence by board members. They seem to be in lock step with Lathan regardless of issues and the continuing controversies. That’s odd in today’s world and speaks more about the board in an unsettling way. I wonder how many board members read the damning deposition of former 150 administration member Michelle Ungurait. How anyone could read that and not have questions for Superintendent Lathan is beyond me.
Meanwhile, the Quest Academy has announced plans for a high school. Wow. I thought there were not enough students for four high schools. Hmm. The announcement seems to give credibility to the rumor the closure of Woodruff High School was all part of secret plans to use the northside school for the Quest Academy … eventually.
Now there are plans to send local students to Turkey…for the third time. I guess it’s just a coincidence that Quest principal Blackstone is from Turkey. I’ve also been told Quest students have traveled in the past to Clevelandfor basketball games where Blackstone served. Strange, or is it?
DISAPPOINTING
A recent news story by WMBD-TV was disappointing. A large group of deaf people protested the apparent elimination of a staffed program at St. Francis Hospital that provided communication for deaf patients. The program wasdropped after the hospital purchased computers that deaf patients and/or family members could use to facilitate communication. Protesters said the computers are impersonal, inconvenient, and insensitive to their needs.
The Channel 31 news report opened with a St. Francis employee explaining how the computer system worked. Then the station briefly interviewed a deaf person who was strangely identified as an “activist.” Really? Suddenly a deaf person with a complaint is an “activist?” An easy solution would be to have some employees take sign language classes. They’re available for anyone. Many companies have sent employees for training including medical offices. Hospitals are centers of compassion. St. Francis would be wise to reconsider.
SHOCK FOR GOVERNOR?
Don’t be surprised if you soon hear that Republican Aaron Shock has plans to run for Governor. More than one person has suggested the dynamic and aggressive Shock has been working to line up supporters on both sides of the political aisle to support his run for the Springfield Executive Mansion. Who knows if he could become the first downstate Governor since Jim Edgar! I know he’s wise, astute and politically savvy, but I think the obstacles are too huge. For one, expect State Treasurer Dan Rutherford to seek the Republican nomination for Governor. Unlike Shock, Rutherford is known statewide and is popular within the Republican Party. But, Shock has never been afraid to step up to the challenge despite the odds.
AWFUL
It was said about the same time last year. The Cubs are finished…already. Other than some good starting pitching, they have nothing going for them this season. Bryan LaHair at first showed some early promise at the plate, but as we went to press he was struggling with a meager .250 batting average for the month of May. In a word, the Cubs are awful and will finish in the basement of their division perhaps for the next two awful years. Meanwhile, I would like to suggest a trade for improvement. Move Pat Hughes and Keith Moreland on the radio side of Cub games to TV and send the boring Len Kasper to radio. Kasper spends more time reading off the Internet about other teams and players than the Cub game we’re watching.
THANK YOU
A personal note. When I attend events like the night for Ken Goldin, I enjoy shaking hands and visiting with friends and people I’ve never met before. That’s one of the great things about living in central Illinois and the mid-west. People in this part of the country are just more cordial and just friendlier. And it amazes me how many say how much they enjoy listening to “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” mornings on WOAM. Some even tell me they enjoy reading this column for the no-nonsense way I express thoughts about issues, although I admit sometimes I could say things softer and less inflammatory. But then, could I call it “Straight Talk?” Anyway, readers, thank you. Your comments are appreciated.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Life is ten per cent what you make it and ninety per cent how you take it.” Ben Franklin