Under the leadership of Mayor Jim Ardis, Peoria County State’s Attorney, Jerry Brady, Sheriff Mike McCoy and several others, Peoria is implementing a new program to combat youth violence. Badly needed in our city, it’s called “Don’t Shoot.” It was developed by Boston criminologist David M. Kennedy after extensive research that included riding in police cars, interviews with detectives, counselors, others in criminology as well as offenders and victims and their families. Kennedy wrote a riveting book about youth violence, titled, “Don’t Shoot,” explaining causes and a program to end youth shooting youth. Contrary to popular belief, says Kennedy, youth violence is more about personal “beefs,” disagreements and boy-girl rivalry than drugs and money, though certainly those are factors.
Kennedy called for an approach in which everyone from gang members to drug dealers to police and community leaders would come together as an intervention team. He introduced his approach in Boston with great success. Known as the “Boston Miracle,” the program is credited with reducing youth homicide by two-thirds. Since then it has been implemented in some 70 cities, some successfully and some not so successfully. In Chicago it has failed for a variety of reasons. Led by Mayor Ardis and State’s Attorney Jerry Brady, the program is underway in Peoria. David Kennedy will be a guest of the city to help spread the word the week this newspaper hits the streets. He’ll be a guest on WOAM’s “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” Friday morning, August 31.
RUN JIM, JIM RUN
Speaking of Mayor Jim Ardis, many are asking whether Jim will seek re-election. When asked, Ardis smiles, he does a lot of that, and answers, “I don’t know.” He does admit he’s concerned about who will and who won’t seek re-election on the council. “That will play an important part in my thinking,” he told this writer. Meanwhile, rumors circulate locally that new council member Chuck Weaver wants to run for mayor. Ardis said who runs for the office would not encourage or discourage his decision. I think Jim should and will run for re-election. The above story about fighting youth violence in Peoria is just one example of his dynamic leadership that bodes well for our community.
OTHER
POLITICAL NOTES
Most local politicos think Congressman Aaron Shock has his eyes on the Governor’s office and expect he’ll make his wishes known at the end of the year. Sources say Darin LaHood. State Senator, would then run for the Shock seat in Congress. It’s anyone’s guess who would seek the LaHood office. Would it be Ardis? How about Chuck Weaver?
WOW!
I hinted about it a month ago and now feel I have enough information to announce secret plans by District 150 to sell the Peoria Stadium. Apparently, discussions have been taking place behind the scenes to sell this historic landmark for an estimated $7 to $8 million. The land would be used for business development. I hear the plan has the support of city officials.
District 150 has hopes of acquiring a state grant to proceed with plans to build a new Peoria Stadium on land acquired for expansion at Peoria High School. The school, of course, sits in the middle, or at least on the edge, of one of the worst crime zones in the city. So attending football games at night will be an adventure for those willing to take the risk. And some wonder why East Peoria, Pekin, Limestone, and other area high schools have no interest in coming to Peoria. This is why District 150 has to go to Galesburg, Quincy and Timbuktu for its sports conferences.
Peoria needs a sports complex similar to Eastside in East Peoria. While the school district’s Peoria Stadium needs to replace the deteriorating track, it doesn’t need to demolish it for a new one at Peoria High School. Bad idea, like others coming out of the building on Wisconsin……..again and again.
For those of us who’ve been around for a few years, the Peoria Stadium holds many wonderful memories. I remember when Bradley fielded football teams with great players like Billy Stone who later played for the Chicago Bears. How about the days of the Peoria Red Wings, the women’s professional softball team who could draw some 10,000 fans to stadium games? As a grade school kid I would climb over the high chain link fence to avoid paying to see Woodruff High School football games. I remember feeling the rapid beat of my heart as I was scared of getting caught by police. Who can forget those memorable Turkey Day games with Central and Manual in the morning and Woodruff and Spalding in the afternoon?
Bottom line…..renovate Peoria Stadium but don’t build a new one, especially at Peoria High.
MEDIA NOTES
WOAM station manager Jim Sauers has resigned. Jim has been commuting from Streator each day and is moving to northern Illinois. He’s been at WOAM for over a year and has done a masterful job. He’s a class act, unusual for a radio station manager. Jim was always pleasant, didn’t hit on the women, was a good salesman, and knew radio. As I said, unusual for broadcasting, especially in this market. He’ll be missed.
CUBS LOSE! CUBS LOSE!
Another terrible year by the Cubs is compounded by the news it will not renew its affiliation with the Peoria Chiefs. The way they did it reflects unfavorably on the management style of the new front office people in the Windy City. I’m told they came to Peoria, said nothing to Chief management, wandered around the place and the town and then left. Peoria learned of the loss of the Cub affiliation from reports in the Chicago Sun-Times. Now Peoria Chief officials have to look around and see if they can find a Class A minor league team with which to affiliate and vice versa. Kane County, which will be the new home for the Cub minor league team now in Peoria, has had an affiliation with the Kansas City Royals. That would not be a big draw in central Illinois. The Cardinals are in the Quad Cities, but St. Louis officials were not thrilled when they were replaced in Peoria with the Cubs. Don’t expect them to do cartwheels about returning to Peoria.
In talking with Pete Vonachen about developments, I could tell he was suffering with heartburn. To say he’s not thrilled with Cub management would be an understatement. However, don’t undersell what Peoria has to offer. It’s still one of the best minor league baseball stadiums in the country, has a great baseball fan base, wonderful local media support, delicious food, and outstanding management. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a good major league affiliation in 2013.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PETE!
Peoria’s Mr. Baseball, Pete Vonachen, will celebrate his 87th birthday, Friday, August 31. As in the past, we’ll host Pete’s birthday with a party in his honor on “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” at the WOAM studios at 7324 North University. His friends will gather for cake and goodies that morning while best wishes for another 87 years will be extended to Mr. Nice Guy. Don’t miss the celebration on WOAM.
I DID IT…..FINALLY
In all of my communication years did I ever think I could or would do it, but I did. I finally ended my subscription to the Peoria Journal. It was a weaning process. It started by stopping the weekly delivery. When I realized I wasn’t missing much, I canceled Saturday and Sunday issues. Why? The reason is simple. At one time the newspaper was a source of objective information. You know, answers to the long-standing “W” questions; Who, What, Where, When and How. Today’s paper is filled with subjective writing beyond the editorial pages. Even the guys who write headlines insert their personal politics in choosing words. Gone is fairness and objectivity. Instead readers are fed a continuing stream of radical leftist ramblings from Leonard “The” Pitts, Eugene Robinson, E. J. Dionne, ad nauseum. And if the paper gets any thinner in size and content, you’ll be able to use it for other things.
“WALK FOR THE MIND”
HEADED BY MAYOR ARDIS
The 10th Annual Mark Linder Walk for the Mind will take place at the Riverplex Saturday, September 29. This year’s Honorary Chairman is Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis. Proceeds for the walk are used for brain tumor research. Mark Linder died of brain cancer in 2005 at the age of 31. Organizers of this year’s event have announced that the University of Illinois Foundation is partnering with the Mark Linder Walk for the Mind group to help fund brain tumor research taking place at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria. Persons interested in walking this year can register the morning of the walk or by going to the walk web site at:
www.marklinderwalkforthemind.com
THE FACTS
As the November election draws near, here are some facts to remember. Under Barrack Obama:
• 42 consecutive months of more than 8% unemployment with real unemployment closer to 14%….
• 23 million men and women struggling for work….
• America is now $16 trillion in debt….
• 45 million on food stamps….
• A record 46 million in poverty….
• Under President Ronald Reagan 19% of Americans paid no income tax. Under
• Obama it’s 47%….
I GET LETTERS!
Reader Chet Bishop sent a letter recently with some kind comments and some excellent suggestions for organizers of the Heart of Illinois Fair. An avid attendee of the Fair who also wins ribbons for his entries in woodworking and antiques, Bishop recalls climbing on a John Deere combine and a Caterpillar road grader as a child. He has some wonderful memories of the Fair and laments the lack of local business interest. He asks in his letter, “Where are these companies today? Cat, Komatso, Keystone, even the car dealers should be ashamed. Is it that expensive to set up a tent and show off their products? Maybe give a piece of candy to a kid when he or she sits on a big tractor with a huge smile on their face and mom and dad taking a picture.”
Maybe someone on the Heart of Illinois Fair board will read this and give Chet’s suggestions consideration. Better yet, maybe some of the companies mentioned and others will think about sponsoring a tent next year.
Another piece of communication came from an unnamed source who was happy, apparently, the County Board voted not to put on the November ballot a referendum to eliminate the offices of county auditor and recorder of deeds. The person noted if supporters of booting Carol Van Winkle, auditor, and Nancy Horton, recorder of deeds, were looking to save money, they might review the high salaries being paid some county officials. As an example, he said, Tom Flynn, court administrator was paid $104,000 in 2008. This year he earns $133,500. An employee at the Juvenile Detention Center went from $73,000 in 2008 to $89,000 four years later. The personnel director is making $133,000 this year after jumping from $114,000 in 2008. A member in county administration had a $30,000 salary increase in four years. Are you kidding me? We have been going through one of the worst economies since the depression and we’re raising taxpayer supported salaries like this?
A BIT OF HUMOR
A friend of mine sent me some unfortunate but funny comments made by NBC announcers during the recent Olympics. Here are a few:
Boxing analyst: “Sure there have been injuries and even some deaths in boxing, but none of them that serious.”
Paul Hamm, Gymnast: “I owe a lot to my parents, especially to my mother and father.”
Softball announcer: “If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again.”
Basketball analyst: “He dribbles a lot and the opposition doesn’t like it. In fact you can see it all over their faces.”
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” —Rumi