Why is Dewberry, an architectural firm that does business with the city, sponsoring the State of the City address?

I got the following press release: “The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 14th Annual State of the City Address with Peoria Mayor Ardis TOMORROW- Tuesday, January 28 at the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom. Nearly 600 people have reserved a seat to hear Mayor Ardis address the first ever two year budget, downtown and warehouse district changes, along with other exciting projects, and more. Dewberry is the sponsor of this year’s event [emphasis mine].”
It’s one thing for an organization like the Chamber of Commerce to “sponsor” the mayor’s annual speech detailing what’s wrong with the city. I mean, I don’t like it, because the Chamber is a virulently anti-worker organization that campaigns against any and all tax increases, even those necessary to keep the city operational. As far as representing BUSINESSES in the Peoria area, they certainly do not represent most Mom and Pop business in Peoria. They absolutely do not represent MY business (such as it is).
But for the Chamber to let ONE business pay for this event is not cool. And the fact that it’s a business that has its hand in taxpayers’ pockets is inexcusable. Dewberry is a big-deal firm.
It’s too late to do anything about it now, but pressure must be applied to keep this from happening next year.
The whole situation makes it hard for me to trust anything Mayor Ardis has to say.
Ashley McNamee is on her way out at WEEK
Higher ups tried their best to portray Ashley McNamee’s demotion to 10:00 p.m. anchor as the result of her wanting to leave the station. This is not true, several sources say. Negotiations over her next contract broke down over salary (the station is cheap, cheap, cheap) and management decided it was time to start promoting her replacement.
I know many people who will simply stop watching the WEEK news if Ashley leaves – my parents among them.
I find Ashley to be a very credible journalist. She also comes across as very professional and friendly. The fact that she’s a very attractive young lady also helps her appeal.
I think WMBD could do a lot worse than to pick up her contract.
Man’s best friend, but apparently not four-year-old girl’s best friend
Kara E. Hartrich, a four-year-old girl from Bloomington, was mauled by her family’s beloved pit bulls. Such a misunderstood breed. Poodles bite too. I had a poodle bite me once – it broke the skin. And then it licked me, begging forgiveness.
I’ll bet $5 these idiots go out and buy more pit bulls.
Every single pit bull on Earth could spontaneously burst into flame and die and it wouldn’t bother me a bit.



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