Another scoop by “Straight Talk” and the Community Word with news that Chris Reynolds has been hired as the new Athletic Director by Bradley University. This columnist announced that Reynolds was under serious consideration over two months ago not only in this newspaper but also on our WAZU-FM morning show, “Breakfast with Royce and Roger.” Along with co-host, Alicia Butler, we talked about the benefits of hiring Reynolds for both Bradley and the community. No one, and I mean no one, picked up on our prediction and the inside information we had. Finally, a few days before the university revealed the hiring, the Journal acknowledged that possibility. TV and other radio stations had no clue until Bradley made the announcement. Credit also goes to Dr. Gene Sidler, creator of his blog, bradleyfansdotcom, for his early revelation. It’s amazing to me that the local media was so far behind the “learning curve.” We also predicted the possible hiring of Jerrance Howard, he of the University of Kansas, before the Journal picked up a six months old story about the basketball recruiting genius. Don’t count him out, yet.
The news as we went to press was the firing of Ford. Reynolds dismissed the basketball coach, and a source told me he had plans to make the public announcement Monday, March 23. However, Ford decided to take the initiative and reportedly called ESPN, the Peoria Journal and WMBD with news of his firing.
SCHOCK AND THE MEDIA
Though not found guilty of anything or even officially accused of wrong-doing, Aaron Schock has resigned as Congressman for the 18th District. In response, the Peoria Journal and everyone who works there authored some kind of article attacking the guy. I think the only person who didn’t write something was the receptionist and Phil Jordan in the marketing department. But then, it’s early.
The main question, still unanswered, is why was he so quick to resign? Some believe it was based on what is unknown versus information already made public. Time will tell. The tragedy is this intelligent, but apparently immature, young man made bad decisions starting by posing with an open shirt for a men’s magazine. Not very mature for a statesman. Can you imagine Bob Michel or Ray LaHood doing this? Maybe Barney Frank, but not Michel or LaHood. The people of the 18th District deserve better. Instead of a bright future that may have included winding up as chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, Aaron faces an uncertain future and that’s too bad.
BAD START
Like vultures circling a dying horse in a western movie, politicians came out of the woodwork to show interest in grabbing the Schock seat. Among those is the son of Ray LaHood, Darin, currently a state senator. His announcement came as no surprise. Two weeks ago on our morning show, I said there were rumblings in the local Republican Party about LaHood waiting in the weeds for Schock to stumble.
What was a surprise was the former federal prosecutor announcing his political intentions on WMBD radio instead of holding a news conference for all media. Kudos to WMBD, but it was a bad start for LaHood. You just don’t show media favoritism especially in such a large voting district. The Peoria Journal had to listen to the radio for the news. Usually, radio and TV get their news from the newspaper.
Most politicians in Springfield, Chicago, and Washington hold news conferences for an important announcement. Imagine Caterpillar using WCBU to announce it would stay in Peoria instead of the almost Hollywood like production it held for the exciting news.
Veteran legislator David Leitch was a guest on our program to talk about the Schock resignation. Leitch lamented Schock’s downfall pointing out some of the contributions he had made to people in his district. Leitch said he would’ve been interested in running for the 18th Congressional District if today’s events had occurred 10 years ago. He also refused to endorse anyone currently seeking to replace Schock, saying, “It’s too early for such an endorsement.”
The Republican Deputy leader was first elected in 1986 to the Illinois Senate and then to the House in 1989.
18TH DISTRICT HISTORY
Since 1957, the 18th District has been represented by a graduate of Bradley University. It includes all of 14 counties and parts of five others. It has a population of 707,238 people, over 91 percent are white with a median income of $54,571; and 64 percent live in urban areas, the rest in rural. Major cities are Peoria, Springfield, Quincy and Jacksonville. By the way, Abraham Lincoln served the 7th District which would’ve been within today’s 18th District. The district is overwhelmingly Republican.
CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS
Prior to the Tuesday, April 7, elections, candidates for Peoria City Council and School District 150 have been appearing on our morning show. They were essentially asked the same questions. My conclusion is Peoria is fortunate to have such qualified people running for public office, especially for school board since members are unpaid.
I do have reservations about two school board candidates. One is too young, without experience necessary to review budgets and evaluate personnel performances, and the other is a clone for the existing group think responsible for the current debacle that characterizes the failure of Peoria schools. The others are articulate, well-informed with excellent credentials for public service, and most want to fire the superintendent. Regardless, we hope people will turn out and vote in this off-year election.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Friendship is like a book. It takes only a few minutes to burn, but years to write.”
—Unknown