FORCED OUT?
Lori Curtis Luther is leaving Peoria as county administrator officially on May 31. We reported exclusively about her interest in leaving weeks ago on our morning show. We even gave details about the public open house held in Beloit, Wis., for Luther and two other final candidates for city manager. Luther got the appointment. The newspaper’s report about Luther’s resignation lacked substance, either because the reporter chose to ignore details or just had no idea.
The truth is the honeymoon between the county administrator and county board members ended months ago on both sides of the political aisle. Based on what I know, I’m not sure she had many, if any, supporters. Blame it on poor communication to no communication plus the usual nitpicking by a number of board members. There was no way Luther’s contract was going to be renewed and she knew it. When Andrew Rand was elected board chairman, relationships went south with the speed of a falling star. Brad Harding, Republican, was admonished for verbal abuse, but we’re told Rand, Democrat, had his harsh moments with the administrator.
Others were critical as well. Disappointment with her management skills may have started when she appointed three assistants and gave them 20-30 percent salary increases.
Harry Truman once said, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” In Luther’s case, the kitchen was on fire and she headed for the nearest exit, which was the open city manager’s job in Beloit. We wish her well.
BARBER SCHOOL SOLD
The Peoria Barber College, founded in 1897, has been sold. Considered to be the oldest in the country, it was purchased in 1953 by my father. At one time, virtually every barber in Peoria and central Illinois had attended the school when it was located at 422 South Adams. A barber since he was 16, Dad expanded the school to accommodate some 100 students. He even bought a former house of prostitution on Walnut Street and turned it into a dormitory for out-of-town students. A couple of fires that officials termed arson, forced him to move to a building at 1315 West Garden where the school remains today. Thousands of people in Peoria and area have been customers along with many members of their families.
Last August the Monroe family sold the business to Melvin Murry, a highly regarded and successful south side businessman. Murry saw the need to continue the school that primarily served the African-American community, students and customers.
Despite spending thousands of dollars in modernizing and updating the school, it remains closed. And despite appeals to city council woman Denise Moore, who represents that area of the city, and State Representative Jehan Gordon, Murry is unable to start training students to learn the profession. The fault lies with a Chicago based bureaucrat with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations. Murry is frustrated and for good reasons. The school passed inspections, has an experienced instructor, and had students eager to learn. A lone, state taxpayer paid employee in the Windy City has thrown every obstacle in front of Murry, who has had to hire an attorney in his efforts to reopen the school.
It’s been eight months fighting the Windy City woman. Maybe Governor Bruce Rauner can shake up the Department of Financial and Professional Regulations. It needs it.
RUMOR MILL
We receive a lot of tips about a variety of subjects from politics to sports to healthcare. The tips come in the form of rumor because most people who can verify will not do so for a number of legitimate reasons. Let’s start with sports.
Brian Barone, the son of former Bradley assistant, Tony Barone, under Dick Versace, will not be coming to Bradley. He didn’t get the head coaching job at Green Bay where he was associate coach under Brian Wardle, and he will not be hired at Bradley.
However, look for A.J. Guyton to be added to the staff. Guyton graduated from Peoria High and went to Indiana where he started every game for Coach Bobby Knight for four consecutive years. He played two years for the Chicago Bulls and a year with the Golden State Warriors. He spent a year as an assistant coach at Illinois Central College and has been a consulting director for the Midwest Professional Basketball Association. His official title will be Video Coordinator. This involves preparing and trading game videos with upcoming opponents and scouting teams via video. He’s expected to help coaches in a variety of ways including shooting skills instruction. It’s a great addition.
ACCESSIBLE PRIMARY CARE
How would you like to have a primary care doctor who you could call any time of the day or night including weekends and he will answer the phone? How would you like to be able to call your doctor and get in to see him that day or perhaps the next day? No discussion with a nurse (no offense) or receptionist. You talk to the doctor. If you need a prescription he’ll call your pharmacy.
Such a medical practice has already started in the country with great success and it’s coming to Peoria. It’s known as MDVIP. Not everyone will be eligible to participate or will want to. Clients will have to pay a monthly fee of $150 to $200. You have unlimited office visits and make no co-payments. MDVIP doesn’t accept Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance patients. The physician pioneer for this new approach in Peoria is Matthew McMillen who will open his MDVIP office June 30.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“People often say motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” –Zig Ziglar