ROGER MONROE

When Caterpillar announced it was moving its headquarters from Deerfield to Texas, the news surprised no one.

It was expected. After all, the new CEO, Jimmy Umpleby, had no loyalty or affection for Peoria or Deerfield. The Indiana native became a CAT vice president in 2010 and was named CEO in 2017. He became chairman of the board the following year. His rise to the top was far different than previous leaders like Doug Oberhelman, who was with Big Yellow for 41 years, and Jim Owens, who clocked 38 years. Glen Barton was a part of Caterpillar and Peoria for nearly 43 years. They loved Peoria and the people who lived and worked here.

I doubt Umpleby knew the difference between CILCO and Ameren or Hunt’s from Hunter’s, and could care less. Most of us could probably say, “What a coincidence.”

Check out what many leaders of local charities are whispering. The loss of the top money-makers at Caterpillar will have an impact on donations, if not short term, long term. While in Peoria, many were very generous. It will be a stretch for that loyalty to remain while living in Texas. They’ll be expected to do for them what was done in our community.

The writing on the wall was obvious when Umpleby told the media he was moving the Peoria headquarters to Deerfield, but failed to reveal that everything from the North Adams building, including close to 250 executives, were going into a rented facility. Even a graduate of the Peoria Barber College would realize the move was temporary. If the Deerfield CAT executives did not start a betting pool as to when and where their next move would be, I would be surprised.

Most knew it would be Texas or Arizona. In May, Caterpillar announced it would spend $24 million to expand its manufacturing plant in Schertz, Texas. With the current UAW contract to expire next year, look for the union to play hardball with Umpleby and associates. Job security will be a main issue along with wage increases. Unfortunately, those 250 management executives have no union and are already shopping for homes in Irving. On the other hand, they might be seeking opportunities with John Deere. Umpleby and the board of directors have been moving around members of management and their family members like Chinese checkers.

Caterpillar will make news again in a couple of years. Umpleby will be gone and the company could announce its first female CEO. A source suggested it’ll be Susan C. Schwab, a CAT director since 2009. She has impressive credentials, such as Professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, strategic advisor for global law firm Mayer Brown LLP, a U.S. Trade Representative, and a board member at Boeing, FedEx, and Marriott International.

‘Cure Violence’ program provides controversy

Some Peoria council members were surprised at a recent meeting when administrators presented a proposal to spend $25,000 to bring a group of Chicago people to the River City to help police reduce crime and violence. The proposal was defeated on a tie, 5-5 vote. However, At-large Councilman John Kelly, despite voting against the measure, made a motion for reconsideration at the next council session. So, the votes were now there to rehear and re-vote.

Participating in the debate in support of spending $25,000, was Peoria City/County administrator Monica Hendrickson. She said shootings and killings are a health issue. She provided details about the “Cure Violence” program’s success in cities like Chicago in 2009, Philadelphia in 2017, Baltimore in 2012, and, yes, New York City in 2018. Like the Pfizer vaccines, one would suggest those murderous cities need another, pardon the pun, “shot” in the arm.

An information sheet provided by Hendrickson urges dropping certain words and phrases as a way of creating a more friendly or socially acceptable environment. As examples, drop “bad people” for “learned behavior” and “senseless acts” are really “a contagious process.” The old view of punishment should be replaced by “interruption and behavior change.” Folks, I’m not making this up.

It’s in black and white. Ask your council representative for a copy or call the Peoria City/County Health Department.

Mayor Rita Ali is pushing support for the “Cure Violence” proposal while long-time councilman, Chuck Grayeb is opposed. He told us he’s heard from some local agencies who point out they have been working on reducing crime. There have been at least two previous crime fighting programs such as “Don’t Shoot,” heralded by former state’s attorney, Jerry Brady. “Our local police under new Chief Eric Echevarria are aggressively working on removing the bad guys from city streets,” said Grayeb. He noted that local agencies know city streets, neighborhoods, and the trouble makers, while a group of people from Chicago would take weeks and months to gain information already known. For some reason, this new proposal is receiving strong support behind the scenes.

News Notes

Look for Unity Point Health of Iowa and the Carle Foundation to announce before the end of the year an agreement that will bring Methodist, Proctor and Pekin hospitals under the organization umbrella of Carle. It’s somewhat of an unusual development because of the size of Unity Point compared to Carle. One is large and the other is small. No official reason for the change has been given. Methodist Hospital was started by three Deaconesses of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1898 and officially opened its doors in 1900 on Bluff Street, exactly where it is today. Initially, the hospital administrator was minister of the Methodist Church. At one time, the hospital bylaws required 36 board members, and half had to be Methodists.

Things changed over the years and the church lost control. Questions remain today about that change and ensuing developments. When Unity Point Health took over operations, who profited? If Methodist was sold, what was the price? Did any officers or board members benefit? Since hospitals receive federal and state revenue, such transactions should be transparent. Details about the sale of Methodist, past and present, should be made public. It hasn’t because local news media are uneducated about business issues and federal laws. I’m no Clarence Darrow, but too much has gone unreported about the “purchase” of Methodist, Proctor and Pekin hospitals by Unity Point Health and now the soon to be announced sale. The assets of the three medical facilities are in the millions.

Quote of the Month

“One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation forevermore.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes.

HAPPY JULY 4TH!