Straight Talk | Chaos, conflict in River City? Plus, anyone see Mike Pence?

ROGER MONROE

Are you old enough to remember the song, “Ya Got Trouble (right in the River City),” from “The Music Man”?

Robert Preston sings, “Friend, either you’re closing your eyes to a situation you do not wish to acknowledge or you are not aware of the caliber of disaster indicated by the presence of a pool table in your community.

“Well, ya got trouble, my friend, right here …”

Peoria’s City Council, at least the majority, have trouble. Not over a pool table, but with Mayor Rita Ali and City Manager Patrick Urich. There’s been multiple executive sessions. Discussions and debate have centered on actions and inaction by the two city leaders.

Here are some of the issues as we’ve heard from several sources:

• Mayor Ali appointed a number of people to serve on a committee she formed without City Council collaboration and approval, say council critics. Among those she appointed was her sister, Robin Grantham, in a not so open display of nepotism. Ali named her committee, S-Net. The council has learned she had obtained a trademark for S-Net earlier as a private citizen. Some view that as a conflict of interest.

Further, there is concern the Ali committee has been meeting privately without notice to the public and the media. Some council members have sought copies of meeting minutes without success.

• Mayor Ali is pushing an interruption violence program that has been implemented in some areas of Chicago and other cities called “Cure Violence.” As part of her efforts, she decided to place on a recent council Consent Agenda, a request to pay the Chicago group $25,000. Council members had two problems with her decision.

First, most had never heard of “Cure Violence.” Secondly, the maximum amount permitted on a CS for expenditure requests is $15,000. Consent Agenda items are approved without discussion and debate so it was curious that Ali had chosen the unusual maneuver.

Council members were quick to respond and removed the expenditure request, placing it on the regular agenda. After healthy debate, the request was defeated on a 5-5 vote. At a subsequent meeting, the measure was again defeated, 6-5. Despite public statements by those hollering against the prevailing majority, they are not against fighting crime and saving lives. They’re against breaking rules, regulations, secret meetings, failure to disclose, lack of transparency, and favoritism.

When it comes to spending taxpayer money, whether local, state or federal, the council or any governmental body, elected or non-elected, must follow lawful procedures. One of those procedures is to announce a Request For Proposals.

This was not done by the city prior to receiving the proposal only from “Cure Violence.” Not only did some council members object, so apparently did some local agencies. “That’s not fair,” they argued. Some may say, “What’s the big deal? It’s only $25,000.” However, it’s seed money for up to $500,000. That’s the big deal. Why some local folks object to supporting our local agencies over one from Chicago is beyond my pay grade of thought.

More importantly, why they would object to receiving other crime interruption programs for consideration is irrational and irresponsible.

Like an iceberg, there’s more under the water in this entire scenario. That’s why some members are suggesting the hiring of an independent investigative firm. Former WEEK-TV news anchor Denise Jackson, now First District council representative, said on her former employer’s station, “There’s been no wrong doing.” Others disagree with her assertion.

Word is some city employees have become “whistle-blowers.” Investigation or not, look for City Manager Urich to be gone before the end of the year. One of those already gone is the Mayor’s secretary.

A final thought. Regardless of positions about this interruption violence program or that one or 10 others, everyone has the same desire, and that’s to end violence or at least reduce it in Peoria. Someone once said, “The art of politics is compromise.” Seems like in today’s world compromise has become a lost art. It’s too much, “I’m right and you’re wrong.” Too many engage in personal attacks rather than addressing the issues.

Members of the city council need to work together. Unfortunately, it looks like the council is incapable of achieving any degree of cooperation.

A New ‘Peoria Magazine’

In case you missed it, as I did, that slick monthly magazine “Peoria,” is now owned by the tax-supported TV conglomerate, WTVP. Jan Wright sold the magazine last year and the July issue is out with a feature story about some wealthy local leaders acclaimed as “legends.”

Fine people. Indeed worthy of such recognition. And the new magazine writers are accomplished former Peoria Journal Star reporters like Steve Tarter, Phil Luciano, Nick Vlahos, and Mike Bailey, who’s best known for his support for the now defunct Heddington Oaks. An impressive list of 16 writers in all. Equally impressive is the list of close to 60 sponsors from Caterpillar to Easter Seals to the Morton Chamber of Commerce.

Former Vice President Meets Secretly

If you watched WMBD-TV news Tuesday morning, June 21, you would never have known former Vice President Mike Pence had been in Peoria the night before. The Channel 31 news staff totally ignored his appearance before more than 700 people who attended the event at the Peoria Civic Center. I watched WEEK-TV at 4:30 the next morning and they presented a fair and balanced report. At 5 a.m., I switched to see Channel 31 and they provided no coverage at all. I think they thought Pence came and went secretly.

Too bad. Pence was witty and delivered an inspiring speech for Illinois Republicans. The Bloomington Pantagraph’s story indicated the newspaper was disappointed Pence didn’t denigrate Trump.