ROGER MONROE

The good news is the Peoria Federation of Teachers reached agreement on a new three-year contract with the Peoria School District. Unfortunately, it took months of negotiations, a federal mediator, and the threat of a strike. Once again both sides refused to release information about demands by the teachers’ union during talks. I’ve always wondered why. When elected officials discuss and debate about spending money the details are covered by the media. From city council to the House of Representatives and the Senate, there’s fairly open transparency. It gives taxpayers the opportunity to express their opinions. After all, it’s their money.
I did my best to find out what were the issues blocking agreement with the school board. Teachers, past and present, said salary increases and discipline in the classroom were at the top of their demand list. At one point, a teacher told me the union had been offered a 5% raise the first year followed by 4% increases in Years 2 and 3. In the end, the school district agreed to a total increase of 17.5%. A smiling union president Jeff Adkins-Dutro announced 6.5% the first year and 5.5% each over the next two years.
At one point, board president Martha Ross threatened to reveal details about their offer to union negotiators. She didn’t and the union didn’t. I think that’s wrong. Taxpayers have a right to know what’s on the table. The tradition of keeping details a secret continues. Regardless, I think everyone is happy the teachers got what they deserved. However, class sizes remain the same

CITY COUNCIL APPPROVES BIG BUCKS FOR PREVENTING VIOLENCE

A lot of money is rolling into Peoria to try and curb violence. City Council members approved spending $700,000 and that Chicago group, Cure Violence Global, was awarded the most, thanks to the leadership of Mayor Rita Ali. It’s already received $25,000 to that noted crime fighting agency, the Peoria City/County Health Department led by Inspector Monica Hendrickson. In a rather unusual deal, the council agreed to send a check for a quarter million to the health department, who in turn would hand it over to the cure violence people. I find the term, cure violence, somewhat of a misnomer. We cure pneumonia or the measles, but not crime or violence unless they’ve discovered a new vaccine at the Sheridan Road facility. As part of the deal, Mayor Ali gave up her involvement with Cure Violence Global by dropping her S-Net trademark.
Council members were right. They blocked an effort to slip through a $25,000 payment to Cure Violence Global without following the bidding process. They were criticized unfairly with false charges that they were against fighting crime and that people were going to die because the council would not look the other way. When the process was followed, the crime fighting appropriations were approved. Big bucks are also going to Friendship House, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Goodwill Youth Services, and the Dream Center. A total of 12 agencies and organizations submitted proposals. Next Spring, another $500,000 will be available for violence interruption programs. Peoria’s Community Development Department will monitor the progress of each agency’s program. We hope and pray all the agencies will have success making Peoria a safer city.

A ‘POT’ STORE FOR EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD

I grew up during a time when almost every neighborhood had a drug store. Those stores are gone. Now it seems there’s movement for a store selling cannabis in every neighborhood. The council has approved five dispensaries and there’s a request for a sixth “weed” shop. Only two are currently operating. The request was deferred. Do we really need any stores selling pot?

ELECTION NOTES

Every election is big. At the national level, the issues include the economy, food and gas prices, immigration, the war in Ukraine, and the deficit. We’ll stick with local contests. The Peoria County ballot includes a referendum calling for elimination of the Auditor’s office. County Board members, Republican and Democrat, say the office duplicates financial matters performed by county administrators and is no longer needed. There are 102 counties in the state and Peoria is one of only 17 that have an auditor. Elimination of the Auditor will save taxpayers at least $150,000 a year. Current Auditor, Jessica Thomas, says her office is needed to protect against any possible wrongdoing by county officials. County Vice Chairman Jim Fennell says an outside auditing firm reviews financial records.
In other election news, there’s a chance Republicans might take control of the County board for the first time in decades. Currently, Democrats hold an 11-7 majority, but there are some tight races heading into the Nov. 8 election. There are eight contests between Democrats and Republicans.
There’s also an Advisory Referendum that asks the question, “Should the State of Illinois adopt an Independent Citizens Commission for the Federal and State redistricting process that would be guided by principles established in Fair Maps initiatives?” I hope so.
And there’s the question should the Illinois Constitution be amended to prevent Illinois from becoming a right to work state. Passage of the proposed amendment requires 60% voter approval.

ANOTHER RADIO OPTION?

Is it true? WOAM, 1350 on the AM radio dial, returned to the air Oct. 15. If you’re tired of hearing 5-6 minutes of commercials every 5-6 minutes on some other stations, and you like good music, WOAM is the place to go. WOAM is commercial free and features songs by Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Barbra Streisand, Glen Campbell and more. Don’t hold your breath, though. Station owners will go back on the air for a short time to satisfy FCC broadcasting regulations to keep from losing their license.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“It’s not the voting that’s democracy, it’s the counting.” — Tom Stoddard