CHRISTMAS NOTES

The radio airwaves in December were filled with Christmas music. At the risk of being accused of a degree of bias, WOAM, in my opinion, played the most and best music of the season 24/7 with commercials coming in second. Not so with other “Christmas music stations.” Bah humbug, as Stan Freeburg would say.

Interestingly, one TV channel played “The Christmas Story” over and over and over. It sure brought to mind wonderful Christmas memories as the era depicted was when I was a young boy. It was a great movie. By the way, what happened to the large leg lamp that used to be prominently displayed in the front yard of the house facing I-74 in East Peoria? I missed it this year.

One of the most emotional Christmas stories I’ve even read was written by author Norm Kelly. It was about a Christmas he experienced with his family. At Norm’s request, I read it live on “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” with Mannheim Steamroller’s arrangement of “Silent Night” as background music. A number of listeners said Norm’s account brought tears to their eyes. He’s a damn good writer, but this story was even too personal for him to narrate. I found it difficult to read as well.

One of the most enjoyable traditions of Christmas is the exchange of cards. All of the cards, especially those with notes, are warm and wonderful to read several times over a cup of hot chocolate. My favorite was the one Nancy and I received from Jonathan Winters. On the cover was a picture of Jonathan in a Santa suit with Betty Furness. It was a photo taken for a Christmas commercial for Westinghouse. Remember the company slogan? “You can be sure if it’s Westinghouse.” The inside of the Winter’s card was a more recent photo of Jonathan in a Santa suit without the customary beard. He also drew a unique tree and penned a personal note. A collector’s item for sure.

POLITICAL NEWS

What’s going on in the local Republican Party? Rumors are flying. There are all kinds of races for Republican precinct seats. In Medina 1, Linda Lehman is running against Karen Taylor and in Medina 5, W.G. Lippert will face Brady Miller in the Republican primary. In other GOP primaries Blair Gambill opposes Beverlee Hayes in precinct 48 and in the 75th, its Matt Gill opposing Michelle Quinn.

In other GOP contests, William Lopotko and Tiffany Tebben want to represent the party in the 74th while Glendon Morton and John Spangler do battle in the 86th. More surprises on the ballot include the withdrawal by long-time GOP operative Mary Alice Erickson in the 77th precinct in favor of Donald Hoerr II and over in the 89th precinct Karen Oberlander has filed petitions opposing Aaron Shock as precinct committeeperson. Wow! Wouldn’t that be something if Shock lost? It would make national news!!!! Not going to happen. In another surprise, Jody Pitcher wants to unseat Eric Turner as the precinct leader in the 72nd.

So what’s going on? In my political days, getting people to be precinct committeeman was like pulling teeth. No one wanted to go door-to-door pimping for candidates. I mean, going door-to-door distributing campaign literature. No one. It was a thankless job. I know I did it for many candidates from my Dad to Ray LaHood.

While I volunteered for Ray, my Dad volunteered me for his campaigns when I was a teenager. But, I digress. Here are two rumors floating around the political grapevine. One is Aaron Shock wants to have stronger control of the Republican Party in Peoria County. The other is many Republicans want Rudy Lewis out as chairman of the Peoria County Central Committee.

To achieve those ends, one has to have the majority of precinct committee votes. I have no idea why there are so many contests for precinct leadership. Lewis, by the way, is running against Democrat Tom O’Neill for Peoria County Board District 17.

On the other side of the political aisle, Allen Mayer, who’s run for more offices than anyone in recent county history, will have opposition for his District 6 county board seat. The on again and off again politician will face fire fighter Rich Waldron. It’ll be interesting to see if the fire union has any political clout left these days. If they do, Mayer could lose. And as predicted in this column, Republican Brad Harding will have a contest for his District 16 county board seat in the general election next November. Democrat Bill Atwood has filed his petitions.

STRAIGHT THOUGHTS

There’s been a lot of changes on the local TV scene. New weather people are on Channel 25 and a new sports guy is on Channel 31. I won’t mention their names because they could be gone next month. Folks, there’s no security in broadcasting.

I can’t leave 2011 without remembering two special people, one in entertainment and the other in sports. Don Mathews, former basketball player and coach, died suddenly, and wonderful entertainer and friend, Mike Dentino passed away after a very brief illness. I was pleased to have paid a lengthy tribute to Mike in this column several months ago when he was alive. He thanked me profusely for the column. The week before he fell ill, Mike appeared on “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” as he had done many times before. We paid tribute to Mike on our program the day after he died. The three hour tribute was recorded and will be made available to his family and friends.

I knew Don Mathews much longer than Mike and we had mutual friends. I don’t want to scare future guests on our morning program, but Don also had recently appeared on our show. As a player, teacher and coach, Don touched many lives during his life-time, as did Mike. And for the life of me, I don’t understand the lack of coverage in the local media about the two of them. With due respect, one of the TV stations spent more time praising a donut maker in Bloomington who passed away than Don or Mike. But that happens when news editors are hired from out-of-town with no connection to the community or any knowledge of community history.

Congratulations to former State Senator George Shadid. He and his wife are moving into a their newly constructed home in the Edwards area a short distance from where they lived before moving into their apartment on State Street. George apparently misses the wide open spaces and a larger area for his “green thumb.” He has a reputation for growing some of the best tomatoes in the state.

What’s all the moaning about a bill requiring people in the back seat of cars to wear seat belts? They’re at risk as much as those in front seats. Canada has had such a law for over 20 years. I know. A friend of ours received a warning citation about 10 years ago when we were stopped not far from Calgary. Obviously, the Canadian trooper was not persuaded by our argument that we didn’t know since the U.S. had no such law at the time. Bottom line is everyone in a car should wear a seat belt just like people on motorcycles should be required to wear safety helmets.

PEORIA JOURNAL:

IS IT A NEWSPAPER

OR MAGAZINE?

As I opened Christmas boxes of lights and ornaments for decorations this season, I noted one of the packing papers was a Peoria newspaper from 1951. I sat down and opened it to read for a few minutes. I was fascinated by the huge difference between that paper and one printed today. Can you believe that on page one in the 1951 edition there were 19 stories. Get that. 19! Today’s Peoria paper has a meager three and two of them are not news, but feature stories that could be located anywhere, if at all. All of the stories in 1951 were news, interesting news.

I would recommend Peoria Journal publishers revisit what was done over 60 years ago. They just might save the newspaper. In the meantime, they need to figure out whether they want to be a newspaper or a magazine printed on cheap paper.

I wish I knew what the real story is on the so-called “affiliation” between Methodist Medical Center and the Iowa Health System plus the departure of former CEO Michael Bryant. While I applaud the appointment of long-time employee and nurse Debbie Simon as permanent CEO replacing Bryant, questions continue in the medical community about the affiliation. Why was it necessary if hospital finances were so solid? In a recent news release, the connection between Methodist and Iowa was called a “senior affiliation,” but no delineation was made or defined. After OSF St. Francis announced its $400-$500 million building program, recently completed, Bryant announced plans for a new Methodist Hospital costing an estimated half-billion. Those plans were scrapped, apparently, in favor of a new Hamilton parking deck and a new Hamilton entrance with a second skywalk and the closing of the main entrance on Glen Oak. Some question that entrance and the crooked drive, especially van drivers who have to negotiate the “hair-pin” turn.

Don’t you just love to root for local and area athletes as they compete? It was exciting to watch Metamora football star and now quarterback for Purdue, Caleb TerBush, lead the Boilermakers to victory over Western Michigan in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. We cheered when Peoria Central’s D.J. Richardson and former Bradley star Sam Maniscalco helped the Illini win in two overtimes against a scrappy Minnesota Gopher team. What a game!

HEALTH ITEM

Is it possible after all of the high caloric foods we ate over the holidays to drop 11 pounds in seven days? The famous TV physician, Dr. Oz, thinks so. In a recent show he pointed to African mango as something we can eat or ingest to successfully lose weight. I won’t go into the details outlined in a magazine article about how it works, but I’ll tell you I visited Naturally Yours in the Metro Center to learn there’s been a rush on the product known as African mango seed extract. They were plum out of the supplement since there are studies that claim it will not only help you lose weight, but will reduce LDL cholesterol by 46% in four weeks.

Dr. Oz says taking 150 mg. of African mango seed extract twice a day will also reduce belly fat. My name is on the call list when it arrives at Naturally Yours.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it.” —Ben Franklin

However, Lewis did not cite Elsasser’s behavior as motivation for his desire to get into politics. “I feel I could contribute to local government,” he told me weeks ago. So he planned to circulate petitions, talk to people, and campaign. Then the phone started ringing at the Lewis household. First it was Elsasser urging him to get out of the race. “It wasn’t the most pleasant phone conversation I ever had,” he recalled. Then came a call from Rudy Lewis, no relation to Pat, but chairman of the Peoria County Republican Central Committee. No encouragement there. Then a usual clear thinking Bob Baietto called. If you get the feeling pressure was being placed on Lewis to get out, you’re right. Strange how in America and right here in Peoria one would think people interested in serving would be congratulated and encouraged especially those new “to the game.”

I learned that Lewis had decided to drop out of the race from a Democrat. A call to Pat’s house confirmed it. “At this point in my life, I want to feel comfortable,” he told me. He added that the stress of running was just too much. Harry Truman once said, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Pat Lewis didn’t even get into the kitchen after what his own party did to him. Shameful. By the way, I was the one who recruited Bob Baietto to run for the county board.

HE’S RUNNING

In other courthouse news, former assistant state’s attorney, Frank Ireulli, is definitely running against Jerry Brady for Peoria County state’s attorney. Brady was Kevin Lyon’s choice when Lyons accepted the appointment to become a judge. In reality, both Brady and Iruelli are Democrats. However, Iruelli was under the mistaken impression Lyons was going to recommend him, say Democrat insiders. When Lyons named Brady, Iruelli reportedly decided he would run as a Republican even though he ran as a Democrat during a recent campaign for judge. To help Iruelli, Gary Stella, as vice chairman of the 2nd Ward Republican Club, invited him to a meeting to get acquainted with other Republicans. I’m told Iruelli accepted the invitation but didn’t attend the most recent gathering. Politics. Don’t you just love it!

FIRST HALL OF FAME

BASKETBALL CLASS

INCLUDES PEORIANS

The Illinois High School Basketball Hall of Fame and Museum held its first induction ceremony in Champaign, Illinois. It’s a new organization founded “to recognize the top teams, coaches, and players who have contributed to the success of high school basketball in Illinois, and to capture the nostalgia and emotion of the eras.” While there’s no museum yet, they did hold an inaugural induction ceremony for its first class of induction on the University of Illinois campus Saturday night, November 5. And Peoria was well-represented from emcee Jerry Hester, a Manual basketball player who later played at Illinois, to the athletes who were members of the first class of athletes to be honored. The two Peoria inductees were Howard Nathan of Manual and Nora Lewis of Richwoods. Lewis led the Lady Knights to the 1983 state title, then second place in 1984, settling for third in 1985. In each year she was the tournament’s leading scorer and was National Player of the Year in 1985 finishing as the number 2 scorer in state history. She was the first four-time All Stater in Illinois history.

In 1991, Nathan was named “Mr. Basketball in Illinois” and a McDonald’s All American. That year he averaged 20 points a game and was the leading scorer in the state tournament. He was the first Peorian to play in the NBA.

While he wasn’t from Peoria, Bobby Joe Mason, who played for Bradley, was a member of the first induction class for his play at Centralia High School. He was All State in basketball and football in 1954. That same year Mason was the state pole vault champion. Of course, everyone who follows Mason knows he was a member of the Harlem Globetrotters from 1962 to 1974.

PEORIA HALL OF  FAME

The Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame will hold its annual induction banquet, Sunday, April 1, at the Civic Center. No fooling. Howard Nathan is one of four to be honored at that event. The other three are Al Carius, Dave Golden, and Chuck Buescher. Carius of Morton made a name for himself as a distance runner at Morton High School and then the University of Illinois before achieving greatness as an outstanding track coach. Dave Golden of Pekin had quite a basketball record at Pekin High School and then Duke University. Chuck Buescher is well-known as coach of the Central basketball Lions for many championship years. He also served as an assistant to Coach Jim Les at Bradley.

Nominees for the next induction class are now being accepted. If readers would like to nominate someone, please submit a complete resume of the nominee to any member of the Hall of Fame board.

TAIN’T FUNNY MCGEE

I wonder how many readers of my generation remember listening, yes listening, to Fibber McGee and Molly on the radio. That program, featuring Peorians Jim Jordan and Marian Driscoll, won more awards than just about anyone in those days. Leo Jordan, a fellow Woodruff High School graduate (different class), has a very large collection of Fibber and Molly memorabilia. Leo’s father was Jim Jordan’s brother so Leo has ownership of items from actual program scripts to recordings to awards and trophies presented to the Peoria twosome. There’s even a painting of a clown done by comedian Red Skelton that was a gift to the Jordans. Skelton hand scribbled a note on the back of his painting to Jim and Marian.

As Leo explained and described the various items, I couldn’t help but recall some of the program conversations from the Great Gildersleeve to Mr. Wimple. One of the highlights of every show was when Fibber was told not to open the closet door. He always did and crash went everything.

I hope Leo will consider donating some of his keepsakes to the new museum and then give me the Red Skelton painting. I checked the Internet and at least one of Red’s paintings has an asking price of $19,000.

AN IDEA FOR MUSEUM

Every time I drive by the statue of Abraham Lincoln, the under-sized statue, at the Courthouse, I think how great it would be to have other statues of famous Peorians either outside or inside the new museum. There should be an entertainment section that would include bronze statues of Jim Jordan and Marian Driscoll as Fibber McGee and Molly along with statues of Richard Pryor, Charles Correll as “Andy” of “Amos and Andy,” and, of course, the talented singer and composer, Dan Fogelberg.

There should also be a section for sports. Jim Thome’s statue should be prominent as would a statue of the great broadcaster, Jack Brickhouse. Military heroes? We have a few like General Wayne Downing and Hal Fritz, the area’s only Medal of Honor recipient. It’s just an idea.

A SAD NOTE

The Roger Monroe family lost a dear friend in November. It was totally unexpected. He was just 50, but we remember when he was a young boy attending Sterling Grade School with our sons Dan and Zack. Later it was Peoria High School. He went on to the Colorado School of Mines where he earned a degree in geology and then a law degree from the University of Illinois. Washington D.C. and a prominent law firm beckoned him to make an important career move. A marriage presented him with three lovely daughters followed by an unfortunate divorce and then another marriage and his first son. Our dear friend loved to laugh and make others laugh. He enjoyed my Royce Elliott jokes, eager to share later with his law partners. And then his world ended for some unknown and some known reasons. He took his own life. How tragic for his grief stricken children, for his sister Pat, for us, for his friends. We’ll remember Lewis T. Putman, Jr. forever. He was a joy in our lives.

SANTA PARADE

They did it again! It was another successful Santa Claus Parade in downtown Peoria. Congratulations to Sue Stockman, chairman, and all the volunteers and participants for job well-done.

I remember with fondness past parades as a child and then as father of two sons. The parade did as much to capture the spirit of the season as shopping and wrapping presents. How much fun it was to see the large downtown crowds and all the stores from Bergners to Block and Kuhl’s to Kresge’s to Newberrys to Grants. It was a joy to stand and watch with our sons the mechanical holiday displays in the windows of Bergners and Block and Kuhl; always the best.

CHRISTMAS IS……

The carols proclaim it, the stores show it, the Christmas cards exclaim it. This is “a wonderful time of the year.” Andy Williams says so in song and we believe it. The smiles are everywhere except when people push and shove during Black Friday or when three shoppers are trying to buy the last two of something.

The realization of what Christmas is finally settles in on Christmas Eve when the shopping is over, the presents wrapped and peace, at last, wraps around us.  We’ll turn the lights down and gaze at the tree with its colored lights and cheerful ornaments and decorations. Then we recall the words found in Chapter 2 of Luke:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them; and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

GOD BLESS YOU & YOURS

Factually, Methodist started as the Deaconess Home and Hospital Association in 1898 thanks to three Methodist deaconesses, one who called home the Methodist Church in Averyville, my old stomping grounds. No, I wasn’t alive then and I didn’t know Miss Minna Riggs, one of three founders of Methodist Hospital. But beyond not knowing the age or history of Methodist Hospital, Adams made some blatantly offensive and totally false assertions that painted past and present employees and managers with her negative printer’s ink. She claimed, “When (Michael) Bryant arrived at Methodist in 1999, the hospital was suffering from a bad case of poor image problems and poor finances, not to mention persistent rumors that it was up for sale.”

Adams is wrong on all assertions. Methodist has never had a poor image, unlike the local newspaper.  I spent 25 years (not 25 minutes) at Methodist serving under four different administrators. Eventually becoming Vice President of Corporate Communications, one of my
responsibilities was the collection and evaluation of patient and community surveys.

Each month and each year the responses were over 95% positive; usually 98%. I spoke regularly before church and community organizations throughout Peoria and central Illinois earning the mythical title of, “Mr. Methodist.” Never then, and never after I retired, did Methodist “suffer from a bad case of poor image problems.” That is just plain BS from Ms. Adams. And the same is true about her claim about “poor finances.” When she refers to “persistent rumors that it was up for sale,” she’s wrong again, unless she’s talking about the last five years under Bryant.

There were never any rumors that Methodist was for sale prior to Bryant’s arrival. However,
the rumors began at least three years ago as acknowledged by interim CEO Debbie Simon. She stated Methodist had been researching “affiliations” with other health organizations leading to the for sale rumors. But even that is a stretch that the hospital was for sale.

Adams further asserted, “The high visibility Bryant cultivated as he revived Methodist…”
is more subjective gibberish by Adams. I will agree that Bryant made Methodist more visible on television and billboards spending millions on marketing campaigns from TV and radio commercials to sponsorships of fireworks (estimated at $100,000) and other community events.  But “revived?” From what? In my tenure at Methodist, the marketing budget I handled was always restricted to $600,000 to $800,000 and I think Methodist was as visible as necessary.
Given today’s guidelines and restrictions on health plans, the “high visibility” Adams refers to doesn’t necessarily translate into increased admissions. As a matter of fact, I would submit the ratio of E.R. admissions at Methodist compared to St. Francis was better in the 1980’s and 90’s than today despite the increase in marketing dollars.

Then the most insulting statement Adams made was, “Bryant essentially cleaned house.” I wish she had supported her unsubstantiated and wild claim. But she didn’t. One would assume Bryant fired incompetent people. Who were they? When I retired six years before Bryant’s arrival, I was proud to be associated with a lot of fine, competent managers, directors, nurses, doctors, housekeepers, laundry and other ancillary people. I think health care people are among the finest in the world; sensitive, caring, compassionate and dedicated. And that description fits interim CEO Debbie Simon.

I started at Methodist in 1968 and Debbie came eight years later as a floor nurse. Over the years she’s developed into an outstanding administrator. She brings to the local health care environment a much more cooperative positive attitude. Debbie will improve hospital and physician relationships. I’ve learned she has already met with Proctor and St. Francis
officials and is working to rebuild key physician relationships. Debbie is a bridge builder and will remain loyal to long-term employees. I always admired her inter-personal skills and wish her much success! I’m sure trustees at Methodist and the Iowa Health System will give her serious consideration as Bryant’s replacement as well they should.

CASE CLOSED

Peoria County State’s Attorney Jerry Brady informs me that his “office has completed gathering information and statements” about Peoria County Board member Brian Elsasser. Elsasser, you may remember, had attempted to get the board to stop the awarding of a bid for structural steel for the new Bel-Wood Nursing Home in West Peoria. Elsasser wanted the board to delay the vote and to change bid specifications. Though Elsasser said his motive was “to save the county
money,” he later acknowledged had the board supported his efforts, it could’ve benefited a
company that employed a relative. In a statement to this columnist, Brady said, “Based on the statements, information gathered, and review of the applicable statues, no criminal charges will be filed.”

SHOCKING

On the other hand, local marketing agencies were shocked to learn the County Board awarded a contract to market its nursing home to a Florida firm. This was a very poor decision considering the local job market, if you pardon the pun. I’m told local business woman Mary Ardapple led the charge to hire a firm not only not from Peoria or Peoria County, but outside Illinois. Keep in mind Chicago is home to some of the best marketing and advertising agencies in the world. But let me keep the argument local. How in the hell can any elected official justify sending local tax dollars to Florida when there are numerous quality marketing agencies in Peoria? Many of these have won national honors and awards. I love cookies. Some of the best cookies I’ve ever eaten are from Apple’s Bakery. However, several times during the year I receive brochures and pamphlets advertising delicious cookies and baked items from Harry and David’s business in the state of Washington. The color pictures showing baked items make my mouth water. Now where should
I buy my cookies?  From Harry and David or should I help local businesses like Apple’s Bakery?  Why Mary and those who voted to spend our money in Florida is beyond me.

I TOLD YOU

Several months ago Illinois legislators gave approval to increasing truck speed on Illinois interstate highways to 65 mph. I said then it was foolish, unnecessary and dangerous to allow these huge vehicles to go as fast as cars primarily because of their inability to stop as quickly as the four wheelers. Within one week, we had three serious truck accidents costing the life of one person and injuring others. One of the truck drivers admitted he lost control before crashing. In an area accident, not surprisingly, one truck rammed the rear of another on

474. As a frequent
driver on I-74, I’ve estimated more than once 18 wheelers going 75-80 mph. While stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army, I drove on the autobahn where there was no speed limit. It was not unusual to see trucks looking like pancakes after hitting overpasses. A simple fact. Speed kills. Apparently legislators don’t know that or don’t care.

RUSH FANS ARE HAPPY

Rush Limbaugh fans were giddy recently after hearing local union commercials in sponsorship of the Conservative radio program on WMBD. I’m told the plumbers, sheet metal workers and carpenter unions all paid for radio spots heard on both Limbaugh and Hannity programs. That’s like hearing Tea Party spots on MSNBC. Apparently local unions support Rush and Hannity and their anti-union and anti-Democrat messages.

HURTING OR HELPING?

The same Republicans who were cackling about the union radio commercials were debating whether Ray LaHood’s constant public support of President Obama and criticism of Congressional Republicans will help or hurt son Darin’s run for “re-election” for State Representative. The older LaHood angered many former supporters first with his enthusiastic
endorsement of “Obamacare” and more recently with his criticism of Republicans for not voting for Obama’s second or third stimulus bill inappropriately titled as a jobs bill.

MISSING A FRIEND

Former player and coach and great friend of many, Don Matthews has died. Like others, I’ve known Don and his wife Carol for decades. Carol was a student of mine when I taught as a graduate assistant at Bradley. Don won accolades for his athletic skills as a player and later as a coach. I enjoyed Don’s friendship primarily because of his wit and humor, which was as dry as wallpaper. We served together on the board of the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. I’ve been the emcee for the annual banquet now for over 12 years and Don loved to approach me before the start of ceremonies with a joke he said I could use. I laughingly always said, “If it’s that good, Don, you use it when you speak.” And he would.

My favorite Don Matthews story was when he played basketball for Coach Forrdy Anderson at Bradley. That is, when Anderson would let him play. One night at a game at the fieldhouse, Coach Anderson called Matthews to his side at the bench. Thinking he was going to get into the game, Don said he excitedly hurried to the coach’s side. The coach told Matthews, “Don, I want
you to go to the dressing room with (starter) Johnny Kent and exchange team shorts with him.  Kent has ripped his.” Don loved to tell that story with a wry and self-deprecating smile on his
face. The last time he shared his story with us was during a “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” WOAM remote at Louie’s Sterling Family Restaurant. Of course, everyone laughed which was music to Don’s ears. We extend our condolences to the Matthews family. Wonderful people all, as was Don. I was proud and privileged to be a friend.

THANKSGIVING

“He who thanks but with lips

Thanks but in part;

The full, the true Thanksgiving

Come from the heart.”

— J.A. Shedd

From my heart I want to thank those who have prayed for and helped my wife as she copes with a brain tumor that has now placed her in a wheelchair unable to walk or even stand. This challenge, along with other neurological obstacles, have made life difficult for her, but I thank God for the positive and even cheerful attitude she possesses buoyed by her morning caregiver, Gloria.

We wish everyone

I was surprised the Peoria Journal, usually eager to point out even the slightest hint of wrong-doing, was quiet, especially since Elsasser is a Republican. They’re still quiet. But, after raising the question, I learned that Peoria County State’s Attorney Jerry Brady was gathering information and interviewing people. Brady told me he would announce the results of his inquiry near the end of September. So by the time this issue of the Community Word hits the stands we’ll know what steps, if any, will be taken. Regardless, I commend Brady for looking into the matter.

PROBABLE COUNTY RACES

Filing for county offices will soon begin. Expect some interesting developments. One of the biggest surprises could be the race for State’s Attorney. Rumor has it that former Assistant State’s Attorney Frank Ierulli will run against Jerry Brady. That’s a shocker to Democrats. Look for Democrats to exert pressure against Ierulli to drop out before and/or after the December filing deadline. Ierulli served under Democrat Kevin Lyons. Though he’s been in private practice for some four years, Ierulli had reportedly hoped Lyons would select him as his successor.

Meanwhile, Republican Jeff Lickiss is seriously considering switching parties to seek the Democrat nomination for the county board’s District 6. That seat is held by Allen Mayer who’s again seeking higher office. In Mayer’s last attempt he failed only to fall back for the party’s nomination to return for another term on the county board. Lickiss has been encouraged, he says, by some board Democrats who’re irritated by Mayer’s constant contests against fellow Democrats.

Another possible race finds Peoria County Republican Central Committee chairman Rudy Lewis opposing board chairman Tom O’Neill. O’Neill’s second term as chairman is ending so Democrats will probably offer a new candidate to head the board.

Several names are being floated including Mike Phelan and Andrew Rand. Rand would need to gain approval from the hospital board that owns Advance Medical Transport where he’s executive director.

Republican Carol Trumpe has made no secret she would like to be the next board chairperson. That’s the main reason she changed her mind after announcing she would not seek re-election. Some on the board would like to support Republican Bob Baietto.

Republican Brad Harding will receive opposition from Democrats in District 16. Democrat leaders say they have not one but two interested in running against Harding.

However, one will drop out before the filing deadline. Democrats believe they can win the Harding seat that was previously held by the late Eldon Polhemus, a Democrat.

Brian Elsasser could also face opposition in District 14. Democrats are working on recruiting a candidate to run against Elsasser who’s made some recent blunders.

Pat Sullivan will run for the State Senate as a Republican. Look for East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus to be his Democrat opponent next year.

EXCLUSIVE #2

It was WOW time on “Breakfast with Royce and Roger’s” program Friday morning, September 23 on WOAM. The “awesome twosome” interviewed Jerry West, one of the NBA’s greatest players. West spoke by phone with Royce and Roger about his soon-to-be-released autobiography, “West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life.” It was probably one of the first radio interviews West has conducted about his book. He talked about his “tormented” young life growing up in West Virginia. The book is scheduled for release in October and you can expect to see him on plenty of TV shows because he talks candidly about his life and some of the people he played with and against. As General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, a team he played for for14 years, West writes about the cold relationship he had with Coach Phil Jackson. The book should be a best seller as he emphasizes the importance of providing a supportive environment for children, something West did not experience. Despite that early life, West became a high achiever as a basketball player at West Virginia and then for the Lakers where he still holds the record for the highest points average in the play-offs, 46.3. He was elected to the NBA All Star Team 14 times. West has won the NBA Executive of the Year Award twice; once while with the Lakers and once with the Memphis Grizzlies where he is now. He’s perhaps best remembered for sinking a game tying 63 foot shot against the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the 1970 play-offs. Thanks to good friend Dana Davis, Vice President of Team Operations for Memphis, who arranged the interview.

MEDIA NEWS

Speaking of radio, I’m delighted to learn that Harry Canterbury will once again do a three hour Sunday morning show starting in October. Instead of WMBD, Canterbury, editor and publisher of the popular monthly magazine, “Adventure Sports Outdoors,” will be broadcasting on WOAM 1350 from 7:00 – 10:00 a.m. Harry, who has a great personality on and off the air, is known as the “Voice of the American Sportsman.” Don’t miss his show.

MEDIA BIAS

Michele Bachmann is the latest Republican female to become the target of the radical leftists in the media from Leonard “The” Pitts to the editorialists at the Peoria Journal. Sarah Palin, of course, was one of the first. Keep in mind, the latest poll of Republican presidential candidates has Bachmann with a 5% share of the vote. No mind. The radicals love smearing Republican women. Democrat Maxine Waters is best remembered for telling President Bush and the media that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in good shape only to see those financial agencies flop, starting the disastrous recession and plummeting stock market. No one on the left has ever written an editorial or column about her ridiculous statements or Nancy Pelosi’s famous line, “We have to pass this bill to find out what’s in it.”

AWESOME

The new Bass Pro Shop in East Peoria is simply awesome. People agree. A week after its opening the parking lots continue to be packed and everyone I’ve talked to who’s shopped there rave about the new place. The Peoria Chamber of Commerce has to be embarrassed by the amazing development going on across the river. Just compare each side of the river. But Peorians, don’t despair. The new museum and Caterpillar Visitors Center will breathe new life in the downtown area of the city. Both facilities will draw visitors too, but won’t generate the kind of dollars Bass Pro Shop will.

IT’S SETTLED

I’ve written extensively about the ongoing feud between Bradley University and former basketball coach, Jim Les, accurately predicting his firing. By now everyone is aware the two sides, in secret, settled their differences. Who won? My guess is the attorneys for both sides and then Les. One thing is certain. Les and Bradley president Glasser will not be exchanging holiday cards in December.

REMEMBERING

Condolences to the Paul Moore family. A graduate of Woodruff High School and Bradley University, Paul was a track star. However, he is best remembered for his faithful and loyal support of Bradley athletics, especially the women’s teams. He appeared a few times on our morning show to promote the annual luncheon for the Bradley women’s basketball team. Paul Moore was a nice, gentle man.

Also remembered is Reverend Bob Springer, who died at the age of 88. Bob was director of the Christian Center when I served as a coach and coordinator of the summer baseball leagues for seven years. There were two diamonds at the Christian Center and another at Concordia School for the Pony League. Before every game players and coaches would be led in prayer. I’ll never forget one evening after about three innings, I heard a commotion at the other diamond. I went to investigate and learned that the two opposing coaches had gotten into a fight. I guess the pre-game prayer missed the mark. Bob Springer felt awful about the incident.

WALK FOR THE MIND

The 9th Annual Mark Linder Walk for the Mind was held Saturday morning, September 24, at the Riverplex. It was the largest turnout ever, thanks to the hard work of a lot of volunteers, especially committee chairperson Peggy Flanagan, a brain tumor survivor. Special thanks to Diane and Doug Oberhelman. They were honorary chairpersons for this year’s event. I had the pleasure of emceeing the program for the fourth time.

NEXT YEAR?

The Chicago Cubs were out of the running by June 1 of this year. That might explain why you didn’t hear from them or me, “Wait until next year.” I can wait. With the firing of GM Jim Hendry, I expect major changes. It’s needed. For the life of me, I still don’t understand how the Cubs left Brian LaHare in the minor leagues while he was hitting over .300 with more than 35 home runs while twice promoting the light hitting Tyler Colvin. Colvin’s’s batting average was an anemic .126. Since he was called up, LaHare is hitting .375 and Colvin is .146. Go figure.

HALL OF FAME BUSINESS

Members of the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame are in the process of evaluating the list of nominees for next year’s Civic Center banquet. When the selections are finalized I’ll provide the names in this column.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Today I am grateful for all those things that go missing because their absence reminds me of how blessed I am to have had them at all.” ——Kate Nowak

You can count on hearing the wit and wisdom of people like Pete Vonachen, Mike Dentino, Jim Maloof, George Shadid, Phil Jordan, Mayor Jim Ardis, and others. On the national scene, our good friend  Jonathan Winters will be a regular guest by phone from his home in Montecito, California. Our sports people will once again consist of Ed Murphy, Phil Salzer, Harry Whitaker, Alicia Butler and Bob Sulaski. Music on our show will feature the standards; songs that have stood the test of time but are simply missing from the local radio scene.

On our morning show and throughout the day and night, you’ll hear favorites by the Carpenters, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, Neil Diamond, Carly Simon, Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Barry Manilow, Johnny Cash and so many others. National news will be provided by ABC and there’ll be plenty of local news coverage as well as local programs. WOAM will be true “community radio” and not just a slogan. We hope you, your family and friends, will join us at 1350 on the AM radio dial.

POLITICAL RUMORS

It should happen any day according to my sources. Peoria County State’s Attorney Kevin Lyons will be named Judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit. He replaces the retired Judge Rich Grawey. We hear that attorney Jerry Brady will be selected to replace Lyons as state’s attorney. Brady served as an assistant state’s attorney a few years ago.

State Senator Dave Kohler has announced he’ll seek election to Congress from the newly created 17th District. This district encompasses much of what was the old Lane Evans area some of which includes Peoria. Meanwhile, there’s a political rumor circulating that a relative of Colleen Callahan’s will oppose Kohler. And there’s a rumor County board member Al Mayer, who’s been in more races than Sea Biscuit, will make a run for Kohler’s state senate seat.

Change is needed for the process used in the redrawing of district lines every ten years. It’s just too politically influenced regardless of the party in power. Democrats certainly proved the necessity for a non-partisan (if there is such an animal) blue ribbon committee for determining boundary lines. I’ve seen it happen at the county board level and we witnessed the debacle statewide with the way.

Democrats drew the lines. Shameful.

Political insiders are smiling about the story that Peoria County board member Brian Elsasser is telling people. Brian claims he placed second behind Darin LaHood in the vote to replace Dale Risinger for the 47th District. Yeah, when pigs fly. Pardon the pun.

Speaking of the county board, Democrats are recruiting someone to oppose Brad Harding in next year’s election. And Mike Mason, who years ago resigned from the board, is talking about a come back. But the biggest political news is the report that  Republican Carol Trumpe has changed her mind about retiring. We hear she’ll run for re-election and again seek to be elected chairman of the board. If Carol does decide to run, she’ll win and many feel she has a good chance to win the chairmanship even with a 10-8 Democrat majority.

While we’re in the Courthouse, some Democrats and Republicans say the most impressive newcomer to the board is Mary Ardapple. And happy birthday to County Clerk Steve Sonnemaker. Steve celebrated with some friends at the S & S Supper Club, better known as East Peoria’s Steak and Shake. Money bags Bobby Spears, Circuit Clerk, picked up the tab for Steve and his friends. By the way, Bobby puts on a spectacular fireworks show every year for Republicans and Democrats. A real one …without politics.

If you want to see high rolling celebrities, the place to be is the Spotted Cow on Glen near Sheridan Road. In the world of politics you might see Republicans Aaron Shock and Ray LaHood on one day and another day bump into federal Judge Jim Shadid and his father, former State Senator George Shadid. In the world of sports, Jim Thome’s father, Chuck, frequently can be found at a table enjoying the great food prepared by owner Frank Abdnour. Abdnour is a die-hard White Sox fan.

WAS I WRONG?

Stealing a line from Royce Elliott, the only time I was ever wrong was when I thought I was wrong. A reader took me to task over my support for Jon Leman’s effort to develop a go-kart race track at Exposition Gardens. She lives quite a distance from the proposed track, yet believes the sound of the karts would be a noise nuisance. I’m not sure how she knows what the karts would sound like since city officials refuse to even let Leman do a test run in order to check decibel levels. There are times I wish some city officials would be required to take saliva tests. What harm would come from a test run? No harm no foul.

The proposal is still alive despite strong neighbor protests. Despite my respect for the reader, I wasn’t swayed by her unsubstantiated arguments. If the city prevents the track for kids, they could lease the land for a slaughter house or a stockyard. I understand a company is looking for available land.

IT’S WRONG!

Taxpayers voted to approve millions for the renovation and expansion of downtown’s Peoria Public Library.

I don’t think they voted to allow what I think is a left-wing political organization to promote its ideology. The same argument could be made if the John Birch Society wanted a special display. That’s one of the reasons I objected to the library board allowing the celebration of the Peoria chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union in the new building. On the day of the grand opening there was a 1:00 p.m. dedication of a display case honoring the leadership of the local ACLU and its causes.

It’s my opinion the ACLU has done more to harm American education and religious freedom than any group or individual in this country’s history. Not surprising, among those waving the ACLU flag was former Peoria Journal editorialist Tom Pugh and current writer Mike (Beetle) Bailey. And they wonder why the newspaper’s circulation continues to plummet like falling rocks at the Grand Canyon. If the library board is going to allow left-wing groups like the ACLU to promote itself, I urge other political groups to request display cases for its self-promotion. We can start with local Tea Party organizations and build from there.

Allowing the ACLU or any political group to have a permanent display is wrong. I would like to see a church ask to display a statue or portrait of Jesus in the lobby. Guess who would be the first to object.

WMBD-TV LEADS

Over 25 years ago while visiting my sister in California, I noted that West coast TV stations would begin their telecasts with the weather. I often wondered why Peoria stations didn’t do the same. Well, wonder no more. WMBD-TV starts its newscasts with the weather. With weather so unpredictable, due to the Al Gore global warming concept, I think most people enjoy hearing weather news at the beginning.

Meanwhile, all of the television stations have the same news formats. If you watch the news at 6:00 p.m., expect to hear about 80% of the same script and accompanying video at 10:00 p.m. It’s hard work to do rewrites and video editing, but would make for greater 10:00 p.m. interest.

SEASON IS OVER

Hate to say it as a long suffering Cub fan, but Chicago’s season was over at the end of May. All the signs were there beginning with more poor and expensive acquisitions. In review, note that the Cubs changed managers, coaches and even ownership as well as players. The only thing they haven’t changed, as they head for the bottom of the division, is the general manager who’s responsible for everything going into the toilet. Jim Hendry has to go down as the worst in Cub history and that’s saying a lot. He spent more and got less than anyone I can remember. If Hendry worked for Caterpillar or Komatsu he would’ve been fired years ago for non-production. Maybe it’s time to change the name from Chicago Cubs to Des Moines Cubs. Heck, Chicago Browns has a nice ring since I remember how bad Bill Veeck’s St. Louis Browns were.

IT’S A SHAME

More money is rolling in for Peoria High. It’s still hard to understand. Millions have been spent renovating Central, the oldest of the city’s high schools, and lo and behold, the District 150 school is set to receive more while the closed Woodruff sits idle, for the most part. Displaced Woodruff students are being bused all over the city as another example of an inept school board that foolishly closes one school after another. So much for the concept of neighborhood schools. As owner of apartments, you would be amazed at the number of people I talk to who want nothing to do with District 150 for their children. The people who’re promoting the charter school system think it’s going to make a difference. I hope so.

CHAOS AT RICHWOODS?

A well-placed source tells me some teachers at Richwoods High School are irritated because administrators failed to include them in the decision to buy new text books. The source says some of the books being replaced are only 3-4 years old. Apparently inclusion is no longer part of administration/teacher relations in District 150.

MARK THE DATE

I hope you’ll mark the date and then plan to participate in the “Walk for the Mind,” Saturday, September 24, at the Riverplex. Money raised for the walk is used to support the American Brain Tumor Association and its continuing research to find the cause of brain tumors. This year’s honorary chairpersons are Diane and Doug Oberhelman. Registration is just $20.00 and participants receive a T-shirt for the walk along the riverfront that will start at 9:00 a.m. I’ve had the honor of serving a honorary chairman and emcee for the past two years. My wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2001 and was doing fine until two years ago when she was confined to a wheelchair. In addition to the physical changes, she’s developed neurological changes as well. There are several theories about the causes of brain tumors. One thing is certain. They’re devastating. I hope you’ll join us for the walk.

JULY QUOTE

“It is easy to take liberty for granted when you have never had it taken from you.”

——Dick Cheney

According to my sources, a 17 year old student, who has emotional challenges due to abuse, is often subjected to taunts and teasing by classmates, making his life, that’s already difficult, even more so. The taunts and teasing went even further. While the student was in gym class, a group allegedly took his clothes out of a locker and urinated on them before they were returned. When the victim went to get dressed he could smell the urine and knew what happened. School officials reportedly failed to investigate or do anything saying, “Since we don’t know who did it, there’s nothing we can do.” A couple of questions for Richwoods officials: Did you call and report it to police? If not, why not? Did you make a report for District 150 administration?  If not, why not? If the student has been a previous victim of bullying, what are you doing to protect him while holding others accountable? The entire episode is disgusting.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY

Peoria has a great opportunity to finally have a sports complex that could exceed East Peoria’s Eastside and certainly the fields in Pekin adjacent to the Dome. It was exciting to learn that officials with Copperstown Dreams Park in New York are interested in building a sports complex near the Shoppes at Grand Prairie that would provide some 25 fields for baseball and softball. A lot of pieces have to fall in place for the development to be realized, but let’s keep our bats crossed in the hopes it’ll happen despite the negative newspaper story (as usual).

SCHOOL OFFICIALS TAKE VACATION TRIP

Don’t believe the baloney District 150 officials are pedaling about their taxpayer-paid trip to Washington D.C. By a vote of 4-3, the board approved taking money tabbed for education to spend on an expense paid trip to lobby some members of Congress. Debbie Wolfmeyer, Linda Butler and Grenita Lathan, superintendent, will make the trip that will accomplish nothing of value that can’t be achieved by Aaron Shock, Congressman, and/or our two Illinois senators. The allocated $7,500 is small, but the negative signal to taxpayers is huge. Interestingly, I always thought it was unethical for elected officials like Wolfmeyer and Butler to vote in favor of spending money from which they personally benefit, in this case, plane tickets, lodging and meals. A tip of the hat to those who opposed the “vacation;” Jim Stowell, Laura Petelle and Martha Ross, although Ross recently returned from a similar trip in April. Given the flow of red ink in District 150, there should be a moratorium on travel.

THE AMAZING MIKE DENTINO

Peoria and central Illinois have been blessed with a lot of talented performers, entertainers, and broadcast professionals who have gone on to bigger and better stages and audiences.  We’re talking about people like Richard Pryor, Royce Elliott, Chick Hearn, Bob Starr, Fibber McGee and Molly, Charles Correll, Jack Brickhouse, and many others including Dana Davis as described in the preceding column. Many with equal talent, on the other hand, decided to stay put in Peoria. As an example, in broadcasting, Dave Snell could’ve gone with a Major League baseball team or perhaps to an NBA club. And when it comes to acting and/or performing on stage, Mike Dentino is at the top of the list. He opted to stay in Peoria with his wife Margaret and raise children; 10 of them. Now that’s a talent. On stage he could do it all from acting to singing to dancing to stand-up comedy.  Believe it or not, at the age of 80, Marvelous Mike is still at it. He’ll be appearing in a new musical called “Encore” at the famed Conklin Theater in Goodfield. The ageless Dentino, who was born and raised on Peoria’s southside (as opposed to the newspaper’s South Valley), will appear with a couple of  other talented performers, Mel and Bonnie White, plus the veteran Mary Simon and some “young” people. The musical traces the history of the Conklin Theater over the years centered around its founder, the versatile and late Chaunce Conklin. Dentino will be bouncing around the stage, well, maybe not bouncing, but he’ll be displaying his multiple talents when “Encore” opens the third week in June closing in late July. Don’t miss seeing and enjoying the Marvelous Mike Dentino!

BOARD CONFUSION

I think I’ve heard it all. Republican Steve Morris, relatively new to the County Board, introduced a resolution calling for elimination of one member to reduce the board’s size.

His argument was the board should have an odd number so you don’t start with a potential tie. Read Robert’s Rules of Orders, Steve. On most measures for a vote, if it ends in a tie the measure loses. Morris went on to suggest reducing the board’s size by one would set a good example of fiscal responsibility by putting “our money where our mouth is.” Instead of eliminating someone else’s job, Steve, why not offer a resolution to reduce every board member’s salary by $1,000? Bingo. $18,000 savings for taxpayers and, Steve, you’re putting your/our money where your mouth is.

EXPO GARDENS IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE?

There was a time when the Heart of Illinois Fair was one of the biggest events of the year in Peoria. It drew some of the top names in the entertainment industry from Bob Hope to Kenny Rogers to Bill Cosby. For a variety of reasons, summer fairs aren’t the attraction they once were. That’s why Exposition Gardens is struggling to stay out of the red ink, and thus alive. And that’s why the Expo board was interested in allowing a go-kart track on its grounds. Promoters were willing to stage close to 20 events providing Exposition Gardens with badly needed revenue.

Then the neighbors came out of the woodwork with all kinds of objections. They reminded me of the guy who moved next to a school and started complaining about kids. Exposition Gardens and the Heart of Illinois Fair have been around since 1948. I remember when they held stock car races on the Fair grounds. The rides, the lights, the noise (and lots of it), the cars, the dust (sometimes the mud) and even fights, are all part of the seven plus days for neighbors to enjoy. They knew it when they moved there. Go-karts with their small motors are less of a noise factor than five neighbors cutting grass on a Sunday morning. To complain about that is as ridiculous as one of the Expo objectors telling the promoter to “take your toys and go home.” Translated it means take your kids and get out of town.

I lived in Wardcliffe for over 35 years. About two miles away was the Peoria Speedway on Farmington Road. Every Saturday night, holidays and some Sundays, I heard the roar of car engines and mufflers from 6:00 to 10:30 p.m. I guarantee the noise decibel was far louder than Briggs and Stratton mower engines used by go-karts. Did I prefer not to hear it?  Sure. Was it the end of the world? No. I even went to a few races. So to the objecting neighbors, relax. It’s no big deal. To the promoter, I suggest if the city and neighbors continue to fight your plans, take your idea to East Peoria where they’ll accommodate you with open arms. They are, after all, pro business. While East Peoria is building a huge multi-million dollar Bass Pro Shop, Peoria and neighbors of Exposition Gardens are fighting a $13,000 go-kart track for children. Truth is, when the dust from the issue settles, there will be no track for go-karts at Expo Gardens.

A GREAT JUDGE

I predicted it months ago. This column wrote that Peoria County states attorney Kevin Lyons would be appointed to a judgeship. Okay, so I was off slightly when I suggested it would be a federal appointment. Still, it appears Lyons will be named to replace Glenn Collier as circuit judge.of the 10^th Judicial Circuit that includes the counties of Peoria, Tazewell, Stark, Marshall and Putnam. Lyons has been tough on those who break the law, one of the reasons he’s been re-elected for over 20 years. He’s a no-nonsense guy who I think will make a great judge for the people.

PJS SLIGHT

I can’t figure out why the Journal Star has to wait to write a sold out review at the Civic Center two days later. Tim McGraw, the great country music artist came to town, but you didn’t read anything about it until Sunday beyond a Saturday photo. Why is it the newspaper can cover a Bradley basketball game or a Chiefs night game in it’s next day edition, but not a Civic Center show?

SHOOTING ASIAN CARP

Peoria and the Illinois River made national cable television Sunday, May 22, on the Sportsman channel. Brooks Johnson is a nationally known bow shooting hunter. He brought his family to Central Illinois to shoot Asian carp on the Illinois River. Damn is he good with a bow and arrow. So was his 15 year old son, Bricker. Together they moved up and down the river with the Murray Baker Bridge and the Peoria skyline in the background nailing the huge fish as they leaped in the air.

Then the Johnsons traveled to Yates City, home of the Lumenok Company. The 13 employees produce lighted units for the tail of arrows so shooters can trace the path of their shot. It’s fascinating work for this small central Illinois company and it was great to see them receive exposure on national television.

FATHER’S DAY

Sunday, June 19, is Father’s Day. I conclude this month’s column by sharing some memories about my father, Zack O. Monroe. The “O” by the way stood for Oral. Dad was born in Sullivan, Illinois, in a family with two sisters. It was 1904 and times were tough for the Monroe family. To be blunt, they were very poor. Late at night, as a young boy, he was sent with his little wagon to pick up coal along the railroad tracks for heat. He learned the barbering trade while shining shoes in a Sullivan barber shop. He quit school as a Freshman to help support the family. With his earnings from shining shoes, he purchased used barber tools and left home for Peoria at the age of 16 with 25 cents.

With little money and no place to live, he slept in a boxcar in Bartonville using as many newspapers he could find for warmth. Eventually, he met a barber by the name of Billy Williams who told him he could cut hair in his shop on Sundays (when they were normally closed) and keep whatever he earned. And that is how his career as a barber began. He opened a shop in Averyville in the 2900 block of North Adams, later moved to the 3000 block where he rented the upstairs as an apartment and then renovated the back of the shop for another apartment. That was the start of his career in real estate. Meanwhile, he helped start the Northside Businessmen’s Association and was elected Alderman from the 10^th Ward, a post he held for eight years. Mayor Carl Triebel then asked him to run as Supervisor of General Assistance, known as Overseer of the Poor. He was elected and re-elected for 40 years. As if that wasn’t enough, he purchased the Peoria Barber College, increased enrollment from 50 chairs to over 100, and even bought and renovated a former whore house into a dormitory for out-of-town students.  Dad did more to help more people than 20 community leaders together over his life-time and the Peoria Journal Star honored his extensive accomplishments by calling him “uneducated” at his death. Born into poverty, Dad truly was an example of what can be achieved in America with hard work, dedication, self-confidence, and a devoted wife. So, Dad, Happy Father’s Day.

GOOD NEWS is new Bradley coach Geno Ford was able to retain Jalen Crawford, recruited by the fired Jim Les. The talented guard from Detroit played last year at a prep school in Las Vegas and still plans to attend Bradley.

BAD NEWS is Coach Ford could not salvage the highly sought guard from Louisville, Kentucky, Remy Abell. Abell had committed to Bradley last year, but now has defaulted after learning of the firing of Les. Folks, this is really very bad news for Bradley. Sources tell me Abell is one of the best talents to consider Bradley since Danny Granger and Hersey Hawkins.

Here are some other good and bad news from the Hilltop, all based on rumors from people close to the university.

One source told me that Geno Ford was not the first choice and perhaps not even second or third for replacing Jim Les. The job was reportedly offered to the basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. He said no and reportedly two others rejected Bradley offers contrary to what the Bradley athletic director announced. Further, Ford first turned the Bradley offer down until the “pot was sweetened.”

Meanwhile, attorneys for fired Coach Les and legal counsel for Bradley have finally agreed to talk after weeks of silence from the Bradley side. The discussions are reportedly as friendly as those in the Middle East. Les wants full compensation for his termination claim sources.

There are a number of stories about the apparent declining relations between Les and Bradley president Joanne Glasser over a variety of subjects. Despite appeals from well-heeled and connected donors to save the coach’s job with threats of halting donations to the school, Glasser remained adamant about dumping Les. It should be added, others were as strong in supporting Glasser’s decision. These are rumors and just rumors and could not be verified.

COMING SOON!

Look for a new and refreshing sound for Peoria radio. WOAM-AM 1350 is planning to return to the air under ownership of the Larry Nelson family based in Plano, Illinois. No strangers to broadcasting, the Nelsons own a number of radio stations. They’re planning a distinctive and unmet programming format for central Illinois listeners.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting three of the four members of the family and it has been a delight. The last time I met station owners as pleasant and down-to-earth as Larry Nelson, his wife Pam, and son Doug, was years ago when Howard “Fritz” Frederick and Bob Frudeger managed WIRL. I can’t tell you what kind of sound you can expect, but I can reveal they want the station and its staff to be involved in the community. The station will not be located at 3641 Meadowbrook Road where Kelly Communications operated. As this column was being written, Nelson was finalizing a new site for station operations.

SPEAKING OF LOCAL RADIO

You can always tell when Arbitron is in town surveying radio stations. Primarily, the JMP radio stations, WMBD, WSWT, The Drive, The Wolf, are holding cash giveaways as a way of attracting listeners and thus higher ratings. It then raises the question, is the survey really accurate in measuring actual listener preferences?

And the last I heard, only the JMP stations buy survey results. Hmmm.

CITY COUNCIL ELECTION

Congratulations to those elected and re-elected to the Peoria City Council. As predicted, Chuck Weaver, Ryan Spain, Gary Sandberg, and Eric Turner were voter favorites. The big surprise was Beth Akeson beating Chuck Grayeb. Akeson had recently run for District 150 School Board and finished last in a three person contest while Grayeb was an experienced and popular member of the City Council from 1995 to 2007. Grayeb, while disappointed, said voters north of War Memorial Drive turned out and supported their choices, noting that four of the five winners all live in that area of the city.

Just about everyone agrees, cumulative voting is a disaster and should be eliminated. The only one who doesn’t is Donald Jackson, who helped bring the ridiculous voting arrangement to Peoria.

While Grayeb had the vocal support of fire, police, and teacher unions, that didn’t translate into any advantage. It appears the local unions are as impotent as Hugh Hefner and as financially reliable as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Consider two other recent elections. County Board member Bud Sous, a union member, was defeated for re-election by Rachel Parker and former Peoria County Board member Jeff Lickiss lost in his bid for District 150 School Board. Both, I’m told, had union support. Maybe it’s best if candidates for public office avoid union endorsements. It could be the kiss of defeat and worse than endorsement by the Peoria Journal.

ANOTHER MISS

While I missed only one prediction in the council race, I also missed where Peoria High principal Randy Simmons was headed. Close to retirement, Simmons moves from Central to Von Steuben. That will be like going from Detroit to Sun City. I thought he would wind up at Richwoods for his last two years.

What is exciting about the changes in the Peoria school district is the appointment of Brett Elliott as Simmons’ replacement at Central. Elliott has been serving as assistant principal at Roosevelt. At one time, Elliott was assistant basketball coach at Richwoods. He is the son of well-known comedian Royce Elliott who came home from 3rd grade at Irving School with 4 “F’s” and a “D” on his report card. His Dad told him he was spending too much time on one subject.

DON’T BE SURPRISED

Okay, so I missed a couple of predictions. Here’s another. Look for Chuck Grayeb and C.J. Summers to oppose the re-election of Gary Sandberg’s former wife, Barbara VanAuken for District 2 City Council. That will make for an interesting race.

IMAX OVERKILL

I’m not sure why the hyperventilating over news the downtown museum will not include an IMAX Theater. With all of the amazing technological advances in theater projection, it stands to reason logical people would consider other possible options. Besides, the theater at the Shoppes at Grande Prairie is going to have an IMAX. Why compete with them? I did some research on this subject last year and noted in this column that the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa, opted not to go the IMAX route. Instead they chose Immersion Theater with 3D sights and 4D special effects including dramatic sound, wind, mist, seat movement and smells. Tickets to see such films as “Turtle Vision” and “The World of Sharks” are a low $6.00. Interestingly, a visitor to the museum said the only thing he enjoyed was the IMAX Theater, which it isn’t.

NEWS TALK

Let’s see if I have this right over the alleged swingers club. Gary Sandberg said the proposed city ordinance was an over-reach for consenting adults. So is prostitution and smoking pot. Supporting Sandberg, not surprisingly, was PJS columnist Phil Luciano.

The ordinance passed with only Sandberg voting no.

I fell out of my chair when I saw Democrat Peoria County Board member Allen Mayer speaking at the public hearing on the redrawing of district boundaries. Mayer was calling for two Congressional districts. Now this is the guy who helped redraw county districts with fellow Democrat Sharon Kennedy. County District 9 was redrawn with a Democrat voting majority which helped Mayer to get elected.

Can you believe it? As if owning General Motors, now referred to as Government Motors, isn’t enough, the Obama administration is now practicing medicine. Using taxpayer money, the television channels are filled with advice for men about what tests they should be having. I thought that was the job of physicians not Washington bureaucrats. Besides, you can’t just walk into a doctor’s office and demand this test or that one anymore than you can walk into a hospital and demand to be admitted. The new slogan for the 2012 presidential race will be, “Bend over for Obama.” I wish the Obama administration would quit wasting taxpayer monies, especially after achieving the highest deficit in the history of this country.

IT’S EARLY, BUT…

I know the baseball season just started, but as a long suffering Cub fan it appears it’s going to be another ho hum season. I’ve said it before and will continue to say it until a major change is made; the Cubs will win nothing as long as Jim Hendry remains as general manager. He’s made more bad trades and spent more money than any other Cub GM and has nothing to show for it beyond a left fielder who can’t field and a right fielder who can’t hit and a pitching staff that can’t pitch. On top of that Hendry ignored the many Ryne Sandberg years of loyalty by hiring Mike Quade. How many Cub fans would go see Sandberg versus who? And it was Hendry who ignored Joe Girardi for “Sweet Lou” Piniella who was anything but sweet when it came to winning.

STRAIGHT THOUGHTS

The naming and dedication of the new Bob Michel Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic was a fitting tribute to the former Peorian. No one, save perhaps Bob Dole, has a more extensive record to his country as a veteran and public servant. Though slowed by age, the Michel infectious smile and effervescent personality were ever present and most welcome to friends and acquaintances. Congratulations and thank you Bob Michel for your service.

The PJS story about the dedication, written by Karen McDonald, was about as poor as Danielle Hatch’s account of Elton John’s concert. The quality of writing at the newspaper is like its declining revenues.

Hats off to Morton resident, Cathy Reynolds, for her latest CD, “Let It Shine.” This lovely woman has dedicated her career to singing the praises of our Lord and has won numerous national awards while doing so. Sadly, with close to 25 radio stations in the area, none has a format or policy to promote local talent. None.

I hate to visit the national political scene. However, like everyone else, I have opinions. I receive numerous letters from charitable organizations that exist to support our veterans, including those providing medical and financial services. I’m proud to say I give to Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, Help Hospitalized Veterans, Adopt-A-Platoon, Vets First and others. I don’t understand why these organizations even have to exist The federal government should be providing support for our veterans first before funding Planned Parenthood, AARP, NPR, PBS, the National Endowment for the Arts, etc. The fact that taxpayers fund the TV appearance of “Big Bird” over wounded vets is absurd. Our Congressional funding priorities are screwed up.

QUOTES OF THE MONTH

“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.” -Jewish proverb

“A man never sees all that his mother has been to him until it’s too late to let her know that he sees it.” -W.D. Howells

The tax was a typical Democrat response without serious consideration of potential damaging consequences. Remember the Illinois tax on trucking companies and how quickly it was withdrawn? Then there was the heavy tax on the boating industry that left many manufacturers broke and bankrupt and their workers unemployed in the country.

Let there be no mistake. Caterpillar has the resources to pack up and leave Peoria and Illinois for other states eager to have the highly successful earth-moving manufacturer and its need for over 20,000 employees. Now all that’s needed to bring Quinn to his senses is for the John Deere Company to indicate an interest in relocating across the river to Iowa. If the unions don’t wake up and send Quinn a message as well, they’ll have no one to negotiate with in the future in Illinois.

DISAPPOINTING

The news that Notre Dame High School basketball player Max Bielfeldt chose Michigan over Illinois is disappointing and hard to understand. We wish him well, but not the Wolverines. Apparently, he felt the pressure of going to the university that sports a huge athletic complex made possible by his family’s financial contributions over the years. It will be interesting to see how he’ll be treated by Illini faithful when Michigan comes to Champaign.

GUTLESS

One of the biggest criticisms of newspaper editorials is the lack of transparency. You never know who writes them. No guts. And that’s true at the Peoria Journal. Neither editorial writers Mike (Beetle) Bailey, Chris Kaeergard, or publisher Ken Mauser had the guts to sign the editorial endorsing City Council candidates Chuck Weaver, Beth Akeson and C.J. Summers. That’s another reason I don’t understand why candidates for public office trot up to the well-guarded Journal “compound” to be interviewed in the hopes of receiving the newspaper’s endorsement. Who cares? For one Beetle Bailey lives in Washington and should butt out. He picks up his check and runs to Tazewell County to spend it.  Secondly, most voters could care less about the paper’s endorsements. Check out who the newspaper endorsed in last year’s primary and general elections and then read who lost.

Here are my City Council predictions. Only one of the Journal’s three “horses” in the race will be elected. That will be Chuck Weaver. Others who will get the nod from voters, not necessarily in this order, include Eric Turner, Chuck Grayeb, Ryan Spain and Gary Sandburg. I also want to disclose that my marketing agency was hired by Grayeb to do his media buying.  The losers will be Akeson, Summers, Stowell, Williams and Azouri, probably in that order.

MORE PJS CHANGES

Despite my criticism of the Peoria newspaper, it has been, and will continue to be, a vital member of our community. Though most of its writers are flaming liberals and all too frequently write subjectively instead of objectively, the newspaper does far better job reporting local news than the electronic media. Hell, local radio and TV news staffs would be lost without the Journal. The first thing they all do is pick up and read the paper each morning. TV assignment editors don’t have a clue about community news when they’re hired. Exceptions are people like former WEEK news editor Jim Garrott, who was born and raised in Peoria. So when I read that people like Paul Gordon and Teri Bibo are gone, I’m disappointed. My good friend, Steve Tarter, will do a good job as Gordon’s replacement. However, I will miss his media insights as much as I will miss Bibo’s anecdotal stories.

POORLY HANDLED

This column was the first to openly predict the firing of Bradley coach Jim Les. Fox Sports confirmed it. If you were an objective, open-minded basketball fan of the Braves, you knew it was coming. What was disappointing was the way it was handled by the university and even by Coach Les. With over 30 years of experience in public relations, one thing I learned was to anticipate and be prepared. Bradley wasn’t, nor was Jim Les.

Here’s what Peoria Journal’s Dave Reynolds, sports writer, wrote about the firing: “He (Dr. Michael Cross, Bradley athletic director) sat down with Les’ assistants and gave them the opportunity to stay during the transition period to a new coach. Then the news release had to be crafted and sent to media outlets.” Since Dr. Cross knew weeks, probably months ago, that he was going to fire Les, those releases should have already been written with everything except the date of distribution. That’s why the university was embarrassed by the announcement first by Fox.

Meanwhile, the silence from Jim Les is deafening. Jim has been a part of not only the university but our community for the past nine years and four years previously as a player. Despite the lack of success overall as a coach, Les is admired, respected and loved by many Bradley faithful. Un-les (a play on words) the coach had his head buried in the sand, he had to know this was coming as much as I always knew the evening Rocket would return from Chicago every night at 9:30. Meaning what? If not formally, in his mind, he should have had a prepared statement thanking his players, the university and the community for their support during his coaching tenure. He didn’t need to appear before the cameras and microphones. The statement could’ve been faxed to the media. It would’ve demonstrated class and humility and ……anticipation. The firing was poorly handled. Interestingly, while the coach hasn’t had the time or inclination to show his appreciation for past community support, he had time to appear on Comcast’s Midwest Sports channel to talk about the NCAA tournament. Les did do a great job on camera.

PLAYING HARDBALL?

Quite a few rumors are flying. One is that Les got his walking papers as early as last December. The university allegedly offered a buyout on his three year contract and Les countered, but got no response until the day he was fired by Cross. Now they’re butting heads, big time, say the rumors. I’m told it could get ugly. I hope not.

A WILD PJS STORY

Speaking of wild rumors, Dave Reynolds must’ve been desperate to write that Dane Fife, the 31 year old coach at Indiana/Purdue at Fort Wayne, was under consideration for replacing Jim Les. Heck, his coaching record is 82-97. And he’s coaching in the what, Summit League? That’s lowering the coaching bar from Les, not raising it. To compound this silly rumor, WMBD-TV’s sports director, Kurt Pegler, ran a story out of Fort Wayne about Fife as if to add credibility. Next from Reynolds will be a story that Lorene Ramsey was being interviewed by Bradley. Hmmm. That could be a good idea.

FUZZY SCHOOL

NUMBERS

When Ken Hinton was District 150 superintendent, he said the closing of Woodruff High School would save $1.5 million. Today’s officials claim $3.5 million has been saved.

Tomorrow, they’ll probably claim $10 million. You know the old saying; “Figures lie and…blah, blah.”

Of course, the savings came from teacher lay-offs, early retirements and other personnel cuts. As one former top district official told me, those personnel cuts should have been taking place gradually each year as enrollments were dropping. He also said some of the alleged savings were countered by higher costs as buses have to go greater distances to transport Woodruff students, renovation and construction costs at Peoria High as well as added security expenses. Replacing Woodruff students with proposed alternative school kids will not translate into any cost savings. The former district administrator told me that in the South they’re building new high schools for 900-1,000 students while Peoria closed a high school with the same number. It doesn’t make sense even with fuzzy numbers, past or present.  By the way, look for Randy Simmons, Principal at Central, to wind up at Richwoods.

MEDIA THOUGHTS

You can expect WOAM 1350 to return to the air in about two to three months. New owner Larry Nelson, from Plano, Illinois, is fine tuning the transmitter site, something the new owners of 94.3 FM apparently failed to do. It’s been off the air since its transmitter tower fell to the ground.

On the national level, I was shocked at how Katie Couric, who’s on her last legs as a CBS anchor, spent so much time eulogizing Elizabeth Taylor. With the U.S. and other countries bombing Libya, home sales on the domestic scene at an all time low, Japan reeling from its devastation, and the President and his family vacationing in Brazil (what else could you call it?), Couric opened her March 23rd newscast with ten minutes about the life of Elizabeth Taylor and then closed her newscast with more. Why? She was just an actress; one of hundreds since she started as a child. Her life hardly deserves to push from the front of the news so many other events that touch many more lives.

In the 1950’s, Newton Minnow, who was chairman of the FCC, said television was a “vast wasteland.” I wonder what he would say about it today. One program I recommend is “Coming Home,” seen on the Lifetime channel. If you can watch it without shedding tears now and then, you have no heart. It’s about members of the military coming home to surprise loved ones.

It appears there’s a big difference between how local news is treated by WMBD-TV and WEEK-TV. WEEK has a tendency to lead its newscasts with national news. WMBD prefers to focus on local news in the beginning after giving the weather forecast. I prefer local news first and I think so do most others.

OTHER MEDIA NEWS

My friend Jonathan Winters sent me a couple of copies of his new and very funny CD, “Final Approach.” As expected, everything on the CD is improvisational and hilarious.  He used different voices and characters for each skit from the 100 year old man to his characterization of a country western singer that was complete with a banjo. Funny stuff.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“One advantage of growing older is that you can stand for more and fall for less.” —Monta Crane

VOTE TUESDAY,

APRIL 5TH!