It was another wonderful Christmas. So much happening in the community and on television and radio. Special thanks to East Peoria for the splendid Festival of Lights including another spectacular parade and for returning the beautiful lighted wreath to the hillside for all to enjoy. Peoria’s longest consecutive running Santa parade was a big hit as well, although I don’t understand how a red pickup truck with an American flag qualified to be in the parade. Ugh! Whoever approved that entry ought to be horse-whipped with a real horse, as Royce would say. There were a lot of terrific Christmas music and drama programs on television. The best shows were on the Hallmark channel. The happy, positive and inspiring themes made the shows most enjoyable. And the same might be said for those radio stations programming all of the Christmas music. Special accolades to WOAM-AM, 1350. Kelly Communications featured Christmas music 24 hours a day seven days a week, with the exception of Saturday mornings.

Congratulations to the Peoria Journal for its sponsorship again of the 60th annual Christmas Sing at the Peoria Courthouse Plaza. It marked the return of song leader and former mayor Jim Maloof. Sir James missed last year while recovering from injuries he suffered in an automobile accident. He was in his usual fine voice. Due to the cold temperatures, attendance was around 150.

Politics was the only disappointment during the Christmas season. The constant political news, the debates, the stories, and the presidential candidates were boring. It supports the argument against those who moved up the primary dates in Iowa and New Hampshire. They shortened the campaign season by moving the primaries to April and the general election to November. Spare us all of the campaign news in December. We have better things to think about and enjoy. Hopefully.

GOOFS & GOOF-OFFS IN 2007

As we look forward to the News Year, permit me to review the year that just ended with some special awards.

FIBBER OF THE YEAR

No contest here. Democrat Senator Harry Reid. He wins for stating, “The surge isn’t working.” It was and is. Britain just turned over a province to the Iraqi government.

Virtually every one, including another anti-surge spokesman, Colonel Klink, I mean John Murtha, has acknowledged that the surge was working. Another Reid fib was obvious when he announced that global warming had caused the California fires. Later, a teenager admitted he started the fires. Reid should submit to a urine test.

ELECTIVE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

A number of people qualified for the award. My choice is Peoria County Board chairman, Bill Prather. Despite an overwhelming Democratic majority on the board, Prather divided board chairmanships evenly. The result has been virtual elimination of the backroom wheeling and dealing that took place for too many years by former board chairpersons Dave Williams and Sharon Kennedy. County government is much healthier and cooperative.

2007 LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

The winner is Patrick Ulrich, Peoria County administrator. Ulrich has done an outstanding job attacking county problems from Bel-Wood to finances. This year’s budget, guided by Ulrich, his staff and department heads, was approved in record time, primarily because it was reviewed and discussed in a professional and bipartisan way by all parties concerned. Ulrich deserves much of the credit. Runner-up is Peoria Police Chief Steve Settingsgard. Steve has established an excellent working relationship with just about everyone including Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy. He has an open mind and makes himself available to the community.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Peoria and Central Illinois are fortunate to have so many fine people coaching in our schools. Bradley University soccer coach Jim DeRose wins this award and will also probably win the Tri-County Coach of the Year award from the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. He took his unranked Braves team to the Final 8 of the NCAA. Though shutout in their loss to Ohio State, DeRose and his players can be proud of their record setting season.

SCAM OF THE YEAR

Thanks to the left-wing national media, the Scam of the Year featured Republican Senator Larry Craig. Poor guy got caught playing “footsie” in a men’s restroom stall with an undercover detective who apparently thought the accused gay was more important than a potential airport hijacker. Craig first resigned and then changed his mind … perhaps after talking to Barney Frank, admitted gay, who was accused of once having a gay prostitute ring operating out of the house he owned.

Tied for first place with the Larry Craig media scam is the ongoing effort to convince the American people the economy is terrible, or as the Associated Press said, “a bleak economy.” But, here are the facts to counter that media scam:

*4.7% unemployment one of the lowest ever

*productivity up nearly 5%, fastest in 4 years

*more jobs have been created by President Bush than any other President in the country’s history - 8.4 million jobs since the 2003 tax cuts

*GDP up 18.5% since Bush was elected

*deficit reduced from $401 million to $163 million

*discretionary income for U.S. consumers grew to a record high $1.7 trillion.

FOX NEWS & POOR TASTE

Fox News is the clear leader among cable networks, but they were scraping the bottom of the barrel Sunday, December 16. Appearing on the morning show was a female porn starlet, Mary Carey. She was being interviewed and praised for raffling off a bit of her anatomy for breast cancer research. It was poor taste and ill-timed during the time of the year we celebrate the birth of Christ. Shame on Fox News. And shame on the male and female Fox hosts for their jolly and tasteless interview.

WELCOME RYNE SANDBERG

Pete Vonachen had it right. He privately suggested that Ryne Sandberg just might be returning as manager of the Peoria Chiefs. Vonachen told this writer a couple of months ago that there had been no apparent managerial changes in the Cub farm system. This meant there was no place for Sandberg to move up.

So, that’s good news for local baseball fans. Sandberg’s presence last season helped the local ball club to set an attendance record. He’ll do the same in 2008.

Vonachen and Peoria Chief executive Ralph Converse were guests on WOAM’s “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” Wednesday, December 19.

ELECTION COMMISSION MAKES IT OFFICIAL

As exclusively reported in this column last month, the City Election Commission has new legal counsel. You’ll recall Mary Harkrader and Camille Gibson fired long-time commission counsel, Bob Day and then hired the county state’s attorney’s office. State’s attorney Kevin Lyons notified election officials his office was bowing out of those duties. The law firm of Howard and Howard has been hired. No surprise there.

INTELLIGENCE?

The CIA has been roundly criticized for allegedly misreading and misinterpreting intelligence in Iraq over weapons of mass destruction. However, three well-known liberal CIA officials have announced Iran doesn’t have the ability to manufacture nuclear weapons. That dangerous conclusion was rapidly accepted as “gospel truth” by the left-wing media and some Democrats. Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence has a different opinion. They’ve announced the American NIE report is flawed and inaccurate. So who do you believe? Senator Kit Bond, the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, says Iran is continuing to enrich uranium “which is a long pole in the tent of getting towards having a nuclear weapon, and they are continuing to work on a missile program which could be used to deliver a nuclear weapon by missile.” I ask again, “Who do you believe?” Which reports makes the U.S. safer?

A LOOK BACK

While Christmas shopping, I ran into former Manual athlete Gene Waller, one of the really nice guys in our community. An end on the 1951 Manual football team, Waller recounted a game with Kewanee. He said at half-time the Rams were trailing 12-0. Manual coach Bob Jauron told his players if they came back to beat the Boilermakers, he would name his soon-to-be-born son after Manual. Waller said Manual did come back and win and Jauron fulfilled his promise to the team. He and his wife named their son, Richard Manual Jauron. Dick Jauron was to coach the Chicago Bears and is now coach of the Buffalo Bills of the NFL.

GOOD LUCK CHANNEL 47

As everyone knows, local public broadcasting is in financial trouble. The station and its staff are rallying for support from central Illinois in the hopes of saving it from bankruptcy and acquisition by the bank. People want to know what happened and why? The short-term explanation failed to convince some people during the televised appeal. A fairly good sum of money has been pledged. It’ll be interesting to see whether the effort will impress bank officials. WTVP needs Jimmy Stewart to come running in from the snow and “It’s A Wonderful Life” to save the station.

NAMES IN THE NEWS

New Bradley University president Joanne K. Glasser has only been in Peoria and on the Hilltop for a short time, but has already won the hearts of many. Her unabashed enthusiasm for Bradley basketball and soccer and everything red and white has installed her as a winner. Word is she has moved the talented Dave Snell from Development, as in fund-raising, to kind of a special assistant to the president. I’ve also heard that former PJS editorialist Shelley Epstein, employed at Ameren CILCO, will be writing speeches for Glasser. If that rumor is true, that’s a surprise decision.

Mocha Joe’s in the Metro Center reportedly will close its door December 31. Apparently, the nearby Starbucks had a devastating influence on revenue. Too bad. Mocha Joe’s was a favorite stop for a lot of coffee and hot chocolate drinkers who enjoyed the brews at competitive prices.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way; if you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”

I’m smiling at the latest developments regarding the “Get Jeanette Mitzelfelt Campaign.” You’ll recall our local newspaper virtually ignored the efforts by election commissioners to keep Mrs. Mitzelfelt from collecting due unemployment compensation AFTER the two fired her. Mary Harkrader and Camille Gibson not only fought to keep the married woman of six children from receiving compensation, they appealed the decision by the Unemployment Compensation Board after she had received the benefits. They even went to court, of course, using taxpayer monies. As exclusively reported in this column last month, that appeal by Harkrader and Gibson was to come to an end. State’s attorney Kevin Lyons, in an act of good judgment, told those involved, it was time to terminate any and all legal objections against Mrs. Mitzelfelt. And so they have. Mitzelfelt has received a “Motion to Dismiss Granted” notice from the Illinois Attorney General’s office after receiving a “Motion to Dismiss” notice from the Peoria County state’s attorney’s office. Bah Humbug to Journal reporter Andy Kravetz. He claimed County Administrator Patrick Urich made the decision. Not so. Kravetz also resorted to a common journalistic rumor tactic used too often today by saying, “It’s been hinted that her (Mitzelfelt’s) resistance to folding the commission into the county clerk’s office might have played a factor,” in her dismissal as the appointed head of the City Election Commission. Hey Andy, “Who hinted this?” And since when can the executive director or any election commissioner “fold” a city agency into county government? That’s like saying someone is going to fold the city police department into the county sheriff’s department. Kravetz gets a bag of coal on Christmas morning from Santa for this shoddy piece of reporting.

State’s attorney Lyons made another significant decision says my source. Lyons told officials to seek another source for legal services for the City Election Commission. He wants to end the relationship. I’m sure he feels his staff has other priorities. Santa told me, with a twinkle in his eye, that Kevin will be rewarded for his good work in 2007.

Meanwhile, Jeanette Mitzelfelt has filed a complaint against the City Election Commission, as in Harkrader and Gibson. Both have already appeared in a preliminary conference. Mitzelfelt is awaiting word from the state’s agency on discrimination.

SIX YEARS AND STILL GOING

It was a momentous occasion Friday morning, November 16 at Louie’s Sterling Family Restaurant across from Northwoods Mall. Broadcasting live, although some would debate that contention, Royce and yours truly celebrated, or at least, observed six consecutive years doing the morning show on 1350 WOAM. Despite an excellent turnout of some of the faithful listeners, Louie did say the three hour show paled in comparison to the visit to his eatery by President George Bush. Still, there was Mayor Jim Ardis, reading with a straight face, a most complimentary proclamation about the work of the two morning guys who haven’t changed a thing on their morning show; not even any of Royce’s long-standing, and I mean long-standing, jokes. The Mayor was also joined by Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy, State Senator David Koehler and others in their praise for the program’s format of clean humor, fascinating dialogue about the city’s history and the good morning music. All the kind comment was music to our ears. Journal Star writer Steve Tarter also was nice enough to stop by and later write in his Sunday Journal column about the six year old program.

Over the years, we’ve been blessed with interviews featuring some very important and influential people, both locally and nationally. Our local heroes are our veterans like Dick Reynolds, Karl Schmidt, Bob Lehnhausen, Jason Adams, Tom Maher and others. Our national heroes, guests on the program, are people like singers Andy Williams, T.G. Shephard, and Lou Rawls, New York Yankee players Bobby Richardson and brother, Zack, as well as Chicago Cub stars Ryne Sandberg, Randy Hundley, Ferguson Jenkins, St. Louis Cardinal announcer John Rooney, Cub announcer Pat Hughes, former Pirate manager Jim Tracy and so many other notables. And we give special thanks to our terrific sports staff, our stable of local sports personalities Ed Murphy, Ed Dwyer, Phil Salzer, Bob Sulaski, and the perky Alicia Butler. Wow! What an exciting six years with many more, we hope, to come. And we owe it all to our great listeners, our wonderful sponsors, and to Kelly Communications and WOAM. Stay tuned for more including music of the holiday season. And by the way, we’re not afraid, to play patriotic music or music with a spiritual message. When appropriate, we focus on God, country and our men and women in the military.

ENDING HEALTHCARE FOR METHODIST RETIREES

A most interesting development on the local health scene comes from Methodist Medical Center. Retirees of Methodist learned, as 2007 comes to an end, so will their health care plan. In a letter to a core of former employees, Dallis Howard, senior vice president and human relations guru, announced, “After a great deal of review and research, the decision has been made to discontinue the group Comprehensive Plan offered to employees and retirees effective 12/31/07.” In an historic decision, a local healthcare provider has decided not to make available a health plan for those employees who worked for decades as caregivers. Instead, Methodist has referred retirees to outside health plans offered by commercial and for-profit companies, Health Alliance and Personal Care. Howard emphatically notes, “Effective 1/01/08, your (Methodist retirees) healthcare premiums will NOT be taken out of your pension check.” Howard advises, “If you decide to enroll in either plan (mentioned above), you will issue payments directly to them.” This means Methodist is out of the business of healthcare for its retirees. A chat with a couple of retirees indicated they were scrambling with such short notice to select another health plan. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

NEWS NOTES

The Peoria Journal announced the retirement of Jack Brimeyer, the “big tuna” at the newspaper and then quietly dropped the daily humorous quips of comedian Royce Elliott. Readers complained they missed “Royce’s Crispies” and so do I. Is the newspaper in financial trouble or are the new editors opposed to clean humor?

Mayor Jim Ardis is already gearing up his re-election. Jim is planning a “Holiday Fundraiser” Wednesday, December 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Weaver Ridge Golf Club. Does anyone think Ardis will have any viable opposition?

CHRISTMAS IN PEORIA

Congratulations to WMBD-TV and news anchors Bob Larson and Amy Paul for coverage of America’s longest running Santa Claus Parade. It’s always a treat for those who want to watch the parade from the comfort of their homes and for shut-ins, especially those in nursing homes and assistive living facilities. There are a lot of beautiful Christmas decorations around Peoria and central Illinois. And the area abounds with special holiday events and programs. For me, nothing compares to Christmas past when our downtown was alive with store after store. There were huge groups of people crossing at the intersections or standing with little children in front of the wonderfully decorated windows at Bergner’s and Block and Kuhl. As a child, I was in awe of the wonder of Christmas with its color, sounds of the season, the stores and all the holiday decorations. Later, when married, it was a joy for my wife and I to sit and enjoy lunch or a snack with our children in the small café at the rear of Bergner’s as we talked about what the boys wanted from Santa. I’m not sure whether they actually believed in Santa, but we still did. We’ll never recapture those wondrous days. Downtown has changed, and not for the better.

We have new and modern shopping centers and strip malls. The nature of shopping has changed dramatically. Shopping will continue to evolve differently with so many people shopping by internet. For some, Christmas shopping has become a bore, a challenge, a pain instead of fun. And for some, Christmas has lost its meaning. The story, though, remains the same and continues to stand the test of time.

“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 round about them; and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for, behold I bring you good tidings of great 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.”

–St. Luke, Chapter 2

MAY YOU HAVE A HAPPY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

When I was on the Peoria County Board everyone agreed that it was very important to develop and maintain positive intergovernmental relationships. Matter of fact, it was an annual goal. The recent agreement for the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department to take over one aspect of security at the Greater Peoria Airport is a good example of intergovernmental cooperation.

Congratulations to Sheriff Mike McCoy and Director of Airports, Ken Spirito. The six year agreement is a win-win deal for the airport, the county and the Air National Guard.

The National Guard now assumes total responsibility for fire fighting and rescue operations.

You would think the agreement would be greeted with applause by everyone. Not so by reporter Dave Haney and the Journal. One of the sub-heads in the newspaper story said, “Safety officers may lose jobs after board approves agreement with police.” Not so, says Sheriff Mike McCoy who was obviously annoyed with the negative spin on a positive story by Haney. “No one is losing their jobs,” McCoy told me emphatically. The sheriff said he worked closely with the airport and the two unions involved to work out a smooth transition. Read the rest of this entry »

Both the Senate and House were prepared to hear the General’s report on the surge against the enemy. The General commanding the troops was ready to deliver details. Was the surge working? Was it a failure? It had been several months since the new war strategy had been implemented.

Before the four star General was able to open his mouth, California Representative Victor Lantos launched into a tirade against the General who had more battle ribbons on his chest than Lantos had teeth.

Earlier, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, who’s only battle experience was beating fellow Democrat Ted Kennedy to a Burger King, announced the surge was a failure.

Finally, the General was able to deliver his long-awaited report by everyone save Congressional Democrats. Senator Hillary Clinton, who’s changed positions more than someone sitting in a dental chair with hemorrhoids, basically called the General a liar. The woman, married to the famous, “I did not have sex with that woman,” former president, certainly has battle experience, but the wrong kind to be questioning a General with a reputation for integrity.

Bottom line, the General reported the surge was working, much to the disappointment to Democrats, especially the radical left, like MoveOn.

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Don’t be surprised if Peoria County officials soon announce plans to construct a new Bel-Wood Nursing Home. A recent study of the existing facility revealed the need for an estimated $12 million in updates.

Rather than spend that kind of money on changes and renovations, some in the County believe it would be fiscally wiser to build a new, modern and up-to-date nursing home.

The new building, costing an estimated $24 million, would be constructed on land near the existing Bel-Wood. The County could utilize available funding through the Public Building Commission to pay for construction. Consideration of such a proposal is in the discussion stage so the $24 million is speculative, says our source.
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Everyone was taken by complete surprise when Ray LaHood announced he would not seek an 8th term as 18th Congressional Representative. It was the best-kept secret in a town known for political rumors. Once his retirement plans became known the rumors and speculation started running like a freight train out of control. Truth is, no one knows how this is going to work out, but it could be the largest Republican primary in years. One Republican veteran said, “Aaron Shock has coveted LaHood’s job since he was elected to the District 150 School Board.”

The same could be said about John Morris. At one time it was rumored that LaHood aide Brad McMillan was being groomed for the job. Some are betting Dave Leitch will throw his hat in the ring. Who knows?

In exclusive interviews on “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” on WOAM, Peoria County Republican chairman Rudy Lewis and Tazewell County Chairperson Demetra Demonte expressed shock at LaHood’s decision. They also said some legislators from Springfield will strongly consider jumping into the race, including Democrats. Both predicted that no matter who ran for the job, a Republican would win. Everyone agrees it will be an interesting primary and general election in 2008.
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PJS political gossips Jennifer Davis and Molly Parker apparently were ticked off because Congressman Ray LaHood was not available when they tried to contact him relative to his interest in replacing the departed Bradley University president David Broski. Media types love to report, “He was not available and did not return our phone calls.” Well hello.

 Others have a life you know besides waiting for the phone to ring from the media. PJS reporter Claire Jellick did the same to Bill O’Brien, who was defeated for Peoria school board. O’Brien was out of town, he reports, when she apparently tried to contact him. So when Jellick wrote about O’Brien’s recount effort, she ended with the same disclaimer. Here’s a suggestion for the media. Just say, “Efforts to contact (name of person) were not successful.” Wouldn’t that be more appropriate?

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