There’s a bit of a winter lull for many governmental bodies. Budgets are finished or far off. Meetings are cancelled for holidays or bad weather. Key volunteers are down south for weeks or months at a time. But this is…
Author Archive for Terry Bibo
The Watch | Politics 2020
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on The Watch | Politics 2020
Despite a shiny new year — new decade even! — many of us despair at the prospect of Election Year 2020. Don’t give up just yet. Ask and you may receive, even from your elected officials. For example, Jim and…
The Watch | PHA meetings
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on The Watch | PHA meetings
Several months ago, attorney John T. Brady read the local government observer reports in his League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria monthly newsletter. It reported PHA meetings had been moved or cancelled, often without notice. Agendas and basic information…
The Watch | No news is bad news
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on The Watch | No news is bad news
Near tears, the mother of four said she was grateful to have shelter, but … She had no electricity or running water. She had trouble caring for her children. She hadn’t had a shower in weeks. She pleaded for help.…
Storms and “Killer Heat” loom, challenging globe
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on Storms and “Killer Heat” loom, challenging globe
Schaer’s Country Market’s self-pick strawberries didn’t open its fields this summer. Too cold. Too wet. Planting was late. Bath’s 14th Annual Redneck Fishing Tournament was canceled. Too cold, too wet, too long. Even for people who think stalking slimy Asian…
The Watch | Observers of local government
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on The Watch | Observers of local government
At opposite ends of the room — and the issue — two county board members snorted like bulls prepared to charge. They yelled. They pounded their fists on the table. They locked horns verbally, if not physically. You think watching…
The Watch | Journalistic bloodbath
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on The Watch | Journalistic bloodbath
It doesn’t seem possible. Despite a hot job market elsewhere, news came mid-summer that even more journalists are unemployed. “The news business is on pace for its worst job losses in a decade as about 3,000 people have been laid…
Water debate continues
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on Water debate continues
Agreed: Water and its safety are important to Central Illinois. Agreed: Water is a key piece of the economic puzzle as the City of Peoria faces huge financial strains. Agreed: Water’s place in that puzzle is determined by the Peoria…
High cost of debt: jobs, taxpayers, opportunities
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on High cost of debt: jobs, taxpayers, opportunities
Once lauded as an outstanding retailer, Toys “R” Us liquidated 735 stores in the U.S. this year, including the one in Peoria. You could blame competition from Walmart or the internet. You would have a point. As Toys “R” Us…
“Fakebook news”
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on “Fakebook news”
Bobbi Millinger realized she should be skeptical of news on Facebook. “We truly thought that we were being careful about who we were interacting with, given the need for discretion on social media. We were very aware that people can…