PeoriaStory

The Five Questions news conference

PEORIA, IL -- Foes of the sale of six acres of Riverfront Park gathered on July 30 to issue five questions to Peoria City Council members, at a news conference. 

Dave Pittman, a leader of the group, is interviewed by the media. 

Here are the five questions, with my commentary:

TIF:  Would the City consider returning a small portion of the Tax Increment Financing District funds to School District 150 from the River Trail TIF, to help with District 150’s financial situation? Without the TIF the School District tax share from a successful River Trail Apartment complex, over 20 years, has been estimated by the City at over $ 2 million dollars. Even a small portion of this money would help our financially strapped schools. If this development were to occur outside of a TIF district, our schools would see a benefit from the project.  Peoria taxpayers would not have to make up the difference between development inside a TIF and development outside of a TIF.

Other communities have devoted a percentage of the TIF revenue to schools.

If the complex was built on land for sale on nearby Jefferson or Adams Streets, a TIF district to build infrastructure would not be necessary. It's already there. The city and the schools would benefit from increased property taxes from the project immediately instead of 21 years later.

FINANCES:  Will the City make public the financial health of the construction development company in order to prevent the need for any last minute public loans, as occurred with the Louisville Slugger development project? The City responded to a Freedom of Information Act request with the statement that there has been no financial background assessment of the development company.

I have filed a Freedom of Information Request to get this information, and as of July 29, the city claims not to have it.  Outrageous!

SAFETY: Will the City take the needed steps to guarantee the safety of the Riverplex users by relocating the Water Street roadway away from the front of the Riverplex building or eliminating the roadway extension entirely?  An estimated 1000 people cross the proposed roadway every day and the Peoria Park District Trustees have unanimously opposed the roadway extension as currently designed. The Park Board has asked that a traffic study be completed for safety. In addition to concerns about the Riverplex visitors, the existing plans call for an active roadway within ten feet of the relocated and heavily used volleyball courts. This close proximity will endanger volleyball players, their children and other spectators of the sport.

Watch the volleyball video on YouTube or the Facebook page if you have not already seen it. Links on posts below.

LAND SWAP: Will the City develop a comparable public park with Illinois River shoreline views equal to what has been sold to the developer of River Trail Apartments and allow public comment on how the new park is developed? The current proposal endangers primarily 166 mature specimen trees planted over 30 years ago, over 1.5 acres of reconstructed prairie that provides excellent storm water retention as well as a historic railroad turnstile.

There's no comparable place.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Will the City use its own Comprehensive Plan in evaluating this development, which calls for open green space at Riverfront Park, surrounded by industrial area? The City is actively promoting the Warehouse District and the Tracy Cross Plan for downtown residential apartment buildings. The proposed Riverfront Park River Trail Apartments would be an isolated residential development without any of the surrounding retail businesses, sidewalks or infrastructure that have been developed in the Warehouse District.

The news conference in Riverfront Park revealed the park to be lovely and people were using it.  I saw children arriving at the park running straight for the river and beyond the trail, to get a better view.  They were supervised by an adult. 

But this calls to mind the tragic drowning recently of a three-year-old in the river when caretakers were not watching.  This is not the place for an apartment complex where children will likely be living.

The news conference, at 10 am, was promptly drowned out by a passing train which took more than six minutes to get by.  That train -- reportedly six daily -- also is a reason not to build the apartments next to the tracks.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

                                                                            

 

                              

 

 

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August Community Word is good

PEORIA, IL -- The August issue of the monthly Community Word is out, and it's the best issue yet, with stories the mainstream media has yet to explore.

It's available or will be available throughout Peoria at grocery stores, libraries, and other places.  

It's also on the web. but the August issue has not yet been posted there.  The July issue is there, and it's also a good issue.

Former Journal Star reporter Clare Howard is the managing editor.  She won many awards at the PJS as an investigative reporter, and it shows in the stories she pursues for the CW.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Riverfront Park sale: ridiculous in a zillion ways

PEORIA, IL -- Last week's op-ed piece in the Peoria Journal Star by former mayor Dick Carver seems to have been solicited by backers of the River Trail apartments, the controversial development proposed for Riverfront Park.

After a lengthy recap of what he remembers of the park purchase, Carver wrote:

 

The "whole strategy in buying the Rock Island properties fits with the desire to build the River Trail Apartments, particularly in the park-like setting proposed in the plan.  No one should forget that the rail line became the Rock Island Trail. Likewise, the River Trail Apartments should contribute to making that area of the city a more viable place."

 

Really?  Carver long ago abandoned Peoria for Florida, apparently after his career as a lobbyist flamed out. So why does he care what happens to the park?

 

And his "memories" don't fit the historic record.  The documents detailing the acquisition of the park still exist, and they matter.

 

The application documents for $400,000 in state funds to acquire the site, that Carver signed in 1983, and for $600,000 in federal funds, that city manager James Daken signed, state:

 

"The 36 acres of land is to be utilized for various open space and recreation uses....the Master Plan prepared by the City's architect, Angelos Demetriou, calls for this portion of the Riverfront to be dedicated for public open space.  By the City Council's acceptance of the Plan, this land use concept has become a matter of public policy."

 

The plan calls for "green space, walkways and a riverfront drive with no structures on the 36 acres."

 

It states: "No portion of this land may be traded, sold or otherwise exchanged without prior written approval of the (Illinois) Department of Conservation and the National Park service." 

 

Several local groups signed on to the plans recommending the land acquisition from the Rock Island railroad, including the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission.

 

There is no mention anywhere about selling part of the land for private, for-profit  development.

 

Carver is dreaming if he thinks the apartments, squeezed between two chemical plants and a railroad track, and constructed over a hazardous waste site, will "contribute to making that area of the city a more viable place."

 

Regardless of whether the River Trail apartments are even legal, given the statements in the applications, a park is the best use for that land.

 

Sierra Club opponents held a news conference on July 24 to oppose the sale, and more events are planned before the Planning and Zoning Commission hearing at 1 p.m. on August 6 in the City Hall conference.

   -- Elaine Hopkins

Here is a comment from an anonymous but knowledgeable source:

Carver's essay is a masterpiece of manipulation, innuendo, and downright falsehoods mixed with some true statements now and then.  It is very discouraging to see this caliber of public service from an elected official - even a retired one.

The total cost of the Riverfront Park plan and the acquisition of the Rock Island RR property was $1,060,000, with $600,000 in Federal Lawcon funds acquired by grant from the Illinois Dept. of Conservation. 

 

By accepting this grant, Peoria obligated itself to both state and federal authorities to complete and maintain the park project as described in the grant, and they cannot change the land use without prior approval from both. 

 

The $600,000 did not cover the entire cost of the acquisition and development of the park. The City of Peoria then committed itself to utilize General Revenue Sharing Funds, as well as a loan to the project by General Obligation Bond proceeds to fill in the difference.

 

The revenue sharing fund loan came from a 1978 bond issue which included funds for downtown project improvements. The City shifted these funds temporarily to aid in covering acquisition costs,  and then repaid them as other downtown or waterfront projects materialized. 

 

Ironically, the Riverfront Park project covered the City's initial riverfront development planning costs incurred with Angelo Demetriou & Associates. The Demetriou plan cost $98,000. 

 

Approximately $40,000/year in lease revenues from the River Station Restaurant lease was pledged to riverfront development, probably to cover the costs of further development and upkeep of the new Riverfront Park on the 38.35 acres acquired.

 

The City provided this information,  but park maintenance and development policies were not spelled out in the grant application. 

 

It was asserted that the City fully intended to develop a grassy park with trees, trails, etc., as described in the grant application. The project was estimated to benefit 125,000 people. - 30 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gone but not forgotten

PEORIA, IL -- Former Supt. Grenita Lathan may be gone from Peoria School District 150 but she has not been forgotten.

A letter she wrote in December 2014, asking for a bill for supplies to be paid on July 1, 2015 has surfaced, and caused board critic Terry Knapp to question it at the District 150 School Board meeting on July 20.

He said the situation may be "deceitful and fraudulent," and asked the board to investigate.

The district's budget had not been developed for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Here is a recording of the public comments: 

Dist150 July 20

Board critic Sharon Crews addressed the need for high school summer school so  students could retake courses they have failed. A copy of her comments will be posted below.

The board has introduced a new way for the public to comment:  a comment box on the table by the door.  Written comments there will be distributed to board members, board president Martha Ross said.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Here is the comment of Sharon Crews:

 

Tonight I would like you to consider the benefits of a return to high school summer school.  In 2012-13, approximately 635 high school students failed a semester of English.  Probably approximately the same number of students failed an English course in the following two years.  My guess is that many of those estimated 1800 students have not yet made up the English course.  My FOIA request did ask if, when, and how these courses were retaken and the grades received.  For understandable reasons, the research department found it too difficult to correlate the courses failed with the data about the courses retaken.  Of course, students fail other required courses that could and should be made up in summer school.

 

At one time, the District did not allow students to take two English classes at the same time—which meant summer school was a necessity.  The reasoning was that students who struggle with English will struggle even more when they have two English classes every day—and the chances of failing yet another English class is a definite possibility.  Class size is, also, adversely affected by students repeating required classes during the school day. 

 

I found that the three-hour summer school classes allowed me to spend more time with individual students who needed extra help.  During the school year, struggling students find it difficult to juggle requirements of four to six classes.  In summer school, they can concentrate all their efforts on one or two subjects.  A negative that is really a positive is that the threat of summer school is an incentive for students to work harder.

 

Of the 635 failures in 2012-13, at least, 198 retook the course with Compass Learning.  The cynic in me believes that Compass Learning only helps with scheduling and meeting the NCLB goal of raising graduation rates by giving students an easy way out.  I doubt that Compass Learning follows the adopted English curriculum.  English classes require students to respond in writing and in discussion to literary works.  How are those requirements met with computer learning?  Students do not realize how much they are being cheated of real preparation for their futures.  District 150 cannot achieve academic success without summer school.

 

Please check into the possibility of using Title I funds for summer school if self-funding is out of the question.

 

As an aside why were course titles changed from English 1-8, to English 1-4 Semesters 1 and 2?   I don’t see the advantage.

 

Dr. Kherat, I am pleased to see two bids awarded tonight—we haven’t seen bids very often.

 
 

Chicago activist to speak

ALAS, this event has been cancelled, according to an email received 8/1/15.

 

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Chicago activist AJ Segneri will speak at 4 pm on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the East Bluff Community Center, 512 E. Kansas Ave., Peoria.

All Attendees are Encouraged to Bring a Non Perishable Food Item as a Donation to the East Bluff Community Center. 

As part of a state wide speaking tour, AJ Segneri is planing to discuss democracy from the bottom up, Free Schools, Community Gardens, Issue Based Activism and Building Communities of Resistance in Peoria August 8th.. AJ is the Co-Founder of the Chicago Free School, the Executive Director of The Foundation for a United front, as well as a Radio Personality. 

You do not want to miss this Opportunity to learn issue based grass roots organizing tactics in Peoria, August 8th 4pm at the East Bluff Community Center. - 30 -

Rocky Glen fundraiser is Saturday

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

The 4th annual Rocky Glen Fundraiser at Jimmy's!

Saturday, July 18th from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM

• 2801 W Farmington Rd
• West Peoria, IL

All proceeds go to developing a parking lot for public acess at Rocky Glen

Hikes throughout the day at Rocky Glen

• From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Rocky Glen is not yet open to the public, so access to the area has been granted to the Friends of Rocky Glen by the Peoria Park District. We meet in the parking lot at Jimmy’s Bar on Farmington Road and then carpool to the hiking area on Kickapoo Creek Road.
• Come Prepared: Wear long pants, hiking shoes, and be prepared to get wet or muddy.

Free food!

• Light breakfast including fruit, coffee, orange juice, and energy bars
• Lunch:  hot dogs and potato chips

Free Music from 12:00 to 8:00 PM including (in order of appearance)

• John Fuller
• Just a Friend
• Jade Season
• Sarah Marie Dillard
• TNT & Friends

50-50 Raffle!

Rocky Glen T-shirts and Merchandise!

Friends of Rocky Glen Memberships

Donations gratefully accepted.. 

Call 309-573-2354 for more information.  Join the facebook edition of the event HERE.

Peoria Park District Board opposes Riverfront Park project

PEORIA, IL -- The Peoria Park Board voted unanimously on July 14 to instruct its staff and lawyers to object to the proposed road leading to the controversial apartment project at Riverfront Park.

The objection will be offered at a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. on Aug. 6 in the Peoria City Council chambers.

The vote came after a two hour meeting where opponents of the apartment complex registered numerous objections to the project. The park district oversees activities in the city-owned park.

The Peoria City Council wants to sell six acres of Riverfront Park to developers for a 143-unit apartment complex, to be built between two chemical plants and a railroad line.

The park board expressed concerns about the safety of the road to be built for a southern entrance to the apartments.  It runs adjacent to the RiverPlex parking lot, and is too close to the sand volleyball courts, according to plans. 

Park board president Tim Cassidy said when he drove through the area earlier in the day two young children ran out in front of his car. He was driving slowly, he said, as people familiar with the area do, and could stop.  But what about apartment dwellers, he asked.

Developer Desmond Curran first addressed the board and said the main entrance to the apartments has been changed to Morton Street, a departure from previous plans. "And we will redo the tracks" for the railroad crossing, he said. 

But the southern entrance will remain because fire officials want two ways to access the apartments, he said.

He claimed the southern entrance will be constructed of pavers to absorb rainwater, so storm sewers will not have to be built, also a departure from previous plans,

But afterward Heart of Illinois Sierra Club head Joyce Blumenshine said she's been told by city officials that's not possible, since a paved road there is part of capping off the hazardous waste beneath the site. 

Curran also said the volleyball courts will be the same size as the current courts, and that landscaping and trees are important and trees will be saved and replanted. "Trees are magic," he said. "Landscaping is huge."

But others said the trees in the path of the project are too big to be moved.  And they expressed skepticism that the volleyball courts will be the equivalent of what they now have. "There are no guarantees," said Cindy Smith, a volleyball leader.

The board watched the sand volleyball video (see post below for link). They listened as activist Dave Pittman pointed out the district's investments in the park, even though the city owns it. Destroying trees and other investments is wasting taxpayer money, he said.

Constitution Gardens is slated to be relocated to a site that may flood, he said.

Hugh Higgins said a Dan Fogelberg memorial, that attracts out of town visitors for events, will be destroyed.  City officials didn't know it exists, he said.

Park board member Robert Johnson said "you can't put a price" on the value of open green space" and the community of volleyball players. "It's a quality of life issue."

 -- Elaine Hopkins 

 

 

Peoria Park Board has concerns about Riverfront Park sale

PEORIA, IL -- The Peoria Park District Board will meet at 6:30 pm  on Tues. July 14 at its offices at the Noble Center, formerly Lakeview Museum, to discuss concerns about the sale of 6 plus acres for a private apartment complex at Riverfront Park. Public comments will be welcome.

Here's the Journal Star's story on the concerns. 

And here's the video the volleyball group has made expressing their own concerns.  The Park District operates events in the city-owned park and oversees the volleyball leagues.

If city leaders want to attract young people to live and work in Peoria, alienating them by wrecking their volleyball leagues is not the way to do it.

The plans call for relocating the volleyball courts, making them smaller and too close to the road leading to the apartments from Water Street, a road that the developers reportedly have said is essential. 

The road also will disrupt the already busy parking lot at the RecPlex, another Park District operation.

The developers apparently don't want apartment dwellers to have to drive down NE Adams, past Taft Homes (a Peoria Housing Authority property) to enter from Morton Street, an industrial area that is not attractive.  That begs the question that the apartment complex would be squeezed between 2 chemical plants and a railroad line with long trains.

There's another issue, as well, the TIF district that would funnel property taxes from the complex into a fund to pay off city acquired bonds.  Those bonds would pay for infrastructure improvements, including the road to the complex.

The Park District, Peoria School District 150 and other taxing bodies thus would not realize any property taxes from this privately owned complex for 21 years.

If the complex were located near the park, along Adams or Jefferson Streets, the infrastructure would would not be necessary and the taxing bodies including the city would receive the property taxes immediately.

But the developer in effect wants a city-subsidized project, in order to make greater profits.

The whole project stinks, including the so-called campaign contributions that developer Glen Barton made to 3 city council members and the mayor who then all voted to proceed with the project.  See post below for details on this.

 -- Elaine Hopkins 

 

 

 

 

Free music!

PEORIA, IL -- Free music is coming.  From news releases:

FOLK: Music in the McKenzie Presents David G. Smith on Sunday, July 12 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Peoria Public Library North Branch in a free concert.

David G. Smith is an acoustic solo performer, playing folk with a lyric intensive style and a voice that ranges from dirt funk to intimate. David has been touring for close to 20 years. He has performed on NPR, NBC and PBS affiliates, and does regular shows at the "world famous" Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. His songs have been on Fox TV, the Travel Channel and Lifetime Network, and he won First Place in the International Song Competition for the Country Category. Free and for all ages. A portion of CD sales support The Friends of Peoria Public Library.

KIDS: The Pint Sized Polkas will bring a special brand of family musical fun to Peoria Public Library North Branch McKenzie Room on Monday, July 20 at 11:00 a.m.

The performance is free and will be enjoyed by all ages, but particularly families with children. This dynamic show, part of the Summer Reading “Read to the Rhythm” program and headed by founder Mike Schneider, will introduce polka music to children through both song and dance. Performing all around the Midwest, Pint Sized Polkas are has been a hit with audiences everywhere they play.

More about Pint Sized Polkas and a list of all their events can be found on their website, www.pintsizedpolkas.com. More about the Peoria Public Library Summer Reading program can be found at www.peoriapubliclibrary.org.

IRISH: Barry Cloyd will perform a free show, “An Irish Immigrant’s Song: The Celtic Influx” on Wednesday, July 22 at Peoria Public Library North Branch at 2:00 p.m. in the McKenzie Room.

The program, co-sponsored by the Peoria County Genealogical Society and the Peoria Public Library, tells the story of the Irish people who escaped The Great Hunger or the Potato Famine, in the mid 1800s and came to the Midwest in search of freedom as they worked on the huge construction projects of the era. Their influence is felt in the area today and Cloyd tells their story through ancient myth and song as well as some original pieces.

A Peorian who is full-time touring artist, singer-songwriter, Barry Cloyd has spent a lifetime creating a style that weaves the genres of Blues, Folk, Celtic and Roots music into a unique blend. Performing more than 200 shows per year, Barry, a strong vocalist as well as a storyteller, theatrical performer and historian, delivers his music on a multitude of guitars and other stringed instruments, such as banjo, mandolin, requinto and bouzouki.

JAZZ:  Illinois native Adam Larson brings the Adam Larson Quintet back to Peoria on  Thursday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. with a free show, open to the public, at the Peoria Public Library North Branch McKenzie Room.            

Originally from Normal, Adam Larson and his Quintet, maintain an active touring and recording schedule. Members of the Quintet include: Adam Larson – saxophone, Sharik Hasan – piano, Nathan Pence – bass, and Everette Bentor Jr. – drums. Adam Larson’s debut album, Simple Beauty, was released January of 2013. Adam has been a part of several tours that have allowed him to travel to countries such as India, Taiwan, Holland, and Germany, as well as much of the United States. Larson's quintet was recently selected as one of ten ensembles to tour on behalf of the U.S. State Department's "American Music Abroad" program, and will tour Africa for 35 days in April 2015.

CDs will be available for purchase at the event. With a purchase of the CD, a percentage of proceeds go to the Friends of the Library. For more information on Adam, please visit www.adamlarsonjazz.com.

FOLK: Peoria Public Library wraps up a very musical summer reading program with a free concert featuring The Way Down Wanderers on Sunday, July 26 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Peoria Public Library North Branch.

Equal parts fast-paced and soulful, five- piece alternative folk band, The Way Down Wanderers not only draw listeners in with their energy and originality but also captivate fans with their unique and touching story. -30-

Kherat named acting/interim superintendent

PEORIA, IL -- Sharon Kherat was named acting/interim superintendent of Peoria School District 150 by the School Board at the July 6 meeting.

The vote to name the former Manual High School principal superintendent was 4 - 2, with Rick Cloyd and Linda Butler voting no, after stating they objected to the process, not the person.

Butler afterwards said of a few candidates for the position that none was interviewed.  The board looked only at resumes and paperwork, she said.

Kherat, however, is well known in the district, and many in the audience expressed pleasure at her appointment.

Board members said she is well known and willing to step in and help."It's a time for healing," Lynne Costic said.

Kherat's appointment will take effect after the board negotiates a contract for her that she finds acceptable.

The public comments included those of Hedy Elliott Gardner, who expressed concern that activist Terry Knapp was attacked by name at a meeting last week by a member of the audience. "She slandered Knapp," Gardner said, and should have been cut off.

If someone can be attacked from the audience, people will fear to use their lst Amendment right to comment, she said. 

She also called upon the board to eliminate the sign-in requirement to comment.

Knapp asked the board about the strategic plan, which has not been discussed in months."What happened to this?"

He called on the board to promise to maintain Peoria Stadium if another attempt is made to increase sales taxes to benefit the schools.

He asked why a temporary building has been moved from Lindberg to Thomas Jefferson School.  "Is there a plan?" he asked. And he asked the board to ban all out of state travel and "cut frills." 

The comments of Sharon Crews are posted below.

Here is a recording of the public comments:

 

D150 July6 2015

 

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Here are the comments of Sharon Crews:

 

Recently, $220,000 was spent on a Microsoft upgrade, making Skype available.  The suggestion was that Skype could be used to offset teacher shortages.  Technology has replaced gas-station attendants and has replaced grocery clerks with self-checkout stations. Now we could reduce a teaching staff with Skype.  Please begin an all-out campaign to recruit new teachers.

 

When I was a young teacher, I did not realize that I was building relationships that would last throughout my lifetime.  Of course, the technology of Facebook has helped me reconnect with so many of those young people and to rejoice in the adults they have become.  Skype, Rosetta Stone, and Compass Learning cannot replace the interaction of students with their teachers and other students through daily person-to-person classroom communication. Teachers shape the mind and hearts of students and vice versa.

 

Please seriously consider the use of Skype for future professional development.

 

One topic at several meetings has been the amount of paper used by teachers.  First of all, there was talk of needing copiers that kept track of paper usage.  Manual had that kind of copier before I left in 2005—we had to put a number in and the machine cut us off when we reached our limit for the month.  For years I have been presenting you with data about overspending on food, barcoding systems, Rosetta Stone, and was told we were in the black.  Now blame is put on teachers for using too much paper in the classroom. 

 

Have you done a study of all the paper used at the board rooms?  I fear some will use FOIAs as an example and ignore all other uses.  An inadequate supply of paper caused me to buy paper by the case to use at school.  Also, I used my own paper and printer at home to run off grade sheets for all my students every week.  Teachers need paper for tests.  Many, like me, create their own assignments and need paper.  Consider that the cost of all the things that teachers buy with their own money could easily offset the money paid for paper.

 

I challenge you to walk in unannounced at the admin building (especially behind those locked doors) and just look around at all the desk accessories—maybe you’re a week late for that effort.  Teachers buy their own extras and necessities.  The use of P-Cards made it easy for administrators to make purchases from Office Depot, etc.  Please end P-Cards ASAP. -30-