PeoriaStory

The Trump campaign and Russia

PEORIA, IL -- Below is a link to a dynamite piece on the Trump campaign's collusion with the Russians.  Be sure to read the comments, where there is a terrific list of stories on this subject.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/27/1727962/-Mueller-reportedly-looking-at-whether-Russians-targeted-key-swing-state-voters-with-RNC-data?detail=emaildkre

Will Trump survive past 2019? Can the Demos retake the House and Senate?

Politics has never been more interesting, and scary.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

 

The 2018 campaign is on

WASHINGTON, IL -- From a news release:

Meet, Greet, & Eat with Democratic Candidates

Saturday, Jan. 7, 2 PM – 4 PM

313 Muller Rd, Washington, IL 61571         

Three local candidates for office invite you to join them for a Meet, Greet, & Eat at Kep’s in Washington on Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 2:00 to 4:00. 

The event will give attendees the opportunity to mingle with and get to know these Democratic candidates prior to the March primary.

Junius Rodriguez, a professor at Eureka College, is running for Congress in Illinois’ 18th District, a seat currently held by incumbent Darin LaHood.

Jill Blair, a Bloomington Democrat, has announced her candidacy for the Illinois House’s 88th District, against incumbent Keith Sommer.

Washington resident Brittany Miller is running for Tazewell County Clerk, a seat that has been previously held by Christie Webb.  Webb is not seeking reelection. - 30 -

2017 Downstate Story

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

DOWNSTATE STORY VOL. 26 NOW AVAILABLE FREE ON THE WEB

Ten new short stories by Illinois and Midwestern writers are featured in the 2017 edition of Downstate Story, Peoria's only literary magazine for fiction. Downstate Story is now published only on the Web at www.downstatestory.com

The writers in this issue are Pepper Bauer of Mapleton, IL;  Jim Courter of Macomb, IL;  Dennis Shannon of Morton, IL; Loren Logsdon of Eureka, IL;  Margaret Lisle of Lisle, IL; Marie Anderson of LaGrange, IL Grace Kuikman of Chicago, IL; Don Mauer of Fontata, WI; Alyssa Murphy of Lawrenceburg, IN;; and Paul Bowman of New Albany, IN.

Most of these outstanding writers have long lists of publications in other literary magazines, and some have authored books.

Published by Downstate Story, Inc., an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, the annual publication aims to present original fiction by Illinois writers and writers with ties to Illinois and the Midwest as a quality alternative to today's mass-market publishing.

For this Web edition, readers are asked for donations to help defray publishing costs. All writers are paid for their work.

Downstate Story’s Facebook page can be accessed at www.Facebook.com/downstatestory

EDITORS/PRODUCERS NOTE:

The magazine is available free on the Web. Interviews with the authors are encouraged and can be arranged. Contact us, or them. Their email addresses and other information are included below.

Please help us notify the public about this unique venture.

 

(continued on p. 2)

DOWNSTATE STORY, Vol. 26, THE FACTS

1. Politically correct. Contributors paid for their work. No government funds used.

2. Something for everyone. Stories reflect diversity of authors, and include romance, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, mainstream fiction.

3. Promotes quality reading. Content realistic but not X-rated.

4. Promotes Illinois and Midwestern writers.

5. Unusual concept for the arts. Provides outlet for local writers and artists to reach

local audiences free.

6. Original work. None ever published before.

7. Quality work. Stories and art comparable to work in Harpers, Atlantic, The New Yorker and top literary magazines.

8. No poetry.

9. No advertising.

10. Unique experiment in publishing, asking for donations instead of fee.

TIF and District 150

PEORIA, IL -- A special meeting of the Peoria District 150 School Board on Dec. 18 was set up for the board to approve bonds and hear a couple of presentations. 

I was the only person to comment. I updated the board on the Peoria City Council's proposed use of TIF or tax increment financing funds, to buy the Detweiller Playground property. The council voted on Dec. 12 to spend $225,000 to buy the land, to replace land in Riverfront Park that would be lost to the proposed apartments.

The TIF funds come from property taxes diverted into a city slush fund, which deprives the school district of revenue, about half of the total.  Here is what I told the board:

The Peoria City Council last week voted to spend $225,000 in TIF funds to purchase property to replace land lost to the apartment project in Riverfront Park.

On Jan. 9 they will vote on amending the budget to spend this money.  It takes a 2/3 vote, and last week they didn’t have it.  One vote stalled the purchase. You need to act to keep it that way. 

You can ask that District 150 be sent its percentage of that $225,000, about half of that total.  

The TIF funds are actually money was taken from property taxes that should have gone to District 150 and other taxing districts including the park district.  It’s no wonder you have a deficit, when the tax funds that should be going to you are diverted into what critics call a city slush fund.

If the council votes to spend $225,000 to buy replacement land – land that floods -- that money is also lost forever to District 150. And under the TIF District rules the apartments won’t generate any property taxes for you two decades.  

The apartments can be built elsewhere without a TIF district to help.  That would preserve the park for future generations, as well as for today, and free up your funds to go to you. Demand it!

If you know council members who are still supporting the apartment project please talk with them and ask them to end the proposal for apartments in the park, and send District 150 its  percentage of the TIF money. - 30 - 

In response, board members discussed the TIF issue and said they have asked for TIF money in the past, without much luck.  Most of what they said could not be heard.

Here is a recording: 

Download D150 Dec 12 17

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

"Drive-by-activism" and other lies at the council meeting

PEORIA, IL -- The lies at the Peoria City Council meeting on Dec. 12 just kept coming, mostly from District 1 council member Denise Moore.

The worst one: "drive by activism," to describe the actions and comments of the people who oppose transferring land from a taxpayer-funded public park, Riverfront Park, to a private developer for upscale apartments.

That phrase is a lie. 

Friends of Riverfront Park and its supporters  have been in the park numerous times, for fund-raisers and other activities.

The truth is that Moore is a hands-on activist pushing businesses that sometimes benefit herself. She probably thinks or hopes the apartment project will somehow put money in her pocket. And it has.  

The Illinois State Board of Elections campaign contributions page shows her getting $1,000 from Michael Freilinger,of the Downtown Development Corporation and received nice checks from various business groups.  

But there's more from Moore. "Change is hard," she said.  No, not always. Does Moore, a Democrat, support the Affordable Care Act?  That was change.

And more Moore.  She said the River Trail apartments would be a "$30 million development the city doesn't have to pay for." That's an outright lie.

Council member Beth Jensen noted the city is supposed to spend "$4.5 million" on the development.  That's tax money, likely mostly TIF funding apparently, namely funds that have been denied to schools, parks and other deficit challenged tax funded entities, even fire, police and roads. Jensen opposes the apartments.

Then Moore commented that the city "should buy the property (the Detweiller Playground land) regardless of the apartments," since the city is working on a comprehensive riverfront plan. Say what?  Why?

It would be crazy to buy this and the other replacement land, the former site of Hawkeye Rubber, a contaminated site, if the apartment plan fails. And these properties also flood, making them off limits to the public at times. 

Read enough?  Who will run against Moore in the next election and send her back where she came from?

WANTED: sensible candidates who listen to their constituents!  And don't accept campaign contributions from people involved in their projects.

 -- Elaine Hopkins 

Don't take my word for it.  Here is the Journal Star's editorial on Moore. 

Peoria City Council votes 7-4 to proceed with River Trail apartments

PEORIA, IL -- People opposed to private luxury River Trail apartments in Riverfront Park filled the Peoria City Council chambers on Dec. 12.  Six members of the public spoke eloquently against the apartments. No one arose to speak for them. 

That didn't matter to the Peoria City Council.  On a 7 - 4 vote, the council agreed to renew for a sixth time the agreement to proceed with the apartments, and also voted to spend $225,000 to buy the Detweiller Playground land, to replace the park land lost to the apartments.

But the council then stalled. The money to pay for the land would come from a TIF district, but to access the funds the council needed a two-thirds vote, and didn't have it. So that agenda item was postponed for 30 days, apparently to persuade one of the hold-outs to switch votes.

Two council members, Eric Turner and Tim Riggenbach were seen talking to Mayor Jim (Twittergate) Ardis before the meeting.  Turner twice told the Peoria Journal Star he would vote against the apartments, but then voter for them.  Wonder what he got from the mayor in return.  We'll be watching. 

Riggenbach was also a potential vote, and likely he also got something he wanted.  We'll see.

Here's a prediction:  both will have opponents in the next election, as will the others who voted to proceed with the apartments.

And here are the council members who stood firmly against the apartments, and in favor of the park as public open space: Grayeb, Jensen, Akeson and Montelongo. Good for them.

Here is a recording of the hour long debate:

Download Peo CC 12-12-2017

-- Elaine Hopkins

Here are my comments to the council:

My name is Elaine Hopkins and I am here representing Friends of Riverfront Park.  We ask that you vote no on the River Trail Redevelopment Agreement which is the trigger for the Land and Water Conservation conversion application that would convert to apartments so much of our beautiful and serene Riverfront Park.

We have spent since the spring of 2015 researching the LWCF regulations, this and prior conversions.  We respectfully disagree with City staff’s assessment that related to the NPS conditional letter of  approval that resolution and clarity on any required next steps will happen soon or, as implied by staff, that they will be easy to accomplish.

The conversion issues are very complex. While staff has provided council members their opinion, we have provided facts.  In this time of financial strain, we urge you to vote no and not continue down a path that will uncover future unbudgeted financial obligations.

The information we most recently shared explains:

• why Peoria will never be able to claim a $66,000 carryover Fair Market Value from the Rocky Glen conversion;
• why Peoria can expect to owe more Fair Market Value for the Southtown to Rocky Glen conversion;
• why Peoria can expect to lose all or a great part of the $287,000 replacement Fair Market Value for the Detweiller Playground land because the revised appraisal seems facially not consistent with the federal appraisal standards required by the LWCF Act. So if you vote to buy this land be forewarned that you will be looking for additional property and FMV, if you continue this conversion;
• why Peoria can expect to be responsible for the costs to move and rebuild the Playground by the Riverplex, if that is included in the footprint of the sand volleyball courts;
• why Peoria will lose sales tax and ticket revenue and surrounding bars and restaurants will lose business when the sand volleyball courts reduce the land available for the Riverfront stage events.. thereby limiting the number of people who can attend and even diminish the viability of the Riverfront event series; and
• why Peoria has unknown and unbudgeted remediation expenses in the proposed replacement park.

Can you explain to the businesses that could benefit from assistance from the Northside Business TIF funds why you choose to spend more than $600,000, including the $225,000 for the Detweiller Playground property, for replacement property expenses?

Can you explain to the other taxing bodies, as our schools and park district, why you do not return their property tax funds included in the TIF funds?

Friends of Riverfront Park are committed to stopping this conversion by all legal means available, but we prefer to work with you, the business community and residents to improve Riverfront Park and find a non-park location for the developer to build apartments.

Thank you.- 30 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Taxes and summer school

PEORIA, IL -- There were three opportunities for public comments at the Peoria District 150 School Board meeting on Dec. 11.  The first two sessions involved taxes, so here is what I told the board:

Comment to Peoria Public School Board 12/11/2017

The agenda of the Peoria City Council tomorrow night contains a proposal to spend $225,000 in TIF funds to purchase land to replace land lost to the apartment project in Riverfront Park.

This is the same park used by Peoria Public School students, including disabled students, to walk and exercise. A video of their event can be found on the Riverfrontparkfriends Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/riverfrontparkfriends

It’s very moving to see the pride in a disabled student who has completed the trail from the parking lot at the foot of Morton Street to the Riverplex, a trail past beautiful trees and a prairie. It’s exercise, it’s education, and it would be lost forever if the apartment project is built.  

In addition, this TIF money is taken from property taxes, and instead could be used to help Peoria Public Schools and other taxing bodies to manage their deficits and save vital services for the public. 

Instead, if the council decides to spend it to buy replacement land – land that floods -- that money is also lost forever.  And under the TIF District rules the apartments won’t generate any property taxes for 23 years.

The apartments can be built elsewhere without a TIF district to help.  That would preserve the park for future generations, as well as for today.

If you know council members who are still supporting the apartment project please talk with them and ask them to end the proposal for apartments in the park, and place Riverfront Park in a permanent conservancy so the park will be safe from development forever.

Call or email me if you have further questions.

Elaine Hopkins, 1825 E Maple Ridge, Peoria, IL 61614.   309-231-5758  [email protected]  

From the agenda:

Communication from the City Manager with a Request to:

1. Take One of the Following Actions:
2. Authorize the PURCHASE of Property at 100 SPRING STREET from DETWEILLER PLAYGROUND, INC., in the Amount of$225,000.00; or,

1. Authorize Staff to Execute a Purchase Option CONTRACT Extension with DETWEILLER PLAYGROUND, INC. for $25,000.00.
   

Activist Terry Knapp complained about Peoria city tax increases (disguised as fees), and the school board's decision to hire a Chicago law firm when a local attorney would know the community better and not charge for transportation time. He also noted that none of the $90 million in taxes paid by the Par-a-Dice Casino over the years has gone to District 150."It's sinful," he said.

In the regular comment period, Knapp commented on presentations made to the board, saying that a demographic study of students didn't mention those going to the Quest Charter School.  But officials later said Quest students were included.

Activist Sharon Crews questioned year-round schools.  Her written statement will be included below. In my comment I agreed with her that a traditional schedule with summer school available for students who need it, is preferable.

Here are recordings of the comments:

Download D150- 12=11=17=2 (1)

Download D150- 12=11=17=2 (2)

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Here are the comments of Sharon Crews:

What problems do you think year-round school might solve?

Most often schools have chosen year-round school to alleviate overcrowded conditions. Certainly, our high schools aren’t overcrowded and surely any problems at other schools could be resolved without resorting to year-round school.

Peoria’s problem is a shortage of teachers, but none of the research that I have read has suggested year-round school as a solution to a teacher shortage.

Any solution that requires having a percentage of students in school while the others are on vacation would be an absolute scheduling nightmare both for schools and parents, so I hope that solution isn’t being considered.

Peoria’s main problem is academic readiness—poor test scores, not being college ready, grade inflation, etc. That problem will never be resolved until the discipline problems are resolved. The boards and administrations of the past made decisions based on the belief that discipline would improve if learning somehow became more exciting. That is putting the cart before the horse. By now, you should realize that the teaching environment has to improve before teachers can teach and students can learn—and that, in large part, is your job. Teachers cannot resolve discipline problems if you do not demand and support consistent and meaningful consequences. Summer school would very much help as it is a meaningful and positive consequence of failure to pay attention in class.

In fact, the studies, including research conducted by Elena Silva, a policy analyst at Education Sector, found that for most students, there is no correlation between the length of the school day or year and academic achievement. What they did find, however, is that it's not how long kids are in the classroom, it's how engaged in learning they are while they are there. A study conducted by Ohio State University found that, over the course of a full year, students showed no significant improvement in reading and math scores in year-round schools compared to those students in schools that followed the traditional academic calendar.

There is no research showing that shorter breaks vs two-months in the summer create a higher retention rate. Of course, summer school is the answer for those students who need to catch up with their age group.

Please give much consideration to the harm you would be doing to so many organizations by eliminating the traditional summer vacation. Consider all the organizations—Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, churches, etc.—that provide camping and other experiences for young people—these events contribute to their academic growth and social experiences. Please consider that many churches have Vacation Bible School in the summer—are you willing to destroy or complicate their efforts? Also, remember that many of our students need summer jobs to help prepare for college and to help their families financially. Teachers have, also, used summer to take college courses and/or to work to enhance their teaching salary.

The statement that I am about to quote from a Southern California study is a bit cynical: “Year-round school is a gimmick, tempting to educators who feel they need to show they're doing something to improve schools. In fact, it is merely a "tinkering around the edges" instead of serious changes to the central structure of school.  Changes that really make a difference have to do with the student/teacher relationship, the curriculum, etc.” As you study this issue, please look for guidance from the schools that have returned to a traditional calendar after year-round school did not solve their problems or they found better solutions to overcrowding.

 

Best Xmas event: Handel's Messiah

PEORIA, IL -- Once again the Sing-It-Yourself Messiah has secured the title of most beautiful holiday event in Peoria. 

This year it was held on Dec. 10 at the First Federated Church of Peoria, a lovely setting well decorated for Christmas with fine acoustics.

Handel's Messiah, with poetry from the King James version of the Bible set to gorgeous music, retains it's appeal.  It was composed in 1741, an 18th century gem. 

Even though Bill Maher jokes that the Bible is the book of Jewish fairy tales, its language powerfully tells a story that at its core is about defeating death. That's a never ending concern.

This year's event, as usual, featured terrific operatic soloists and a chamber orchestra. The choir of audience members did well, better than in some years.  It's an arts event that anyone can participate in who knows the music or can read music.

A standing ovation for the soloists and the orchestra concluded the afternoon performance. 

You don't have to be religious to love the Messiah, and hope it is eternal. 

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

 

Indivisible rallies again

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

 

TAX SCAM BILL PROTEST / TOWN CRIER PROCLAIMS EFFECTS ON CITIZENS OF TAX PLAN

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/159282598156737/

 

On Monday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the Federal Courthouse at 100 NE Monroe St, Peoria, IL 61602, Indivisible Peoria Area will stage a protest during which the Indivisible Town Crier will announce to local citizens the effects of the tax plan currently under consideration in Congress and proclaim the "reverse Robin Hood" nature of the bill.

 

Indivisible Peoria Area is a local grassroots movement allied with Indivisible Illinois and aimed at resisting the implementation of the Trump agenda and working for progressive government and for active and effective participation in local and national government by citizens. - 30 -

 

 

                                                        

Veterans Art Show

PEORIA, IL --  From a news release, and it looks interesting:

 

Saturday Reception for 22VA Art Show at Peoria Public Library

The public is invited to attend an Artist’s Reception for the Gallery Opening of 22VA Veteran’s Art Show at Peoria Public Library Main Gallery from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 9.

The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular library hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It will be on display through January 26, 2018. Artwork of all types by those who served in the United States Military will be on display. Military memorabilia will also be on display.

22 VA is a group of talented Veteran Artists that want to help other Veterans express themselves through visual and creative arts. 22 VA stands for 22 Veteran Artists who have come together in an effort to help reduce the number of Veteran suicides currently claiming 22 veteran lives a day.