PeoriaStory

WIU Trustees meeting part 2

MACOMB, IL -- The second part of the Western Illinois University Trustees meeting on June 14 was fascinating, as the new trustees debated program closes, following the rules, and heard that WIU is on "shaky ground," with the Higher Learning Commission.

WIU has a news release recounting some, but not all, of what took place.

If WIU is placed on probation by the Higher Learning Commission, every letter and other public document will have to say WIU is on probation, administrator Joe Reeves told the board. WIU will have two years to improve.

The conflict between the outgoing president and the campus and community drew national attention, Reeves said, and the attention of the Commission,.

The board held a lengthy discussion over which programs to cut, and finally tabled the motion to cut several, for further study. WIU faculty union president Bill Thompson told the board that "management by algorithm," by cutting small programs with few students has been taking place. It's convenient, he said, adding, "where is the algorithm office in Sherman Hall?"

A trustee said "Southern Illinois University justifies philosophy even though it has low enrollment," as important to a university education.  WIU has already cut its department, and may be the only university in Illinois without a philosophy department.

The board awarded tenure, including tenure to the new provost, Martin Abraham.  Then it debated at length whether to vote him in as provost.  "I want the board to follow the board regulations," BOT Chair Greg Aguilar said. "The old board didn't follow the rules and got in trouble." He read the board rules to the audience, which says the BOT will vote to hire the provost and other university officers.

But administrators said the president hires the provost reports the hiring to the board, and that's the way it's always been done, despite the board rules.

Finally the board "approved" the hire, then after another lengthy discussion named him acting president.

The BOT also voted new officers to begin July 1, in an apparent secret ballot.  The recording is silent for a long time.  This appears to be another violation of the Open Meetings Act. It then voted openly to approve the slate of officers.

Here are recordings of the meeting. 

The discussion over cutting programs:

Download WIU 5

 The discussion continues, and this recording should end with the start of the election of BOT officers.Stop listening there.

Download WIU 6

Tenure recommendations including new provost;re election of BOT officers, with long silence for apparent secret nominations; power struggle over whether BOT hires provost or just approves the hiring; appointment of new provost as interim president; The shaky ground speech.

Download WIU 7

-- Elaine Hopkins

 

Groundbreaking on June 22

PEORIA, IL -- Groundbreaking for the 1866 'Shaft' Civil War Monument will take place SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 11:00 am, just inside the main entrance to Springdale Cemetery, off Prospect Road, Peoria.

It's a 1/2 hour Ceremony. Bring shovels, the organizers said.

 

More from a news release:

1866 ‘SHAFT’ CIVIL WAR MONUMENT RESTORATION PROJECT GROUNDBREAKING

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019.  MAIN ENTRANCE, SPRINGDALE CEMETERY, 11:00 am

 A Brief Groundbreaking Ceremony will begin promptly at 11:00 am, Saturday, June 22, Springdale Cemetery, 3014 N Prospect Rd, Peoria.  The Ceremony is expected to last 30 minutes or less.

Restoration Project Treasurer Gale Thetford will be Master of Ceremonies, Central Illinois Living Historians will Present Colors, an Invocation will be offered by Pastor Marvin Hightower, President of the local NAACP.

OF SPECIAL NOTE … When the Monument was dedicated in 1866 (the first such Civil War Monument in the State of Illinois at the time), a likeness of ‘Old Abe’ topped the Monument.  The Monument stood in the Courthouse block for 96 years, before being dismantled to make way for Peoria County’s present Courthouse.  The original ‘Old Abe’ fell apart from environmental deterioration.  A Replacement ‘Old Abe’, produced by the successor company, from the same quarry as in 1866, will be unveiled before the Groundbreaking.  

Among the group ‘unveiling’ will be three former 3^rd District City Council members (the 3^rd District including Springdale Cemetery);

     Bruce Brown (’73-’81)

     Sen Dave Koehler (’89-’97)

     Gale Thetford (’97-’05)

‘Group Groundbreaking’ will commence, with everyone attending this Event  being asked to bring a shovel, garden trowel, or even a kitchen spoon.  Everyone will ‘break ground’.  A Drone Photographer has been hired to record this Historic Event.

The Closing Ceremony will include a Benediction by Bruce Brown, who may introduce a Special, Surprise Guest to assist.  Colors will be retired, and 19 year old Briana Varvil will play TAPS.

Again, this Program is expected to run 30 minutes.

IN THE EVENT OF RAIN … THE GROUNDBREAKING WILL TAKE PLACE -- THE ORGANIZERS INVOKING SOME CIVIL WAR HISTORY, WHERE ‘RAIN’ MADE NO DIFFERENCE TO PLANS, ENGAGEMENTS, OR ACTIONS.

This County Monument, Dedicated on October 11, 1866 was Erected in Tribute to the 607 Peoria County Union Soldiers who sacrificed their lives in that Conflict, that we might be ‘One Nation Under God’, ‘One and Inseparable’.

‘… It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this …’   President Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, 11.19.1863

 

                                                                       -30-

The WIU Trustees meeting, part 1

MACOMB, IL -- The June 14 meeting of the Western Illinois University trustees, which saw WIU's president step down, has been broadcast on WTND-FM in Macomb, and live streamed on its website wtnd.org. The first half of the day-long meeting, that is.

I recorded it off the broadcast, and it is posted below.

The second half of the meeting will be broadcast on Monday, June 17, at 5 pm. 

The NPR station on the campus has a terrific website with a great piece on WIU Pres. Jack Thomas' s resignation.

The meeting began with Thomas's comments to the trustees, followed by marketing efforts at WIU.  Then the public comments began, many with a familiar plea not to cut popular programs to save money. Though administrators claimed that the proposed cuts had been studied carefully, the comments seemed to show otherwise. They indicated that the bosses with with the red pencils are out of touch with the students and profs.

Then came the charges of racism because the campus and town had been begging for 'Thomas, an African American, to resign or be fired. That's unfair -- Thomas did a bad job of managing the downside at the campus, as the NPR story shows.   It would be racist to refrain from criticism because he's black.

The strongest claims  of racism came from Ron Williams, who is leaving for another job. He called the criticism of Thomas "a symbolic public lynching," referring to the 'fire Thomas' signs that sprouted around Macomb.

Here are the recordings and what's on them:

No. 1: Thomas's address to the Trustees and some comments.

Download WIU No 1

No. 2:  More public comments.

Download WIU No. 2

No. 3:  Comments, Thomas's remarks on finances, and he said "a great deal of analysis has gone into these" program cuts." Then at 47 minutes into the recording, Ron Williams and his statement on campus and town racism.

Download WIU No 3

No. 4. A trustee questions Williams on enrollment projections for next fall and wonders why WIU has been saying enrollment will be up when the figures don't indicate that.

Download WIU No 4

-- Elaine Hopkins

 

 

 

 

 

Impeach rally June 15: UPDATE

PEORIA, IL -- The rally attracted about 50 people on a chilly, rainy day. 

The signs were fun, the speakers did well, and the event drowned out a guy across the street with a loud speaker and a Trump sign.

The point was made that a grass roots movement is needed to push Congress to impeach Trump. And that is true.  Just take a look at WIU in Macomb, where a grass roots effort pushed out the failed president Jack Thomas. Here is a terrific story on that from Macomb's NPR station.

In fact grass roots efforts are usually needed to make change for the better.

A photo from today's rally:

Another photo:

-- Elaine Hopkins

details on the event:

From a news release:

June 15 #ImpeachTrump Event in Peoria IL

National Day of Action to Defend Democracy

Event details:

WHAT: Rally To Call For Impeachment

WHO: Indivisible Peoria Area

DATE: Saturday, June 15

TIME: 11:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Corner of University and Main Streets, 1200 W. Main St. Peoria IL 61606

On Saturday, concerned Americans in Peoria will join a nationwide day of action coordinated by Move On , By the People, Indivisible and dozens of other national partners calling for an impeachment inquiry. The Peoria event, locally sponsored by Indivisible Peoria Area, is one of more than 130 in cities and towns across the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Miami, Juneau, AK, Livingston, MT, Boston, and Detroit.

On November 8, 2018, the Peoria chapter of Indivisible participated in nationwide days of action to protect Robert Mueller from firing and preserve his investigation. Indivisible Peoria Area and local citizens protested again this past April 4 to demand the release of the Mueller Report.

Citizens from Peoria and surrounding communities will demonstrate again on Saturday June 15, calling on Congress to open an impeachment inquiry into crimes of obstruction of justice that are documented in the Mueller Report.

Speakers Saturday will include: Sherry Cannon (Community advocate/writer for Community Word and Traveler Newspaper), Helen King (NAACP Political Action Co/Chair), Jack Ryan (Former FBI/Social activist), Jeff Johnson (Activist).

The percentage of Americans in favor of impeachment has steadily risen in response to the release of the Mueller report and Mueller’s subsequent statement. Public support for impeachment is significantly higher now, relative to Trump, than it was when Congress began impeachment inquiries into Richard Nixon, and made the country aware of the crimes that he concealed in the 1970s Watergate scandal. In just the past two weeks, House Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) has become the first Republican to call for impeachment, showing the potential for a shift even in Trump’s own party.

Donald Trump's abuses of our communities and country demand action from Congress, which has the responsibility and authority to hold Trump accountable. The next crucial step is an inquiry into whether to draft articles of impeachment. More information can be found at impeach.org.

 

 

Samson, the Oratorio

PEORIA, IL --  One of the artistic treasures of Peoria is the annual Bach Festival, sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church.  Its presentation of Handel's oratorio Samson on June 7 was over the top in brilliance, an event worthy of Chicago or New York. 

Handel was a contemporary of Bach, though they never met.  Samson opened in London in 1743.

An oratorio is an opera "without costumes, scenery or stage action," according to program notes.  Instead the story is carried by the music, the lyrics, and the various solos of the leading characters.

Handle used the lyrics of John Milton's Samson Agonistes to create Samson the oratorio. It tells the story from the BIble of Samson, a powerful leader captured by an enemy tribe after his wife betrayed him. 

Now he is chained and blind, and longs for death. His wife asks for forgiveness but he refuses.  Instead he somehow escapes, and brings down the enemy's temple, killing them and himself.

All this is dramatically portrayed in the music, and what a performance it was, with operatic soloists, a fine chorus, and top quality musicians, who earned a standing ovation from the audience.

"The performers were wonderful," said Ellie Hansen, an experienced music lover who attends many concerts. It is somewhat like Handel's Messiah, she noted, and "it matches the music to the words."

This was a one-time event, but choruses from Samson will be presented again on Sunday, June 9 at the worship services, at 8 and 10:45 am.

A June 8 concert will present music of J. S. Bach, with the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra. A pre-concert lecture takes place at 7:15 pm then the concert at 8 pm.

The church is at 135 NE Randolph Ave in Peoria, 61605.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Venezuela

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Making Sense of the Turmoil in Venezuela

With Venezuela in political and economic turmoil, central Illinoisans have an opportunity to get an expert’s inside view about what may happen there in the weeks and months ahead.

Damarys Canache, a Latin American scholar and professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, will speak at an event sponsored by the Peoria Area World Affairs Council. Her remarks begin at 7 p.m. Thursday June 20, at Westlake Hall, Room 116, on the Bradley University campus.

In her speech, “Making Sense of Venezuela,“ Canache will give context to the current upheaval in Venezuela, explaining what has happened there and the likelihood of deeper American involvement in the future. Despite having the world’s largest oil reserves, the Venezuelan economy suffers from hyperinflation, food shortages and inconsistent electricity. Thousands are fleeing the country, and the government of President Nicolas Maduro has been ostracized by much of the world community, including the U.S.

Canache can bring some clarity to this complex situation. The political science professor is the author of “Venezuela: Public Opinion and Protest in a Fragile Democracy,” and the editor of a related book, “Reinventing Legitimacy: Democracy and Political Change in Venezuela.” At the U of I, she is affiliated with The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and the Center for Global Studies.

A member of the Illinois faculty since 2005, Dr. Canache received her undergraduate degree at the Universidad Catolica Andrés Bello, in Caracas, Venezuela; and her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh.

Tickets for dinner and the presentation are $35 per person for PAWAC members and students, and $40 for the general public.  Dinner tickets must be purchased by June 14.  Tickets for the presentation only are $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Students are free. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the PAWAC website or at the door.

The Peoria Area World Affairs Council is a community-based volunteer organization that brings the world to Central Illinois by holding a variety of forums on international history, culture and current events. Along with expert speakers, PAWAC offers guided travel opportunities, book club meetings and public discussion forums. In an era of increasing communication and globalization, the organization provides an interactive and engaging international perspective to our local community. The Peoria Area World Affairs Council held its first conference in 1970. PAWAC is affiliated with the World Affairs Councils of America.

Another CAFO

Peoria, IL -- From a news release:

 

MARSHALL COUNTY, ILLINOIS- The FRRA coalition (Farmers and Residents for Responsible Agriculture) has organized  to oppose the construction of Buffalo Run, a massive 7000 head sow CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) proposal in Marshall County, Illinois. 

The group maintains that the facility will likely change their neighborhood forever with water quality degradation, frequent toxic odors and emissions, manure spills, decreased quality of life, and road wear and tear.  The site is in close proximity to two existing farmsteads occupied by elderly family farmers who have voiced strong opposition to the project.

Sharon Deweerth is a family farmer, former Marshall County Board member, and one of the nearest neighbors to the proposed site. “I am a registered nurse and have devoted my entire professional life caring for people and I am concerned for my own health and the health of others. The antibiotic resistant bacteria spread from the barns and manure application sites is an ongoing health threat. Research has found that CAFO emissions affect the respiratory system, immune system function, and are an even  greater concern for immunocompromised and the elderly, yet -nowhere, nowhere in the  LMFA’s 8 siting criteria is the word  “health” even mentioned,”  she stated. 

"We are concerned about our water. Every neighbor has a well for their water supply and water is necessary necessary for life,”  stated former Marshall County board member, neighbor, and family farmer Vicki  Waldschmidt. “Hog confinements in Iowa have polluted over 700 waterways, and now researchers have found the waterways in Iowa with the highest concentration of livestock are the ones with the highest nitrate pollution,” she stated.

Both women farmers formed the FRRA group to educate and involve the community about the impacts of CAFOs. “Those in favor of this project need to take into serious consideration the overall negative effects and realize that they will be the ones responsible for any damage to our community's health and quality of life,” they said in a joint statement.

Unfortunately, the community’s fears are well-founded. According to Karen Hudson, a regional representative for the national nonprofit Socially Responsible Agricultural Project (SRAP) and cofounder of the statewide coalition Illinois Citizens for Clean Air and Water (ICCAW), "the tons of untreated waste that will be generated and spread by this CAFO is the same as a city and is highly unregulated.”

The community is being assisted by the national nonprofit Socially Responsible Agricultural Project (SRAP) and the statewide coalition Illinois Citizens for Clean Air and Water (ICCAW). FRRA plans to educate the community and elected officials at the local and state level and demand change to the existing weak livestock law in Illinois.

About Illinois Citizens for Clean Air & Water (ICCAW):

Illinois Citizens for Clean Air and Water, a state-wide coalition of family farmers and community groups advocating for sound policies and practices that protect the environment, human health, and rural quality of life from the impacts of large-scale, industrialized livestock production facilities in Illinois. For more information about ICCAW, please go to www.iccaw.org.

 

Spectacular concert

WASHINGTON, IL -- The Heartland Festival Orchestra closed out its 10th season with a spectacular concert, "Triple Shot of Tchaikovsky," featuring an amazing piano soloist Michael Brown. The event took place at Five Points Washington's auditorium on June 1.

Brown's piece, Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor Op. 23,  received two standing ovations, the first at the conclusion of the first movement, which seems to be a finale but isn't.

Artistic director/conductor David Commanday told the audience that happens often, then pressed on, so Brown received a second SO after the third and final movement.  This is a fast, difficult piece, and Brown played it from memory, brilliantly. 

The effect was heightened by the big screen video of the orchestra, with many close shots of Brown's playing. Brown then did an encore, "June" from the Seasons by Tchaikovsky, a lovely piano solo.

The other two pieces were also beautifully played by the orchestra, the exciting Romeo and Juliet Overture, and Symphony No. 4 in F Minor Op 36. brilliant music with exact timing. 

At the close, Commanday commented that the live concert is "performed without a net." But none was needed, as the sound and presentation of the music was perfect.

The intimate, friendly atmosphere of these concerts continues, with cookies and punch afterward, and chats with the performers.

 -- Elaine Hopkins