The Independent candidates of Peoria Heights will be having a joint fund-raiser on Saturday, March 7, from 1 pm to 7 pm. It will be at the VFW Hall on Lake Street, just a block or so east of Prospect in Peoria Heights.
The cost is $10.00 for adults, and $5.00 for children 12 years and younger. The price will include the lunch/dinner of pork chop sandwiches, brats, hot dogs, chips, chili, coffee, soda, and dessert. The VFW folks will have a cash bar running.
The Roundstone Buskers (formerly SullivanBurton) will be performing from 2:30 - 4:00; and Robin Crowe will perform from 5:00 - 6:30; so, we'll have some great music for the attendees, as well.
This is an extremely important election for Peoria Heights. We've made great strides over the past four years in bringing the government of the Village back to the citizens. To go back to how things were run under the previous administration, in my mind, would be a terrible blow to the Heights. However, that's why we have elections, right?
The fund-raiser, obviously, is open to anyone. There is no "independent party" in Peoria Heights; we are all running as independents and are simply pooling our resources to provide a decent fund-raiser. Any proceeds we make will be split four ways towards our individual campaign costs.
The Independent candidates are:
Mark B. Allen - Mayor
Robert (Bob) Hill - Trustee
Sherryl Carter - Trustee
R. Scott Owen - Trustee
PLEASE ALSO BRING TWO OR SO CANS OF FOOD PER PERSON/COUPLE/GROUP ATTENDING. THOSE CANS WILL BE SPLIT BETWEEN THE FOOD PANTRIES AT ST. THOMAS CHURCH AND PEORIA HEIGHTS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
FOODSTUFFS ARE RUNNING LOW AT BOTH PANTRIES. THEY NEED OUR HELP IN THESE TOUGH TIMES, SO YOUR CANS OF FOOD WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
If you have any questions, or wish to purchase advance tickets (which would be much appreciated!), please call me at 688-6869. Thanks!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Business in the Village (Along the North End of Prospect)
On a number of levels, I believe that a solid argument could be made that Prospect Road has never been stronger, business-wise. We have two empty storefronts near the barber shop on Prospect, but these only happened recently. Sullivan's has been a solid addition to the Village, and Heritage Square is finally starting to fill up. June Restaurant recently had a write-up in the Chicago Tribune, and certainly has been drawing great crowds since they opened. Business has also been good at Emack and Bolio's Ice Cream Shop.
We have partnered with the Heights Chamber of Commerce to advertise the Village over the past few years. This had never been done before by the previous administration. The reasons for doing so are clear: the more people we bring in, the more tax dollars we generate. The more sales that our businesses make, the more likely they are to stay and flourish. Breaking $3 million in revenues this past fiscal year is a clear testament that our investments in the Village have paid off.
We continue to be on extremely solid ground financially in Peoria Heights; don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise. However, this coming fiscal year (2009-2010) will be a study in how the economic problems in the country might affect our revenues. We will continue to monitor our revenues month-by-month, so that we know how much we can safely invest in the Village. This is our "fair and clear direction" in Peoria Heights.
We have partnered with the Heights Chamber of Commerce to advertise the Village over the past few years. This had never been done before by the previous administration. The reasons for doing so are clear: the more people we bring in, the more tax dollars we generate. The more sales that our businesses make, the more likely they are to stay and flourish. Breaking $3 million in revenues this past fiscal year is a clear testament that our investments in the Village have paid off.
We continue to be on extremely solid ground financially in Peoria Heights; don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise. However, this coming fiscal year (2009-2010) will be a study in how the economic problems in the country might affect our revenues. We will continue to monitor our revenues month-by-month, so that we know how much we can safely invest in the Village. This is our "fair and clear direction" in Peoria Heights.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Status of the Heights TIF
The status of the Leisy-Pabst TIF project is pretty much stagnant at this point. As the national economy has been impacted, so has any interest in starting such a project. We are sending out RFPs (Request for Proposals) on a national basis over the coming weeks, in hopes that we might find the right developer at the right time, but clearly this is likely not the "right time" for most developers of any significance.
Obviously, this is a disappointment. I had hoped that we would have a plan in place by now, but I don't think many of us saw what was going to be happening to the stock market; banks; lenders; and on and on, over the past several months.
The TIF area still has a great deal to offer to a developer. And, the reason the TIF was put into place was because it really is our last area of development above the hill that won't significantly impact the neighborhoods in a potentially negative way. We still will be pushing for the Cohen's Building and surrounding land to include good commercial, residential, senior housing, and teen and senior centers. The beauty of the TIF is that for a developer to potentially tap into the TIF funding, he/she will have to have the plan agreed to by the Board of Trustees. That way, we WILL have some control as to what goes into there.
This is not a huge TIF area by any stretch, but it is still a potentially large investment on the part of the developer(s). Rest assured, we will continue in our attempts to bring in an acceptable and promising plan for the area. Be additionally rest assured that the TIF will NOT raise Village taxes at ANY time. Because the concept of a TIF is confusing, it is an easy mark for those wanting to mislead voters with false statements, etc. regarding the same. As always, if you have any questions regarding the Leisy-Pabst TIF, or TIFs in general, please call me at 686-2385.
Obviously, this is a disappointment. I had hoped that we would have a plan in place by now, but I don't think many of us saw what was going to be happening to the stock market; banks; lenders; and on and on, over the past several months.
The TIF area still has a great deal to offer to a developer. And, the reason the TIF was put into place was because it really is our last area of development above the hill that won't significantly impact the neighborhoods in a potentially negative way. We still will be pushing for the Cohen's Building and surrounding land to include good commercial, residential, senior housing, and teen and senior centers. The beauty of the TIF is that for a developer to potentially tap into the TIF funding, he/she will have to have the plan agreed to by the Board of Trustees. That way, we WILL have some control as to what goes into there.
This is not a huge TIF area by any stretch, but it is still a potentially large investment on the part of the developer(s). Rest assured, we will continue in our attempts to bring in an acceptable and promising plan for the area. Be additionally rest assured that the TIF will NOT raise Village taxes at ANY time. Because the concept of a TIF is confusing, it is an easy mark for those wanting to mislead voters with false statements, etc. regarding the same. As always, if you have any questions regarding the Leisy-Pabst TIF, or TIFs in general, please call me at 686-2385.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
More From the Archives
Some Surprising Numbers
My mayoral opponent has been beating the drum of "they're spending too much money" almost since the day he left office in May 2005. There was a reasonably well drawn cartoon in the Examiner, showing dollars flying out of the top of the Observation Tower, and lying around on the ground. To my opponent, I'm certain, that was meant to show that we were throwing money around like there was no tomorrow. To me, it showed that we were bringing more money in. Go figure.
Well, I have some important news for my opponent, his followers, and everyone else in the Village of Peoria Heights. When comparing how much was spent, to how much was generated in revenue (the only fair way to judge spending, what with inflation, etc.), my opponent oversaw more spending, percentage-wise, in his last 4 years than I have in the past 3.That's right. I'll say it again. "When comparing how much was spent, to how much was generated in revenue, my opponent oversaw more spending, percentage-wise, in his last 4 years than I have in the past 3." And, it's true.
I hate to burden you with numbers, but they're a necessary evil in this case. Figures don't lie (for the most part), and they certainly don't lie here.These numbers are gleaned from the budgets and the audits performed from fiscal year 2001-2002 to fiscal year 2007-2008 (the latest we have).From fiscal year 2001-2002 to fiscal year 2004-2005 (the last one under my opponent), the Village revenues totalled $10,573,803.00. The expenditures for the same period totalled $10,239,130.00. Again, this is over a 4 year period. The net result? 96.83% of the revenues received were spent.From fiscal year 2005-2006 (my first) to fiscal year 2007-2008 (the latest we have), our revenues have totalled $8,816,669.00. Our expenditures have totalled $8,466,338.00. Again, this is over a 3 year period, because we only have audits for these three years. The net result? We have spent 96% of the revenues generated.
Isn't that something? The guy who has been pounding the drum for nearly three years about how we are "spending the Village into the Stone Age" actually oversaw more pumping out of the dollars than I have. Now, let me clear something up. I don't think that a proper measurement of how good a mayor and a board of trustees are doing is how much they're putting "into the bank." We already have three fine banks in the Heights. We are here TO GET THINGS DONE. At the best price possible, but mostly TO GET THINGS DONE. And yet, somehow, my opponent feels that we've been spending too much on silly things like: curbs, sidewalks, police squad cars, fixing roads, alleviating drainage problems, marketing, brightening up Christmas... you know, silly things like that.
The point is this: I guess he wanted as much money put away as possible, because... just in case he might get back in, well you know, that Streetscape was going to cost at least $5 million dollars...But, in the end, here it is: he oversaw more spending. Period. I guess what we have to make clear is that there is a huge difference between he and I as to what we wanted (and want) those Village general funds to be spent ON.
My mayoral opponent has been beating the drum of "they're spending too much money" almost since the day he left office in May 2005. There was a reasonably well drawn cartoon in the Examiner, showing dollars flying out of the top of the Observation Tower, and lying around on the ground. To my opponent, I'm certain, that was meant to show that we were throwing money around like there was no tomorrow. To me, it showed that we were bringing more money in. Go figure.
Well, I have some important news for my opponent, his followers, and everyone else in the Village of Peoria Heights. When comparing how much was spent, to how much was generated in revenue (the only fair way to judge spending, what with inflation, etc.), my opponent oversaw more spending, percentage-wise, in his last 4 years than I have in the past 3.That's right. I'll say it again. "When comparing how much was spent, to how much was generated in revenue, my opponent oversaw more spending, percentage-wise, in his last 4 years than I have in the past 3." And, it's true.
I hate to burden you with numbers, but they're a necessary evil in this case. Figures don't lie (for the most part), and they certainly don't lie here.These numbers are gleaned from the budgets and the audits performed from fiscal year 2001-2002 to fiscal year 2007-2008 (the latest we have).From fiscal year 2001-2002 to fiscal year 2004-2005 (the last one under my opponent), the Village revenues totalled $10,573,803.00. The expenditures for the same period totalled $10,239,130.00. Again, this is over a 4 year period. The net result? 96.83% of the revenues received were spent.From fiscal year 2005-2006 (my first) to fiscal year 2007-2008 (the latest we have), our revenues have totalled $8,816,669.00. Our expenditures have totalled $8,466,338.00. Again, this is over a 3 year period, because we only have audits for these three years. The net result? We have spent 96% of the revenues generated.
Isn't that something? The guy who has been pounding the drum for nearly three years about how we are "spending the Village into the Stone Age" actually oversaw more pumping out of the dollars than I have. Now, let me clear something up. I don't think that a proper measurement of how good a mayor and a board of trustees are doing is how much they're putting "into the bank." We already have three fine banks in the Heights. We are here TO GET THINGS DONE. At the best price possible, but mostly TO GET THINGS DONE. And yet, somehow, my opponent feels that we've been spending too much on silly things like: curbs, sidewalks, police squad cars, fixing roads, alleviating drainage problems, marketing, brightening up Christmas... you know, silly things like that.
The point is this: I guess he wanted as much money put away as possible, because... just in case he might get back in, well you know, that Streetscape was going to cost at least $5 million dollars...But, in the end, here it is: he oversaw more spending. Period. I guess what we have to make clear is that there is a huge difference between he and I as to what we wanted (and want) those Village general funds to be spent ON.
Friday, February 13, 2009
... From the Archives Part II
Peoria Heights Examiner "Half-Truth #1"
At a Board of Trustees meeting, not long after I took office, Trustee Andrea Pendleton, out of the clear blue, asked to read a correspondence from a "citizen," and I told her that was fine. She then went on to read a complaint from this "citizen." She had not checked with me beforehand as to what the correspondence involved. I assumed it was just going to be an informational type correspondence. Remember... "assume nothing."
To quote the collectors edition of the Peoria Heights Examiner from the 2007 election:"After Trustee Andrea Pendleton read a postcard from a resident at a Village Board meeting complaining about dead trees in front of our new grade school and about weeds along a road near the school, Mayor Allen did not like hearing that. As a result this is a memo he sent out a few days later:"
It goes on to quote my memo, which reads as follows:"Proper Procedure For Introducing Correspondences At Trustee Meetings: 1. If there is a correspondence of any type you (Trustees) want introduced at a Trustee Meeting, it must be given to Administrator Horstmann first... NO exceptions. That correspondence will be reviewed by Admin. Horstmann and myself to see if it should be read at a meeting, or given to the proper authority to be further handled.
2. After review and acceptance, the correspondence will be given to Village Clerk Musselman to read, NO exceptions.
3. If a Trustee wishes to read the correspondence himself/herself at a meeting, please make that request when the correspondence is given to Admin. Horstmann for view along with myself. Authorization to do so will be given by myself.
4. If these procedures are not followed, and a correspondence is brought forth at a Trustee Meeting without previous authorization, I will immediately gavel the proceedings and have an Executive Session to further discuss the matter.Mark B. Allen, Mayor"
Couple problems here: One, a Trustee should NOT be reading a complaint at a meeting. The person making the complaint should appear in person to register that complaint. Just my opinion.
Second, and here's the important part: What the Examiner somehow failed to mention is that the complaint read by Trustee Andrea Pendleton was a FORGERY. That's right. Sort of an important tidbit of info to not pass along, don't you think? That's why I wrote the memo I did: the FORGED name was of a respected business owner in Peoria Heights. That respected business owner in Peoria Heights DID NOT WRITE THE COMPLAINT. It was FORGED, and Trustee Pendleton read it aloud, along with the FORGED name.
At the next Board of Trustees meeting, that respected business owner showed up, in tears, and asked WHY anyone would read such a complaint without FIRST checking to make certain it was real. It was left to me to apologize for the Village, for a FORGED complaint that I had nothing to do with the reading of, while Trustee Pendleton did not even say "sorry."
Now, do you think I might have had a good reason to write the memo? A Board of Trustees meeting is for Village business. We have a "Comments from the Audience" section, where people who want to air their grievances can certainly do so. I have no trouble or problem with those who dissent... just do it above board, without surprise at a public meeting, and try to do it with a REAL complaint, not a FORGED one.
Again, a "half truth." I submit this for a second time as it is a perfect example of how the Peoples Party Hierarchy likes to present its "cases." They leave out the stuff that might damage their arguments, and shoot from the hip with the rest. Everyone needs to keep this in mind, as the newest issue of the "Peoria Heights Examiner a/k/a Peoples Party Tomfoolery" or something close to it, will almost certainly be arriving in your mailbox soon.
I have no problem with folks disagreeing with what we've done so far; that's the American way. But, please try to get your facts correct first. In this case, they left out the reason why I wrote the memo : Trustee Pendleton read a forged complaint at a Board of Trustees meeting. That's certainly unacceptable, and the best way to avoid it happening in the future is to follow the procedures in the memo. Only the Peoples Party Hierarchy would have an issue with that.
At a Board of Trustees meeting, not long after I took office, Trustee Andrea Pendleton, out of the clear blue, asked to read a correspondence from a "citizen," and I told her that was fine. She then went on to read a complaint from this "citizen." She had not checked with me beforehand as to what the correspondence involved. I assumed it was just going to be an informational type correspondence. Remember... "assume nothing."
To quote the collectors edition of the Peoria Heights Examiner from the 2007 election:"After Trustee Andrea Pendleton read a postcard from a resident at a Village Board meeting complaining about dead trees in front of our new grade school and about weeds along a road near the school, Mayor Allen did not like hearing that. As a result this is a memo he sent out a few days later:"
It goes on to quote my memo, which reads as follows:"Proper Procedure For Introducing Correspondences At Trustee Meetings: 1. If there is a correspondence of any type you (Trustees) want introduced at a Trustee Meeting, it must be given to Administrator Horstmann first... NO exceptions. That correspondence will be reviewed by Admin. Horstmann and myself to see if it should be read at a meeting, or given to the proper authority to be further handled.
2. After review and acceptance, the correspondence will be given to Village Clerk Musselman to read, NO exceptions.
3. If a Trustee wishes to read the correspondence himself/herself at a meeting, please make that request when the correspondence is given to Admin. Horstmann for view along with myself. Authorization to do so will be given by myself.
4. If these procedures are not followed, and a correspondence is brought forth at a Trustee Meeting without previous authorization, I will immediately gavel the proceedings and have an Executive Session to further discuss the matter.Mark B. Allen, Mayor"
Couple problems here: One, a Trustee should NOT be reading a complaint at a meeting. The person making the complaint should appear in person to register that complaint. Just my opinion.
Second, and here's the important part: What the Examiner somehow failed to mention is that the complaint read by Trustee Andrea Pendleton was a FORGERY. That's right. Sort of an important tidbit of info to not pass along, don't you think? That's why I wrote the memo I did: the FORGED name was of a respected business owner in Peoria Heights. That respected business owner in Peoria Heights DID NOT WRITE THE COMPLAINT. It was FORGED, and Trustee Pendleton read it aloud, along with the FORGED name.
At the next Board of Trustees meeting, that respected business owner showed up, in tears, and asked WHY anyone would read such a complaint without FIRST checking to make certain it was real. It was left to me to apologize for the Village, for a FORGED complaint that I had nothing to do with the reading of, while Trustee Pendleton did not even say "sorry."
Now, do you think I might have had a good reason to write the memo? A Board of Trustees meeting is for Village business. We have a "Comments from the Audience" section, where people who want to air their grievances can certainly do so. I have no trouble or problem with those who dissent... just do it above board, without surprise at a public meeting, and try to do it with a REAL complaint, not a FORGED one.
Again, a "half truth." I submit this for a second time as it is a perfect example of how the Peoples Party Hierarchy likes to present its "cases." They leave out the stuff that might damage their arguments, and shoot from the hip with the rest. Everyone needs to keep this in mind, as the newest issue of the "Peoria Heights Examiner a/k/a Peoples Party Tomfoolery" or something close to it, will almost certainly be arriving in your mailbox soon.
I have no problem with folks disagreeing with what we've done so far; that's the American way. But, please try to get your facts correct first. In this case, they left out the reason why I wrote the memo : Trustee Pendleton read a forged complaint at a Board of Trustees meeting. That's certainly unacceptable, and the best way to avoid it happening in the future is to follow the procedures in the memo. Only the Peoples Party Hierarchy would have an issue with that.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Why Recycle? Here's Why...
We are near the 50% participation number since we began our curbside residential recycling service last October. I was expecting that we'd be at 50% after a year of the service being available, so I'm extremely happy with the numbers we have so far. Still, we need more folks to sign on. It is really easy to participate. If you are a Peoria Heights resident and have your normal garbage pick up as being curbside by G&O Disposal, you qualify. Give us a call at Village Hall, 686-2385, and we will give you all of the details for getting a tote delivered to you, free-of-charge, by Eagle Enterprises (our recycler).
No sorting of the items is necessary. Just rinse out the items, if they had foodstuffs in them. You don't even have to peel off the labels. It is so darned easy. Now, I've borrowed the following information about the energy saved by recycling. Not filling up the landfill is the easy one to understand, but when you begin to consider the energy savings from recycling, I'm hoping that you call us RIGHT AWAY.
"Recycling energy savings
By Green Living Tips Published 12/18/2007
If you visit a lot of environmental forums, no doubt you would have come across people claiming that recycling isn't all that effective - that it can take as much energy to recycle materials as it does to extract and produce them in the first place.
I don't claim to have any special knowledge or education, but here's some information I researched on the energy savings involved with various common materials from what I believe to be fairly good sources.
Energy savings - recycling metals
These figures also take into account the sorting and transportation of materials.Aluminium - 95%Copper - 85%Lead - 60%Steel - 62 - 74%Zinc - 60%
Data from the British Metal Recycling Association
Aside from the energy savings, the more metals that can be recycled, the less (or slower) destruction of the environment from mining. While the recycling process may produce toxic materials; mining certainly does.
Energy savings - recycling plastics
Post-consumer products may contain as many as 20 different types of plastic material; so one of the biggest challenges is sorting it all. However, according to Dr. Mike Biddle, President of MBA Polymers, recycling plastics uses only roughly 10 percent of the energy that it takes to make a pound of plastic from virgin materials.
Again, the savings aren't just in energy - plastics are still mostly made from petrochemicals; i.e. crude oil. Nearly 10 percent of U.S. oil consumption, which equates to approximately 2 million barrels a day - is used to make plastics. Recycling plastics also means saving oil - through the production process and base materials.
Energy savings - recycling glass
According to Waste Online, for every ton of recycled glass, 1.2 tons of raw materials are not required and after taking into account transport and processing needed to recycle glass, nearly 700 pounds of carbon dioxide is saved per ton of glass melted for the purposes of making bottles and jars.The Glass Packaging Institute states recycled glass uses only two-thirds the energy needed to manufacture glass from raw materials.
Recycled glass isn't just used for making more bottles - it can be turned into fiberglass (which is also used in house insulation), and as a component of bricks; requiring less energy to create the bricks and as the product is lighter, less energy is used in transport. Glass can be recycled indefinitely.
Energy savings - recycling paper
The Department of Energy states that a ton of paper made from recycled fibers conserves 7,000 gallons of water, up to 31 trees, 4,000 KWh of electricity and up to 60 pounds of air pollutants (not including carbon dioxide). Overall, recycling paper uses about 60% less energy than making paper from new materials.
In case you've heard that there is a glut of old newspapers around and therefore paper is now often shipped to landfill and burned; that used to be the case in some parts of the world, but through new techniques, products and widespread consumer acceptance, demand has caught up with supply.
The recycling trap
Here's a trap that many people fall into - because an item can be recycled, they might feel that extra consumption is no longer a bad thing. Recycling is the last of the 3R's i.e. Reduce, Reuse... lastly, Recycle.
Reduction of consumption means that less needs to be produced in the first place (and you'll save a stack of cash too). Reusing gives old products new life with little or no energy being used for repurposing, whereas recycling still does require substantial energy."
I invite ALL of our residents who qualify for the free of charge (and there are a lot of them), curbside recycling program to join up just as quickly as possible. It's a great program, and it's a service which will make the earth a better place for many, many years to come. My wife, Kathleen Allen, who is a teacher at PHHS, has taken to the recycling program, just like our sons have. It's a great program, you just need to get into the swing of it!
No sorting of the items is necessary. Just rinse out the items, if they had foodstuffs in them. You don't even have to peel off the labels. It is so darned easy. Now, I've borrowed the following information about the energy saved by recycling. Not filling up the landfill is the easy one to understand, but when you begin to consider the energy savings from recycling, I'm hoping that you call us RIGHT AWAY.
"Recycling energy savings
By Green Living Tips Published 12/18/2007
If you visit a lot of environmental forums, no doubt you would have come across people claiming that recycling isn't all that effective - that it can take as much energy to recycle materials as it does to extract and produce them in the first place.
I don't claim to have any special knowledge or education, but here's some information I researched on the energy savings involved with various common materials from what I believe to be fairly good sources.
Energy savings - recycling metals
These figures also take into account the sorting and transportation of materials.Aluminium - 95%Copper - 85%Lead - 60%Steel - 62 - 74%Zinc - 60%
Data from the British Metal Recycling Association
Aside from the energy savings, the more metals that can be recycled, the less (or slower) destruction of the environment from mining. While the recycling process may produce toxic materials; mining certainly does.
Energy savings - recycling plastics
Post-consumer products may contain as many as 20 different types of plastic material; so one of the biggest challenges is sorting it all. However, according to Dr. Mike Biddle, President of MBA Polymers, recycling plastics uses only roughly 10 percent of the energy that it takes to make a pound of plastic from virgin materials.
Again, the savings aren't just in energy - plastics are still mostly made from petrochemicals; i.e. crude oil. Nearly 10 percent of U.S. oil consumption, which equates to approximately 2 million barrels a day - is used to make plastics. Recycling plastics also means saving oil - through the production process and base materials.
Energy savings - recycling glass
According to Waste Online, for every ton of recycled glass, 1.2 tons of raw materials are not required and after taking into account transport and processing needed to recycle glass, nearly 700 pounds of carbon dioxide is saved per ton of glass melted for the purposes of making bottles and jars.The Glass Packaging Institute states recycled glass uses only two-thirds the energy needed to manufacture glass from raw materials.
Recycled glass isn't just used for making more bottles - it can be turned into fiberglass (which is also used in house insulation), and as a component of bricks; requiring less energy to create the bricks and as the product is lighter, less energy is used in transport. Glass can be recycled indefinitely.
Energy savings - recycling paper
The Department of Energy states that a ton of paper made from recycled fibers conserves 7,000 gallons of water, up to 31 trees, 4,000 KWh of electricity and up to 60 pounds of air pollutants (not including carbon dioxide). Overall, recycling paper uses about 60% less energy than making paper from new materials.
In case you've heard that there is a glut of old newspapers around and therefore paper is now often shipped to landfill and burned; that used to be the case in some parts of the world, but through new techniques, products and widespread consumer acceptance, demand has caught up with supply.
The recycling trap
Here's a trap that many people fall into - because an item can be recycled, they might feel that extra consumption is no longer a bad thing. Recycling is the last of the 3R's i.e. Reduce, Reuse... lastly, Recycle.
Reduction of consumption means that less needs to be produced in the first place (and you'll save a stack of cash too). Reusing gives old products new life with little or no energy being used for repurposing, whereas recycling still does require substantial energy."
I invite ALL of our residents who qualify for the free of charge (and there are a lot of them), curbside recycling program to join up just as quickly as possible. It's a great program, and it's a service which will make the earth a better place for many, many years to come. My wife, Kathleen Allen, who is a teacher at PHHS, has taken to the recycling program, just like our sons have. It's a great program, you just need to get into the swing of it!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
... From the Archives
Because I know that some new readers might not want to go back too far in the postings, I will be bringing back those that I think need repeating.
Some of What's Been Happening in the Heights over the Past 4 Years
Resurfacing of Forest Park Drive
Painting Observation TowerLabor
Agreements with the Public Works Employees and the Police Department Labor Unions
Tower Park Music Fest
Old Glory Days
Duryea Days
Recycling Program in the Heights
Resurfacing of Monroe Avenue
New Ornamental Streetlights on Prospect
New Ordinances and Increased Enforcement
Police K-9 Unit
School Resource Officer Returned to our Public Schools
New Parking Spaces on Kelly Avenue
Changes in “No Parking” Areas to Create Additional Parking Spaces
Renewed Partnerships with Dist. 325 and the Chamber of Commerce
New Christmas decorations for Village and Tower Park
New Elevator Car Interior at Observation Tower
New Police Building
Over $400 Thousand Spent on Curb and Sidewalk Program
Establishment of the TIF District
Prospect Road Enhancements
24/7 Ambulance Service
New Street Sweeper Purchased
Automatic Front Doors Installed at Village Hall
New Police Vehicles
Columbus/Moneta Drainage Problems Fixed
All Payments Made on New Fire Dept. Ladder Truck (Over $550 Thousand)
School Caution Lights Installed on Glen Avenue
Finish Out of the Village Hall basement for EMTs and Volunteer Firepeople
Crosswalk Caution Signs along Prospect
Installation of Street Lights for Safety of Residents
Neighborhood Watch Meetings
Town Hall Meetings
Joining the Peoria County Economic Development Council
Joining the Heartland Water Resources Council
By having the festivals and the events in Peoria Heights, we not only bring people into our Village as customers, we also provide opportunities for our residents to gather together. Often, we see friends we haven’t seen for some time at these events. It’s a way of bringing the Community together again. This is an area that had been ignored for several years before the new administration came in.
Some of What's Been Happening in the Heights over the Past 4 Years
Resurfacing of Forest Park Drive
Painting Observation TowerLabor
Agreements with the Public Works Employees and the Police Department Labor Unions
Tower Park Music Fest
Old Glory Days
Duryea Days
Recycling Program in the Heights
Resurfacing of Monroe Avenue
New Ornamental Streetlights on Prospect
New Ordinances and Increased Enforcement
Police K-9 Unit
School Resource Officer Returned to our Public Schools
New Parking Spaces on Kelly Avenue
Changes in “No Parking” Areas to Create Additional Parking Spaces
Renewed Partnerships with Dist. 325 and the Chamber of Commerce
New Christmas decorations for Village and Tower Park
New Elevator Car Interior at Observation Tower
New Police Building
Over $400 Thousand Spent on Curb and Sidewalk Program
Establishment of the TIF District
Prospect Road Enhancements
24/7 Ambulance Service
New Street Sweeper Purchased
Automatic Front Doors Installed at Village Hall
New Police Vehicles
Columbus/Moneta Drainage Problems Fixed
All Payments Made on New Fire Dept. Ladder Truck (Over $550 Thousand)
School Caution Lights Installed on Glen Avenue
Finish Out of the Village Hall basement for EMTs and Volunteer Firepeople
Crosswalk Caution Signs along Prospect
Installation of Street Lights for Safety of Residents
Neighborhood Watch Meetings
Town Hall Meetings
Joining the Peoria County Economic Development Council
Joining the Heartland Water Resources Council
By having the festivals and the events in Peoria Heights, we not only bring people into our Village as customers, we also provide opportunities for our residents to gather together. Often, we see friends we haven’t seen for some time at these events. It’s a way of bringing the Community together again. This is an area that had been ignored for several years before the new administration came in.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Exactly How Much Did It Cost?
My opponent has had a difficult time being straightforward about the amount of Village funds which were spent on Tower Park and Poplar Lane Park. As recently as the Meet the Candidates Night in March 2005, he told the audience that the changes in Tower Park were paid for “mostly using private donations.”* Mr. Carter might need to check out what the definition of “mostly” is. Donations amounted to $282,473.00; however a total of $1,062,897.00 was spent on this project. The result? $780,424.00 of Village Funds was spent on the changes at Tower Park. Over THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS from the Village General Fund was spent on the Tower Park changes!
At the same Meet the Candidates Night, my opponent stated that Poplar Lane Park was "paid for with a state grant.”* Actually, less than HALF of the project was paid for with a state grant. $224,400.00 of Village Funds was spent on Poplar Lane Park, which has flooded several times since it opened. It is difficult to keep up with clean-up of that park, because every time the river comes up (and it's done it a LOT), it leaves behind a lot of debris.
At the same Meet the Candidates Night, my opponent stated that Poplar Lane Park was "paid for with a state grant.”* Actually, less than HALF of the project was paid for with a state grant. $224,400.00 of Village Funds was spent on Poplar Lane Park, which has flooded several times since it opened. It is difficult to keep up with clean-up of that park, because every time the river comes up (and it's done it a LOT), it leaves behind a lot of debris.
My opponent is not being forthright as to what his “spending record” involves. The taxpayers of Peoria Heights deserve the truth from Mr. Carter so that they can make an educated decision when they enter the voting booth. (* Peoria Times-Observer 3-30-05)
The point here is that an administration (particularly the mayor) has to be up-front and honest about what projects cost. Most of the voters will not take the time to investigate what needs to be investigated to find out the exact cost of items. They depend upon their elected officials to be forthright on costs; not provide some sort of shell game to confuse people.
For example: I've had a few people tell me that they've been told by someone (I wonder who) that we paid an "exorbitant" cost for the new police building. The sale price is $495,000.00 for the police building. It is 5,000 SF. This comes out to just below $100/SF. We were quoted costs of new construction running around $200/SF. So, we are immediately cutting costs by 50%. On top of that, we are paying that $495,000.00 over a 5 year plan, with NO interest.
Here's the rub: elected officials should not be doing things that they feel a need to run a shell game when someone calls them out on the costs of those things. Be honest; be up front; then you're never caught in that shell game... like the Times-Observer illustrated.
The Problems With "Streetscape" Part II
As most people know, the plan was to convert a 4-lane Prospect into a 3-lane Prospect. Why? Supposedly to make it safer for people walking around, but I don't know what effect that truly would have, unless the Streetscape caused much of the traffic to be diverted.
Major problem here: the downtown businesses depend upon parallel parking. Why is that a problem, you might ask? Well, most folks aren't super-adept at parallel parking. It's sort of a lost art. But, when they do it now, traffic can still go around them, because there's an extra lane of travel to the left. With 3 lanes? Well, the center turn lane is illegal to pass anyone on, so that one is out. What's left? The vehicles going straight on through would have to stop COMPLETELY behind the car trying to parallel park. This would exasperate the driver of the vehicle trying to parallel park, and actually might cause them to... move on.
When Peoria Journal Star columnist Phil Luciano asked then-Mayor Carter about that particular problem, Carter's measured response was, "Well, I didn't say it (the Streetscape plan) was perfect."
When you're spending millions of dollars on such a street-altering plan, you'd better make certain it's darned close to "perfect." So long as the business area is dependent on parallel parking, a 3 lane road would be a major problem.
The costs of having parking lots would be astronomical. We've checked into this. To have any sort of acceptable number of parking spaces would involve having to buy up a number of houses; tear them down; grade out the area; pave and light the lot; and, the costs would likely go into several hundred thousand to a million dollars or so for a decent sized parking lot.
We will continue to explore the purchase of existing parking lots, if and when they become available. Should the TIF area take off, we should also be able to leverage parking lots behind the old Pabst office building.
We have created around 20 new parking spaces downtown between the new spaces on Kelly Avenue, and the reviews (and rescinding) of the old "no parking" zones. It's not enough, but it's a start. My opponent had 8 years to create some sort of parking, and didn't create a single additional parking space.
While the proposed "Streetscape" would have been beautiful (and it had better be for the millions it would have cost), it would no doubt have been extremely harmful to what it was allegedly supposed to help: business in downtown Peoria Heights.
Major problem here: the downtown businesses depend upon parallel parking. Why is that a problem, you might ask? Well, most folks aren't super-adept at parallel parking. It's sort of a lost art. But, when they do it now, traffic can still go around them, because there's an extra lane of travel to the left. With 3 lanes? Well, the center turn lane is illegal to pass anyone on, so that one is out. What's left? The vehicles going straight on through would have to stop COMPLETELY behind the car trying to parallel park. This would exasperate the driver of the vehicle trying to parallel park, and actually might cause them to... move on.
When Peoria Journal Star columnist Phil Luciano asked then-Mayor Carter about that particular problem, Carter's measured response was, "Well, I didn't say it (the Streetscape plan) was perfect."
When you're spending millions of dollars on such a street-altering plan, you'd better make certain it's darned close to "perfect." So long as the business area is dependent on parallel parking, a 3 lane road would be a major problem.
The costs of having parking lots would be astronomical. We've checked into this. To have any sort of acceptable number of parking spaces would involve having to buy up a number of houses; tear them down; grade out the area; pave and light the lot; and, the costs would likely go into several hundred thousand to a million dollars or so for a decent sized parking lot.
We will continue to explore the purchase of existing parking lots, if and when they become available. Should the TIF area take off, we should also be able to leverage parking lots behind the old Pabst office building.
We have created around 20 new parking spaces downtown between the new spaces on Kelly Avenue, and the reviews (and rescinding) of the old "no parking" zones. It's not enough, but it's a start. My opponent had 8 years to create some sort of parking, and didn't create a single additional parking space.
While the proposed "Streetscape" would have been beautiful (and it had better be for the millions it would have cost), it would no doubt have been extremely harmful to what it was allegedly supposed to help: business in downtown Peoria Heights.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Our Public Works
Imagine this: it's about 10 degrees out... the wind chill is around 15 degrees below zero... and you get a call at 11 p.m.; there is a water main break in the Village, and it has to be plugged NOW. What is a labor intensive, dirty, and demanding job is now about, say, 216 times worse with the weather being what it is.
Would you be willing to do this? I'm not sure I could be paid enough to do it. I've witnessed our Public Works guys take care of a water main break, but it was in the summer time. Even then, I was looking at them, and thinking, "Thank God we have these dudes."
We're talking about taking a backhoe, digging a hole to find the water main break, jumping into the hole then filled with water; and either fitting a sleeve over that break, or replacing a section of water main... and as quickly as you can... it's like surgery, it really is.
This is just ONE job that the Public Works guys are called on to do, at any hour of the day or night. Over these past few years, we've replaced approximately 2,000 ft. of water main. Much of it was done by our workers, at an estimated savings of $100,000.00 to the Village. We installed 9 new valves in the Northern section of the Village, which will allow (and HAS already allowed) us to replace parts of a water main without having to shut down water to everyone.
Supt. Bob Roth has supervised a resurgence of Public Works infrastructure improvements like we've never seen before. And, we're committed to continuing this. Again, a tip of the hat to everyone in our Public Works Department... you all do a grand job, and it is very much appreciated.
Would you be willing to do this? I'm not sure I could be paid enough to do it. I've witnessed our Public Works guys take care of a water main break, but it was in the summer time. Even then, I was looking at them, and thinking, "Thank God we have these dudes."
We're talking about taking a backhoe, digging a hole to find the water main break, jumping into the hole then filled with water; and either fitting a sleeve over that break, or replacing a section of water main... and as quickly as you can... it's like surgery, it really is.
This is just ONE job that the Public Works guys are called on to do, at any hour of the day or night. Over these past few years, we've replaced approximately 2,000 ft. of water main. Much of it was done by our workers, at an estimated savings of $100,000.00 to the Village. We installed 9 new valves in the Northern section of the Village, which will allow (and HAS already allowed) us to replace parts of a water main without having to shut down water to everyone.
Supt. Bob Roth has supervised a resurgence of Public Works infrastructure improvements like we've never seen before. And, we're committed to continuing this. Again, a tip of the hat to everyone in our Public Works Department... you all do a grand job, and it is very much appreciated.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Problems With "Streetscape" Part I
I have a copy of the study done for the proposed "Streetscape," and it shows a "total project cost" of $4,960,000.00. That's in 2004 dollars. If you figure about a 10% increase (and, that's being charitable) each year for construction costs, you're up to about $8 million in 2009 money, but just for continuity's sake, I'll keep using the $5 million figure.
Once in a while, I will hear from a citizen or two, or a merchant or two (usually through a third party), that "Streetscape" was going to "solve the parking issues," really be "grand," etc.. I can almost guarantee that those people have not fully considered what would have emerged from the "Streetscape" plan that my opponent was pushing.
First, it was stated by my opponent that Prospect would "not be closed down" while construction was going on. So what? Go ahead and knock it down to one lane most of the day, with construction guys holding up "Stop" signs to let traffic through... yeah, it's not closed, but you will effectively turn away at least 50% of the traffic, I'd bet. This would have been MAJOR construction, you know.
All of the pavement; all of the sidewalks; all of the electrical, EVERYTHING was going to be ripped up and replaced. Do you think that could be done just on weekday nights, from midnight to 7 a.m.? How long would it take for business to drift away from the downtown area, due to construction? Can you say "immediately"? Ask the folks who had businesses at Gale Avenue and Forrest Hill in Peoria several years ago. How many of the shops along Prospect, from Kelly to Glen, could survive about a YEAR with this type of interruption? Can you say... "Just about none"?
That's if the weather would cooperate. It would have been horrendous... the construction alone would have completely destroyed what is there now, in one way or another. Don't let anyone tell you differently. People can still be schmoozed by folks who are well trained at "talking the game," but when you step beyond the talk, and start to consider the reality of the proposal, that's when one would be able to realize what such intense construction would have done to Prospect Road, and its merchants.
And, parking? The plans showed 2 possible public parking lots, but to the engineering firm's credit, the blurb inside of them said, "Future parking lot, location subject to change." Well, when I got into office, I pursued both property owners about getting those spots for parking NOW, and neither one was interested in selling. On top of that, both of them said that NO ONE from the previous administration, or from the engineering firm for "Streetscape" had even asked them about buying the lots for parking. Odd, don't you think?
These are just some of the issues with my opponent's "Streetscape" plans... I'll touch on the others soon.
Once in a while, I will hear from a citizen or two, or a merchant or two (usually through a third party), that "Streetscape" was going to "solve the parking issues," really be "grand," etc.. I can almost guarantee that those people have not fully considered what would have emerged from the "Streetscape" plan that my opponent was pushing.
First, it was stated by my opponent that Prospect would "not be closed down" while construction was going on. So what? Go ahead and knock it down to one lane most of the day, with construction guys holding up "Stop" signs to let traffic through... yeah, it's not closed, but you will effectively turn away at least 50% of the traffic, I'd bet. This would have been MAJOR construction, you know.
All of the pavement; all of the sidewalks; all of the electrical, EVERYTHING was going to be ripped up and replaced. Do you think that could be done just on weekday nights, from midnight to 7 a.m.? How long would it take for business to drift away from the downtown area, due to construction? Can you say "immediately"? Ask the folks who had businesses at Gale Avenue and Forrest Hill in Peoria several years ago. How many of the shops along Prospect, from Kelly to Glen, could survive about a YEAR with this type of interruption? Can you say... "Just about none"?
That's if the weather would cooperate. It would have been horrendous... the construction alone would have completely destroyed what is there now, in one way or another. Don't let anyone tell you differently. People can still be schmoozed by folks who are well trained at "talking the game," but when you step beyond the talk, and start to consider the reality of the proposal, that's when one would be able to realize what such intense construction would have done to Prospect Road, and its merchants.
And, parking? The plans showed 2 possible public parking lots, but to the engineering firm's credit, the blurb inside of them said, "Future parking lot, location subject to change." Well, when I got into office, I pursued both property owners about getting those spots for parking NOW, and neither one was interested in selling. On top of that, both of them said that NO ONE from the previous administration, or from the engineering firm for "Streetscape" had even asked them about buying the lots for parking. Odd, don't you think?
These are just some of the issues with my opponent's "Streetscape" plans... I'll touch on the others soon.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
"Finish Out" of the Basement at Village Hall
Roughly 1/2 of the basement at Village Hall is presently under construction; which will be providing a "day room," bathrooms and showers; and bunk rooms for the 24/7 Ambulance service and Volunteer Firepeople/Ambulance Service workers.
Providing 24/7 ambulance service was a huge step taken in Peoria Heights, but it was one that had to be taken. It was becoming increasingly more difficult to attract volunteers to "man the posts" for the ambulance service; particularly during the 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. time frame. Why? Because most people are working during that time, and the 3rd shift worker (particularly at Caterpillar and the defunct Pabst plant) has mostly disappeared. So, we were left in a quandry. To continue with our volunteer fire service, we really needed to have a fully staffed ambulance service, as well.
We started out with a 12 hour shift of paid ambulance staff; and after some time with that being successful, we continued with a 24 hour, 7 day a week paid staff. It has made a huge difference for the better in the services available for our residents. We are able to make immediate steps towards the person(s) in need of medical help now.
However, with this 24/7 service, we also needed an upgrade in the area where our volunteers and paid service people can wait for calls; get some sleep, if needed; shower when necessary; etc. There had been virtually no upgrade work in the basement at Village Hall ever, so we were starting from scratch with a shell of a basement, in the 1/2 area needed.
We really cannot thank our volunteers enough. It is hard and demanding work. Even with a paid 24/7 ambulance service, we still need the volunteers for not only the Fire Department, but also for the ambulance service, in case two calls ever come in around the same time. We thank Fire Chief Norm Reichert and Ambulance Service Supervisor Kenny Martin for all of the long hours and dedication to put into their jobs.
Future upgrades will be needed for the Fire Department, as the fire bays at Village Hall barely provide room for the volunteers to move between the equipment. The steps we are taking now (moving the police to a different building; finishing out the first half of the basement) will allow us to address that issue sooner, rather than later. When that is completed, we should be set for many, many years to come regarding the facilities for all of our services; and that will be a major accomplishment for this administration.
Providing 24/7 ambulance service was a huge step taken in Peoria Heights, but it was one that had to be taken. It was becoming increasingly more difficult to attract volunteers to "man the posts" for the ambulance service; particularly during the 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. time frame. Why? Because most people are working during that time, and the 3rd shift worker (particularly at Caterpillar and the defunct Pabst plant) has mostly disappeared. So, we were left in a quandry. To continue with our volunteer fire service, we really needed to have a fully staffed ambulance service, as well.
We started out with a 12 hour shift of paid ambulance staff; and after some time with that being successful, we continued with a 24 hour, 7 day a week paid staff. It has made a huge difference for the better in the services available for our residents. We are able to make immediate steps towards the person(s) in need of medical help now.
However, with this 24/7 service, we also needed an upgrade in the area where our volunteers and paid service people can wait for calls; get some sleep, if needed; shower when necessary; etc. There had been virtually no upgrade work in the basement at Village Hall ever, so we were starting from scratch with a shell of a basement, in the 1/2 area needed.
We really cannot thank our volunteers enough. It is hard and demanding work. Even with a paid 24/7 ambulance service, we still need the volunteers for not only the Fire Department, but also for the ambulance service, in case two calls ever come in around the same time. We thank Fire Chief Norm Reichert and Ambulance Service Supervisor Kenny Martin for all of the long hours and dedication to put into their jobs.
Future upgrades will be needed for the Fire Department, as the fire bays at Village Hall barely provide room for the volunteers to move between the equipment. The steps we are taking now (moving the police to a different building; finishing out the first half of the basement) will allow us to address that issue sooner, rather than later. When that is completed, we should be set for many, many years to come regarding the facilities for all of our services; and that will be a major accomplishment for this administration.
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