Sunday, March 29, 2009
Early Voting at PH Library April 1 & 2
You can "early vote" at the Peoria Heights Library on April 1 and 2, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Facts Regarding the New Police Station
I was advised by someone that Mr. Carter had recently alleged that the former Williams Brothers building (which was purchased to serve as the new police station) had been "way overpriced."
This is not the first time I've heard that allegation from the Peoples Party hierarchy.
I get the impression that Mr. Carter thinks it might still be 1981, when it comes to building "pricing." However, the facts are these:
The building was appraised at $510,000.00 by the appraiser we hired.
The building was purchased for $495,000.00. My Radio Shack calculator says that's $15,000.00 BELOW the appraised value.
The building is 5,000 SF. This comes out to just below $100/SF. This is certainly in line for the appraisal of such a property. The range we were given for new construction was $170-$220/SF. It sort of made fiscal sense to buy the Williams Brothers building, instead of adding on to Village Hall, don't you think?
We were given a 5 year, no interest loan for the purchase of the same by the building owner, Mr. Tom Williams, Sr.
Once more, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, but also once more, it's always nice to base your opinion on actual facts; not on what the building was worth in 1981.
This is not the first time I've heard that allegation from the Peoples Party hierarchy.
I get the impression that Mr. Carter thinks it might still be 1981, when it comes to building "pricing." However, the facts are these:
The building was appraised at $510,000.00 by the appraiser we hired.
The building was purchased for $495,000.00. My Radio Shack calculator says that's $15,000.00 BELOW the appraised value.
The building is 5,000 SF. This comes out to just below $100/SF. This is certainly in line for the appraisal of such a property. The range we were given for new construction was $170-$220/SF. It sort of made fiscal sense to buy the Williams Brothers building, instead of adding on to Village Hall, don't you think?
We were given a 5 year, no interest loan for the purchase of the same by the building owner, Mr. Tom Williams, Sr.
Once more, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, but also once more, it's always nice to base your opinion on actual facts; not on what the building was worth in 1981.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
From The Archives: Salary Increases for Department Heads
I understand that one of the "crack" reporters for the Peoria Heights Examiner (or something sort of like it) has been gathering information about the pay increases that the department heads received over the past 4 years, ready to spring a huge "exclusive" about it.
Well, sorry, "crack" reporter... it's already been in the paper (Journal Star and the Observer) about 20 times over the past 3 to 4 years. In fact, I referenced it in this blog, too. I'm going to throw it out there again, even though the gist of it has to do with one of the somewhat questionable articles in the collector's edition of the Examiner. Here it is :
"Bear in mind, what I am writing in response to each of these allegations is an absolute FACT; and can be verified by simply going by Village Hall and getting the information; or contact me and I will forward the info to you from the minutes; or any other verification to show that it is a FACT.
Even though these responses might be almost two years late, I hope that they will show how the Peoples Party periodicals were not only filled with "half-truths, innuendos, and outright lies" in 2007, but will more than likely be even more chock full of the same in 2009.
POLITICAL FICTION#1- The Peoria Heights Examiner (Peoples Party "newspaper") stated that shortly after I took office, certain department heads received "40% raises."
FACT: The department heads would have loved this one to be true. In actuality, the Police Chief and the Village Administrator received 10% raises. That's a bit lower than the 40% raises that the Examiner threw out there. Now, if the Examiner had stated that the department heads had received 40% raises over a THREE year period, it would have been closer to the truth. But, it did not state that.
And, the third year of that three year period had not even occurred yet. What did happen was that the department heads received 10% per year, over a three year period.Why? Because all of the statistics showed that the Peoria Heights department heads were not only near the bottom of salaries for the size of our community in Illinois, they were virtually AT the bottom.
Unacceptable. We'll go one step further however. Even if the Examiner had done it over a three year period, the raises would have been 33% OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD. STILL NOT 40%. Even with these raises, our department heads are in the bottom third of salaries for similar sized communities in Illinois. But, at least we're doing better there.
Someone at the Examiner needs a new calculator... AND a conscience."
* One more interesting fact: In fiscal year 2004-2005 (under Mr. Carter's leadership), the Board of Trustees approved salary increases for the Peoria Heights Police Officers that came out to be about a 30% increase. In one year. Why? Simple. Their research found that the officers were underpaid. So, the record increase was approved. Yet, somehow when a pay increase which is anything over the "norm" happens under my watch, it's a problem. Our research found that our department heads were very much underpaid. So, we changed that.
Each pay increase for all of the department heads was approved by the Board of Trustees, with 6-0 votes. The only 5-1 vote was the initial one regarding the original contract for Police Chief Dustin Sutton. Bear in mind, during each of these votes, there were THREE members of the Peoples Party on the Board.
Raising the pay for the police officers in 2004-2005 was the right thing to do. So was the raising of the pay for the department heads from 2005-2007.
Compare the actual facts to the likely "crack" Examiner reporting coming out soon. If it comes out as I expect it will, the motto of "Forget the facts, full speed ahead" will continue to be fully operational for the Peoples Party hierarchy.
Well, sorry, "crack" reporter... it's already been in the paper (Journal Star and the Observer) about 20 times over the past 3 to 4 years. In fact, I referenced it in this blog, too. I'm going to throw it out there again, even though the gist of it has to do with one of the somewhat questionable articles in the collector's edition of the Examiner. Here it is :
"Bear in mind, what I am writing in response to each of these allegations is an absolute FACT; and can be verified by simply going by Village Hall and getting the information; or contact me and I will forward the info to you from the minutes; or any other verification to show that it is a FACT.
Even though these responses might be almost two years late, I hope that they will show how the Peoples Party periodicals were not only filled with "half-truths, innuendos, and outright lies" in 2007, but will more than likely be even more chock full of the same in 2009.
POLITICAL FICTION#1- The Peoria Heights Examiner (Peoples Party "newspaper") stated that shortly after I took office, certain department heads received "40% raises."
FACT: The department heads would have loved this one to be true. In actuality, the Police Chief and the Village Administrator received 10% raises. That's a bit lower than the 40% raises that the Examiner threw out there. Now, if the Examiner had stated that the department heads had received 40% raises over a THREE year period, it would have been closer to the truth. But, it did not state that.
And, the third year of that three year period had not even occurred yet. What did happen was that the department heads received 10% per year, over a three year period.Why? Because all of the statistics showed that the Peoria Heights department heads were not only near the bottom of salaries for the size of our community in Illinois, they were virtually AT the bottom.
Unacceptable. We'll go one step further however. Even if the Examiner had done it over a three year period, the raises would have been 33% OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD. STILL NOT 40%. Even with these raises, our department heads are in the bottom third of salaries for similar sized communities in Illinois. But, at least we're doing better there.
Someone at the Examiner needs a new calculator... AND a conscience."
* One more interesting fact: In fiscal year 2004-2005 (under Mr. Carter's leadership), the Board of Trustees approved salary increases for the Peoria Heights Police Officers that came out to be about a 30% increase. In one year. Why? Simple. Their research found that the officers were underpaid. So, the record increase was approved. Yet, somehow when a pay increase which is anything over the "norm" happens under my watch, it's a problem. Our research found that our department heads were very much underpaid. So, we changed that.
Each pay increase for all of the department heads was approved by the Board of Trustees, with 6-0 votes. The only 5-1 vote was the initial one regarding the original contract for Police Chief Dustin Sutton. Bear in mind, during each of these votes, there were THREE members of the Peoples Party on the Board.
Raising the pay for the police officers in 2004-2005 was the right thing to do. So was the raising of the pay for the department heads from 2005-2007.
Compare the actual facts to the likely "crack" Examiner reporting coming out soon. If it comes out as I expect it will, the motto of "Forget the facts, full speed ahead" will continue to be fully operational for the Peoples Party hierarchy.
Meet the Candidates Night on Channel 22 ONE More Time
Due to popular demand (uh, sort of), Channel 22 will re-broadcast the Meet the Candidates Night one more time, tomorrow on Friday night, at 8:30 pm.
When it was shown this past Monday, Channel 22 signed out with approximately 20 minutes left in the show. So, one final encore presentation: Friday the 27th, at 8:30 pm.
When it was shown this past Monday, Channel 22 signed out with approximately 20 minutes left in the show. So, one final encore presentation: Friday the 27th, at 8:30 pm.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Apples to Apples: The General Fund
Each month, the Board of Trustees receives a "Treasurer's Report" from our Treasurer, Cliff Brumbaugh. The report shows where we are financially, month by month.
As I've discussed until I'm blue in the face, and everyone else is reasonably sick of hearing, my opponent has been beating the "They're Spending Too Much" drum for well over three years now. If you go back several postings, you'd find the actual facts that show that my opponent spent more, percentage wise, over his last four years in office, than we have in the past three.
Well, it's time for more "facts and figures." We'll compare the month of February 2005 (the last year my opponent was in office) to February 2009 (our latest Treasurer's Report). The general fund, by the way, is the "fund" that we pay for nearly everything that we do in the Village out of. So, the total for the general fund in February 2005 was:
$2,014,194.16
And now, the total for the general fund in February 2009 is:
$2,204,838.94
Using my Radio Shack calculator, that means that we are:
$190,644.78 AHEAD of where we were 4 Years Ago.
So, even after all of that "horrific" spending we've done over the past four years, we're ahead of where we were four years ago. Can that be right? Yes, it is. When my opponent, and his newspaper, or his circulars, and the Peoples Party hierarchy, do all that they can to try to convince you otherwise, let them know that you already have the facts. And, those facts show that we've accomplished a lot, and in a fiscally sound way, as well.
Now, in two other areas, the "Motor Fuel Account" and the "Waterworks Account" we are down from where we were four years ago. Why? Because some major projects were completed over the last four years, and those pay-outs came from those accounts. The projects were the resurfacing of Forest Park Drive, the painting of the Observation Tower, and the resurfacing of Monroe Avenue. I'll have that information for you in the next couple of days.
As I've discussed until I'm blue in the face, and everyone else is reasonably sick of hearing, my opponent has been beating the "They're Spending Too Much" drum for well over three years now. If you go back several postings, you'd find the actual facts that show that my opponent spent more, percentage wise, over his last four years in office, than we have in the past three.
Well, it's time for more "facts and figures." We'll compare the month of February 2005 (the last year my opponent was in office) to February 2009 (our latest Treasurer's Report). The general fund, by the way, is the "fund" that we pay for nearly everything that we do in the Village out of. So, the total for the general fund in February 2005 was:
$2,014,194.16
And now, the total for the general fund in February 2009 is:
$2,204,838.94
Using my Radio Shack calculator, that means that we are:
$190,644.78 AHEAD of where we were 4 Years Ago.
So, even after all of that "horrific" spending we've done over the past four years, we're ahead of where we were four years ago. Can that be right? Yes, it is. When my opponent, and his newspaper, or his circulars, and the Peoples Party hierarchy, do all that they can to try to convince you otherwise, let them know that you already have the facts. And, those facts show that we've accomplished a lot, and in a fiscally sound way, as well.
Now, in two other areas, the "Motor Fuel Account" and the "Waterworks Account" we are down from where we were four years ago. Why? Because some major projects were completed over the last four years, and those pay-outs came from those accounts. The projects were the resurfacing of Forest Park Drive, the painting of the Observation Tower, and the resurfacing of Monroe Avenue. I'll have that information for you in the next couple of days.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Meet the Candidates Night to be Shown on Channel 22
If you were unable to attend the "Meet the Candidates" program last night at Village Hall, it was videotaped. It will be shown on Friday (20th) at 8:30 pm; and on Monday (23rd) at 9:00 pm; on Channel 22.
Monday, March 16, 2009
It's Countdown Time...
Yes, it's a mere three weeks and a day until the election. So, in even shorter order, the Peoples Party publication, in one form or another, should be darkening your doorsteps. Will it be the second issue of the Heights Examiner? A series of mailings showing my head superimposed onto the body of a demon? Is it even possible that the Peoples Party hierarchy might actually discuss the FACTS, even if they disagree with how we got to them?
We shall see. The odds are that the Peoples Party hierarchy will likely not report the full facts; spin what they can into weird and convoluted accusations; and throw as much as possible at the wall, hoping that some will stick.
If this is the first time you've checked into my blog, I sincerely request of you to read each and every posting. I know, I know. My writing style might put one into a very deep slumber, BUT I honestly believe that it's best when one has the facts regarding a situation, before arriving at a conclusion.
I went door to door a bit today, and I spoke with one very nice gentleman, whose children I went to high school with. He told me he heard in certain circles that we're "blowing" money. I told him that the fact was that my predecessor had actually spent more, percentage wise, of the revenues the Village received over his last four years, than we have percentage wise over our past three. He did not know that. I'm hoping he signs onto my blog soon, and reads down several postings to where the facts are laid out. This whole Earl Carter-led accusation about money being thrown away is typical of his campaign style... "Forget the facts, and full speed ahead."
I'll have more regarding the general fund and motor fuel tax funds, comparing 4 years ago to now, in the next few days. Until then, keep an open mind, demand the actual facts, and read through the whole blog, pretty please.
If you need some No-Doz sent over, I'll see what I can do.
We shall see. The odds are that the Peoples Party hierarchy will likely not report the full facts; spin what they can into weird and convoluted accusations; and throw as much as possible at the wall, hoping that some will stick.
If this is the first time you've checked into my blog, I sincerely request of you to read each and every posting. I know, I know. My writing style might put one into a very deep slumber, BUT I honestly believe that it's best when one has the facts regarding a situation, before arriving at a conclusion.
I went door to door a bit today, and I spoke with one very nice gentleman, whose children I went to high school with. He told me he heard in certain circles that we're "blowing" money. I told him that the fact was that my predecessor had actually spent more, percentage wise, of the revenues the Village received over his last four years, than we have percentage wise over our past three. He did not know that. I'm hoping he signs onto my blog soon, and reads down several postings to where the facts are laid out. This whole Earl Carter-led accusation about money being thrown away is typical of his campaign style... "Forget the facts, and full speed ahead."
I'll have more regarding the general fund and motor fuel tax funds, comparing 4 years ago to now, in the next few days. Until then, keep an open mind, demand the actual facts, and read through the whole blog, pretty please.
If you need some No-Doz sent over, I'll see what I can do.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Many Thanks to All for The Fund-Raiser
We had a great turn-out for the Independent candidates fund-raiser on March 7. I think everyone had a really good time, as well. Thanks to the Robin Crowe Band and the Roundstone Buskers for providing such wonderful music. Also, special thanks to all who helped on every level, and also provided desserts. Bob Hill, Scott Owen, and Sherryl Carter all put in long hours from beginning to end... it was truly a good time.
If you want to have a sign in your front yard for any of the Independent candidates, please give me a call at 688-6869 and let me know your address. The election is fast approaching, and we want people to be aware of what really is at stake here.
If you want to have a sign in your front yard for any of the Independent candidates, please give me a call at 688-6869 and let me know your address. The election is fast approaching, and we want people to be aware of what really is at stake here.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Adventures With the IEPA
A few weeks ago, the Peoria Heights Fire Department was called in to take control of a very odd situation. A house in the Village had a water pipe break, and it had been spewing out water for a few days (at least). The water had saturated the ground outside of the house, causing a heating fuel tank, buried right behind the house, to begin to shift and break open.
There was still a lot of heating fuel in the tank, and the rupture caused the fuel to leak out. We were soon in the midst of a possible calamity to the ground and the water surrounding this area. Our Fire Chief Norm Reichert, and every other available emergency personnel in the Village not only took control of the situation, but soon had it completely under wraps.
With some help and guidance from people in Peoria, and from the Illinois EPA, our emergency personnel stopped what could have been a major problem from happening. Using good judgment and utilizing their emergency training and skills, several hours after the first sign of the fuel coming from the yard, the situation was under control.
Shortly after the incident, I received the following e-mail from the attending representative from the IEPA:
"Mayor Allen,
It is was a pleasure working with your fire department. If it were not for their actions taken on the night of Feb 12, the surface water nearby would have surely been impacted along with additional properties.
While I have been at this site multiple times, I keep checking for any impacts to the surface water, and find none. I continue to attribute this too the actions taken on the night of this event.
This is the latest update with some photos. I will not sent the additional photos as described in the email, as you can just drive by.
I have relayed my recommendations to my superiors, that the Peoria Heights FD and Public Works be recognized by the Illinois EPA.
If you have question regarding this incident, please do not hesitate to call.
Respectfully,
George Krebs
EPS 3
Illinois EPA
Office of Emergency Response"
Not much more needs to be added. Outstanding job by our VOLUNTEER Fire & Emergency Personnel.
There was still a lot of heating fuel in the tank, and the rupture caused the fuel to leak out. We were soon in the midst of a possible calamity to the ground and the water surrounding this area. Our Fire Chief Norm Reichert, and every other available emergency personnel in the Village not only took control of the situation, but soon had it completely under wraps.
With some help and guidance from people in Peoria, and from the Illinois EPA, our emergency personnel stopped what could have been a major problem from happening. Using good judgment and utilizing their emergency training and skills, several hours after the first sign of the fuel coming from the yard, the situation was under control.
Shortly after the incident, I received the following e-mail from the attending representative from the IEPA:
"Mayor Allen,
It is was a pleasure working with your fire department. If it were not for their actions taken on the night of Feb 12, the surface water nearby would have surely been impacted along with additional properties.
While I have been at this site multiple times, I keep checking for any impacts to the surface water, and find none. I continue to attribute this too the actions taken on the night of this event.
This is the latest update with some photos. I will not sent the additional photos as described in the email, as you can just drive by.
I have relayed my recommendations to my superiors, that the Peoria Heights FD and Public Works be recognized by the Illinois EPA.
If you have question regarding this incident, please do not hesitate to call.
Respectfully,
George Krebs
EPS 3
Illinois EPA
Office of Emergency Response"
Not much more needs to be added. Outstanding job by our VOLUNTEER Fire & Emergency Personnel.
Crime Continues to Go Down in the Village
Our latest crime statistics are in, and they show that our "total crime index" is down by 3.4%. The Peoria Heights Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Dustin Sutton, continues to excel in its realm of expertise. Every area of crime was down this past year in relation to 2007, except in aggravated assault, which went from 25 cases to 32; theft, which went from 128 cases to 135; and arson, which went from 1 case to 2.
In every other area of crime (criminal sexual assault, robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft), our rates went down, and dramatically so.
Drug arrests went up by 23.3%. Bear in mind, most of these arrests come from people who don't even live in Peoria Heights, but they get arrested while in the Village. The police dog, Achilles, helped in another arrest just the other day, and that incident was in the paper this morning. Achilles has been paying big dividends already in our war on drugs.
All in all, a fine job by the police department.
In every other area of crime (criminal sexual assault, robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft), our rates went down, and dramatically so.
Drug arrests went up by 23.3%. Bear in mind, most of these arrests come from people who don't even live in Peoria Heights, but they get arrested while in the Village. The police dog, Achilles, helped in another arrest just the other day, and that incident was in the paper this morning. Achilles has been paying big dividends already in our war on drugs.
All in all, a fine job by the police department.
Friday, March 13, 2009
I Promise...
I promise that this will be the last posting I put up regarding Poplar Lane Park. Why? Because even I am sick and tired of discussing it. And, if I'm tired of it, I can imagine how everyone else feels about discussing it any further.
Why was I against the park being put in? A few major reasons. Number one, it's in a flood plain. Additionally, the Illinois River continues to silt in at a relatively rapid pace, so no matter what the Army Corps of Engineers might tell us, if you fill in the bowl with more sand, it holds less water. The flooding is only going to get worse.
Second, it was a duplication of services. Bielfeldt Park is just across Galena Road from Poplar Lane, and it has all of the services that Poplar Lane Park offers, except for the basketball hoop. More importantly, it's not in a flood plain.
Third, it's at the end of a dead end street. With a lot of use, this would be disruptive for the few houses on Poplar Lane. As it turns out, it's not used all that often, so the neighbors have been just fine with it being there. But, that's not what a public park is put in for.
Fourth, the costs. Over $225,000.00 of Village money was put towards Poplar Lane Park. For all of the above reasons, it should never have been considered, but just imagine what else that $225,000.00 could have been used for.
Now, the park is flooded again. We just paid $1,000.00 to have the most recent flood debris cleaned up a couple of weeks ago... now we're back to square one once more.
At the "Peoria Heights of the Future" meeting we had several days ago, an audience member stated that she felt that the money spent on Poplar Lane Park was a waste. I had to respond that while I agreed with her, the park is here, we need to maintain it, and we hope people will use it. My opponent in the upcoming election began yammering at the lady after the meeting, saying how the park got rid of the trailer park that was there, the bad tavern that was there, etc. etc. As if those things could not have been gotten rid of WITHOUT the park as part of the equation. Wrong.
How about just leaving it alone? Clear out the trailers... clear out the ravaged tavern... but then LEAVE IT ALONE. IT FLOODS. The feds paid for the buy-outs of the properties, so that there would be no further flood insurance pay-outs in the future... there was no money paid for these properties on the part of Peoria Heights. Now, JUST LEAVE IT ALONE. We already pay taxes on Bielfeldt Park for its maintenance. But, since Poplar Lane floods (and OFTEN!), why not just leave it alone; let it flood; after all, it IS a flood plain.
Well, I've talked this issue to death. It's over with and done; we have the park, and that's all there is to it. But, once more, I think it's representative of the sometimes odd (and expensive) projects that Mr. Carter was fixated on. I believe that Streetscape would have been the next "project" in line, and would have made Poplar Lane Park look like sheer brilliance.
So, now I promise... I won't bring this up any more. I just want the river to go back down.
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