" Birds of a feather.

Thanks, Dave; now I know who not to vote for. "

" David, why would I or anyone care what you think? Maybe these are candidates you don't want to win and know your endorsement is the "kiss of death". Good strategy. "

" Why would Dave Shillings be endorsing Tim Gover who has alined himself with the fire dept. looks like there may be some monkey business going on here. I for one will not vote for any of the 3. The word out on Gover is he is inline with a sales tax increase that the current council is considering if they get back in and they need another yes man. I suppose we will see what the rest of the bloggers think of this soon. "

" JOEBLOW get the facts right, the City cannot legaly raise the sales tax any higher than it is. Only home rule communities can raise the sale taxes above Mattoon's current level of 6.75%. "

" So, M.P.L., how did they get that extra sales tax on in the mall area? I believe they refer to it as a "kicker" and I don't recall voting on it. "

" The kicker tax, was sold as going to infrastructure, and property tax relief. How is that going? It had 1.3 million after 5 or so years, and they bought a corn field with it, for a pond and ditch they didn't have money to dig. How many times have they raised property taxes max levy?

The shopping toll they placed on the malls district, needs to see that 1 district do more 40 million in annual taxable sales, just to cover the interest they pushed to lock in. They let CVS swap TIF's, to leave an empty store space at the worst possible time, in the one district that must meet a minimum, or have taxpayers make up the difference from something else they fund. They propose to do the same shopping toll reasoning for another fund all together on the propped up convention centre plan. Their lawyer and accountant say they can.

Still no word on if the library goes district, will the city lower its tax rate accordingly, or will they pocket the 400k. If the city feels shedding the library as a responsibility is an opportunity to circumvent PTELL and boost their coffers 400k, it would not surprize me in the least. This lot has been rather underhanded, sneaky, and self serving, quite often. "

" Rick Hall was a horrible Scool Board member and he has been a horrible commissioner. Just look at how he disregarded the voters on the new schools. "

" Primo- yeah, those new schools were a horrible mistake. With the modern technology, energy efficiency, environmental controls, modern teaching methods... Terrible! "

" These three specificly will be a probable continuation of directions. If you feel the city is on the right track, by all means, these are the three to keep things headed in the same direction. Hall was appointed to replace Cline, when he took over as mayor. Gover has been on the public works advisory board, which has shaped studied and voted for many decisions, before the council has approved them. Ervin has been there for the duration, in charge of public safety. If you feel any or all of them, deserve to continue to shape the direction of this community, these three have an established voting record to base that choice on.

Of the other 7, I don't know who best fits to be a continuation. The remaining 7 have near zero track record, outside of their personal accomplishments, and occupations. Abiltiy to run a successful business, or venture, can be an asset, but not much has been covered in depth, to determine what their priorities are in running for these positions.

This paper is yet again ineffective at covering local issues. Even though their 10 articles on the council candidates, and a few other area races, are substancially more than they usually commit to coverage of local issues, little real information has been provided, given the importance of this election cycle for many tax bodies in communities it covers. They have run numerous bits about library expansions, but never confronted issues with it directly. Every article on them, has been largely, if not entirely PRO.

The thread on Ervin's profile, made the archives already. Cheerleading, siding, and fake outrage belong only on the opinion page. This paper is probably as much to blame, for many issues, as the suspected string pullers behind the scenes. "

" Thats not the point Collatine,the voters rejected new schools twice.I guess you and Hall feel the same, the public shouldnt decide how to spend THEIR money! "

" Wow, the profile on Hall, didn't even last 24 hrs, before it got the hook and sent to the archives. It only had 2 comments, to boot. Out of sight, out of mind they hope, I suppose. Probably the last time for this sort of indepth local coverage. If benovolent benefactors suddenly fail to be represented to their liking, they might roll some heads at the local news agancy. Perhaps they will by it completely, rather than just renting it when it suits them. "

" Hey Collatine,can you explain how the new buildings improved the teaching methods? "

" Mike P wrote on Apr 3, 2009 8:24 PM:

" Wow, the profile on Hall, didn't even last 24 hrs, before it got the hook and sent to the archives.



I'm guessing they got a call from Mr Big, who was upset at how his boy was being treated. lol! "

" It looks as though our men at the fire house have figured out how to put a fire out. When you throw gasoline on a fire guys it just burns bigger,You seem to have learned a lesson here. When you want some thing to just go away, you hav to leave it alone. This blog is a place that will consume your mind and it is not very productive.The police dept. if you noticed and the public works dept have bee unscaved all through this election.WHY? because they stayed out of sight and out of mind,just as your dept. has for many years. Don't let this thing eat you up as it is nothing but alot of hot air.Most people will not pay any attention to people who are negitive and slanderous. The public likes people who smile and treat them with respect and your dept does that every day,so keep your heads up and fight fires not words. Have a Great day and God bless our city. "

" I'm not sure about the first, but one look at the last two names, in this letter's title, brings one word to mind....

Shyster, with a capital S!

Now, let's see how long this letter lasts.
LOL! "

" Someone must have called back, lol...

Not only resurected , but in the most commented prominently displayed position, with 3 total, but (2) displayed. Random computer actions are baffling. Back in the good old days of goto, if then, run and home, variables could be set, and things were either truely random, partly random, or they weren't, if that was your programming goal. What is the point, of constantly manipulating the displayed number of comments, to put specific selections in that section? Most commented section, should be pretty cut and dry, and more decided by the public, than a steering comitee. Change it to what we think is best for you to read and easily find, right now, or quit shuffling the deck under the table. If your programmer has trouble working out these bugs, I think lakeland offers some course work on it, or could steer you to a less difficult program to run to control simple storage issues like this, including counters for each page view. If your gonna spout off numbers, like several hundred thousand views a month, not having an unbiased counter display is only keeping your advertizers and potential ones from seeing the possibilities of online advertizing, preferably without roosters and other sounds. Its cheaper, takes up less space, and is more effective, if it isn't irritating, and annoying. "

" Amen, & great post, Mike P! "

" ROTTY
You are correct but you forgot to point out that the person who wrote this letter is also a SHYSTER!! "

" Dave, you are one of the worst Councilmen we have ever had in Mattoon. Your endorsement will do more for not electing these candidates than just about anything. Hall and Ervin, along with you, have placed Mattoon on the verge of collapse. Like Nero you have fiddled while Rome burned. Why do you think we want to know you opinion? "

" Primo - I would suggest that voters don't always know what is best for them... (depending on your political persuasion, look at either the current and immediate past President for illustration).

Good leaders, however, may discern what is best for the community, despite the misgivings of the public.

When the voters of Mattoon became one of about 3 communities in the entire state to turn down state money for new schools in a referendum a decade ago, my wife and I decided to move from Mattoon. If "the people" had such short vision that they cannot invest in the very best for its children, we reasoned, then we wanted no part of it. We figured that the referendum proved that Mattoon would shrivel and disappear in a generation or so. After all, communities that invest in their children thrive, communities that don't -- die.

Years later, we contemplated moving closer to Mattoon to be closer to our family. But we wanted to move to a place with modern schools - we weren't sending our daughter to a building built a century ago.

We thought about Charleston, because Charleston had good schools. We thought about Tuscola... but then we were surprised to hear that the leaders of Mattoon decided that the voters got it wrong, and went ahead and built new schools. I visited one of them, and it was settled. We bought a house in Mattoon.

Leaders lead, even when it's unpopular. Rick Hall and the other members of that board led, and because of them, we moved back to Mattoon. Am I saying they get everything right? I don't know - all I'm saying is, investing in children is one of the best things we can do for economic development and for equipping our children to compete in a global marketplace.

I'd be glad to further discuss the value of modern schools anytime, and can be reached at dougovermyer@ gmail.com. "

" oops oops....

You're very correct, JOEBLOW.

As BW pointed out a few days ago, an endorsement from this letter writer is the "kiss of death". "

" Doug.. The problem with Rick Hall is that he went against the publics veiw and at the tme he did we had a 25 million $ surplus ad now we are in trouble again. The public doesn't trust him,and for good reason. When you are elected you are supposed to do what the people who elected you want. I believe that is why they vote for them isn't it? If some one brought their semi in for you to fix the alt. and you ask which they wanted a rebuilt or brand new and they replied rebuilt because it would save them $200.00 and you decided that you would just put on a new one and tell them you didn't like putting on rebuilt ones. How do you think they would repond? The tax payers in the city are the ones straped with the bill now and we are looking at more taxes because they have overspent. It has to stop some where.People are moving away faster than they are moving in because our taxes are so high here. Look at the censes for the last few years and you will see we are losing population,this means you and I are responsible for more taxes now.Then why is it that Rick Hall Resigned from the school board because of a conflict of interest and then he is appointed to the council seat. Is this not another conflict of interest? The telephone co. is very large here in the city and being owned by some one who lives here,I think it is Lumkins way of staying on the inside of the city.This is wrong and should be addressed. Look at your tax bill and see what % of it is for the schools. You will be paying that for as long as you live here and your kids will not even be going to school here and will probably move away to find a better life with better jobs like most others do and you and I will still be here paying the bills. think about it !!! "

" Thinking of Ervin & Hall, one song comes to mind, as well....

Sha-Na-Na-Na Hey Hey Hey Goodbye! "

" I guess it could apply to Mr. Schilling as well.
LOL! "

" Government for me, especially the local positions, is preferably something that just works, doesn't need baby sat, henpecked, or constant cheerleading. People seek the job, looking only to do the best possible service for their community, and make their responsibilities be met, as economicly as possible.

If they do business, every day, mindfull of the impacts on average citizens, their kids and grand kids, pro and con, and try to keep it managable, much more I couldn't ask. Keeping everyone happy, isn't their job. Even trying to, could keep the most dedicated and commited person hopping from position to position, and not getting much of anywhere.

Creative ideas, thinking outside the box, and other solutions, can be an asset, if the ones deciding them, are also well familure with basic fundamental skills, thoroughly do their homework, and can effectively evaluate situations properly. No one expects them to be 100 percent right, but if they start constantly trying bigger and riskier schemes, to make up for the last oops, have less or no new means to pay their bills, but run up the tab with no concern, public service may not be a fit for them. There is no shame in finding that out, but faking it or ignoring it, just wont do.

Government should be like your morning coffee maker. Put the water, filter and coffee in, set it, and it just works. When it doesn't work for what ever reason, is the only time you need consider much about it, besides the time you selected it out of the many that could have landed on your counter. "

" Mike - your posts are very reasonable. What's beautiful about a republican form of government is we have a social contract with our representative leaders; if a majority doesn't like what they do, they can be replaced.

Blackbart - I disagree with the philosophy that you vote someone in to do the "public's" will. A political leader is voted in because we trust him or her to learn about issues (e.g., read the Bill before voting on it), be smart, good problem solvers, men and women of virtue and character who share most of our principles. I may disagree with how they vote or act on this or that, but for the most part, my vote is earned on trust. I am not a single-issue voter. (Yes, I'm a bit of an idealist).

Yes, I understand the complaint against what the board did ten years ago. I just happen to agree with it, because among other things we wouldn't have moved 'home' if it didn't happen. Besides, it was TEN years ago...

Incidentally, my tax bill in Coles County is considerably lower than it was in Cook County (of course, services are less too), but I agree that the taxes in this state are too high, compared to neighboring states.

Anyway, your challenge seems less and less with Mr. Hall and more and more with Mr. Lumpkin, the chairman of a company that provides hundreds of millions of dollars in payroll in this county... a really SINISTER conspiracy! But go ahead and take it out on Mr. Hall, a man who's integrity stands above your real or imagined insinuations. "

" Collatine-How grateful we are that you deigned to return to our humble county. Is your wife involved at all in the educational field? Did you have any involvement at all in the design or construction of the new, unauthorized, school buildings? Just curious. Personally, I don't care whether you live here or not. From comments you have made, you are one to bail when things get tough. Who needs that sort of citizen? "

" Mr Big runs Coles county, and anyone who thinks otherwise is only fooling them self. Hall merely does his bidding. "

" I am concerned here that we have a council member that does not listen to the publics opinion also Collatine. I would never vote for some one who out and out disregaurded the publics opinion,i feel that they are elected by the people to do what the people vote on in the case of a referendom.Other wise there is no reason to have a referendom.I happen to live on the west side of town and have to deal with the traffic problems that have been created since building the schools out here and i believe that the nieborhood schools were an asset to the children and their parents as the children who were old enough to walk their selves home from school did keep alot of cars off the streets. The area around the schools is so congested that we are thinking about moving from our home where we have lived for 40+ years, And if we do it will not be in Mattoon,I tend to agree with Black Bart here on this issue. I will not be voting for Mr. Hall as I believe he has cost the tax payers in the city of Mattoon more than they can afford to pay. "

" How is the 10 million dollar loan they took out, for the mall district to figure out how to pay back, much different, than how they went about the schools.

Suppose you sell RVs along there, think a 1% shopping toll, will keep you competitive, and afloat in tough or good times? How might many businesses be less competitive, with a 1% shopping toll.

CVS was allowed to jump ship, and swap districts, questionable if not against the rules. Any one think there isn't space for a CVS/Midas, along broadway ave east? Is being across the street from the medicine shoppe, an advantage over being closer to walgreens? Think the smaller business might loose any customers, with this move? Things like this are obvious questions. If it werent being propped up by sequestered taxes through TIF, and now short changing the one district with a 10 million dolar set commitment that eats 4.x percent interest annualy, until it is satisfied, it would probably be less of a questionable decision. There is at least 200k just in interest on this mall bailout/skatepark/magic pond loan, likely so far. Since they haven't spent the money yet, wouldn't it be cheaper to pay it back now. A new council could do such a thing. They could revisit many decisions, including that leach of a convention centre, that is a go, only if they can not pay out all their taxes for up to 35 years. Not only is the city covering well beyond hook ups to the curb, like they would any development, they want to help with landscaping, and other aspects of this risky business investment.

TIF seems like a mafia designed development tool, doesn't it? Just the way it works, is why many an organized crime figure wound up in jail ultimately, for decades. Only In Illinois, would you get a law that makes this little sense, impacts as many hard working people as it does, and benefits few in return. Its no wonder its Daleys favorite pet up north, and nearly 1/3 of chicago is in a TIF. 3 years ago, 1 billion a year was kept from tax coffers throughout the state, half of which was form the chigago area. Tis money held back is not going to schools, libraries, municipal general funds, parks and all the other things taxes continually get raised to bring in more money for. Is it any wonder this state can't pay its bills? Most of the chicago loop, is a TIF, including the sears tower that may now get a name change.

Every likely development corridore is now a TIF, in Mattoon. Where is any non TIF development likely to happen. Still no word on commercial property assessments going on 3 years behind. If the tifs they created, were underassessed, when they set the rate, who looses out on even more, for up to the next 35 years. Most places the school board is the loudest voice agaist TIF, because of the price they pay, in not being fully paid. Between them and the lakeland board, how much of a noise have they made about tax dollars being kept from them? Why do you think that is?

I recently read a piece on the top best places in the country to find cheaper taxes. Chicago was mentioned, and it's the cost of living there, that more than makes up for the difference. I have friends and family there, and their average daily commute, is probably longer than it takes me to drive there from here.

If the moderator would allow it, much more would be said about several monopoly business operators, who like to shape local decisions the way that best benefits them. Consolidated is one of several.

I see that agricel, has bought most of the ground north of Mattoon, already proposed as an industrial park. These are the ones who brought TIF to town, for their convention centre now on its third try. City had to annex that area east of 57, just so they could TIF it. No Hall is not the root of the problems, he was only appointed to replace Cline 18 months or so ago, but he has proven to be ineffective at not being completely led by the nose, or appearing to be, as have others. "

" Many monopolies are percieved behind the scenes benovolent benefactors, in shaping the direction of various aspects of this areas future.

If they spent a fraction of their usual efforts toward true sustainable growth, every one would win. Constantly meddling in geting more of a shrinking pie, solves what? If they backed things that actually spurred sustainable growth, their business would benefit, and the likelyhood for spontaneous development would increase. Illinois saw its population increase more than 10% over the last 15 years. This area has remained stagnated, and they have had a big hand in holding it back. From the hospital, to consolidated, to agricel now buying up land, this area is firmly in the grasp of a few, and they aren't interested in more than serving their immediate interests.

If this area thrived, wouldn't most of them? If they saw what should have been 10% growth, wouldn't that benefit their companies more in the long run? Instead they look for quick easy tax supported opportunities. This area is prime for all kinds of sustainable growth, it has been for decades. Its leaders haven't been effective at not having their strings pulled, including this very paper.

Anyone ever had a comment even if it doesn't specificly implicate anyone, not pass the moderator, because of its possible implications, and peoples abilities to read between the lines? If it were all made up, it would easily be refuted. If there is nothing to hide, what is the point of continually protecting specific interests.

From Thalmers ousting, to the Physicians assistant from Neoga, to many other questionable actions and decisions, this paper plays sides constantly. Even its news coverage is done, to not step on any toes of those backing a direction this area is being steered in. Legitimate questions aren't asked, facts provided aren't checked, provided statements are printed verbatem, with zero follow up. They can't even go to the trouble to search their own archives, on something the same reporter has covered numerous times, and presents each submission as his first time learning of it, and its not important enough to touch on beyond what they are handed to say specificly on it this time.

Tomorrow is the election. Can you tell who the paper is backing, and who they aren't? "

" BLACKBART, Rick Hall resigned from the school board BEFORE there was any conflict of interest. A conflict of interest never existed. When the phone company became a publicly traded company, Rick Hall, because of his integrity, asked the school district attorney to examine the issue. The attorney didn't know, whether a conflict of interest might exist. The school district, obviously does business with the local phone company. Mr. Hall, on his own, explored the issue with the attorney and to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, or the chance of a conflict of interest, decided to resign. He didn't have to. There was no conflict. Get your story straight.
I agree with Collatine. We elect people, not to do our bidding but to become experts on things, so they can make decisions that benefit our interests. When was the last time the city, state, or federal government asked you how they could spend your tax dollars? They don't. I see how you and many others on here could be confused. I dare any of you to discuss this matter with Mr. Hall, any other board member at the time, school administrator, teacher, etc. who actually understand all the ins and outs of the situation. How much do you know about tax laws, education regulations, etc.? If the Journal or anyone else would have given you an in depth explanation of the entire situation, you would be thanking the school board.
Are the new schools a good thing for Mattoon? Yes. Did the old schools need replacing? Yes, the state inspector said so. How much change in your taxes have actually occured because of the new schools? How do your tax rates compare to similar cities? Mattoon voters are a joke. The writing is on the wall. Uniformed and ignorant. Think about it. "

" LOL, on the republican form of government synopses.

Lets not forget Wortman and others who are hired and were retained, under these three. Can't leave out the administrator that was supposed to solve many issues that have obviously increased. Many conflict of interest issues, from the atty/accountant, to votes on things that should be abstained from. Cline voting on any use of omega funds, is still questionable, even if only because of his ties to the department.

Ignoring the past, and not looking to the future, is a big part of why this area is the way it is. Long term development plans, being pushed into subsidized short term gains, is going to hobble opportunity, and place even more burdens on taxpayers to even maintain what they can't already afford to keep up with.

Who ever wins, they have many messes on their hands. They need to look at the cons of TIF real hard, and seek only development studies that take the cons into account, rather than keep sweeping them under the rug. Seek complimentary development, rather than redundant and duplicated. Many past decisions, may need re evaluated, and some directions diverted or halted completely. Make sustainable growth the main goal. It won't happen over night, but it won't happen at all continuing the way business has been mishandled.

A city ordinance that would need a binding referendum to overturn, making the city live within its means, except for a dire emergency, would be a great place to start. An ordinance making referendums binding, might need to be included first, given this cities history. "

" Mattoon voters are a joke and ignorant. Not the first time that has been stated in reference to some, we know better than you do on how to do everything types.

Left out after the referendum faild again, maintenance was instructed to not be done if it wasn't going to immediately risk lives. Quickly demolished structures, can't be re evaluated. Central was the worst, and it was in good enough shape to try to sell, as they left it, says volumes.

New schools aside, if they had made a point to be more budget concious, and pinch pennies anywhere possible, they would not be in the financial situation they are now in again. Lets not forget numerous pleas to keep sports and other programs, before the new schools were forced while they sat on millions in surplus, just a few short years after.

How much is eaten up just inside the old post office? They are still looking to spend more than a million for a place to park their 30+ leased busses, even though they missed the grade in math, and have to cut 15 teachers from their payrolls. Even after another max levy. Priorities are still off base, and don't add up to effective management.

A+B=C, only if A and B add up to actually do it, or C is the sum of A and B, no matter what their values are. Creative accounting has its uses, but ocassionally when it comes to tax dollars, and budgets, C needs to be a fixed value, and A and B, need to actually fit the equation properly. "

" bw - what kind of citizen am I? A self-interested one. LOL My loyalty isn't to Mattoon although I do have roots here; it's to my family.

On another thread, I savaged the school administration about how they treated a certain coach, and commented that it reminded me why I didn't go into education, so no, no one in my family is on the local gov't payroll, nor in construction, alas. LOL

Your post reminded me of a conversation I had with a a local business owner, who was amused when someone accused him of wanting new schools just because it'd help the local economy and he'd make more money. GUILTY AS CHARGED! "

" Do you hire a mechanic to fix your car and then tell them how to do it? Being a school board member is a thankless job. They don't get paid. Most of what they get is grief. They donate hours and hours of their own time to try and do something good for the community, for the students, and the future of the community. Anyone who takes on this job should be applauded. And to accuse anyone of being selfish who serves on this board or others like it is absurd. If everyone posting to these blogs, sister rose and crew, is so smart and concerned for our city, where are they on the ballot? Everyone pays taxes, school board members aren't excluded. Rick Hall is a pillar of this community. It's sad and telling when someone of his character is skewered on pety comment boards like this. Unfortunately it's not really the voters in Mattoon who are wholly to blame, afterall with the Journal Gazette responsible for covering local politics it's no wonder that very few voters are informed. Do you charish our children? Do you have the courage to participate in local politics? Do you have the audacity to become informed? Do you and you alone know the best for this city?

I have no doubt that Rick Hall, if elected, will carefully examine all issues he faces and make the best decision he can based on the totality of that information, including the opinions of citizens. You would think that building new schools in Mattoon was some malicious act.

"If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference." A. Lincoln

"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." A. Lincoln

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." A. Lincoln "

" Hey Nick, how did Hall vote of the zone change for the new Walgreen's? Remember that one? I seem to recall the entire neighborhood signed a petition against it, and yet the city fathers allowed it to be built. Any idea of who owned the land involved? Here's a little hint: he's really a BIG guy. Oh no, surely there was no conflict involved. I could be wrong, and perhaps he sat out on the vote. So tell us, did Hall vote for it or not? lol! "

" Try this one on for size, Nick.

"You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time." -Abraham Lincoln

This pretty well sums up Mr Hall, & Mr Big, if you ask me. "

" Hey Nick good one with the mechanic.
I am no Dr.,Nurse or anything like that. But I do tell them how to draw my blood when I go in for blood work.
Back to the mechanic, by the way everyone I have had work on my car asked what to do before they did it. So yes I guess we do tell them. "

" Good one Rotty!! "

" Actually I have had issues with several mechanics, in the area, as a matter of fact. Now do most repairs myself, or head to north eastern coles county, to a excelent one.

Ever heard of a sun dial. That shadow is real enough, it can tell time. Can a tree tell time? A tree can tell pretty accurate history, but you usually have to cut it down to read it. Even a stump or mushrooms where the tree once stood, cast a shadow, and if you know what your doing, you can figure out what time it is.

Some people are easier distracted by shadow pupets than others. Que banjo music, and hee haw standard, if it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all. Gloom dispair and agony on me, aughoooo.

Check the archives, for rick hall, 2007 fall I think, it was discussed, about the conflict resignation, even his own words, weren't quite the way it was painted here. Sure is a lot of affection for some local leaders. Get down right bent out of shape, if their sacred cows get dust kicked up around them. Probably shouldn't expect them at the BBQ.

Seems the pay, and job expectations are pretty clear, for many positions. One persons idea of bettering society, has often been anothers idea of opression. Does it really matter if they are doing it for free or not? Heres a free tip, if you think you have all the answers to anything, don't run for public office. The last thing needed in government of any level is a know it all, that has nothing more to learn. Many a business has been run in the ground, or wrong direction, because of I know, no one else does leadership. "

" I stand corrected, spring 06 resignation from school board, was explaind verbatem, as was above. Fall 07 read differently to me. Spring 06, he had additionally been made VP of their telemarketing operations. Just the larger work load would have sufficed as explanation, as I see little difference in a now possible legal definition of a now public traded posing possible conflict of interest, and a percieved one for a non publicly traded business. One is more likely than another to have the FCC and others keep an eye out, for impropriety, but usually these folks are largely on their honor to abstain from decisions that would benefit themselves or their company, or any other personal interest gains. "

" Harry, I'm pretty sure Hall wasn't on the city council when the zoning was determined for Walgreen's. That was several years ago and,you are correct, the whole neighborhood was up in arms about it. "

" No doubt the L machine paved walgreens site approval, but Hall was on school board for 11 years, until resignation in spring 06. 04 something was held in former walgreens location at the mall, and summer 02, new walgreens and home depot were both looking at being open by december. Archives are like pulling teeth, to even load right now, for some reason. Never got to see whose strings were pulled, to put it there.

It hasn't been often if at all, the city council hasn't been well representing various benovolent benefactors interests, for decades. Which sock puppet they land or appoint, really makes little difference. They have been on or in the ears of many local boards and councils. Hopefully a few less chances at that 7.5 years to be vested in the elected official pension/benefits plan are offered this year. Might pink slip a few hired help-support staff, before they hit the milestone.

What were the changes to new hired city positions, benefits? Odd there was all this talk about staffing and benefits costs, and they failed to remind folks what they did. The way the paper has only even allowed three names in its random listing of articles, pretty much since the weekend, and they put halls profile back up, yanked it, and decided endorsement might be better coverage. I can't believe there wasn't a highlight reel, of all this councils, and gover on the public works board, which pre approves many decisions, the council gets to coreograph votes on, decisions. Surely there were dozens of examples of sound leadership, management skills, and fiscal responsibility that could have been rounded up by the council team reporter, just from his extensive indepth coverage, since he landed the beat. "

" A fool can no more see his own folly than he can see his ears.
William Makepeace Thackeray

No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions.
Charles Steinmetz

Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers. VOLTAIRE

A prudent question is one-half of wisdom. Francis Bacon "

" BW wrote on Apr 7, 2009 10:31 AM:

" Harry, I'm pretty sure Hall wasn't on the city council when the zoning was determined for Walgreen's. That was several years ago and,you are correct, the whole neighborhood was up in arms about it. "


Are you sure? I seem to recall one of L's boys being on the council and getting real indignant that anyone would think his employer would influence his vote. Were there any other of L's employees on the council during that time period? I thought it was Hall, but perhaps I'm wrong.

I do remember the petition drive and thinking that those folks were spitting in the wind, once I heard who owned the land in question. "

" Harry, if you're sure you're talking about Walgreen's, Hall wasn't on the council then. That was during Mayor Ferguson's time. But I expect your guy had that one wired too. "

" Harry, You're thinking of Bud Raboin. Right you are about the L boy. He may have even been living in a "rental" house then owned by you know who. "

" Thanks, just watching, I just could not resist.
LOL "

" Raboin was one who opposed paving over bricks, and eventually got booted from streets to another responsibility.

Searched archives for walgreens lumpkin, 0 results. Did ferguson raboin, and put the oldest articles first, and got a semi refresher course on bickering, contested drawn out decisions. Majority of those 5 signed up for police in link building, leaf burning ban, depot, water sold to neoga power plant would save the lakes. New interchange, ampad warehouse, and began the brick paving over. Not sure raboin was the problem in the votes of the 5.

Problem since then, is nothing done to take stock in addressing the reality of today, and many things they did are probably still being paid for. Went from discussing decisions till the cows come home, to rapid fire seemingly coreographed voting.

Eventually a council is going to have to stop continuing the bad business model. Until things are paid up, no new or extravagant or unnecessary expenses. Find creative ways to cut any and all costs possible.

Ten years ago they bickered about almost everything heatedly, and just about 15th street, for 2 years or more, and raboin was on the side to keep the bricks. 3 eventually felt his contention about them being more durable, and cheaper in the long run didn't hold water like the pot holes in it and other streets now will.

Never found anything on allowing walgreens, until it was under construction and 6 months from being completed. "

" council members in 90"s: maybe bob McDowell, Baker, Wright, Raboin, Neal, one of which is famous for the fireman spike.
Why must there be a Lumpkin conspiracy in every other post? Do you really believe he has that much time to devote to our small matters. I don't think Hall or any mystery councilman in the 90's checked in with Mr Lumpkin - ever. On face value, with no conspiracy value added, and reserving judgement on the firehall allegience of Rankin, I think Mattoon did well tonight. cheers to the thoughtfulness of the voters of your city. "

" Old Grumpy, Harry Potter, Rotty, gringa, Primo, JOEBLOW, and BLACKBART: you are all nattering nabobs of negativism, or negabloggers in nuevo parlance. Your views have been completely repudiated. Please stop posting. Actually I do not really care if you contiunue because I shall read your postings no more.

Mike P. you are hereby given the moniker of The Unablogger. Please let us know when you decide to come out of your cabin so the rest of us can take sufficient cover. "

" Thanks, Sisphus, you little monitor wannabe you.

Just for you, we'll all keep up the great work.

Not to worry, you can thank us again & again later.

LOL! "

" Four seats chosen from 10 candidates, is usually a long shot at enacting a sweeping change. The four winners have every opportunity to make this an opportunity for Mattoon. There is never a guarantee a sweep would be better, or even different. The only guarantee is choices and decisions will be faced, evaluating many of them needs to be based on Mattoon specificly, not this worked here, and that worked there. Don't wind up baffled... Stop signing up decades or generations of IOU's...Don't squander assets, like has been done at lake paradise...Best of luck, it won't be any easier, but hopefully things come together to make this city better. It has to start and end with good jobs, everything else follows where they are, and doesn't need a carrot, you have to sort through and turn some away. "

" Sisphus wrote on Apr 7, 2009 10:28 PM:

" Old Grumpy, Harry Potter, Rotty, gringa, Primo, JOEBLOW, and BLACKBART: you are all nattering nabobs of negativism, or negabloggers in nuevo parlance. Your views have been completely repudiated. Please stop posting. Actually I do not really care if you contiunue because I shall read your postings no more.



Wow, a fan of Spiro Agnew no doubt. I haven't heard any Spiro quotes for quite a while. You must be quite a fan of the late VP.

We're not gonna miss you pal. Monitor wannabes aren't real popular on this site, and rarely have any credibility with any of the regulars regardless of their views. You would probably be more comfortable crawling back into the hole you came out of.

And out of curiosity, I wonder why anyone would pick a posting name that sounded like a venereal disease?

And just in case the VD kid is still watching, disagreement is not the same thing as repudiation.

And for our friend, Rotty. Got an extra tissues? I'm sure all of those who seem to upset our little friend will be crying their eyes out today over his little hissy fit. I'm gonna head out to the store pretty soon and stock up on some for myself. lol! "

" Isn't sisphus something that can be treated with penicilin? "

" GEE; just had to come and offer my apologies on the outcome of this election.
Either the voters or the judges were wearing ROSE COLORED GLASSES... "

" LOL @ HP!!

I've done my shopping early this morning.
I even picked up some meds for the sniffles.

I'm stocked, locked, & ready to rock!
LOL! "

" Try blinders,citizen of cartoon. "