Mayor’s Row……..by Ned Mitchell
Should the reformer/unreformer governor be teaching economics? Some folks think he has a lot to learn first, but lets see. I am sure by now most everyone has read about the plight of two recent high school graduates in Franklin County that were awarded $1,000.00 scholarships to use for college this fall. I know both of the students and their parents. They come from top notch families and they are very good students, the kind that we are all proud of and the kind that we know will be solid citizens. They received their letters of congratulations from all of the politicians, high fives and pats on the back, “go get ‘em”. Everyone was taking credit for the success of these two students and over 6,000 more in Illinois just like them. Everything was all set, they are enrolled in college classes this fall, its all set, but wait a minute. Here comes the reformer/unreformer and in a form letter from some bureaucrat from some bloated state agency, announces that the scholarships will not be funded due to a budget shortage. This is one of the most despicable acts I have seen this administration pull yet. Why one earth would you get on the stage and take credit for helping these students go to college and then get behind the scenes and pull the rug out from under them? Now all the politicians who sent the congratulatory letters are no where to be found. Give credit to Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes who immediately announced legislation to be voted on this fall that will restore the funding to these promised young people. Where is the reformer/unreformer governor? I’ll tell you where he is, he just made another trip to Marion to waste more of my tax dollars. We hear all this talk coming from politicians about investing in infrastructure for the future. What about investing in these young people for the future? I’d like someone to give some answers!
While we’re on the reformer/unreformer governor, did you notice the new legislation signed in Chicago to alleviate the shortage of nurses in Illinois? Here is another bone headed move by the king. Under this new law if you are from a certain Hispanic country you no longer have to take the pre-entrance exam to become a nursing student in Illinois. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for training nurses and hiring them in Illinois to alleviate the shortage. It just seems strange to me that we would single out residents from only one country and waive this test requirement for them. Why not just waive the requirement for all people who want to enter the field of nursing and make it apply across the board to everybody? I know I have a simplistic view of life a lot of the time but where has everyone’s common sense went to? Maybe I’m missing something here and if I am would someone please point out exactly what it is?
If the federal transportation bill passes in it’s present form and the President signs it into law it will be a boon for Illinois. Billions of dollars of federal highway money will come pouring into this state. Mt. Vernon will get millions of dollars for another exit project on I-57 and Marion will get millions of dollars for another exit project for I-57 down there. After all we’ve got little league baseball coming to Marion so we have to have a way for the two thousand fans that will be attending a game to get there. I mean a good high school football game will draw as many people so it just makes sense to do this project. Anyhow, millions of dollars in Jefferson County and millions of dollars in Williamson County, does anybody other than me see anything amiss here? What about Franklin County? We should be used to it by now but I can never seem to learn that.
I was cautiously optimistic that the proposed power plant in Franklin County would be a spark of hope for our economy but now I am beginning to have my doubts. From what I have read and in my simple thought process I understand this plant will burn waste coal. I’m not an expert, but that sounds suspicious to me, but it gets better. I am also told that the main backers of this project are the same people that sent Zeigler Coal into bankruptcy, formed a new company called Horizon and then promptly sent it into bankruptcy. Looks to me like there are two strikes out there and a fastball coming right down the plate. Everybody in an official capacity really needs to keep an eye on this project to make sure we are not being sold a bill of goods here. I’ve said it before though, when they start moving the dirt and hiring employees, I’ll believe it! We’ve had enough press conferences to last a life time and it is time for action. By the way, how does the state of Indiana and the state of Kentucky manage to burn their own coal? That would be a good question for some of you supporters of the reformer/unreformer governor to ask him the next time he ventures to Marion!
Dinner tickets are sold out for the huge “Gotta Travel On” tribute to Billy Grammer on August 27th, but the good news is there will be an outdoor concert, weather permitting at the same place. Valente’s Terrace in downtown Sesser is hosting this event and the Sesser Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sesser are sponsors. Bring a lawn chair and listen to some very good music and help us honor Billy Grammer for his life long accomplishments and to also celebrate his 80th birthday. Tickets are $7.00 and will be available at the door.
Don’t forget the annual Christopher Homecoming is this weekend in Christopher and they have many events planned that will feature something for just about everyone. I am looking forward to the car show. Their committee has worked many long hours in putting this project together and if you need information call 724-7648.
We are sorry to report the loss of two Sesser residents since the last column. Howard Eubanks and Nellie Boyd both passed away last week. Howard was a lifelong friend and supporter and one of the few remaining “good democrats”. Howard was always available when we would meet up on the street with advice from the old school and was passionate about being a democrat. Howard grew up in an era when politicians visited in person to families and made stump speeches, before television commercials. I visited with him a few months back at the Dollar Store in Sesser and he was still studying the issues of the day.
Nellie Boyd, wife of Bert Boyd, was also a friend and supporter of mine but did run against me as mayor a time or two. On several occasions when I did not have an opponent for mayor, I would notice in the south precinct of Sesser Nellie Boyd would get one write in vote for mayor and her husband Bert would get one write in vote for mayor. Bert finally told me one time that while they were supporters of mine, when it came time to vote, they each voted for the other since I had no opposition. He assured me that if I did have an opponent they would vote for me but as long as I did not they would just vote for each other. What a love story! Our condolences to both of these families, we will miss them in Sesser but will remember the history they were a part of.
Sesser residents Mollie Atchison and Clara Kiselewski are both home from the hospital now and would appreciate a call, visit, or card. We are glad they are back in Sesser and wish them a speedy recovery.
Cousin Jerry Dame and wife Joyce, of Houston, are visiting his mother Norma Dame in Sesser this week on their annual trip home and we look forward to spending a little time with them and catch up on events that have happened during the past year.
If you need help on a city matter or have a question or comment, give us a call at 625-3611, 625-5322, or 625-5788. You can also email me at nedmitchell@verizon.net or visit or web page at www.sesser.org or even do the old fashioned thing, write us a letter or drop by for a personal visit. City council meets Thursday night at city hall at 7:00 pm!
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