Mayor’s Row……by Ned Mitchell
Greetings from Sesser where our 50th Homecoming is in full swing and the town is putting it’s best foot forward as we entertain thousands of guests and visitors. All of the entertainment is free and a different show is featured each night. On Saturday there are all kinds of activities in place, something for everyone and the event wraps up Saturday night. If you are interested in attending any of the events, give us a call at 625-3611 or 625-5322 and we’ll fill you in on the details. You can also find out about the event on Sesser’s web page www.sesser.org We hope to see you there!
According to the latest employment figures Illinois is finally experiencing some job growth, that is if you can believe what is being said. I know it is a sad state of affairs when folks have to check facts out when our very own government releases information. It seems as though we are often told just part of the story. I’m still not convinced the recently passed budget is going to be good for Illinois. Local government was once again robbed by the reformer/unreformer governor. Consider this money that is being taken from local government, $3,050,154.00 from Parks and Conservation 200 Fund; $716,232 from the Community Water Supply Lab Fund; $222,433.00 from the Public Pension Regulation Fund; $76,981.00 from the LEADS Maintenance Fund; $647,749.00 from the Illinois Tourism Tax Fund; $132,876.00 from the Local Tourism Fund; $1,382,347.00 from the Traffic & Criminal Conviction Surcharge Fund; $151,493.00 from the Second Injury Fund; and get this, a whopping $130,500,000.00 from the Road Fund. Now mind you this is not a tax increase but all of this money is being taken from local government and given to state government. This is the same governor that recently hired some of his California pals to the tune of over $400,000.00 to study the Illinois Department of Corrections to see if they are understaffed.
But, in the midst of all the bad economic news, Big Johns and Bonanza closing in West City, K-Mart closing in Carbondale, Joy Manufacturing closing in Mt. Vernon, the cookie factory closing in Du Quoin, Hucks closing in Sesser, we still have little league baseball coming to Marion. I touched on that subject last week, but ran out of room. Wealthy trial lawyer John Simmons from the metro east area is the father of this idea, and it might not be a bad one, I just have a problem with my tax money being spent on this venture. If we were awash in money in this state and things were good, it might be a great idea. But the last time I checked attorney Simmons had not missed any meals and was not standing in a chow line. It all has to do with having priorities. Then Simmons is quoted in an area newspaper that he is not sure where the state money is at but it is in some “pot of money for southern Illinois” that was put in the budget. Hey, some of my best friends are attorneys, but when an attorney starts talking about tax money being in a big pot, look out! Its like someone trying to sell an interest in an oil well. If it is such a good deal, why not keep it for yourself? If this is such a good deal, Simmons should hoard the project for himself. We’ll get those same fantastic tourism benefits and he can have the best seat in the house and keep all the money the team makes. That way it does not cost the taxpayers anything, he will be a lot richer and we’ll be happy our tax dollars are not put in a big pot!
So, if there is a big pot of money to be distributed in southern Illinois by governor reformer/unreformer, how much is in the big pot in Chicago to be handed out? Folks in Springfield say there is over 200 million dollars in the big pot up there. Here is how it works, I’ve been there and done that. When budget time rolls around in Springfield and the push is on, the “leaders” count heads and see how many votes they can round up for a budget. This year, with democrats running everything, no republicans were needed. That’s not a bad thing, when the republicans ran everything under George Ryan a few years ago they did not need the democrats to loot the place. Anyhow, democrats soon figured out that if some of us hold out, they will have to give us something for our vote. All these pet pork projects start to surface and in order to get the budget passed, the governor and majority party leaders dole out the cash. That’s how the system works in Springfield. It will be interesting to see what projects are funded not only in Chicago, but also down here. Don’t suggest a baseball team for down here, that idea is already taken!
With all the recent legislation on methamphetamine use and production in Illinois you’d think things would be looking up. But they are not as Illinois is seriously lagging behind other border states in getting tough on this problem. Iowa has the toughest laws on the books, Missouri, Tennessee and Arkansas have also done much more than we have. Illinois State Police say these other states getting tougher has sent the meth heads to Illinois in huge numbers. What’s the problem in Illinois? State police lay the blame at the foot of the lobbyists in Illinois who contribute millions of dollars to our politicians. They have blocked attempts in Illinois to toughen up our laws. This is a problem that we are not taking as seriously as we should in this state. We throw money at treating it when every expert in the world will tell you it is one of the most untreatable drug addictions available anywhere. We take baby steps to curb the sale of ingredients when experts tell us that most manufacturers are stealing the ingredients in large amounts and not purchasing them over the counter. It is time for our legislators to step up to the plate and tell the campaign cash cows that we are going to get tough on this problem in Illinois. Look around folks, every state around us has a tougher set of laws on meth than we do. Go figure!
The City of Sesser police department got some great news last week. We received a grant for $21,000.00 from the Local Law Enforcement Homeland Security agency. The money will be used to replace ancient radio and computer equipment in the police department. None of the money will be used for salaries, only equipment. Sesser was one of the very few area departments who received money. The competition for funding was tough, as usual, but Chief Rob Barrett did an outstanding job writing this grant and attending the various workshops to put Sesser in the running for the money.
You still have time to reserve a seat for the Chicago Chamber Orchestra live performance on Wednesday, June 22 at 7:30 pm at the historic Sesser Opera House. World famous musicians will be performing live. There are some seats left, but we are thinking this may be a sell out once folks figure out the caliber of talent that will be on stage that night. We might also be able to have a reception after the concert that would allow area residents to visit with these professional musicians. Franklin County has never seen this much talent at one time on a single stage and we are fortunate to be able to host the event. Call 625-3611 or 625-5322 for tickets and don’t forget the free concert that afternoon for kids. It will allow kids to interact with the musicians and every band student in the area should take advantage of this free session. There is also a session for babies from age 0-3 to hear some soothing music. This all begins at 2:00 pm and is free to the public.
How fortunate are we? If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over head and a place to sleep, you are better off than 75% of the world. If you have any money in the bank, a little in your wallet, and change in a dish, you are among the 8% of the world’s wealthiest people. If you are healthy, you are indeed rich! Something to think about this week and we in Sesser hope you have a great one! If you have a comment, question, or suggestion call 625-3611 or 625-5322 or email nedmitchell@verizon.net or visit our web page at www.sesser.org
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