Mayor’s Row…..by Ned Mitchell
We have had a good week in Sesser and for that we are thankful. Our long awaited street project on Matthew and Walnut Streets is finally completed and I must say the workers did a fantastic job once again. This has been a major project for us and for sure inconvenienced residents and church members for several weeks. The end result however is worth the inconvenience. Although a few residents that do not live in the neighborhood did not understand the time, money, and effort being spent most think the long term result is worth it. One Sesser resident did question the need to spend all that money and why didn’t we just patch the holes and go on. That’s a good question and one that needs an answer. Since I have been Mayor here for almost three decades I have found a lot of hidden secrets about past administrations in Sesser. No, I don’t have any dirty laundry, no skeletons in the closet, or such. I have found streets that have nothing but dirt under the oil and chip surface, short pieces of rotten galvanize water pipe scabbed between sections of copper pipe buried under an asphalt street, or a short section of tin culvert sandwiched between concrete pipe also under an asphalt street. These are surprises because they should not have been installed and we scratch our heads and wonder why this would have been done. Was the city short on funds, or were they in a hurry to get things done, or did they just not care about the future? Make no mistake about it, 50 years from now whoever is running this city is not going to find projects that we have done that will cause them problems. We use the best material available, our workmanship is of the highest caliber, and we do not cut corners. The job is done right and the end product will be here for generations to come. I don’t want future administrations to dig up any mistakes and scratch their heads and wonder just what Ned Mitchell and his workers were thinking when they cut a corner and covered it up. So it may cost us a little more and take a little more time but the city workers, aldermen, and I have a lot of pride in Sesser and as we build I can assure you that it will be done right.
The Illinois legislature studied the reformer/unreformer governor’s health insurance plan for kids and passed it in a record 4 days. Gone were the lengthy hearings to study the issue and figure out how much it would cost, who would pay for it and other such trivial issues. I mean this is government at its best, our elected leaders saw a problem and immediately solved it. Of course they are using some else’s money to solve it but that is beside the point. The bottom line is they are a hard working bunch of folks and have taken this issue up head on and voted to insure all children in Illinois who do not have coverage. It’s a good thing and I’ll be willing to do my share to help provide health care for kids who do not have it. So while I am often critical of the process in Springfield I on the other hand like to see things get done so hats off to all those who promoted this concept. Lets make sure it works efficiently now is all that I ask and does what it is supposed to do, keep all kids healthy.
One the other side of the coin in Springfield however the old way of doing business is still around. Another move by the reformer/unreformer governor that I agree with is the appointment of a consumer advocate to the Illinois Commerce Commission, Marty Cohen who used to head up the Citizen’s Utility Board (CUB) and has been a pain in the neck for Illinois utilities. Now some Senators are questioning this appointment and his nomination may be in trouble. There is a reason for this and I’ll get to that in a minute.
Another grand piece of legislation is the ethics bill of Speaker Mike Madigan and his cohorts in the democratic party who are putting their necks on the line to keep the rest of us ethical in this state. The house passed it by a good margin. I mean, who could be against health care for kids, ethics, mom and apple pie? This swell bunch of folks have really gone out of their way to make things better for us. But, and here it comes, the bill has ran into trouble in the Senate where they just don’t know if they will have time to take up the issue now. It might just have to wait until later, like next year or the year after that. Whoa, what happened to put up a bill, debate it and vote on it in 4 days? Now it seems we are back to the old way of doing business. Now the clincher that I promised. The real reason this ethics bill is stalled and the nomination of Marty Cohen is in trouble is the fact that two Illinois utilities, Commonwealth Edison and AmerenCips have donated over one million dollars to Illinois politicians in the last 16 months. Now I know that Commonwealth and Ameren both like us consumers, after all the spent over a million bucks, so they must like us. Wrong! How stupid do these folks in Springfield think we are? Nobody, I repeat nobody, gives a million smackers to no reason and just out of the goodness of their heart. There will be a pink snow all over Illinois when utility companies, labor union, businesses give millions of dollars in cash to politicians to look out for the average Joe’s good. It does not work that way and I continue to be insulted by those who think they can take this money under the guise that this is good government. This is government bought and paid for. If, and this is a big if, the legislature and the reformer/unreformer want to change business as usual, then do away with campaign cash. How is it fair to take over a million bucks from two utility companies and this poise yourself to vote on legislation that has to do with their bottom line? You can’t do it! A whopping 40 percent of this million dollars went to the Senate. Can you figure out why these public servants are reluctant to vote for a consumer advocate and meaningful ethics reform? If you can’t then you get what you deserve in Springfield. Is it any wonder that a whopping 67% of Illinois residents now think that neither political party can run the store?
Don’t forget this weekend to attend the annual Country Store at Bear Point Church just west of Sesser on the Du Quoin blacktop. There will be lots of good things to eat and hand made items that make great gifts. Instead of sending the money made from this annual event to Springfield out of the goodness of their hearts, these ladies are sending the money to missions. One last dig here, I wonder how much Commonwealth and Ameren sent to missions last year? I’m happy we have folks around here to work hard to make a difference in the lives of others and I support this project and encourage you to also. It will be money well spent going for a great cause!
The historic Sesser Opera House will have a new venture coming up Sunday, November 20th at 2:00 pm. Cowboy church will be the event and preaching will be done by Marty Shadowen with special music by the Black Lace Band. You are encouraged to dress western if you like but it is not necessary. There is no charge for attendance.
The Opry House Café is trying out a new idea. Each evening except Sunday there is a different type of free musical entertainment featuring the finest of our local talent. Monday night Vern Henry is on, Tuesday Bobby Orr, Black Lace on Thursday night and Friday Doc Robenson heads up an open mike format. Actually any night is open mike if you want to show up and play or sing. The music is all performed live and without rehearsal and gives area folks a chance to participate or just sit back and enjoy. An added attraction is the food is great and the service fantastic. Join us when you can in Sesser!
In sick bay this week and released from the hospital are Bud Eckoff, Joann Dillon, and Mitzy Harris. All have been under doctor’s care but are now home. Herschel Gunter is in Mt. Vernon hospital for tests also. A card, phone call, or visit to these Sesser folks would be appreciated.
If you need us, call us at 625-3611, 625-5322, or 625-5788. Email can be sent to nedmitchell@verizon.net or www.sesser.org . We like to hear from you!
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