Mayor’s Row…….by Ned Mitchell
We might as well all get ready for the old Mutt and Jeff routine because it is already coming at us in full force. I’m talking about the huge rate increase for electricity being bandied about in this state. In AmerenCips territory we are being told to expect a 40% to 55% increase in our monthly power bill beginning January of 2007. I quickly put a pencil to mine and if we get a 50% increase my power bill will go to $390.00 per month, or about $13 per day to stay either cool in the summer or warm in the winter. Utility companies complain they have not had a rate increase in 10 years and while this is true, none of them have been losing vast amounts of money. Some have even set new records for profits earned so it is hard to feel sorry for their bottom line. Besides, most of us have to worry about our own bottom line and not Ameren’s.
I’m not sure who is Mutt and who is Jeff here and I suppose it really doesn’t matter. Legislators and the reformer/unreformed governor can be one and the utility executives can be the other.
Let me explain how this system works because you won’t hear it from any elected officials. The only reason I know about it is I seen it first hand in Springfield. In this game certain legislators reside in what is known as a safe seat and they will be allowed to roam about their districts speaking ill of the rate increases. Their leaders know that it would be virtually impossible to beat these legislators in safe seats. It appears as if members of the house will champion the cause of the consumer this time. So while house democrats are out and about in their districts bemoaning the high utility bills just around the corner, the senate democrats so far are pretty quiet. It has also been reported that Senate President Emil Jones does not think the increases are out of line. If President Jones does not want this legislation to be voted on, it will simply be put in some committee and will stay there. While senators and representatives wring their collective hands worrying about what to do, the bottom line is it makes no difference. If either Speaker of the House Mike Madigan or President of the Senate Emil Jones doesn’t like a particular piece of legislation, it just never gets called for debate much less a vote.
Then you have those friendly lobbyist folks who have for years pumped millions of dollars in campaign cash to those elected to represent us. Do you see something wrong with this picture? We are supposed to be the ones represented but the lobbyists are the ones with the cash and they could care less about me and you. So for years they have paid their dues and it looks like to me they are about to reap the harvest. Sure we are hearing all about plans to take up the matter in the fall veto session but that will conveniently be after the election in November so I doubt we will have any real champions of the people who are able to get this bill out of committee and up for a vote.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan is fighting this concept in court and at least she appears to be standing up for the consumer. The reformer/unreformer says he is against the rate increase but he is the one who has appointed most if not all of the members of the Illinois Commerce Commission who just last week approved the rate increase. If he is serious he should call his own appointments up on the carpet and explain his disappointment in their actions.
To top it all off I could give AmerenCips a few pointers on how to improve their bottom line. Quit advertising first of all, you are a monopoly so I don’t need you advertising to tell me what a great company you are. You have no competition so promotion of your company is not needed by the consumer. Another suggestion would be for Ameren to sell their headquarters in St. Louis and move into a less expensive office. If you have not seen this showpiece you are in for a real shock. The building is huge and no expense has been spared in its construction. Hey, I’m no financial whiz but I can see a couple of ways Ameren can save money and perhaps not have to raise our rates so much.
Don’t start feeling sorry for those in the senate though for while they will take no action on this problem the next time a controversial issue comes along the house can sit on the bill and the senators can champion our cause. It appears like they take turns while you and I just keep picking up the tab. If you are happy, I am happy!
Much is being said in the media about Governor Blagojevich accepting a $1,500.00 cash gift for his daughter’s birthday. From the get go just understand that while I have seen no evidence of anything wrong here, others have. I’m not accusing anyone of anything but do have to wonder about the whole situation.
First of all for anyone to give someone else’s child such a large birthday gift is suspicious. Then when the gift giver’s wife gets a $46,000.00 job five days later it sure makes folks wonder. This is the only time this person has given that kind of gift and the governor and his wife have another child so what about $1,500.00 for that birthday too? As a champion of legislation two years ago that really made similar situations illegal this governor needs to answer questions about this situation. I’ll give the guy the benefit of the doubt since nobody has alleged any illegal activity but agree with one Chicago newspaper columnist who called the whole thing “staggeringly stupid.” Democrats have no criticism being lobbed at Comptroller Dan Hynes, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Secretary of State Jesse White, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn or State Treasurer candidate Alexi Giannoulis. It does make one wonder why all of this smoke is billowing around the governor.
Make plans now to help members of Sesser’s First United Methodist Church celebrate their 100th anniversary this weekend. A special service will take place at the church this Sunday at 10:00 am marking the event. Services will be led by Bishop Sharon A. Brown Christopher with Conference Superintendent Rev. Greg Courtright assisting. Former pastors will also be in attendance as well as out of town guests. Immediately after the service a catered meal will be served at the Goode Township Community Building which is one block from the church. There will be a special exhibit at the church displaying pictures and memorabilia depicting the church’s 100 years in Sesser. After lunch attendees are asked to return to the church where 100 biodegradable balloons will be released by children, youth members and the young at heart. The public is invited to attend this special occasion for Sesser.
A visit to Sesser’s newest eating establishment would be a good thing to do. The Opera House Café has been completely remodeled and cleaned from top to bottom and the restaurant is in full swing featuring barbeque and a full menu from breakfast to dinner with home made pies in between. We are excited about the prospects here and look forward to seeing you in Sesser. Our efforts to bring quality entertainment to the Opera House will complement the restaurant and give folks a great place to eat while enjoying a show at the same time. Much work has been put forth in this effort and we welcome your comments and suggestions as we try to anchor our Main Street to this complex.
If you need us give us a call at 625-3611 or 625-5322. Write to P. O. Box 517, Sesser, Illinois 62884 or if you have a computer email us at nedmitchell@verizon.net or www.sesser.org. You are always welcome to drop by at any time also!
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