Mayor's Row....by Ned Mitchell
We hope you had a fantastic Father's Day weekend and that you took the time to reflect on just how important fathers are and what they mean to all of us. I spent time with my dad and my kids spent time with me. I also paused to remember fathers who are in the service of this country today and those who have died in battle to protect our freedom here. Freedom is not free and some have paid the ultimate price for all of us!
We used to have a chronic complainer who frequently attended city council meetings here in Sesser, always with a complaint on how we were doing things. He never had a compliment, always a complaint. One night before the city council meeting I thought I would prepare for this citizen to complain, and we all have that right. I laid out a note pad and a pencil and I was ready. Once we got into the meeting a certain subject came up and our guest started complaining how we were going about city business. I handed him the note pad and the pencil and asked why don't you write down what you think we should do? He thought for a minute and said "that's not my job; my job is to watch what you are doing and then complain about it." We all got a good laugh out of that but it was true. We had a job to do and he felt like he had a job to do.
That brings me to today's column. Folks, I don't really have an answer to what is going on in Springfield but I do have a lot of complaints. I feel like I do have an advantage over some columnists and reports as I did spend a little time in the state Senate so I am privy to some of the goings on that most of us are not accustomed to hearing either by choice or the fact that often the news media does not do an adequate job of keeping me and you informed.
One thing that could probably help our quagmire that we find ourselves in is if those we elect would actually show up and work on solving problems. Before we go any farther though lets understand that the lack of a work schedule is not the fault of our individual state legislators, it is rather the fault of their leaders and our governor.
For instance, last week the House of Representatives started to work at 3:00 pm on Tuesday and stayed for a couple of hours. They were there all day Wednesday and worked a couple of hours on Thursday morning before adjourning for the week. The Senate started to work on Thursday about noon and came back Friday morning for about an hour before they adjourned. The governor was in and out of town on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Most folks would doubt the seriousness of this group as their work ethic in Springfield is certainly lacking. This is not to say they are not working in their districts as most of them I know down here maintain a very hectic local schedule. How many folks do you know that work can get by with a schedule like this one? We have serious problems in Springfield and the lack of a good work ethic up there by our governor and legislative leaders is laughable at best. All three democrats should get their collective heads together and make up their minds to stay in Springfield until they have resolutions to the budget. To do anything less is surely short changing the tax payers who maybe some day will get fed up with this type of conduct and actually gets out to vote and make some changes.
Speaking of the budget mess here is a thought that has been picked up on by a rather astute reporter. Since the House of Representatives have already passed a bare bones budget all we are waiting on is action in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Madigan wisely has outmaneuvered Senate President Emil Jones and the Governor by passing this budget. All that talk about allowing the republicans to get involved in the budget won't take place if the Governor and President Jones allow their members to vote on the budget. Jones has a super majority in the Senate and does not need republican support on the budget. Madigan has already passed a budget without republican help so now either Blagojevich or Jones take the heat for shutting down state government or they pass Madigan's budget. I'd sure hate to get in a chess game with Madigan as he does his homework and seems to stay a step ahead of every one else in Springfield.
The only thing that seems to be holding up any real movement is action on the utility issue. Some legislators, including our own Senator Forby and Representative Bradley, have vowed not to vote on any budget bill until we get some relief on the table on power bills. Hooray for them and their cohorts who have discovered if they stay together as a block they can make a difference that will benefit a lot of people.
One thing that does concern me though is the just revealed fact that I have just read where AmerenCips and other utility companies have donated more than $2 million dollars in campaign cash to the Illinois General Assembly. The largest check, $463,465.00 went to Senate President Emil Jones and his members. The republicans were also recipients of large campaign checks but not nearly as large as the democrats. A spokesperson for Emil Jones had the audacity to say "there's no relationship between contributions and legislation." It is really sad how an educated person like that could make such a statement. It is actually insulting to those of us paying the bills in this state. If the money has no relationship on legislation then why on earth would Ameren and other utilities fork over $2 million plus in cash in less than two years to our politicians? If money does not buy clout and influence, why donate it? They could spread that $2 million dollars among employees who work on the lines, in the trenches, and in the offices to keep our electricity up and running. My friends the reason utility companies, unions, big business, doctors, lawyers, wealthy individuals give cash out is that it does influence legislation. To say anything different is saying all these folks with wads of money falling out of their pockets are spending money like "drunken sailors"!
Remember a column a week or two ago outlining the extravagant travel by our reformer/unreformer governor? Remember also that he was the guy who was going to change "business as usual" in Springfield. A columnist in Springfield has done a lot or research on air travel on the governor since March of this year. When the governor or other state employees or elected officials fly on a state owned plane they pay a per passenger amount of $61.91 for each way from Springfield to Chicago. This amount only includes the time the governor is actually on the state plane and not the two trips that plane makes to pick up the governor and then fly back to Springfield after he is dropped off in Chicago.
The actual cost to the tax payers on the one way trip from Chicago to Springfield is $1,481.00. The governor's office pays $61.91 and you and me fork over the other $1,400.00 and some dollars. So in a little over three months the reformer/unreformer has cost the taxpayers almost $100,000.00 for him to fly to Springfield for a few hours and then back to Chicago. Now there is a classic example of what is wrong in this state. You and I can see what the problem is but yet we still have spokes people from the Governor on down putting spin on such things. Amazing, truly amazing is what it is!
Sesser folks have just ended another successful Homecoming celebration. The weather was a little hot but we had no rain outs and for that we are thankful. We all pitch in to make this event happen. When the underground power failed on Tuesday, city workers and Homecoming volunteers got together on Wednesday and trenched in a new line in time for the event to start that evening. When the concession stand ran out of buns on Saturday evening the Opera House Café had some to loan them. When their smoker malfunctioned we were able to smoke the pork shoulders at the Opera House Café. The bottom line here is that it takes a lot of people getting along and working together to make this work. We appreciate each and every one of you!
The Queen this year is Alyssa Laur, the prince is Jace Hahs, and the princess is Brianna Dorris. These kids and their families worked hard to sell tickets to win the honors and we congratulate them. Winner of the trip to Hawaii was April Nosalik of Sesser.
We are saddened to report the death of one of our neighbors at city hall, Marva Roether. The Roethers live just north of city hall. Marva was often seen sitting on her front porch with friends, kids, grandkids and others playing in attendance. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Roether family.
I spent time visiting on Friday afternoon with former Sesser resident Joe Caveglia and some of his family who traveled from New York and Pennsylvania to bring their dad back home for a few days. Joe and his family toured the historic Sesser Opera House. Joe used to run the projectors there and was a part time janitor before leaving the area. He had many fond stories of Sesser and we welcomed him home for his visit.
If you need us, give us a call at 625-3611 or 625-5322 or write to nedmitchell@verizon.net .
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