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Mayor’s Row…………….by Ned Mitchell
All of the fanfare of the recent special session of the Illinois legislature has
died down by now and the reality of how bad things really are is starting to
sink in. Those we elect to do the people’s business have failed us once again.
In fighting and bickering among democrats have continued to put this state in
jeopardy. Despite the constant cheerleading of SIU President Glenn Poshard and
former U S Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert we are no closer to having a
capital building plan than we were three years ago.
You can blame our Representative John Bradley but in my opinion that would be
wrong because he simply is not the one to blame. There are several people that
share that mantel and really I think they are right in asking questions. Is it
wrong for Rep. Bradley to ask where this $34 billion dollars is going to be
spent in advance of its’ approval? Glenn Poshard has stated that most folks
would not take the time to read the document. Well, well, well, Glenn, here is
one guy who would like to have the opportunity to read this document in advance
of it’s’ approval. One item that I hear is on the list of projects but since
nobody will release that list is the $55 million plus dollars to expand the 4
lane highway known as new Route 13 between Marion and Carbondale. I have a few
problems with this waste of my tax money for several reasons. First of all I
question if we really need to spend millions of dollars just so folks can get
between Marion and Carbondale 5 minutes faster. I travel this route several
times a month at various times of the day and night and I have never, yes never,
had trouble getting between the two cities. Not one time have I ever been
stalled in traffic and most times exceeding the speed limit was no problem.
Expanding this road would start on the west side of Marion and quit before Crab
Orchard Lake. It seems to me like we are going from four lanes on the outskirts
of Marion to six lanes and then bottle neck back to four lanes once we hit
Carterville. What’s the point? If we are simply trying to speed the flow of
traffic, what do we do with all of the traffic lights in between, especially
that one out in the middle of nowhere by the Williamson County airport? It would
be almost impossible to speed up traffic and still have to contend with about 6
traffic signals in a 6 mile stretch.
Are there other areas of wasteful spending that are hidden below the surface? Is
that why those in positions of authority don’t want to release the list of
projects in advance of the capital bill vote? I would suspect that is the case
but that is as wrong as it can be.
The Chicago Tribune in its’ Sunday edition has exposed an educational grant
program that is a classic example of wasteful spending of taxpayer’s money,
brought on by democrats of course. The subject of this investigative report
shows not only did they find nearly $5 million dollars squandered on non
existing after school programs in Chicago, the democrats have increased that
program next year to $9 million dollars! This money is provided by Illinois
Senate Democrats and is given to nonprofit organizations, schools, businesses
and churches and comes directly from the Illinois State Board of Education. All
of the questionable projects were sponsored by democratic state senator Rickey
Hendon who went so far as to tell the newspaper that one of the qualifications
for receiving a grant from him was that those applying had to spell his name
correctly. No kidding, he is quoted as saying that! This $5 million dollars has
been handed out to convicted felons, murderers, and such even though state law
prohibits such spending.
There are many places to cut funds and as the old saying goes it just depends on
whose ox is getting gored that comes into play. Do we really need to send
another $6 million dollars to SIU for research and remodeling of the National
Corn to Ethanol Research Committee when the federal government is spending
millions to do the same research? Does the Illinois wine industry really need
another $400,000.00 of our tax money or do the school children in Rock Island
really need $2 million dollars to fund a program that will allow them to study
photosynthesis in 3D? Do we really need to spend almost a $1 million dollars to
celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s bicentennial? What about the Department of Natural
Resources spending $3 million dollars to fund horse racing and programs at
public museums and park districts? Does Governor Rod “I’m Next” Blagojevich
really need $70,000.00 of mine and your money to spend as he sees fit for
expenses related to ethic events and special receptions?
I am sure that all of the above has supporters directly involved in each of
these programs that can make a case as to why this funding is needed. I am also
sure that if we need to cut a couple of billion dollars out of a $59 billion
dollar budget we can do that relatively painlessly for the masses.
So my advice to Glenn Poshard and Dennis Hastert and their pals who are in
mourning over the loss of a capital plan is simply get back to work on
legislators who are squandering our hard earned money on frivolous programs such
as the after school joke in Chicago. The average Joe or Jane in Illinois has
lost confidence in our system. Democrats need to clean house and start today in
restoring credibility in how they spend our tax dollars. Why would we want to
give this bunch of loonies $34 billion dollars for them to hand out no strings
attached to their supporters, friends, and family? Yeah, Glenn and Dennis, why
would we want to do that? Give us one good reason!
The class of Goode-Barren Township High School 1958 held a reunion dinner in the
Woll Room of the Sesser Opera House last Friday night. This event preceded the
multi year reunion of classes 1940 through 1963 held at the Rend Lake Resort on
Saturday evening. The 1958 class enjoyed a delicious meal and a tour of the
Opera House and had a good time visiting with fellow classmates.
I had a pleasant visit with Sesser resident Verda Lou Stevison last week. Verda
Lou is 94 years old and has lived at the same spot in Sesser for 57 years. We
had a nice visit and if you have time a phone call, card, or visit to Verda Lou
would be a great thing to do.
Former Sesser resident Mary McMasters celebrated her 94th birthday in Elgin last
week where she lives near her daughter Patty.
Betty Isom is in a St. Louis hospital recovering and Danny Sample is home
recovering and doing well. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated by them and
their families.
Marlene and Jack Stubblefield recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
and over in Benton long time friends Loretta and Jim Odom have celebrated 60
years of marriage. Congratulations!
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