Relay for Life: $61,000

It's absolutely fantastic news that the Relay for Life made $61,000 this year. But I can't help but think back to a few years ago when the Relay first started in Greenville and it made upwards of $150,000 each year, from my memory being certified as one of the top relays in the nation and spectacular for a town of Greenville's size.

What happened? Was there a corporate donor (maybe Greenville Regional Hospital?) that backed out of financing the Relay? Did the novelty wear off and Greenville-ites suddenly get tired of all the bake sales for cancer?

What's the story? I'm genuinely curious, for anyone who knows. I can't be the only one who's noticed this and the Greenville Advocate has never given the real scoop.

Lisa Stephens' Bogus $5,000 Bonus

Applause, applause for Jeff Leidel. Rarely has an editor of The Greenville Advocate stood up directly to the city council and the mayor-- that relationship is usually pretty cozy. However, he has been willing to question their actions when the occasion warrants it.

Our latest ridiculous situation is that of the $5,000 "pat on the back" awarded to Lisa Stephens, who was given the plum created-just-for-Her Royal Highness of "Assistant City Manager." Greenville never had one of those before, and the position was created to increase economic development in the city.

(One note about this: our current City Manager, Dave Willey, God bless him, is not full-time at the city manager's job. He owns and operates the Globe Theatre, which presumably takes up at least some of his day. He said when taking the job that he would be able to handle all the duties associated with it while also owning a city business. The city council apparently didn't agree because they then specifically created the assistant city manager's job for Lisa Stephens.)

Editor Leidel writes in his editorial that the city council did not discuss the $5,000 bonus payment given to Stephens for a "job well done." They just approved it without a discussion. He wonders why someone making $59,000 a year plus benefits already would need an extra bonus just for doing her job. Good on you, Jeff, pleased that you're actually trying to keep the Greenville oligarchy accountable. One of my parents has worked close to 45 years in a job in our fair city, and despite exceeding for all those years, has never gotten a bonus.

Mr. Willey probably doesn't give out bonus payments to his cashiers and baristas for making great popcorn and coffee-- that's what they're actually paid to do in their job, after all. Why, then, does he insist on giving away YOUR money to pay Lisa Stephens, who lives in one of the fanciest houses in Greenville anyway (and I hear her husband Rep. Ron Stephens isn't doing too badly on his taxpayer salary either-- together these two are raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in salary, all on the taxpayer!) Hey, maybe she'll let us all into her house on the annual Greenville Women's Club "Home Tour," where we can see what baubles and fancy things she's bought with her $5,000 bonus! Meanwhile, the rest of us will just try to scrape by with our ever-increasing property taxes this year and hope we can make it.

Speaking of Lisa Stephens, I have a friend who says that she once saw Lisa Stephens (or Princess Lisa, as some might call her) hit my friend's car with the Stephens van as my friend was walking out of the Dairy Queen. Stephens didn't look for damage or anything, just away she went without a note or apparently a care in the world. From what I know, that's a felony and not something a nice person does. My friend is pretty reliable, and says she didn't report it because there was no damage and she didn't want to get herself in a public "situation" with Stephens (obviously cozy enough with city government that they even just created a position out of thin air for her) or her husband Ron Stephens, Greenville's representative in the Illinois General Assembly. Now, my friend is struggling to pay her property taxes which are much less than Stephens' "bonus"!

Heck, my friend's entire car cost less than Ms. Stephens' little economic stimulus package. I guess she figured as she slammed into my friend's car, Hey, these people pay my salary and my bonus, why should they care if I hit their car?

Greenville Recyclers: Big Brother Is Watching You!

Greenville's recycling containers are lousy at best, with no room to shove any of the material in (and signs saying anything left outside the bins will be "landfilled".) We get a letter in the Greenville Advocate saying that those of us who recycle are apparently having our mailing labels checked by Big Brother Greenville Recycling Committee to see who is able to stuff their mail into the bins the best, and who just didn't want to be crushed by falling newspapers and gave up and left it outside and/or in another section of the bin.

Personally, I find the bins to be not labeled well at all and not conducive to recycling at all. Why is the recycling committee recommending that $5,000 be spent for a recycling carport in Sorento when that's what we need in Greenville? We need another bin, and a carport so that everything doesn't get wet if it's left outside when the bins and sections are overstuffed.

Oh, and please, whoever's reading the mail to see if the Joneses are recycling properly, please don't bother. Some of us let our friends read our magazines, so whoever's name is on the mag may not be the culprit.

Don't shun the non-recycling sorters until another bin is given to those of us who care enough to recycle! Instead, get on everyone who is NOT recycling. Do you really think it increased recycling in Greenville to publicly write a letter to the editor of the newspaper saying "We're watching you when you recycle"? I've never had Doty Sanitation say such a thing.

Taxpayers Hoppin' Mad Over New Greenville Superintendent

Jeff Strieker had the luck-- or should I say bad luck?-- to take over from Melanie "Big Spender" Allyn as Bond County Community Unit #2 Superintendent. There have been at least five protest letters in the Greenville Advocate about the appointment, with much of the anger stemming from the fact that the school board didn't interview any other candidate for the position besides Strieker AND Strieker doesn't reside in Greenville as all other superintendents have. The president of the United States doesn't live in Mexico, does he? No, but apparently Greenville's superintendent can live in Breese.

And Greenville taxpayers can pay his "reasonable moving expenses" within three years to move him into our town where we have the pleasure of paying him $115,000 a year, one of the best-paid superintendents in the state of Illinois.

You can see why Advocate readers are hoppin' mad.

The school board owes the public an explanation for why, in these economic times, they couldn't see fit to interview even one other candidate for the superintendent's job. Is it really that unimportant that you'd spend less time interviewing for the superintendent's job than you would for a position as a janitor at the high school?

Next post: the Bond County Health Department also outsources its millions in contracting work, to Korte Co. of Highland, as if Korte weren't swimming in greenbacks already.

Springfield Prostitute Employed by Democratic Party

Now we know what those Democrats in Springfield are really spending our money on.

A madam arrested for running a multi-state prostitution ring listed her employer as the Illinois Democratic Party on official documents. Quite ironic-- while the Democratic hooligans were raising our taxes and remaking our laws in Springfield, they were soliciting the illegal services of prostitutes who certainly pay no taxes on their profits.

Greenville Doesn't Need Preservation Regulations

I disagree with a letter to The Greenville Advocate (from the August 5th edition) proffered by Kathy Brewer, a Greenville College graduate who decries the end of Hogue Hall and wants Greenville to create a "historic preservation ordinance."

I think GC should be criticized for this decision from the hilltops of our green town, but I don't think an "ordinance" is needed. Greenville needs to mind its own business when it comes to private property-- need I bring to mind the "take the turret down/no put the turret back up" debacle involving the Sanders' property, or the threatening letters sent to various town individuals for the look of their yards by former code enforcer Bill Grider while the main drag College Avenue boasts some of the ugliest, most gunked-up yards in town, for which nothing is ever done?

Greenville gets it wrong when it interferes with people's right to their own lives and property, so I say NO to any historic preservation ordinance.

Greenville College ignores state's warnings about Hogue Hall

I was dismayed to read in The Greenville Advocate that the state historical preservation agency asked Greenville College to wait to demolish Hogue Hall in a less haphazard manner in order to save more of its historical dimensions to incorporate into the new building.

Of course, the state's advice was ignored by the GC higher-ups who made this decision. Now, Greenville College has no Hogue Hall and has to conduct a fundraising drive in the middle of what might be the worst recession since the Great Depression! Sure, Greenville College wants its own "bailout" from the state of Illinois, but frankly Illinois needs to spend its money on more important things right now. The head of the preservation agency notes that her reluctance to go along with the demolition would be noted if the college wants state funds, and I think that would be an appropriate punishment. Ignore the state agency's sound advice? Then you don't get state funding.

Whoever made the decision at GC to demolish Hogue Hall and not even give alums advance notice to see it needs to be fired. Honestly.

What's Taking the Thrift Shop So Long?

The Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop was supposed to open in the old Super Valu building by the end of the summer. It still hasn't moved, and what's the hold-up here?

I'm told by my inside spies that the delay is due to the hospital's massive renovation of the old Super Valu building. While I believe the very deserving volunteers of the Auxiliary do deserve some office space, we all know that what the hospital does best is remodel.

Therefore, I predict that it will be past the now-given date of November for the move. You might as well do what you do best.

Why No Mr.Bond County?

Last month, I attended the Witt Labor Day Parade. Despite its tiny size, Witt manages to cough up a more exciting parade than Greenville has most years, with participation even from Springfield-area musical outfits and everything.

I noticed that many, many counties and towns around Greenville have Little Mr. pageants. Greenville has had Little Miss Bond County for a long time. Little Miss Bond County used to be crowned, but now they're all crowned.

Hillsboro has Mr. Muscle. That's too old-fashioned and stereotypical, but why doesn't Bond County move into the 21st century and hold a Little Mr. Bond County pageant?

Could it be for lack of participation? This year's Little Miss pageant could apparently only attract one little guy as an escort, unlike the two or three escorts of past years.

Bond County Health Department moving too fast with bidding

I applaud the board of the Bond County Health Department for building up a surplus of over $1 million, enough to move to another building.

However, I'm concerned that they are moving too fast with bidding and groundbreaking on this project. After talking about it for months if not years, bids will be sought October 9, the bid will be accepted October 13th, and groundbreaking will be held October 22nd. Why only four days between garnering bids and accepting one?

Supposedly, Korte Construction is acting in a "construction management" capacity with the Health Department building, and they are advising on the bidding timeline and process. Could they be working to shut other potential bidders out of the process?

For a process that has taken years to reach this point, why is the most important stage being rushed?

Hula Hoop Craze in Greenville, 1958

From The Greenville Advocate:

"As the latest craze sweeps the nation, distraught parents continue to go from store to store in search of some type of toy referred to by their children as 'hula-hoops.'

Local merchants have receieved several shipments of the plastic hoops but have not been able to procure enough to meet the increasing demand.

Many Greenville merchants have created waiting lists.

Local school yards are a mass of different colored hoops twirling through the air. The hoops are twirled around the waist, neck or legs by doing moves like those required in the hula dance."

Hogue Hall

Hogue Hall is falling apart, badly. That's bad news for Greenville College and for Greenville.

Apparently, renovating Hogue Hall will cost $9 million, and building an entirely new building will cost $8 million. For cost reasons, a new building will most likely be built. Greenville College President James Mannoia wants to receive state funding to rebuild Hogue. You've got to be kidding me.

Greenville College is a PRIVATE college. If it's going to start taking taxpayer money, it needs to return the favor to those hardworking taxpayers and allow them to attend at reduced tuition rates. People who work hard to make a living and pay their taxes are apparently going to pay for Hogue Hall, but most of them wouldn't be able to afford an education there. In fact, some of them wouldn't even be allowed to get an education there: as a Christian college, students must sign affidavits that they are Christians and must adhere to an honor code. It's a great school for those who want to attend-- but it's not a school for atheists or non-Christians, and therefore it shouldn't be relying on the taxpayers (many of whom are atheist, Jews, non-believers, Buddhists, what have you) to pay for its beloved Hogue Hall.

I may not speak for all Greenville College graduates, but I believe that if GC starts accepting taxpayer funding, it should reduce costs for Illinois residents to a tuition more comparable to state schools and it should get rid of the requirement that its students must be Christian. It's not requiring that the taxpayers who will fund Hogue Hall are Christian, so it's not really living up to its core values as a Christian school, is it?

What do I think should be done about Hogue Hall? A capital campaign should be created, just as any college or university does, which will alums to donate money for the cause. If alums will donate for anything, they'll donate to rebuild Hogue Hall. GC has proven in the past that it has some alumni with deep, deep pockets. It's time for those alums to open their own pockets and not expect every tax-paying citizen in the state to do right by their alma mater.

Because he loves to waste taxpayer dollars without their consent, Governor Rod Blagojevich (AKA Blago) has promised Mannoia that state funding for GC will be included in a capital bill. Why not, indeed? Blago himself has no concept of money and spends nearly these promised millions in just a couple weeks of flying back and forth to Chicago from Springfield every day. He has no concept of stewardship over the taxpayers' accounts-- rather, he just reaches in for what he can get for himself and what he can promise to those lucky enough to get to chat with him.

Greenville City Council Participates in Eminent Domain!

I was dismayed to read the Letter to the Editor from Norma Ramsey published in the Greenville Advocate on April 8. Ramsey brings up a number of excellent points regarding a proposed second lake for Greenville. The Greenville City Council should be ashamed of themselves for even thinking of taking this woman's farm away from her.

Ramsey bring up some very interesting points about this $48 million lake, which the Greenville City Council mysteriously avoided through public forums and in newspaper interviews. Conveniently. Why does the City of Greenville have the right to take away land from a woman who doesn't live in the city limits? If I recall correctly, those who live outside city limits and want city water--even the water that comes from the lake right beside them, Governor Bond Lake-- are charged TWICE what Greenville customers pay. So if Greenville had their way, they would take this woman's farm away and then charge her double for the water if she wanted it. What a slap in the face.

Ramsey explains how she has lived in LaGrange Township in Bond County her whole life except for one fall, and how she and her husband have owned the property in question and farmed it, working long hours, for over 35 years. Greenville now wants the bottom half of her property for their $48 million gift to AmerenIP.

Ramsey justly questions why Greenville has not looked into other options such as raising the current lake dam or dredging Governor Bond, even limiting the number of boats on the lake to prevent soil erosion. These are all interesting ideas that I've heard nary a mention of from the council.

Ramsey also mentions that the city hasn't taken proper care of the current lake.

She concludes by saying, "Now I know how the Indians felt when this land was taken away by the white men." Yes, governments have been up to no good for centuries, and Greenville, Illinois is no different.

Lesson learned, Greenville: you must get involved in national politics, such as eminent domain abuse, because the rooster comes home to roost, and Greenville has decided to take your land away if it sets in a desirable location.

Beer at the Bond County Fair?

The Greenville VFW has requested special permits to sell beer outside the Bond County Fairgrounds during the fair. Personally, I think that Greenville should amend its in-city ban on alcohol and allow restaurants to serve it (ever wondered why Greenville doesn't have any good restaurants, while Vandalia and similar-sized cities do? There's your answer!) Because of this, I thought it was maybe a good idea.

I really don't think so, though.

Joyce Alexander brings up an excellent point in the April 8th edition of The Advocate. The VFW will take all the proceeds from their sales, but they won't be paying for extra security at the fair, or for more police officers who deal with more unruliness. It may increase attendance, but at what cost?

Let's get alcohol in restaurants in Greenville where it belongs and keep it away from the Fair!

Greenville's Taxing-and-Spending School Administrators

I found myself agreeing with two letters to the editor in the March 25 edition of The Greenville Advocate. Nona Ennen and Carla Maples both write in to complain about (in Ennen's case) the specifics of the district purchasing the former LPL Financial building for the princely sum of $250,000 and (in the case of Maples) the general fact that the school district seems to have a severe case of the gimmes-- gimme more, gimme better, gimme different, gimme taxes to pay for it.

I agree that the school district has more pressing needs than a brand spanking new office for the superintendent and other administrators. I also think that if a new office was needed, a less expensive solution could have been found than stealing away the LPL Financial building (for a price so high that LPL doesn't even have a building now, they took that price and ran!) Melanie Allyn makes upwards of $100,000 a year, but the vast majority of Greenville-ites do not. In fact, for many people in Greenville, $250,000 would be their salary for five years-- if they're very lucky and make $50,000 a year. For most people in Greenville, that might be 10 or 20 years' worth of salary. Maples points out in her letter that Greenville currently has a high unemployment rate and a low income and our tax dollar stewards-- AKA administrators-- need to therefore monitor their expenditures very carefully, and I concur with her assessment.

Most students in Greenville don't even live in a house that costs $100,000, let alone $250,000. Most teachers don't even break $40,000 or $50,000 even after many years of loyal service to the district. I really have to shake my head at what the school board and administration is doing these days, and I'm glad there are other people in Greenville who have not yet gone off the deep end either and agree that something is wrong with this picture and our tax dollars are being wasted.

We all need to remember this when it comes time to elect the school board-- they did not seek public input on this decision, yet they will ask for a tax raise this year as they do every year. Let's throw 'em out.

Pocahontas' "Morals Code"?

It will be good news for the town if Pocahontas does manage to finally get what seems to be an exciting business, Mark Owensby's and Tom Stiles' proposed shooting range. However, The Advocate reports that Pocahontas had to amend its "public morals and conduct code" in order for planning for the range to commence.

What exactly is included in Pocahontas' "public morals code"? Why would a village/town have such a code in the first place? Finally, why would having an indoor shooting range violate that code in any way-- presumably, those attending the shooting range are learning how to shoot in self-defense of their homes or property. What did the writers of Pocahontas' "morals code" have against that?

Skateboarding

I was glad to see The Advocate tackle the thorny issue of skateboarding in Greenville. Kids want to do it, and adults don't want them to do it anywhere near their property.

In my opinion, the discouragement of skateboarding in Greenville leads the kids into other activities that may not be quite so wholesome, such as drinking, having sex (need I remind you about all the teenage and out-of-wedlock parents traipsing through the maternity ward at Greenville Regional?) and taking drugs. This was a problem when I was in high school and it seems to be more of a problem today. Do you want to encourage moral activities like skateboarding, or do you want to ban it everywhere and get these kids involved in bad stuff? I guarantee they're not going to sit around their houses knitting once they're banned from skateboarding.

I was particularly discouraged to see a sign banning skateboarding at the First Christian Church in Greenville. Why not just put up a sign saying, "We accept no liability for any sort of accident you're involved in on church property from skateboarding" and let the kids have a bit of fun?

I'm glad the Kingsbury Park District is looking into building a skate park, but I suspect the cost is going to keep increasing way above $100,000, just as all their projects do. Why exactly is $100,000 needed for this? Just throw up a few half-pipes (such as that that was once found at Agape) and let the kids go at it. They'll have a ball without the $100k pricetag.

Where's the Appreciation for Mrs. Utlaut?

At first I was perturbed by Utlaut Memorial Hospital's decision to change its name to Greenville Regional Hospital. How dare they forget the contributions of the Utlauts? Now I realize it was a good decision.

However, that doesn't mean that they should have taken down Mary Utlaut's portrait from the front entrance hall. It used to have such a prominent place, and now it's nowhere to be seen. The hospital seems to have totally forgotten its roots, and its generous benefactor. Not cool, GRH.

Kaskaskia College Greenville Center

Kaskaskia College wants to buy the Greenville Regional Hospital's Thrift Shop building (formerly the Pamida building) for its expanded Greenville Center. I agree that the location would be better than KC's current squeezed Greenville headquarters. However, is it really big enough?

The Thrift Shop area does not seem to be big enough to hold KC classes, Greenville College classes, AND a small business incubator that our fellow Americans have paid for us through a John Shimkus earmark. It's barely big enough now just to hold a small thrift shop. What am I missing here?