WGEM City Desk

The Quincy school board and board president Bud Niekamp have agreed to disagree.  Niekamp will keep his title of board president.  The current committees will be dissolved and new ones formed. The new committees will report to Vice President Tom Dickerson.  The committees do most of the advance work on issues brought before the board.  The action, in essence, relieves Niekamp of influence on committee appointments and agendas.  He’s now the president in form but without substance.  For Niekamp, though,  still retains center position at board meetings.  He won’t be relegated to the sidelines.  That’s important for Niekamp and his supporters.  He saves face and remains true to his promise not to resign.  This should be the end of internal board dissension.  The school board for years has had a hill to climb regarding credibility with its public.  This latest battle has hurt their credibility.  We hope, for the school district’s sake, that any momentum lost during this power struggle will be brief.   The board  must get the public focused on the real issues of education.  That would include more insight into how the board plans to use 16 million dollars in “life safety” money. Oh, but, there’s still the challenge to Niekamp’s board membership in the courts. It is not over until its over. That has yet to come.

Posted under Current Affairs

We question the judgement of Quincy officials regarding the Mike Beebe dismissal.  The former Central Services director was dismissed after his arrest for disorderly conduct.  The city paid out about $14,000 on money due for vacation time, unused benefits, whatever.  The City then added about $19,000 to the dismissal package.  That’s about three months salary for a city employee who was fired.  The mayor says the extra money was “fair” given Beebe’s years of service to the city.  Doug surmises the money was given as part of an agreement to assure Beebe’s silence regarding his dismissal. And, also, most likely a promise from Beebe not to sue.  No one knows for sure since this information falls under confidentiality laws. 

State Reresentative Jil Tracy expects 2010 to be a contentious year in the state capital.  She says leadership struggles between the governor and legislative heads will continue.  If that’s the case, reaching an agreement on a state budget will be difficult at best.  We agree.  This will make elections in 2010 pivotal to the future of state leadership.  Disgruntled voters may make sweeping changes next Fall.

Posted under Current Affairs

We took a look at a minute or so of an Andy McKenna video put out this week by his campaign.  McKenna is one of the latest candidates running in the Illinois Republican primary for govenor.  In his video, McKenna has people wearing the “big hair” of Rod Blagoyevich.  He puts big hair on former governors who went to jail including the Republican’s own George Ryan.  He makes claims of extensive corruption in Illinois government.  His big hair piece is also shown imposed over the state capital.  This is a weird video.  The purpose is obvious: Paint Illinois government in a bad light by tying it to the deposed former governor.  By extension, promote McKenna as the guy to clean up the mess.  This approach is interesting in that McKenna, as head of the state Republican party, was presumably at least aware of some of this “big hair” stuff.  Where was he before the campaign?  Anyway, the time is short between now and the February 2nd primary. After the holidays, it should be an intense campaign in January.  Will big hair make it to TV spots?  Will the generally negative approach of this ad be seen in other ads?  Stay tuned.

Posted under Current Affairs

Concern about the emerging flu epidemic was the focus on the most recent City Desk.  The medical community tells us the flu is just starting its spread.  Already, some schools are closed and clinics packed.  New flu stories are reported every day.  We also hear the frustrations of viewers who are attempting to get a flu shot or get into a doctor’s office but cannot do so.  The shots aren’t available.  The doctor’s schedule is full.  This is not likely to change soon.  We’ll report as events unfold.

Posted under Current Affairs

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and the legislature reverse course on cutting the Illinois MAP (Monetary Awards Program) for students.  The heat comes from students depending on the grants to pay their higher education bills.  It comes from the colleges and universities who need those students.  Once again, Illinois leadership has tripped on its own feet.  The legislature and the governor agreed to a downsized budget aimed at cutting the deficit. They cut MAP.  How they’ve changed their mind.  Whenever a special interest group, like those in education, protest;  the state’s leaders back down.  This is what happened with the change of position regarding MAP.  Student grants are important and deserve the state’s full funding.  Having said this,  the leaders of Illinois need to take a stand.  They have two choices:  Cut the budget and stand by it.  Or, raise income taxes.  No one wants a tax increase. Elected officials are wary of approving a tax increase. It is really the most direct course toward meeting people’s expectations of state government.  Or, learn to do without.

Posted under Current Affairs

The Governor in Quincy this week pushes for a one dollar a pack cigarette tax to fund state student grants.  License fees recently increased as did the tax on candy.  Since there has been no definitive action out of Springfield, state officials are picking along the periphery trying to get revenue where they can to keep programs running. This is sad state of affairs.  What the leadership of Illinois should do is address the big topic of an income tax increase to raise the state out of its massive debt.  The inability of state leaders to do so does a disservice to all of Illinois.

The Adams County Comprehensive plan was DOA.  The county spent $140,000 developing a plan that was doomed.  For too many people, it smacked of zoning.  This is a non-starter for rural residents.  At least the county now has a plan on file if anyone in the future would want to re-open the subject.  For now, it seems unlikely the County Board will vote contrary to its advisory commitee.  The committee voted down the plan.

Posted under Uncategorized

-The Quincy City Council did what it had to do this week by placing Courtesy Rides in a commercial cab category.  Courtesy Rides seemed to outgrow its original task of helping drunks get home safely.  The shuttle bus took the service beyond the one man/one car category.  It is very likely Courtesy Rides won’t go commercial.  This may mean more drunk drivers on city streets.  Its too bad the Courtesy Rides service is gone.  But the city did the right thing by drawing a line between a charity service and a commercial service.  Courtesy Rides crossed that line.

The Crossing faces controversy over a plan to open a residential center for recovering addicts at 9th and Monroe.  Some residents say “not in my backyard”.  The church officials will meet with resident to try and allay their fears.  We’ll be following this in the days to come.

Posted under Current Affairs

Tom Oakley this past week had a portion of highway 336 (some of it known as I-172) named in his honor by Governor Pat Quinn.  The Quincy businessman and civic leader has spent tireless decades in promotion of better transportation in the tri-state area.  This week’s City Desk is a comprised of long form segments from the ceremony honoring Oakley on August 31.

Posted under Current Affairs

-The uncertainty to the Illinois budget situation has placed more stress on local agencies which depend on state funding.  First, agencies like the Adams County Health Department, were told to expect a 50% cut in state aid.  The health department, for example, announced it planned to cut 30 jobs as a result.  Then , the governor said, the cut would be more like 10% for human services.  The health department cancelled the planned layoffs.  Now, well into the new budget year, the Health department hasn’t received any state payment.  They’re swinging in unknown winds hoping to get some money before all the bills come due.

Presumably the state will come through.  But, at what point and at what cost to the local agencies who depend on state funding.  Not only is the budget itself a mess but the execution of whatever passes for a budget is a mess, too.  Check out City Desk this week for great insight from Doug Wilson.

And, thanks (we think) from the people who sent us a signed petition in support of Bud Niekamp.  We’re sure Mr. Niekamp appreciates it.  Sending petitions to City desk merits a mention on the air but that’s it.

Posted under Current Affairs

Cuts in Illinois spending hit home in Quincy. The state tells Quincy schools to expect about one-million dollars less.  The first part of that cut, $340,000, comes out of Early Education.  Staff positions are lost in Early Education.  One-hundred students are turned away.  This comes three weeks before the start of school.  It is another sad note in Illinois.  The politicians sit in their leather chairs in Springfield unable to take action while little kids are told to stay home.  

Personal bickering on the Quincy School Board needs to stop.  Thirteen Quincy residents have signed a civil suit to remove President Bud Niekamp from the board.  The dispute over Niekamp is in the courts.  In the meantime, Niekamp remains president.  He needs to get along with the rest of the board.  The rest of the board needs to get along with their president.  Quincy is ill served by a board and a president intent on dragging each other through the fire during every board meeting.  Throw brickbats outside the meeting and in the courtroom.  During board meetings, smile and work for the good of the people.

Posted under Current Affairs, Uncategorized