Steve S. wrote on Mar 30, 2007 10:58 AM:
" I've known both Brad and Sheila for many years and both are fine people and either would be fine in the mayor's position. It's a tough choice between them but I lean slightly towards Brad as Sheila seems to be more student oriented as she works for SIU. I'm not against students being involved in local government but face it, most are here for a short time and we the tax paying residents are here for the long haul. Therefore, the needs of the permanent residents should take priority over student's needs or concerns. Carbondale depends on SIU I know but our tax base along with local businesses year after year is what pays to keep this town going. "
Its Me wrote on Mar 30, 2007 10:12 AM:
" The "No property taxes for Carbondale residents" that saved me 60.00. Wow...thanks. How much did it save BIG property holders do you think? "
pauline wrote on Mar 30, 2007 5:53 AM:
" The consequences of asbestos used worldwide, where no protection or advice of the dangers of asbestos in the past, adds to this very traumatic experience of caring for a victim especially for advice on support and available pallative. The diseases caused by asbestos need awakening to the public eye, to develop a strategy of awareness to protect. I send heartfelt thoughts to Janet and her family. "
USN 420 wrote on Mar 30, 2007 1:28 AM:
" Wait... I heard Brad Cole personally closed down the local Maytag and TUMS plants. It had to be unethical as he admittedly did it only to increase Carbondale's labor pool. We need new minimum wage workers at our New Sporting Goods Store. After all, wasn't it Brad Cole who single-handedly forced the new Sporting Goods Store to sign the contract to come to Carbondale? Of course, that agreement was signed before knowledge that Brad Cole is responsible for the Ameren rate increase, mercury in Crab Orchard Lake, the troop surge in Iraq, and global warming! As absurd as what I just wrote is... the stuff already posted on this site is worse. Even if you don't like Brad Cole and disagree with every decision he's ever made, it's not very responsible to write outright lies and personal slander. As regular readers know, I am conservative and agree with many things Brad Cole has done for Carbondale. He is not perfect, but hey... who is? I do not harbor ANY disdain for Sheila Simon. I truly feel she is a good person, has the best interest of Carbondale at heart, and would probably be a fine mayor. Frankly, I am worried about how polarized we have become and how difficult it is to have civil discourse without personal destruction. Disagreement and debate of topics are good. Personal attacks and vitriol are not. I regularly attack ideas and opinion, but try not to personally insult the writer. VOTE COLE!!! "
I wish I could vote wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:21 PM:
" I'd vote for Brad Cole because he has been a good mayor and deserves another term. I live close and have seen the positive changes he has made. I do not like the way that some people seem to be trying to twist everything he does into something underhanded. The way these few are slandering him is wrong. They seem to have a personal beef against him.
I am not saying Sheila Simon is bad. I actually like her "green" side. But I think Brad Cole has proven to be a good mayor. I do not think Sheila would be better, and I like the job Brad has done.
I wish I good vote. "
Carbondale Businessman wrote on Mar 29, 2007 6:23 PM:
" I have a small Carbondale business which trades with both Cole and Simon supporters. I dare not divulge my name or business, since emotions on both sides seem to be supplanting reason. One thing I haven't heard from either camp is how the candidate can identify with my situation. Has either Cole or Simon held a job in the private sector, and not been paid by taxpayers (me)? Has either candidate signed a personal loan guarantee, been responsible for a payroll every other week, or filled out a federal payroll tax form 941?
I know city government is not simply about business development, and I don't think it should be - especially if it's just new or different faces chasing limited retail dollars. But before I cast a vote, I would like to know which candidate ever had to depend on selling something to bring home a paycheck? "
to; to undecided wrote on Mar 29, 2007 4:23 PM:
" How do you get that I'm spreading half truths and innuendo? I haven't said anything negative about either candidate. I mearly offered Mick an opportunity to convince me to vote for someone other than Cole. And yes, I do want proof. To accuse a mayor of using the public's police force for his own personal use is innuendo, at best, and an outright lie at worst. If it's somewhere in between, prove it and I'll vote for Cole's opponent. Otherwise, I'll do exactly as you suggest. I'll base my vote on the candidates, their platforms, and who I think will do a better job for Carbondale. Undecided. "
Stewie wrote on Mar 29, 2007 3:49 PM:
" I really expected better out of Sheila Simon, her campaign, and her supporters. This slander of Brad Cole is uncalled for. I agree with the undecided voter. This denigration of Cole by calling him a Nazi directing the police in Gestapo tactics is outrageous. This conjecture and hearsay is also terrible. Also, he is the mayor of Carbondale, of course he is going to take pictures with dignitaries. Please use intelligence when speaking in support or opposition of a candidate! "
to undecided wrote on Mar 29, 2007 2:54 PM:
" Haha. LOL. "I sure don't go around spreading half truths and innuendo, about people with it". Sure you do! Why did you say the only reason you would vote for Simon is if someone can verify something that can not be verified. Your no more undecided than Brad Cole! If you were truely undecided why not base your vote based on the issues and character of the people running? "
PBR wrote on Mar 29, 2007 2:48 PM:
" Hey Dan, so you aren't outraged by wasteful spending, more govt, and less revenue? WOW! Hey Oh Boy, who ever said Cole does a full time job at his part time job? ..besides Cole that is. He does say he wants to make it a full time job. That should be his new slogan..."making jobs in carbondale one at a time...starting with myself." Every wonder why Cole doesn't have a full time job? There aren't any. So he will create one for himself. What about everybody else? "
Undecided wrote on Mar 29, 2007 1:50 PM:
" You "heard" that he gets his "buddies" out of DUI's. Note I said VERIFIABLE. I've "heard" a lot of BS in my life but, I sure don't go around spreading half truths and innuendo, about people with it. "
to undecided wrote on Mar 29, 2007 1:39 PM:
" I heard that Cole gets his buddies out of DUI's. "
Oh Boy wrote on Mar 29, 2007 1:39 PM:
" He treats the position as a full time job? And that's bad? We should have him removed from office for thinking he should work at being mayor! Brother....... "
Thanks Mick! wrote on Mar 29, 2007 1:28 PM:
" Your comments are good but you fail to mention many of Cole's unethical actions:
* linking his campaign webpage to the city's webpage
* His involvement in the facebook scandal..thanks Rob Taylor for your DE editorial which links the Cole campaign to the facebook page. Yet Cole still denies it.
*The American Tap fiasco: Cole was dating Fisher's daughter at the time he struck the tremendously irresponsible deal ($150,000 for property appraised at $38,000) with the convicted child sex offender Henry Fisher. This conflict of interest is unethical. You also have to love how this was all done behind closed doors In the one open meeting a citizen asked him what the appraised value was and Cole said he didn't have that info with him. How could you make such a lowsy deal and not know the appraised value.
* Cole when he worked for George Ryan (convicted felon) put Illinois Department of Human Services offices in Benton, Centralia, Cairo, Golconda, Chester and East St. Louis. All were leasing office space from Henry Fisher. When Fisher got convicted of sexually assulting a 12 yr old, this put the state in a bind, as it had to relocate all the offices.
*Cole makes $9,000 as mayor and he made $5,000 in business transactions. When a reporter form the DE asked him what the $5,000 was from he replied he couldn't remember. How can you not know where 1/3 of your income comes from? "
Undecided wrote on Mar 29, 2007 1:26 PM:
" Mick, I'd like to know one, verifiable, instance where Cole used the PD as his private Gestapo. I'll even make you a wager. I haven't decided who to vote for yet, but I'll let you help me decide. If you can give me one VERIFIABLE instance of this, then I'll vote for Simon. If not, I'll vote Cole. Simple as that. Prove it. "
Dan wrote on Mar 29, 2007 9:28 AM:
" Wow Mick, why don't you tell us how you really feel about Mayor Cole!!! Don't mention the positive things Brad has done for the city. There were a lot of buildings in town that were eyesores that are not longer standing. The new First Southern Bank complex is an example of a blighted area that has been improved. Oh, yea and don't forget about the American Tap building. Oh, I forgot, that will stir up some rage in people like you for sure. No property taxes for Carbondale residents thanks to Mayor Cole. Thats OK Mick, vote for Sheila Simon, who probably won't have any time to spend as Mayor. "
