Article Options

Ups and Downs

Thursday, July 24, 2008 10:52 PM CDT

Thumbs down � to Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brashness and disregard for common sense by continuing to sit on state ethics legislation he should have signed months ago. At its heart, the bill bans political contributions from companies that have, or want, state business in excess of $50,000. The contributions couldn't be made to the state office holder who controls contract awards for said state business. Blagojevich is the only state office holder who continues to accept campaign money from companies who do business with the state, all in the face of ongoing federal investigations into his campaign fundraising activities. The governor has said he wants to improve the bill, make it even stronger, but it appears more and more as if the governor is stalling simply to raise more campaign cash. Disclosure forms show that Blagojevich collected about $220,000 just in the first six months of 2008 from businesses holding state contracts during the current fiscal year, according to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. That's wrong. The governor should sign the bill, now.

Thumbs up � to the Partners for Parks and Wildlife for calling attention to the Blagojevich administration's neglect of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The post of DNR director has gone unfilled for the past two years and according to Partners for Parks and Wildlife, DNR's staff has been cut nearly 24 percent since 2001.

Thumbs up � to Williamson County Programs on Aging finally getting a new senior center. The program's original facility was dilapidated and had so little room that some had to work off-site or in closet spaces. The new facility has plenty of windows, a wide open environment for its patrons and more than enough offices for everyone.

Thumbs down � to the jalapeño scare. Just when we finally started to enjoy tomatoes on our sandwiches and salads, salmonella had to rear its ugly, diseased head again and latch itself to a jalapeño pepper. Now everyone will have to live without salsa and fresh chilis until another leafy culprit is found. What's next? A stalk of rhubarb containing the bacteria?

Thumbs up � to one of the few positives that has come out of this spring's state legislative session, a 2.8 percent increase in operational funding this year at Southern Illinois University Carbondale - an increase of about $8.8 million - along with an additional $7 million allocation for specific campus projects. The operational increase is a bit of a surprise, given the Illinois Board of Higher Education recommended just a 1.5 percent increase, but the funding nonetheless is sorely needed, and will help meet average 3 percent salary guarantees to most SIUC employees.

Thumbs down � to Dr. James Peake, Secretary for Veterans Affairs in Washington, for his recent decision to appoint Dr. Peter Almenoff as his Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health and Quality Safety. How can this promotion be justified when it was Almenoff who was at least partly responsible for overseeing the VA Medical Center in Marion last year when nine deaths occurred at the facility due to inadequate surgical care? U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Barack Obama and Congressmen Jerry Costello and John Shimkus are seeking answers from Dr. Peake and we'd like to know the reasons for this odd promotion, too.

Thumbs up � to the Marion City Council for trying to get control over a nasty situation that has developed at the city lake in regard to duck hunting privileges. Apparently, hunters have argued amongst themselves over the use of certain duck blinds and now the council is stepping in to set some stringent guidelines or will shut the lake off to hunters altogether.

Thumbs down � to news that Target has backed off of plans to build a multi-million-dollar distribution center on the east side of Marion that would have meant hundreds of new jobs. The city of Marion may be out several thousand dollars to have state-mandated archeological digs completed at the site, but it was a risk worth taking. Sometimes, you gamble and lose. Sometimes, you hit the jackpot. This time, Target bailed. Next time, it or another company may not.

Thumbs up � to the West Frankfort City Council for searching out some way to allow the residents to continue to use the old lake property. Day use without camping and ATV riding may not please everyone, but it does allow the public to continue to enjoy a publically owned asset. Let's hope it's a start toward a solution.

Thumbs up � to Greg "The Shark" Norman for one more charge at a major golf title, the British Open, at the age of 53. In the end Padraig Harrington - another golfer of talent, charm and class - bested The Shark. But the contest brought back memories and showed a pair of sportsmen at their best.

Thumbs up � to the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs for granting the SIUC School of Law $100,000 for a new program that will help veterans with legal matters. The grant will provide legal service to veterans, and at the same time, give law students real experience in legal matters. This grant provides a win-win situation for all involved.