LaSalle Insider

There was a time in this Country when most people were ashamed or embarrassed to take government handouts.  Families were too proud to admit that they could not get by on their own.  My how times have changed!  Yes there are still those who look at handouts as a last resort but there are those that look at government assistance as their right or something they have earned simply by being a citizen.  I believe the truly needy should still get assistance but we need to do something about those people (and I know you know some) who make government assistance  their chosen life style.

Let me be more specific….lets talk about unemployment compensation.  Why should able bodied citizens receive tax money and do nothing for it?  I am not talking about those who are on workman’s compensation (although that’s another abused source in some instances) but those citizens who have been laid off or fired due to cutbacks or a problem with their previous employer.  I am not advocating ending this temporary source of income for the unemployed but merely asking that we the tax payer get something in return for our money.

Why don’t we insist that those who can work but have no job (temporarily) be put to work for the government in exchange for their weekly check. After all this is a diverse group with many skills who because of the economy have lost their previous job and are searching for a new way to benefit from their skills.

Let’s have the State of Illinois give a list to the cities where these folks live and require that the City of residence verify that they do work in exchange for their checks.  There are countless jobs that cities could use the extra help on.  I have continually heard that we can’t afford to hire additional staff (and I agree) and that because of that many projects are left undone.

Think of all the things we could accomplish in our city with additional help…cleaner parks,cleaner streets,planting of flowers in areas which are overridden with weeds, just to name a few.  And we don’t have to limit it to unskilled jobs, after all we have a diverse group of unemployed in our area.  We could use the extra help in engineering for road projects, traffic control  near schools,as well as additional eyes for speeders in residential areas.  Office staffs could catch up on backlogged paper work and schools would have additional cafeteria staff as well as hall monitors!  Our full time permanent help could work in vacation time and we would not be short handed while they are gone.

Those who fill these jobs albeit temporarily, would have pride in giving something back to their fellow taxpayers in exchange for their pay.

I know what your thinking…..but Garry what about the unions?  They don’t want to lose these potential jobs or see their members laid off….relax. We  would have plenty of work for those already employed, in fact we could guarantee no layoffs in exchange for the additional help.  It would not raise the cost of government because we are already paying these folks while they are unemployed.  We would not work them 40 hours a week and we would allow them time to search for new employment during this temporary period.  In fact, they would be opening up new avenues to network for contacts and leads by being out there publicly every day.

I want to know what you think….isn’t this a win win situation?  Its better then what the WPA program was back in the day!  And it would also give new incentive for that small portion of the unemployed who use this compensation annually for a 2-3 month vacation from work.

Do you think any government official down in Springfield has the intestinal fortitude to bring this up for debate in the  General Assembly?  They’d get my vote for re-election…..and I ‘ll bet yours….

I have been accused by some as not being able to see both sides of the political spectrum.  They say I am a conservative who hasn’t heard the other side.  In answer to this I did a little research.  In my job I have a lot of time behind the wheel so I decided to find a station that would represent the other side.  After all there must be some station spewing the far left agenda.  I found CPT or Chicago’s Progressive Talk.  It can best be found on 92.5 FM on your car radio.  I suggest you give it a listen…if you like angry radio.

There are several hosts throughout the day but the #1 host is Thom Hartmann.    Thom starts his show at 2pm daily.  He is a former psychotherapist and entrepreneur.   He will be 60 on May 7th so maybe he is just mad at ageing but believe me he is mad!  It seems , according to him, that people should be limited as to how much money they should have. (keep in mind whether you inherited it or earned it,there should be a limit.)

In Thom’s world we only need so much and anything over thom’s ceiling is wrong and should be taken away from you.  What’s really scary is he feels we should give it to the government because they would do the best job of redistributing it. I know most of you are laughing at this point, but that just makes Thom even madder.  He may result to calling you names and have to stop himself for fear of a heart attack.  He is a big believer in global warming, and that nuclear energy will kill us all, hates fossil fuels, and that we are all really controlled by the big corporations.  BUT big GOVERNMENT is ok and really the best answer to solving all our problems.  Now I have heard this nonsense before but what made me wonder is why all the ANGER!!  After all he has his President in the White House, a Senate controlled by his people and until recently a democratically controlled House.  I don’t understand why he isn’t elated with the shape of the world and who is controlling it.

But that is the teaching point here…..far left liberals are never happy…ever…Its what they live for, to be miserable 24/7.  But they do serve a purpose and I’m thankful…After listening to them for about three weeks I have never felt better or been happier with my political point of view……not to mention all the laughs I’ve gotten.  Please take a look at the video attached from U-tube to hear the great Thom.

Having been an alderman for 12 years I feel I have learned something about how government works. I also think I am qualified to pass on some advice to the newly elected city officials from our city as well as those that surround us. I realize advice in many cases is worth what you paid for it….and so feel free to move on at this point. However if you truly want some insight as to what’s expected and what your responsibilities are to we the people, please see my top ten list below:

1. Don’t mistake perfect attendance at council meetings as doing a good job! Don’t just show up and utter the words aye or nay on every motion. Have a thought and present it, also do the research so you know what your talking about….

2.Return citizen’s phone calls promptly! Even if you have no answer at the time, we appreciate that you let us know we matter.  If you tell us you need a little time , we understand…but get back to us when you said you would..

3.Don’t come to a Council meeting dressed like your going to the beach! Have respect for the position and dress appropriately…you don’t have to wear a tuxedo but let’s forget the t-shirt and flip flops! After all you’re  representing us.

4.Never get to close to the Mayor! Regardless of who he or she is…if you become so closely tied  you will lose your perspective and not see all sides of issues. Respect him or her but keep your distance.

5. 8-0 Votes are not a sign that the council gets along! I realize that some issues are slam dunk but they are few and far between. Just because you disagree on an issue does not mean you don’t respect your fellow councilmen. If all you do is vote the way the guy next to you does we might as well elect eight monkeys to the council!

6.You are not a part of the Mayor’s administration!  Unless you are appointed by the Mayor to fill a position, you must remain independent in thought.  You can agree if its what you truly believe but you were elected by the people not the Mayor. You are a separate arm of city government and as such you need to be part of the checks and balance of its operation.

7.Treat all city money as if it was coming out of your wallet! Its very easy to spend OPM (other people’s money) . Before you agree ask yourself if you would spend your money in the same fashion as the city does theirs.  Does it meet the only standard you should use…that is…Is this the highest and best use of these dollars!  Believe me you will feel much better about your decisions if you abide by this suggestion!

8.Think of  the long term consequences of your actions..your decision today may make sense but look at the long term effect to the City. Actions you take impact us tomorrow as well as today..we have benefited from and suffered as well from those decisions made before us.

9.Take the time to get to know those who run the City daily! You will find that most of these individuals take great pride in what they do. Do we have some who are just here for the check and benefits?…absolutely, but the vast majority of the people I have gotten to know over the years are dedicated and go above and beyond the call…I think you will find they make a great team!

10.Remember you have been given a great honor.  People think enough of you to elect you to represent them.  They feel you can make their City better. Don’t let them down….don’t take their support lightly.  Always  work as hard as you can to keep their trust….

I appreciate those of you took the time to read this and I hope it helps.  I can say I have enjoyed my years as an alderman.  The people I have met have been supportive, for the most part. When you’re done serving , the best you can hope for is that you made a difference…I hope I have.

First, my congratulations to Mark for running a good, clean campaign. Its so rare anymore in politics. I hope he enjoys his time as alderman and I wish him well.  Let’s talk about the rest of us for a moment.  I have heard many people over the last fourteen years whine about government officials not listening to their complaints about what’s wrong with the system and the country in general.  Many have given me suggestions as to what we need to change locally to make our city better.  Please understand that their is one constant in the minds of all elected officials….if you don’t vote, your opinions don’t matter.  If you as a citizen cannot take five minutes to voice your opinion where it really matters..in the voting booth than few if any public officials will take you seriously.  I had thought that all registered voters realize that candidates get lists which show if you did or did not vote in the last election.  Depending on the level of the election(federal , state , or local) you order the list accordingly.  You also can request the list as to the format….alphabetical or a walking list.  Walking lists help the candidate as he or she walks the neighborhoods.  Obviously if your not on the list at all you are not registered.  You won’t get much if any attention from the candidate.  If your on the list and it shows you voted, you get the maximum attention from that political hopeful.  It may sound unfair but there are only so many hours a candidate can devote to elections or re-elections when they have other jobs to feed their families.   My point to this is if you really want to be heard….VOTE.

I have heard more people tell me that they were going to but forgot….really?   Or that the day just got away from them…or they tried but the polling place did not show them as registered.  The worst ones are those who said they did vote but we know they did not….and they complain about politicians lying to them!  In today’s world voting could not be any easier…you can vote by mail, vote early if your going to be busy on election day or find five minutes on a day that the polls are open for THIRTEEN HOURS!

Election results are what they are..he or she who get the most votes…wins. It matters not what the total number of votes is.  The truly sad number is the few people who think its a waste of time to participate.  Remember when you look at the percentage who voted..that’s of registered voters. Statistics tell us than generally only 50% or less of the population actually register.  Bottom line , in our ward 9% of those who live here determined who will represent them in city government for at least the next two years.

AND it was worse in the 2nd Ward…..

Maybe we need to jazz it up….voting I mean….like Dancing with the Stars or American Idol.  How about three judges who rate the candidates but have no vote and you text in (for a fee) your choice!  After all…its more important in your life  who wins those elections……REALLY?

Well we are less than 48 hours away from  the polls opening  on Tuesday April 5th.  The County Clerks office has suggested that turnout will be very low in LaSalle (22%).  I hope we prove JoAnn Caretto wrong come Tuesday. Please  what ever you do don’t believe the idea that your vote doesn’t matter….it does, especially when typical municipal elections have such low turnouts.

If you live in the following precincts in the fourth Ward your polling places are as follows;

Precinct 8  —–LaSalle VFW-2335 Donohue street

Precinct 9 & 10  Housing Authority/Maintenance Complex-2222 N Tonti

Precinct Utica 1—–Utica Village Hall-801 s Clark Street- UTICA

Polling hours are 6AM to 7 PM so please make your voices heard at the ballot box.

I need your help on Tuesday…I need your Vote.  Thank you for your consideration…..

RE-ELECT SCHROEDER FOR ALDERMAN 4TH WARD