LaSalle Insider

The City is in the midst of union negotiations with the city workers, police and for the first time the full time firemen.  I understand the city workers contract is about settled and the police and fire are not.  The job of negotiating these contracts has been in the hands of city council members and the Mayor.  As most of you know, many city and state governments are in trouble today based on what was agreed to in the past.  I think the workers should try to get the best deal they can and at the same time governments need to try to limit benefits and pay to a level that each governmental body can afford.  Having said that I will admit under the current setup achieving that goal is impossible.  Let me explain…

Elected officials goal in many cases is to get re-elected.  Municipal elections traditionally get about 13-20% participation from citizens.  Knowing this most elected officials realize that a big portion of those voting are city workers, their immediate families, and their extended families.   It is not wise to upset any workers while negotiating their future pay and benefits.  It will probably come back and haunt you at the polls.  That’s why its impossible to fairly represent the tax payer at the negotiating table.  What needs to be done is that a board is created by the council to represent the tax payer in these talks.  These individuals will be able to represent the taxpayer without  the pressure of trying to get re-elected.  It has gotten so bad now that Alderman Bacidore sat at the table for the city while his son works for the city.  Does anyone think “Kingfish” was truly representing the taxpayer during this process?  He should have never been appointed to this table by the Mayor (what are you thinking Jeff?)  and should recuse himself from voting on the contract itself once it comes before the Council.  Its just another example of the lack of leadership  in this administration….

2013 is coming and I think those of us who live here will be taking a good long look at those we chose to run our City…remember “Nothing is as constant as change!”

In doing further research I have found out that Council indeed voted on a road project ordinance without having a total list of streets to be worked on.  I find that truly remarkable!  That’s like authorizing spending without knowing where the money is going.  Our Council has reached a new low by acting in this way.  Its action in this case indicates what It respect they have for us taxpayers.  They are saying to the Mayor” here’s the money…spend it anywhere you want!” That shows a  complete lack of understanding what their duties are as elected officials.  They need to act as the overseers of our tax dollars and answer for where every dollar is spent.  They can’t do that if they blindly ok funding without the total knowledge of what it will be spent on!

And speaking of road projects…why are we doing one this year when we can’t  afford it? It was reported that we will be spending a million dollars on this project and borrowing the money to fund it.  Motor fuel funds will be used to pay off the bond.  The problem is we will get about $250,000  this year from that source.  At that pace it will take 4 years to pay off this year’s work!  That only works if these funds aren’t promised on previous projects as payment.  I don’t believe we have paid off all previous road projects at this point.  The reasoning I get from Council is that money is too “cheap” to pass up doing this work at this time.  Even if the money comes at a 0% rate we still need to find the source to pay off the principal. We are spending ourselves into a larger and larger debt and watching revenue continue to decline here in LaSalle.  This type of spending is insane!  As a homeowner I wouldn’t be making improvements to my home if I did not have the money for the mortgage payment monthly.  Our city is doing exactly that by choosing to borrow the funds to do this road work.  A better approach would be to accumulate the motor fuel funds over  a few years before we spend money we don’t have.  I know in previous years we did borrow and than payback with fuel funds going forward but those were much better revenue days than what we are experiencing now.  Apparently our elected officials are only thinking of their next re-election and trying to curry favor with the voters.   This tactic may backfire when everyone sees how much debt they have piled up in the process!

You will have to excuse me because I was vacationing last week and have been a bit behind in the local news happenings.  I did see tonight’s paper and I had to laugh at (A) the council meeting notes for LaSalle and (B) the way in which they were reported.  The special assessment math is way off when it comes to the Malcolm avenue repairs. It says the project would be $200,000 and divided among 17 residents over ten years.  It shows 12.50 per month in cost to residents over the ten years. 17 residents times $12.50 a month equals $2,550.00 per year.  Times that by ten years and it equals $25,500.  That’s a far cry from $200,000!!!   Obviously the city would not assess the total cost to the residents but even if it only  asks for the curb and gutter cost they are still short more than half of the estimated $54,000.

The number of and location of the streets to be done in addition to Malcolm were not available at the meeting BUT they voted on the road project anyway????  I hope the aldermen had the list and just did not make it available to the Press otherwise they really are working “in the dark” with our money.

The other amusing thing about the report was that when the council could not decide on Malcolm Avenue, one man led the way.  That man… “Kingfish” Bacidore. He really is turning into the Mike Madigan of this council!  What leadership, what poise under pressure!!!

I haven’t had time to check on the motor fuel tax receipts that will supposedly pay for this million dollar road project.  But at first blush that looks like wishful thinking on the part of the Mayor.  I’ll get back to you with the details.

Well that wraps up another episode of “Its your Money and We will Spend It Any Way We Want!”

Can’t wait for the next installment…..

I was really curious when I saw that the City of Peru might entertain half a council who would be considered at large or in common parlance “everybody’s Aldermen”. I have to ask why?  What’s in it for the average citizen?  When I was alderman I fielded questions from people all over town regardless of ward.  It depended on what the issue was….If a citizen had a question specific to their ward only generally they call city hall.  I’m talking about filling a pothole or adding gravel to the holes in the alley.  In reality if that was the problem they were better off calling a city worker than alderman!  It sped up the process!

No there has to be another reason….but what?  All I can see is for half the council the cost of getting elected just went up astronomically.  Instead of signs for the ward only ,they have to cover the whole city.  Not to mention campaigning citywide!  If that’s what you have to do you might as well run for a higher position which pays more money to cover the cost of running.

I see no advantage for the taxpayer and even more confusion when they are trying to figure out who to call with problems in their Ward.

Let’s not forget the old adage…”If it Ain’t broke don’t fix it!”

What do you think??

In March 7th’s addition of the News Tribune, above the fold, the headline story was “Teen gets probation for Westclox fire”.  I hope everyone took the time to read that story and see what one Judge decided was proper punishment for this crime. Judge Daniel J. Bute decided that there was no need to go to IDJJ and 66 days of being held in custody was enough.  He was released to his mother.  Also he must do 240 hours of community service and is on probation for five years.  According to the paper even the teen was surprised he was let go with such a light sentence. The Judge was said to be moved by the letters of apology written by the teen.  Judge Bute apparently thinks the State’s job is only to rehabilitate criminals and not punish them.  I strongly disagree…its both!  This is the same Judge who also released a 14 year old convicted robber  with 100 hours of community service as punishment.  This was the robbery of the Dollar Store back in December of 2011 here in LaSalle. And we wonder why these acts take place ….lack of punishment.  It seems its much easier to blame peer pressure,bad economy, and just the difficulty of trying to be good in today’s world.  Its never the person’s fault…its society’s fault…somewhere, someone did or said something to corrupt this poor innocent soul and he’s a victim!  I have nothing against rehabilitating these individuals but first that person must pay for the wrong he or she committed!  In the case of this fire the costs estimates are north of $411,000 and the time and efforts of 36 fire departments.  In addition one fireman was injured and more could have been. But the youth wrote letters of apology and that makes up for it all…really!! There is an old saying” we get the government we deserve” That also applies to the court system.  We need to monitor our Judges as well as our government officials.

Former LaSalle Fire Chief Bill Bacidore  died last Saturday.  His passing made me stop and think about when I first met him.  Surprisingly it was when I was about fourth or fifth grade.  At that time I was busy playing baseball in the parks during the summer days and swimming at the LaSalle pool in the afternoon.  That was followed by doing my paper route on my bike.  A friend of mine , Randy Strauch and I hung around together most of the summers back then and his father Bob and Bill worked at Comparon Motors.  They were both in the repair shop and I recall meeting Bill when Randy and I would stop to tell Randy’s Dad where we were going or what we planned on doing (not always the complete truth, but close).  Back then Bill struck me as a guy who was always smiling and happy.  I had no idea he was on the fire department.  I thought he was just a mechanic like Randy’s Dad. In those days I identified people by what they did. Mechanic,grocery clerk, truck driver, etc.  I did not ever consider that there might be more to a person than his day job.  Hey, I was a kid dreaming about what I was going to be …baseball star, football player,rock star…you know the stuff all little kids think about at that age.  I realize now that Bill’s day job was as a mechanic but his dream job was bigger….and he pursued that and became a Fire Chief….and a good one!  He saw the bigger picture and started things within the department that previously had never been done.  Real training programs for volunteers and developing the “first responders” here in LaSalle.  There was more to Bill than just fixing cars….and we are fortunate that there was.

His boys watched first hand as Bill changed the fire department back then and somewhere along the way they developed the same desire to become”smoke eaters” like their Dad.  While Jeff went to the “burbs” the other became our Chief following in his Dad’s footsteps.  I was on the Council the day we swore him in as our new “Chief”.  I think it was the best and “easiest” vote I ever cast.  Andy has taken what his Father started and improved it every year he has held the position.  And like his Father before him, I know he doesn’t look at it as his “day job”.  With the Bacidores , Fire fighting is their life ambition and we are so much better off because it is….rest in peace Bill …your boys will take it from here!

Well I’m sure your looking forward to the water and sewer rate increase as much as I am……NOT!   Why is this happening and why now?  If you believe the Mayor its because the EPA is mandating changes for separation of storm and  sewer wastes. Along with the need to dig new wells, repair and paint four water towers, and the ongoing costs of maintaining a water pump station and two waste treatment facilities.  HOLD ON A MINUTE!!!!

While I was on the Council we have been separating the storm from the sanitary sewer lines as we have replaced sections in need of repair.  That means there are many areas of the city that are already updated!  All lines are not 100 YEARS OLD.  We also had repainted  and repaired water towers as necessary.  I highly doubt all four need to be repaired and painted at this point.  As my previous article on the new waste treatment plant pointed out…we really have no need for the increase capacity the new plant brings us….at this time..

SO what’s really happening here?  Whats the real story?  I have heard from some Council members that its due to bad decision making by the previous administration….really???  If you look back you will see that revenues to the City were greater then  and have dropped since the new Mayor took over.  In addition the last increase to the sales tax rate was to  also provide additional funds for infrastructure repair.  What are those funds being spent on now???

Now part of the problem is the bad economy causing sales tax revenues to decrease due to less activity in local sales.  Add to the fact that Flying J( the single biggest source of  sales tax revenue to LaSalle) has changed their diesel fuel to one which is taxed at a lower rate and BINGO….there’s your answer.

In the past sales tax revenue has made up for shortages in other areas allowing for lower tax rates to the citizens of LaSalle.  While the decrease in our revenues aren’t necessarily the Mayor’s fault he has done nothing to decrease spending during his reign.   Having an economic director and an assistant who combine for over $70,000 in costs annually does not help the bottom line.  Continuing to hold every possible Holiday celebration and advertise for every cause submitted at the taxpayer’s expense adds up!  This administration just doesn’t understand how to handle money.  Their answer now is to reach into your pocket for their miscalculations.  The Mayor points out that according to his usage his rate will increase by 55%!!  He thinks if he shows he is facing the same pain we are that we will be more accepting of this change…..WRONG!

This Council needs to take a second look and phase in this increase over a longer period of time.  We are not going to make all these repairs and changes overnight or even in the next two years so the funding should be collected at a slower rate.  Remember that the citizens you serve have seen a decrease in their revenues as well and can’t print more money simply because you demand it.

If they don’t do this you will see more people making other cities their new home along with even less new businesses considering our town for their new location.   End result if this happens even more of a decrease in future revenues…

Next up…..big changes are coming with respect to the makeup of our current administration and it starts this Summer…stay tuned!!

The cause of the rising price of gasoline is a never ending debate.  Some say that its due to governmental regulations which limit the amount we can drill for here at home.  Latest statistics show we import 51% of our oil in this Country.  Does that mean if we have more domestic production the price of oil will drop?  We currently produce about 7% of the world supply of oil so if we increase production or supply of domestic oil will it really have that big of an effect on the price world wide?  I have read that for every $10.00 increase in cost per barrel of oil the gasoline price increases about .25 a gallon. Depending on which political party you side with it seems that there is no clear answer.  The democrats say increased production and fewer regulations will not lower gas prices significantly.  Instead they say we must become more efficient with better sources of energy besides oil.  They cling to wind, solar, and electric as sources we need to perfect in order to reduce our out of pocket expenses for energy.  Republicans believe that opening up more domestic markets will bring the price of fuel down and other energy costs as well.  Taking many of the EPA regulations off the books will also have a positive impact.  What are we to believe?

When these types of questions come up it usually helps to use some common sense and past history as a basis for actions.  Back during the Carter years and oil embargoes the  price was about .36  a gallon and was difficult to get.  This may seem cheap but by  comparison new homes were $26,600 and the price of a stamp was .o6.  Using this information one would feel that an increase in domestic production should lower gasoline prices.  However we as a country are currently EXPORTERS of gasoline.  It seems the bad economy along with efforts to conserve gasoline have made many refineries sell to other countries  where demand is bigger and larger prices can be had.  (China and India are examples).  So what now?  Well there is evidence that increase production still will bring down the price.  In our country we are experiencing a dramatic drop in natural gas prices due to increased supply.  This supply jump is due to new and more efficient ways (read more profitable) to mine natural gas here at home.  At to the fact that when wheat prices drop from good growing years we see a decrease in the price of bread. Remember the driving issue for any company is profits and margin.  If we can create a gasoline market here at home where profit margins meet or exceed those created by selling to  other countries then we will see prices drop  at the pump.  Remember its profits that drive businesses.

Common sense would then indicate that increased supply domestically along  with less regulations on U.S. oil companies (which cost money and decrease profits) along with lower taxes on same would drive prices down while maintaining or increasing profits to producers. Remember that this increase also helps many of your 401K’s and pensions that invest in Oil companies.  Increase drilling also creates more jobs at home which helps the economy and will replace those taxes lost by lowering corporate rates.  And by lowering the cost of fuel you decrease shipping costs on all goods within the Country and thereby lower the costs of these goods to the consumer.

Its just common sense……maybe we need more of it!

Ever since President Hoover uttered the words “a chicken in every pot” America has used this barnyard animal as a symbol of prosperity.  It now looks like our LaSalle  Council wants to change that perception.  When did this group become anti-chicken?  Apparently one of our alderman got a complaint about  a neighbor in his Ward raising chickens and has started the ball rolling to ban them in our “urban” setting. Time Out! Lets examine this before we move to fast!!!!

First, unlike unruly dogs, chickens don’t bark all night long…they cluck.  Not nearly as upsetting to one trying to sleep.  To my knowledge there has never been a loose chicken that has attacked a mailman or a jogger.  Can’t say the same about those freedom loving dogs off the leash.  Chickens don’t stay up all night and sit on fences screeching like those alley cats looking for action!

Lets also remember that chickens will provide food in the form of eggs unlike most other domestic pets who continually just eat food and provide nothing in return!  A good hen can produce an egg a day!  That’s return on investment !

And if ,God forbid, your chicken gets hit by a vehicle and dies at least you have dinner for that night.  Can’t say that about Fido or  Mr. Whiskers  if they meet their maker!

I don’t know anyone in the Illinois Valley that doesn’t love fried chicken.  Our area is known for it.  If the City Council bans raising them here in town its only going to raise the price of this tasty menu item locally.  Its a simple economic case of supply and demand…less supply equals higher prices!  Nobody wants that.

Chickens have always been held in high regard.  I remember when I was young and single every male wanted to go to the bars where the “chicks” hung out.  We  tried to avoid anyplace where an abundance of “dogs ” were known to party!

This potential ban is an assault on our American way of life……

I think the answer for all of us who love  the chicken is  to attend the next Council meeting and “Occupy City Hall”.  Once there when the time is right we , in unison, will “flip them the bird!”  That will get our message across that” we defend our feathered friends!”….sounds like a good idea for a bumper sticker too.

See You There!!!!

I’ll bet at one time or another we all have done something less than brilliant just to try and impress someone or get some personal attention.  I’ll also guess that those of us who did, did it during our high school years.  I can recall a night during Christmas break where I ended up getting stitches over one eye from getting too close to a counter stool at the Igloo on my way to the floor.  Everything worked out ok and I learned a life lesson that night.  But even in my stupidity I knew better than to put anyone else in harm’s way.   Some have commented on social media sites that maybe we should feel compassion for the young idiot(s) who started this blaze on New Year’s eve at Westclox.  They point out the errors we make as young adults and we should be judged by different standards during the growing up stage.  I am trying to understand this sentiment but I am having a very difficult time at it.  What these two did is far greater than just a stunt for attention.  I cannot accept the fact that they did not know what the end result of their actions would be.  They had to realize that many people would have their lives effected by the actions they took in a few minutes on a holiday evening.  One fireman was injured and many more could have been had things gone badly that evening or if these idiots had gotten caught  in their own fire and needed to be rescued.  Property damage has yet to be tabulated and the cost to the tax payers will be substantial based on the water used and the number of hours fireman have been on the scene.  Nearby businesses could not open and have suffered smoke damage as well as financial loss of sales activity.  Even the schools nearby closed early or all day  a few times this past week.    This was not about getting attention, this was a criminal act  and the appropriate punishment must be doled out to these felons.  I don’t know the families involved so I won’t comment on what type of home they came from.  I can say that if they are found guilty they need to pay the price for their actions.  They have made the decision to throw away a portion of their lives by spending time in prison.  At least their actions did not take anyone else’s life.

Typically at this time of year we all look back on what transpired in the last twelve months.  We try to remember the high points of our year as well as those of the world in general. It usually is a time of reflection and recollection.  I choose not to do that….let’s look ahead!  After all there were enough disappointing moments in 2011 to last a life time.  The economy is still in the toilet and locally it seems we are moving backwards not forwards.  Let us try to raise our sights for 2012 and push to make this coming year the best one in a long time.  There will be opportunities for all of us to revel in 2012….

For long suffering Cub fans you have the hope of “Thesus” or as he is known to the rest of us…Theo.  He is going to change a dormant franchise into one as exciting as any that ever existed!  He will break the curse and bring a world championship to the North side Faithful……in a few years

Bear fans look forward to a healthy Jay Cutler and maybe a receiver or two who have hands that function as they should  for football..bye bye Roy and Martz too.

Robin will bring a fresh perspective to the South side and let’s face it-we will be able to understand what he says when he speaks…with Ozzie it was always a challenge.

The Bulls will be exciting us all the way up to and including the playoffs with D. Rose and company and don’t be surprised if we see them in the championship round.

I’m not a fan of hockey but even I know the Blackhawks should contend for the Lord Stanley’s Cup again in 2012 and maybe??????

Locally it looks good for LP’s new basketball coach and we just might be seeing the start of a great program taking shape…let’s hope so.

The biggest change will come in November when we finally show Mr Obama the door.  Thanks for your service but you have been replaced!  This is the biggest challenge we face in 2012. If we are ever hoping to return to some kind of economic stability this man and his group of socialist leaning dunces must be replaced. And let’s not stop there, we have another group in the State level that need to find work elsewhere as well.  Get active and lets vote  in 2012 and not let a handful of special interest groups determine our future.  Its in our hands….vote…vote…vote!!

On a local level I would like to see my city fathers focus on something other than another neighborhood celebration or parade.  We don’t need another committee to look long term at where the City should be in 10 or 20 years…we have a limited amount of revenues that are decreasing monthly.  Spend wisely…forget about newspaper ads that do nothing to advance our City’s status as a place to bring your new business. Let’s finally concentrate on the biggest problem we face as a small town….. illegal drugs

That’s right drugs…the use and sale of which have hampered our area for the last 30 years.  I applaud our police force and the efforts being made by them to do as much as they can but the problem continues to grow.  We are undermanned in this battle and we are losing the fight.  We must publicly  begin a campaign that says we are not going to tolerate the sale and use of illegal drugs within our City.  Post the names of anyone who has been arrested and convicted of drug related charges. Begin a sweep from one end of town to the other and question anyone with any connection to these illegal actions.  make it clear that we will not allow this activity in our town.  I want our officers focused 24-7 on this problem and not concern themselves with seat belt violations or illegally parked cars.  Their time is limited and we need to get the most bang for our buck.  We need to follow up on all leads from neighbors who see this illegal activity on a daily basis.  I assure you that until we rid our area of these unwanted scum we will never see  growth in our area.  It must and has to be the number one priority for us going forward…..

Stay safe and have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!

As many of you already know, LaSalle is looking to raise your sewer rates yet again.  What you may not know is we have President Obama and his stimulus plans of 2009 to thank for this….let me explain.

Shortly after Mayor Grove took office, our wonderful President decided to resurrect  the economy with his stimulus plans. He was looking for “shovel ready” plans to fund with our tax dollars.  The reality was he was looking to keep public sector jobs safe in return for their continued donations to his campaign.  This would be done by way of the Unions kicking back a portion of those funds to Obama’s building war chest.  Its a great way to redirect tax dollars back to yourself while looking like you care about the working man!

When the terms were released to qualify for the money , the city realized we had engineering plans already in place for the new sewage treatment plant.  This would qualify the job as being “shovel ready”.  We initially looked at building a second waste treatment facility on the east end when it looked like the water park and other industrial users were planning on building on that end of town.  In order to allow such expansion , the EPA said we needed the capacity to handle the increased waste water that would be created by these businesses once they were up and running.  Shortly after we began the process it became clear that the economy was headed south and these new enterprises became a pipe dream.

We shelved the idea of building the new plant because it wasn’t necessary given the current plant could handle our current needs.

Then came “Santa Obama” and he said you can have your new plant and we will forgive 25% of the amount you borrow and give you 20 years to pay back the balance at 0%!  Who would turn down that deal??   I have to admit I went along with the deal as an alderman at the time.  After all we would never get that kind of financing in the future and how long could this bad economy last?  Surely new construction and new users were right around the corner to fund the increased operating costs……..NOT!

So here we are in 2011 almost 2012 and as we all know now the economy still sputters along at best.  In the mean time we have a shiny new plant that costs money to run and staff.  We don’t need it at this time but its built and everyday we have expenses to pay.

If the stimulus plan did not exist this plant would not have been built at this time.  There would not be the added costs that the City has to fund and there would NOT be any increase in your sewer rates for you to pay.  Oh and don’t forget somebody has to pay the 25% that was given to the City for free as well as the interest on this money that would have been paid for 20 years if the Federal government had charged the going rate for those loans.

That money is coming out of we (the taxpayers) pockets as well!  But don’t forget we now have a second waste treatment plant ready for action.  If only we had a President who knew how to grow the economy instead of how to waste our tax dollars…..

We are quickly approaching the end of another year and its time to look back and see what we have accomplished.  On a national level we have continued to spend money and get nothing in return….unless you are one of Obama’s chosen ones.  That would be any union who’s dues go to the Democratic party in part to continue their ability to try to sell us on Obama as a good President.  That’s not working  based on his poll numbers!  Those in public sector jobs have seen their jobs saved by one  of the stimulus packages which went back to State and local governments to avoid layoffs.  The sad truth was those jobs were paid for by tax dollars taken from unemployed people in the private sector!

The State was no better in that we have a deficit and a debt which is getting bigger by the day.  Those in power don’t have any answers and continue to support those who support them.  Meanwhile we all suffer as we watch the decline of businesses in Illinois.  The picture isn’t pretty but their is some good news…..People are paying attention!   That’s right, finally the voting public are turning away from their reality TV shows and Hollywood magazines and realizing that they have a say in what happens.  The tea party groups are active and informed and even the occupiers are forcing  many to look at whats happening and making  the majority of us to think about our Country’s future.

I truly believe that the upcoming elections are going to shock many by the percentage of turnout.  The primaries as well will create a firestorm of activity.

THIS IS GOOD!!!!   Its about time we wake up and take control of our government and not let them control us….from what we eat, where we can send our children to school, what we drive, what kind and how much energy we use….enough already.  That’s our decision!

We are at a point in history where we can settle for what they tell us (elected officials) or we can dictate to them what is acceptable!   It’s time for term limits for all levels of government.  It’s time for less governmental interference so that this economy can once again lead the world.  We are becoming a second class Country and its due to the incompetence of the so called leaders in place today.

Keep the conversation going and talk with your neighbors and friends.  Let them know that you intend to vote for change and ask them to do their part as well.  We can turn this slide around but it will come from the bottom up, not the top down!

Enjoy your Holidays and keep the thought that every day that passes brings us closer to the change which will happen in November 2012.

Merry Christmas!!

I have a question for our “concerned” Alderman Bacidore  regarding buildings that are in rundown shape.  Is he concerned with all of the eyesores  in town?  Even if that property is owned by the City and he can vote to take action to correct?  I don’t think so….if he was he would be demanding that something be done with the Matthiessen  School building owned by the City.  After all he sits on the public grounds and Real Estate committee.  Unlike the Hotel this building is an eyesore which stands out in a residential neighborhood.  It houses rats and the occasional human overnight guest.  I know because I have seen the campfire remains in some of the rooms in the building.  Kingfish said he was going to ask about the Hotel at every meeting until he “got some answers”!  I think its time for the landowners around the old school building to come to every council meeting and demand answers from the City as to what they plan to do with this eyesore and when they plan to do  it!  After all if the City can own eyesores and do nothing with them why can’t the Public?  What’s the old adage…”People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones?”

I know the answer from the City will be that we don’t have the money to do anything  right now. Why are we to  accept that answer when  “Kingfish”  won’t from Mr Carus with  regards to the Hotel….?

When the eloquent speaker from the First Ward mentioned his walk down a certain boulevard he did not state where that street ended but I can assure you it begins in front of Alderman Bacidore’s  chair in the City Council!

The more quotes I read about Alderman “Kingfish” Bacidore  the more I realize how sad things are going in my City.  His recent quote about taking a walk down bullshit boulevard just points out what an eloquent  speaker he is.  Someone referred to kingfish as “Jo-Jo with a car” but I think that’s disrespectful to the late Alderman Cawley.  At least Alderman Cawley was trying to help in his own way.

Mr Bacidore suffers from the “smartest man in the room syndrome”.  That is he thinks he always is.  That’s only true if he is sitting alone…..

The fact that Mr. Carus gave him 45 minutes of his time shocks me….the only way I would do that would be if Jim was still bartending and was supplying free drinks!

But let’s get to the point here…Jim needs to learn that if you are going to bring up a “problem” at least have a viable solution.  He has none.  He wants to point to the Hotel as an eyesore as if that’s the only one downtown.  We have many. He looks to Mr Carus as the cause but he conveniently forgets that Mr Carus  actually bought the building as an eyesore….he did not create it.  He is trying to take a problem building and make it into something worthwhile.  And for his attempts to do something good  is being lambasted by the city officials!

The Dew Drop Inn will never be a must see stop on the list of beautiful buildings in LaSalle yet Mr Bacidore sees fit to tell Mr Carus how to spend his money.  Wonder what his attitude would be if we demanded changes to the appearance of his building??

Kingfish also feels that Mr Carus is “getting away with something” by not rebuilding the Hotel at this time in this economy.  Does he not understand the costs that are ongoing to Mr Carus  for this building.  There are property taxes, heating,and maintenance costs just to keep it as is.  Does anyone with a brain really believe that Mr Carus bought this building with the intent of leaving it as is and then pay these costs just so he could aggravate the citizens of LaSalle?

If I were him I would be tempted to tell Mr. Bacidore the property is yours….you pay the ongoing expenses with no income from it or pay to demolish the  building.  I think Mr Bacidore would say no thanks.

If the city had a clue they would try to work with Mr Carus not against him. I  certainly would  not verbally abuse someone who at his age doesn’t need to be doing this with his money but I believe is trying to make a difference.