Sunday, February 22, 2009
Chris Wissman's Platform
Got a campaign letter from candidate/councilman Chris Wissmann outlining the issues he feels he has taken the lead on or that the council should act on if he gets elected for another term:
violent crime--organizing neighborhood watch groups and associations
alternative energy technologies--seeking ways to limit the effect of Ameren rate increases
job retention and attraction--fostering the development of home-based and service employers, i.e. Paducah's Artist Relocation Project
Rewriting of the Carbondale Comprehensive plan incorporating the New Urbanism concept
Assisting in SIUC's growth
Expand programming on the city's GOV-16 channel
violent crime--organizing neighborhood watch groups and associations
alternative energy technologies--seeking ways to limit the effect of Ameren rate increases
job retention and attraction--fostering the development of home-based and service employers, i.e. Paducah's Artist Relocation Project
Rewriting of the Carbondale Comprehensive plan incorporating the New Urbanism concept
Assisting in SIUC's growth
Expand programming on the city's GOV-16 channel
Labels: Chris Wissmann, City council, election
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Jack Charges Dismissed
In case you missed this from last week, most of the charges against city council member Lance jack, including DUI and possession of marijuana, were dismissed on the 23 because the judge found the arresting officer lacked probable cause. Improper changing of lanes is still bad though and Jack paid a $75 fine.
Labels: City council, Lance Jack, police
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Candidate Write Ups
Thursday's DE has brief bios of the seven people running for the three available city council seats. Not up on the DE's website right now but well worth your time reading if you can find a copy of the paper.
Labels: City council, election
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
City Council Meeting
Sat in on most of last night's City Council meeting. Missed the Liquor Control Commission meeting but was told by city council candidate Kevin Clark that Fair Days designations for the Southern Illinois Irish Festival and an A2 liquor license for Spotlight Bar and Grille passed.
Several community members spoke about concerns regarding the proposed annexation of the property on East Park Street, which includes Snider Hill Cemetery. A representative from the Presbyterian Church, which owns part of the property, was particularity concerned since the city and developers had promised a protective buffer from all the development taking place nearby during the past few years. The promised buffer apparently was not provided and now there are problems causing the cemetery to settle and tombstones to fall over.
The consent agenda, items normally passed as a group, had 4 items voted on separately when Councilmen Lance Jack and Steven Haynes had questions about the Snider Hill annexation and utility easements at Prairie Living subdivision, respectively. Councilman Joel Fritzler had questions about two items including payment for some of the mayor's travel expenses (Shades of the last race for mayor.) Mayor Cole appeared mildly irritated when responding to Fritzler's questions, while Fritzler sounded rather hesitant when posing them.
The council moved through general business pretty quickly. The resolution declaring Fair Days for the Southern Illinois Irish Festival passed with only Corene McDaniel voting no because alcohol would be served. I assume this means she'll also vote no when the Sunset Concerts and Main Street Pig Out come up for a similar vote.
The Stadium Grille going in on East Main got approved for a TIF agreement, which will save them about $500,000, according to my notes. In response to a question from the council, the owners said they were indeed using local union contractors and expect to open mid-April. I'd lay money it opens before Lance Jack gets his Fat Patties' place open.
Finally, during council comments, another city council candidate made an appearance as Justin Stofferahn, (yeah, he's on Facebook too) who, along with three companions, all attired in dress shirts and ties, had sat in the back during the entire meeting. I'd thought they were members of a fraternity come to ask the city for funding for some event, but Stofferahn asked the council if the city would implement the findings of the energy audit it was undertaking and if the lobbying group the city hired had produced results worth its fee.
At 8:50, the council retired to closed meeting to discuss sale, purchase or lease of real property and pending or imminent litigation as well as the planned conquest by force of Marion, the Hub of the Universe.
Several community members spoke about concerns regarding the proposed annexation of the property on East Park Street, which includes Snider Hill Cemetery. A representative from the Presbyterian Church, which owns part of the property, was particularity concerned since the city and developers had promised a protective buffer from all the development taking place nearby during the past few years. The promised buffer apparently was not provided and now there are problems causing the cemetery to settle and tombstones to fall over.
The consent agenda, items normally passed as a group, had 4 items voted on separately when Councilmen Lance Jack and Steven Haynes had questions about the Snider Hill annexation and utility easements at Prairie Living subdivision, respectively. Councilman Joel Fritzler had questions about two items including payment for some of the mayor's travel expenses (Shades of the last race for mayor.) Mayor Cole appeared mildly irritated when responding to Fritzler's questions, while Fritzler sounded rather hesitant when posing them.
The council moved through general business pretty quickly. The resolution declaring Fair Days for the Southern Illinois Irish Festival passed with only Corene McDaniel voting no because alcohol would be served. I assume this means she'll also vote no when the Sunset Concerts and Main Street Pig Out come up for a similar vote.
The Stadium Grille going in on East Main got approved for a TIF agreement, which will save them about $500,000, according to my notes. In response to a question from the council, the owners said they were indeed using local union contractors and expect to open mid-April. I'd lay money it opens before Lance Jack gets his Fat Patties' place open.
Finally, during council comments, another city council candidate made an appearance as Justin Stofferahn, (yeah, he's on Facebook too) who, along with three companions, all attired in dress shirts and ties, had sat in the back during the entire meeting. I'd thought they were members of a fraternity come to ask the city for funding for some event, but Stofferahn asked the council if the city would implement the findings of the energy audit it was undertaking and if the lobbying group the city hired had produced results worth its fee.
At 8:50, the council retired to closed meeting to discuss sale, purchase or lease of real property and pending or imminent litigation as well as the planned conquest by force of Marion, the Hub of the Universe.
Labels: Brad Cole, Carbondale, City council, development, Joel Fritzler, Lance Jack
Saturday, December 27, 2008
More from Pawel Sawicki
Received the email below from Pawel Sawicki. His main campaign goals, according to his campaign flyer are 1) the "Green Business" logo and2) "Resident of the Year" ideas below, as well as 3) encouraging more student involvement in local government and 4) making it easiler for local businesses to recycle. Not bad ideas, and one way to see your ideas implemented is to run for office, but by themselves, not enough to base a campaign on.
If you're interested in contacting him abut his campaign or proposals, the email address is: sawicki4councilATyahoo.com
My main running point is to have Carbondale go green. The private sector isn't the one needing attention. Business in Carbondale rarely recycle and they amass far more waste than a homeowner.
Big businesses would receive incentives for recycling. Corporate America has to set a good example for the rest of America. Would you believe that a company like Dick's Sporting Good's does NOT recycle at all? All the paper used at that store, and trust me there is a lot, gets thrown into the garbage. There are many more big businesses that do not recycle because, "it's too expensive to do ourselves" quoting one business manager. The city should make it as easy as possible for these business to be environmentally friendly.
The city could develop a symbol that recognizes a business for being green. Once a business meets certain criteria for reducing their waste and recycling more they would become eligible to display a "Green Business" Logo. This idea is much like the energy star logo. After some time it would become a status icon. Business A and Business B have the logo, Why don't you Business C?
Another little idea would be to have a Resident of the Year award. Just something simple to raise civic pride. The person would get nominated then the council would meet and choose the winner.
If you're interested in contacting him abut his campaign or proposals, the email address is: sawicki4councilATyahoo.com
My main running point is to have Carbondale go green. The private sector isn't the one needing attention. Business in Carbondale rarely recycle and they amass far more waste than a homeowner.
Big businesses would receive incentives for recycling. Corporate America has to set a good example for the rest of America. Would you believe that a company like Dick's Sporting Good's does NOT recycle at all? All the paper used at that store, and trust me there is a lot, gets thrown into the garbage. There are many more big businesses that do not recycle because, "it's too expensive to do ourselves" quoting one business manager. The city should make it as easy as possible for these business to be environmentally friendly.
The city could develop a symbol that recognizes a business for being green. Once a business meets certain criteria for reducing their waste and recycling more they would become eligible to display a "Green Business" Logo. This idea is much like the energy star logo. After some time it would become a status icon. Business A and Business B have the logo, Why don't you Business C?
Another little idea would be to have a Resident of the Year award. Just something simple to raise civic pride. The person would get nominated then the council would meet and choose the winner.
Labels: City council, election, Pawel Sawicki
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Students on City Council
As this article points out, there is a long tradition of students running for and failing to get elected to the C'dale City Council. If there are primaries, student candidates usually don't make it any further. The closest thing to a student council member I recall was when Larry Briggs got elected to the council for a term with strong student support. It's a far cry from the late 60's/early 70s when, according to the book SIUC's Days of Dissent, there was actually a student representative appointed or elected to the council.
Labels: City council, election, siuc
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Pawel Sawicki's Platform
Here're the reasons why Sawicki is running, at least according to the comments he posted in the Southern last Tuesday. The third person references remind me a bit of Bob Dole or Dr. Doom:
" After seeing all the problems going on in our fine nation, Pawel Sawicki has decided it is his time to fulfill his civil duties. He is entering his name into the race for Carbondale City Council.
My main running point is to have Carbondale go green. The direction our nation is heading is a disastrous one. We cannot go on using our natural resources at the current rate. The USA accounts for roughly 5% of the world's population but we use 20-40% of Earth's natural capital. What's going to happen when the rest of the world demands its fair share?
Big businesses would receive tax breaks for recycling. Corporate America has to set a good example for the rest of America. Would you believe that a company like Dlck's Sporting Good's does NOT recycle at all? All the paper used at that store, and trust me there is a lot, gets thrown into the garbage.
Everyone likes a good competition. Competition makes every participating party better. We need to implement the idea of: Carbondale vs Marion vs Murphysboro vs Carterveille. What are we doing as a city to attract businesses to Carbondale over the other three? Are we doing a good enough job?
" After seeing all the problems going on in our fine nation, Pawel Sawicki has decided it is his time to fulfill his civil duties. He is entering his name into the race for Carbondale City Council.
My main running point is to have Carbondale go green. The direction our nation is heading is a disastrous one. We cannot go on using our natural resources at the current rate. The USA accounts for roughly 5% of the world's population but we use 20-40% of Earth's natural capital. What's going to happen when the rest of the world demands its fair share?
Big businesses would receive tax breaks for recycling. Corporate America has to set a good example for the rest of America. Would you believe that a company like Dlck's Sporting Good's does NOT recycle at all? All the paper used at that store, and trust me there is a lot, gets thrown into the garbage.
Everyone likes a good competition. Competition makes every participating party better. We need to implement the idea of: Carbondale vs Marion vs Murphysboro vs Carterveille. What are we doing as a city to attract businesses to Carbondale over the other three? Are we doing a good enough job?
Labels: City council, election
Seven Candidates
Looks like we've seven candidates running for the 3 city council positions open next term:
In order of ballot placement, shown below is the FINAL LIST of candidates who have filed for Carbondale City Council.
In order of ballot placement, shown below is the FINAL LIST of candidates who have filed for Carbondale City Council.
1. Kevin P. Clark, 1635 Logan Drive #6, Carbondale
2. Chris Wissmann, 1111 W. Walkup Avenue, Carbondale
3. Corene McDaniel, 516 E. Jackson, Carbondale
4. Joel Fritzler, 123 S. Violet Lane, Carbondale
5. Pawel Sawicki, 907 S. Taylor Drive, Carbondale
6. Justin Stofferahn, 905 Lentz Drive, 202 Kellogg Hall, Carbondale
7. Yolanda L. Dean, 410 Palm Street, Carbondale
Labels: City council, election
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Kevin Clark Files
In case you missed it in the comments or elsewhere, long-time local not for profit stalwart Kevin Clark filed his petition last Monday for one of the City Council seats. Apparently he, McDainiel and Wissmann were all there bright and early on Monday, signed petitions in hand, whilst johnny come lately Fritzler didn't make it in until Tuesday, the slacker.
Labels: City council, election
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Wissmann's In
Councilman Chris Wissmann just emailed out the following PR announcing he wants to sit at the council table for another 4 years
Carbondale City Councilman Chris Wissmann Seeks Reelection
For Immediate Release
09/23/08
Carbondale City Councilman Chris Wissmann officially announced his candidacy for reelection today.
Chris Wissmann, elected in 2003 to a two-year term and reelected in 2005 to a full four-year term, has identified several issues where city-council action can continue to move Carbondale in a positive, progressive direction:
Violent crime: The Carbondale City Council, with support from Chris Wissmann, has taken steps to improve public safety by voting to expand and reorganize the police department to better and more quickly respond to criminal activity. The council, led in part by Chris Wissmann, has also voted to increase the monetary rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of perpetrators of unsolved crimes. Chris Wissmann, however, believes that families and neighborhoods can bring to bear enormous influences that could well prevent crime in the first place- by looking after each other and instilling in individuals a sense of personal responsibility to and respect for the community. The city can play a stronger and more proactive role in helping citizens organize neighborhood associations and watch groups, and otherwise empowering them to make their own city safer.
Ameren and energy: As if environmental considerations aren't enough, Chris Wissmann believes that recent, prolonged power outages and Ameren's unjustifiable and painful rate increases require that Carbondale explore incentives to help make promising residential alternative-energy technologies more affordable and widespread.
Job retention and attraction: Between globalization and the information age, the nature of work in the United States is changing, and with broadband-connected home computers the very term "place of employment" is becoming obsolete. As manufacturing jobs leave America, and consolidation in the retail sector results in a decreasing pool of companies available to enter Carbondale, Chris Wissmann believes that the city needs to foster the development of smaller, home-based and service employers. Chris Wissmann cites as a good example the Artist Relocation Project in Paducah, Kentucky, which has transformed a concentration of dangerous slums into a vibrant neighborhood that significantly contributes to that city's economy and great reputation. Pursuing such businesses may require alterations to Carbondale's zoning code and the increased granting of variances and special uses- often controversial in Carbondale, but changes that Chris Wissmann feels our citizens may need to accept if they want better job opportunities in the city.
Carbondale City Councilman Chris Wissmann Seeks Reelection
For Immediate Release
09/23/08
Carbondale City Councilman Chris Wissmann officially announced his candidacy for reelection today.
Chris Wissmann, elected in 2003 to a two-year term and reelected in 2005 to a full four-year term, has identified several issues where city-council action can continue to move Carbondale in a positive, progressive direction:
Violent crime: The Carbondale City Council, with support from Chris Wissmann, has taken steps to improve public safety by voting to expand and reorganize the police department to better and more quickly respond to criminal activity. The council, led in part by Chris Wissmann, has also voted to increase the monetary rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of perpetrators of unsolved crimes. Chris Wissmann, however, believes that families and neighborhoods can bring to bear enormous influences that could well prevent crime in the first place- by looking after each other and instilling in individuals a sense of personal responsibility to and respect for the community. The city can play a stronger and more proactive role in helping citizens organize neighborhood associations and watch groups, and otherwise empowering them to make their own city safer.
Ameren and energy: As if environmental considerations aren't enough, Chris Wissmann believes that recent, prolonged power outages and Ameren's unjustifiable and painful rate increases require that Carbondale explore incentives to help make promising residential alternative-energy technologies more affordable and widespread.
Job retention and attraction: Between globalization and the information age, the nature of work in the United States is changing, and with broadband-connected home computers the very term "place of employment" is becoming obsolete. As manufacturing jobs leave America, and consolidation in the retail sector results in a decreasing pool of companies available to enter Carbondale, Chris Wissmann believes that the city needs to foster the development of smaller, home-based and service employers. Chris Wissmann cites as a good example the Artist Relocation Project in Paducah, Kentucky, which has transformed a concentration of dangerous slums into a vibrant neighborhood that significantly contributes to that city's economy and great reputation. Pursuing such businesses may require alterations to Carbondale's zoning code and the increased granting of variances and special uses- often controversial in Carbondale, but changes that Chris Wissmann feels our citizens may need to accept if they want better job opportunities in the city.
Comprehensive Plan review and rewrite: While this may not sound like an exciting issue, the next Comprehensive Plan will create a blueprint for how Carbondale changes and grows during the next decade or more. Chris Wissmann believes that the city should consider dropping its suburban-style zoning and explore what is often called the New Urbanism: more walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods with small businesses integrated into residential districts.
SIU enrollment: It is the university's responsibility to expand. Chris Wissmann also believes it is the city's responsibility to create a safe but fun and enriching off-campus environment for students. As a city almost entirely dependent on university students for its economic well-being and cultural enrichment, Chris Wissmann believes that finding ways to assist SIU's growth is in Carbondale's best interests, perhaps by assisting SIU in marketing the community to prospective students.
Government-television programming: Chris Wissmann believes that the city needs to expand programming on its GOV-16 cable-television channel to address and provide information about community issues ranging from home and personal safety to landlord-tenant-neighborhood relations to various city programs. The city can do this by working with SIU professors and students to provide practical learning opportunities while receiving low-cost programming.
If thirteen or more candidates file for the three open City Council positions, a primary will take place Tuesday, February 24, 2009. The Consolidated Election takes place April 7, 2009.
For more information about Chris Wissmann's reelection campaign, please call him at home at (618) 549-2653 or email him at <nightlif@midwest.net>. Please do not call him at his place of work.
First-term Accomplishments:
Yes to new jobs in the TIF district.
Yes to a pioneering antidiscrimination ordinance covering sexual orientation.
Yes to owner-occupied new-home construction incentives.
Yes to preferences for local bidders.
Yes to saving the Eurma Hayes Center's daycare center.
No to Enterprise Zone expansion for low-wage employers.
Second-term Accomplishments
Yes to expanding and reorganizing the police force.
Yes to community-cleanup and summer-jobs programs.
Yes to incentives to convert rental units to owner-occupied homes.
Yes to the rental-property inspection program.
Yes to the city's truancy ordinance.
Yes to strict new animal-control provisions.
No to increases in tow-truck fees.
Chris Wissmann's Campaign Biography
Chris Wissmann, who won election to the Carbondale City Council in April 2003, was born in Carbondale in June 1969 at the old Holden Hospital.
When Chris was born, his father, Jack, was completing his bachelor degree at SIU (his mother, Kay, was a 1962 alumna). The Wissmanns wanted to stay in Carbondale to raise their family- but as with so many others, Jack and Kay could not find decent work opportunities in Carbondale. They were forced to relocate to the Chicago area, then north-central Illinois, to raise Chris and their second son, Aaron.
Chris returned to Carbondale to attend SIU in 1987, and has remained a Carbondale resident ever since. While still a college junior, Chris cofounded the Nightlife newspaper in 1990, which he continues to edit and co-own. Chris earned his radio/television degree in 1991.
All of Chris's immediate family- Chris, his parents, and his brother Aaron- graduated from SIU.
Chris married SIU alum Jesslyn Jobe in 1999. They own their own home on Walkup Avenue, where the happy couple live with their German wire-haired pointer, Cappuccino "Cappy" Latté.
In addition to working to improve the community through his work on the city council and his editorship of Nightlife, Chris serves on the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale and WIDB boards of directors. He was appointed to the board of the Southern Illinois American Civil Liberties Union in 2003, and has served as a Democrat Precinct Committeeman since 1996.
Government-television programming: Chris Wissmann believes that the city needs to expand programming on its GOV-16 cable-television channel to address and provide information about community issues ranging from home and personal safety to landlord-tenant-neighborhood relations to various city programs. The city can do this by working with SIU professors and students to provide practical learning opportunities while receiving low-cost programming.
If thirteen or more candidates file for the three open City Council positions, a primary will take place Tuesday, February 24, 2009. The Consolidated Election takes place April 7, 2009.
For more information about Chris Wissmann's reelection campaign, please call him at home at (618) 549-2653 or email him at <nightlif@midwest.net>. Please do not call him at his place of work.
First-term Accomplishments:
Yes to new jobs in the TIF district.
Yes to a pioneering antidiscrimination ordinance covering sexual orientation.
Yes to owner-occupied new-home construction incentives.
Yes to preferences for local bidders.
Yes to saving the Eurma Hayes Center's daycare center.
No to Enterprise Zone expansion for low-wage employers.
Second-term Accomplishments
Yes to expanding and reorganizing the police force.
Yes to community-cleanup and summer-jobs programs.
Yes to incentives to convert rental units to owner-occupied homes.
Yes to the rental-property inspection program.
Yes to the city's truancy ordinance.
Yes to strict new animal-control provisions.
No to increases in tow-truck fees.
Chris Wissmann's Campaign Biography
Chris Wissmann, who won election to the Carbondale City Council in April 2003, was born in Carbondale in June 1969 at the old Holden Hospital.
When Chris was born, his father, Jack, was completing his bachelor degree at SIU (his mother, Kay, was a 1962 alumna). The Wissmanns wanted to stay in Carbondale to raise their family- but as with so many others, Jack and Kay could not find decent work opportunities in Carbondale. They were forced to relocate to the Chicago area, then north-central Illinois, to raise Chris and their second son, Aaron.
Chris returned to Carbondale to attend SIU in 1987, and has remained a Carbondale resident ever since. While still a college junior, Chris cofounded the Nightlife newspaper in 1990, which he continues to edit and co-own. Chris earned his radio/television degree in 1991.
All of Chris's immediate family- Chris, his parents, and his brother Aaron- graduated from SIU.
Chris married SIU alum Jesslyn Jobe in 1999. They own their own home on Walkup Avenue, where the happy couple live with their German wire-haired pointer, Cappuccino "Cappy" Latté.
In addition to working to improve the community through his work on the city council and his editorship of Nightlife, Chris serves on the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale and WIDB boards of directors. He was appointed to the board of the Southern Illinois American Civil Liberties Union in 2003, and has served as a Democrat Precinct Committeeman since 1996.
Chris's primary goal as a Carbondale City Councilman will be to create the opportunities that his parents could not find in Carbondale- jobs with which young families can support themselves. Jobs that allow young families to fulfill the promise offered by an old city slogan: "Carbondale. Make it your home."
Labels: City council, election
Sunday, September 21, 2008
City Council Members Unsure
According to this article, none of the three city council members up for re-election have decided to run for reelection. I spoke to Councilman Fritzler at the Pig Out over the weekend. and he confirmed that he hadn't decided whether to run again or not. I find it bemusing that he ran for a council position twice before actually making it and now he's thinking about stepping down after only one term.
Labels: City council, election
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wanna Be a Councilman?
Wissmann's, Fritzler's and McDaniel's seats all come up on the ballot next April. If you want to run, petition forms are available in the City Clerk's office starting today. Now let's shake hands and have a nice clean election:
In April 2009, the City of Carbondale will hold an election to select three City Council Members for four-year terms. Information and petition forms will be available in the City Clerk’s Office beginning on September 16, 2008.
News Release - For Immediate Release
City of Carbondale, Illinois
City Clerk's Office
September 10, 2008
NOMINATING PETITIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS AVAILABLE ON SEPTEMBER 16TH
In April 2009, the City of Carbondale will hold an election to select three City Council Members for four-year terms. Information and petition forms will be available in the City Clerk’s Office beginning on September 16, 2008.
This election is for the seats presently held by Council Members Corene McDaniel, Chris Wissmann and Joel Fritzler. The seats of Mayor Brad Cole and City Council Members Steven Haynes, Lance Jack and Mary Pohlmann expire in 2011. All Council members are elected at-large rather than by wards.
Signed nominating petitions must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office during the statutory filing period of Monday, December 8, through Monday, December 15, 2008. If thirteen or more candidates file for the three City Council positions, a primary election will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. The General Election will be held on April 7, 2009.
The City Clerk's Office is located in Room 165 of City Hall, 200 S. Illinois Avenue. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone inquiries may be addressed to City Clerk Janet Vaught at 457-3280 or e-mail inquiries may be sent to jvaught@ci.carbondale.il.us.
Labels: City council, election
Monday, September 1, 2008
Animal Ordinance on Agenda
Due to a spate of recent injuries in C'dale involving dog bites, the City Council will vote tomorrow night on an amendment to Title 3 Animals of Carbondale Revised Code. The main focus is on dogs declared by the Chief of Police as dangerous or vicious. One change required dogs so delcared to be tethered by the owners. A second, and to my mind more important change as a bit of social policy, raises the dog liscence fee to $5 for neutered dogs and $25 for non neutered ones. It doesn't say, so I wonder if this applies to spayed dogs as well.
Labels: Carbondale, City council
Monday, August 11, 2008
Naming Rights
I've been looking over the agreement between the city and SIUC regarding the $20 million donation for Saluki Way. There's a separate agreement with more detail regarding terms, conditions and time frames, but the general agreement between the city and SIUC gives naming and advertising rights for the renovated Arena to the City. I'll have to see if I can get ahold of the more detailed agreement but in the meantime, any suggested names for the City Council to consider? Me, I like Binky. Binky Arena has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
Labels: City council, Saluki Way, siuc
Friday, July 25, 2008
Price Increases
Looks like the new fire station and public safety/police station will be costing a wee bit more than originally estimated. The estimated cost of the fire station, according to the Aug. 2007 city council action sheet was $1.25 million. According to the 2009 Community Investment Plan, available at City Hall, the cost is now projected at $1.875. The police station was estimated at $6.2 million, now it's estimated to run about $7.6 million.
I don't remember if the amount generated by the sales tax increase was projected large enough to cover the additional $2 million now needed for these two projects. I hope so, otherwise I see the money coming out of the already endangered general fund.
I don't remember if the amount generated by the sales tax increase was projected large enough to cover the additional $2 million now needed for these two projects. I hope so, otherwise I see the money coming out of the already endangered general fund.
Labels: City council, city government, sales tax
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Musing on Warrants
I was looking over the warrants approved at last night's city council meeting and noticed a few interesting things:
1. Payment of a little over $500 to city manager candidate Jeff Stonehill. Didn't see one to new city manager Allen Gill but I might have overlooked it.
2. Payment of about $3700 to Majestic Janitorial Services. Glad to see the city pumping some money into the west side.
3. Not much business with Wal-mart. There's a spate of 8 or 9 payments to Wally-world on the second warrant but that's it.
4. The city does a heck of a lot of business with Lowe's. Not hundreds of thousands of dollars worth but easily 10 times the business it does with Rural King, Murdale True Value or Dillinger's.
5. We have a piano? At least the city spent $100 with Groll's Piano Service.
6. The city prefers local to chain restaurants. At least, I don't see any direct payments to chains such as Buffalo Wild Wings or Ruby Tuesdays. I did see purchases from Pagilai's and Tres Hombres.
1. Payment of a little over $500 to city manager candidate Jeff Stonehill. Didn't see one to new city manager Allen Gill but I might have overlooked it.
2. Payment of about $3700 to Majestic Janitorial Services. Glad to see the city pumping some money into the west side.
3. Not much business with Wal-mart. There's a spate of 8 or 9 payments to Wally-world on the second warrant but that's it.
4. The city does a heck of a lot of business with Lowe's. Not hundreds of thousands of dollars worth but easily 10 times the business it does with Rural King, Murdale True Value or Dillinger's.
5. We have a piano? At least the city spent $100 with Groll's Piano Service.
6. The city prefers local to chain restaurants. At least, I don't see any direct payments to chains such as Buffalo Wild Wings or Ruby Tuesdays. I did see purchases from Pagilai's and Tres Hombres.
Labels: City council
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Manager Gill
According to this article from the Pittsburg Morning Call, Allen Gill has received an offer from the Carbondale city council and will likely accept it if if the offer is finalized at the May 27th meeting. Unfortuantely, as of tonight, there's no agenda posted on the city's website yet.
Labels: City council, city manager
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
City Manager Choices
Apparently the city council chose which manager candidate, Stonehill or Gill, to make an offer to last Monday night and is now in negotiations over salary and benefits. Due to Illinois' Open Meetings law, the actual vote on the candidate takes place during the next meeting on May 27th.
Labels: City council
Thursday, May 8, 2008
City Manager Candidates
The city hosted receptions for the two candidates for the city manager position a Fusion the last couple of nights. Since I didn't get my letter from the mayor until today, I missed last night's reception and went to the planning commission meeting instead. Sheesh, what an exciting time that was. In case you're interested, both rezoning requests were approved and sent on to the city council for final approval or rejection. On, and the moratorium on the building of multi-person dwellings in C'dale was approved at the council meeting on Tuesday. So I missed the opportunity to meet and greet candidate number one, Jeff Stonehill. Apparently, he's the city manager of Middletown PA, a college town similar to Carbondale but smaller.
Bachelor number, I mean candidate number 2 is Allen Gill, currently the city manager of Pittsburgh KS, home of 19,000 very nice people and Pittsburgh State University (good thing they have an S in there, otherwise the university would be referred to as ....). As to why he wants to move here from there, according to councilman Chris Wissmann, he has family in the St. Louis region, especially new grandchildren, and wants to move closer to them. From his vita, Gill looks quite qualified, having working in public administration since 1979, with stints as city manager of Osawatomie, KS, Clinton MO, Ferguson MO. Gill also served as Economic Development Director of O'Fallon IL, and the Executive Director of Belleville Economic Progress over in (you guessed it), Belleville IL.
Looking as his work in Pittsburg (you should be able to pit up the resumes for both candidates at City Hall), Gill had a good working relationship with the university. He also managed a redevelopment effort to create a $36 million commercial development in the city, as well as a downtown redevelopment effort resulting in a $1.7 million streetscape project and and a $400, facade grant program.
BTW, councilman Wissmann commented he was favorably impressed by both men. I forgot to ask councilman Fritzler, on crutches after a soccer (football in the rest of the world) accident what he thought and councilman Jack had just flown in from Brazil, and boy, were his arms tired.
I would assume discussing these two candidates was the reason for the special double-secret closed City Council meeting called by the Mayor yesterday.
Bachelor number, I mean candidate number 2 is Allen Gill, currently the city manager of Pittsburgh KS, home of 19,000 very nice people and Pittsburgh State University (good thing they have an S in there, otherwise the university would be referred to as ....). As to why he wants to move here from there, according to councilman Chris Wissmann, he has family in the St. Louis region, especially new grandchildren, and wants to move closer to them. From his vita, Gill looks quite qualified, having working in public administration since 1979, with stints as city manager of Osawatomie, KS, Clinton MO, Ferguson MO. Gill also served as Economic Development Director of O'Fallon IL, and the Executive Director of Belleville Economic Progress over in (you guessed it), Belleville IL.
Looking as his work in Pittsburg (you should be able to pit up the resumes for both candidates at City Hall), Gill had a good working relationship with the university. He also managed a redevelopment effort to create a $36 million commercial development in the city, as well as a downtown redevelopment effort resulting in a $1.7 million streetscape project and and a $400, facade grant program.
BTW, councilman Wissmann commented he was favorably impressed by both men. I forgot to ask councilman Fritzler, on crutches after a soccer (football in the rest of the world) accident what he thought and councilman Jack had just flown in from Brazil, and boy, were his arms tired.
I would assume discussing these two candidates was the reason for the special double-secret closed City Council meeting called by the Mayor yesterday.
Labels: City council, city government
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
City Council Meeting
As usual, I didn't make tonight's meeting. Anyone have details?
Labels: City council
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