When I was a Historic Preservation Commissioner, I voted against allowing the Paulson-Pierzes to put vinyl siding on their High Street property in accordance with the Historic Preservation Ordinance at that time.
Both Pierz and his wife work at the same major employer as I do.
When I returned to my desk following that HPC meeting (the initial public hearing), I received a call from Pierz from his Mossville office. Our office phones have caller-ID, and I answered "Hello, Steve".
He began with these exact words (I wrote them down):
"You dirty scum-sucking dog."
He then chuckled and went on with a "just kidding" attitude, but it definitely was not funny to me.
I called HR after the call to ask if they kept a record of phone calls. They said they did not unless I wanted to file a harassment incident, which I declined to do at that time.
I knew the Paulson-Pierzes on a superficial social level. I had been to their house on a couple group occasions and they probably had been to mine.
However, I did not know them well enough to take such a comment as a joke.
And with his wife in a position of relative power at work (reporting directly to a vice-president) in my building, the threat and the implication were very clear to me.
Someone who would resort to threats and intimidation in an attempt to influence a case before a city commission is not someone I would trust to serve on ANY commission.
Mayor Ardis calls statements made by HP Commissioner Tim Herold "disturbing" in today's PJStar.
I wonder why Ardis does not consider Pierz's statements to me to be equally disturbing.
.
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Monday, July 11, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Van Auken Crosses a Line
uncouth (
n-k
th
) adj
"We have some very gullible new council members who were dumb enough to believe him," she said.
To publicly call Akeson and Weaver "gullible" and "dumb" for responding to ANY constituent is over the top, even for someone as uncouth as the 2nd district rep.
Doesn't the council have rules against that type of incivility between council members?
I speak for many in the 2nd district when I say we are sick and tired of BVA playing politics with everything and everyone (Her feud with Wilkinson is well known).
Our own little Empress Nero, she continues to fiddle while Peoria burns.
She further states in the PJStar article that the situation is a "national embarrassment".
Ms. Van Auken continues to be a LOCAL EMBARRASSMENT.
Barbara, you owe an apology not only to the council members you have defamed, but to your constituents as well.
Actually, the best apology of all would be your immediate resignation!
lacking in good manners, refinement, or grace
Speaking on the racial rant by local blowhard and president of the Altamont Park Neighborhood Association Paul Wilkinson, this quote by Barbara Van Auken in the Peoria Journal Star is simply unbelievable:
"We have some very gullible new council members who were dumb enough to believe him," she said.
To publicly call Akeson and Weaver "gullible" and "dumb" for responding to ANY constituent is over the top, even for someone as uncouth as the 2nd district rep.
Doesn't the council have rules against that type of incivility between council members?
I speak for many in the 2nd district when I say we are sick and tired of BVA playing politics with everything and everyone (Her feud with Wilkinson is well known).
Our own little Empress Nero, she continues to fiddle while Peoria burns.
She further states in the PJStar article that the situation is a "national embarrassment".
Ms. Van Auken continues to be a LOCAL EMBARRASSMENT.
Barbara, you owe an apology not only to the council members you have defamed, but to your constituents as well.
Actually, the best apology of all would be your immediate resignation!
.
Friday, April 1, 2011
City Council Endorsements
As I have stated in a previous post, Historic Preservation has been politicized as never before by current representatives on the Peoria City Council. This has forced preservationists to step up to the political plate in the current election.
The vast majority of our city's structural treasures exist in the first three council districts, which encompass the oldest areas of the city.
I believe that the most committed citizen preservationists live in the second district, and traditionally the second district councilperson has been the leader in representing this ideal.
There has also been some history of preservation leadership in the third district seat (particularly under Bob Manning's tenure). A commitment to Historic Preservation by the first district representative has always been lacking, although, fortunately, there exists in the near north neighborhoods, a committed group of citizen activists .
In the second district, Barbara Van Auken has been largely responsible for the politicization of the issue and she long ago abandoned representation of her constituents on this issue. Her actions in destroying the Roanoke apartments led to the eventual evisceration of the Peoria's Historic Preservation ordinance.
Tim Riggenbach, in the third district exhibits little commitment to, or understanding of the broad advantages of Historic Preservation.
First district representative Clyde Gulley also shows little interest or respect of the city's rich history.
With this 'dereliction of duty' by the representatives in the first three council districts, leadership on preservation issues from the at-large councilmen has become increasingly important. Of the current five at-large reps, the first three districts can claim only one as an actual resident (Gary Sandberg in the second district).
The recent actions taken in regards the Historic Preservation Ordinance give great importance to this at-large election.
The good news is this: The slate of ten candidates vying for the five at-large seats is one of the best slates in recent memory. It seems that a lot of good people are stepping up to serve.
As a "capital HP" Historic Preservationist, I am comfortable in endorsing four of these people.
First and foremost is Gary Sandberg. While Gary can come across as combative and confrontational, he is and always has been a dependable friend of Historic Preservation. As an architect and historian, he realizes the true value in preserving the unique identity of the city through her important structures. In speaking with others, the most frequent criticism I hear is this: "I know what Gary is against, but what is he FOR?" Well, I can emphatically answer: He is FOR Historic Preservation!
Councilman Sandberg MUST be retained.
The other three (in no particular order) are as follows:
Beth Akeson is a self-defined preservationist. As an alumna of the Heart of Peoria Commission, she has developed a true understanding of what it takes to make heritage neighborhoods viable and desirable. Her commitment to Historic Preservation is unquestioned.
CJ Summers served alongside Beth on the Heart of Peoria Commission, and the experience also left him with the same respect for true New Urbanism. As a resident of the Uplands, he understands what it takes to build and maintain a neighborhood, and the role that Historic Preservation plays in that equation.
Chuck Grayeb has given his personal pledge to restoring the Historic Preservation Ordinance and to seeing that true preservationists are appointed to the HPC. While there are some within the preservationist community who question Chuck's true dedication to the issue, I remind them of his role in the preservation and restoration of Historic Springdale Cemetery. Also, of the ten candidates, he is the ONLY one who actually lives in an Historic District. His home on High Street is beautifully maintained and reflects his respect for its history. Additionally, he owns rental buildings on the northside that also are well maintained with respect to their period architecture.
Please consider lending your support and your votes to these candidates.
To have ALL FOUR of these sent to the council would be an Historic Preservationist's dream!
What then about the other six candidates?
Briefly, here is my evaluation:
Andre Williams comes across as a good and likable man. He is intelligent and well-spoken. I am not sure that he has a good understanding of preservation issues yet, but I would not at all be disappointed with his election. Regardless of the outcome of this election, I hope he will continue and expand his public service profile.
Chuck Weaver also is a likable man. However, his comment of taking six months to evaluate the Historic Preservation Ordinance is off-putting. How many buildings can be bulldozed in the time it takes him to DECIDE if he wants to support preservation or not. Also, I have never seen the labels "preservationist" and "developer" reside comfortably in the same body.
George Azouri is a nice kid. He is, to put it nicely as possible, simply out of his league. While I admire his desire to serve, he exhibits little understanding not only of preservation, but other major issues as well. The city is at too critical a juncture to entrust important decisions to one so green.
Ryan Spain has a record that speaks for itself. He has voted against designation of worthy and obviously historic buildings like the Spurck House (Family House) and the Duroc Building (Amvets). He also supported the destruction of the Roanoke Apartments. He has been no friend of Historic Preservation.
A not-so-nice-guy, Jim Stowell has exhibited a meanness in online posts and on the 150 BOE that is not needed at the horseshoe. He has supported ownership veto power for historic designation, and has no other qualities to recommend his election.
Last and certainly least is Eric Turner. His recent decimation of the ordinance was not only devastating to Historic Preservation, but a classic example of bad legislating. Writing an ordinance on the fly as he did is simply sloppy and opens a whole can of worms that is already bearing fruit in a lawsuit from Westminster Church. His bad decision will end up costing the city a bunch in litigation fees. Mr. Turner has a history of knee-jerk responses and flip-flopping, with little vision to larger issues. Enough is simply enough.
Councilman Turner MUST be defeated.
Whether or not you agree with these personal evaluations and recommendations, please do your civic duty and get out and vote on April 5th!
The future (and history!) of your city depends on it.
.
The vast majority of our city's structural treasures exist in the first three council districts, which encompass the oldest areas of the city.
I believe that the most committed citizen preservationists live in the second district, and traditionally the second district councilperson has been the leader in representing this ideal.
There has also been some history of preservation leadership in the third district seat (particularly under Bob Manning's tenure). A commitment to Historic Preservation by the first district representative has always been lacking, although, fortunately, there exists in the near north neighborhoods, a committed group of citizen activists .
In the second district, Barbara Van Auken has been largely responsible for the politicization of the issue and she long ago abandoned representation of her constituents on this issue. Her actions in destroying the Roanoke apartments led to the eventual evisceration of the Peoria's Historic Preservation ordinance.
Tim Riggenbach, in the third district exhibits little commitment to, or understanding of the broad advantages of Historic Preservation.
First district representative Clyde Gulley also shows little interest or respect of the city's rich history.
With this 'dereliction of duty' by the representatives in the first three council districts, leadership on preservation issues from the at-large councilmen has become increasingly important. Of the current five at-large reps, the first three districts can claim only one as an actual resident (Gary Sandberg in the second district).
The recent actions taken in regards the Historic Preservation Ordinance give great importance to this at-large election.
The good news is this: The slate of ten candidates vying for the five at-large seats is one of the best slates in recent memory. It seems that a lot of good people are stepping up to serve.
As a "capital HP" Historic Preservationist, I am comfortable in endorsing four of these people.
First and foremost is Gary Sandberg. While Gary can come across as combative and confrontational, he is and always has been a dependable friend of Historic Preservation. As an architect and historian, he realizes the true value in preserving the unique identity of the city through her important structures. In speaking with others, the most frequent criticism I hear is this: "I know what Gary is against, but what is he FOR?" Well, I can emphatically answer: He is FOR Historic Preservation!
Councilman Sandberg MUST be retained.
The other three (in no particular order) are as follows:
Beth Akeson is a self-defined preservationist. As an alumna of the Heart of Peoria Commission, she has developed a true understanding of what it takes to make heritage neighborhoods viable and desirable. Her commitment to Historic Preservation is unquestioned.
CJ Summers served alongside Beth on the Heart of Peoria Commission, and the experience also left him with the same respect for true New Urbanism. As a resident of the Uplands, he understands what it takes to build and maintain a neighborhood, and the role that Historic Preservation plays in that equation.
Chuck Grayeb has given his personal pledge to restoring the Historic Preservation Ordinance and to seeing that true preservationists are appointed to the HPC. While there are some within the preservationist community who question Chuck's true dedication to the issue, I remind them of his role in the preservation and restoration of Historic Springdale Cemetery. Also, of the ten candidates, he is the ONLY one who actually lives in an Historic District. His home on High Street is beautifully maintained and reflects his respect for its history. Additionally, he owns rental buildings on the northside that also are well maintained with respect to their period architecture.
Please consider lending your support and your votes to these candidates.
To have ALL FOUR of these sent to the council would be an Historic Preservationist's dream!
What then about the other six candidates?
Briefly, here is my evaluation:
Andre Williams comes across as a good and likable man. He is intelligent and well-spoken. I am not sure that he has a good understanding of preservation issues yet, but I would not at all be disappointed with his election. Regardless of the outcome of this election, I hope he will continue and expand his public service profile.
Chuck Weaver also is a likable man. However, his comment of taking six months to evaluate the Historic Preservation Ordinance is off-putting. How many buildings can be bulldozed in the time it takes him to DECIDE if he wants to support preservation or not. Also, I have never seen the labels "preservationist" and "developer" reside comfortably in the same body.
George Azouri is a nice kid. He is, to put it nicely as possible, simply out of his league. While I admire his desire to serve, he exhibits little understanding not only of preservation, but other major issues as well. The city is at too critical a juncture to entrust important decisions to one so green.
Ryan Spain has a record that speaks for itself. He has voted against designation of worthy and obviously historic buildings like the Spurck House (Family House) and the Duroc Building (Amvets). He also supported the destruction of the Roanoke Apartments. He has been no friend of Historic Preservation.
A not-so-nice-guy, Jim Stowell has exhibited a meanness in online posts and on the 150 BOE that is not needed at the horseshoe. He has supported ownership veto power for historic designation, and has no other qualities to recommend his election.
Last and certainly least is Eric Turner. His recent decimation of the ordinance was not only devastating to Historic Preservation, but a classic example of bad legislating. Writing an ordinance on the fly as he did is simply sloppy and opens a whole can of worms that is already bearing fruit in a lawsuit from Westminster Church. His bad decision will end up costing the city a bunch in litigation fees. Mr. Turner has a history of knee-jerk responses and flip-flopping, with little vision to larger issues. Enough is simply enough.
Councilman Turner MUST be defeated.
Whether or not you agree with these personal evaluations and recommendations, please do your civic duty and get out and vote on April 5th!
The future (and history!) of your city depends on it.
.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Global Warming Solutions Group - City Council Candidate Survey Results
What follows is a guest editorial from Kassy Killey of the Global Warming Solutions Group of Central Illinois.
Global Warming Solutions Group of Central Illinois is pleased to release the results of its environmentally-focused survey of the 2011 Peoria City Council At-Large candidates. Eight of the ten candidates responded to a five-question survey. Only Eric Turner and George Azouri did not. The candidates were polled for ideas on increasing recycling participation, views on the piggyback landfill expansion, beliefs about human-caused climate change, and approaches to making Peoria a more sustainable city. They were also given a chance to showcase how they are making their own lives more sustainable.
In April 2010 Peoria Disposal Company (PDC) became the city’s waste hauler, offering free curbside recycling with a once-a-month pickup. At that time, PDC told the Peoria Journal Star (5/25/2010) it was targeting 30% participation. Right now, around 15% of Peoria households are enrolled. When asked what should be done, all candidates expressed support for recycling. Many suggested education and incentives. Sandberg would increase recycling pickup frequency and pay for it by reducing yard waste pickups. Spain would fund increased recycling pickups by replacing Waste Management as the landfill operator, a move he believes would save the city $350,000 a year. Summers supports a “pay as you throw” model with free, more frequent recycling pickups. Akeson would study mandatory recycling programs in other cities and look at requiring landlords to provide recycling for all tenants.
Candidates were also questioned about the proposed piggyback expansion of the city/county municipal waste landfill. As background, when PDC won the landfill contract it proposed a 10 million ton standalone expansion. Now alternative designs under consideration include an 18 million ton expansion piggybacked on top of the existing landfill projected to create landfill capacity through 2070. Grayeb, Sandberg and Akeson share the environmental community’s concerns about the long-term integrity of a piggyback landfill. Sandberg also points out that creating excess capacity drives the wrong behavior—burying waste instead of reuse and recycling. Neither Stowell nor Summers believe Peoria should be taking waste from other communities. Weaver, Williams and Spain all see the need for further study.
When asked whether they believed “human activities are the most significant contributing factor to the very real threat of abrupt and disruptive climate change,” five candidates gave an unequivocal “yes.” Weaver and Williams did not fully commit to the belief, but emphasized that regardless of whether climate change is human-caused or not, we must act. Summers flatly answered “no,” but shared his belief that humans need to be better stewards of the environment.
Everyone recognizes that with the long-term fiscal outlook, there will be very limited local, state and federal funds for making Peoria more sustainable. Candidates were asked how Peoria could be more competitive for these scarce funds, what low- or no-cost initiatives could be pursued, and how to best utilize existing tools such as the energy efficiency revolving fund. Many candidates indicated the need for a shared vision and a local approach. Sandberg believes that government is not the solution, using the example of a decision to subsidize downtown parking rather than mass transit. Spain pointed to his track record of securing scarce funds for initiatives such as sustainable streetscapes, storm water management and alternative energy. Summers and Akeson, both vocal proponents of the Heart of Peoria plan to combat sprawl, see dense, walkable neighborhoods as a route to sustainability. Weaver suggests using “global conscience” to determine where sustainability funds are best spent, even if it is not Peoria.
All eight candidates have made laudable personal lifestyle changes. Seven of eight recycle. Grayeb and Spain drive hybrids. Williams and his wife share a car. Sandberg drives his 50 mpg motorcycle year round. Grayeb and Weaver have both made energy efficiency improvements in buildings they own. Sandberg keeps his carbon footprint small in a 1000 square foot home and uses his single-room air conditioner fewer than 10 nights a year. Summers comes from an older, walkable neighborhood. Akeson made the decision to send only one campaign mailing, keeping excess campaign literature out of the landfill.
Global Warming Solutions Group thanks the responding candidates for their thoughtful answers and looks forward to working with the new council to make Peoria a more sustainable community. The candidate survey was intended as a public education tool, not to endorse any particular candidate. To that end, we have attempted to create an unbiased summary and published the full set of candidate responses on our web site, www.gwsolutionsgroup.com. And, regardless of where you stand on environmental issues, Global Warming Solutions Group encourages you to get out and vote on April 5, 2011.
About our group:
The Global Warming Solutions advocates for practical local solutions to the problems posed by global warming. We are a coalition of individuals and organizations interested in a more sustainable Central Illinois. We began as an offshoot of the Heart of Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club in 2007. Anyone is welcome to get involved and help us promote energy conservation, recycling and exploration of alternative energy sources in our community.
Visit our web site at http://www.gwsolutionsgroup.com/ or join us on
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/gwsolutionsgroup) or
Twitter (http://twitter.com/ciglobalwarming) for details.
.
Global Warming Solutions Group of Central Illinois is pleased to release the results of its environmentally-focused survey of the 2011 Peoria City Council At-Large candidates. Eight of the ten candidates responded to a five-question survey. Only Eric Turner and George Azouri did not. The candidates were polled for ideas on increasing recycling participation, views on the piggyback landfill expansion, beliefs about human-caused climate change, and approaches to making Peoria a more sustainable city. They were also given a chance to showcase how they are making their own lives more sustainable.
In April 2010 Peoria Disposal Company (PDC) became the city’s waste hauler, offering free curbside recycling with a once-a-month pickup. At that time, PDC told the Peoria Journal Star (5/25/2010) it was targeting 30% participation. Right now, around 15% of Peoria households are enrolled. When asked what should be done, all candidates expressed support for recycling. Many suggested education and incentives. Sandberg would increase recycling pickup frequency and pay for it by reducing yard waste pickups. Spain would fund increased recycling pickups by replacing Waste Management as the landfill operator, a move he believes would save the city $350,000 a year. Summers supports a “pay as you throw” model with free, more frequent recycling pickups. Akeson would study mandatory recycling programs in other cities and look at requiring landlords to provide recycling for all tenants.
Candidates were also questioned about the proposed piggyback expansion of the city/county municipal waste landfill. As background, when PDC won the landfill contract it proposed a 10 million ton standalone expansion. Now alternative designs under consideration include an 18 million ton expansion piggybacked on top of the existing landfill projected to create landfill capacity through 2070. Grayeb, Sandberg and Akeson share the environmental community’s concerns about the long-term integrity of a piggyback landfill. Sandberg also points out that creating excess capacity drives the wrong behavior—burying waste instead of reuse and recycling. Neither Stowell nor Summers believe Peoria should be taking waste from other communities. Weaver, Williams and Spain all see the need for further study.
When asked whether they believed “human activities are the most significant contributing factor to the very real threat of abrupt and disruptive climate change,” five candidates gave an unequivocal “yes.” Weaver and Williams did not fully commit to the belief, but emphasized that regardless of whether climate change is human-caused or not, we must act. Summers flatly answered “no,” but shared his belief that humans need to be better stewards of the environment.
Everyone recognizes that with the long-term fiscal outlook, there will be very limited local, state and federal funds for making Peoria more sustainable. Candidates were asked how Peoria could be more competitive for these scarce funds, what low- or no-cost initiatives could be pursued, and how to best utilize existing tools such as the energy efficiency revolving fund. Many candidates indicated the need for a shared vision and a local approach. Sandberg believes that government is not the solution, using the example of a decision to subsidize downtown parking rather than mass transit. Spain pointed to his track record of securing scarce funds for initiatives such as sustainable streetscapes, storm water management and alternative energy. Summers and Akeson, both vocal proponents of the Heart of Peoria plan to combat sprawl, see dense, walkable neighborhoods as a route to sustainability. Weaver suggests using “global conscience” to determine where sustainability funds are best spent, even if it is not Peoria.
All eight candidates have made laudable personal lifestyle changes. Seven of eight recycle. Grayeb and Spain drive hybrids. Williams and his wife share a car. Sandberg drives his 50 mpg motorcycle year round. Grayeb and Weaver have both made energy efficiency improvements in buildings they own. Sandberg keeps his carbon footprint small in a 1000 square foot home and uses his single-room air conditioner fewer than 10 nights a year. Summers comes from an older, walkable neighborhood. Akeson made the decision to send only one campaign mailing, keeping excess campaign literature out of the landfill.
Global Warming Solutions Group thanks the responding candidates for their thoughtful answers and looks forward to working with the new council to make Peoria a more sustainable community. The candidate survey was intended as a public education tool, not to endorse any particular candidate. To that end, we have attempted to create an unbiased summary and published the full set of candidate responses on our web site, www.gwsolutionsgroup.com. And, regardless of where you stand on environmental issues, Global Warming Solutions Group encourages you to get out and vote on April 5, 2011.
About our group:
The Global Warming Solutions advocates for practical local solutions to the problems posed by global warming. We are a coalition of individuals and organizations interested in a more sustainable Central Illinois. We began as an offshoot of the Heart of Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club in 2007. Anyone is welcome to get involved and help us promote energy conservation, recycling and exploration of alternative energy sources in our community.
Visit our web site at http://www.gwsolutionsgroup.com/ or join us on
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/gwsolutionsgroup) or
Twitter (http://twitter.com/ciglobalwarming) for details.
.
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