What was up at the City Council meeing Matt?  When I drove by on my way home from work looked like  GOOD crowd!  I saw a few signs couldn't read all of them.  Did anyone speak tonight.  I don't get the channel that covers the meeting.  I checked WAND but looks like they couldn't make it.  Channel 3 was there so maybe they will have something at 10.  If your still up let us know what happened.

I drove by the Civic Center yesterday evening too and wondered what all the picketing was about, until I read a sign saying:  "Define what a good person is Mr. Foster!"  That pretty much answered my question.

There were some very good remarks made by several community members to the city council (Foster) last night.  Mr. Crabtree's (I hope I'm remembering his name right), statement that was read was excellent.  Couldn't have been said any better.

Kris

Kris

The sign I saw was Foster off the Roster.  I pretty much knew what was up just didn't know who was doing it.  I know Foster issued an apology for using the wrong words but he is the professional professionals don't do that.  If he had come out and said he didn't write the little speach that his campaign mgr. did I would believe that.  I was surprised WAND didn't cover it, they must be Foster backers and I'm sure they want to stay out of it to protect Foster.  News channel 3 was there but I don't know what they covered since I wasted my time watching WAND.  I will just have to wait for the City to put the meeting on their site.  I did check out the Trib.  Osborn had the story on before the meeting ever ended I think.  Its obvious the unions are fed up with the union busting tactics of our past city elected and are for darn sure fighting this council or at least a few.

On Byers and Co. this morning April 2, 2009 Betsy Stockard said she received a call from someone who she didn't want to name that offered her a large sum of money to vote against responsible bidder.  It happened around 8am and should be on the 8-9 segment.  If true, that is obviously a bribe.  Word on the street is it was Randy Prince and the offer was $13,000.00.  Steve Bean and Jack Ahola have been contacted.

Doug Claypool

Wow! Thats all I can say! Surely its not true with our form of government this can't happen can it.  Corruption is possible in any form. 

Just out of curiosity what does Steve Bean have to do with it?

Keep us updated D. Claypool if you hear any confirmed info.

Oh and I like your name LOL

I called Bean to ask him what direction to take, because he seems to have a lot of knowledge on all things pertaining to elections.  He told me to get a hold of Ahola and the US District Attorneys office, so I followed his lead.
I haven't heard anything else about exactly who it was or any confirmation on the amount.  Just the same rumors from people that say they got their info straight from Betsy.  I understand Byers is trying to track me down at the moment.  Don't know why he would want to talk to me.  I think he had his chance to report it.

I  listened to the broadcast right up until Orv Graham had his commercial and had to shut it off because I threw up a little in my mouth and needed to go get sick in the bathroom.  Ok Daniels has a nasty add now Graham steps up with another nasty rebuttal.  I sure hope no one votes primarily on either add.  It was very vague about being offered money but it did sound a little like what Blago is being crucified for.  For sure I would like to know who on the other side made Mrs. Stockard this offer.  Don't ya think politics brings the best out of people......NOT.  If it was asked like Stockard said I would think the line was crossed that's for sure.  I guess we wait and see how it gets spun out in the media if they even cover it.  I am proud of the way Stockard handled herself by ending the conversation immediately.  I also think if she feels she was being bribed she has a duty to all us citizens to come forward with names and cooperate with the proper authorities.


Just for the record when Daniels has his commercial slamming the other candidates I will turn him off also.

Whats the latest D. Claypool?  

On the RBO it doesn't sound like the $25,000 limit is too bad.  I would still like to have local contractors get some kind of bonus for being Decaturites and any out of town contractors get docked points for not living here when it is possible.

Elections are just like war there will be no winners just a lot of aftermath to clean up so we can get to the next one.

Channel 3 WCIA led the story at 5.  They said she confirmed she was offered a bribe by someone at the chamber to vote against Responsible Bidder.  WCIA implied Randy Prince and said the Macon County States Attorney is investigating.  Betsy said "people".  This is gonna get ugly.  Watch the Chamber start eating its own.  Kudos to Byers for getting it out on HIS show first.

Doug Claypool

It is so comforting to know that our current form of government is inherently immune from corruption and "Chicago style politics"  It's all so nonpartisan too!  BAHAHAHA! 

Hum, I wonder: "Will the skies be bluer?" and "Will the sun be shinier after this?" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdDSJ2NddyE

Hey Kris, I think that was what Orv said. At least the first part I was in the bathroom for the second half.  This is just the arrogance I am voting against and like I said 3 months ago, I think there is more to the Garman story than we know.  Its sickening I hope it is not brushed under the rug - WAND didn't say a word about it at 6 so looks like the powers to be have them under the spell also.

D Claypool thanks for breaking the story to us.

looks like the City better budget some detective money and clean up our corrupt system in Decatur Illinois before we are called Little Chicago LOL

Now here is a revalation for ya I listened to the Byers show even though it was pod cast,  I didn't drop dead LOL 

Here's the link to the WCIA story:  http://illinoishomepage.net/content/video/?watch=1&cid=77901

Well, it's Friday morning and not a bit of coverage by WAND or the H&R.  Unbelievable.  A city councilperson comes out in a public forum and says she was offered a bribe on a hot issue by the folks with a lot of skin in the game in the upcoming election, and except for a tv station in another city, no coverage at all.  It happened on WSOY, and they don't even cover it in their own news broadcasts.  Absolutely unbelievable.  Can you imagine what would have happened if labor had been the one accused of attempting to bribe a public official?  WAND would have gone into extended special reports, had someone hanging out at the States Attorneys office for the latest on the indictments, and the H&R would have a special section on union corruption complete with old news stories of similar happenings, pictures of Jimmy Hoffa, and on and on and on.  The control the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce appears to have over this city is appalling. 

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I am sure some will say the "ungood" people are using this for political gain.  To that I would say two things-- 1.  Who wouldn't ??   2.  Ever hear of righteous indignation ??

Like to hear Matt weigh in on this issue...

Doug Claypool

I have listened to the recording several times and without a doubt in my mind Stockard was offered compensation for a change in her vote how can anyone deny that?  Blago is under indictment for trying to sell a seat now the Chamber is trying to buy a seat and the would be seller is too much of an honest person to get involved.

I applaud Mrs. Stockard for her honesty and I could tell from her interview she was very disturbed and really I think still in shock.  Doug you are absolutely correct had this been a union leader Fox News would be here in hours.    Its a shame that this is an embarrassment but why hide it.  Does this Chamber of Commerce have that much power?  I'm sure after the election we will hear more about it.  Now   I wonder if any other offers were made for no votes as many other wonder also.  Is this election totally tainted? Just who can you trust anymore?

I'm also appalled, but not surprised, by Decatur's media sources not covering this story.  It's a disservice to the people of this community.  Either they are being very lazy in their news reporting or they're blantantly biased.  How could this not make the newspaper? 

I don't know what's going on nor do I want cast guilt on anyone without the facts, but how are the people supposed to make a judgment if our media doesn't bother to check any of the facts for us? 

----

I see that Mayor Carrigan is endorsing Daniels.  I agree with Carrigan.  I've found Daniels to be very accessible to anyone and everyone in the community who would like to speak with him.  Call me crazy, but that's kind of an important quality in a mayor. 

Kris

Doug & Doug Claypool, I myself am going to reserve judgement till Jack Ahola's office does their investigation. Does Betsy think she was offered a bribe, yes. Does that prove she was, no. I take a lot of these sensational stories with a grain of salt. Do I think Randy Prince is dumb enough to try and bribe a public official, no. Do I think there are people associated with the chamber who are that dumb, yes. If she was offered a bribe and was upset about it why wasn't she the first one to the states attorneys office? Paul Osborn printeed a story yesterday about the allogation & Randy Princes denial. I am waiting to see what happens. The Herald & Review is the only paper that democrats think is republican and the Republications think is Democrat.
Steve Payton

Oh I agree Steve that's why at first I asked if maybe this was one of those suspicious telephone calls that have been going around. 
After listening to Stockard on the radio and if indeed it happened like she said on the radio this was a bribe how can that be argued. I guess you could argue intent but even their I see a big problem.  I am not a lawyer but intent sometimes carries heavy consequences itself. As far as a matter of intelligence  it really makes no difference desperate people do desperate things, take Blago for example he probably has a very high IQ but look what he has done.  How do you argue the fact that she was "asked" to "change" her mind and if she did -look this is what we can do for you or look what we can do for your campaign.  Now add on the fact that their was an actual dollar amount mentioned, I don't think Blago even got a dollar amount and look where he is heading. 

Whats most disappointing is the lack of coverage this is getting either way.

I also wonder why Stockard waited to bring this up on radio, could it of been fear? Confusion? Shock?  Your right we won't know until an investigation is done.  Stockard is right on one thing for sure "people this is going to get ugly".

Nice sidestep, Matt

Just an update...talked to the Herald & Review...they say they have talked to Councilwoman Stockard and will be running a full story in the morning paper.  WAND is still not responding.

Mr. Claypool what is your opinion of the $25,000 starting point for the RBO.  I also was wondering if this was per job or if it would cover say a mowing/maintenance contract that is being done over the course of a full year?  Hope you get what I asked not sure I worded it right.

First, so I am not misunderstood as to my loyalties, I am a union member.  All union contractors, regardless of their size or the size of their contracts/jobs, are required to participate in an approved apprenticeship program which the union provides and they provide financial support towards.  That being said, most union folks affected (or effected, I can never remember the rule) would probably want it to start with any contract amount.  I don't think that would be fair to the smaller nonunion contractors out there.  I realize there are a number of small nonunion shops out there that couldn't afford, in terms of time or dollars, to have an approved apprenticeship program, and they should not be excluded from doing work on city funded jobs, if for no other reason than to keep the big guys honest.  There are also a number of large nonunion contractors out there that definitely have the means to offer their employees the needed training--they just don't.  Seems kind of unfair that they get to shove the money in their own pocket instead.  I'll throw 3 names out there that have come up as examples...D & O-- Smaller nonunion contractor, all their contracts I have seen are for small projects less than $25K (though they do a lot of them)--they shouldn't be cut out of the bidding process...Romano Co.--Big nonunion contractor, uses a lot of union subcontractors, lots of money, lots of big jobs--they could provide the training, they just don't do it...Horve--Large nonunion, mostly residential--I don't know why their name comes up at all as they don't hardly do any city prevailing wage jobs in the first place.  Just my opinion, for what its worth.

As I understand it, RBO is per Project and/or per Contract.
Also, as I understand it, mowing/maintenance type things that are not construction related are not covered at all by either the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act or responsible bidder, as they are covered under the Illinois Service Contract Act.

Doug Claypool, I actually have a friend who is a union contractor that has done prevailing wage work as a subcontractor for Horvy. Only one of the jobs was in Decatur in the last 3-5 years. Most recently Horvy has been into building senior assisted living facilities, I think for himself or his investers group. You have to remember that some of the jobs done with city money are prevailing wage of if enough federal funds are envolved Davis-Bacon wages. I don't know how much work Horvy contracts a year or how much is prevailing wages, but these senior facilities were all funded with money that required either prevailing wage or Davis-Bacon. My friends company did a couple of million in work for him in that time. Horvy has a "union" division, I don't know if he hires any union employees through a union sister company or just subcontractors.
Steve Payton

Horve does not have a "union" division, but he does use union subs on some of his larger projects.  To clarify your statement, virtually all city funded construction projects are "prevailing wage" as they are governed by the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, as are projects performed by any public body in Illinois.  If Federal funds are involved, those same projects then fall under the federal Davis-Bacon Act guidelines, which are basically the same as the IL PW Act guidelines as far as wages and things go.  If a project were to fall under federal Davis-Bacon, it is my understanding that RBO would not apply, depending on the source of the funds and how they are allocated.  Remember RBO isn't so much about the geographical location of a project, it is about who is funding it.  If the city is funding it and it is above the $25K threshold, RBO would apply.  The city cannot make rules governing how federally funded jobs are bid or who qualifies to bid them as that is a federal jurisdictional issue and they get to make the rules.

Councilwoman Stockards story is on the Herald and Review Online.

http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2009/04/03/news/breaking/1040345.txt

Doug Claypool...Don't you live in Forsyth?
You're welcome to contribute and participate to the conversation here, of course... But still, since you brought up “not being misunderstood as to your loyalties”.

If you're an out-of-towner I think that's worth noting too.
 

To me it's the difference between “talking the talk” and “walking the walk”...

lol - and speaking of "walking the walk" its time for me to hit the streets!  I've got neighborhoods to visit this morning!

Yes Matt, I live in Forsyth.  My address actually was in Decatur, but a few years ago, Decatur and Forsyth swapped some land so now I live in Forsyth.  Decatur owns and maintains my street, but my taxes go to Forsyth.  Before I moved out here, I lived squarely in the middle of Decatur all my life, and I work and have an office in Decatur.  One reason you don't hear me stumping for any candidates is because I can't vote for any of them so my opinions don't really matter.  I do however, represent a number of workers who live in Decatur.  My posts here have all pertained to the responsible bidder ordinance, which as a representative of my Decatur members, I feel I can and should speak up about.  Also, Responsible Bidder obviously has played a large role in relation to "Chambergate".  Another thing I would mention, since you brought up the question of my loyalties, is that in representational issues with the "Greater Decatur" Chamber of Commerce (which includes the entire Decatur Metro Area) I, and I think I speak for all labor people, have always been stifled in every attempt to bring any worker friendly issues before every public body I have ever presented them to.  My problem is with the Chamber and their obvious stranglehold over the area.  They have finally been caught with their hand in the cookie jar, and their operation exposed for how it really operates.  Since I posted it on your blog first, I bet you have felt some pressure in one way or another from them, because, again, that is how they operate. 

Honestly, it kind of annoys me that you would "call me out" as a Forsyth resident, so I'll leave you with this...

For six years, up until last fall when my schedule just wouldn't permit it any more, and even though I "live in Forsyth", I was an Auxiliary Police Officer for the CITY OF DECATUR.  This was an unpaid position.  Many, many nights, I put on my bullet-proof vest, loaded up my weapon, kissed my family IN FORSYTH goodbye, (maybe for the last time) and patrolled the streets of the CITY OF DECATUR, chased dope dealers down dark alleys, fought drunks, and pimps, and meth-heads, and bled red blood for the CITY OF DECATUR.  Many of the other Auxiliaries live in Oreana, Mt. Zion, Macon and other surrounding towns, and were no less dedicated.  What happens in Decatur matters to all of us that live in and around it.

Annoying you wasn't my intention, and I appreciate your contributions.

 

(Sorry, I'm going into tangent-land!)

 

What year was the land swap? I don't remember it.

 

This is something I've always wondered about (I really don't know how it works) – When a union endorses a candidate, does the membership that does not live in the constituency recuse themselves from the decision-making process? I may be completely wrong (and please consider this an education opportunity if I am), but I've always been lead to believe the political endorsement decision is made by the leadership/PAC members (regardless of where they live) with little rank-and-file constituent input.

 

(OK, back to the serious conversation)

 

Anyway, with respect to hearing from anyone from the chamber – I haven't heard a word from anyone. When you asked me to weigh in on the subject, that's what I thought you were getting at, and I got a little annoyed myself by the “nice sidestep” comment... What was that supposed to mean, anyway?

 

From the hit-count on this site, I think it's pretty obvious a whole lot of people are reading, but I've not been contacted by anyone. Frankly, the point I was trying to make when I “weighed in” is that I'm happy I decided to run a low-budget campaign - If for no other reason than I am not beholden (in reality or in anyone's imagination) to any “side”. Lol – of course that means I don't have any uber-powerful “friends” either and most everyone is a little suspicious of what I'm up to – but believe me – I'm used to that!

 

So no, I haven't sensed any pressure – lol – or maybe I have and I've become so thick-skinned and used to ignoring it I haven't noticed! I suppose that's possible!

OK, it's almost 2pm, and I'm back for lunch...I've already walked over 10 miles today (no kidding)...Ibuprofen is my friend!!!

 

So far in my travels I've seen Adam Brown out hitting houses too, happened across Sue Neisslie and Sue Barnhart at the GM Square Easter Egg Hunt, talked to a whole bunch of really nice people, and said hello to half a dozen or so friendly mail carriers.

 

So, without further adieu....Lunchtime!!!!

Doug Claypool, the reason I refered to a Horve "union " division is that is how our former office manager referred to her husbands job "he works in horves union division as a project manager. He is who my friend worked with when he did the subcontract work for horve. I just don't know how they are organized & actually do the work.
I think there is too much us vs them when it comes to the county & not enough metro approach. We are too closly linked to have to worry about what is good for decatur vs forsyth or oreana or mt zion etc. I think Paragon group has the right idea about determining what things are good for the county and uniting our efforts to get more clout in Springfield and Washington.
I have over the years, known a few auxiliries and know they put in lots of time for no pay and little recognition, and want to take the opertunity to thank you for the service you provided to the citizens of Decatur while you were volunteering.
Steve Payton 

I lived in the Hickory Point Apartments after I was married in 1995 and our side of the street was Decatur; the other side was Forsyth.  If I remember correctly, the city annexed that area not long before those apartments were built.  The boundaries out there really aren't so easy to discern at all.  My parents purchased a lot in the same area in the 60's to build a home on, but never quite had enough money to do it, so they purchased the house I grew up in instead, in Decatur.  They sold the lot to the elder Horve, way back then, and that's one of the first properties he began his business on - so my parents have always told me.  Just think of it.  I could have been a Forsythian and Horve could have began developing Decatur neighborhoods instead, if Caterpillar paid better wages in the 1960's.  ;-)

I agree Decatur and Forsyth should take a more unified approach.  I bet people who visit this area, don't even know the difference between Decatur and Forsyth.  We're too intertwined and dependent upon eachother, and as the boundaries become less and less clear, it's really silly to think of ourselves as separate.  We're not.

Kris