These were some suggestions but they never really took off. Nevertheless they will stay up here and anyone can resurrect them if they like.
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A forum for comments about Naperville news and issues.
Oh no, you figured me out. Not. I've been blogging under the same handle for a few years and don't use any others. Actually, I was referring to the Backhand, Glock and others that had some interesting perspectives. CIJ was actually kind of entertaining... if you could read through six pages of stuff. No, not me. Just my opinion, made the blogs more fun.
We have lost some interesing characters
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La Cucaracha. yes some interesting characters are no longer blogging. for instance where is the "citizen journalist", Ameena, Mcfarland and about 75 other pseudonyms that one individual was pretending to be? ..... Gee "LaCucaracha" I wonder where this person is???
Um, this is the Naperville Sun, not the New York TImes. I think this blog should be for local issues, I guess people can blog on National ones. It's up to each of us to pick and choose what we want to read and post.
There are some unfortunate issues with the blog. The Sun takes too long to post comments. We have lost some interesing characters, including Councilman Bob, which helps to legitimize the blog. Finally, and this is my own perception, there are a lot of legitimate issues brought up here that are never investigated. I know that the Sun is understaffed, but the School Districts and City seem to operate with impunity.
The Marshall issue is a big deal. We have a Mayor who double dips, and a City Council who talks about pension reform yet allows our new Police Chief to keep his pension while going back to work in the Police Department. That's good stuff! And yet, no investigation, or newspaper articles. At least Griffin from the Herald seems to be on it. Submitted Monday, July 23 at 9:00 am.
Wow. it looks like the blog has been abandoned. Well I think we should start debating things like gun control, a national health care plan and other things we need.
Jack,
Couldn't agree more. I know the Sun was hit hard by the economy, but a little investigative reporting would be great. The DH does it, but it's one guy who is stretched thin.
The Mayor, Council and city management operate with impunity here. Partly because there is no newspaper to check them. They do whatever they want. Case in point, Sun. Your article citing the Mayor's recent speech was great. In the article he clearly states that he prays for the voter's decision to create wards miraculously goes away. He prays for it. THAT IS A GREAT STORY!
What do you think happens next? Do they ask for a re-do? How do they do that? What does that entail? Do they fear voter backlash? Are they just above whatever voters want? Can we ask for them to re-do the decisions we don't like? There is some bad stuff here and it goes unseen. Help us.
I look to a paper like the Naperville Sun as a local paper. I don't want to read national Associated Press stories there. I don't want to read about any debt crisis unless it is in the local government. This could just be me, but it seems like there isn't always a member from the Sun at every city council meeting. I would like to see more national stories localized to "what this means for the average Naperville resident or business". I would also like to open the paper and see news stories about kids achieving in Naperville schools, how the hot weather has impacted low-income residents, whether people are actually getting tickets for not obeying watering times, and stories about the unemployed utilizing local libraries in their job search. I would like to see stories about what neighborhood associations are doing about dog poop on the sidewalks. I would like to see pictures in the paper of small, neighborhood parades. I never hear anything about the Naperville pool anymore. Is it still there? Who hangs out there? Whenever I tell people that I live in Naperville, they know the Riverwalk. It seems like the Riverwalk would be a great place to go talk to average Naperville people about what they care about (and what they would like to read about). I can tell the economy sucks for newspapers right now because of all the wire stories I see over and over, but you have to at least cover school board meetings, town meetings, local events, and business openings and closings.
Kudos on getting some news story ideas from a comment board though. That really is a bright idea.
Mowing!
Our council has a brilliant solution to the problem of unkept lawns on financially stressed homeowners and foreclosures, etc. ---- decrease the available hours for mowing!!!!!
Reminds one of the old "let them eat cake" solution.
happy birthday cjs!
Funny you should say that. I happened to go by the Naperville station on television and there he was, DF, speaking like he is still on the council. Even saw him another time before about a different topic. Apparently, he does not get that he was voted out.
SUN,
U guys gonna post anything from the past 48 hrs?
FB, you have to love DF standing up there complaining that he can't get in to McDonalds to get a burger and therefore no McDonalds for anyone! I thought he was a Hooters man - you know, they do have great wings and fresh diet coke.
Tim West is a shill (as in stooge) for the Mayor and City Council and always has been. Tim, allow me to enlighten you. We had an election. The voters voted to change the system. Period. Just because the Mayor and Grant don't want to change doesn't mean it's bad. I think it was a mandate against the current Council. Grant beleives that the voters are stupid and were duped. Hmmm. The voters are stupid, eh Grant?
Also, there is no doubt that the city is dragging it's feet in order to prepare to continue the fight. If that actually happens there ought to be a federal investigation. But, I'm sure that the Sun will come out in favor of the city's stand.
Why was I at the Naperville City Council meeting last night with Richard, arguing against a McDonald's? I thought I was voted out. This backhand needs a vacation from those Council Chambers.
Last week, Tim West again voiced his disapproval of going to the ward system in Naperville. I'm still ambivalent about the change, but take issue with Mr. West's assertion that "there is no reason to change" There is a big reason: an election! I suspect the foot dragging by city hall is designed to stall long enough to get the item back on the ballot and be voted down.....that clearly would make the editorial staff at the Sun quite happy, but I say, let's give it a try before we torpedo it.
DA,
See this website for more on the Swiss neg int rates.
http://www.smartmoney.com/invest/currencies/the-dangers-of-switzerlands-currency-strategy-1339602019800/
It has nothing to do with driving the speed limit. It has to do with evidence that is not shown to you. You have not answered the question with your left handed remark. It does not make it right. (Speeding or no speeding)I am questioning the law. This does not make it right.
Drive the speed limit, and there won't be a problem.
Thanks for the info and do agree with you about the radar gun being used from another day, But I still think that the cop should have to show you the radar gun. What is he hiding ??? He can say anything he wants and you have no way to dispute it other than go to court. However, that is what they play on as most people can not afford to take time off of work not to mention court costs.
Who is to say that the radar gun reading is not from earlier in the day, or pre-programmed?
They usually don't ticket for less than 10 over or something dangerous.
Someone actually was pulled over for tailgating me when I was doing 60 in a 40. Perhaps the officer thought I was trying to get out of the way, which I was, but wasn't willing to do 80 to affect it.
Radar and the police ---
Can someone tell me Why the police don't have to show you the radar gun or whatever when you receive a speeding ticket ???
The cop can say anything he wants. Wouldn't showing you the radar gun be proof if you doubted you speed ???
DA,
Haven't you received the memo? It's all Bush's fault, and what little isn't is due to the tsunami, tornados, Europe, sunspots...... As you are well aware, Obama is the first President in history to have such unusual things occur during his term (and I DO hope it is singular).
Don't be silly expecting BO to understand mundane things like money & banking, inflation, currency fluctuations, hedging, budgets (there hasn't been one for over three years), jobs, or jobs, or jobs.......
He is busy playing "video" games over Pakistan, golfing (over 50 days of business days lost, yet it is not vacation!), and campaigning on our dime. Running the country is below a community organizer!
Spam -- national dish of Hawaii! If younwant recipes, contact a Hawaiin (they even have Spam sushi!)
Hey, we will have our smartmeters to let us know A) the power ismout, and B) the price of the electricity we aren't getting. So we will have that going for us, which is nice!
Chez,
2 years ago, Merkel was said that every safe deposit box in Germany was crammed with gold and silver.
Apparently, they remember the good old Weimar days, also apparent is that Bernanke and BO do not.
Keep the printing presses running.
If Cash were alive, I'm sure he could make a song about it. Keep those dollars running, running down the press..........................
OK I'm over stating it, food and fuel are only up 100% since our savior was elected.
Perhaps the Sun could begin a new column where readers could exchange recipes for preserving and serving Spam....how to keep your ammo dry when the electricity goes out.....via a recipe exchange with the Greek newspapers ....if they can figure out how to print when the power gets shut off.
DA,
NEGATIVE interest rates on Swiss deposits has already began ---- wouldn't want to be holding Euros right now.
Naperville HS Grad Zoellick, head of World Bank, says hold on to your hats as Euro meltdown nears....................Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain collapses and it appears that Ireland is headed back into economic collapse. Social Programs, something for nothing bill is coming due.
Expect cascading Bank failures and currency runs, financial stampede into Germany, UK and US has already begun.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2153324/Markets-facing-rerun-Great-Panic-2008-Head-World-Bank-warns-Europe-heading-danger-zone-bleakest-day-global-economy-year.html
Let me see if I understand today's articles and info on school superintendant
salaries correctly ---- because the smaller, sometimes "behind" or less desireable districts are willing to overpay for a superintendant, all the other districts must follow suit?
This is the same linear thinking that has infiltrated our businesses and sports, resulting in extremely overpaid, underperforming leaders and athletes and the constant recycling of them from one company/team to another.
My opinion? Here in 203 we have done just fine with the salary we pay and with a somewhat regular change in the superintendant position. In fact, when one combines salary, raises, pensions, medical, etc., I fully believe that 203 has slightly overpaid for each of the past 4 superintendants by the end of their tenure.
I would recommend NOT being the pay leader, offering short contracts (never exceed 3 years), and NEVER, EVER allowing for ANY type of parachute for this position. We will continue to get great candidates, and the stellar level of parenting, neighborhoods, and teachers will keep 203 at the head of the class.
Save the money for amenities and in-class costs.
Housing: Failed Govt Engineered Social Experiment
By the numbers, it ain't over yet................
http://www.bankoftheinternet.com/will-america-ever-recover-from-the-housing-crisis
I noticed the same from the local and regional papers. The police did an admirable job and should be praised for their restraint.
Today's headline story "NATO protesters bloodied in clashes with police" is as one-sided a story as I have ever read!
I am embarassed for the Sun on this one. No mention of the history of violence by the black bloc, or the statements put out by their leaders that there will be blood, or of the red paint being used to "enhance" the blood, but a "fearless" assault on the police!
Please, Sun, get a perspective AND some intestinal fortitude. Why are you so afraid to report using facts and data?