League candidate meeting reveals the issues

PEORIA -- Candidates in three of the most interesting local races for the Feb. 2 primary election  attended the League of Women Voters forum on Dec. 12, and as always, the event revealed a lot about the issues and candidates.  I was out of town and unable to attend, but I have a recording of the meeting, which the Journal Star ignored.  Here's what happened: 

Peoria County sheriff: The Republican race pits incumbent sheriff Mike McCoy against challenger Vince Wieland. No Democrat is stepped forward to run.

McCoy is still addressing two recent incidents, a jail break and charges against his son, a deputy, after an accident that was not handled properly. 

Opponent Vince Wieland, a top officer in the Peoria police department, is a former Peoria School District 150 board president who moved to Dunlap before his term ended, and resigned as the board faced a leadership crisis.

Wieland stated, "I will lead by example with honesty, ethics and integrity.  I will secure the jail and no form of nepotism will ever be practiced." 

McCoy stated that he has been endorsed by the Republican party, the Peoria mayor and police chief, and even Cong. Aaron Schock, who was Wieland's ally on the school board. He stressed his experience, and added, "I accept responsibility for things that have happened."

Both men expressed support for concealed carry of guns, with McCoy adding that people must be properly vetted and trained.

Congress:  Two Democrats are seeking the nomination to run against Republican Cong. Schock for the 18th District seat, Carl Ray and D. K. Hirner.

Hirner of Springfield lives across the street from the district, but is running as an insider because of her long experience in government as a top aid to two Missouri governors. "I know how to govern," she said, adding her address doesn't matter since she shares the values of the voters.

She attacked Schock, saying she would focus on her constituents instead of spending time in photo shoots and TV interviews as Schock as done. She defended her former job as executive director of the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group, a trade association for businesses regulated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. She never was a lobbyist, she said.

Carl Ray of Washington, IL. said his familiarity with the district matters. "I know what's here and what's been here," he said.  He stressed his experience as a husband and father with sick family members, and attacked Schock's vote against S-chip, health insurance coverage for children.

It became apparent that Ray leans to the left while Hirner is a moderate.  Ray, a Gulf War veteran, opposes more troops in Afghanistan. Hirner implied that she supported Pres. Obama's decision to send more troops. 

Peoria School District 150 School Board, District 3: Three candidates are seeking one seat on the board, offering voters a clear but difficult choice.

Ernestine Jackson is a long time school activist, attends most meetings and said that as a teenager she helped integrate the Peoria schools. Her husband, attorney Don Jackson, is head of the NAACP in Peoria and has served as state president.

Jackson stressed the need to work closely with city officials and others to solve the district's financial problems that include a $9 million deficit. She suggested cutting personnel, especially highly paid consultants and contractors, including the law firm that could be replaced with an employee.

School consolidation should be done carefully, she said. "I believe in neighborhood schools."

Chris Crawford, a native Peorian who left then moved back two years ago, said he brings a fresh perspective to the board. He's said to be the candidate recruited by the Chamber of Commerce. "I plan to be an advocate for the taxpayer," he said. "You can't just throw money at a problem."

Jeff Lickiss was a Peoria County Board member from 1996-2000. The county also had deficit problems when he took office, but when he left the board its problems were over, he said, because new and effective leadership was hired. He suggested a new superintendent for the district might be an MBA instead of an educator.

"You have to get the budget under control," he said. "There should be no new programs while the district is in debt." 

All three agreed that year round school is a good idea, but expressed concern about a longer school day. "The mind can only endure what the butt can tolerate," said Lickiss, who teaches paramedics.

  -- Elaine Hopkins  

 

Comments

[Jeff Lickiss]

Elaine: For not being there, this was a great summary of all the candidates and what took place at the meeting.
JL

[oh really?]

One doesn't need to be a lobbyist to help corporations weaken environmental laws. Are you sure Hirner said she wasn't a lobbyist? There are good reasons to think otherwise. IERG's own annual report says this: "IERG, as environmental adviser to the Chamber, analyzed legislation, provided background information, and drafted statutory language for
use with the Illinois General Assembly."

She's also included on the Secretary of State's lobbyist list.
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/lobbyist/home.html

It sounds like Hirner isn't telling the whole story.

[Elaine Hopkins]

Thanks for your comment.
I have a recording of the meeting. She clearly stated that she is not a
lobbyist.
The link you sent does not work. Resend it, and I will check it.

[Oh really]

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/lobbyist/home.html

The link works fine for me. Scroll down the page and click on "lobbyist list."
Hirner's main job duties may not be lobbying if you use a narrow legal definition of the term. But telling the public she isn't a lobbyist is a little misleading to say the least. She's starting to look like a Lieberman Democrat.

[Elaine Hopkins]

Hummm -- you are correct. Now the link works. Hirner is listed under
Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group, p. 64.