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News :: Elections & Legislation : Government Secrecy |
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Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
Current rating: 0 |
by Ben Grosser
(No verified email address) |
13 Feb 2005
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The Satterthwaite for Mayor campaign recently sent a postcard to registered voters in Urbana that has sparked a controversy over the accuracy of its claims. The card claims Satterthwaite was a strong supporter of the Urbana Free Library expansion project. Many others involved in that project, and documented facts concerning its history, contradict those claims. |
Urbana Mayoral candidate Tod Satterthwaite recently mailed a postcard to voters in Urbana. This card highlights the library expansion project as a success for his administration. However, the most bitter fight he fought in his 12 years as Mayor was against the Library Board and City Council over funding for the library expansion.
For example, the postcard says Satterthwaite saved $5 million over several years for the library project, and lists the amounts set aside each year. The truth is that from 1994-2000, he insisted that $3.5 million was the maximum the city would spend, enabling only a 50% rather than 100% increase in the size of the building. The $750,000 he lists for ‘02-03 wasn't put into the budget until after the Library Foundation Board agreed to increase the goal for private donations to $2 million. The $807,160 listed on Tod's postcard for 03-04 was authorized by unanimous city council vote, over Mayor Sattertwaite's objection.
After Satterthwaite, the City Council, Library Board, and Library Foundation agreed to double the size of the library--and Foundation members raised $2 million from private donors, including gifts for specific features in the plan--Satterthwaite secretly directed the architects to chop 6,000 square feet from the addition. He failed to disclose this to the Board, Foundation, Council, or the public.
Luckily, someone leaked the truth to the City Council just hours before a vote to approve the architect’s downsized design. When Council members asked at the January 28, 2002 meeting what was lost by the downsizing, Satterthwaite asserted that everything that would fit in the originally approved plan would fit in the downsized version. He said the space was just used more efficiently.
Again, Satterthwaite was not honest. The space he cut was for more than 26,000 books—16,000 from the Children’s department alone. City Council then voted to spend the extra $807,000 needed to restore the space that Satterthwaite had secretly cut.
Satterthwaite’s card also lauds the use of “Smart Building Concepts,” including the new roof. Yet the Mayor opposed spending money to replace the roof. Despite the fact it was leaking, and the entire building was about to undergo renovation, he insisted it still had a few more years of life and replacement could be deferred. Noting that in a few more years it would cost considerably more to replace the roof, the Council voted against Satterthwaite and for a new roof.
Can’t Urbana do better than this? Satterthwaite has already had three terms in office. Yet after all that time, he tries to persuade the voters with mailings claiming credit for things he fought against. Simple honesty between the Mayor and the public should be a minimum qualification for the position. Isn’t it time for an open, honest Mayor who focuses on the urgent needs of Urbana?
For those interested in reading more about the facts surrounding the library expansion project, there are several sources:
Many letters to the editor have been written in response to Satterthwaite’s claims of credit for the library project. Several are from former Library Board members and current and former City Council members.
A detailed chronology of important events from 1999 to 2002 that illustrate the facts about the project, compiled by Urbana City Council member Esther Patt.
Tom Kacich, a News-Gazette editor, recently wrote about one of Tod’s endorsers now backing Laurel Prussing for Mayor because of the library postcard.
The Daily Illini recently published an article by reporter Nate Sandstrom that details disgruntlement over the library postcard, and includes quotes from current and former library board members.
For reference, you can view a scan of the postcard.
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Will Urbana Send A New Progressive Mayor to Next Year's "New Cities" Conference?
Affordable Health Care for the Poor: Is anyone out there?
News-Gazette: Grossly Inaccurate on Urbana Politics
Who is Michael Langendorf and Why Does He Hate My Politics?
Satterthwaite's Sign Thieves Are Stalking Our 'Hoods
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This work licensed under a
Creative Commons license. |
Comments
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Tod Built Urbana with His Bare Hands? -- Yeah, Right, Sure, I Am....NOT at All Convinced, and Neither Should Anyone Else Be |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
13 Feb 2005
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If you read Tod's propaganda, it seems like he is just about the only person who lifted a finger in Urbana in the last 12 years. This is nothing but a load of BS and Ben's careful anaysis of this myth of Tod's is just one example. Here's a repost of some earlier coverage here on UC IMC that delves into other area's of Tod's duplicity.
What is really strange about Tod as the ostensibly Democratic mayor is the way the Republican-dominated local media, such as the News-Gazette and WDWS, loves him. For the most part, they have given him a free pass and rarely print or say anything critical of him.
The only time they have ever failed to render him their support is when he has taken his several failed passes at higher office. Why is that?
#1 -- He was running against Republicans.
#2 -- (and more importantly) If they can't have a Republican in the Urbana's mayor's office, which is just the way it is here, they certainly prefer Tod to any of the alternatives. He's the most reactionary candidate they are likely to ever get in Urbana. So they want him to stay the mayor here. (again, see reason #1)
Fortunately, the citizens of Urbana have increasingly turned to alternative sources of news and information, so the media blackout on Tod's abusive tantrums is no longer the ugly secret that it used to be. Leading the efforts to get the voters all the facts is the IMC, which has done a good job at exposing Tod for the fraud that he is.
For those who came in late, here's some background from the IMC's archives.
Satterthwaite v. Prussing
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/21967
Urbana City Council to consider RESOLUTION on "Democracy Now!"
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/21935
Urbana Progressives Crush Satterthwaite Proposal to Add At-Large Seats to Council
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/21521
Campaign Sign Theft Rampant -- Tod's Police Shrug Crime Off
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/21457
GEO Joins NAACP, College Democrats, and Many Other Organizations that Endorse Voting "NO" on At-Large in Urbana
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/21353
Press Conference Launches Campaign Against At-Large Seats in Urbana
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/20564
"Mannequins for Satterthwaite" mp3
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/20467
Urbana Resident Calls for Mayor's Resignation
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/20416
Satterthwaite's Smokescreen: Charge Others With What You Actually Are Up To
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/20264
Looming Censorship of “Democracy Now!” by Urbana Mayor and How You Can Stop It (audio clips included)
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/20138
Urbana Council Tables Pop Motion to Change City Government
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/19244
Mayor Mobilizes for At-Large Urbana Seats to Weaken Progressive Power
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/19148
Urbana Public TV Presented with 500 Person Petition for Democracy Now - Vote of Support Gets Interrupted
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/19126
Urbana Election Results In- Dems Win All Contested Races
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/437
Tod Satterthwaite Sees Red -- Again
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/360
Full Story
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/247 |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Main St.
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
13 Feb 2005
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I was just wondering what the local progressives think of Shirley Hursey, the African-American candidate who is also running in this Democratic primary. How come they aren't supporting this minority candidate? |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by voter
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
13 Feb 2005
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> I was just wondering what the local progressives think of Shirley Hursey
I haven't received any literature from her, and haven't had any canvassers knock on my door. She either did not attend or did not speak at the citizen's police review board forum last week and also didn't attend the police/firefighters' forum a few weeks back. I can't find any information about her campaign on the web, but I did see that she will be on WILL-TV's mayoral forum this Tuesday at 8pm. |
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It's Hard to See Hursey as a Credible Candidate |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
13 Feb 2005
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I'll start by saying that Ms. Hursey is at least as qualified for office as Tod is and that she certainly has the right to run for office.
What I find interesting was her stated reason for getting into the race, which is her anger with Tod. Tod refused to reappoint her to the Human Rights commission in what seemed like another one of Tod's typical personality conflicts. While I can understand this as her personal motivation for entering the race against him, it really is not enough to convince voters to support her.
voter offers one very good reason for why Ms. Hursey is unlikely to gain much support from any group of voters, as well as why I feel she is not a credible candidate. She simply has not organized an effective campaign to get her message out. For some voters, this alone is enough for them to turn elsewhere if they're tired of Tod. It means she has no chance of defeating him. Laurel clearly has run a well-organized campaign that Tod is afraid of. It is her that Tod attacks and not Hursey, so on that basis alone, it is hard to justify voting for Hursey if you oppose Tod.
Prussing also has earned the endorsements of a number of African-Americans, such as Urbana City Clerk Phyllis Clark and County Board members Lloyd Carter and Catherine Hogue. Laurel has been a long term supporter of civilian police review boards. While Hursey does also, and Tod has given the idea -- at most -- deceptive lip service, Hursey can't win and Tod is simply not to be trusted on this issue. African-Americans, as a demographic, are among the strongest supporters of civilian polcie review boards, for all the reasons I'm sure progressives are well aware of and the rest of the community should be.
Furthermore, African-Americans are a key demographic in local unions. The AFL-CIO of Champaign County endorsed Laurel, not Tod or Ms. Hursey.
I could go on, but it's not really necessary. For the key issues in this election, both progressives and African-Americans (two groups which actually have a substantial overlap in this community) the best candidate is one that represents a credible alternative to Satterthwaite. Laurel Prussing is that candidate, not Shirley Hursey. Ms. Hursey, while as qualified as Tod is, will only draw votes away from Prussing.
If you want a new mayor, instead of the failed relationship that Tod has with both the city council and the majority of citizens in Urbana, then vote for Prussing.
For all we know, Prussing is likely to consider reappointing Hursey to the Human Rights commission if she wins the election. You can be certain that Tod will not. |
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I Want Tod Gone; For That, We Need Prussing |
by shadowalker
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
13 Feb 2005
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Progressives want to win this election. Prussing can. Hursey cannot. It's that simple. |
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There are more important issues here. |
by Washington St.
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
13 Feb 2005
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Well, I've heard more than enough about the library expansion. It's time to move on. I'm disappointed that the Prussing campaign is missing the chance to focus on other issues: What I'd like to hear about are more specific suggestions to bring Philo Road back to life; public safety in East Urbana; the still-undisclosed plans to redevelop Orchard Downs; and the criteria Ms. Prussing will use in making appointments to boards, commissions, and the city council. I'm wondering if she will require candidates to have voted in past municipal elections and, if so, what the minimum number or percentage will be. |
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Re: issues |
by websitereader
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
13 Feb 2005
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Prussing campaign is missing the chance to focus on other issues: What I'd like to hear about are more specific suggestions to bring Philo Road back to life; public safety in East Urbana; the still-undisclosed plans to redevelop Orchard Downs; and the criteria Ms. Prussing will use in making appointments to boards, commissions, and the city council.
Prussing's campaign has addressed several of your concerns and issues in detail. See her website at: http://www.laurelprussing.com, and look under 'More on Issues', as well as links from the front page. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Local Yocal
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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What is missed in these postings is a fundamental discussion about the nature of real estate development in this town and that politicians cannot take credit for luring a national franchise to the area. They can only be the whores willing to screw the taxpayers out of their money in the name of "development" and "progress". What Tod has that Laurel does not is the secret blessing from The Super Secret Developer Illuminatea. They have timed their new building announcements around this election. They want Tod because Tod is willing to issue building permits, sewage, light, power right over Grandma's house if necessary. Their new highway projects, their new North Prospect off of Cunningham Avenue beyond 5 Points will go smoothly and unopposed if another Tod administration is in place. That is why the Ward Map vote was so important. Control of the Council is crucial. Tod worked very hard to make sure Laura Huth was somehow removed, and Milton Otto was kept on board. When that didn't happen, he was willing to invest his entire political capital on the Plus 2 vote, portraying himself as champion of the people. What he wants, what he needs is a rubber stamp council like the one in Champaign, so Urbana can finish building its tax money manna to the North of town, continue building $300,000 homes around the StoneCreek golf course, and perhaps create a new sattelite Police station out of the old K-mart on Philo Road.
The Mayoral election is about who will rule the next decade in Urbana. The citizens? or The Developers? A vote for Satterthwaite is a vote for a Taco Bell and a nice new subdivision. It isn't about Smart Growth, it's about Growth, period. The reason Tod is so chincey with City Money is he needs it for infrastructure projects for the new developments to the outskirts of the city. His disregard and disdain for voters and their "stupid" opinions of expanding the "stupid" library was because he wanted the city money to be spent for sewage, roads, power lines and drainage so Walmart and the rest of the National Franchises would come and bestow the Tod Mahal with the millions of dollars of tax revenue like Champaign has. His explosive temper is just a symptom of how much pressure he is under and how much the developers have demanded of him. Any questions about low income housing, minimum wage jobs, high school drop outs, crime rates, and quality of life issues are outside his concern since he has got to keep Clint Atkins happy. And it would be really helpful if those "stupid" progressives on the City Council would just shut up and get in line.
What is ruling Urbana, like in Champaign, is one thing: Traffic Counts. The franchises want to be where the cars go. North Cunningham Avenue has 80,000 cars a day go by. A perfect prescription for a North Prospect-esque development. And what a lovely corridor North Lincoln has become: is that the best they could do? a gas station and a Holiday Inn across from the motorcycle shop and Melrose Place? And what of Melrose? What's to become of that lovely gated, high security community? Is that the kind of successful neighborhood planning we want? Are those things built to last? Is that what we need? Who lives there? Are there any Section 8 vouchers available at Melrose? Is it practical to have students living that far off campus?
What Tod is doing is the Developers Bidding. And what gets made is the Car Driven, High Security, clean and safe environments the white middle class prefers. Now if we can just build another private Catholic high school in north Urbana, we won't have to send our children to go to school with those North End Hooligans. eee gad. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Sascha Meinrath
sascha (nospam) ucimc.org (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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Quick amelioration for those worried about having your posts hidden:
The UCIMC has been repeatedly targeted by trolls over its 4+ year history. As trolling has increased our web editors have been forced to keep pace. If you're disgruntled about having your posts hidden, or feel that they've been hidden in error, here's a few quick measures you can take to prevent this from happening:
1. Use your real name and contact information. One of the easiest things to do is to simply use your legal name and provide contact information so that if UCIMC editors have questions about a post, they can contact you.
2. E-mail the UCIMC web editors: imc-web (at) ucimc.org if you have specific concerns.
3. Come to a web editors meeting (meeting times are posted to the main IMC e-mail list).
Trolling is, by definition, intended to waste the time of a site's administrators, undermine the functioning of the forum, and often undertaken in anonymity. The UCIMC newswire remains an open-publishing forum -- and we have plenty of safeguards in place to help maintain that openness. We have an extensive process to allow users to resolve errors if they feel they've been made -- but anonymous postings complaining that other anonymous postings have been hidden in error are not one of them. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by rhetoric 101
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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> BREAKING NEWS: Tod Satterthwaite will be sacrificing puppies ...
Straw man.
http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/straw.php |
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Trolls Live...Where the Sun Don't Shine |
by ML
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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Yes, rhetoric 101, it was a troll -- and now it's gone.
Thanks to Sascha for pointing out that the application of our website policies has nothing to do with significant content or different points of view, i.e. those that at least make a serious point or defend an argument -- and everything to do with putting the cheap shot one-liners and dismissive off the cuff remarks of a certain troll where the sun don't shine.
We have a sense of humor here and a tolerance for a variety of viewpoints. However, if you come here just to get the jollies you were never quite quick enough to get off your chest in junior high, then take it elsewhere -- or we will for you. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by ZT
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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Since you asked about Laurel's plan for Philo Rd. here is briefly what I got recently about her plans.
Laurel will actively pursue quality new businesses and create incentives for small retail.
She will explore the use of a Tax Increment Financing District for Philo Rd. This worked well in Downtown Champaign.
She will explore the use of outlot development (stores near the sidewalk in front of the beg box stores) on Philo Rd.
She will address the beautification of Philo to make it more attractive to businesses.
And she will address the rising crime rate by adding more police officers and support neighborhood watch programs. |
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Philo Road Plan |
by Washington St.
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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ZT--Thanks for the information about the Prussing plan for Philo Road. It pretty much sounds like the plan that city staff just presented to the council. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by East Urbana Resident
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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So, to sum up Laurel's plans . .
SHE'S GOING TO DO WHAT THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IS ALREADY DOING!
The city already offers incentives for small businesses - loans, etc. If Laurel plans to keep the city's finances in order, where is she getting additional money for attracting business from?
Exploring TIF districts is nothing new, it's been looked at, the area does not meet state statute requirements to form a TIF or the city would have had one in place by now. TIF worked in downtown Champaign because that area qualified thanks to old (1920's and older) buildings and failing infrastructure. Philo Road does not have these problems - nor flooding, sewer, electrical or other problems. Philo road does have empty buildings.
Outlot development is a great option - but the owners of the properties on Philo Road have shown no interest in chopping up their parcels - they want to fill what's already there.
I honestly don't know what can be done to beautify the Philo Road area - having storefronts not boarded up with plywood helps, having well maintained parking lots helps, stores picking up their shopping carts helps, but none of this is the city;s responsibility.
And finally, all candidates say they want to fight crime. Only Prussing is advocating for a citizen's review board - an organization of individuals with no business telling the police how to do their job. Prussing will tie the hands of the police and nothing will be accomplished.
I'm not overlyhappy with Tod, and no one knows what Shirley Hursey plans to do, but Laurel Prussing certainly is not the answer. Next week will certainly be a case of the lesser of three evils when I vote for Tod. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by another east urbana neighbor
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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I agree. Lauryl is definitely not the answer. Even though she has won previous elections, she has not been to city council meetings or shown any interest in city (as a whole) problems until recently. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Urbana voter
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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I'm impressed with the economic development that is finally occurring. The single best thing we can do for our schools is to expand the economic base to support them. I think it would be great if more businesses located along North Cunningham..the infrastructure is there, it's within the city limits, and it would take advantage of the access to I-74. That new Walgreens at Cunningham and University and the development across the street is a good start. |
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More business development, so what? |
by John Hilty
jhilty (nospam) shout.net (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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If this business development is so wonderful, then why is the City of Champaign always broke? Why do they have to borrow more money in order to build a new library? Why did they have have to borrow $30 million to prevent flooding in campus town? Considering the massive retail development in NW Champaign, this city should be flush with cash, so where is it?
And how valuable is more RETAIL development in this community anyways? The local retail market is already saturated. New stores in one part of Champaign-Urbana spell doom for older stores in other parts of the city. This is not a model of economic growth. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Sandra Ahten
spiritofsandra (nospam) hotmail.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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Prussing may not have all the answers for Urbana. But I believe that Tod has had 10 years of full time paid work to make Urbana better -- and that most improvements have happened in spite of him... not because of him. I want to give someone else a chance to see what they can do. Prussing is our only viable choice.
Tod has also shown his true colors by misrepresenting himself so thoroughly around the library issue. It is one thing to have worked to undermine the library expansion (bad enough in itself). It is a whole 'nuther matter to then to try to take credit when the expansion happened in spite of him.
I have personal experience along these lines... so I know it is not just campaign mud slinging…
Eight or more years ago Tod actively worked to get a developer to develop the gated student apartments on North Lincoln that are now Melrose Place. Before it was Melrose it was Lincoln Mobile Home Park (with homes that were no longer very mobile.) But the low income residents did have a community and they had homes and they had stability, because they had fairly inexpensive rent lot. The city financed the whole search and bid process and offered maximum TIF funds to do away with this low income neighborhood. A group of citizens became aware of the plight of the neighbors and advocated to the city that those being forced to move be given some type of accommodations to help them relocate their trailers (usually not possible) or to have other financial assistance in moving. If the developers who were very financially solvent could be given incentives... why not assist the residents who were being booted out of their homes? You can imagine how that went over with Tod. Like a lead balloon. So we went door to door in the neighborhood. We interviewed all the residents, determined just how dire the circumstances were. Arranged for speakers at the city council meetings and enlisted the help of city council members who were sympathetic. We engaged the press in the issue. (We had the Octopus as an ally back then) Eventually victory! The city made an allowance for each resident to receive assistance. Guess who took credit?
Yep, Good old Tod was “going to do it all along.” Even though that was exactly contrary to every conversation that I had with him along the way -- and there were many.
Bottom line: He's untrustworthy.
Why rehire someone who is untrustworthy AND has a narrow vision for Urbana.
We can do better. Let's give Prussing a shot. At least if we, or some creative council member, comes up with an idea... it will be considered and not undermined.
I love living in Urbana because it is unique. We don't need to model ourselves on Champaign. As a community I hope we will never embrace Walmart & we will always want more bike paths. I hope we will always be a mecca for a young new thinkers and old new thinkers alike. Tod just does not reflect the values of Urbana residents. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by websitereader
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
14 Feb 2005
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> SHE'S GOING TO DO WHAT THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IS ALREADY DOING!
Hardly. K-Mart closed years ago. Jewel longer ago than that. Jerry's recently. The writing has been on the wall for years with Philo Road. Where has Tod been?
Now, one week before the election he puts together a plan to explore options to fix Philo Road. This is years too late. What if the election wasn't for two more years...would we wait that much longer?
Laurel Prussing has made it clear she won't let important city issues languish this long. Being (a good) Mayor isn't about having every perfect idea for every problem that might face the city. It's primarily about being a solid administrator, having a vision, providing real leadership, and listening to those who know more than you do.
Tod has failed miserably on all of these points. And he's had 12 years to work on them. Laurel has an excellent background, and deserves a chance. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by it's reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
15 Feb 2005
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you may think that tod might not have done anything about Kmart, etc. but neither did the city council. They did not even pay attention to the needs of the droves of people who can WALK to these stores on Philo Road. I believe it was only a few short months ago when they started asking questions and even learned that KMart did not own the building. Come on-- people who have been in that store knew when they saw the buckets of water all over the store and knew that Kmart couldn't fix the roof because they didn't own the store. The city staff has been working on this project, but the city council did not look past Vine Street. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Local Yocal
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
15 Feb 2005
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Tod is untrustworthy because he lies and cheats to get his way. Do you want a politician who has no regard for the voters and their opinions? Do you want a politician who directs Isaak & Glerum Architects to trim 6000 square feet off the doubling of the Library and thinks it acceptable to "sneak" those dimensions through council, despite 2 million dollars being donated from private citizens with the understanding the library would be doubled in size? Do you think it okay for a politician to scream and throw objects when discussing policy? Do you think it okay that a politician would threaten another politician with a smear job in the News-Gazette unless they re-introduce the Ward Map issue to the floor of the city council? Do you think it okay for a politician to not reappoint citizens to boards and committees whenever they disagree with him for legitimate reasons? Though a cloud of witnesses have gathered around him to testify toward his attitude and his ways, the man lies to your face when confronted with these allegations. He is unfit for office because he is an angry little man who needs to grow up and learn to work and play with others. He's had 12 years to figure it out, and his symptoms only get worse in his desperate hour of "having to face the voters". His vision only considers what white business men want. He accuses others of what he himself does, and then has the audacity to use the local media to portray his "opponents" of some inconsideration toward the voters. The ward map battle was almost comical in its 180 degree backwardness in which Tod attempted to spin it. He readily acknowledges that his mom was removed from office by the way the district map was redrawn by State Republicans. Learning those lessons well, he then goes to re-draw the local ward map using politics as his guide. He cannot hide the unnecessary one block shift he proposed to accomodate for Milt Otto's fiancee's house. So what does our grown-up Mayor do when this preposterous and unabashedly crooked drawing does not fly with more principled council members? First, he pulls Chynoweth aside, and says unless she re-introduces the Ward Map issue to council floor, he'll fabricate a conflict of interest story in the News-Gazette regarding a modest WiFi proposal that WAS NOT a conflict of interest. Making good on his threat, he hires Milton Otto to do his dirty work and introduce an amendment to an ethics ordinance to make it sound like Chynoweth is the reason this amendment needs to be done.
Still not satisfied, and worried he cannot control the council with people he'd prefer to have on council, he fabricates this plus-2 campaign in response to the Progressives wanting to only "keep themselves in power". In fact, it was Tod who wanted to keep power and he knows it. So for the remainder of 2004 he invests himself in a political campaign to have 2 at-large council members.
Meanwhile, back on South Philo Road, crime goes up 28%.
And that didn't happen overnight, The Hot Corner has been a kettle waiting to boil over for some time. You can't have low-income housing sitting next to a liquor store. Sorry, that never works.
Tod has worn out his tenure as Mayor because he thinks himself better than other people because he is Mayor. And it plays out in his way he works with others. Petty little bickerings, unapologetic backroom scheming to punish perceived enemies, and then his hypocritical taking credit for any good accomplished despite him being in the way. How can he even look a single Library Board member in the eye with one of those library postcards? He thinks he can fool people long enough to get re-elected.
You have to wonder if the citizens of Urbana will come forward and testify against this man. There are many who know what Tod is like, but refuse to publicly acknowledge the truth about him. Whether it's because their jobs are in jeopardy if they were to do so, or simply because they don't feel the battle is worth it, they keep the secrets going about our mild and meek dufus Mayor.
Today, the Mayor will spin away once more in his debate on Penny for Your Thoughts with Jim Turpin on WDWS AM 1400, beginning at 9:00a.m.
Those of you who know the truth will listen to the Weasel hem and haw through his little talking points. You will hear him take credit for the library. You will hear him take credit for economic development. You will hear him accuse progressives of doing the exact thing he does to get his way. And who will have the guts to call 356-9397 this morning to confront him when he lies to the public?
Urbana will go the way of unnecessary retail exploitation, big box crap, higher property taxes, more traffic congestion, little downtown development, more cops, more arrests, excuses for Carle Hospital's treatment of the poor, and still have nothing for the schools and parks if you re-elect the Weasel for Mayor. Good very luck to us all if we don't soundly defeat this man, and I don't care who it is that replaces him. Tod has got to go. Big Bosses and Kings and Dictators have no place in a democracy. |
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Staff Direction Is Directly the Mayor's Responsibility |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
15 Feb 2005
|
"it's reality" would have you believe that the city council directs the city staff. Sorry, but you just flunked City Government 101. Much as they would like to direct the city staff -- given Tod's unique combination of incompetence and mallfesance of the taxpayers' money with regard to his cozy relationship with CERTAIN developers -- the city council has to spend it's time doing the best they can with the obstacles to smart growth that Tod throws in their path.
The blame for Urbana's lack of development, like the attempts to cut the new library, his inability to work cooperatively with those the citizens have elected, and a host of other pending issues is Tod's ALONE. As local yocal states, he will do anything to shft the blame to others, but the chickens are coming home to roost in between his lies, prevarications, and -- in the case of Wal-Mart -- quite possibly his criminal behavior.
BTW, don't believe the well-orchestrated and suspiciously-timed deluge of "developement" announcements we are seeing almost daily in the News-Gazette now that the primary draws near. Where was Tod most of the last 12 years in regard to economic development? Don't forget most of these announcements are just that -- announcments.
Think a little about the O'Brien car delership move up to Cunningham and I-74. How many years ago was that announced? I don't remember, it's been so long. These projects are all subject to the vagaries of the marketplace and the timing of them just before a primary that Tod is very afraid he will lose -- with good reason -- should be taken with a grain of salt. One only has to read this article to realize that many of these announcments will likely languish for years after this primary -- http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display/26044/index.php
Most of these projects still require the approval of the city council. Many will require the taxpayers to fork over even more money to Tod's buddies among the wealthy investor class, who despearately hope he can keep the taxpayers' wallet in their hands.
Tod has been bragging a lot about Build Urbana. But that only came about _after_ the failure of his foisting a million dollar plus subsidy on the city council to foster growth. Anyone who has driven past Stone Creek knows the result of that -- mostly empty fields bisected by roads and other infratsructure paid for by us. Sure, Build Urbana has its good points, but why couldn't Tod do something smart the first time around, instead of proposing it as a do-over? In the meantime, he's back to figuring out how he can shovel the money that should go to replace the crumbling streets and build the non-existent curbs in my hood in East Urbana into the pockets of out of town investors.
Tod is an incompetent ass who hasn't mananged to finish his bachelor's degree in the 12 years when he's had plenty of free time on his hands. I would be the first one to say that people can do an effective job in most cases without a BA, but Tod has proven he is not one of them.
I think it's about time that we get proven leadership with the requisite skills to manage the mayor's office effectively in favor of the majority in Urbana. It's time for us to elect someone who can work with everyone in Urbana -- other than rich investors and a city staff he can intimidate, that is. It's time we elect Laurel Prussing. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Michael Langendorf
crdmike (nospam) aol.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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The IMC is the one who misleads people. Tod has the impossible task of balancing the economics of Urbana being a bedroom community and not being a place business wants to come and be a part of.....which is due mostly to the horrible image put forth by the "progressives" on the city council. The "progressives" of city council give Urbana outsiders an image of being moronic liberals who have no idea what is really going on. So, who would want invest in a community where business is frequently demonized. Luckily, the "progressives" do not run the city otherwise there would be no basic services but plenty of methadone clinics. The responsibilities of local government are to provide the taxpayers with services not stop the war in Iraq. I watch every city council meeting and I am amazed by how often the "progressives" are out of touch with what the city should be doing. I wonder how are they even called "progressive" as they do not promote progress. Further, they seem to feel that people who work and earn a living are some how bad. Their criticism of Tod and how the library expansion was completed is so lame. Guess what....the library expansion is almost done....get over how it happened. The main problem in the community is the IMC and the numbskulls who have nothing better to do than constantly criticize anyone but those that support their limited and blunted perspective. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by uh-nawn
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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I love seeing Weasel Satterthwaite run through the ringer! What a tool he is. Keep spelling it out, (you) tax-paying, library-loving, honesty-valuing citizens paying close attention!
It's long past time for a change with the highest ranking elected "public servant" in Urbana. Elect Prussing!
Indy Media gives the power (back) to the People! |
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Langendorf: All for Biz, Except NOT in His Backyard |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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Lamendorf, you never explained how Tod has persuaded you to take his side all of the sudden, instead of running against him for mayor again when I asked before. Was it a bribe or just some of Tod's usual threats and blackmail? One more chance here to do so, but I'm not holding my breath that you will be any more truthful than him.
Your convenient hypocrisy about welcoming business at all cost stinks and certainly deserves an explanation.
As for Tod and hissupposed connection to new investment in our community, I don't think anyone is opposed to encouraging investment in Urbana. Laurel certainly is not, but unlike Tod, she is not willing to hand the keys and the wallet of the city to anyone without getting a good return on the taxpayer's investment and practicing smart growth that benefits the city as a whole, instead of merely lining the pcokcets of our-of-town investors. Tod's record is replete with giveaways with little or nothing to show in return.
As for the actions of our overwhelmingly progressive city council, I think you and Tod ignore them and the voters who elected them at your own risk. If you don't like it, then Champaign is just across Wright St., where you can get your fill of a city council with a reactionary conservative majority. But this, too, is changing. Maybe you really need to move to mostly lily-white Savoy, if the possibility of progressive control frightens you so much?
As for library issues...these are _particularly_ relevant to someone like Tod who is running on his record. They go right to the root of his bullying and intimidation, something which there is no legitimate place for in Urbana government. But I can certainly understand why Tod's supporters would prefer that the public not look behind the curtain to see what gets little or no attention in the News-Gazette's excreable coverage of Urbana politics. The truth is truly something you fear so close to the Feb. 22 primary. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by TV Viewer
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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From Tom Kacich at news-gazette.com:
"Well, this can't be good news for the Laurel Prussing campaign ...
Her TV spots that were supposed to start running today on local cable TV were not deemed high-quality enough to put on the air. They're hoping to reshoot them by Friday and get them on the air by Saturday. If the production isn't done by Friday, she's pretty much out of luck for getting any worthwhile TV time before Tuesday's election." |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Michal Langendorf
crdmike (nospam) aol.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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Well you continue your moronic and lame explanations....first off why don't you identify yourself? Coward, yes......it is easy throw out comments without taking any responsibility for what you say. Tod has made me no promises...my support is there because unlike those "progressives" who got less votes than Joe Whelan he has a real investment in Urbana. He does not see Urbana as a political platform for anti-war statements or lining his pockets through wireless internet plans or soliciting funds for their own agencies or drafting housing rules while advocating for poor, pathetic college students mistreated by their landlords. Yes, the city wrongfully gave incentives to Mr.Atkins and The Meijer's company....we protested that and continue to believe that incentives are not good business...but they learned from that mistake.....the city people actually attempted to entice a class of people who work and pay taxes and build nice homes.
He also promoted plus two because the city council is dysfunctional and not representative of the city population. It was an opportunity to add minority representation instead of as those opposed to plus two who just want to keep the African American city council member from the African American neighborhood. Your approach continues to guarantee that yes there can be an African American council member as long he or she is from that neighborhood. Tod has dealt with many voices, had many arguments and not always done what the "progressives" wanted but most often he has tried to listen to many opinions and then run the city in a sound responsible manner. He has made many mistakes...no doubt..like appointing Esther Patt to fill a vacant council seat....but in general he has more common sense than you and your kind of blind, mindless liberals
who really have no idea on how to work with anyone who doesn't hold your same limited perspective. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Voter
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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Speaking of the plus 2 campaign---Has anyone heard anything about the plan to have a non-partisan committee draw the next ward map? No mayoral or city council involvement until it's time to vote on it. That wouldn't happen for another few years but I think that's a great idea after looking at the gerrymandered ward map that was approved this time. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Joe Futrelle
futrelle (nospam) shout.net (verified) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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> lining his pockets through wireless internet plans
You are doubtless repeating an unfounded allegation against Danielle Chynoweth. The record is crystal clear that CUWiN will not receive a cent from the city under the *unanimously-approved* budget amendment:
http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2004/09/23/Opinions/Letter.No.Conflicts.Of.Interest-727908.shtml
To be *absolutely clear* about this: CUWiN *does not sell wireless equipment or internet service*. They simply provide free hardware specifications and software, and if you go to an electronics retailer and buy commercial-off-the-shelf equipment that matches those hardware specifications, you can use the free software and join the network. That is what the city is going to do.
This is a perfect example of how Tod can make a completely and demonstrably false allegation, and people will continue to believe it. |
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Langendorf: Out of Touch With Reality |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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Maybe I use a pseudonymn because I might be subject to Tod's wrath. Besides, if you would check your history, the United States has a long history of political writers using pseudonymns, all the way back to the First American Revolution. Besides, I prefer to let the facts speak for themselves, something you and your (good?) name should pay more attention to.
As for "Plus 2" if you want to claim that the majority on the city council are "dysfunctional" then you're claiming the exact same thing about the voters who elected them. Neither you or Tod appears interested in the will of the people when it doesn't suit your personal preferences. However, you and the present mayor might want to take some tips on dealing with a "dysfunctional" public from Joe Stalin. He's got some solutions that are proven to be effective if that is what's troubling you.
Finally, you state that Urbana should attempt "to entice a class of people who work and pay taxes and build nice homes." I've got news for you. In this increasingly unequal society, MOST people can't afford to "build nice homes." We do the best we can for our families working and paying taxes -- and having to put up with horse's asses like you and the mayor, who think we should just shut up and sit down if we can't afford to pad Clint Atkins' pockets by building a home in Stone Creek.
I'm sorry, but last time checked, the majority of citizens who can't "build nice homes" still have the right to vote -- and is most likely to be the majority of those who go to the polls on February 22.
Which leads to your handwringing over the failure of "Plus 2" being "bad" for African-Americans. There are many things that can help the rightful political aspirations of African-Americans, but at-large voting is definitely NOT one of them, as the history of the results of at-large voting being used to suppress African-American voting rights -- again and again and again.
Not every racist wears a white hood -- lots of them prefer the subtle bigotry of at-large voting. Sorry, but look at the results, by precinct, of the vote on "Plus 2/at-large" during the lection last November. African-Americans showed themselves to be more than intelligent enough to reject the BS you are pushing, allegedly for their benefit. They said, "NO THANKS, we don't need or want at-large!" I guess you missed that. |
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Langendorf....In Touch With Reality |
by Michael Langendorf
crdmike (nospam) aol.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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As usuual you bend reality to fit your perception. As someone out of touch and unable to even say who you are..the real issue becomes do you have validity. Your comments are invalid and again a reflection of a reality that doesn't exist. Have you actually talked with anyone who doesn't agree with you? The "progressives" make no attempts to talk to all the citizens of Urbana just those that reenforce their warped sense of reality. I have watched as you folks bring out the usual suspects to voice the same warped perception over and over and over again..ad nauseum. I am amazed that you have convinced any African Americans that you could possibly help them as a group. Your plan has kept them down in their ghetto and your use of the race card is sick beyond comprehension. Again, you are a coward as you hide behind "Dose of Reality"...you do not have the courage of your alleged convictions. I have never hidden my thoughts and have taken responsibility for what I say and do. I came to a logical conclusion that Tod is a much better mayor than Laurel can ever hope to be......she is an example of what is bad in the Democratic Party as well as among you so called "progressives". When you people are rude and inappropriate you are justified because of some moral indignation...in reality you are as bad as the conservatives and right wing you chastise. |
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Reality Is 63% NO! on "Plus 2" |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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"Plus 2" lost big in November. I remember how you were insisting before that election that progressives were similarly subject to a "a reality that doesn't exist." We know now just how out of touch YOU were. "Plus" struggled and lost in even more precincts than Bush did in Urbana. As I recall, it was 24 precincts NO! and 3 precincts "yesssss, master, tell us what you want nexxttt..." While increasingly African-Americans live all over Urbana -- a very good thing -- those precincts which are predominanty black becasue of the kind of economic discrimination that says they only count if they can "build a nice house" voted totally against your little bogus at-large scheme.
Basically, all you're telling me is that your disdain for the will of the public matches the mayor's.
Click your heels together, Mike, wish real hard and you might get to Kansas on such BS, but you sure won't win an election in Urbana.
It is not my "warped perception" that says that. It is a cold hard fact that at-large was rejected, largely by people who can't be good citizens in yoru tiny mind by building "nice houses."
yes, it might be a little rude to keep throwing your words back in your face, but until you renouce such racist, classist claptrap, I feel perfectly reasonable in reminding you that you have so far failed to reject them yourself. Instead, you want to attack me for pointing them out. Just like the mayor doesn't want people talking about anything to do with his temper, his lack of good faith with members of his party, and his disdain for public opinion. The chickens are coming home to roost and the fox is on the run. Get over it, because that is reality.
BTW, the IMC works effectively with members of all races. Technical assistance from the IMC helped produce the VEYA tapes. Members of the IMC were instrumental in forcing the Champaign Police Dept to back off on their ill-considered plan to buy tasers. Members of the IMC are hard at work to get the county to give up its $14,000 a month kickback on jail phones, extorted from the families of its (sadly) jail over-populated with African-Americans. Are you REALLY so thoughtless as to imply that the current demographics of the jail population has nothing to do with race or class? I can tell you that frat boys do just as much or more drugs than people that live north of University in our community.
What have YOU done about that lately?
Nothing but try to claim that diluting their vote will somehow "help" them.
Maybe it's you that's smoking crack now, cause little that you said here today makes any damn sense...unless you have your lips firmly planted on Tod's ass. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Michael Langendorf
crdmike (nospam) aol.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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Dose of Reality.....again you continue to show your cowardice....identify yourself...You can talk but nothing of importance comes out. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Michael Langendorf
crdmike (nospam) aol.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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Dose of Reality....if you are representative of what the IMC is.....boy they are a pathetic lot. I can honestly say that you are the kind of people that helped George Bush win two terms. |
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Don't Hold Me Against the IMC |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
16 Feb 2005
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I'm just a member, but I kind of took offense to your derisory comments about the IMC. They do good work, but it's a very diverse group that works hard to put the media in the hands of the people. Unlike Tod, who thinks that he can control what's on UPTV. We won that battle and Tod is likely to get his comeuppance in part becasue of that, as well as the many other items I have already mentioned, but which you are working hard to ignore. I can just see you sitting in front of your keyboard with your fingers in your ears repeating, "You can talk but nothing of importance comes out...You can talk but nothing of importance comes out...You can talk but nothing of importance comes out." Keep it up, you'll be in Kansas soon.
But I'm just me and this is just my opinion, not that of the IMC. There's Dems and Greens, anarchists and socialist, and even people who don't care much about politics, but do like music, at the IMC. And Tod has pissed just about all of 'em off, which seems to be one of the few real accomplishments of his 12 years in office that he can legitimately take full credit for.
As for the 2004 presidential election...it was NOT people like us that cost the Dems the election. It was folks like the Democratic Leadership[sic] Council and most of Kerry's advisers. Like you, they are more interested in competing with the Republicans for the small minority of the population that can afford to "build nice houses" and the 25% of the population that sucks up Fox News and Rush like cheap beer. When the Dems start paying attention to the majority of the citizens of this country, at least enough to energize them to get to the polls, then they'll start winning elections again at the national level.
Here locally in Urbana, progressive Dems have proven time and time again they can win elections. That is why you got spanked on "Plus 2" because most of them didn't waste everyone's time running for the middle of the road. The only thing you'll find in the middle of the road is roadkill. I for one am looking forward to cleaning the highways of Urbana of that on February 22.
Good night and have a better tomorrow. I hold no personal animosity, but you really ought to start thinking for yourself, instead of what's good for Tod, if your truly share Democratic values. |
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Hold You Against the IMC |
by Michael Langendorf
crdmike (nospam) aol.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
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Dose of Reality....I continue to wonder why you won't identify who you are.....for someone to really take a stance you have to admit who you are. The IMC promotes a small self-serving perspective. They take people's comments off of their web site when they don't like them...anytime someone has made factual comments against Danielle and her little business they are posted for a moment and then removed. There is no openess...there is no factual reporting or sharing...just their bias.
I stand by my comments that the far left ...like IMC and yourselves were the lightning rod for the far right and religious right to show up in droves to vote against Kerry and liberals and for Bush. It was a reaction to the blind thoughtless liberalism promoted by folks like the IMC and the Greens and you. I spend everyday of my professional life working with people who are disenfranchised....poor...no education...needing lots of special help...they hope and aspire to own a nice home....to have an income.....live the American dream that you would certainly ridicule and demean. We can't just live in a community full of liberals who work for causes.....a community is that...all kinds of people....Urbana isn't like a suburb... it has a whole range of peoples....we need the people who want to build a house at Stone Creek.....we need the people who want to build a house off of Florida or buy a nice condo........not just your buddies and people who need Section 8 housing. Urbana is not the Brave New World. You won the Plus 2 ....just a small skirmish. You mustered students with scare tactics...students who ultimately have no long term investment in Urbana.
My wife and I moved here and raised our child here and tried to provide her an environment where she could experience diversity and a stable life. She grew up with poor, middle class, rich, African American, Hispanic, Asian a real melting pot but she was most adversely effected by the snotty liberals who pass judgement on anyone who doesn't agree with their perspective. This is how the IMC comes across to many people in this community. This is how people view the city council of Urbana and then perceive that this how people in Urbana really are. We need to model for the outside how people work together. Your model only includes those that agree with you. You guys talk a big game but you are an exclusive not inclusive group. From running for mayor I met up with Republicans...and extreme liberals and middle of the roaders...I made relationships based on mutual issues and concerns...yep we didn't agree on abortion rights or if the Chief is good or bad....but certainly agreed that we need economic growth in Urbana that is logical and doesn't promote sprawl....like I said before when you are elected you become an advocate for all your constituents..
I have never once ever heard Esther or Danielle or Ruth speak for anyone but THEIR friends. Tod has frequently listened to many sides..
yep he has gotten angry because he is a human being with feelings and thoughts..
and frustrations but he more often looks at more than one perspective. I can't say the same for IMC or the "progressives".
I will continue to advocate for Urbana and its citizens and openly say who I am and what I believe. May be some day you will come out and show some real courage and depth of understanding. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by rolando cortez
rolandointruth (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
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All very interesting, yet troubling. First, I am disappointed at the tendancy by both sides of these issues to lapse into ad hominem attacks on those with whom they disagree. Why is it that even at the local level people seem incapable or unwilling to discuss the issues without getting personal?
As to the matters at hand, as a longtime resident of Urbana, I am often puzzled as to the apparent gaps between the majority views expressed by the city council and the community-wide opinions and perspectives which I infer from peoples' actions. Most Urbana folks seem, at least to me, to be interested in the day-to-day matters that comprise an ordinary life: safety, education for their children, cost of living, public services. In that regard, it puzzles me that the council is regularly embroiled in controversies that divert energy and resources from these basic needs of the citizens.
As to development, there needs to be a synthesis of development and quality of life -- the are not separate matters, but intimately connected. The knee-jerk reaction that virtually all commercial development is harmful will eventually harm the ability of the city to provide for the interests of its population. Yes, North Prospect is ugly, but I've noticed it is also heavily patronized, and I'm presuming that 30 or 40 percent of the folks there on a Saturday afternoon are from Urbana. Would it be so terrible if we didn't have to drive all the way across town to do our shopping? I shop at Wal Mart because I can buy necessities there at reasonable prices. Does that make me evil?
Continuing to raise barriers to commercial development depresses the tax revenues the city needs -- for ALL its citizens.
As to the debate over IMC's editorial policies, my observation from reading over comments -- both posted and hidden -- is not so much that people are trying to control the conversation, but rather that a very small number of folks get involved at all. There is a core group of perhaps a dozen people who argue with each other. It doesn't really do much to broaden the discussion in a way that is meaningful to the community at large.
I do value IMC as one of many websites that offer alternative views on a range of issues, but I'm sorry to say that I find the commentary to be rather self-centered from all sides. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Fed Up in Urbana
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
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This conversation between Dose of Reality and Michael Langendorf is a good example of why so many people feel alienated by the progressive Democrats in Urbana. The minute an individual questions their tactics or opposes their policies, they launch a personal investigation or attack. Progressives can google an opponent all day long and still not get it: they do not represent the majority of citizens in Urbana. They are not the open-minded, liberal individuals they pretend to be. They exclude people, they ridicule them if they hold different beliefs; they act as if they invented the idea of environmental protection and social concern and believe that the "creative class" arrived in Urbana in the last 5 years. They constantly refer to "our" city and "our" vision, particularly on this site.
The IMC could be a forum for the exchange of ideas and debate of issues. It's not .
We're sick of your juvenile attacks on the mayor. We're tired of the whining about the library. We're disgusted with the way you campaign through personal attacks on long-time residents. We're fed up with your inability to distinguish between your personal philosophy and public responsibility.
You can work for social justice, peace, equity, sustainable development without such contempt for the citizens of this community. You complain about the mayor showing disrepect; it is nothing compared to what many Urbana progressives/
Democrats have shown their fellow citizens.
You give "progressive" a bad name. |
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Satterthwaite Still Misleading Urbana |
by Mike Lehman
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
I think that the following exchange, taken from the HEUNA email list, will be instructive. I've been reading this whole thread as it unfolded, ending with Mr. Langendorf's impassioned appeal for Mr. Satterthwaite and Mr. Cortez's assertion that progressives will be bad for Urbana because "As to development, there needs to be a synthesis of development and quality of life -- the[y] are not separate matters, but intimately connected. The knee-jerk reaction that virtually all commercial development is harmful will eventually harm the ability of the city to provide for the interests of its population."
While those are noble comments, they simply do not match what has been happening in our community. Those who have issues with Tod over development are not having a "knee-jerk reaction that virtually all commercial development is harmful..." We want "smart development" that takes into account what the community wants, not just what a developer wants, ESPECIALLY when ANY amount of taxpayer funding is involved, as is already the case with the corner of Five Points. The development there has already benefited from an infusion of more than a $100,000+, yet the _people_ of Urbana, let alone council members, have been given no opportunity for input, except at the very last minute. The following series of emails from the HEUNA lists illustrates the issues quite well.
The first is from Dennis Roberts, our interim councilmember, who is running against Ricky Baldwin for a permanent seat in Ward 5. As you can see, this important issue was sprung on him as a councilmember at the last minute.
>>>>>>>
Subject: [Heuna] Zoning issue TONIGHT/ 25' tall sign
Date: 02/16/2005 4:00 PM
Hello Urbana residents,
TONIGHT at 7:30 there will be a request placed before the Zoning Board of Appeals (Urbana City Council chambers) to review a proposed sign at University Ave. and Cunningham Ave. intersection (NE corner). A large free standing sign is planned at the corner by Walgreens, who will construct a drug store on the site.
The sign design show a large horizontal sign supported by two metal tube columns, rising the sign 25 feet overhead. In this design, the signage for Walgreens becomes much like a billboard, and is similar to that seen across the street at Arby's (another "tall tree" sign).
I suggest you come to this meeting to view the design and express your viewpoints.
I believe that any commercial business located at this busy intersection (80,000 cars a day or similar,and busiest in Urbana) will be easily noticed. It is an acute angled site, without obstructions to sight lines from any approach angle. The sign will be easily visible from the street, sitting at the forward position at the peak of the lot, in front of the parking area.
My question is if it needful to place another giant sign along Cunningham Avenue and especially at this corner. If the future desire for the Downtown Strategic Plan is the beautification of the near downtown area, and to remodel this important corridor to become a "Gateway" to Urbana, is it necessary to place a 25 ft. sign at this prominent position?
Instead of a 25 ft tall sign, I think we should begin to encourage more low profile signing along Cunningham, built up on ground level bases, similar to those employed by some of the new BP gas stations. It would be a move to beautification of Cunningham Avenue to move away from Expressway style signage placed atop tall posts that are visible for 1 1/2 miles. If this design is approved tonight, we may be facing a struggle with the store at a later date to remove the tall sign when we envision a new plan for the Cunningham Avenue corridor.
I would much prefer to see a little softening landscaping or some public benches at this busy traffic hub.
Whether you agree with this vision or not, it is timely to address the variance request made by the Walgreens site developers, and have your voice added to the decision which we will be looking at and living with for years and years to come.
Dennis Roberts
Ward 5 Council member.
>>>>>>
It brought the following reply from a frustrated citizen, who wanted to have input on this issue, but who didn't get the opportunity because of the intentionally short notice that this sort of stuff gets as Satterthwaite-controlled staff is prohibited from bringing such items as this up far enough in adavnce for citizens to have a say -- and not just the developer.
>>>>>>>
Subject: [Heuna] Phone Tree
Date: 02/17/2005 8:49 AM
Hi all.
Quick thought.
Anyone interested in being a member of a phone tree
for HEUNA/city concerns?
If I would have gotten a call about the Walgreens sign
last night I might have been able to jump up and get
to the Zoning Board meeting.
Since it seems like a LOT of this stuff happens last
minute and we can't expect our council person to jump
US all the time... it might be wise to have a way to
organize ourselves.
My suggestion is the the HEUNA exec. board (you know
who you are) be at the top with a couple of calls each
to make. The current Chair would work with our council
person (who's gonna get this stuff first) make a call
on the interest of the group to the issue and call the
Exec., the exec. calls a couple numbers apiece and so
on.
If nothing else it might be a way to say hi to a
neighbor and stimulate some community. People who
receive calls would not necessarily be expected to
come to the meeting, just make a couple of quick calls
to designated folks.
Anyway.. that's the brainstorm for this AM.
Peace
OH... be SURE to vote next week... Tuesday FEB 22
might as well be the General Election in our fair
city.
Scott
>>>>>>
Which brought the following observation from me, based not simply on this one incident, but 12 years of Mr. Satterthwaite's "leadership".
>>>>>>
Subject: Re: [Heuna] Phone Tree
Date: 02/17/2005 9:10 AM
Scott,
Not to sound overly partisan here, but if we had a mayor that really believed in open government, things might not constantly come up at the "last minute." This has been a hallmark of Tod Satterthwaite's administration, because he wants everything to do with development set on greased skids so that developers get exactly what they want, without all that pesky citizen input.
Needless to say, I won't be voting for Tod on Tuesday, Feb. 22, but I absolutely agree that everyone should get out and vote, whether or not they think springing things on the council and citizens at the last minute is a good idea.
I hope that there is no need for a phone tree to deal with this problem after Tuesday, but I would be willing to participate if we still need it then.
Mike Lehman
>>>>>>>
People can take Mr. Cortez at his word that people like Dennis, Scott, and me are having a "knee-jerk reaction" but if we are, it is not against development, only against -- and I am speaking only for myself, because I don't know how Dennis and Scott will vote on Tuesday -- Tod Satterthwaite's magisterial and aloof style of governance. Mr. Lengendorf might be right -- Tod may really want input from ALL the citizenry, but it is only when it's too late to slam the gate after his horse is out of the barn, carrying saddlebags full of the taxpayer's money to a developer he and his staff have been in a far more initimate and relevant conversation for weeks or months than any citizen will ever get to have.
That is simply NOT good enough for someone who is mayor of Urbana.
That is why I'm voting for change. Laurel may not be everyone's cup of tea, but from past experience, I can say that this particular aspect of governance WILL change if she is mayor, for the better I am certain. The city council will get notices of what is REALLY going on in the city in time that they and city residents can have appropriate and needed input into what is happening in Urbana with OUR money. That is all we want, not the strawman of a "knee-jerk reaction that virtually all commercial development is harmful" that Mr. Cortez sets up. His assertion grossly mis-states what people who want a change in the mayor's office want.
Don't forget to vote Tuesday, February 22. It is important for the future of Urbana -- a future where the people have effective input into how our community is run and developed. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by uh-nawn
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
Couldn't disagree more with the baseless generalizations posted here by "Fed Up in Urbana".
Urbana has needed a fundamental change in gov't, for a very long time now. That time is now, and the "don't rock the boat", "business as usual" crowd is starting to whine, and distract and dilute from the reality of the situation, as expected.
Vote Prussing! |
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Got It |
by ML
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
uh-nawn,
I didn't think that was you. Anyway, I sent the troll away.
This forum is open for a wide range of opinions, as can be seen right here in this thread. However, posts that are simply trolling or are identified as being from banned trolls will be removed.
As for the observation that "There is a core group of perhaps a dozen people who argue with each other. It doesn't really do much to broaden the discussion in a way that is meaningful to the community at large..." our site is available for people to make comments and respond to what they see here. It gets over 2,500 hits a day. People are definitely reading UC IMC.
Those who think that the relative paucity of comments is an indication that the UC IMC website somehow doesn't reflect what many in Urbana want are whistling past the garveyard, as was seen in the failure of "Plus 2" in November. Don't forget that those who supported at-large, like Mr. Langendorf and the News-Gazette, were telling us then that only a "few progressives" opposed "Plus 2." As has already been noted here, they were wrong and the majority of opinions here at UC IMC actually accurately reflected what the voters really wanted.
Many have observed the disturbing trend in the U.S. for people to read only the media that they agree with -- that is the basis for the Fox News/Washington Times phenomena. That kind of corporate-dominated media either gives the public no opportunity or very limited opportunities to respond. We would like to see more people becoming involved in the exchanges here, but that is not everyone's cup of tea.
The fact that people do respond shows the influence that Indymedia has, as well the active involvement of hundreds of local residents in various aspects of the IMC. The very fact that those who oppose what they read here feel obligated to comment also shows that even those who are against much of what gets posted here regard us as an important source of opinion for the community. Otherwise, they and the trolls would just ignore us. Their bile and bluster reveal what they don't want to admit -- that Indymedia is a vital resource that people use when making choices, whether it is about who to vote for or something else, and that it reflects a large portion of what the public thinks in our community. |
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I Apologize for the Ad Homiems, But... |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
Yeah, I really shouldn't get into personal attacks. I prefer to stick to the facts and let them speak. For the most part, that is what I've done here.
Let's not forget that Mr. Langendorf really did not need to enter the thread with such statements as "moronic liberals". That was uncalled for. If progressives were morons, we wouldn't have the balance of power in the current council.
And we don't need any whining that that is because of an unfair ward map. The ward map was and is completely legal. We could probably expect much worse if the Repubicans drew it and Tod's rejected map had fundamental issues in it, too, that were far more unfair to the voters than even the wildest accusation against the ward map from Tod and his allies. Those who supported "Plus 2" had no legal case then, they lost the political case -- it was far more than "just a small skirmish" because it would have fundamentally altered Urbana's government in a direction that would put money above equity -- and they still have not been able to bring anything but sour grapes to the table since on the subject.
" Fed Up in Urbana" prattles on about how unfair progresives are and says that the reader should generalize from my comments about how every progressive in Urbana thinks. He repeats the lie that progressives oppose development. That is simply a bald-faced lie right from the politics of fear that Bush uses. It is also patently ridiculous.
Progressives have a far wider range of opinion than that between Tod and his mostly Repubican allies -- hell, it's hard to drive a toothpick between Tod and the Republicans these days. His future in office is absolutely dependent on Republicans showing up in a Democratic primary -- and he is still likely to lose. That will say it all about who the real majority is in Urbana. The voters will have the final say. Get back to me after the election, unless you have some facts to support what you're claiming. |
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Gotta Laugh at Dose of Reality |
by Michael Langendorf
crdmike (nospam) aol.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
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There may be a majority of the "progressives" on the Urbana City Council but the reality is....they don't run the city. They may embarass the city and its residents on a regular basis but the city is actually run by a city manager and his staff. So, don't delude yourself that having a majority on the council does anything but make Urbana look foolish to those outside the People's Republic. |
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It's Not Just Me You're Laughing At |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
You're laughing at the idea of democracy itself.
Well, Mr. Langendorf, I guess if we assume that you are connected at the hip with the mayor, we can take this as a rather definitive, nay, even shocking -- considering what we already know about the mayor's leadership style -- admission of what the mayor thinks about representative democracy. You didn't even bother to qualify it with some catch phrase like "advise and consent" or anything.
Maybe instead of "Plus 2," the mayor should just have proposed abolishing the city council as compeletely unnecessary to his vision of how Urbana should be governed?
All hail to King Tod! Long live the king! ... and all of that, as the Old Timer always says.
Good grief. You should just be quiet before you cause Tod any more damage by spilling the beans on some other aspect of his totalitarian ideology.
I already realize that the mayor _acts_ like this is the case, as the various emails in the comment above about the latest surprise from the mayor's office on the Walgreens' signage suggest, as well as a whole string of other such incidents over the last 12 years demonstrates.
I hope that all the voters carefully think over whether they want to mistakenly reappoint someone like Tod who actually _believes_ he should rule by dictatorship -- or vote for Laurel Prussing, who at least will never act or believe in governing in the regrettable fashion the current mayor has.
Professional staff is here to assist in the governance of the city. There is an executive branch in the form of the mayor's office. But we wouldn't have a city council if the people of Urbana thought one person should rule us all by fiat. Any reading of the law would show that you -- and, I guess, the mayor, now that the cat is out of the bag -- are absolutely, 100% in the wrong about the role of the members of the city council.
It's called representative democracy. Look it up. You might learn something.
I am really glad that you didn't beat Tod when you ran against him and really glad you are giving us a special insight into what the mayor thinks his role should be. If there wasn't an election next Tuesday, I would start organizing a march on the Bastille, err, city hall, with pitchforks and torches. However, whatever your and the mayor's mistaken beliefs about democracy, I have faith in it. I think nearly all the voters in Urbana do, too.
See you at the polls. |
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As usual Dose of Reality misses the real point |
by Michael Langendorf
crdmike (nospam) aol.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
The city has to run and provide services irrespective of politics....if Laurel wins....the city won't stop removing snow or fixing potholes...well they will because Laurel won't know how to do anything but the city employees still come to work..they still do their jobs...they don't wait for edicts from the city council....the mayor's job is part time....the city council members are part time.....the city employees are full time...they actually have jobs to do....you really don't understand how the city works. As for business agreements..
businesses have to want to come here...just because one of your IMC cronies has an idea about what kind of business should be in the old Jewel doesn't mean it will happen unless someone has the money to make it happen.
You really don't know how the city works ....I am sure if Laurel is put in charge she can run it into the ground. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Joe Futrelle
futrelle (nospam) shout.net (verified) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
> Down with the Self-Appointed Queens of Urbana (Danielle, Prussing, and Esther).
Um, Danielle and Esther aren't "self-appointed" queens of anything. Danielle won her election by a 22-point margin and Esther won hers by a whopping 80-point margin.
http://www.champaigncountyclerk.com/results/022701results.htm
If you're trying to peel votes away from Prussing by convincing us to vote for Hursey instead, insulting the candidates sizable majorities of us support is a poor strategy. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Final Canvass
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
Hmmm...let's take a look at those vote totals. In wards of about 5,000 persons each, here are the election results from the last general election in April, 2001.
Ward 1: Patt: 387 Langhofer: 89
Ward 2: Wyman 134 (unopposed)
Ward 3: Hayes 212 Foster 92
Ward 4: Chynoweth 310 Rouse 69
Ward 5: Huth 475 Wood 123 McCaffrey 145
Ward 6: Whelan 1202 (unopposed)
Ward 7: Otto 773 Dautzenberg 576 |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by gehrig
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
Ward 1: Patt: 387 Langhofer: 89
About a 9-to-2 ratio.
Ward 2: Wyman 134 (unopposed)
Ward 3: Hayes 212 Foster 92
About a 7-to-3 ratio.
Ward 4: Chynoweth 310 Rouse 69
About a 9-to-2 ratio.
Ward 5: Huth 475 Wood 123 McCaffrey 145
About 5-to-3.
Ward 6: Whelan 1202 (unopposed)
Ward 7: Otto 773 Dautzenberg 576
About a 4-to-3 ratio.
@%< |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Not impressed by the ratios
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
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What's with the ratios? If I get 10 votes and you get 1, that would be a 10 to 1 ratio in my favor. Maybe that impresses you but it's still just 10 votes. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by gehrig
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
What it means is that, for every two people who took the time to go to the polls and vote for Rouse, nine did the same for Danielle.
Hope this helps. Any other basic math questions you have?
@%< |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Joe Futrelle
futrelle (nospam) shout.net (verified) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
Welcome to America. Voter turnout is pathetic.
Regardless, you don't get to claim that all those people who didn't vote at all would somehow magically have voted the way you wanted them to. The only measure of public opinion on candidates besides election results is independent opinion polls. If you don't have election results or opinion polls to back up your unsubstantiated claims about public opinion, then you're just making shit up.
Final canvas, I assume you're not disputing my point-margin figures from the primary election results, which are the ones that matter in the races in question.
If there's widespread opposition to Danielle, why is no one running against her in the primary? It should be easy to tap into all that currently-invisible opposition, right? |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Second city guy
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
Michael Langendorf writes -
“You really don't know how the city works ....I am sure if Laurel is put in charge she can run it into the ground.”
It seems to me that the reason that this election has become such a big deal is that Tod already has run the city “into the ground.” During Tod’s reign, Champaign has seen an explosive amount of growth and a revitalization of its downtown, and Urbana lost business and population. Money was spent on infrastructure for north Cunningham, and the biggest new attraction completed so far? Farm and Fleet. A business that we already had.
We now have Lincoln square turning into Lincoln village. Admittedly great, but what did Tod do during his first two terms while the square, like Philo road, went into deep decline? During the debates, Tod consistently referred to the progress over the past four years as what “We” have accomplished. Just who is he referring to when he says “We”? He cannot claim that “I” did this, or “I” did that, because what he touts as his accomplishments, he cannot take credit for on his own.
To return to Mr. Langendorf’s statement. How the city “works” with Tod as mayor is to remain stagnant.
Tod was good at serving drinks to Urbana. He hasn’t been good at serving anything else. |
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I Know EXACTLY How It Has Been Run: It's Time for That to Change |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
Langendorf writes:
"You really don't know how the city works..." [present tense]
Yes, I do. You just told us. Then you claim, when I point that there's a significant problem with that, that I am "miss[ing] the point..."
I think I hit the nail right on the head.
However, maybe you mean something subtle, as in that I haven't been watching Mark Hyman spout pompous right wing crap on "The Point"?
Or does it mean that anyone with junior high level reading skills should take your statements at face value, which is that neither you or the mayor have any respect for the democratic process?
It's one or the other or, perhaps, you just should try not to "help" Tod anymore?
In that case, you really ought to quit while you're ahead -- or more accurately, before you put Tod in an even bigger hole than he has already dug for himself? |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by voter in the past 3 elections
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
What has Tod done?
Let's see.... new motels--- (new taxes for Urbana), Herbergers, Bergners, (yes they're gone now... but he brought Lincoln Square back now a third time in 3 terms.) Farm and Fleet- is bigger and better and didn't leave Urbana, Flex n Gate expanded, O'brien is expanding, over 500 new homes (taxes for schools), Stratford Residences, awesome golf course which brings revenue to city via summer tournaments, agreement with U of I for impact money for the library and schools, support of schools, courthouse in Urbana, new restaurants-Milo's, Crane Alley, Sweet Betsy's soon to reopen, a new Thai restaurant- even the coffee shop on Lincoln- new during Tod's terms. new gas stations, new video stores, new hope for Urbana |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Final Canvas
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
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Joe Futrelle--No one is running against Danielle Chynoweth because her new ward, Ward 2, was designed to minimize opposition from anyone. It's almost all student housing...apartments, houses, dorms. Voter turnout from students in municipal elections has been very low in the past. And, the primary results were even more pathetic....Chynoweth 244 Kearns 154 |
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There's Tod: A One-Man Construction Company |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
Yes, maybe that's the problem. The only construction that was done over the last 12 years in Urbana was by -- you guessed it -- Tod himself. It's wearing the poor guy out.
Just imagine what Urbana would be like if Tod ever thought of hiring a few people to help him with all that work. Why, I bet every street in Urbana, including Goose Alley, would look just like North Prospect, if only there was someone helping Tod with all that work. Geez, the guy is a regular Superman. I can't believe any one man could do all that on his own...
And neither should you.
What's his plan for saving Lincoln Square the fourth time around? Most likely handing Health Alliance a bunch of money to move back to where they just were.
Tod's only plan is shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic and sending the taxpayers the bill. I've been waiting twelve years for curbs and replacement of the crumbling oil-and-chip streets in my east Urbana 'hood, but Tod is too busy shoveling money to Clint Atkins to have time for that. I really don't see how he has time to do that in the midst of being the only one to do anything for Urbana in the last 12 years, but you can be sure that he is making sure Clint and his country club buddies are the last thing he takes care of before he goes home at night. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Just a thought
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
Tod can not be solely blamed for the demise of the Philo Road Business district or the flop of Lincoln Square Mall. He has had Council's to work with, who in part, did very little to get anything accomplished either.
Businesses on Philo Road went out of business. Not because no one wanted to beautify it or change devolopment strategies. They just weren't making enough to compete with in the market. KMart closed because it wasn't making enough money to stay open. Of all the times I stopped in there to pick something up, I never had to wait inline. Even art Christmas time, there was never any major wait. Why? Because the business went to North Prospect. Same for Pay Less. Jewel went out of business due to there being 2 other grocery stores in the same area. For some reason or another, Jewel couldn't compete. Jerry's was something different all together. Jerry's closed because they were afraid of Walmart. Even though Jerry's in Urbana offered specialty foods and products, instead of adapting to the new market, they closed up. What could Tod, or anyone on the council, have done to prevent this from happening?
And by the by, Licoln Square was beginning to die years before Tod took over. Past administrations have had their hands in raising property taxes and fees. Sure, many things could have been done to prevent this from happening, but no seems to have done much. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by urbana shopper
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
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not true about Kmart- they actually made more money than the Prospect store, but did not own the building, etc..... Jerry's closing had nothing to do with Wal Mart= but their rent went up $2000 a month- get the facts straight..... |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Joe Futrelle
futrelle (nospam) shout.net (verified) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
> No one is running against Danielle Chynoweth because her new ward, Ward 2, was designed to minimize opposition from anyone. It's almost all student housing...apartments, houses, dorms.
OK, I'll call your bluff. Draw me the ward map where Danielle would lose her ward. Now draw me a ward map where there's no ward she can win. You can't.
Why not? Because any way you slice it, there are progressives in this town, we're organized, and we vote. Remind me again why we shouldn't be represented in the city government? |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Local Yocal
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
17 Feb 2005
|
To Voter in the Last 3 Elections,
Could you explain how The Mayor of Urbana is responsible for the creation of all that private enterprise you cite in your post?
Can you account for how much tax money all those properties put into the City General fund?
Can you tell me how many employees, that live in Urbana, all those properties hire, and how much salary or wage those employees make?
How much money did the City of Urbana spend to accomodate their new properties; i.e such things as sidewalks, sewage, other public works infrastructure, street lighting, future road maintenance costs?
How much does the local 116 school district stand to gain from the creation of these businesses?
If you answered, "How the heck do I know, I'm just a citizen who voted in the last three elections", you would have answered correctly. So your crediting King Tod with crowns of greatness because his reign coincided with the decisions of businesspeople to go into business, is an assumption that more business is good business.
But until you can effectively answer the above questions, ones I can't either, (so I suppose my suspicions that development in Urbana and Champaign has not addressed neither city's social and economic problems and has not raised the quality of life, but may be a recipe for traffic congestion and increased isolation of the city's poor and homeless, is also a mere assumption) we shouldn't assume anything about private enterprise being what needs to happen or not needs to happen.
It first might be helpful to explain what the mayor's office did in each of those business decisions you cite in your post, that were so crucial to that business coming to Urbana. What exactly did Tod do to become responsible for those businesses opening up? |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Local Yocal
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
|
To Voter in the Past 3 Elections:
You wrote: "What has Tod done?"
You then credit Tod with:
"...new motels..." Okay, what did Tod do to get the new motels, which ones are you referring to? Did whatever the Urbana City Government do to lure Holiday Inn, next to Melrose, require a majority vote of the entire city council? Do the progressives, who Tod admits vote in agreement with his administration's plans 95% of the time, deserve credit for the new Holiday Inn too? And what is the occupancy rate of that white elephant out there anyway? Can you afford housing if you work as a housekeeper at Holiday Inn? How many local jobs did that Holiday Inn create?
You also say,
"Herbergers, Bergners, (yes they're gone now... but he brought Lincoln Square back now a third time in 3 terms.)" Have you talked to Tony Stephens, the manager of Lincoln Square, to check if Tod is the great champion of Lincoln Square? If it's on his watch that the current developments are Tod's alone, then would you also credit Tod for the sudden evacuation of Bergner's and Hergberger's too? Those were ugly, legally-tangled departures, and Lincoln Square languished for 3 years until they were resolved. Basically, Herberger's broke their lease, and left Lincoln Square Management in the lurch, challenging Lincoln Square's claim to more rent money. At best, Urbana City government has little to say over private enterprise and should neither be credited nor blamed when business relations sour or blossom. The space at Lincoln Square has been an under utilized space for two decades, and empty storefronts abound in that great public space. It's only been the ingenuity of the public and some entrepenuers that have kept that space alive enough for Health Alliance to gobble it up. I don't see how the decisions of a few millionaires to buy and re-develop a retail property is suddenly the doings of any local politician. Please explain how Tod convinced the Gods of Health Alliance to make their corporate headquarters Lincoln Square?
Your adoration continues,
"Farm and Fleet- is bigger and better and didn't leave Urbana" And Tod did what to make that happen?
"Flex n Gate expanded" Dear Voter of the Past 3 Elections, you need to educate yourself in local history. Tod Satterthwaite's temper tantrums over having progressives sitting next to him on council darn near lost this whole project to begin with. In the Flex n Gate story lies many reasons why Tod should be returned to the tavern business. King Tod and his Henchman Bruce Walden, deliberately smeared Wyman, Patt, and Huth in a News Gazette Article from 1997, accusing the "progressive women" of not being "committed" to the Flex n Gate proposal and thus, Flex n Gate was considering locating in Indiana. IN FACT, THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAD NEVER EVEN BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FLEX N GATE PROPOSAL UNTIL AFTER THE ARTICLE APPEARED. Flex n Gate was furious with the false press release because neither were they considering moving to Indiana and they had to explain to business leaders in Indiana that was not true. Tod's media-spin plan was to begin this myth of progressives being anti-business that has become the stuff of continued legend and he's done an effective job of at least fooling you.
The mythologies don't stop,
"O'brien is expanding..." Since when has this announcement and promise been in the works? Well, we're still waiting......and again, if Tod is the man on this one, is he also the problem why the project has been stalled for how many years now? 4, 5 years?
"...over 500 new homes (taxes for schools), ..." What kind of homes? How expensive? In relation to what affordable housing needs? Can the jobs offered at the new businesses you cite be the ones that put you into a shiney, new Clint Atkins three-car garage cookie cut out? What does city government do to force, or lure Clint Atkins to decide to make even more money?
"...Stratford Residences..." Tell me, Voter of the Past 3 Elections, when are you moving in? Can you afford the rent in this development? Who can I wonder? Maybe it's the people that you cite next....
"...awesome golf course which brings revenue to city via summer tournaments..." Oh my, produce for us your tourist dollar numbers during these summer tournaments? Golf? Are you kidding, Voter? Golf is going to bring the big bucks to Urbana? If you want to do a sporting event that is going to generate the widest number of people to town, it's either High School football championships, (happening in Champaign) or Basketball (already lost to Peoria). What needs to be analyzed is the loss of the Gus Macker, (basketball is the most popular sport in our area, not golf) which has always been an uncomfortable fit for our community since there are too few interracial events in our town. The emotional Kindegarten of Racism rears its ugly head whenever we have events that attract as many blacks as whites. It's difficult to relax and have fun when the Champaign Police feel a need to patrol with pepper spray at the ready or when churches complain of the noise and type of music outside their buildings. The one thing you have to notice about Clint Atkins, he has no interest in black people whatsoever. He prefers tennis and golf, and suburban development away from where the blacks live.
"...agreement with U of I for impact money for the library and schools, support of schools..." Well, here your blindness to the facts become the largest, and you need to click on the series of blue URL's in the first post by Dose of Reality, down below here to this quick comment box, to educate yourself about Tod and his relationship to the Urbana Free Library (which was that of an adversarial, deceptive crybaby) and the schools. (have you been following Unit 116's budgetary mess lately? Evidently not, they have been in the red and have been cutting teacher positions and programs.)
"...courthouse in Urbana..." Uh, you're kidding us, right? Or was the failed sales tax referendum of 1997 and then the successful tax referendum of 1998 just mirages Tod concocted in the News-Gazette? (always a possibility with Tod, since lying to the press is his forte.) No, credit for building a courthouse lies at the feet of the County Board and a deceived public. What the public will later learn is that the beautiful $27 million dollar Palace of Just-Us is no place to get a fair hearing as to the facts of your case if you're poor. Along with spending the necessary money to make sure Circuit Judges don't have to pee next to Defendants, (honestly, that was one of the reasons cited as to why we needed a new courthouse- lack of private bathroom accomodations for the judges) has been the consistent dismantling of the Public Defender's Office until all indigent defendants are now handled by only 6 attorneys for the whole county. Hardly a fair fight if you were arrested for public intoxication at the Stone Creek golf course. Oh yeah, I forgot, the police department doesn't patrol out there.
and then you go on to cite all the wonderful businesses Tod built, giving us this great hope.
Voter of the Past 3 Elections, don't feel picked on by analysis of your post. It was a legitimate post, one I've taken seriously because it is an enticing argument and one that will likely fool a lot of voters into punching the voter card next to Satterthwaite's name on February 22. I feel that voting for His Royal Highness for the reasons you cite is undeserved for any candidate, and especially Tod, since his petty desire to be in charge of everything and his tantrums when he doesn't get his little way, have been in the way of development, in the way of the Library expansion, and have created a seige climate over on Vine Street. The man is a liar and a cheat, and has anger management issues. I wish it weren't the case, and if he would just be honest and a little more considerate to the democratic process he would not be that bad a mayor. We've waited 12 years for that to happen. He has chosen the road of deception and control. With such a disdain for what the voters of Urbana think, why would you salute such a little egotistical boy with no education in business, and credit him with what others have done?
With all respect to your argument and your right to speak it., I vigorously disagree with your assessment of the Satterthwaite administration unless you can begin to provide this website some solid answers to mine and Dose of Reality's questions. Thanks for everyone's patience and I apologize in advance for my snide, sarcastic tone at times, but it comes out whenever I consider another 4 years of the Tavern Dufus as Mayor. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by voter
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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Yocal- Misspelled- proper spelling -yokel-
which means-not very intelligent or interested in culture
Your name speaks for itself. The majority of houses that were built in the Build Urbana Program are very affordable. Have you driven down Florida street recently? (I know it is east of Vine, but maybe someday you should take a walk down there). In Urbana, a citizen can still buy a house for 40,000- check the Sunday newspaper- Oh I forget the News Gazette wouldn't have accurate information on that, either. These new houses pay taxes for the school district--mr. yokel. The only way that someone can get a decent job is by getting a decent education. If the hotel and the more expensive homes weren't built then the schools would really go bust- or you would have to pay triple property taxes. (if you indeed actually own a home). The city council makes the ordinances, not the mayor. It is their fault- the majority- (it still takes a majority to pass an ordinance) that business does not want to come to Urbana. For example--imagine, someone wanting to open a small office to counsel poor people and the city council's ordinances dictates that he needs to have a men's urinal in the bathroom.... How costly!! HOW INSANE!!!
It's the city council that is out of touch, not Tod |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Local Yocal
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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Voter,
Are you claiming that the 500 new homes are within the $40,000 price range?
Tod readily admits that the 500 new homes are in the $150,000-$300,000 price range. I don't think you can really claim affordable housing to be the mayor's priority, can you?
I appreciate your concern for education getting a decent job. I completely agree with you. So why is the school district bankrupt? And know, I don't lay that responsibility at the Mayor's feet alone, but neither do I credit him with "supporting" the schools since I see very few city checks going to Urbana 116.
As for cumbersome property regulations stifling business, ....well, what are you championing again? I thought your original claim was more business has come to Urbana because of Tod. Or were those new properties you cited in your original post exempt from the ordinances you claim are in the way?
My understanding of city business is that the ordinances you complain about come through city staff and are proposals that come from legal and health and safety experts, who propose such ordinances to protect the public from unnecessary harm, and are enforced by the Mayor's office. The city generates revenues for various building fees and inspection fees and are justified in the name of public safety. Unless you can produce specific ordinances that only the "progressive women" (I assume the object of your ire) jammed down the throats of the entire city government (unlikely, since the "progressives" have hardly held the majority of votes and have not initiated or inherited many of the building codes you apparently abhor); then I will disagree with your assessment that building codes orginated with the "progressives" for one; and secondly, are probably supported by the Mayor, himself, since it was his city staff that wrote them most likely.
As for your ad homiem attack on my moniker and suspicion I own no home, I'll ignore it for now, since I credit you with caring about Urbana and propose a good argument (which I find to be false, my opinion) as why we should support the Mayor for re-election. I also realize you probably don't have the time to answer all the questions I've proposed in my prior posts, and so it may be we all get in a hurry and resort to a quick slap to the face rather than a reasoned argument.
Again, I apologize if you felt personally insulted by the tone of my prior posts. The falsehoods I see accepted and attributed to the Satterthwaite administration digust me so I wax like a smart a-- at times, but I don't hold regular citizens who support Tod to the same disgust. You have a perfect right to your opinions as do I to mine. Again, your prior post has tremendous merit, sounds good, but I would like to see documented proof of what you claim. And that's where I may be unreasonable. It's not your job to produce such information.
As for the no-homeownership crack, let me advise this way, "I have seen the best minds of my generation equate moral goodness with wealth."
I hope your good mind doesn't fall into the same trap. I look forward to more of your postings if you have the time. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Get the Facts
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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For Local Yokel--
Most of those 500 new homes were built in the Savannah Green subdivision. They ranged in price between $100,000 and $160,00 or so for square footage ranging from about 1100 to closer to 2000 sq ft. This is considered "affordable" housing for new construction of single-family homes and appealing to first-time home buyers. So, yes, Mayor Satterthwaite can rightly claim to have initiated the construction of affordable housing in Urbana.
And the school district is not bankrupt, as you claim. They have had to make severe budget cuts the past couple of years. If the state legislature and governor don't deal with the school funding crisis this year, things will only get worse.
. |
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Don't Give Credit Where It's NOT Due |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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Well, there are lots of hardworking people in Urbana for whom a $100,000 house is NOT affordable, although it isn't exactly a wealthy person's house like those that have drawn subsidies from the Satterthwaite adminstration in Stone Creek, either.
As for truly affordable housing, Tod wanted to go along with a housing authority plan to reduce the number of units available to the public in the proposed redevelopment of the blighted Lake Side Terrace project. Fortunately, the city council, led by Esther Patt, insisted on a one-for-one replacement of affordable housing units after LST is gone. The only thing that Tod has really done for affordable housing is attack it. Someone else already mentioned Tod's role in throwing people out of a trailer park to aid an out-of-town developer to build student housing.
Your mention of Prairie Green is also one of those things where Tod's rhetoric and inflated claims don't match what is on the ground. The developer of Prairie Green managed to get out of a city requirement to install street lighting by claiming they would install adequate lighting in the yard of each home.
Then they pulled a bait-and-switch. The lighting they chose for the yards was so chincy and inadequate that city staff couldn't approve it. It simply was out of code altogether. So the developer -- who is also from out of town, BTW -- just abandoned the obligation he assumed when he sold those people their homes. He switched to an ugly, cheap kind of lighting. City staff approved that because, technically, it was in code.
Residents appeared before the city council and complained that city staff was facilitating the developer's fraudulent bait-and-switch behavior by enabling the developer to substitute the crappy lighting for what was advertised and promised at the time of sale.
This situation has drawn absolutely no follow-up reporting by the News-Gazette. They don't want to discourage out-of-town develoeprs from advertsing future bait-and-switch schemes in their paper by reporting the facts. And, after all, they are working their hardest to help Tod win, with numerous, suspiciously timed -- but unquestioned by the N-G writers -- announcements of new development projects, with prominent quotes from Tod taking sole credit for them and a glowing endorsement of Tod on their editorial page. Whether any of these projects actually gets off the ground in the next few years is an open question, given the way a long ago announced O'Brien car dealership development has languished for years.
Meanwhile, the people of Prairie Green are getting screwed out of something they were promised, with the help of city staff directed by Tod.
The only thing Tod has done for the schools is facilitate their militarization by encouraging more cops in school. One cop is enough and the city council put an end to that mistargetted expansion of police power, when they should be on the streets. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Get the Facts
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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Dose--Re: "militarization of the schools."
You're probably referring to the School Resource Officer incident where the Urbana School District worked with Urbana Police Chief Eddie Adair to apply for funds for a second school resource officer several years ago. The Urbana City Council decided that they didn't like the idea of what they called a "cop in the school", lined up a bunch of their like-minded friends to come speak at a meeting, and were all set to vote against funding for this resource officer. Luckily, district officials, school principals, school social workers and guidance counselors, teachers and parents came out and spoke very strongly in favor of the school resource officer. They pointed out this person works mainly in a preventive mode, working to diffuse situations before they come to a head, getting to know the kids, etc. They also pointed out that, if an incident does occur at either the middle school or high school, having a trained officer on site reduces response time.
At any rate, this was another example of where the city council had decided that they knew better than the professionals running the school district and the police department. But, because of the strong public support FOR the resource officer, the council reluctantly voted to apply for the grant. Unfortunately, the money dried up before anyone could be hired. The council tried to put a stop to it and luckily, the public put a stop to them.
And, if you're talking about $100,000 for a single family home, that IS considered "affordable". Affordable apartment units is another category. The subdivision is Savannah Green, not Prairie Green. The contractor is being held to the original agreement to provide street lights.
How can you criticize the News-Gazette for not getting the facts straight when you don't get ANY of the facts straight yourself? |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Local Yocal
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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Now this is much better, good debating. Welcome aboard Get the Facts. I appreciate you saying a $100,000 house is Very Affordable. That is a very powerful idea you have there. How much do I need to make in wage per hour to adequately afford a $100,000, would you say? What are realtors demanding from customers nowadays? You're income has to be 3 times what you pay in rent per month? Is that right, anyone?
And balanced against the average mortage payment for your average Urbana home, what would a person need to clear per month to live adequately (another intangible term, my bad) in a $100,000 home? I really don't know. You fill in the blanks for me... |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Savannah Green resident
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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I live in the Savannah Green Subdivision, in the smallest home at $102,000, and I was the resident who spoke at council about the streetlights.
Mayor Satterthwaite was the only person who helped make the developer act on streetlighting. Mayor Satterthwaite worked with the developer to provide the stone and globe lights (similar to established neighborhoods in Urbana) instead of the institutional 20 ft high silver poles. Mayor Satterthwaite got things done for my neighborhood - he made the phone calls to the developer, personally -not my alderman, not city staff, and definately not Alds. Patt, Chenowyth, Huth and Wyman. Even Joe Whalen wasn't doing much - it was Tod that helped our neighborhood and Tod who deserves our vote.
In fact, I've yet to see Laurel out here yet. 300 homes, close together, easy campaigning and she doesn''t even bother. |
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Thanks for The Correction -- Where I Was Wrong, That Is |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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I've got nothing against the facts. Thanks for the corrections, at least those that are really factual.
It WAS Savannah Green. How do all these developments that Tod has claimed for himself get to be named GREEN? I know he hates the Greens. It's all so confusing...
I was speaking of the situation as of last August. The council meeting where this was brought up was the same one where the "Plus 2" boondoggle met it's first defeat. At that time, Tod and city staff were basically just shrugging the whole issue of the bait-and-switch lighting off, telling those folks that "Gee, we feel for you, but it's not really up to the city..."
I am also a little troubled by your legalese. When you say "The contractor is being held to the original agreement to provide street lights..." it sounds an awful lot like legalese, that the situation is yet to resolved, or something other than "They got the lights they were originally promised." More details please, but I am still wondering why, if Tod got those people's problem solved, why it hasn't been trumpeted on the front page of the News-Gazette, like all his otehr recent claims to being Urbana's Superman. It makes me wonder about the real outcome, don't ya know?
As for the whole school "Cops on Kids/Big Brother in Your School" issue, I definitely oversimplified a complex situation, however I stand by my characterization of the problematic nature of this program. What you describe sounds like they should be hiring another social worker, rather than a cop. The fact that nobody was willing to come up with local money proves both that it was probably not really necessary nor supported by anyone except the FOP as a job creation measure. If they need that job, put 'em on the streets. The presence of police in schools should be minimized, not encouraged.
I think Local Yocal has already addressed the slippery definition of "affordability." I will add that your definition sounds a lot like Lagendorf's "people who can afford to build nice houses" definition of what qualifies you for full citizenship in Urbana (hey, but, remember that Mike doesn't think that gives you the right to have a council member effectively represent you. King Tod is good enough for you, peon!) I am sorry, but you have to do better than that. Urbana has to do better than that. Our society has to do better than that. All I hear from the mayor is "It's not my problem! I've got a dinner date with Clint Atkins."
He ought to at least invite loyal supporters like you, Get the Facts, along once in awhile to his soirees with wealthy developers. You know, spread the wealth and all that?
Oh, the mayor thinks that is only appropriate for the country club set?
Well, it's too bad the best you can hope for is the Courier, on your own tab, Get the Facts. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Get the Facts
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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Dose-Funny you should mention The Courier. This was the home of Urbana's own newspaper until the late 70's. Another good place to get the facts. There is nothing problematic about the school resource officer except for the fact that the city council undermined the school district on this. And thank goodness the mayor helped the folks in Savannah Green get their street lights. |
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OK, Now I Get It |
by Dose of Reality
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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OK, thanks for the clarification, Savannah Green resident. I'm glad you're finally getting some results. It sure sounded like it was going nowhere last August.
However, it was also clear you were sitting with the few "Plus 2" supporters in the audience that night. The mayor might have made a political calculation, a la the Daley's of Chicago, deciding that your support could be bought once he made you come begging to city hall for the support you should have received to begin with. Funny how that works.
As for the city council, under Tod, there's little point in going to them -- they've given up because of his inaction in most cases. Tod has institionalized the art of political patronage for many things the city should do just as a matter of course.
As you say, even Joe Whelan knows that there is little that can be done unless King Tod nods his head. And the King was certainly not nodding his head that night last August. But you got lucky that His Highness saw fit to get back to you in the never ending quest for loyal supporters that the sovereign of Urbana must abide.
At least most of the current and recent council is doing what it can to correct this unfortunate situation. They are supporting a candidate, Laurel Prussing, that will make the city work for regular citizens again, without the need for mayoral interference. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Curious
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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Dose--If you feel so strongly about the mayor, why didn't you speak against the Plus 2 proposal at the meeting last August? |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by 5
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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If I make $7/hr, I will bring home 14,500/year gross.
If I make $12/hr, I will bring home about $25,000/year gross.
If I make $17/hr, I will bring home about $35,000/year gross.
So, in order to qualify for a mortgage for the *affordable* housing in Urbana (or Champaign for that matter), I have to make about $17/hr or $35,000 a year. And if you make less than that?
And as far as the claim that houses in Urbana are selling for $40,000, please provide a link cuz I've been looking for a home---as have my sister and her husband, my best friend and her daughter, and another friend and his fiancee. All of us find *affordable housing* to be nonexistent around here. I've yet to see a house in the N-G for $40,000 that was in a livable condition. But we keep looking and saving and hoping. We'll see.... |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by voter
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Feb 2005
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5- I constantly see houses advertised in Urbana for 40 thousandish- but my question to you is--if you don't like the 300,000 homes being built, or the 200,000 homes or even the 100,000 homes- where are the people who live in those homes supposed to live? In student apartments? |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by rhetoric 101
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
19 Feb 2005
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> Dose--If you feel so strongly about the mayor, why didn't you speak against the Plus 2 proposal at the meeting last August?
Argument from ignorance.
http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/ig.php
> if you don't like the 300,000 homes being built, or the 200,000 homes or even the 100,000 homes- where are the people who live in those homes supposed to live? In student apartments?
Slippery slope.
http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/ss.php
There will be a test. |
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Re: Satterthwaite Campaign Misleading Urbana |
by Savannah Green resident
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
19 Feb 2005
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Dose of Reality wrote:
"However, it was also clear you were sitting with the few "Plus 2" supporters in the audience that night. The mayor might have made a political calculation, a la the Daley's of Chicago, deciding that your support could be bought once he made you come begging to city hall for the support you should have received to begin with. Funny how that works."
Actually Mr. Dose - the room was full and I sat in the nearest empty seat, along with the rest of our homowners association board members. There were no assigned seats, no dividing line for pro or con.
Until that meeting, I hadn't developed an opinion on Plus 2 - an I wasn't convinced at that meeting that Plus 2 was the answer. I would prefer that you not make accusations about who I am sitting with when you have no idea who I am (and I don't know who you were).
Along the same lines, I can say that Dose of Reality was seen sitting in the vacinity of the few Plus 2 supporters.
The only point I made was that Tod actually came through for us - no political pressure, no requirement to support Tod or Tod's political ideas, simply put, Tod did well.
I lived here when Laurel was our state representative. She was terrible when it came to following through. In my personal experiences with government leaders (and I haven't needed to rely on them often), Tod has come through, Laurel hasn't. This is only one person's experience, but my honest opinion is all I can offer.
Most importantly, vote on Tuesday so this can all be behind us. |
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