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The Herald & Review Archives
Herald & Review (Decatur, IL)
December 16, 2007
Section: News
Page: B1
Political Watch
INGRAM & FRAZIER
The Macon County Democratic Central Committee last week voted to endorse ChangeDecatur’s effort to alter Decatur’s form of city government. The vote was "about 40 to one," said precinct committeeman Jay Dunn. "There wasn’t a lot of discussion. It was just thrown up (for a vote), whether we should or not." ChangeDecatur wants to replace the city manager and council form of government with a strong mayor and aldermanic system. ChangeDecatur leaders also have asked the county Republican Central Committee to endorse its proposals. The GOP central committee earlier endorsed putting the question on the Feb. 5 primary ballot but took no position on the proposed change. The next central committee meeting is in mid-January, said Republican chairman James Gresham. "At that time, we’ll discuss it, but I’d be very surprised if we do anything one way or another," Gresham said. The Democrats’ endorsement follows support from several local unions. ChangeDecatur organizer Steve Daniels said the group welcomes that support. "We think it’s an important issue for all voters in Decatur," Daniels said. Changing the form of city government is not a partisan issue, Daniels added. "I think some people prefer to cast it that way because they feel that it will marginalize the issue," he said. Advocates and opponents now are waiting on a court ruling to determine when the issue will be placed on the ballot. Circuit court Judge A. G. Webber IV ruled in October that the issue will be placed on the Feb. 5 ballot. Realtor Carla Brinkoetter filed an appeal of the ruling. Judges on the 4th District Illinois Appellate Court are considering the issue after hearing arguments on the appeal last week. nnn Jay Dunn, president of the Decatur Building and Construction Trades Council, said Decatur city administrators have mischaracterized the costs of proposed union work. The city council in October approved spending up to $540,000 to pump water from Lake Tokorozawa on a needed basis. But expected costs have risen to $626,000 because of a "dramatic" increase in crude oil prices and a contract requirement that at least 50 percent of the work force include members of local labor unions, stated a memo to the council from City Manager Steve Garman. "When a job is done at prevailing wage, union contractors should be cheaper on average because that also involves apprenticeship programs," Dunn said. "The city ought to know better than that. That kind of language irritates the union guys because it’s not reality." The city council took no vote on the proposed increased costs. nnn Decatur Township Supervisor Vicki Sheets and Jim Taylor, president of the Decatur Township Democrats, are among nearly 70 people named to the steering committee for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. In Central Illinois, efforts to turn out the vote for Clinton are just beginning, Sheets said Friday. "The campaign headquarters in Chicago is putting together training documents," she said. "We’re leads in the 17th Congressional District and will be attending some training sessions. After they teach us what they want us to know, we’ll be recruiting more volunteers." The campaign is providing a list of potential volunteers in the 17th District, but more will be needed, Sheets said. There have been bus trips to Iowa for volunteers to work there prior to the Jan. 3 caucuses, Sheets said. But most of those trips have originated in the Chicago area, she said. As district leaders, there is some disadvantage to her and Taylor because Decatur is at the far south end of the 17th District, Sheets said. But she said that can be overcome. "It’s a slack time for us right now with the holidays," Sheets said. "Things will pick up in January." The Illinois primary election is Feb. 5. n n n State Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, has received the 2007 Legislator of the Year Award from the Illinois Health Care Association and Illinois Council on Long-Term Care for his work in helping to improve services and care to the elderly. Ron Ingram can be reached at ringram@herald-review.com or 421-7973 and Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.
Copyright, 2007, Herald & Review, Decatur, IL
