WHEN ILLINOIS VOTERS ELECTED ROD BLAGOJEVICH AS GOVERNOR IN 2002, WE THOUGHT THE ERA OF CORRUPTION AND THE OLD WAYS OF DOING THINGS WERE OVER. AFTER FOUR YEARS OF GEORGE RYAN, ANYBODY SOUNDED GOOD. RYAN MAY HAVE BEEN THE OLD SCHOOL POLITICIAN BU HE KNEW HOW TO RUN STATE GOVERNMENT. GOVERNOR RYAN DID NOT FIGHT AND FEUD WITH LAWMAKERS AND MISMANAGE THE OPERATIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENT EVEN THOUGH SOME OF HIS CRONIES WERE SOMEWHAT QUESTIONABLE. AFTER 26 YEARS OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS, BLAGOJEVICH WAS SEEN AS A FRESH FACE WITH A BOLD NEW VISION THAT WOULD MOVE ILLINOIS FORWARD. IN HIS FIRST TERM, WE GAVE GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT BUT SLOWLY BUT SURELY HE STARTED PROPOSING PROGRAMS THE STATE JUST COULD NOT AFFORD EVEN THOUGH WELL-MEANING. THE VACCINE PROGRAM SOUNDED GOOD AND INVOLVING OTHER STATES SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA BUT COMTROLLER HYNES WAS AGAINST THE IDEA AND ALL THAT VACCINE WAS ALL FOR NAUGHT. THE FIRST TERM WAS SEEN AS WEIRD AT TIMES, THINGS WE CAN CHUCKLE AT BUT IN THE SECOND TERM, THIS IS WHERE THINGS HIT THE FAN WHERE HE SAYS ONE THING AND DOES ANOTHER, THE FAIRGROUNDS ELECTRICAL SNAFU WHERE THE STATE REFUSED ANY HELP FROM CWLP. PLUS THE STATE DID NOT WANT TO BID FOR THE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FINALS RODEO BECAUSE IT CAME SO CLOSE TO THE FAIR. PLUS THE LEGISLATIVE FIASCO OF LAST SUMMER WAS UNPRECEDENTED IN ILLINOIS HISTORY WHERE THE GOVERNOR SHUT OUT THE GOP FROM THE BUDGETARY PROCESS. USING APPROPRIATED MONEY AS A WAY OF GETTING WHAT HE WANTS, RECENT EXAMPLE WAS WITH THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE OFFICES WERE GOING TO CLOSE ACROSS THE STATE UNLESS BLAGO RELEASED THE MONEY WHICH HE FINALLY DID BUT WITH SOME PRESSURE. BLAGOJEVICH ETHICS REFORMS WERE PROVEN TO BE A JOKE AND ARE NOW NOT EVEN MENTIONED ANYMORE PLUS THE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO CORRUPTION IN STATE GOVERNMENT. NOW THE TERM IMPEACHMENT IS NOW BEING KICKED AROUND WHICH WE HAD NEVER HEARD BEFORE IN THIS STATE. FOR ALL THE THINGS GOVERNOR RYAN DID, WE NEVER TALKED ABOUT IMPEACHMENT. WE ALL THOUGHT REP. JACK FRANKS(D)- CHICAGO WAS OUT OF HIS MIND WHEN HE BROUCHED THE SUBJECT BUT WITH ALL THE FIASCOS IN STATE GOVERNMENT THESE DAYS, THE DRUMBEAT IS GETTING LOUDER. WHEN THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THAT IDOT'S DIVISION OF TRAFFIC SAFETY WAS LEAVING SPRINGFIELD FOR AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, STATE SEN. LARRY BOMKE HAD ENOUGH, HE CALLED FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF BLAGOJEVICH. EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IMPROVING THE ECONOMY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, BUT ITS BEING DONE AT SPRINGFIELD'S EXPENSE. THIS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE IS A CLASSIC POLITICAL DEAL WHEN A SOUTHERN ILLINOIS LAWMAKER VOTED THE WAY THE GOVERNOR WANTED AND MOVING THE DIVISION IS PAYBACK FOR LOYALITY. EVEN GEORGE RYAN NEVER WENT THAT LOW. NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE CORRUPTION IN STATE GOVERNMENT BUT OUTRIGHT MISMANAGEMENT OF IT. SERVICES PROVIDED BY STATE GOVERNMENT AFFECT MILLIONS OF LIVES AND MUST NOT USED AS A POLITICAL FOOTBALL BY THE ADMINISTRATION. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE IDOT MOVE, A AGENCY SPOKESMAN COULD NOT EXPLAIN IT THROUGHLY BECAUSE NO COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS WAS DONE AND WAS A POLITICAL MOVE. WITH ALL THIS CORRUPTION AND BLATANT MISMANAGEMENT, ROD BLAGOJEVICH HAS GOT TO GO BECAUSE WHAT WILL OUR STATE BE LIKE BY THE TIME 2010 ROLLS AROUND? ONE CANNOT IMAGINE AND IS SOMETHING THE AVERAGE ILLINOIS TAXPAYER DOES NOT WANT TO EVEN THINK ABOUT.

IF YOU'VE HEARD " THE MORNING GRIND" WITH BONDSY AND JENNY THIS WEEK, YOU'LL KNOW THAT YOURS TRULY, CNOTE FODIZZLE HAD TO GO TO TRAFFIC COURT ON THURSDAY BECAUSE OF FOLLOWING ANOTHER VEHICLE TOO CLOSELY. IN MOST INSTANCES, YOU ARE TOLD TO JUST PAY THE FINE, MAIL YOUR $75.00, WHICH IS THE MAXIUM FINE IN THIS CASE, TO THE CIRCUIT CLERK'S OFFICE AND THE MATTER GOES AWAY. THAT IS THE ASSUMPTION BECAUSE BY DOING SO THE CONVICTION GOES ON ONE'S PERMANENT DRIVING RECORD. WHEN INSURANCE COMPANIES EITHER CHECK ON THE DRIVING HISTORIES OF THEIR CURRENT POLICYHOLDERS OR IF ONE APPLIES TO GET NEW AUTO INSURANCE, THOSE CONVICTIONS COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE IN GETTING TRADITIONAL INSURANCE AND SAFE AUTO. NOTHING WRONG WITH SAFE AUTO BUT ONE DOES NOT WANT BARE MINIMUM COVERAGE WHICH CAN BITE YOU IN THE BUTT LATER WHEN YOU REALLY NEED YOUR INSURANCE. EVEN IF A COURT APPEARANCE IS NOT REQUIRED, GO ANYWAY BECAUSE BY GETTING " COURT SUPERVISION" THE CONVICTION GOES OFF YOUR RECORD IN 30 DAYS WHICH KEEPS ONE'S AUTO INSURANCE FROM EITHER GOING UP OR BEING CANCELLED. BEING IN COURT MAY SOUND LIKE A " HERCULEAN" TASK BUT ITS SIMPLE. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE A FEW TIMES SO I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE. I MISSED BEING WITH THE GANG BACK IN THE STUDIO BUT I DID MY DUTY. WHEN GOING TO COURT,  ONE MUST " DRESS TO IMPRESS" BECAUSE IT SHOWS THAT ONE HAS RESPECT FOR THE COURT AND THE JUDGE WOULD LOOK MORE FAVORABLY ON YOU. MY JUDGE, JUDGE CHILDRESS RAN AN EXCELLENT COURTROOM, EVEN ARRIVING ABOUT SEVEN MINUTES EARLY. HE EXPAINED NOT ONLY HOW THE PROCESS WAS TO BE IN THE COURTROOM BUT EXPAINED THE PROCESS OF HOW COURT SUPERVISION WORKS, AND IF ONE DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE OFFER PRESENTED BY THE STATE'S ATTORNEYS OFFICE, THEN ONE COULD HAVE EITHER A BENCH TRIAL OR A JURY TRIAL. WHEN MY TURN CAME TO FACE JUDGE CHILDRESS, HE READ THE CHARGES AND PRESENTED THE STATE'S RECOMMENDATION OF RESOLUTION WHICH I ACCEPTED. THEN SIGNED OFF ON THE PAPERWORK AND PROCEDED DOWN TO THE CIRCUIT CLERKS OFFICE TO PAY THE $155.00 FINE, WHICH I USED A CREDIT CARD. IN PAYING FINES, ONE CAN USE CASH, CHECK, IF ONE IS A RESIDENT OF SANGAMON COUNTY, AND MASTER CARD OR VISA ONLY, NO AMERICAN EXPRESS OR DISCOVER.  THE PROCESS MAY SEEM HARD BUT ONCE ITS ALL DONE, ONE CAN SAY, AS THE LATE JACKIE GLEASON WOULD SAY " HOW SWEET IS IS".

AT THE RECENT " STATE OF THE CITY " ADDRESS MAYOR TIM DAVLIN TOLD AN ASSERMBLED AUDIENCE THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO DO SOME BELTTIGHTENING? WHY?

WELL WITH THE MONEY WASTED ON THE " BIRD WHISPER" AND THE COUNTLESS LAWSUITS THE CITY HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH, ITS NO WONDER THE MONEY IS DRYING UP. THE CITY GAVE THE BIRD WHISPER A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY TO GET RID OF THE BIRDS IN DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD BUT WE DID NOT ASK WHAT METHODS HE WAS USING TILL WE DISCOVERED HE WAS USING A RIFLE TO SHOOT THEM. NOT ONLY WAS THIS AGAINST THE LAW BUT THE STATE POLICE HAD TO GET IN ON THE ACT WHEN THOSE ALLEDGED SHOOTINGS TOOK PLACE ON STATE PROPERTY. WE HAVE TO THANK WARD 6 ALD. MARK MAHONEY FOR QUESTIONING AND CONTINUING TO QUESTION THE BIRD WHISPERER UNTIL THE COUNCIL CANCELLED HIS CONTRACT, A GOOD MOVE BY THEM. THEN THERE'S ALL THE LAWSUITS THE CITY WAS TRING TO FIGHT, KNOWING GOOD AND WELL THAT THEY WERE FIGHTING AN UPHILL BATTLE. THE AVERAGE GOVERNMENT, CORPORATION, ETC WHEN FACED WITH A LAWSUIT WILL ALWAYS FIND WAYS TO SETTLE OR SEE IF THEY HAVE A WINNING CASE BUT THE CITY WENT FIGHTING SOME OF THESE ANYWAY ASSUMING A WIN. WE ALL KNOWS WHAT ASSUME MEANS. HAD THE CITY DID THESE THINGS IN THE FIRST PLACE, THE CITY WOULD BE FINACIALLY BETTER OFF. DON'T TRY TO BLAME IT SOLELY ON PENSION OBLIGATIONS BUT PAYING ALL THIS MONEY IN LAWSUITS ON CASES THE CITY KNEW IT HAD NO CHANCE OF WINNING. JUST REMEMBER WHEN FACED WITH A LAWSUIT CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, BE MAN ENOUGH, ADMIT WHEN YOU ARE WRONG AND MOVE FORWARD, BUT IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE RIGHT, AND THE MERITS OF THE CASE BEAR THIS OUT, THEN AND ONLY THEN YOU WOULD PURSUE IT IN COURT.

BACK IN NOVEMBER, WE SPOKE ABOUT THE JEHOVAH'S WINTNESSES AND HOW PHONY THEY REALLY ARE( SEE THOSE ANTI-AMERICAN PHONY BALONIES FROM NOVEMBER). THEY GOT RID OF ME FROM THE FAITH ONLY BECAUSE I AM NOT A ASS-KISSER LIKE SO MANY IN THAT FAITH TEND TO BE BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO TICK OFF THOSE" PRECIOUS ELDERS". I FOUND MY NEW CHURCH AT THE CHERRY HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH. ITS ONE OF SPRINGFIELD'S FASTEST-GROWING CHURCHES THAT MAKES ME FEEL AT-HOME EVERY TIME I AM THERE. I ALWAYS CAN'T WAIT TO GET THERE ON SUNDAY PLUS CHERRY HILLS HAS A " FAMILY DINNER" EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT THAT I ENJOY VERY MUCH, PLUS I MEET GREAT PEOPLE EVERY TIME I AM THERE. MEANWHILE BACK AT THE RANCH, ACCORDING TO MY EX, THE WINTNESSES COME BY HER WORK AND MAKE NASTY REMARKS SUCH AS" HE DOESN'T TAKE REJECTION VERY WELL" AND HE ( MEANING YOURS TRULY) NEEDS TO GET A JOB. I HAVE A JOB THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THESE NUTCASES ARE TRYING TO GET ME TO COME BACK TO THE ANTI-AMERICAN PHONY-BALONY RELIGION. ITS CONSIDERED A CULT BY CONVENTIONAL RELIGIOUS STANDARDS BECAUSE OF THE CONTROL THE ELDERS HAVE ON THEIR CONGREGATIONS. IF THEY THINK I AM GOING TO MAKE A STEP BACKWARD, THE CHANCES OF THAT HAPPENING WOULD BE LIKE YOURS TRULY BECOMING THE NEXT MANAGER OF THE CHICAGO CUBS, AND EVEN IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, THE ANSWER IS STILL THE SAME, NO. RIGHT NOW I FEEL LIKE SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEZZA RICE WHO HAS BEEN DENYING THAT SHE WANTS TO BE THE RUNNINGMATE OF JOHN MC CAIN. SHE HAS SAID NO MORE TIMES THAT SHE OR I CARE TO REMEMBER AND I AM ALMOST AT THAT POINT. LET'S GET THIS STRAIGHT- I WILL NEVER, EVER, NEVER, EVER, NEVER BECOME A JEHOVAH'S WINTNESS. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I FEEL FREE, LIKE THOSE FOLKS THAT FREED THEMSELVES FROM COMMUNISM. FOR YEARS I KINDA KNEW HOW THEY FELT BUT NOW I REALLY KNOW. AT CHERRY HILLS, I HAVE GREAT PASTORS SUCH AS OUR SENIOR PASTOR JEFF NELSEN, AND OUR ASSOCIATE PASTORS JYM GREGORY AND STEVE PATULA. THESE ARE THE TRUE MEN OF GOD AND THEY ARE GENUINE COMPAIRED TO THOSE KNIEVING ELDERS FROM THE WINTNESSES WHO LIKE YOU ONLY IF YOU KISS THEIR ASSES. THE WINTNESS ELDERS CLAIM NOT TO BE RACIST, TO THE CONTRARY MY FRIENDS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WANT ME TO MARRY A WHITE WOMAN WHICH I DID. WHEN WE DIVORCED, THEY WENT ON A WITCHUNT AGAINST ME TO GET RID OF ME. THEY COULD NOT ACCEPT THE FACT THAT WE DID NOT CONSULT THEM BEFORE DIVORCING. THEY DID NOT LET US MARRY IN THE KINGDOM HALL OVER THEIR DUMB RULES AND REGULATIONS. THANK GOD I GO TO CHERRY HILLS, I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT THERE AND PROUD TO BE A BAPTIST. AND WANNA THANK ALL OF YOU WHO GAVE ME SUGGESTIONS FOR MY SEARCH FOR A NEW CHURCH.

We have had the recent fiasco concerning the Springfield Metro Sanitary District, the folks responsible for water treatment. Until now, most of you probably have never heard of this body until now. They have controversy-free till now when they decided on a rate increase that no-one had heard about. Not even Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin was as surprised as most of the community on this one. State law requires that public bodies post meeting dates and times in the legal section of newspapers. Most people these days either do not read the paper or subscribe to one, and if they are regular newspaper readers who do not look at the legal pages. The average reader looks at the front page, comics, sports, Dear Abby/Ann Landers and the like. If members of the board were wondering why no-one showed up for the rate increase, I just gave you the answer to that question. We also learned that board members voted themselves a pay increase, but my question is was those raises justified? No because whenever a body that of the sanitary district votes themselves a pay increase and votes to raise rates do not look good to the eyes of the voters. After all the hubub about the pay raises, the board agreed to roll back the pay raises, and we must ask why they need health insurance coverage? These gentlemen make enough money in their full-time jobs to afford their own health coverage because if you cannot, then we have ourselves a problem here. The question I raised on this weeks' poll is  " Should Members of The Springfield Metro Sanitary Board be elected"? My answer would be yes because the board members need to be accountable instead of sneaking a pay raise on top of a rate increase on us. Did they think that we, the voter are stupid? We are not and thanks to my colleagues in the news media, the fourth estate does work for the average voter. Even though state law only requires a notice in the newspaper, but more needs to be done. We need press releases sent to all news outlets including radio, TV and internet but stations must broadcast this information periodically as a public service. Broadcasting is in the public service, but if we cannot do that then we are in the wrong business. With a elected board, these shenagians we saw from the Sanitary Board cannot happen from a more visible body. Maybe now we'll start paying attention to the board for a change.

Well they are at it again raising tuition. I am speaking about the University of Illinois once again raising tuition at all three campuses. This seems to happen just about every other year. Are the trustees trying to put a college education out of reach of the average person? They may say get a student loan but upon graduation what if one cannot find that good-paying job and would be stuck paying for a student loan almost till their dying days. The University feels that the raise would keep the quality of education at a high level but a U of I education but the professors in the various programs already provide that high-quality education to students. Its easy to bleed people out of more and more money but it takes real leadership by the Board of Trustees and the University administration to find out where they can cut costs and eliminate unecessary spending. Its time that the University of Illinois and all four-year schools to live within their means. It can be done, its done in the private sector all the time, let's try it, you just might like it.