Both Bloomington and Normal are exploring if private trash collection is as an alternative to a tax-supported, municipal service. That’s a dead end. … MORE
Category Archives: Voices – Forum
WJBC Voices: Asking questions of government
One of the motivations to serve in public office for me is a “watchdog” curiosity.… MORE
WJBC Voices: Who’s in charge here?
Being Governor means taking charge and taking responsibility, including for fabricating a crisis.… MORE
WJBC Voices: Bells Still In Tune
Recently, at the Normal Theater, I watched (for the umpteenth time) “Bells of St. Mary’s”. I don’t know whether it was because I hadn’t watched it in several years or whether it was the theater setting instead of a tv screen, but this time I noticed little things that I didn’t remember from earlier viewings.… MORE
WJBC Voices: We’ll pay one way or another – Recycle or Dump?
Here’s a bit of shocking news that many don’t realize – By Christmas 2018, the McLean County landfill will be closed. Maxed out. No more room for trash and debris.
… MORE
WJBC Voices: Remember the Mitsubishi Motor plant in 1996?
Remember the Mitsubishi Motor plant in 1996? That news made The New York Times and a car plant representative stated that they were “surprised and horrified by the manner that the incident had been brought to the public’s attention.… MORE
WJBC Voices: The ‘Meathead’ as historian
Only a meathead would try to make a silk purse out of a sow’s (or boar’s) ear. But one did.… MORE
WJBC Voices: Only the brave run for office
It isn’t easy to be brave and stand for participation in government at the risk of having your personal values and ethics questioned.… MORE
WJBC Voices: Bloomington – is there a marriage counselor in the house?
Is there a marriage counselor in the house? No, I’m not having any problems at home. … MORE
WJBC Voices: Time for change
Did the Council listen and feel her passion? I doubt it. I have attended many Council meetings and rarely do the council members pay attention to the speakers during the public comment portion of the meeting, let alone even acknowledge their presence. But this time I sincerely hope the voice of this speaker will resonate with the Council because while she was a single voice in the room, she spoke what many of us are thinking.
… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…