STATION EDITORIAL

Posted August 29, 2021

This is a station editorial, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president.

It seems that politicians, no matter what political party, many times just mess things up.  Here are 3 cases to prove my point.

Case # 1:  The way the United States pulled out of Afghanastan.  Now, I’m not a military expert, but common sense tells me that when you’re in a country half a world away, you don’t tell the enemy when you’re going to pull your troops out of a country, and you especially don’t pull out the troops BEFORE you get American citizens and Afghans who helped us, out of the country. The Taliban has proven that they are not nice people, and the consequences of the bungled withdrawal for those not airlifted out, are going to be dire.

Case # 2:  The way the COVID-19 pandemic has been handled.  While you can criticize the way the vaccine approval process was sped up, they were still thoroughly tested before released to the public.  But, the way both Republicans and Democrats have sold us on getting whatever vaccine you desire, hasn’t been enough to convince the majority of Americans to get the shot.  Instead, many have framed the discussion as overreach by the federal government, telling us what to do, instead of allowing us to make the choice ourselves.

It IS a choice.  My wife and I CHOSE to get the COVID-19 vaccine.  Sadly, I’ve experienced the outcome of NOT getting the vaccine first hand, when my sister-in-law passed away from COVID on August 21st.  The way she died wasn’t pretty, gasping for her last breath.  It’s YOUR choice.

Case # 3:  Illinois lawmakers claimed they HAD to re-draw the state senatorial and state representative maps this spring, BEFORE the 2020 Census data came out.   BUT!  Those same Illinois lawmakers ARE waiting on that 2020 Census data before re-drawing the U-S Congressional maps..  

All 3 cases I cited, don’t give me a lot of faith in politicians right now.

That’s our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted August 23, 2021

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.  The August 4th executive order signed by Illinois governor J-B Pritzker mandating that students attending school in grades kindergarten thru the 12th grade this school year, set off a firestorm of emotion and reaction statewide.

Parents of students filled the meeting rooms of local school boards across the state, demanding that the state policy be reversed by the local board.

Unfortunately, the Governor and the Illinois State School Superintendent made it very clear, that any school district that failed to follow the executive order, would risk state funding as well as not being able to participate in I-H-S-A sports.

There are 2 problems with this approach.  First, what the Governor did was nothing more than send an edict down from on high sounding like a dictator rather than a Governor.  Not that downstate was going to vote for him anyway, but it is getting closer and closer to the November 2022 election.

The second, and this is the one I have the biggest problem with, is the position the Governor has placed local school boards and their superintendents, who are helpless in the situation other than being a lighting rod for angry parents that need an outlet to express their opinion.  Many local school boards in our Taylorville and Clinton service areas, were faced with lots of upset people who wanted action, but couldn't get it unless that school board wanted state funding and the ability to play competitive sports, to go away.

As I've indicated before, we're a country of choices, and all of us have choices to make every day.   A student wearing a mask in school, is a decision that needs to be made by the local school board and local parents, not by a Governor's executive order.

Such approach doesn't do anyone any good.  People's mental health have already been stretched to the limit as a result of this pandemic the last year and a half.  Governor Pritzker didn't have to pile on.

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted August 5, 2021

Dear Editor:

After review of the City ordinance 3858 which was approved August 20, 2018 I feel that the Mayor overstepped his authority.  Section 3-2-4-J of the City Code addresses the use of the Utility Tax monies that are placed into the so called “Ward 5” Common Maintenance Fund.  “All monies to be expended from the Common Street Maintenance Fund for any proposed project from time to time must first be presented, debated and voted on at a Street and Sewer Committee meeting. If such vote results in a positive recommendation, then such proposed project and proposed expenditure of funds from the Common Street Maintenance Fund shall be presented to the City Council for consideration and vote.” 

It appears that this procedure was not followed.  Rather than take this issue back to the Committee level for discussion it was placed on the City Council agenda for approval to use the Common Fund rather than use Ward 1 funds. 

Merrium-Webster shows the definition of the word “Ordinance” is as follows:   “a law set forth by a governmental authority - specifically : a municipal regulation”.  In this case it appears that the “law” has been broken.  Compare this action to one who runs a stop sign.  You will reprimanded for breaking a law if you are caught. 

After review of the City Code, the action taken by the City Council regarding the issue should be considered null and void as proper procedure was not carried out. To further complicate the situation, why is the project being bid after the fact? 

Thank you to Aldermen Driskell, Skultety, Bryant and Dorchinecz for standing up for the people of Taylorville by voting against this use of the Common Street Maintenance Funds.  This fund was set up to assist ALL WARDS with any unforeseen expenses. The reason for the ordinance wording is to protect the funds from being used for nonessential needs.

Martin Vota

Taylorville, IL