Motorcycling to work

Gotta hand it to Southern Illinoisan reporter Caleb Hale. In his report Carbondale Celebrates Bike to Work Day, he even scooped me on this:

"David More, a community organizer of the event, said he would have biked to work Thursday, but his bicycle was stolen a couple of days earlier. He admits he forgot to lock it up outside his Greyhound bus station along North Washington Street, but said he's fairly confident the police will be able to recover it."

I wasn't going to write about it. Prob'ly shouldn't have told CH, or should have been more clear, because I didn't mean to imply confidence the police would recover it (although they could) since I did not file a report.

So, not confidence, exactly, but hope! The guy who cleans the building knows people "on the street" and I'll be looking too. I've gotten a bike back before (the same one!), so it could happen again.

Meanwhile, I'll motorcycle to work, and look for a used two-wheeler at a yard sale, or thrift store.

Bike training

This morning (Bike to Work Day in many U.S. cities) I caught up with one of the Amtrak engineers who rides a bicycle to work every day to tell him that the City of Carbondale has a trophy "with his name on it" -- for a rider who bicycles to work every day not just Bike to Work Day -- Thomas T. Pleasants ("TT").

TT puts his bike on the train, so he can use it when he gets to Union Station.

He's been riding to work for 14 years!

p.s. I like this title so well, I use it (with a different photo and text) in the Bike 2 Work blog, too.

Spokes folks

The yellow jackets were out in force today, Bloggee. The co-founder of the Bike 2 Work Day event in Carbondale, Tom Riechman in the red listens to wife Mary Avery, Sheila Simon, and Stace England discuss the need for more bicycle lanes on city streets.

England won the trophy for long-distance ride to work, while the trophy for the organization with the most people bicyling to work went to the SIUC Microbiology Department for the second year in a row, inspired by Donna Mueller.

(Stace has a killer website of his own for his world famous music projects. He told me that the New York Times interviewed him this week for a story about Cairo in Sunday's edition.)

More details and a group photo are posted at the Bike 2 Work blog.

Inspired by my conversation with these local cycling luminaries, after snapping this photo, I obtained a domain name for the cause.

Walking the walk

Pounding the pavement today, peddling tomorrow's Bike 2 Work Day event at Town Square Pavilion (noon-1), I visited the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and met office manager Lisa Cardinale, secretary, and Meredith Rhoads, the director, (pictured here) who seemed more than willing to participate in the event.

It didn't take much conversation with Meredith (about 3 minutes) before I pegged her as a "gets things done" type. When I offered to take her on a walking tour of Town Square -- stopping by local businesses for an impromptu 'meet and greet' -- she jumped at the chance, keeping up with my pavement-pounding, stride for stride. I know the business owners that she met were delighted to meet her, and she learned a few things about some businesses nearby her office.

The last I saw her, she was considering riding her bicycle all the way from her parent's home in West Frankfort (26 miles) in order to win the distance trophy, although she has an extremely early start tomorrow (at the Chamber office at 6'ish) to meet the current crop of Leadership trainees for a field trip to the Leadership Conference sponsored by the Southern Illinoisan at JALC.

Maybe her entire group will bicyle over after their event a Logan.

And speaking of bicyling to work -- Another avid bicycler last night. One of the engineers for Amtrak, who rides to the station every morning he's in town, and hauls his bike to Chicago to have it there, as well. He leaves the motel at 6 tomorrow. I think I may try to meet him for a photo in the morning and quick interview, if I can get up that early. ;-)

Pushing Bike 2 Work Day

Been so bussy lately I forgot to give a plug to Bike 2 Work Day coming up this Thursday in Carbondale (Friday in most other cities.) As in the past, music will be provided by Darby McGrann and lunch prepared by a local restaurant; this year the Newell House, plus some fruit and drinks.

Bike 2 Work Day is a great excuse to get your own bicycle out of moth-balls and enjoy a morning ride. But even if you can not bike to work, the lunch is open to everyone who bicyles to the Town Square Pavilion between 12 -1 p.m.

Trophies will be awarded by Mayor Brad Cole to the organization that has the most people ride to work, as well as to the individual who rides the farthest. Plus one or two surprise awards!

So be there on "The Square" on Thursday if you can.

Happy pedaling.

Blook 'im, Dano

The winner of the 3rd annual Blooker Prize was won by Colby Buzzell for best "blook" of 2007 (a book inspired by his blog): My War: Killing Time in Iraq.

One of the judges says Buzzell's blook

". . . tells the reader what it's like to be a grunt fighting in the Sunni Triangle with more power and authority than the best embedded reporter in the world could manage. My War has been a cult hit in America . . . and it would never have been written if blogging had not been invented."

I can think of several things that would not have happened if it weren't for this blog, and it ain't done yet! (despite Peter the Grate's ingratiating push off the board! ;-)) My plan is to wait until after the City Council meeting, so we can have some closure about the bus stop plan. Then after that, I'll publish weekly updates of how my own blook is coming along, and maybe do some marketing, as Colby does.

But this is Carbondale, not Iraq, or Washington D.C. so my gems and good news may not reach as wide an audience as I would like to make the effort and cost of publishing worthwhile. I'm thinking about turning it into a Ph.D. dissertation, if I can find some qualified and civic-minded interdisciplinary faculty members. (Jon Bean? Terry Clark? Who else? The School of Journalism seems far out of touch with blogs. To my knowledge there are no blogs emanating from SIUC).

Truly, this town is blog-tarded as it is in certain other quality of life issues (not one first-class Italian Restaurant!?). Peter G puzzles over the fact that when he leaves town this summer, that I will be the only local blogger actively commenting on the local scene. Of course, other local bloggers have been going strong for years, like Tom and Shawn to name two. But without the relentless localness I've tried to give this blog.

Even so, I want my blook to have broad readership, outside the narrow confines of the city limits, especially since traditional publishers are scouring blogs for the first bestselling blook.

Caleb stops by; Dave can't stop

Got through my second week at Greyhound, making strides toward turning "the little station that could" into "the best little bus stop in Southern Illinois, south of Effingham," with the help of Richard here, who custom-made a ticket counter inside, and hung the sign above the door.

Caleb Hale, the new C'dale beat reporter for the Southern Illinoisan, stopped by with photographer Chuck Novara to ask questions and snap photos for a story in Friday's paper that begins:

"When David More says he wants to put a Greyhound bus stop at 215 N. Washington St., what he really means is he wants to revitalize that area of Carbondale.

Isn't that great! Caleb knows what I really mean! That makes him a "New Journalist!" -- going beyond the traditional who, what, and where journalistic questions, with techniques of fiction, such as investing motives behind stated words or deeds.

'This right here is the future of downtown Carbondale,' More said, standing on the sidewalk in front of the gray building he hopes will serve as the city's next stop for bus passengers."

But Caleb got it right (except for the color of the building - which is light brown, not gray; and the counter Richard made), definitely capturing the spirit of the endeavor: revitalizing the 200 block of North Washington St.

It's going to be challenging, though, because not all neighboring property owners share my vision.

I heard on the street (literally) that one of them -- Eric Deutsch (Doitch) -- was stirring people up to speak against my application for Special Use Permit at the Planning Commission hearing on May 5.

Deutsch is an old hippie real estate speculator and property manager of low rent properties. He's also a partner in a Murphysboro internet provider. I used to call him "the Sandanhista Businessman" in the past because of his outlandish attire, but after learning of his backstabbing, I think douche (as in douche-bag) might be a better name for him.

Eric is the man behind the curtain of the Big Muddy Independent Media Center which up until a few months ago claimed to offer an alternative "to the mind-numbing propaganda of big news corporations" (quoting the BMIMC MySpace page, but the link to the main site has been dead for months.)

What Eric didn't mention in his testimony to the Planning Commission is the fact that up until mid-April of this year, Greyhound tickets were actually being sold at the BMIMC. When I took over, I made the decision to move across the street for sound business reasons that I explained to Eric's friend Aur Beck. So D-bag's objections smack of sour grapes.

Another local property owner who spoke against the proposal, Tom Egert, remains one of my local heroes. I've known him since before Longbranch Coffee House was a used clothing store! Tom also is responsible for starting public radio station WDBX , and Tropicana Vintage (behind Longbranch, but with a Washington Street entrance). He's done a lot for the community. I rarely disagree with Tom, so his suggestion that a restroom facility would be useful is well taken.

Same thing with architect Gale White, who sent a letter to the Planning Commission requesting that when the bus arrives, the ticket office be open. I need to speak to him about that, and explain some realities he may be unaware of, such as my need for sleep.

But to address the main concerns of the objectors, I've decided to lease the back of the building (where the bar stools and tables and chairs still set out) so travelers can wait, and maybe buy a cup of coffee or a sandwich.

Link to Caleb Hale's article

Finals

SIU's begin this week, but the NBA's don't start until June 7. I'm not sure when my final post to this blog will be. Perhaps today.

Since my recent milestone birthday, and the sudden passing of my friend Jim, I look at everything I do as preparation for my own future finals. No time like the present.

I've posted updates to Bike 2 Work Day, Marry the Mayor, and On The Square in their respective blogs. Bytelife also has been bobbing along (like a cork), thanks to Scott and the rest. Tom wrote a good post about the need for a place to "collect and enjoy" a nice day downtown.

When I do stop publishing this Dispatch, those will blogs will continue, along with Heartland Artland, Waiting for Colbert, and 9/11=.81.

Meanwhile, plans are afoot for a bus stop 'soup and sandwich' shop that the Carbondale Planning Commission will love, if they enjoy sandwiches like the one Steve Hirschberg made. The City Council hearing has been pushed back to June 19.

Maybe the Shawnee Net RSS feeds will finally be fixed and fully functional by then.

The future Mrs. Cole?

People wonder, now that the election is over, doesn't Cole have time to focus on his resolution to get married by the end of the year? Last I heard, a young woman from Nashville selected by the Marry the Mayor committee was coming to Carbondale to visit the Law School soon. Her name is Barbara, and she sent a funny and savvy video essay on why she'd like to marry Brad. I'll try to get it uploaded later today.

Of course, this blog will keep you posted with developments. So far, Blue Star Lines has offered to chauffeur the couple around town, as Two Doves chases after them, paparazzi-style.

Bus stop stopped?

Should the Greyhound Bus be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at 215 N. Washington St? Carbondale City Planners think so, but the Planning Commission thinks not.

The Planning Commission is comprised of 10 people*, including Councilman Fritzler who sat at the end. Chairman Navreet Kang conducted the meeting and City Planners Rob Keehn and Angie Shimkus (no relation) were there to present information and answer questions. Also on the Commission a familiar face, Rhett Barke, who ran for City Council the same year as me, and will probably run again.

Three people spoke against, and three expressed concerns. Of the three who spoke against, two didn't make sense: Mrs. Nesbitt and her brother. In fact, the opposite of what they anticipate would happen.

Another very vocal opponent was "Dr. M. Stall", who seemed a bit het up about the whole thing. She should have just spoken to me, and I could have allayed her fears or cured her ignorance. But her whole approach was negative. She hasn't read The Secret, obviously. Like me and Rhett B., Ms. Stall ran unsuccessfully for City Council a few years ago.

The planning commission didn't do a good job of involving people in interaction. The structure is spelled out step by step in front of the Chairman. The whole thing with the microphone and big table.

The other comments came from three men whose business savvy and real estate acumen I respect: Gale White, Tom Egert, and Eric Deutsch, each of whom owns property across the street from the proposed location. Tom and Eric spoke in person, while Gale submitted a letter. I didn't hear what they said as being against, but offering constructive advice.

One concern was shelter for passengers, and facilities for when the bus arrives. One possibility would be to have a restaurant in the back. There is plenty of space, since it used to be a bar, and there are still tables and chairs and public bathrooms. So it's possible.

I plan to postpone the June 5 hearing at City Council until June 19, during which time I can try to speak to Mrs. Nesbitt, the fried fish queen, and perhaps with the estimable Dr. M. Stalls -- after addressing the concerns raised by Gale, Tom and Eric.

Rob K. says I can push the City Council hearing back for one meeting, but more than than that, and I have to reapply for a permit (and pay another 200) again. In addition, the City is charging a fairly reasonable rate of $50 per month to lease 2 spaces.

Today, Richard Carpenter built a counter. I want to have the office spiffy by next week. Currently, the office is in bivouac mode, with dial-up connection and hand-written tickets, but some friends and neighbors have stopped by to give support for my venture on "the Levee." Even Sheikh Din gave his approval as he was leaving (not by Greyhound) for a conference in Austin with a priestly guy named Thomas Keating.

We all agree (even Thomas Keating, if I asked him, I am sure) that that 215 N. Washington is not the perfect location. Inside the Amtrak station would be best. But until there's an intermodal center in town, this location will do nicely. If I do decide to take it to City Council on June 19, I'll try to bring some friends along, to give the viewers on Channel 16 a show. ;-)

*The list on the City of Carbondale website lists John H. Baker (Chair), Navreet Kang (First Vice Chair), Carolin Harvey (Second Vice Chair), Michael Brazley, Lee Fronabarger, Gayle Klam, Rhett Barke, Katherine Hall, Janet Lilly, Joel Fritzler (Ex-Officio)

May B it

It's going to be fun attempting to transform the 200 block of N. Washington St. into a happening place. A man can dream. To dream, perchance to nap each afternoon.

I might be able to accomplish all of these in my office down the street, on the second floor of the Newell House building (Suite 2B, opened only a couple weeks before Greyhound barked up my tree). From what I hear, the Newell House building is going to get a facelift. (Bening Square to you old-timers, but the original name was Newell Hotel, I think). Dan Terry (who owns the building) also bought the former Herald Printing building and has been renovating it for events and art shows. It would be cool if he could put apartments above the restaurant.

I decided to add the bus gig to my plate because Marshall McLuhan included transportation as media, and the business is steady, so eventually my investment will pay off.

By end of the month, I'll hire someone else to do the day-to-day business, so I can focus on selling local art, finishing my blook and developing one or two additional projects, the most immediate being Bike 2 Work Day, coming up on May 17.

By the end of the month, I'll stop publishing to this blog, too.

Levee levity

I heard from an SI reporter today about story on the Greyhound venture, which I appreciate. But the office is far from ready for a close-up. Only a few hardy travelers have found their way there. The sign isn't even up yet. The regional manager has promised to bring a new sign, but he has left me hanging for two days without a ticket printer or high-speed internet. Oy. Leave the driving to them.

Standing on the sidewalk outside the office, looking across North Washington (known for years as "The Levee") I can see a lot of possibility, because it's so blighted. It's like landing on Baltic Avenue in Monopoly. What can be done except for paint?

Charley Greer has done a great job refurbishing the old Cadillac Lounge bar into a Urban boutique, with some pretty nice stuff. The rest of the block may follow suit.

WDBX is trying to expand, and I hear that Jessica of Rosetta Books is moving across the street, into the Tropicana space behind Longbranch, which has both front and back entrances, including one on Washington. And the former home of the Big Muddy Independent Media Center may also find a new tenant, if the bus stops there.

extra murals

Since Peter the Great is moving this summer, I want to get busy making Carbondale a better place before he leaves. I was hoping he'd like the mural incentive idea, but, judging from the lack of comments, no one did, although murals have transformed and beautified other cities -- and downtown Carbondale needs help, not only economically (Mr. Colebychev tear out those parking meters!) but aesthetically.

I had a chance to ask Mayor Cole about the possibility of a mural incentive yesterday, but he just said that it would be expensive. He also said that City Council recently authorized a 50 foot mural on the east side of the tracks at the Amtrak station at the last Council meeting. Excuse me, but that will benefit train travelers more than city dwellers. Why not spread those thousands around to 30 murals instead of one?

Or is it possible -- and desirable to have both?

Speaking of desirable, I read The Secret while I was in Portland's Powell's Books last week. Do you know The Secret? Is it possible for an entire town to use it?

Bus Stop or Bust

The local Greyhound ticket office will be up and running Monday at its new location next to Urban 2 on 215 N. Washington St. The phone was installed yesterday.

If the City Council approves my request for a Special Use Permit, the bus will begin stopping there by late May. Until then, it will continue to pick-up and drop-off passengers in front of Amtrak.

Yesterday, I paid the city fee for Special Use Permit was $207, including $70 to the Southern Illinoisan to publish a legal notice, and $111 to the U.S. Post Office for certified notifications to 24 area businesses and property owners within 250 feet. (Still unsure why the Carbondale Times wouldn't have been just as effective and cheaper for the legal notice, but hey, I'm happy to contribute to The Illusion's expansion.)

Good news is City staff approves the request, although one vocal local has already expressed opposition. (I think I know who.) The Planning Commission meeting is Wednesday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. Item PC 07-11 is the only hearing on the agenda published on the City web site. It will be televised on Cable 16, so set your tivos.

After that hearing, the request will come up before the City Council -- on May 15, the same night Mayor Cole and the other winners in the recent election are sworn-in for their respective terms of office.

'round the bend' or wall to wall?

Judging from the comments to Peter's post about me going "round the bend" on the Varsity Theater by calling for a beautify or demolish ultimatum to Kerasotes, many people care about the fate of the venerable venue.

As I explained in a comment to Peter's post -- I was joking, giving an aesthetic twist to the ultimatum given to the Bank of Carbondale for safety purposes. Demolition is extreme for just being ugly.

Yet there might be some value in having an incentive program to beautify ugly walls. It's much cheaper to paint a mural than to build a building. The mural could be an image of the shops that used to be there before Kerasotes put in the other theater and walled off the front.

Other walls and storefronts in the City could choose their own images. A cheap artistic way to improve the look of the cityscape.

Carbondale Main Street arranges for building facade improvement grants, why not mural grants?

Theater ticket price

Looks like veteran SIU-beat reporter, Caleb Hale is on the City beat now. Good choice by someone at the Southern, since Caleb knows the city-- and the university -- pretty well. Yet his recent Varsity Theater update leaves one important question unanswered:

"The Varsity is for sale, though the asking price is unknown. Calls to Kerasotes representatives, based in Chicago, were not returned Tuesday."

Doesn't anyone in the City know how much Kerasotes is asking for the property? Doesn't the City Manager know? the Mayor? Kevin, the business development guy? Carbondale Main Street?

I guess the price is moot, since there is no clearly stated public plan for anything to be done with the Varsity. What can be done? Paint a mural on the wall?

The city should issue a mural incentive. Beautify your building or tear it down. Like what the City sent to the Bank of Carbondale regarding the old Stage Company building: repair or demolish.... Except to warn: beautify or demolish.

to market, to market

This morning I went to the Saturday Market in downtown Portland to buy stuff for Art Lovers - but not before being lured by Peter to the Carbondale Main Street online auction at Ebay. It's a hoot that Peter is thinking about bidding on the right to be the first one to wear the Pig Out mascot suit. If he wins, he'll be following in some great footsteps, er, uh, hoof steps. I'll try to snap a photo of his snout inside the snout, like former City business development staffer, Jeremy Hayes a few years ago.

Peter can shill with the best of them! "One of the best non-profits in town, . . ." he says,

"Main Street has been the best economic development group in Carbondale for the last 5 years. They have a limited focus of helping our downtown area, no messing around with anything else.

A good cause and good people. Help keep our downtown business core strong and bid on something you need. Now is the time to get that Holiday Shopping down early."

So I bid on something.

I wish I could bid on Peter giving the old Gregorianalysis to Carbondale Main Street. On a cost-benefit basis. (I can't wait til he gets to Pig Out!)

Here's an idea -- Why not have Pig Out at the Town Square Pavilion and parking lot this year! And in the parking lots across the street. That area of town needs more boosting than the 710 parking lot businesses.

Have free parking and make it a party.

Bone or stoned?

It isn't always sunny in Portland, but it is today. And I have plans to meet an old friend at Powell's Books, "the largest independent used and new bookstore in the world." But first I want to make a final comment on the recent Mayoral race: I called it.

Moving on.

I've changed my mind about Colbert supporting Simon in the election. His saying that Simon would be "nicer" is hardly an endorsement. The image of Cole with Colbert prevailed over the out-of-context message on the screen.

Now, with Cole Mayor for another four years, I can keep trying to get Carbondale mentioned favorably on the Colbert show with the new "Waiting for Colbert" blog. Any C'dale and Colbert fans are welcome to contribute. It's mainly about Colbert (he loves the attention).

Stephen has recently been named the greatest living American, so it won't be easy to get him to throw us wee folk in Salukiville a bone. It may require naming a bridge after him, or changing the name of Carbondale to "Colbert" -- but he may settle for having Sheila Simon's birthday declared "Stephen Colbert Day" since Brad posed with him while Sheila op-posed.

Alternatively, if Stephen stiffs us, he could be stoned in effigy, like his namesake, the proto-martyr.

A little Sack time

Well, I made it to Portland in one piece, and had a great night's sleep on my daughter's couch last night, so I can couch my words better this morning. No sofastry from me today -- unlike that megalomaniacal Peter the Grate, who continues to whip up a souffle from the broken eggs of the past election, and then orders huevos rancheros in a Back Room meeting.

I'm miffed at Peter 'cause he virtually stole my girl -- the best darn Carbondale-beat reporter the Southern Illinoisan has had since, uh, Linda Rush -- in a photo-op at Brad Cole's victory party. Now compare Peter's photo with mine, snapped (but not published) at her Going Away party last summer. Where does she look happier? I especially like the kid in the back give "The Heiress" donkey ears. ;-)

I always appreciated Nicole Sack's "walk the talk" approach as a reporter -- like the time at Bike 2 Work Day two years ago, when she road her bike to Murphysboro in order to ride along with an SIU employee back to Carbondale for her story in The Southern -- about 14 miles before breakfast!

Now she's out in Southern California, working for another newspaper in the Lee chain. As photogenic and prose-agenic as she is, she should become a television reporter. More pay. More fun?

One good term deserves another

In your face, Colbert! Perhaps Simon would have been nicer, but that wasn't what 2,201 Carbondale voters were looking for in a Mayor, so Cole won!

Sheila did make a nice concession phone call to Brad before he proclaimed victory to his supporters at the Copper Dragon.

I didn't have much time to speak to him, since he was surrounded by well-wishers and media most of the time. But he posed for a photo with Peter the Great and me, looking forward to great progress in next four years.

I hope Sheila will continue to be a part of it. Will you, Bloggee?

The way I see it, some eggs were broken during Cole's first term. Now it's time to make an omelette.

Waiting for Colbert, the blog

Watching tonight's Colbert Report on DVR again in search of an endorsement (back-hand, back-slapping, or half-baked) for his virtual friend Brad Cole. He seems to be sticking to his earlier lukewarm endorsement of Simon, joining Bob Pauls who chooses Simon for environmental reasons; while the DE reversed its previous choice of Sheila to endorse Cole this time -- but for the wrong reasons. I've seen the TV ads and listened to (and recorded) yesterday morning's separate radio interviews of Brad Cole and Sheila Simon by Tom "Cap" Miller (who never got around to asking what Brad meant in his ads about Sheila "playing with" the property tax). I recorded each 9 minute interview but haven't had time to re-listen or excerpt shorter clips.

Looking forward to life after the election; no matter who wins, it will be a breath of fresh air, with warmer weather and Bike 2 Work Day rolling around in May (date, tba) -- and other fun things -- such as another new blog inspired by this one. ;-)

Stop in the name of biz

I've inherited the Greyhound Bus ticket agency in Carbondale, since I knew the guy who was running it, and I used to work for Greyhound when it was located in the space adjacent to the Bike Surgeon, and the bus stopped in front of Amtrak.

For the past year or two, the station has been located on Washington Street, one block north of Tres Hombres, inside the Big Muddy Independent Media Center -- but the bus still stops in front of Amtrak.

Starting April 30, the ticket office will be located across the street from the BMIC, sharing the "Urban Wear" building (where the Cadillac Lounge used to be).

To better serve the customers, I'd like the bus to stop there -- which requires a "special use permit" from the City. Last week, I submitted an application, including a narrative behind the request:

The history of Greyhound bus stations and stops has been checkered, moving from spot to spot over the years. For a while it was on "the Island" where the Indian restaurant is, then it was in the Yellow Cab building, and for awhile adjacent to the Bike Surgeon, where the bus stopped across the street.

Most recently it hopped from 201 N. Washington (where Town Square Market is) to the Big Muddy Independent Media Center location.

And beginning April 30 -- and for a long, long time -- across the street from the BMIC at 215 N. Washington St. adjacent to "Urban Wear" boutique.

But the bus still stops in front of Amtrak, several blocks away, which has resulted in unwanted interactions between confused travelers and annoyed, but helpful, merchants.

The previous agent never bothered to file the necessary paperwork to move the bus stop, but doing so will help revitalize the Town Square district by bringing more people to the area. Greyhound passengers come from all walks of life, and from many distant towns. Often they will dine or shop at local stores if time permits.

Currently, Greyhound stops three times a day in Carbondale. Morning (10:40 a.m.) early evening, 8:55 p.m., and late evening 10:55 p.m.

Typically, each stop is 5-10 minutes.

Only two (possibly 3) parking spaces on the street would be temporarily occupied for no more than one-half hour total per day.

Special use permits require that a legal notice in the Southern Illinoisan (why not the Carbondale Times?) and expensive snail mail to properties within 250 feet. Plus the city filing fee.

The planning commission will consider this request on May 2. Two weeks later the City Council will vote on it on May 15. This is the same day the victors in tomorrow's election will be sworn-in.

Whoever is voted to Council will probably support this win-win-win proposal.

I could go on about the bus biz, but this is a good place to stop.

The Reporter Report

It's no illusion, Bloggee. New Southern Illinoisan editor Gary Metro introduced himself the other day, telling us about past jobs, and search for a new home with his wife, Debbie:

"Newspaper people like to be near the office. You never know when news will break[,] and I wanted to be close to the folks I met in the newsroom during my exploratory visits.

We found just the right spot and I've been on the job for a few weeks, full time in the Carbondale office for the last week. . . . "

Putting 2 and 2 together, it sounds like Gary and Debbie may be living in a renovated section of SI building, itself! Last month, the publisher wrote "Once its second-phase renovation is completed in late September, the Southern Illinoisan will have 1.1 acres under roof. In all, the construction project over the past two years will total $7.1 million. . . . "

Along with the construction crew, Mr. Metro can be heard in action in the editorial board meeting asking Mayor Brad Cole and Councilwoman Sheila Simon questions like "how do you see Carbondale in 3, 5 and 10 years?"

Mr. Metro was joined by managing editor Karen Binder, niche publications editor Steve Binder, and reporter Caleb Hale. (Moderated by publisher Dennis DeRossett).

You can hear Gary's question and the entire interview on-line at The Southern. A 10 minute download, and a little over an hour to listen to. Recommended, if you haven't made up your mind. It demonstrates Brad's utter competence (again). Sheila had made a dig about Cole's big car, so "somebody" asked what model of car each of them drove. Their answers reveal in a nutshell the different styles of the two: Cole in command, Simon shucksin'. (hear the clip.)

Supposedly there's gonna be a "meet the new editor" party at The Southern. Or maybe they had it and I wasn't invited. I wonder if Gary will still be here in 3, 5, or 10 years. I wonder if he'll be editor of 'the Illusion' longer than Katie Couric is anchor of CBS Evening News. The Southern's had a lot of turnover lately. Reporter Andrea Hahn, the cops and courts reporter, has left The Southern on April 5 for a great job with SIUC. In the past eight months they have lost: Ralph Loos, James Bennett, Nicole Sack, Jason Lee, Marleen Shepard, Kristen Cates, Paul Klee, and Perry County reporter, Christi Mathis.

Caleb Hale is hanging tough. Asking tough questions in the editorial board interview.

Said publisher DeRossett "Construction is ongoing; periodically odd noises."

Like this blog.

Colbert Watch, Day 4

It seems like my persistence in trying to get comedy news pundit Stephen Colbert to weigh-in on the Carbondale mayoral race paid off -- although not how I expected.

On Wednesday night's show, Stephen gave a lukewarm endorsement to Mayor Brad Cole's opponent. Did you see it? The context was a subtextual message about the Simon on American Idol, but the message was clear and uncannily true: Simon would be nicer.

But despite this seeming setback, Cole has been cleaning-up in local newspaper support -- with yesterday's Southern Illinoisan endorsement and Chris Wissmann's surprising Nightlife editorial exposing his Council colleague's false claims about our Mayor. And a few weeks ago, The Murpysboro American endorsed Cole as well. I guess the DE is sticking with Sheila, since Pepper Holder is out of the running.

But now we can add Stephen Colbert's dubious endorsement to the Simon's column. That she'll, uh, be "nicer." But is that sufficient reason to make her Mayor? Not according to another pundit, Great Marmaduke's Ghost, who wrote weeks ago:

"People say Sheila Simon is 'nicer' than Brad Cole. So what? It is not the business of government to make people feel good about themselves. It is the job of city government to foster economic development, provide for the public safety, build and maintain infrastructure and to pick up garbage. Every thing else is secondary -- and Cole tops Simon on all of these basics."

Stephen's Thursday show contained no comment or support for his friend Brad, today.

Hey Colbert! I spoke to Cole yesterday about issuing a Mayoral proclamation making Sheila Simon's birthday (whenever it is) "Stephen Colbert Day" but he just laughed. Maybe if you gave your friend Brad a little encouragement? A shout-out from on high, where the Eagle flies. (You have until Monday to rectify this situation. You're on notice.)

Colbert Watch, Day 3

Waiting for Colbert, I downloaded the audio file of the candidates interview with the newspaper's editorial board. At 60 megs, took about ten minues.... Halle Berry is speaking with Jon Stewart on Colbert's lead-in, The Daily Show.

Okay, that character Colbert is bored with the presidential race, but is following the Great Turtle Race because one of the turtles is named after him. He's so vain, he probably thinks this blog's about him. But I think I'll start another blog for that.

While I'm at it, take the "New" out of Carbondaley Dispatch....Not much was accomplished by migrating the address from the original to where it is now. However, Bytelife is inching along and Bob, Scott, Jim and I are posting to it. Most of the others just chipped in once. It's hard to give much attention to more than one blog at a time, as I well know.

I think that Cole was wise to seek Colbert's support. Colbert showed the magic he worked in a review of the Saginaw Spirit, after it adopted Stephen Cobeagle the Eagle as its mascot. The character Colbert is an ego-maniac, who has an uncanny way of getting publicity: balls to the wall chutzpah. If it's true, as a commenter says, that the Mayor will be doing television advertising. He should use the photo in an ad on local Comedy Central, except I think the Colbert Nation owns the copyright. (I better check the Colbert Nation terms again)

Probably the only way for Cole to get on Colbert's show now, is for Brad to propose changing the name of the City to "Colbert" (town suffixes like -dale, -ton, -burg don't work with the French pronunciation of the name, so simply "Colbert, Illinois"). Crazy idea, maybe. But it really would call attention to the city in a positive way. (The name "Carbon"dale is lackluster). There already is a town called Colbert, Georgia, though I'm not sure if it is pronounced as French. I don't think so. Since this part of the world has a strong French influence (ask President Poshard), the French pronunciation is natural. We could add another Sister City in France.

Stephen's guest tonight is Vali Nasr the author of The Shia Revival. Great interview. I've never seen Stephen buckle before. He admitted that the war in Iraq was a mistake if it means he has to learn the difference between two branches of Islam.

How about you, Bloggee? Do you know the difference between Shia and Sunni? Stephen didn't, and doesn't want to.

Do you know the difference between Cole and Simon? Cole is like an overachieving brother; Sheila, a sensible mother.

Surprise! I think Colbert actually does weigh-in (albeit lightly) in "The Word" segment. Or is it coincidence? I captured a screenshot of the evidence.

I don't know who the Southern will endorse, but for Colbert's endorsement, Uncle Brad may have to up the ante -- at the very least, create a quick proclamation making Sheila Simon's birthday "Stephen Colbert Day."

p.s. to anonymous out-of-towner: re: deer hunting on campus.
in the old days someone like H.B. Koplowitz would make a funny cartoon on that theme. ;-)

Colbert Watch, Day 2

Still no word from the great man, by whom I mean not our local great man, whose words are boundless, but that Comedy Central character Stephen Colbert, to whom I recently sent a photo of Mayor Brad Cole with him pointing at each other.

Tuesday's show featured more 'over the top' segments and between-the-lines commentaries by Colbert -- including a searing guitar solo by the Hungarian Ambassador to the U.S.

But no Cole.

Brad did get some ink in a local daily, though: two letters in the Southern Illinoisan in support of his candidacy for re-election. I like the first letter (by local business leader Trace Brown) better -- urging voters to put partisan politics aside, and vote for Cole:

Brad Cole puts in more than 60 hours a week as mayor for $9,000 per year, of which he donates a large portion to community charities. If we have someone willing to do this, while doing an outstanding job, then why we want to make the mayor position a part-time job again?

Brown is a partner in the company that built Houlihans and the Holiday Inn at Reed Station Road.

The other letter by local Hall of Famer Marvin Kleinau, former host of Scholastic Hi-Q on WSIU. Marvin argues, why fire a guy who's worked hard and done a great job.

Replacing Brad with Sheila would be like viewers voting Stephen Colbert off his show and replacing him with Tracey Ullman. (ouch).

Colbert Watch, Day 1

No email today from Stephen Colbert, or from the Colbert Nation webmaster. On his first day back on the job after vacation, he had the liberal editor Katrina VanDersomething of The Nation. Before her, in a pre-interview with someone called No Impact Man -- two liberals whom he treated well, so Sheila really had nothing to fear.

There are still five new shows before the election, so it's possible that Mayor Cole will make the show. Maybe I should go ahead and do an "unauthorized" photoshop of Sheila with Colbert. Something very proper. On a bicycle perhaps.

If you've never seen Colbert's show, check out his Comedy Central site.

Meanwhile Peter the Great questions on Sheila's latest campaign tactic: accusing Cole of traveling (and he doesn't even play basketball!) and I've tried to address the issue in the comments to Travelin' Man. (Conclusion: the charge doesn't deserve the mileage it's getting in the media.)

I've managed to put together a list of things Cole accomplished as a City Councilman, before he was Mayor! No need to compare. Comparisons are odious. But when you add these to his goals and accomplishments so far as Mayor, the list is quite impressive. He didn't wait for someone else to make things happen. If it seemed worth doing, he went for it -- and usually succeeded.

I understand that his opponent disagrees with some of the things he went for (although she may have voted for them at the time). It's all about style. Brad's a decision maker. He gathers information, then he acts. Next, I'll list things he got done as Mayor. And then a list of things he'd like to finish, or get started, including an intermodal transportation center.

Mayor rhymes with Colbert (Col-bear). Colbert begins with "C" . . . Maybe Cole could promise to put forward to City Council a plan to change Carbondale's name to "Colbertdale" . . . That way the "C's" on the baseball hats wouldn't have to be changed.

What else is new?

Easter is my favorite Christian holiday; Xma$ can't hold a candle to it, imo. Instead of ka-ching, it's all about renewal and the things of Spring. As a pre-teen, I'd walk the boardwalk in Atlantic City (before the Casinos) to stroll the pier with peers, wearing a suit from Robert Hall, which surprisingly is still in business, although I won't be wearing a suit to Bald Knob Cross today.

Town Square should have an old-fashioned "Easter Parade" at the Pavilion, closing-off traffic on Jackson and Washington Sts. Maybe not on Easter Sunday, but another suitable Spring day. It would be fun. Maybe the Square could be beautified in the meantime. The Pavilion is so plain. A piece of statuary or artisitic sculpture would be nice.

To help bring these ideas to the public, a small group of Town Square merchants is launching the Town Square Marketing Association, headquarted at 201 E. Main St., Suite 2B. The TSMA will work with the Historic Town Square Coalition and Carbondale Main Street to give the area more identity (like the "Arbor District"). Other ideas will be presented in the On the Square Online blog later this month.

What else is new? Did you know the author of Carbondale After Dark is coming to town later this month? I'll be out of town, unfortunately, but the other local media will be there, with interviews and photos, I hope. His visit is in connection with the republication of his "self-proclaimed cult classic" -- the book that inspired the title for my blook. Somewhere I have a copy of the first edition of the book, and some copies of his magazine Non Sequitur. I knew H.B. years ago. Not well; he didn't like me.

So what else is new? ;-)

The blog portal site has been plagued by RSS feed problems with Blogger. (Won't go into the details here, but will there.) But there is nothing new about encountering problems during a creative process. And often the solutions mean a new opportunity or challenge: one thing leads to the another.

What else is new? I recently met with Ruby Jung about publishing the collected essays of her husband, and my good friend, the late waterman and hill-traveller himself. We hope to have in print before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, I've decided to put all my creative eggs into one multi-media basket: a company called Creative Media, which touts the motto: "We've taken the creativity out of our name, and passed it on to you." ;-) -- with an office in the Bening (Newell House) building.

What will CM offer? Print publishing of books and art; Music and video production, too. Plus advertising, PR, and software consulting. An Open House and Going Away Party for one of the Art Lovers' artists is planned for next Friday night (April 13) from 6-9 p.m.

What else is new? The Jung at Heart Celebration for April 28 is shaping up with some big time performers. It seems ol' Uncle Jim knew some people, who knew some people. Details are being finalized by SIU Marketing maven Terry Clark.

After that, for me, the next big public event for me is Bike 2 Work Day in May, which both Mayor Brad Cole and Mayor-hopeful Sheila Simon have agreed to participate in, handing out trophies to those who ride farthest and the business that has the most riders. "From a bicycling standpoint, if Sheila's mayor, more people will participate, since she's the darling of the Carbondale Bicycle Club, but Brad made the decision to launch the event in the first place," said a steering committee spokes-man.

I love puns and neologisms. What else is new?

Travellin' Man

I wonder how many readers still have not decided who to vote for. Among the Bytelife bloggers, Peter's mind is made up in favor of Mayor Cole, for sure. But Jim Syler seems to be against him for using the flag in advertising. Last I heard, Bob Pauls was also undecided. Some may vote for Sheila because she had tea with them, and makes them feel their voice is heard. Cole isn't much a schmoozer, but does appear to enjoy traveling to distant lands on official business, such as going to Shimla, India to present a quilt and reestablish a dormant Sister City relationship. (Couldn't it have been Fed-Ex'd?) It appears that Cole got on the Sister Cities board as a result of his initiative. He also traveled to another Sister City in Japan, although I can not find an official press release for that trip. It might be interesting to post the entire list that Sheila waved accusingly to the debate audience last week, so readers can decide if Cole's travel itinerary was wasteful, or if the mayor was just doing his job.

I myself will be traveling to Oregon the day after the April 17 election - to investigate possibilities for grown-up bloggers in Corvallis. ;-) , and purchase art at the Portland Art Market for Art Lovers.

Must be back by April 28 to attend the Jung at Heart Celebration at Big Boys Q, organized by Prof. Terry Clark (Cayenne Boyd is flying in from Santa Cruz to perform) to raise $ to help pay for Jim's medical bills.

Mayor seeks 'bump'; Councilwoman passes

Over in his busy 'biz' blog, local hero Peter the Great wonders, does it matter who wins the Mayor's race, but I don't have to wonder, I know what will happen if local heroine Sheila Simon is elected: playing it safe, going on 'worst case scenarios', and stalling progress.

I base my conclusion on her decision to decline the photo-op opportunity extended to her (and all Americans) by the nation's hottest pundit (a photoshop photo-op?). But Simon, whose father was a Democrate U.S. Senator from Illinois, is choosing to go the route recommended by Democrat U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel: stay away from Stephen Colbert.

As she explained by email:

"I think Brad and I would be in the same boat -- and on the edge, if I can mix metaphors! So many of the people and places that are on his show are really ridiculed. I don't think we can guarantee that either candidate or the town would come out ahead."

I pitched the idea to both Mayor Cole and Councilwoman Simon that being on the show would be good for our City, but Sheila doesn't 'get it'.

Everybody's talking about how Oooh, SIU needs more students . . . Oooh, the City needs to get its story out . . . Oooh, spend millions on advertising . . . .Well, what better way to get the word out that Carbondale is "a hip place to be on the square" than by having its two candidates for Mayor appear (via telephone) on America's hippest and smartest new television news program -- one that reaches millions of young and young-at-heart viewers with its trademarked brand of "truthiness."

I sprung the idea on Cole when I saw him at a local business, and to his credit (imo) he played along -- by posing for the quick snapshot you see here. He knew enough about The Colbert Report (Col-bear Rep-OR) to trust that both he and Carbondale would get a "Colbert Bump" by a minute or two with the man American loves to love.

Sheila would have benefited, too, but she passed.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Television News Commentator STEPHEN COLBERT, D.F.A. recently took time out at the end of his Comedy Central show to offer a photo opportunity to the viewing public -- an opportunity seized by Carbondale, Illinois, Mayor BRAD COLE, M.L.S, who thiinks that appearing with the influential pundit could boost his campaign for re-election against his opponent, the daughter of a famous Senator.

Grin and Colbert it

At the conclusion of last Thursday night's debate, Sheila Simon held up a folder containing evidence that Mayor Brad Cole requested $30,000 for travel reimbursement during his term of Mayor. It was no secret that Cole spent City money when he traveled to India and Japan, and probably Washington DC, and other places. I haven't seen Sheila's evidence, but right off I say, so what? What's wrong with the Mayor rekindling contact with the City's Sister Cities? Or traveling to DC to make contacts for money for a state of the art new police station?

Sheila waved the folder as evidence that Brad spends money 'like a teenager'. I wonder which travel expenses Sheila wouldn't allow. Without having all the facts, it seems that money spent traveling to distant lands is good for Carbondale in the 'spread the word' sense, putting it 'on the map'. Like being on Stephen Colbert's Colbert Report.



Mayor Cole agreed to strike a pose for the unusual photo op I told you about. To be fair, I personally contacted Councilman Simon about playing along. I hope to send both hers and Cole's photoshopped photos to Stephen for his consideration, asking him to weigh-in on the election, giving all of Carbondale the "Colbert Bump."

Last I heard, Sheila's thinking it over, probably discussing it with trusted advisers. I hope she isn't influenced by Rep. Rahm Emanuel's warning to freshman Democrats not to appear on Colbert's 'Better Know a District' series, because this situation is entirely different. A one-minute telephone conference call, I imagine with Cole and Simon on separate lines would do the trick. Stephen will play it for laughs, of course. I think the travel or credenza issue would be good topics, or the thrifty mom vs. spendthrift son, but Colbert's research staff would decide how to frame it.

Having Carbondale featured on a show hosted by one of the most influential Americans in the U.S., who reaches millions of young viewers would be a good thing, 'priceless' even. If Sheila passes on the opportunity, I'll send in Cole's by itself. There is a chance that Stephen will ignore it, but I think it's worth a try -- for good ol' Carbondale.

Arthurian legend

I got a call from Arthur Agency CEO Jon Greenstreet yesterday, protesting my claim (or rather 'gathering') that his advertising firm had anything to do with Sheila Simon's campaign site. He says his agency has a strict "no political ads" policy. I told him that (I thought I saw) the AA link was at the bottom of the Sheila new website (with new photos) a few weeks ago, but the name is gone now, and I can't confirm that it was ever there.

I did learn from Sheila's campaign manager that the person who does Sheila's website prefers anonymity, but I have been assured that the Arthurs had nothing to do with it. So there ya go. As the hoopsters say when committing an inadvertent foul, "My bad."

I apologize for any confusion this has caused anyone. I have known the Arthur guys since they first came to town about three year ago, and have watched their growth with wonder and admiration ever since. (No advertising agency has ever made it in this town for very long). But with Dennis Poshard (SIU President's son) buying-in to the business, and the hiring of Jon G., the Arthurs have landed quite a few local high-end accounts, such as the new Southern Illinois Miners baseball team.

Style points

Hey there, friends and foes. Sheila Simon has a new supporter in the blogosphere, which means, of course, a new mud-slinger against Brad Cole. The pro-Democrat Philosophe Forum blog tells its readers that Sheila Simon Campaigns for Mayor, and gives a lengthy pro-Sheila spin on the issues and candidates. Needless to say, I disagree with the author's take on Cole.

In effect, she says the election is a choice between two contrasting styles of leadership. The full-time leader who micromanages and gets things done, or the part-time people person who sends every issue and initiative to a committee, which can result in some ungainly results, as noted already by Simon's harshest critic on the web.

The author of the Philosophe Forum blog sees a conflict between micromanaging and democracy, but I would bet that our greatest Presidents and Governors were "hands-on" in many aspects of government just as Cole is. Heck, Jimmy Carter even required that government regulations be written in "plain English."

The thing about Brad Cole that ticks some people off, is his dedication to perfection and accomplishment.

Here's how he explained his modus operandi, in a speech to the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce in November:

Some people say that I am a perfectionist… okay, maybe. I will freely admit that I prefer perfection, or at least the pursuit of it, over settling for mediocrity. I am the kind of person who makes decisions and then moves on with them. If they don't work or if they were the wrong decisions, then let's change them and keep trying to get the work done. Too many times people are afraid to make decisions or they think we need to take a public opinion poll to gauge what to do. I'm not like that and I think people want leaders to lead; they want people who can highlight a path forward so they can follow. That's what I have tried to do . . . .

Being a perfectionist does not make Brad undemocratic. He's just not as folksy as Sheila, but sometimes that can be a good thing.

Colbert endorses Cole?

At the conclusion of last night's "Colbert Report" fake newsman Stephen Colbert extended a photo opportunity to viewers -- a chance to be in a photo with Colbert (Cole-BEAR) as he posed and smiled as you see here.

Since Stephen is a card-carrying right-winger (in the mold of Bill O'Reilly), I thought it might be a good photo-op for Carbondale's "Right Choice" Brad Cole.

Stephen told viewers to send in their creations. This one was done in a hurry late at night without a mouse, but if I have some spare time later today, I'll do a better one. How about it Simonites? Both candidates could have a bit of fun if some friend of Sheila's would photoshop her into the photo, too. (Let me know if you're interested, and I will send you the image without Cole in it, so you can put Sheila there.) We could send them both to Colbert. It might get on the show, which would be very cool, imo.

Let's see who Colbert endorses. (My guess is that he probably will dance around it... Giving all of Carbondale "the Colbert bump"..... He knows where the town is: Colbert once referred to the "Paducah - Carbondale Corridor" while in a conversation with Randy Newman).

And the winner was . . .

Hey there Bloggees! Did you attend yesterday's old-fashioned neighborhood debate instead of being outdoors? I wonder how many of you "Anonymouses" were in the crowd. I sat next to a Sheila Simon's campaign worker Bill Rose, whom I know from business dealings. He didn't know I wrote this blog. I didn't know he worked for Sheila Simon -- who, by the way, was the first person to shake my hand.

It's hard to say who 'won' the debate. As a teacher, I'd give them both "A's" but I'd like to hear what the rest of the 70-100 people in attendance think. One clear winner was City Clerk Janet Vaught, whom both candidates praised for her efficiency in getting information to the public. (And I can add my praise to theirs. The Carbondale City Clerk has always provided me with needed information quickly and helpfully.)

The debate was organized by The Arbor District, with D. Gorton (editor of the newsletter) and Sandy Litecky running the show. They deserve high marks for allowing so many questions and interaction between the candidates. Will the Arbor District be making an endorsement?

So who do you all think came off more Mayory, Bloggee? Did either candidate impress you one way or the other?

To me, Sheila won hands down -- or rather hand outstretched -- since she asked me what was "new and exciting." Yet Cole scored many points in the debate -- including the fact that he's working at the job full-time, and Sheila wants to do it part-time, and hire someone else to do the salesman job that Brad is already doing very well.

I saw another friend there, the one with the Simon sign in her yard. I wonder what she thinks of Cole now. I should stop by her house again to ask her if now she'd be interested in a "Cole - Our Mayor" sign.

How about you, Bloggees? Would any of you like to a "Cole - Our Mayor" sign or "Simon Mayor" sign for your yard after seeing the debate?

Why should I vote for Sheila?

I hope that everyone who reads this blog has not made up their minds. To be honest, I myself have not decided which names I'll finally check on April 17. I am seeking reasons to vote for any candidate who wants my vote.

As to the mayoral campaign. It appears that Sheila wants to put Brad out of a job because she doesn't like the way he does his job as "Carbondale's #1 Salesman." His methods cause her to doubt his integrity. This is what she says - since the day she announced her candidacy (spoken to WJPF's Rick Gregg). But, so far as I know, no specific claim of unethical wrong-doing has been levelled at the mayor. It's all implied. Sheila believes that if a business donates $1000 to the mayor, that he will do (or has done) something unethical as a result. She indicates that she's a lawyer and a politician - two professions with "suspect reputations," she says. She wants to make a show of being open and "above board." This is a good strategy for her to use, although I'd like for her or some supporter of hers to state exactly what evil deed(s) Cole's done. I'm listening.

Currently I'm compiling of a list of good deeds Cole has done during his 4 years as a City Councilman and subsequent term as mayor. (I will compare it to Sheila's record during a comparable term of office, including her votes on controversial matters.)

I'd also like him to indicate the things Cole tried to do, but failed! That too can be the measure of the man.

But Sheila is a far superior grass roots networker than Brad. There can be no doubt of that. If we were looking for someone to run a summer camp or local lawyer think-tank Sheila would get my vote.

But maybe her supporters can tell us why we should vote for a person with one-term of experience on City Council who accomplished nothing tangible.

My own take is, it's personality. She's so darn friendly. And she comes from a well-loved family. She also votes whatever the prevailing opinion is. As her old blog shows, she's a weather-vaner; so many people feel that she represents their wishes (To extend that metaphor, Brad Cole is like the wind itself -- the way he get things done. People don't always like the wind, but it can be harnessed to do good.).

This weekend I will finish up the list of Brad's accomplishments -- and write a letter to my homegirl Sheila, a fellow bicyclist and idealistic citizen.

If you want to join the discussion here, and help this blog make its mark on the local race
then go ahead an post a civil comment.

Old-Fashioned Debate, New Fangled Blog

Yesterday I paid a visit to a former neighbor who has a Simon sign stuck in her yard. I asked her if she'd like a Cole sign too. "No," she said directly. She didn't know that I supported the Mayor's re-election, and doesn't read this blog, but she was looking forward to the OLD FASHIONED TOWN HALL DEBATE between the two candidates at First Christian Church, at 201 Monroe Street.

My friend helped formulate the questions. She said the candidates will receive them in advance, but she didn't know exactly when. After the pre-written questions have been asked, then audience members will have a turn. Perhaps some minds will be persuaded one way or the other by the candidates' responses.

My friend is a homeowner. She said a question would be asked about the city's portion of the property tax, which Sheila has indicated needs "revisiting" (although she hasn't outright said she would, as Scott Thorne points out in a comment).

Another subject we discussed was her claim that Cole "tore down all those buildings." I pointed out to her that the man who authored the ultimatum to "repair or demolish" the old Bank of Carbondale building is Sheila Simon's campaign manager, not Brad Cole.

Along those lines, the American Tap property acquisition will undoubtedly come up. I am already on record as opposing it, because the price was too high, imo, but it wasn't Cole's idea to tear it down, nor did he set the price; he was carrying out the wishes of Carbondale Main Street to do something about downtown Illinois Avenue's "#1 problem" and the entire City Council (except Sheila approved the deal -- even Maggie Flanagan who changed her mind "at this midnight hour" when put to a public vote).

Well the debate should be interesting and informative.

To a Certain Anonymous

As a university instructor, I would encourage students to contribute their ideas and thoughts about a given topic, which I would would chalk up on the board and group according to theme, to help to keep the discussion more focused.

One Simonite believes I won't persuade others to vote Cole our mayor. S/he cites the likability factor (my term). According to this Simonite, we Cole supporters "rage" against Sheila's supporters, which made me laugh -- I think that I've bent over blogward giving Sheila credit where it's due -- and taking Cole to task where warranted. Perhaps my writing should include more happy faces. ;-)

I have nothing against the Simonites or their standard-bearer. I would vote for Sheila in a heartbeat (from the current crop of City Council members) to be mayor -- if the man they love to hate, Brad Cole, had not done such an outstanding job. I believe in rewarding good work performance. Yet the Simonites want Brad Cole out of office. According to this one, Cole has the benefit of incumbency: the credit for the positive changes in Carbondale should be spread around because everyone in the community is on the same page. S/he gives Sheila credit too, although in some cases she voted against the things Cole tried to do. (Having a one-time expansion of the City's Enterprise Zone capability, for example.) According to this Simonite, as effective as he Cole may be, "his negatives are too high" (which is just a fancy way of saying that s/he's a "Cole-hating Simon lover")

No. Far from "raging" against the Simonites or Sheila's sterling qualities (no irony intended) I have included all the pro-Simon comments I've received, and taken some shots at Cole myself. But some commenters do not think as clearly as others, and they can waste everyone's time -- especially mine. The best way to engage me in dialogue is to be real person, not an anonymous opinion slinger. Peter the Great knows what I mean. I also like his idea for the Anonymouses to take a moment to create a name for yourself.

Nevertheless, I wanted to respond to one particular Anonymous, who writes:

There will be an end to the campaign, and someone will win. After the election, though, will you have helped Cole govern if you have caused so many to take offense? And what do you do if Simon wins?

It is absurd to think this blog could will help or hurt Cole govern in any way. To govern he must work with City Council and staff, and understand the city code and how things work. I think I provide him comic relief more than anything else. I'm not sure why a Simonite would be offended by anything I write, unless it is the term Simonite..... I did consider other alternatives to my original phrase "Cole-hating Simon lovers": Simonians, Sheila-lites, but chose Simonites, because it rhymes with "simonize" and their campaign to unseat Cole was waxing at that time.

As to what I'll do if Sheila is elected mayor. . . . Bike 2 Work Day is rolling 'round in May. I hope the Mayor of Carbondale will support it once again. I better get to work on that.

I should ask Sheila if she will hand out the trophies at the annual lunch in the event that Mayor Cole is unable to perform that duty on that day.

Cole's Record as a City Councilman

A revealing documents available on Brad Cole's web site is his 2003 platform which touches on many of his accomplishments before he was Mayor -- during his four years as a member of City Council. These accomplishments included rehabilitating the old Woodlawn Cemetery; eliminating the city's portion of the property tax; recouping hundreds of thousands of dollars lost to Census error-- and more. I'll try to draw up a comprehensive list, as time permits.

I repeat: he got these things done as a City Councilman! And what has Sheila has done as a first-term member of City Council? What accomplishment is she most proud of during the same period of time? (Perhaps something she voted against? or for? Or something she did outside of City Council chambers, as a member of some other organization? Maybe I should ask her! I wish her well, you know, and hope she gets an important post in President Obama's staff in 2009.)

P.S. Message to Anonymous
Don't give Anonymouses a bad name by being a confusing dufus. Making unfounded accusations against me in anonymous comments does not accomplish your purpose of challenging Brad Cole's supremacy as a candidate for mayor. If there is some clarification that you require just write directly to dave at shawneenet dot net. As far as I can see, all "Anonymous" comments have been posted. If one of yours went missing, you could try resending it.

Words to live by, imo: Expect the best, and you just might get it! Expect the worst, and you're asking for it.

What hath Cole wrought?

The day my best friend died, an "Anonymous" commenter took exception to a claim made in an earlier post of mine: "Cole-alition hopes to Spring forward" that Mayor Brad Cole "gets results."

What are these 'results'? Please be specific. I've asked Peter Gregory about this repeatedly and he either cannot, or will not, respond with specific acts on Brad Cole's part that have led to tangible positive results for Carbondale. I know what Brad Cole says he has accomplished - I want to know what you (or anyone) can cite as direct actions of Cole's that he has accomplished.

So I created a list drawn from Cole's most recent "State of the City" speech: Some things Mayor Brad Cole has accomplished so far and posted it, adding the comment "No one can say that Brad is not a hard worker. There's also a summary of his first 100 days in office on his web site."

So Anonymous replies:

It's his only job. Of course he should get more done when he has no other job. But the question is 'what is he getting done' and 'for whom?'

I asked for your opinion of direct contributions he has made, and you cite keeping City Hall open for an extra hour. That is the best you can come up with?

I've read his site, and so many of the things he claims credit for, are the continued natural functions of city government that occur regardless of who is mayor - resurfacing roads, maintaining sewer lines, etc.

The extended city hall hours was cited merely as one of the first things Cole did -- make City Hall work a little bit more efficiently.

And who is Anonymous? And why the animosity? Why so stingy with credit for Brad? In addition to the so-called "natural functions," Cole has done much more.

One of the more important ones, imo, isn't even listed -- as reported in the Daily Illini -- making possession of small quantities of marijuana punishable by the equivalent of a traffic fine. I think it's saved the county courts some time, and put a few dollars in the city coffers. And what also isn't listed are the number of things he tried to do but failed, like bringing a hotel to help preserve the downtown Varsity Theater facade (forget about a theater ever being there again. We'll all be lucky if the marquee can stay in tact).

Now I agree those who think that Brad could have made some different choices. For instance, after the big City Council meeting when so many people spoke up on the subject of medical insurance, including soon-to-be Green Party candidate for Governor of this state, Rich Whitney, and other knowledgable people. I myself disagreed with the arbitrary cap placed by Cole on the formula for people who are not employed outside the home, such as housewives. I suggested to him that he appoint a "Blue Ribbon" panel of some of the people at the CC meeting (as he did with the Eurma Hayes Child Care Center deal), but perhaps because he knew his Home Rule "Cole Remedy" would not fly. But many other communities followed suit, and who knows? Perhaps it had something to do with the eventual solution.

Anonymous continues

'welcomed' new businesses along Reed Station Road. What does that mean? So many of his 'accomplishments' are vacuous and empty 'political speak' that it is not useful to go from his list.

(The words "Vacuous" and "empty" are synonymous, Anonymous. Can you find nothing at all "useful" in the list? Is every single one of his accomplishments to be dismissed? I don't think so.)

Because my information was culled from a speech Cole delivered to the Chamber, it is not surprising that the list does not include the things he tried to do, but failed. Nor does it take into to account what went on behind the scenes before Cole "welcomed" the new hotel to Reed Station Road, and all the other things that seem to Anonymous to be "natural functions." There wouldn't be enough time in the speech. (Anonymous seems to think Cole just sat back and everything got done).

Three things that I can personally testify to, where Cole took the initiative: One is Bike 2 Work Day. Another is the statuary at Friendship Plaza. A third is the medical malpractice ordinance. In all three, I personally saw how Brad Cole operates. And they probably would never have been done, if they were left to a committee. Oh maybe eventually, after a year or two or three (look at the history of "Stars on Main"). But as I said, Cole gets things done.

But wait, there's more from Anonymous. You see, I deleted his comment, so my answer wouldn't be buried beneath several others, and I could give it more attention -- after attending a funeral for my best friend -- and dealing with the grief. Then I get another one:

So you posted my comment regarding what you think Cole has accomplished and then you delete it?

Now, why would you do such a thing, unless of course it pointed out the weaknesses in your posts.

If you are going to host a blog, maybe you should think about having the intellectual honesty to post the comments that take you to task.

Anonymous can be such a twit! He just found out another possible the reason why! But he takes a negative opinion of my intentions, just as he does for Cole. (For the record, I am not "hosting" a blog, but occasionally post messages to this one and some other blogs. And I could turn the comments off, and it wouldn't matter to me. It would be less work. I allow them, though, because sometimes the comments add information to the discussion.)

Now here's a challenge to the Simonites, or hostile commenters like "Anonymous."

If you aren't satisfied with all the things Brad Cole has done so far, what should have he done instead? Let's hear some practical suggestions.

What is the best thing Sheila Simon did while a member of City Council. What is anything she did?

Let's hear it!