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SPews: August 13, 2010

"Champaign officials want more feedback on community-police relations," News-Gazette, August 10

City officials this week are asking for further feedback on goals to improve the relationship between the community and the police force that were developed following a March 15 community forum.

The city has set up a website where users can comment on an outline of initiatives based on about 300 community members' comments during the March meeting.

"Our goal from day one was to keep the community engaged in this process," said Joan Walls, the city's deputy city manager for community relations.

"Motor fuel tax approved for formal vote in Urbana," News-Gazette, August 9

It looks like motorists will start paying a little more to gas up in Urbana starting in October.

Members of the Urbana City Council voted 4-3 to forward a proposed ordinance to the regular council meeting with a recommendation to adopt a 2-cent-per-gallon local motor fuels tax.

If, as expected, the tax is given formal approval next week, it will take effect Oct. 1. The local tax rate of 2 cents per gallon will generate an estimated $340,000 a year.

"If sales tax holiday works, Brady says he'd consider permanent sales tax cut," State Journal-Register, August 7

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady said Friday that if Illinois' current sales-tax holiday on school-related items boosts business, he'd consider trying to lower the state's sales tax permanently.

. . . 

"Our taxes are far too high," he also said. "Tax policy cannot get in the way of economic development."

"Blagojevich jurors say they agree on 2 counts," Pantagraph, August 12

A new message from the jury weighing the fate of Rod Blagojevich provided a few clues Thursday about their deadlock in deliberations, stirring speculation that the panel's struggles could be good news for the disgraced former governor of Illinois.

In a note read in court by Judge James Zagel, jurors said they had only managed to agree on two of 24 counts against Blagojevich and had not even begun discussing 11 of the counts


Most Recent News Comments

{username}

What a great job by all the volunteers!  This event was really put together fast, and well. What I noticed about the crowd was how many old faces I saw despite occurring on a college campus.  I talked to quite a few, including students, who assured me…

{username}

Thank you for discussing Ron Paul’s “successors” - the future of the freedom movement.  The movement didn’t begin with Dr. Paul, nor will it end with his exit from the political scene.  How many future political leaders were in that audience of nearly 5,000 last night?

{username}

I went to the Ron Paul event last night. There was alot of energy & the audience responded to Ron Paul’s ideas which surprised me. I didn’t think most people would be aware of NDAA. Another person, who was there last night, observed that quite a few…

Mark Laughlin avatar

A really well researched article.  Great job!

{username}

I love the Guitars

{username}

Hi my name is Harry Huffman, professional speaker…. keynote humorist and above all story teller. I have also been a ballroom dancer, competitor and instructor over 45 years.I’m looking to get on the story telling circuit or radio. Can you give me some advice. Thank you.  My web site http://www.speakdance.com

{username}

Man, I cannot wait for these four records to be released by Parasol/Hidden Agenda - seriously great music for them to be working with. Thanks for letting me hang out in the studio and see you at the party…

John Steinbacher avatar

Rob, I’m slightly confused about the media player you are referring to.

Rob McColley avatar

I’ve looked at this page with two different browsers, and four different operating systems. I’ve decided that the embedded media player is just plain busted.

{username}

$100K for a toy house? No wonder my taxes are killing me. http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/solar-decathlons-rainy-start_594112.html

Most Recent Comments

Rob McColley avatar

“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”

{username}

I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.

Michael Feltes avatar

The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!

{username}

Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.

isaac arms avatar

represent, Matt.

{username}

Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.

{username}

Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…

{username}

Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…

Rob McColley avatar

I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.

Annie Weisner avatar

This makes me so sad.  (Happy to live in Urbana, though!)  Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away.  This town should be supporting small businesses.  I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…

{username}

*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…

isaac arms avatar

Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet.  John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…

isaac arms avatar

What?  Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?

Mike Ingram avatar

This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market.  Check it:  http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles

{username}

And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?

isaac arms avatar

hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.

{username}

Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.

isaac arms avatar

Excellent.  I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.

{username}

Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.

isaac arms avatar

funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.

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