SPews: February 11, 2011
"Budget plans put Urbana in red for at least a year," News-Gazette, February 8
The city council reviewed revised budget estimates on Monday night as the fiscal year nears its final quarter. Revenues such as sales taxes have not performed as officials estimated before the budget cycle began and other line items such as snow removal and fuel costs have gone beyond what was forecast - in all, creating a budget gap of about $225,000.
"Workers picket again as contract negotiations stall," Daily Illini, February 9
Building service workers picketed once again outside of the Activities and Recreation Center before contract negotiations with the University early Tuesday morning. Despite the cold, workers were present to express their displeasure with the University's negotiating tactics.
. . .
Food and building service workers said they want a new wage contract with the University and with added job securities and wages. The two sides have been negotiating since the old contract expired in July. Baldwin said he believes a mediator is now necessary.
"Tech recycler looks to build permanent presence," News-Gazette, February 8
An electronics recycling contractor that ran four one-day recycling events in Champaign last year is looking into establishing a permanent presence here.
. . .
[T]he Champaign County collection events last year were so successful that one of them established a single-day record for the largest volume of residential electronics ever collected by the contractor, Vintage Tech Recyclers Inc. of Romeoville.
"UI lobbying office slated for nation's capital," News-Gazette, February 7
The University of Illinois will open a lobbying office in Washington, D.C., this spring, hoping to expand its influence in the nation's capital.
The university has always had representatives in Washington but they've worked out of the Chicago or Urbana campuses.
"We've never had an office per se. This is pretty much standard now in the Big Ten, and it's really going to be a great expansion for the reach of what we do," said Katherine "Kappy" Laing, executive director of governmental relations.
"University part of Peace Corps top colleges of 2011," Daily Illini, February 10
The Peace Corps released a list of colleges and universities producing the most volunteers in 2010 with the University of Illinois ranked 14th.
According to a press release, the University had 67 undergraduate alumni volunteers.
Ashlee McLaughlin, campus recruiter, said the UI Peace Corps nominates 40-60 people each year.
"Champaign high school search not limited to outskirts," News-Gazette, February 8
The Champaign school board has been looking at seven potential sites on the outskirts of town for a new high school.
But those aren't the only possibilities board members are considering.
"We're looking at every option," school board President Dave Tomlinson said. "Is there any place to do something different than the 60- to 80-acre site we've talked about?"
Tomlinson and other school and city officials talked about the needs of Central High School and the seven potential locations for a new Central at a joint meeting of the Champaign school board, Champaign City Council and Champaign park board Monday night.
Most Recent News Comments
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?
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…
A really well researched article. Great job!
I love the Guitars
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
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…
Rob, I’m slightly confused about the media player you are referring to.
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.
$100K for a toy house? No wonder my taxes are killing me. http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/solar-decathlons-rainy-start_594112.html
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“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
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.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
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.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
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…
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…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
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…
*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,…
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…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
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
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?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
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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…