Meet Bill Enyart

If you have a desire to do you, meet and talk with incumbent Representative Bil Enyart at the Old Train Depot at 2 p.m. this afternoon. this is the second in a series of meetings the Chamber of Commerce has set up with local national and state candidates for office.

Since polls have indicated most Americans do not know their Representatives, either at the state or federal level, this is an opportunity to find out more about them. I have always felt I ought to at least have met the people who are spending my tax dollars.

Wanna Meet A Candidate?

Luckily, watching little tv means I don't get to see much of the inanity that passes for political commercials these days and ergo have not heard much about the candidates running, though from the amount of paper mail I get, it appears that Bill Kilquist thinks Terri Bryant is a tax avoiding politician.

If you want to actually talk to the candidates, including the Green Party, the Chamber of Commerce will host several meet and greets over the next month:

The Carbondale and Murphysboro Chambers of Commerce will hold a series of receptions to give Jackson County business leaders an opportunity to meet and hear from candidates for legislative offices before the Nov. 4 general election.

                Terri Bryant and Bill Kilquist, both candidates for the 115^th Illinois legislative district seat currently held by Mike Bost, U.S. House of Representatives 12^th district incumbent William Enyart as well as challengers Mike Bost and Paula Bradshaw will all be the guests of the chambers at upcoming Meet-and-Greet events. At each reception, candidates will have an opportunity to make introductory remarks prior to a time of informal visiting with attendees. The events, which will be held at the Downtown Design Center in the Old Passenger Depot at 121 S. Illinois Ave., will be free.

                “These are very important races for Southern Illinois businesses,” Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bruce Wallace said. “We, as Chambers, are thrilled to provide our members with opportunities to share their concerns with candidates and learn about each of them before casting their ballots.”

                Scheduled Meet-and-Greets:

                Paula Bradshaw, Green Party candidate for Congress, 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2

                Congressman Bill Enyart, Democratic incumbent, 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6

                Mike Bost, Republican candidate for Congress, 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8

                Bill Kilquist, Democratic candidate for the Illinois House, 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21

                Terri Bryant, Republican candidate for the Illinois House, 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23

                Additionally, each candidate will be guests on upcoming editions of the “Talk of the Town” radio program, heard at 10 a.m., Monday mornings on WDBX-FM 91.1. The radio program is a joint venture of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and the City of Carbondale.

Levee Bonds

Apparently bi-partisanship only goes so far.  According to this story in the Southern, State Sen. Bill Luechtefeld thinks Rep. Bill Enyart stepped waaaaay out of line by testifying in favor of a bill allowing the issuing of bonds to repair the levee by Grand Tower. Luechtefeld:


“We had a gentleman there taking credit for it who had absolutely nothing to do with it,” Luechtefeld said. “That’s over the top. You see a lot of awful political things that are ugly, but this was right at the top. I’ve been here for a lot of years, and this is as political as I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, that a person would have the nerve to do that just for political reasons. He used it.”

That's quite a condemnation, coming from a guy who served during the Blagoyovich years.

Election Day

Voted about 8 a.m. this morning and this is the busiest I have seen the polling place in several elections.  I don't remember this many people during the last presidential election.  Polling place workers are being more cautious too and checking IDs, though I didn't need to show a photo one and they didn't push it when one voter didn't want to show one.  Two people had problems with registration while I stood in line, both living someplace other than the address at which they had registered. Polling staff told them not to worry and got on the phone with someone immediately.

Politcal Offices

Noticed there are three campaign headquarters for Democratic candidates in Carbondale:  Bill Enyart, Michael Bigler and a general Democratic office.  Maybe I am missing it but I don't see anything for any candidates running on the Republican ticket.  Granted that the election for state representatives and the House will likely be decided in Belleville and St. Clair County so the campaigns should focus most of the effort there but still, a little love for the rest of southern Illinois

Morning Coversation

Good discussion on WSIU's Morning Conversation this morning on Illinois politics, esp. the upcoming elections and why Rich Whitney is probably a spoiler for Pat Quinn's chances for election to a full term as governor.

Protesters

Saw about 20 protesters waiving flags and signs at the intersection of Main and Illinois this afternoon. I gather they were anti-tax as I saw a couple of "No tax" signs along with one woman dressed in colonial garb waving a thirteen star flag, mildly ironic given that, during that era, she wouldn't have the right to vote at all.

Not a very lengthy protest since they were gone by the time I passed the intersection again about 1:30. Sunshine patriots?

Cundiff Resigns

Williamson County Sheriff Tom Cundiff announced his resignation this morning. Last day on the job will be noon, Christmas day. Heck of a Christmas present.