On Off, On Off, On...

Looks as if layoffs at SIUC are off the table again. The university has rescinded the reduction-in-force letters sent out last month and both university officials and the union have agreed to move to arbitration. According to this story from the AP, the two sides have reached a general agreement with the arbitrator brought in to help finalize the agreement. Generally, I've found in the past that it's never a good sign when you have to bring an arbitrator into the negotiation, no matter how close both sides appear to be. Keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out.

She Brews Good Fritzler

The She Brews Good Ale blog comes out in favor of Joel Fritzler for Mayor.

Human Relations Commission

The Human Relations Commission meets ths Monday night, Jan. 10 at 6:30 in Room 116 of the C'dale Civic Center. Main thing on the agenda appears to be study circles reports.

Edited to correct the date.

Ghost Lab at Hundley House

According to this email from the mayor's office (forwarded courtesy of councilman Joel Fritzler), the Ghost Lab episode shot at Hundley House last fall will show this Saturday at 1 a.m., so set your DVRs.

The Discovery Channel will broadcast Saturday at 1 a.m. CST the Ghost Lab episode filmed at the Hundley House in Carbondale. It is the first showing of this segment. Not prime time but it is finally being broadcast.

Cigarette Tax

The new taxes proposed to fill the gap in the Illinois budget include a dollar a pack increase on cigarettes, nearly doubling the current tax level on them. While that won't affect locations in the state that are a couple of hours away from the border, cigarette sellers in cities closer to state lines will certainly see an impact as smokers drive the extra to save an extra $10 per carton in taxes. I already know people in C'dale who drive to Paducah to buy their smokes because of the tax differential and the extra buck will likely convince more heavy smokers to make the trip.

Simon Reception

In case you happen to be in Springfield this Sunday, Sheila Simon would appreciate your company at a reception honoring her inauguration as Lt. Governor:

Please join the Lt. Governor Elect Sheila Simon for a Dessert Reception Sunday, January 9, 2011 with her band, Loose Gravel from

8:30-10pm at IEA Professional Development Center, 3440 Liberty Drive in Springfield, Illinois.

We look forward to seeing you there.

State Employee Pensions

Given the concern over state employee pensions and its effect on Carbondale's budget, I thought yesterday's Diane Rehm show on the topic was quite interesting.