Things are not looking up for once was a bright and shining example of Southern Illinois, Carbondale. The leading contenders are George Maroney and Jane Adams. The election of either as Mayor would be a disaster for Carbondale. Maroney has zero experience in city government. While that may be a good thing these days, I am afraid that running SIH does not show me anything except that when he is in a position of absolute authority he can run a business. Based on past conversations with him, he does not seem to have a firm grasp on any of the local issues.
Jane Adams has already played the victim card. She said she is considering the fact that her gender might hurt her if she runs for Mayor. It has been pointed out that only 1 woman has ever been Mayor of Carbondale. What people fear about her is her competence. She got into squabbles with Joel" Time to Run" Fritzler and some run ins with Don Monty. She is a tax and spend liberal, the city is running at a deficit, yet she is on record supporting the property tax giveaways from the TIF district. She gives away money to her pet group and her pet projects. When a city is running in a deficit, it is time to cut costs, not give the Splash Park 100,000 or give her special interest groups money.
The problem with both of these candidates is I am sure they support giving SIU millions of dollars for their football and basketball teams. I realize neither was on the City Council when that give away occurred, but it only stands to reason based on her voting record and Maroney's silence on the TIF issue. Here is Carbondale at its worst. The man who bought the old Mary Lou's restaurant building was given $250,000 in tax breaks, the man who built the new Indian restaurant got $275,000. The people building the latest panacea to Carbondale's declining area are getting 1,000,000 in tax breaks. Adams has opposed none of the corrupt giveaway. I am sure you all remember the Stadium Grille? Another place that brought minimum wage service jobs to Carbondale and everyone was so excited, The Stadium Grille was closed within 6 months at a cost to taxpayers of 330,000. Well done. Things are sad when you are hoping Brad Cole runs for Mayor. He is corrupt as they come, but he is at least competent.
