1. TARI RENNER
   1. 
      
      Illinois Wesleyan University

Abstract

This research examines whether electoral incongruence within American state party systems exists between presidential and state-level elections. Recent research by James Gimpel suggests that the states are developing autonomous party systems in which electoral cleavages in statewide races are increasingly dissimilar to those at the national level. In this research, county-level two-party voting patterns are used as measures of the geographic continuity of partisan electoral cleavages for all presidential, gubernatorial, and senatorial elections over the last decade (1986-1996) from the 10 states examined most closely in Gimpel’s work. However, a factor analysis of these data fail to confirm two hypotheses implied by this intrastate autonomy phenomenon. A single dominant factor appears to underlie the partisan cleavages in both the Western and Northern states. Consequently, although more variable, the partisan divisions in elections are likely to be very similar to the contours of those at the presidential level.

Who talks like this?  College Professors?  Surely not ordinary people.   It’s actually an easy concept, too bad it is hard to tell.

_________________________________________________________________

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_6d9c4d90-58ba-5298-9dbd-bb5139ff9dcc.html

City’s police, firefighter unions endorse Tari Renner for mayor

Union support?  Kind of like Durbin and Obama have?

_________________________________________________________________

Renner has Dick Durbin address one of his classes!

http://www.allmilitary.com/board/viewtopic.php?id=20181

November 13, 2008
The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Ill

BLOOMINGTON — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said he’s got a short list of people he’d like to see replace Barack Obama in the Senate, and he acknowledged Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth is among the mix. |

“I have several names and certainly Tammy would be on that list,” said Durbin, visiting an Illinois Wesleyan University class Wednesday.

He said he’s asked Gov. Rod Blagojevich for a meeting to talk about possibilities, but he stressed the decision of the appointment lies solely with the governor

Durbin introduced injured Iraq War veteran Duckworth to politics and supported her in an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 2006.

While addressing Tari Renner’s American Elections students, Durbin took questions on a range of topics, including how Democrats should deal with Sen. Joe Lieberman.

The independent former Democrat from Connecticut still caucuses with his old party, chairs the Homeland Security committee and holds other committee leadership posts. Despite his continuing Democratic ties, he actively supported Republican John McCain’s presidential campaign.

Durbin had been among critics who call for some public recourse against Lieberman, but he said he’s since changed his mind. Lieberman’s Senate leadership roles remain in question, however, he said.

“I am very disappointed in Joe. … But, I think Barack Obama is right. We had a great victory (in the Nov. 4 elections) and should move forward together,” said Durbin.

“I want to help Barack Obama be a success,” he added.

Next week the Democratic caucus will meet to vote on Lieberman’s status.

Durbin said Lieberman telephoned him Tuesday morning, thanking him for changing his position.

The No. 2 leader in the U.S. Senate also talked with students about how the evolving role of technology was highlighted in the 2008 campaigns.

“They’ve changed dramatically,” he said, pointing to a shift away from television and radio ads and mass mailings to a new frontier of online social networking and e-mail solicitations for donations.

“In this election one candidate got it,” he said. “It was Obama who went into this medium, and used it in the most efficient way.”

_________________________________________________________________

April 2011 Planning Commission Minutes

http://www.mcplan.org/about_us/meetings/minutes/m030211.pdf

From bottom of page 2:

Article from Planning Magazine “Sarasota’s Smart Growth Dividend”

Mr. Russell commented the article reported on a method of comparing property tax revenues on a per acre basis, and the findings demonstrate how more dense, mixed-use development produces greater property tax revenues per acre than other types of development.

He said the article also pointed out that denser development usually requires lower public investment, and that denser development is needed to sustain lower intensity uses like single family homes, which require about 15 percent more in public costs than the revenue they produce.

The article also reported that in Sarasota, the Walmart store produced only slightly more property tax revenue per acre than the average single family home in that city and that one of the existing mixed-use developments produced 142 times the property tax revenue of the Walmart on a per-acre basis.

Mr. Russell reported that one of the conclusions reached was that tools such as this will become an increasingly important part of the decision-making process for communities as the need for greater economic sustainability becomes more critical.

Mr. Renner asked if there has been a serious consideration in McLean County to an urban services boundary. Mr. Russell indicated the Comprehensive Plan has identified an urban services boundary as an alternative strategy, but it has never been actively pursued. He said the annexation agreements serve as a component of an urban services boundary by requiring developments to be annexed into the community as a condition for receiving urban services.

Ms. Olson said the research that accompanies the articles is very interesting, and asked if that information was shared with the local governmental bodies. Mr. Russell responded that these issues are addressed in the local comprehensive plans, and the county administrator and city managers receive a copy of the Commission packet. He added the purpose of the information forum was to educate about planning issue.

Ms. Olson asked for more details about the urban services boundary mentioned by Mr. Renner. Mr. Renner indicated the boundary would direct future development inside the boundary and encourage infill and redevelopment of blighted areas within the boundary. Ms. Olson asked if there was a time when the boundary would not be reevaluated and redrawn to include additional land. Mr. Russell indicated the boundary included an estimate of the amount of land requiring services in a period of time. Mr. Renner opined that an urban services boundary would prevent large expenditures to provide urban services to projects such as the Grove at taxpayers’ expense. Mr. Doud disagreed and said there are factors that influence where development is located and there were reasons for locating the Grove in its location. Mr. Doud added the fact that 170 homes have been built in the last three years in a difficult economic climate speaks to the need for the subdivision.

In case you have no idea what this means – look up Agenda 21.  Drive through uptown Normal and you will see “mixed use” buildings.  Shops ground level, apartments above.  This City Planning Commission has bought into the ideas of Agenda 21 that government must “create” a sustainable environment.  Their idea for the future is to pack the cities with high-rise buildings and shopping.  They want to eliminate cars-you can walk downstairs to shop.  They want to save on City Services because they won’t need miles of roads, new sewer and water pipes, etc.  That may be a cost saving goal, but do you want to live and raise your kids in a mixed use building?  June 3rd the Pantagraph had on article on the low occupancy rate of the converted Ensenberger Building.  Obviously, even with TIF funds for redevelopment, people aren’t flocking to 1,000 square feet. http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/solitary-luxury-ensenberger-occupancy-still-low-after-tif-funded-renovation/article_59124e5a-ad06-11e1-a6e6-0019bb2963f4.html  If you don’t know what Agenda 21 is, watch this video: http://my.brainshark.com/False-Choices-The-Story-of-Agenda-21-713151488

The minutes continue:

Winter 2011 issue of Planning Commissioners Journal
Mr. Russell reported the issue included a couple of articles on community asset mapping, which was a topic introduced in the previous issue. He indicated there was also an article by Ed McMahan on the case for controlling billboards, an article that described principles for creating great community places, one on some of the issues related to urban growth boundaries, and articles on good practices for planning commissioners.

The issue also included an article on the changing American dream and how it will affect planning, in which the author contends the recent housing crisis will have a lasting impact on people’s ability and desire to own their own homes and in particular larger sprawling ones. The author indicates this is due to changing demographics, along with higher prices and lower returns due to lower appreciation rates.  According to the author, this will create greater demands for smaller homes and rental units. The author concludes that planners should encourage elements of smart growth and new urbanism, such as reducing lot-size minimums, permitting accessory dwelling units, and allowing subdivision of larger homes into duplexes or apartments. The author also states planners should more widely allow apartments and other dwellings that increase densities and intensify efforts to make homes more affordable through such mechanisms as inclusionary housing, where new development is required to include a certain portion of affordable units.

Mr. Teichman asked Mr. Doud if he was seeing any changes in terms of local demands for housing. Mr. Doud responded that people are starting to look at smaller, more affordable housing, and are interested in sustainability of cost, including utility and property tax expenses. Mr. Teichman asked what housing prices were considered affordable. Mr. Doud estimated, considering the median incomes locally, that would be in the $l50,000 to $170,000 range. He added most new construction would exceed that range, and new construction targeting first- and last-time home buyers would be smaller in size and cost approximately $200,000 to $250,000.

Mr. Doud said the opinion this is a lasting trend is unproven, and in the past, housing sizes and prices have rebounded following economic downturns. He reiterated the current market is for smaller, more compact housing.

More editorial comments:  It is NOT the job of government to CREATE an atmosphere fitting their agenda.  Government NEVER accurately projects growth, future needs, future desires – in fact, the citizens end up paying for the mistakes made by government.  Does the Coliseum come to mind?  (http://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/bloomington-arena-struggles-to-stay-profitable/article_8dd26b60-b2a7-11e1-8d9c-001a4bcf887a.html) The private sector is and always has been more capable of quickly adapting to the needs of citizens.  Elected officials can force an agenda, leave office, and the citizens are left holding the bills.  (Think pensions!)

_________________________________________________________________

Oct 6, 2010 Planning Commission Meeting

Mayor Koos of Normal is reporting on the Uptown Project:

http://www.mcplan.org/about_us/meetings/minutes/m100610.pdf

Mayor Koos indicated there was a residential study performed as part of the Main Street Plan that identified empty-nest baby boomers and young professionals as two populations that want more urban-type housing with no yards. He said the study indicated there is a need for that type of non-student residential housing in uptown Normal. Mr. Benjamin asked how that type of development could be encouraged. Mayor Koos indicated the banks and development community perceive it as risky as it is not well tested, but it has been successful elsewhere. He said there have been some changes to their ordinances which make it easier for developers to assemble small parcels to build higher density developments. Mr. Renner added this type of development is an antidote to sprawl as well.

_________________________________________________________________

More extracurricular activities:

http://ysabetwordsmith.dreamwidth.org/tag/gore%27s+challenge

This came to me via email, and I’ve crossposted it to my community gore_challenge.

Environment Illinois and the League of Women Voters of McLean County invite you to…
A town hall discussion on ENERGY EFFICIENCY: How we can save money, save energy, and help save the environment by doing more with the energy we already create.
What: A community meeting on energy efficiency — how to get more out of the energy we already create. Topics covered will include overall savings available through increased efficiency and steps Illinois families and businesses can take to become more energy efficient.
When: Tuesday, July 29th at 7:00 PM
Where: Government Center, Community Room (basement), 115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, IL 61701
Speakers:
Brian Granahan, Environment Illinois
Tari Renner, Illinois Wesleyan University
Michael Brown, Ecology Action Center
Julie Elzanati, Heartland Community College
Lynda Files, The Ameren Illinois Utilities

To RSVP, visit our Web site:
http://www.environmentillinois.org/action/energy/bloomington-town-hall?id4=ES
Sincerely,

Max Muller
Environment Illinois Program Director
[email protected]
http://www.environmentillinois.org