By: Diane Benjamin
Aldermen Jenna Kearns and Kent Lee did not attend last night’s meeting. That is important to remember for what happened.
First, Monsignor Jason Gray from the Peoria Diocese asked the council to not override the wishes of the property owner who does not want to be designated as an historic landmark because of the power it gives the City to control the property:
Greg Koos, the former chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, took the opposite position and claimed this won’t be the first time the City has made this declaration against the wishes of the property owner. Greg needs to say when that happened since no one can recall it ever happening.
Now, remember who wasn’t there. The far left majority of the Council did not have enough votes to total 2/3 of council without Jenna Kearns. Before any discussion happened Cody Hendricks made a motion to table this until October when the entire Council is present. This was only done because they didn’t have the vote to impose restrictions on a private property.
Below is who voted to table the vote. The people in green think they have a right to control what you do with your own property.
If you believe the Peoria Diocese and the members of Holy Trinity church have the right control their own property start hammering the 4 in green with emails: Contact Information
If this Council will do this to a church they will do it to you!
Keep those names in green in mind for the April 2025 election.
Mollie Ward is a pastor allegedly.
Regarding at time the CON designated a private property over ruling the owner
I believe Randall Smith owned a multi family property in the Franklin Park area
Mr Smith wanted to upgrade the windows of the building Being the area was on the edge of a historic district, COB decided they knew better and basically took the property
Being the good stewards of life and limb, especially when the COB has no real idea of which way up is, they needed to make sure the building was heated over the winter. So they turned the boiler on Of course, no one checked the operation no noticed a drop cord laying on the boiler
Voila Now the fire department is involved And the code enforcement people After the finger pointing and everyone shuffling their feet and jiggling their keys, it was decided that perhaps Mr Smith was correct
Suddenly the problem disappeared or was sunk to a low priority
Mennonite Hospital The old doctors offices across the street on Chestnut And many other places and projects that are started and left dangling because a new shiny trinket is now glittering in the sun
I’m very proud of those standing up. This is a very clear line in the sand that the city is taking advantage of.
Kudos to the three No votes!!
However, This shouldn’t even be a consideration.
Mixing State and Religion may not be written, but our Country is based on protecting the concept of a free, equal, and unhindered space to worship without Government intervention or interference. As Jefferson interpreted the 1st Amendment in 1802 in his response to the Baptist Association,
“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.”
Both Greg and Chris Koos presumably graduated from the old Trinity High School. It would be interesting to know if either are parish members or are currently members of any other parish in town. Knowing their far left politics, it’s doubtful either have been inside the church for years except for a funeral or wedding.
The Randall Smith debacle should be an exhibit for government at is worst. Randall was a seasoned veteran from WW2, and fought for our freedom. The city took his property, and then lost a ton of taxpayer dollars. “I am from the government, and am here to help”
Property rights are the #1 reason for the City not to interfere. However, the narrow 4-3 vote by the Commission was based on misinformation. An argument in favor of the S-4 designation was the availability of Federal Tax Credit funding. As tax-exempt entities, churches (nonprofits) do not qualify. Holy Trinity Church has been listed on the National Historic Registry since 1983.
5 aldermen won’t care