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" To: c.a.t.s - because they are too busy playing golf in Galena!! "

" Does the Pantagraph have it out for Bloomington or what? It seems like weak justification that the Pantagraph is looking into travel expenses as part of the budget story because these costs are so small compared to the budget. It's really strange that the resulting story would be on page one. If the intent was to do investigative reporting or embarrass the mayor and alderman, it seems that it backfired, because these expenses sound very reasonable to me, especially since that first trip to Japan was paid for out of the mayor's own pocket and most aldermen are staying with relatives instead of in hotels. Why doesn't the Pantagraph do a similar story on Normal's (or any other city's) travel expenses as a comparison? And why does the Pantagraph insist on putting the coliseum losses on the front page each month? Mayor Stockton and most of the aldermen predicted it would lose money, and the loss is hardly news to many of us that didn't support it in the first place. There's something funny about this, maybe it's just that the Pantagraph wants to create controversies to sell papers and make the bucks. Anyway, this is pretty weak journalism. "

" Must be a slow news cycle. . . . I love how we get itemized July and August lunch expenses to a total of about $55! Big potential for savings there!! Come on Pantagraph, try printing some actual news! "

" To Play Mayor: sounds like you do not respect the fact someone is willing to work for nothing. Why don't you try it? Anyone who does the mayor's job with the issues Judy left him with deserves to be praised and not critized. Did you ever consider he doesn't need the money because he has worked his whole life for SF and planned well? You don't even know what he looks like - his hair isn't black! When is the last time you did something for nothing? "

" Sounds pretty cheap to me. STOCKTON FOR GOV. !!! "

" How does this story merit front page placement in today's paper?? So the Council is talking about lowering their travel budget by a few thousand dollars. Big deal! Unit 5 announces the cost of their new building program at $96 million and that lands on page 3. ??? Back to Bloomington, when they start talking about the "real cuts" to reduce their $3 million dollar budget deficit, then a front page story will be justified. My question is, will they ever make "real cuts" in the budget? Thus far all I have seen is hand wringing from this Council. There has been no real public discussion about what services they are thinking about reducing or eliminating...other than their recent decision not to lay off any employees. So, the Council plans to cut $3 million out of the budget with no reduction in employees...Good luck with that strategy. "

" Stockton is a play-mayor. As a charter member of the monied elite in this town he doesnt even need his salary (as he will tell you ad nauseum at social events). He can pick and choose which expenses to seek reimbursement for to put himself in the most favorable light. He is as phony as that black stuff he puts in his hair. "

" I am sure that Alderwoman Stearns stayed at her home in Oak Park. That is where her corporation and multiple tax documents says she lives. "

" I agree with Slightly. I have seen many other companies spend a lot more than this on travel within the state.(see Gov Rod stories) Sounds like a pretty cheap trip to Japan. "

" Does not take much for you does it? "

" $300 to $400 to send Hamilton to an Illinois city managers meeting in Galena. why didnt they teach him how to manage??? "

" No outlandish or extravagent expenditures here, so what's the point of the story? To get the "Judydome" mouth-breathers all fired up again? "