Pantagraph.com | News | Bloomington, Normal councils go on a date

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

knowing is half the battle wrote on Sep 10, 2008 9:59 PM:

" Of course Normal paid the bill. Bloomington's a little light on coin right now. "

deanwormer wrote on Sep 10, 2008 9:07 PM:

" please explain the bill of $700. itemize!!!!!!!!!!!!! i take my entire family, there are 11 of us and it costs less than $150 to include the tip. this is not a legitimate expense and should be look at by the states attorney for fraudulent use of taxpayer funds. leave to cheryl gaines and karen schmidt to come up with something like this. their input during meetings is just as worthless as this endeavor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

Grandma of Two wrote on Sep 10, 2008 4:56 PM:

" According to IRS standards, this is not a legitimate expense. No business discussed. Just a bunch of "friends" getting together for a good meal and wine. Yes, it was interesting that we don't know the amount of the wine bill. I agree. Each person should be able to foot their own bills the next time they get together and share their most intermost thoughts. "

Truth and Justice wrote on Sep 10, 2008 3:43 PM:

" You might know this was the brainchild of Karen Schmidt - the queen of doing nothing but meetings. She's a nice lady but is all talk. "

normalguy wrote on Sep 10, 2008 2:56 PM:

" The paper refused to print the bill for the wine and only mentioned the bill for the food.why is that? but admitting someone is a third child sure is an eye opener. whats next? is there a first born? maybe an oops among them? glad there arent any pressing issues in B/N. crime doesnt exist, the people are happy. lets eat drink and be merry. "

zip1542 wrote on Sep 10, 2008 2:03 PM:

" The elites meet!!! Now instead of just talking about getting to know one another and learning to work together. JUST DO IT! Talk about crime, better roads, the westside, education and things that are important. Not about the Main Street Corridor or water functions in UPPITY down town Normal "

lil man wrote on Sep 10, 2008 1:30 PM:

" So this where my hard earned money go to ...... "

DJO wrote on Sep 10, 2008 1:28 PM:

" Not trying to sound negative but, given the Twin Cities area is a "community without any obvious borders" shouldn't an open dialogue between the two Councils ALREADY be standard operating practice? Why is someone just figuring this out now? "

BNHuman wrote on Sep 10, 2008 1:22 PM:

" You have got to be kidding! You have to goto dinner to learn to get along! Get a clue. I agree next time have a potluck at either a park or public building. If you are concerned about the booze have it at one of the local golf courses. But first. Repay the city of Normal the cost of your dinner. "

Green Hornet wrote on Sep 10, 2008 1:19 PM:

" Overheard at the joint council dinner... Normal Councilman:"Say, just how DID you guys get that arena in Bloomington?" Bloomington Alderman: "We'll be glad to tell you if you tell us how you got a hotel uptown!" "

Crybaby wrote on Sep 10, 2008 1:04 PM:

" Chris makes guitars. And says that sometimes folks will disagree. And chose the wine. About which they surely disagreed. And Cheryl and Karen admit that eating out is more important than talking about issues. And Mayor Stockton echoed their sentiment. And Steve Purcell drops a big bombshell. And Biaggi’s charged $700. Now, was that just Cheryl/Karen/Steve's bill? Also, does anyone know if the other Council members not mentioned by name were allowed to say anything? Or, if so, did they drop any juicy tidbits? Or even get to stay for dinner? And were the festivities televised? Also, am I reading too much into this story? "

alexp wrote on Sep 10, 2008 12:06 PM:

" I just don't see how anyone can hold a conversation at Biaggi's. The background noise is real loud in there.

It is unfortunate tax payer dollars were used to pay for this dinner. "

Charlemagne wrote on Sep 10, 2008 11:27 AM:

" to gelfing
Only in America is just a very negative bitter person. He would find the negative in any situation and proceed to whine and complain about it before he uses his tag line. Kinda pathetic. "

BigBrother wrote on Sep 10, 2008 11:06 AM:

" $700.00? The ymust have gotten the government rate! "

Inaperfectworld wrote on Sep 10, 2008 11:03 AM:

" "Bloomington Mayor Steve Stockton echoed Gaines’ comments, saying the evening was more about strengthening the relationship between the two councils."

I would think this would be well worth the $700 spent. Way to go Cheryl Gaines for organizing this dinner! Hopefully a little "sandbox 101" will help the two councils come up with some solutions that work for both cities. A little wine will help make the problems easier to swallow. "

mds1 wrote on Sep 10, 2008 10:34 AM:

" To Francisrook: Don't you know wine isn't allowed in the public parks. Also. I don't think I'd want to eat anything they brought to a potluck; what the 2 councils have been bringing to the table recently has soured my stomach. I worry about the councils alternating the charges for these dinners from one town paying one time, to the other paying the next time. Seems to me it's just another way of letting the taxpayers foot the bill for their dinner. Besides, if this isn't for official business, but just to get together to foster communication, why are any of the taxpayers footing the bill. If they want to learn how to play nice with each other they should pay their own bills. "

francisrook wrote on Sep 10, 2008 10:09 AM:

" Have these people ever heard of a pot luck at a public park? This is when one person brings an cooked item from home to share (costing citizens nothing to feed elected officials). You then meet at a public park (that is already bought and paid for with tax dollars). You can share your most intimate of fealings there... Do you know that some people in the twin cities can not afford to eat at Biaggi's? These are even honest people with jobs... Yet you people eat there on their backs and place it in the paper. This is laughable Washington politics in our hometown. "

Venture Bros. wrote on Sep 10, 2008 9:20 AM:

" Amazing. Steve Purcell really opened up with that stunning admission of his. sheeesh. What a waste of time and tax money on this dinner. "

gelfing wrote on Sep 10, 2008 9:01 AM:

" What Only in America??

How did you go from Normal Paying a bill for a inter-city council meet-and-greet to bloomington buying mcdonands and america dumbing? Big stretch man!!

I think this is a good thing. Anything that can be done to foster cooperation between the two cities is a good thing!! "

ONLY IN AMERICA wrote on Sep 10, 2008 8:41 AM:

" The good news is Normal paid for the bill this time... the bad news is Bloomington will pay for the next one at McDonalds.... Happy Meals with a toy for everyone !!!!
Taxpayer money well spent ??????

THE DUMBING OF AMERICA CONTINUES !!!! "

The Irascible Fachna wrote on Sep 10, 2008 8:20 AM:

" I did not know that about Steve Purcell. Will wonders never cease? "

Chelly wrote on Sep 10, 2008 7:44 AM:

" How many people were at this meeting that it cost over $700 in food? I have been to Biaggi's with a family of 5 and the bill was around $100. I think this was more of a get together than a meeting as no offical business was discussed. "

normalperson wrote on Sep 10, 2008 7:23 AM:

" I just do not understand this "Home Rule" club. We elect members to the County Board and it seems they are kept in the dark and out of the way. I think it is just arrogant that they were excluded. Also, was this published in advance? When there are a certain number together they must publish a public meeting notice...... "

justaperson wrote on Sep 10, 2008 7:04 AM:

" Now does this constitute a "meeting" and must then adhear to the open meetings act where the general public can attend to oversee? "

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