@billybob : You keep mentioning Peoria. but you fail to include all of the other towns in the surrounding area just like HipKat did. There is more to this area than just Peoria.@HipKat : I was just lamenting the fact that we don't and probably never will have another Bob Larson, Bill Houlihan, or Tom McIntyre type figure on the TV news. Nothing more, nothing less.I guess we are more backwater than Buffalo, but then again, we didn't have our governor throw a billion dollars at us to fix things up.

Years ago there was a news anchor at WMBD that was therr for awhile. He left Peoria for s job in NYC where he was for years on the Number 1 newscast in that market.
Bill Houlihan was a weather man for a few decades in Peoria back in tbe day. He retired from there. However, in those days at local stations, loyalty was a two way street between management and staff, Not so anymore. Management just wants and needs to do things the cheapest way possible. That leads to the high rate of turnover after a short time and the cycle continues.

@billybob : I understand the reasons behind the current situation. I was just expressing how it is unfortunate that we will never see the good old days ever again.

@Tazewell : Jealous??

@HipKat : Both Peoria and its citizens would have money if our "esteemed" city councils over the last 30 years wouldn't have cluster****ed us into spiraling red chasm of financial ruin. If Rauner gave us a billion dollars, they'd screw that up, we'd still be in debt but have a bunch of shiny new things, less police and shittier roads.

@ChefKevin : That's kind've what I started to reply to @Tazewell, more or less, but "Jealous" just sounded better at the time.

@Tazewell : buffalo is similar to an overgrown pekin with terrible weather. just a total dump.

@jimthompson : @Tazewell : Words of people who know not what they're talking about

@HipKat : Wish I had pictures of canalside. Next time.

@Tazewell
I guess the compliments you received about a civil and well spoken debate have been ****-canned...

@Tazewell :

In Buffalo there are areas of free downtown parking.It has been proven to be a major success for downtown renewal. The light rail system has some stations on street level downtown. Travel between those stations is free before the train goes underground. Again, it has greatly helped downtown.
Lots of private money from Buffalo individuals, corporations and other institutions has been heavily invested in very successful renewal projects in Buffalo. That approach to it all is in stark contrast to Peoria in many ways including the results.

@billybob : That's Pearl Street Grill. I used to book all the music there. 3 floors. Blues/Jazz club in the basement. Mainstream bands on the main floor. Banquet hall on the 3rd floor for bigger touring acts.