Question: What has accommodations for train passengers and bus passengers, offices, Council chambers, a funky clock, and a $22 million (million!) federal grant?
Answer: The soon-to-be-built Normal Multimodal Transportation Center.
Value for Normal's future: Priceless!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Normal Term Limits?
I just read that the former Mayor of Honolulu, Frank Fasi, died. He had served as mayor for 22 years!! Known as "Fearless Frank," he once drove a bulldozer to the parking lot next to City Hall and had the parking lot transformed into a park (now named for him). The NYT obituary also says that Mayor Fasi had tried to start a light-rail network (it's about to be built), he bought a private bus company to end a bus strike, and he started community gardens and farmers' markets.
On the one hand, maybe when an elected official becomes known as "Fearless," it's time to think about term limits. On the other hand, citizens kept reelecting him, so they must have approved of his actions. Normal mayors serve 4-year terms but there doesn't seem to be a limit on how many terms they may serve. Should there be a limit?
On the one hand, maybe when an elected official becomes known as "Fearless," it's time to think about term limits. On the other hand, citizens kept reelecting him, so they must have approved of his actions. Normal mayors serve 4-year terms but there doesn't seem to be a limit on how many terms they may serve. Should there be a limit?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Normal Valentine
“I Love Normal” (to the tune “I Love Paris” – with embellishments)
Every time I look down on this timeless (college) town,
Whether blue or gray (or threatening green) be her skies,
Whether loud (like car stereos) be her cheers,
Or whether soft (like slushy snow) be her tears,
More and more do I realize that. . .
I love Normal in the (severe weather) spring time.
I love Normal in the (blustery) fall.
I love Normal in the (humid) summer when it sizzles.
I love Normal in the (bitterly cold, icy) winter when it drizzles.
I love Normal every (windy) moment,
Every moment of the year.
I love Normal. Why, oh why, do I love Normal?
Because my love (job) is here.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Normal Rankings
The city-data.com website has “Top 100 Cities” and “Top 101 Cities” lists. I found a few that include Normal:
Top 101 cities with largest percentage of workers with very short commute times (9 minutes or less) (population 50,000+) -- Normal ranks 22nd with 26.4%
Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in occupations: Legal occupations: (population 5,000+)(population 50,000+) -- Normal ranks 86th with just .9%
Top 101 cities with largest percentage of females working in industry: Finance and insurance (population 5,000+)(population 50,000+) – Normal ranks 75th with 15.8% (Bloomington ranks 1st with 26%)
Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males working in industry: Finance and insurance (population 5,000+)(population 50,000+) -- Normal ranks 5th with 14% (Bloomington ranks 2nd with 20.8%)
Top 100 Cities with Highest Percentage of College Students -- Normal ranks 87th with 37.6%
Top 101 cities with largest percentage of workers with very short commute times (9 minutes or less) (population 50,000+) -- Normal ranks 22nd with 26.4%
Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in occupations: Legal occupations: (population 5,000+)(population 50,000+) -- Normal ranks 86th with just .9%
Top 101 cities with largest percentage of females working in industry: Finance and insurance (population 5,000+)(population 50,000+) – Normal ranks 75th with 15.8% (Bloomington ranks 1st with 26%)
Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males working in industry: Finance and insurance (population 5,000+)(population 50,000+) -- Normal ranks 5th with 14% (Bloomington ranks 2nd with 20.8%)
Top 100 Cities with Highest Percentage of College Students -- Normal ranks 87th with 37.6%
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Normal Photos Needed!
The web site city-data.com is having a contest: send in pictures of Normal (or any town/city on their site) and you could win one of 6 $200 prizes. They want JPEG pictures that don't feature people, just the town. The contest ends March 31, so enter soon!! Let's flood them with pictures of lovely Normal!
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