Richerson out as CEO of Peoria Riverfront Museum; Ritschel named interim CEO
- Details
- Published on 16 May 2013
- Written by Paul Gordon
Mired recently in some controversy over the
Yet the museum’s board declined on Thursday to say why the individual perhaps most responsible for the new museum getting built and transitioning from
Nor would
Richerson could not be reached for comment.
Debbie Ritschel, retired general manager of the
Ransburg called the news conference in response to media inquiries about Richerson after a brief news release Thursday said simply that the board announced Richerson “is leaving his position as PRM President and CEO effective May 16.”
But no matter how many ways reporters asked the question during the news conference Ransburg refused to say what had transpired during the board meeting or whether Richerson was fired or resigned. “It’s a personnel matter. We can’t discuss it,” he said.
He did say that the audit report that was expected by the Peoria County Board was completed and approved by the museum board on Wednesday and that the two boards will meet soon.
Ransburg also said that the county did not have to worry that the museum is going to ask it for operating funds for the museum. “We’ve assured them we are not going to do that, that will do whatever we have to in fundraising or whatever it takes to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Ransburg said.
He also, however, criticized media coverage of the audit situation and museum attendance figures. “Unfortunately the story became more about the absence of the numbers than about the numbers themselves,” he said.
Morris and
Attendance is below projects for the museum’s fiscal year, which ends June 30.
The
Ransburg expressed confidence the numbers will go up. “Next year is going to be very different,” he said, noting programs are fully in place, the big screen theatre that struggled early on is now operating as planned and marketing is in high gear.
He cited surveys done of Riverfront Museum patrons since the facility open that showed 95 percent enjoyed the experience and said they would recommend the museum to people they know.
Richerson’s departure comes less than two weeks after operations of the museum were restructured, with some jobs eliminated and others repositioned to, in his words, better meet the needs of the patrons while improving operating efficiency and cost effectiveness.
The board did not vote on the restructuring, Ransburg said. Asked if he and the board supported the moves he responded only with, “We were aware of it.”
Regarding Richerson’s replacement, Ransburg said a national search would begin soon and that the board would be looking for a person with strong marketing skills as well as strong management abilities and how to use and schedule staff in a complex facility. Those are skills Ritschel used at the
Ransburg said it’s likely an effective search firm would be employed to find candidates and he hoped it would be completed in two to six months.
Richerson was hired as CEO of Lakeview Museum about 13 years ago and was told by that board of directors that one of his duties would be to expand the museum. He spearheaded the effort to get the
Part of I-74 may be renamed to honor LaHood
- Details
- Published on 15 May 2013
- Written by Paul Gordon
Ray LaHood doesn't believe he deserves any special recognition for his many years of public service, but he nonetheless feels honored by a proposal in the Illinois General Assembly to rename part of Interstate 74 in his honor.
State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, introduced the legislation to rename I-74 from the Murray Baker Bridge to the Sterling Avenue exit the Ray LaHood Highway, a stretch of about six miles. It would honor both his service as Secretary of Transportation under the current administration as well as his help securing federal funds for I-74 improvements when he represented the 18th District in Congress. That stretch received the most amount of work.
"Peoria has been privileged to have a statesman, strong advocate, and dedicated leader in Ray LaHood," said Gordon-Booth. "He has always put the needs of the Peoria community over political divisions and worked diligently on behalf of its residents. Renaming Interstate 74 in his honor is a small but meaningful way to thank Secretary LaHood for his tireless work."
LaHood said Wednesday that he was stunned when he heard about the proposal. "Obviously, I was very surprised. I never even thought about something like that," he said.
"I always just though about my public service work as serving the people in the best way way I could. I didn't ever expect to get this kind of recognition. I don't deserve it, frankly," he said.
A life-long Peoria resident, LaHood began his career in public service as a teacher after graduating from Bradley University.
Later in his career, LaHood served as administrative assistant to former congressmen Tom Railsback and Bob Michel, eventually becoming Michel's chief-of-staff. After Michel retired from office in 1994, LaHood ran for the 18th Congressional District and won.
Throughout his Congressional career LaHood focused on the needs of his district over partisan politics. In addition to promoting transportation projects to help communities throughout his district grow, LaHood was also a strong supporter of building the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield.
After retiring from Congress in 2008, LaHood was chosen by President Barack Obama to serve as Secretary of Transportation, the only Republican to serve on Obama's Cabinet. In this position, he helped promote infrastructure upgrades and advocated for road safety.
He is retiring from the position soon, after his replacement, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
"Ray LaHood has made a lasting impact on Peoria and its surrounding communities," said Gordon-Booth. "This is an honor befitting a man who had dedicated his life to public service and making our region and state stronger."
The Bob Michel Bridge was named in honor of LaHood's Congressional mentor and predecessor after he retired. It has become on of the area's heaviest traveled bridges, carrying vehicles between downtown Peoria and the riverfront developments in East Peoria.
Gov. Quinn signs bill transferring Wildlife Prairie Park to private ownership
- Details
- Published on 11 May 2013
- Written by Paul Gordon
Looking out over the prairie, it appeared that even the buffalo and deer and those noisy geese had come to watch what was a festive occasion Saturday at Wildlife Prairie Park.
Many of the animals were just below the deck where Gov. Pat Quinn signed the bill officially transferring ownership of the park back into private hands, to the Forest Park Foundation.
(Photo by Paul Gordon) Gov. Pat Quinn signs House Bill 1292, which transfers ownership of Wildlife Prairie Park from the state back to the Forest Park Foundation. He signed the bill during a ceremony at the park on Saturday.In bright sunshine and warm temperatures the governor joined several local dignitaries, including local lawmakers who helped get the bill through the Illinois General Assembly, for a ceremony they said was more than two years in the making.
"Bill Rutherford would have been very proud of this effort," the governor said, speaking about the founder of Wildlife Prairie Park, the 2,000-acre wildlife refuge just west of Peoria where animals native to Illinois are allowed to flourish in their native habitat.
"This has always been a very special place, a place where people get the unique opportunity to see wildlife and nature up close. Bill and Hazel Rutherford wanted it that way. Bill once told me one of his greatest pleasures was seeing other people enjoy nature," Quinn remarked.
He praised the efforts of people like Bill Cirone, president of the board of Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park, and Mark Miller, head of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, for their commitment to conversation without which the park probably would not have survived.
(Photo by Paul Gordon) Gov. Pat Quinn looks out at the buffalo and deer that had gathered near the deck where he signed the bill giving ownership of Wildlife Prairie Park back to the Forest Park Foundation.He also saluted the efforts of area legislators for working hard in Springfield with a non-partisan spirit to get the legislation passed. He cited State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, who could not attend the bill signing ceremony because of a funeral in her family; State Rep. Mike Unes, R-East Peoria, State Rep. David Leitch, R-Peoria, and State Senators David Koehler, D-Peoria and Darin LaHood, R-Peoria.
Cirone said that while the process took longer than he would have liked, "I have had the privilege these last two and a half years of watching government and the private sector working together. I am proud of our representation. This is a perfect example of true representation, when we can put personal feelings aside and work for the common good. Never for one minute did any of us feel we would not accomplish this."
Cirone noted that the park has 140,000 visitors a year and educates more than 50,000 children and young adults through its various programs. "We are committed to the long-term growth of Peoria and the region," he said.
Miller, who Quinn and Cirone praised for working closely with the Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park to make sure the Rutherfords' original goals were upheld, said the park has been great for conservation, recreation and education. "Connecting people to nature and their heritage," he said.
The state had control of the park since Rutherford deeded it to the state in 2000, believing the state could best preserve the land as a state park. However, the sate's fiscal woes caused it difficulty in that effort and for the past several years it was the work of the volunteers of Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park that kept it viable.
Miller said transferring ownership back into private hands would allow for the kind of fundraising necessary to operate the park that the state was unable to do. "We all love the education and family oriented programs at Wildlife Prairie Park and trust that those programs and fun activities will be around for many years to come thanks to the local support that has long been a hallmark of this facility," he said.
Several legislators spoke as well, all noting the bipartisan efforts and the importance of the park to their constituents.
"I feel right at home here," Koehler said, looking out at the buffalo and deer nearby and adding that he grew up in South Dakota, where there are still buffalo.
LaHood said this bill was "a prime example of what a bipartisan effort can accomplish."
Unes mentioned that he brought his four children to the bill signing ceremony because he wanted them to witness such an important occasion for their future.
Leitch said legislators recognized the importance of preserving Wildlife Prairie Park "and opening opportunities for generations to come."
Also on Saturday the governor's office announced it awarded 45 grants worth a total of $15.3 million for various land and park projects throughout the state. One of those grants was awarded to the Peoria Park District, $217,500 to develop the Tawny Oaks Nature Center on land adjacent to Singing Woods, an Illinois State Dedicated Nature Preserve.
Bonnie Noble, executive director of the Peoria Park District said the grant, which combines state, federal and local matching funds, will be used not only to develop a visitors center but also prairie area that can be used for conversation and education.
Impact Wrestling to broadcast live from Peoria
- Details
- Published on 14 May 2013
- Written by Paul Gordon
Area wrestling fans can be part of the live action when TNA Impact Wrestling broadcasts live from the Peoria Civic Center on Thursday, June 20.
The Civic Center announced the show with Impact Wresling heavyweight superstar Joseph Park during a news conference Tuesday.
The show will begin at 7 p.m. on Spike TV. Tickets will go on sale Friday at the Civic Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.
TNA Impact Wrestling star Joseph Park, center, is flanked by Jim Wetherington, general manager of the Peoria Civic Center, and Eric Turner, Peoria City Councilman, during a news conference Tuesday to announce TNA Impact Wrestling will broadcast its June 20 show on Spike TV live from the Civic Center."We are looking forward to having our first TNA Impact Wrestling event at the Peoria Civic Center, and we are eager to have our first live TV shoot wrestling event in years," said Civic Center General Manager Jim Wetherington. "We know that this is something our wrestling fans will really be excited about."
Also on hand Tuesday was Peoria City Councilman Eric Turner, who was presented with an honorary heavyweight champion belt from TNA Impact Wrestling. Turner is a big fan of wrestling, he said.
According to a TNA (Total Nonstop Action) news release, Impact Wrestling Live events include "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan and "The Icon" Sting leading Impact Wrestling superstars such as TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bully Ray, Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, "The Cowboy" James Storm and Austin Aries, plus the renegade faction Aces & Eights and "the lovely and lethal TNA Knockouts."
Tickets start at $15, and fans also have the opportunity to purchase $125 tickets to the Knockout Zone, a section of floor seats hosted by TNA Knockouts Christy Hemme and Socal Val that includes a buffet-style food and beverage service and appearances from TNA Knockouts.
Peoria will be the eighth city to host Impact Wrestling since the show went on the road earlier this year. The first two hours of the event will air live on Spike TV starting at 8 p.m. on June 20, with the second part of the show taped to air June 27.
Impact Wrestling airs every Thursday on Spike TV at 7 p.m. central time (moving to 8 p.m. central beginning May 30) and is regularly one of the network's top-rated shows. It airs in more than 120 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.IMPACTWRESTLING.com.
Movie review: "Iron Man 3" delivers
- Details
- Published on 10 May 2013
- Written by Tim Wyman
(7 out of 10 stars)
(Rated PG-13 for violence, language and adult situations; 130 Minutes)
The 2013 summer movie season is here, and it opened with a bang — literally lots of them —with "Iron Man 3."
If big-budget, high-action, witty one-liner movies with beautiful actors, a passable plot line and lots of CGI are your thing, then "Iron Man 3" is sure to please.
The third iteration of the series, the movie brings back Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, the uber-billionaire playboy-philanthropist-savior of the world. Thankfully, he is as remarkable and consistent as he has always been. While not necessarily a degradation of the movie, Downey Jr. is the absolute best thing about this trilogy. His quick wit, delivery, and personality effervesce and exude in this movie and, while not quite as replete as the first two movies, there are more than enough witticisms to keep everyone happy.
Just like the writers of the prior movies, Shane Black (who also directs) realizes he is not just blessed with a big-budget and a franchise movie name. In Downey Jr. he has one of the most able actors of his generation. Black writes well and lets Downey Jr. blow off his acting wings.
A much darker movie than the first two (read: not complex or smart), Downey blows the doors off this film. I would like to see him sometime soon, during his seemingly brief hiatuses between Iron Man and Avenger movies, grab a dark, deep, and layered script and show the rest of the world he is much more than Tony Stark and capable of what he showed us in "Less Than Zero."
The rest of the usual suspects — err, cast — is back in good form. Gwyneth Paltrow (as Pepper Potts) is vastly underrated as an actress, and here again, she does not disappoint. Don Cheadle and Jon Favreau round out the cast and I must admit I was disappointed that the writers of these movies continually underutilize Cheadle's talents. His scenes are mundane and his character is simply used as resolutions to plot devices.
While this is a great popcorn movie, it did leave a lot for those who want more for their $15 (yeah, iMax in Peoria is going for $15). The villain of the story (there is always a villain) is created with the most eye-rolling of reasons. Played admirably by Guy Pearce, his character is wafer-thin and is written more with the idea of giving Tony Stark more hurdles to jump instead of offering an overall satisfying experience.
As vacuous as the antagonist plot line is, in the middle of it all is Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley, who plays The Mandarin. Kingsley is beyond wonderful in this role, and for spoiler concern I can tell you nothing more than he is side-splittingly, tear-invoking funny. Make certain you do not make a soda run in the middle of the movie.
Written and directed by Shane Black, with shared writing credit with Drew Pearce, this iteration of Iron Man shares too much commonality with Black's "Lethal Weapon" series. I appreciate and enjoyed his darker attempt with Downey Jr., but was put off by the linear plot line. Part of the charm of the Iron Man series (at least for us guys) is the cool techno gadgetry that we get to see. I have to admit, I enjoy good computer generated imagery (CGI) as much as the next guy, but I found about half-way through the movie asking myself when I was going to see Tony Stark in the suit.
If you are anything like me, this movie is not to be missed for the special effects and CGI. There is an air rescue scene of passengers who were sucked out of Air Force One (no spoiler; it was in the trailer) that is devastatingly good. The final scene with an army of Iron Men is worth the price of admission.
Please do not misunderstand. I enjoy vapid story lines in the summer blockbuster extravaganzas because they are replete with all the formula points I have already discussed. Of course there were tons of "there's no way that happens" moments in the show. If you can turn that part of your brain off and enjoy the movie for what it is, you will be all the better for it.
"Iron Man 3" follows that summer movie formula that is so often chastised and gives every audience member what they came to see — with the exception of a brain-deadening antagonist. That aside, it was a very satisfying movie that came with everything it promised.
Thank goodness summer is here — if not for the warm weather, then for the summer movie season.
I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
