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Bloggers ought to show their mettle

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Illinois

* Normally, I would consider this a very positive move…

Springfield has hosted conventions of every description from toothpick holder collectors on up, or on down, depending on your perspective. This weekend, in what is surely a first, we are hosting bloggers.

Staffers from the Illinois Bureau of Tourism have spent the last six months identifying and tracking down bloggers. The state has invited them to spend this weekend experiencing what Springfield has to offer. They expect about 10 to come to town.

Again, normally this would be an innovative step, even if the state has hired a gaint PR firm to handle the meetup and only about ten bloggers are planning to show. It takes time to develop a program like this, and, besides, why should dead tree reporters get all the attention?

* But, as I wrote on the firm’s FaceBook meetup page the other day…

Will this meetup also include a tour of the historic Lincoln and other sites that the state is closing down soon?

* The comment inspired a response…

Rich -

The itinerary does include a couple of the sites whose hours of operation are affected to some extent; however, all of those included in the itinerary remain open to the public for at least one day a week.

The Illinois Bureau of Tourism (IBOT) continues to promote the sites affected, and encourages travelers to explore these and other area attractions.

* The FB meetup page still includes a stop at the Dana-Thomas House, which is closing its doors on October 1st. It won’t “remain open to the public for at least one day a week.”

* Back to the orginal story for more…

An early itinerary for this weekend included showing the bloggers the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site. That turned out to be unfortunate, considering that the house will close on Oct. 1. Instead, blogger weekend will focus more on Springfield’s Lincoln sites and restaurants.

“Unfortunate” is right.

* What we have here is a public relations push for Illinois tourism at exactly the same time that the governor and the General Assembly are combining to devastate Illinois tourism in areas throughout Downstate Illinois. Also, I want to make this as clear as I can: The PR firm isn’t to blame, and neither is the tourism agency. They’re doing what they do.

But it would be nice if the bloggers who attend (I have lots of family members coming to town this weekend so I probably won’t be able to make it, but I might) would ask some pointed questions about the site closures and how this will impact tourism.

Here’s a handy list of the historic site closures for all attendees…

— Dana-Thomas House, Springfield
— Lincoln log cabin near Charleston
— David Davis mansion, Bloomington
— Fort de Chartres, Randolph County
— Vandalia statehouse
— State center at Bishop Hill, Henry County
— Carl Sandburg birthplace, Galesburg
— Cahokia courthouse
— Bryant Cottage, Bement
— Jubilee College, near Peoria
— Apple River Fort, Elizabeth
— Fort Kaskaskia, Randolph County
— Pierre Menard home, Randolph County

* Related…

* Kickapoo concerns dominate Vermilion County Board meeting

* Burzynski to co-host hearing about funding cuts

* Online petition to fight state closings

* Community protests closing of historic site in Elizabeth

* Editorial: Plan needed to reclaim Weldon Springs park

* Rep. Bill Mitchell: Closing Weldon Springs would be a crime

* ‘Miracle in Illinois’ needs letter writers

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 9:21 am

Comments

Toothpick holder convention?
Where?!

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 9:23 am
I want to see Blagojevich’s “Do Right” pen! Will they tour his basement?

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 9:26 am
I’m pretty sure Blago doesn’t have the testicular virility to go through with these cuts. He just wants to ride in on a white horse and say I found the money and will keep the parks open.

I have mixed feeling because if the cuts do go through, I believe it could hasten him leaving office, however, it would adversely affect many people in the short run.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 9:34 am
“What we have here is a public relations push for Illinois tourism at exactly the same time that the governor and the General Assembly are combining to devastate Illinois tourism in areas throughout Downstate Illinois.”

The irony in this is not lost. Does the governor believe the way to grow Illinois is to close the attractions that bring people here? I continue to be amazed at the lack of leadership.

Comment by Fan of the Game Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 9:36 am
The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park is a huge tourism engine. It is insane to me that the Dana House — an international gem, and one of Wright’s most beautiful homes — is being closed instead of being marketed to architecture fans worldwide.

Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 9:40 am
Tour highlights:

Bridgeview Governor’s Residence: This is the home where reclusive governor Rod Blagojevich hid from 2003 until 2011. We will take a look at all the skeletons in each of his closets, see the Paul Powell shoebox where he kept $25,000 “job applications”, and have a seminar on Governor Blagojevich’s hair care product usage. Other highlights include the Governor’s John Wayne pajamas, his Chicago Cubs “dugout” room, and his unique weight room where nothing is heavier than 2 pounds. It has no library or study.

Blagojevich Escape Routes: To move about without detection from the general public, numberous court summons, and Rich Miller, Governor Blagojevich utilized many escape routes throughout Springfield and Chicago. We will walk through hotel kitchens, slide through laundry chutes, dumpster dive in alleys, and crab-walk under John Kass.

For more highlights, contact the Illinois Bureau of Tourism - before we close.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 9:40 am
Well, Phineas, if the governor is buffing he’s not holding back any cards–lay-off package after lay-off package have been sent out and received. In all the years of threats to close parks, none have gone this far.

On another note, if one gets the change to visit Bishop Hill, stop at the Red Oak if you’re into swedish meatballs and homemade noodles with rye bread. I hope the Red Oak can keep going without the state’s part in the site. They have branched out with home deliveries and I hope tourism loss does not force it to close. So many cool little places in NW IL region 1 …

Comment by Princess Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 9:45 am
Staffers worked for six months and Edelman? That’s a lot of firepower to set up any show.

There’s still not a peep up north in the dailies or broadcast outlets on the historic sites and parks closings. Sad.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 9:54 am
Is it fair to mention the EmptySuit Mitchell voted “no” on all spending bills this year? Guess he was not worried about parks and sites then.
Just askin’
Perhaps StateWideTom will ’splain later

Comment by EmptySuitParade Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 10:04 am
Here is the Edelman PR on their government work…Edelman has established a strong, sound and respected presence within the Government arena. As one of the nation’s leading PR firms and the largest independent firm, Edelman provides the very same award-winning teams and effort to our government clients that we do to our commercial clients. With this philosophy as our guide, Edelman’s performance of services continues to far exceed the expectations of our government customers - both GSA and non-GSA alike. Edelman’s GSA contract number is GS-23F-0273N.

With each government account, we manage costs while never compromising quality and inject creativity into all programs, events and materials. Edelman understands the unique complexity of working with government agencies and our teams make themselves accessible for the rapid-turnarounds that are often required by government clients.
Specific industry strengths we touch on in our government work include, but are not limited to, healthcare, science, the environment, transportation, food & nutrition, and consumer and social marketing. Current federal and state government clients include the Government Services Agency (GSA), National Institutes of Health Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Illinois Department of Travel and Tourism, U.S. Department of Commerce/Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.

Neal Flieger
General Manager, Public Affairs

Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 10:08 am
Perhaps they could be leased (not sold) to the private sector to be ran as a business. Tourism dollars could continue to flow in areas with historical sites.

Comment by Silverback Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 10:25 am
Princess,

When I say he won’t go through with the cuts, I really should clarify myself. He will do whatever it takes to make himself look like a hero-in his mind. If that means letting the parks and sites shut down for a short time or even over the winter-so be it. The point is-when can he look like the savior.

The fact that the Chicago media hasn’t picked this up yet really is what is causing his bluff to progress. He won’t think he is a hero until he can save the day on WLS Channel 7.

The sooner the Chicago news picks up this fiasco, the sooner he will saddle his white horse. Of course, that doesn’t help the poor folks who have to have their lives upended while he governs his way into infamy.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 10:35 am
I wonder who + how many got invited if only 10 are showing up?

The SJR article wouldn’t load so if the info’s in there I wasn’t able to read it.

Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 10:38 am
Can we still see Mexican President Santa Anna’s leather and cork leg at the military museum out near the Springfield Airport? It was seized by an Illinois regiment at the Battle of Cerro Gordo in 1848 during the Mexican War.

Comment by Legal Eagle Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 10:39 am
Legal Eagle, no kidding? Do you know the name of the place?

Does the Illinois State Museum have the clout or capacity to safeguard any of the artifacts that might be put at risk by the closings?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 10:51 am
Phineas, tell that to the guys who are scheduled to be in lay-off meeting the 15 thru the 17th, every 15 minutes. They must make their decision as to what they intend to do (retire,bump, k-list ect). You realize, right, that even if few months or the winter of closure does not work in some sites nor does it address the wealth of knowledge and experience of the the individual sites that will be gone if or when the site may reopen. I may also note that Chicago was like the last to know about the flooding this summer in S.IL, oif their doorstep was not flooding, hey, it wasn’t news.

Comment by Princess Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 10:54 am
I think we returned the leg.

It’s called the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 10:55 am
Princess,

I realize what you are saying and think it is the most horrible thing he has done as Governor. An achievment in itself.

Do you know what he and members of his administration are probably thinking? After these old guys retire, who do we know that wants to work in a State Park? Who’s kid brother needs a job at a memorial?

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 11:06 am
Phineas, we best not ‘go there’ with the “old” comments. I’m sure I’d take offense. Can’t say I know of any so far that intend to be pushed out with retirement–ya know they are working people too with families and have to pay gasoline, heating and grocery price increases too. Against popular belief these guys would not be going out with lush pensions.

Comment by Princess Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 11:21 am
The leg is at the Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Boulevard. Check the hours -they are limited. It’s still in the possession of the Illinois National Guard! Really a pretty advanced prosthesis for the time -but Santa Anna was president of the country, after all!

Comment by Legal Eagle Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 11:59 am
VanillaMan, the “Do Right” pen, through it’s own PR firm, talent agency, and booking department, is gunning for a tour of its own - coming to a town near you. (I just made that up.)

Comment by Cheswick Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 1:15 pm
===There’s still not a peep up north in the dailies or broadcast outlets on the historic sites and parks closings. Sad.===
That is probably because most people don’t care. It is interesting that the same commenters who constantly complain about the governor not paying as we go are now whining about the few cuts he did make. Make up your minds.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 1:15 pm
Bill, I think you are wrong about people not caring about this issue. I believe it is like a freight train in that it has started slowly and will gain momentum until it is almost impossible to stop.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 1:28 pm
My family and I visited Springfield for the first time this summer and the Dana-Thomas House tour was a highlight and we hit all the Lincoln-Statehouse sites we could. I’ve been to 5 or 6 Frank Lloyd Wright houses nationwide and Dana-Thomas is of the caliber of Fallingwater in PA. It’s real shame.
That tour was step above the Capitol tour where the tour guide’s response to every other question, especially any question remotely dealing with the governor’s office, was “I don’t know, I work for Jesse White, the secretary of state”!

Comment by 32nd Ward Chicago Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 1:43 pm
And is there a reason, Bill, that the governor decided to make the cuts in the manner he did? I don’t mean the spin, I mean a real reason. Could he have not made cuts to parks across the board instead of slicing the heart out of a small handful? Of course not, that would not have gotten near enough attention. Could not Mr. Flood have spared a bit in S. Il especially in his son’s region? Oh, no, no, can’t have that, that might have spread the cuts out a bit more fairly/evenly and not affected certain areas near as much as this one big stab wound. Rather Chicago and area papers care one twit or not, the calls and letters have been pouring in from the areas that are affected and many of the visitors to some of the campgrounds happen to be Chi-town area citizens escaping for the weekend. Could the governor not let lose of a bit of his little pile? Do you realize how much funding has been cut from a few of these parks in the last couple years. It wasn’t a bit of a cut. And while some may be ‘whining’ I have yet to hear a decent spin or excuse as to how some of this is saving anything considering forced pay backs of grants could occur.

Comment by Princess Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 1:46 pm
===There’s still not a peep up north in the dailies or broadcast outlets on the historic sites and parks closings. Sad.===
That is probably because most people don’t care. It is interesting that the same commenters who constantly complain about the governor not paying as we go are now whining about the few cuts he did make. Make up your mind===

Bill, save yourself.

They’re state parks and historic sites. They’re our legacy. It’s up to us to pass them on in better shape then we inherited them. Those who are dead and gone left them to us. We’re supposed to take care of them and leave them when we’re dead and gone.

Most people don’t care? What theory of public service are you operating on? Lincoln, Frank Lloyd Wright and beautiful state parks?

You carry the water for every sleazy and nasty deal that Rod can come up with, but you have contempt for trying to save state parks and historic sites? For the half-assed money we’re talking about? To paraphrase Lucio on the CTA, and I agree, it’s not a lot money in such a big operation.

Hey, Bill, buddy, is this who you want to be?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 9:36 pm
Bill, you are better than that post. Come on.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Sep 10, 08 @ 10:40 pm