The LaSalle County Board has an important vote coming up in January, and I was wondering if you could find a space on your blog to let citizens voice their opinion one way or the other on the proposed sand mine. Thank You, Jill Bernal
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
News Tribune - News - Local - La Salle Rotary Park committee ready to roll
News Tribune - News - Local - La Salle Rotary Park committee ready to roll
I know this is not about Peru but it will be an area utilized by many of the Illinois Valley and even beyond and I am including this article for those who like to keep up with events in this area. For sure this is a long term project but also a dream for many come true. Again the word "volunteerism" crops up and I believe that in the future it will become even more important as the spiraling cost of everything will prevent our cities from being the best they can unless we can generate volunteers on the local level.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Peru Pages: Things that make you go Hmmmm. – Public Works Warehouse Lease
Peru Pages: Things that make you go Hmmmm. – Public Works Warehouse Lease
Well Brian, no point in both of us writing this us and especially since I do agree with your comments. What was more disturbing is that no could give us a reason for the "why" of this arrangement and I noticed that counsel made no comment.
City Meetings Scheduled for Today 12/28
Finance Meeting 4 PM
Safety Meeting 6:30 PM
Public Buildings and Property 6:45 PM
City Council Meeting 7:30 PM
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas to All Our Blog Readers
Thank you for your visits through the year or years we have been writing and thanks for commenting on the Peru Town Forum blog. I appreciate all your contributions even when you don't agree with me or Steve. Always good to hear another point of view.
Hope that the coming year will be good for you and we will all try to work together and try to make it better for the city of Peru. There is still a lack of communication to the residents and especially to those who wish to know more about how our city functions. We will also work to lessen the divide among all of our local cities in the Illinois Valley.
The idea that that is the way we have always done it is the right way is not necessarily the best way. Lets listen to suggestions and work toward being the best we can be.
I thank those city officials that have openly commented on the blog and that would be Ald. Perez and Ald. Mayszak. We have a tremendous viewer and reader audience on the web and this presents an opportunity for all city officials to tell us what they are thinking. If they do not want comments on their comments we can arrange that also.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR
News Tribune - News - NCI - Skating rink opens at Echo Bluff
News Tribune - News - NCI - Skating rink opens at Echo Bluff
Just in case our ice does not freeze due to lack of cooperation of the weather, you might want to try this rink.
Friday, December 23, 2011
A time to step back, if only for a moment
If you are an observer of the political scene on any level, you will probably agree that it has become more and more apparent that there exists very little "good will" leading up to this holiday season. The current state of politics on the federal level has never been more nasty and dysfunctional. Illinois lawmakers are no better at putting idealogical differences aside in order to pull our state out of what appears to be a complete "tailspin". Locally, more specifically the municipal government of Peru continues to experience "growing pains", to put it mildly.
I don't beleive anyone in this town is more passionate than I when it comes to local politics and the highly charged atmosphere that is the direct result of having newly elected or appointed officials with differing opinions and ideas on how to lead Peru. There is no shortage of hard feelings among main players and observers alike. The only thing I know for sure is those hard feelings will continue to manifest themselves for years to come. So goes politics and such is human nature. I'm guilty of those "hard" feelings as much as anybody and I'm very much aware of the hatred directed at me and others through this blog. With that said, and in consideration of the season, Happy Holidays to friends and foes alike. Maybe there is hope that we can come together for a better purpose as better people. Take a step back and look at what we have and how far we can go. Take a step back, if only for a moment.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
New Company Officers: 10 Things You Need to Do
New Company Officers: 10 Things You Need to Do
I think this is a good read for any fire dept. and maybe ours at this very difficult time.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Letter Read to City Council Dec. 12, 2011
To Peru City Council ,
Monday evening I was wrote up by the Peru Fire department for “failure to follow
instruction” and “insubordination” . Last Wednesday Dec. 7th during our meeting we were
handed out new SOG’s with a change pertaining to reporting to calls. Each Squad is either
to report to the scene or the station depending on the month , unless it is a CO call ,
mutual aid , a car accident , or a call on the north side of Interstate 80 . I told the
chief that I don’t carry my gear with me because of my employment and because I’m always
switching vehicles throughout the day . He told me to talk to my Captain “C” . Thursday the
8th they had an officers meeting and Capt “C” called me after it was over and told me I had
to report to the scene this month . I told him I’ve never reported to the scene since I
live 3 blocks from the station and that I don’t carry my gear with me because of my
employment and other restrictions. He said that if I didn’t want to carry my gear with me
to just not to come to calls for the month . I said whatever . He then said I could only
come to calls that were report to the station .
We had a call that day that I responded to and I reported to the station because
I passed it on the way to the scene . The rule is if you pass the scene on the way to the
station you can stop at the scene or if you pass the station on the way to the scene you
can stop there .
On the 10th we had a call where I reported to the station because I passed it on
the way to the scene . When I entered the station Lt. “A” said I was suppose to go to the
scene and I told him my gear is in my locker and I passed the station so I stopped here to
man the 2nd truck . There were only 4 firefighters that responded to that call , 1 of which
was the engineer .
On the 12th we had a call where I left work to respond and passed the station so
I stopped to man the 2nd truck .
On the 12th we had another call and I was out with my mom at the store and came
back to respond with but by the time I got her home and inside the situation was under
control and the chief said he didn’t need anything additional sent to the scene . However
just before this I noticed Captain “A” driving around my block checking to see if I was
home . Both my vehicles were home because I was driving my moms car with her in it . Cpt
“A” didn’t see me coming out of the garage carrying my moms bags inside for her . How is it
that the city of Peru continues to leave this man in such a responsible position when he’s
more interested in driving out of his way to snoop around on other firefighters instead of
doing his job ? If you remember Cpt.”A” is the reason all of this got started
There is one comment beneath this and then the rest of the letter follows in 4 separate comment sections.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Anonymous said...
Here are facts....PSI will cost the city of Peru more than $48,000. They will take a subsidy, and split the profits of patient payments over the first couple of years, and then they will take all including the subsidy. They are a low-paying, for profit service that will hire suburban medics over IL Valley medics when they have the chance. Despite the smokescreen Andy Baccidore have provided, LaSalle is paying significantly more money for a service that doesn't measure up to what they had.
Granted, the PVAS mgmt and Board do need to change. Mr. Roberson is nowhere near qualified to run an ambulance service....heck...he can't even finish his schooling to become a medic.
The BOD for PVAS is as corrupt as they were when Baker was mayor/BOD president. Any company that keeps an accountant on retainer that was proven to defraud the state...well...theat company has no integrity.
Mr. Perez is sadly mistaken to think he or King can run an ambulance. Mr. Perez having a hand in this is a true conflict of interest. A person of high integrity was step away, and appoint another alderman in his place...Perez is proving politics for the City of Peru hasn't changed.
Here's food for thought....couldn't the Peru PD run the ambulance? Why does it have to be the FD? Just curious....
Granted...$90,000 for the police chief? Really?!?! There are police chiefs in towns bigger and busier than Peru that pay their police chiefs $10,000-$15,000 less....not like PPD is that busy.
This whole thing has become a farce...PVAS does a fine job...they have very good medics/EMT's but as stated...their mgmt structure needs help.
Time to create a new BOD and get rid of Roberson.
FYI...PVAS has had significant turn-over because of Roberson!!!
News Tribune - News - Local - Peru reviewing insurance bids
News Tribune - News - Local - Peru reviewing insurance bids
City will rent storage space for "too many" city vehicles @ $600.00 per mo.
Peru will purchase valve exerciser for 48,500 for water department
Peru will spend $210,000 per ward on streets next year
Peru FD still has unresolved issues as they are unable to mediate them successfully and it sound like bully tactics don't end with grade school.
PVAS will give presentation at city hall on January 3
Monday, December 12, 2011
Water Main Breaks versus Repairing Streets
Over the weekend water main breaks kept the city workers busy with repairs. I have been told there was a very large break at Main and Pike that was initially difficult to locate beneath the streets. Last week it was a large break on Peoria Street around 11 th St.or close to that and we can't forget the one that caused the city to dig up the nice new road resurfacing on Rte 6 in front of the old Westclox building. And these are only the ones I have seen and heard about and I am sure many more occurred.
Each time a water main breaks, we put on a bandaide and wait for the next.
At the infrastructure meeting last Monday, Christ Perra spoke of cities that have actually redone their entire underground system, specifically he mentioned Carthage and Bushnell both of which are much smaller cities. The only way to repair is to dig up the street either old or newly paved so the persistent question is, What repairs should be done first?
Is is worth it to spend millions of repair dollars on our city streets knowing that beneath that nice street pavement are water mains popping like popcorn? If you were on the committee what would your advice be?
The newer areas of town do not have the breaks that are constantly happening anywhere from Shooting Park south to the Illinois River.
The city will be installing pressure reducing valves in about 5 different locations in town. Our SPW recently talked to the LaSalle SPW where they have already installed these devices and feel it helps in reducing the number of breaks. No one seems to have an answer to the whole problem, because the infrastructure which we can't see is so very old and will need to be replaced someday. The big question is, Can we afford to? or Can we afford not to?
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Friday, December 09, 2011
CANTON MA Emergency Services
Canton Emergency FD
Both the title and the above are links to click upon.
While doing some internet research this morning, I came across the town of Canton MA, population 21,561 or about the size of LaSalle Peru combined. Initially I found they had a private ambulance service and I read the information on their web site and I thought, this is impressive and this private company seems to have all their ducks in a row. Then I wondered do they also have a FD emergency service a further search showed that they do.
Sure this is a city a little larger than Peru but it showed that 2 separate emergency services can operate within the same city. The private ambulance service probably has less employees than PVAS but they are handling more routine calls, the kind most frequently handled in our city. Read through both sites and thought about the constant bickering about PVAS while other cities are thinking outside the box and coming up with other solutions. True I don't know the financials with each department but I am saying we need to quit protecting a private company that keeps elected city officials on its Board of Directors as mandated in their bylaws and as someone recently said, to get our heads out of the sand.
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Paramedic Service of Illinois Mtg Tonight
Meeting held in the community room of Peru city hall. Lots of people in attendance including many PVAS employees, Peru Firemen, Aldermen Ankiewicz,Radtke, Lukosus, Perez, Mayszak, Ferrari, Mayor Harl and some former officials as Donald Baker, Donald Piano, Joe Witczak and Jack O"Beirne.
A professional presentation was made to give all details of how a company such as PSI runs a fire based ambulance service. They take care of all details of employment, basically they are a staffing Service that does the training, hiring and all other employee related services that are required.
The city is responsible for all the equipment needed. There was definite resentment noted by former officials who wish no changes made to the status quo.
Most of us know that management at PVAS is lacking and although the employees continue to function adequately, there is a need for improvement in all areas of the business. I do not know at the present time whether the 48,000 per year that the city gives to the service will continue to be enough. We were told that PVAS will hold a public meeting similar to PSI where they will give a presentation and field questions as did PSI this evening. Many questions about the board of directors at PVAS have existed for many years and I do believe that Ankiewicz, O'Beirne and Piano are presently on the Board. One almost gets the feeling, they regard this as their own personal possession.
Monday, December 05, 2011
Is It Too Much To Ask?
I attended both the Infrastructure Committee mtg and the City Council Meeting.
The first committee meeting was informative and mainly discussed the underground infrastructure problems. They will look into pressure reducing vales to hopefully reduce the number of water main breaks. Chris Perra although not a member did much of the talking and there was also a member of the Peru Water Dept. who has had first hand knowledge of the problems.
The second meeting the Peru City Council was a display of the issues and problems before the city. It remains a divided council 4-4 with the Mayor breaking the tie. As many of you know I believe in letting people voice their complaints and problems because I hope we still live in a Free and Open Society. Tonight the Mayor knew he had many in opposition to his 3 million loan proposal in the audience and there were those who wanted to speak before the council vote took place. Mayor Harl would not allow any comment before the vote was taken even though Ald. Waldorf asked him to. The Mayor knew he had the vote on his side and yet he chose to defy those who opposed him by only allowing them to speak at the end of the meeting and the proposal had been voted upon. The Mayor gained nothing by this attitude but simply increased the division among people and the aldermen on the council. If you believe that what you are doing is the right thing to do, then don't worry about what a few people who don't like you or your policies say. It looks like Pay Back Time.
Does Anyone Know of a Garden Club in the Illinois Valley
I believe I have read where there were Garden Clubs in the La Salle Peru area in years past and does anyone know if any such club exists here in Peru at the present time? Anyone with information, please write to us.
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Friday, December 02, 2011
Surprising Events from the City Council Mtg.
Along with the big noise coming out of the council meeting regarding the road program anticipated for next year, there were a few little extra surprises.
Now that the city has purchased an expensive vehicle for the Fire Dept. Asst. Chief, our Superintendent of Public Works has decided that he would like a new truck with a snowplow too and his old truck would be given to the cemetery workers. To be discussed further.
Also early in the Harl administration, the new mayor said he would like to reduce the number of council meetings per month. For some reason or other, it did not happen and many unnecessary meetings each month continued to take place. Now the Mayor has suggested that they meet twice a month but that the aldermen will continue to be paid for 4 meetings. It seems that several of the aldermen actually need the meeting money and since they do not get paid for committee meetings, this would help them out.
Anyone know what other cities do regarding reimbursement for public service members serving on a city council?
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Infrastructure Committee Mtg. 11/30
Tonight a meeting was held at city hall by the Infrastructure Committee which is supposed to hold their meetings and announce them 48 hours ahead of time to allow any interested citizen to attend. Following their usual schedule, it would be held on this coming Monday Dec. 5.
Much to my surprise this committee did not publicly post on the internet the day and time of this meeting which is against the Open Meetings Act. I checked and there is no agenda available.
Was this planned?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Application for Peru Firefighter Position
The City of Peru Board of Fire and Police
Commissioners will be accepting applications to
establish an eligibility list for the position of Firefighter
for the Peru Fire Department. This is a full time position
for a career minded individual
Qualifications:
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be at least 21 and UNDER 35 years of age at time
of application and posting of final eligibility list
(unless exempt under provisions outlined in the
Illinois Fire and Police Commissioners Act)
• Must have High School diploma or equivalent
• Must have valid driver’s license at time of hire
• Must have an Illinois Firefighter II certification issued by
the Office of the state Fire Marshal (OSFM)
• Must have current and valid Illinois Department of
Public Health (IDPH) EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, or
EMT-Paramedic License at application deadline and at
time of hire
• Must have a current and valid Candidate Physical
Ability Test (CPAT) Card at time of application deadline.
Cards considered valid only if dated within one
(1) year prior to 1/9/2012
• Must have no felony convictions
• Must be able to pass a physical agility test,
written examination and oral interview
• Upon conditional offer of employment, applicant
must pass a medical exam, polygraph test,
psychological exam, drug screening and extensive
background investigation
• City residence required within six months of hire
• Must complete and confirm an online application and
submit completed release of documents and other
required documents (see CHECKLIST) by 12 noon on
Monday, January 9, 2012
For a complete job description or to apply visit
www.publicsafetyrecruitment.com
01798
Monday, November 28, 2011
Agenda for City Council 8/30
AGENDA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011
ROLL CALL 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COMMITTEE REPORTS ALDERMEN
>
1. ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE Potthoff & Radtke
(Wage-Negotiations, License)
Discuss wage for Budget Officer
2. PUBLIC WORKS Waldorf & Lukosus
(Electric, Street & Alley, Water & Sewer)
Discuss 2012 Street Program
Discuss use of ½% sales tax
Motion to authorize Chamlin & Associates to review infrastructure road program to
prepare for bidding
3. PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY Ferrari & Perez (Fire & Police, ESDA, Health) 4. PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE Ankiewicz & Mayszak
(Recreation & Parks, Airport, Buildings & Grounds)
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING “AN ORDINANCE FIXING WAGES FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF PERU, ILLINOIS”
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING SECOND HAND DEALERS
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING MEETING DATES FOR THE CITY OF PERU FOR CALENDAR
YEAR 2012 FOR REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING MEETING DATES FOR THE CITY OF PERU FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2012 FOR FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING DRAINAGE EASEMENT (SELLETT) UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC COMMENT
CLOSED SESSION MEETINGS HELD TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY,
INCLUDING HEARING TESTIMONY ON A COMPLAINT LODGED AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE OR LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY TO DETERMINE ITS VALIDITY
MEETINGS OF A MUNICIPALITY OPERATING AS A MUNICIPAL UTILITY, POWER
OR NATURAL GAS AGENCY TO DISCUSS CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE, SALE OR DELIVERY OF ELECTRICITY OR NATURAL GAS AND THE RESULTS FOR LOAD
FORECAST STUDIES ADJOURNMENT
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving Day to All of You
Wishing all of you a day of rest and relaxation, at least most of you as I know many of our public service employees and health care people will be working on some of this day and will get a shortened version of the Holiday.
Enjoy your food and your family.
We will be spending our Thanksgiving day for the first time ever with children and grandchildren at one table and we are very thankful. A day to appreciate our blessings and to share what we can.
Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
News Tribune - News - Local - Movements promote local shopping
News Tribune - News - Local - Movements promote local shopping
Great idea for many small communities. I may live in Peru but I wholeheartedly support people supporting the Mom and Pop stores in their own town. After all that is what makes for a vibrant community and actually contributes to the community spirit of a town.
I only wish we had more in our city.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
An infrastructure improvement project by an other name is still an infrastructure improvement project
Call it what you will, the project formerly known as the "EAKAS" something-something or other is exactly what the commercial / industrial area north of Interstate 80 has needed for a long long time.
I suspect the project came out of committee (Public Works) titled the EAKAS project because a portion of the overall project involves the equipment and engineering needed for upgrades to the west Wastewater Treatment Plant which will be used to process the EAKAS waste-stream. The truth of the matter is the collection system which accepts wastewater from north of I-80 is currently operating near capacity during normal conditions simply because the system was never properly expanded and improved as the area continued to develop over the past twenty to thirty years. There was never a plan to expand the collection system. There was never a commitment from previous elected officials to do what needed to be done to accomodate future expansion in that area. I've said it before and I'm saying it again, the previous Peru administration was all too content to hail themselves "Leader of the Valley" while most of our infrastructure remained vintage 1950's and 60's. This project, like so many others, is long overdue and must be done in order to increase the collection system capacity for all customers in that area. Ironically, I'm told the sewer problems in that area have resulted in toilet and drain back-ups at several restaurants and businesses, including one of the most recent additions up there owned at least partially by former Mayor Don Baker. Proof positive that as they say, "What goes around comes around".
As for Alderman Potthoff's poorly veiled assertions that residential areas will be slighted if we spend infrastructure money in industrial or commercial districts. I disagree, we have just started a commitment to improve "all" aspects of our crumbling infrastructure. That commitment will come with a long term plan and an understanding that we have a lot of catching up to do. Dave Potthoff saw a political opportunity to "muddy the wastewater" if you will, and as he has done so often, cast the lone "nay" vote for a project that he and the previous administration knowingly neglected for many years. Speaking of which, perhaps we could name the project in honor of my mentor and aldermanic legend, Jack O'Beirne. As an alderman and chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee for more than twenty years, O'Beirne is as responsible as anyone for the deplorable condition of Peru's water distribution system as well as the wastewater collection system. Naming a sewer improvement project after Jack just smells right to me.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Public Meeting Ald. Mayszak and Ald. Perez Today
Ald. Perez and Ald. Mayszak scheduled a public meeting for today to make themselves available to their constituents and those of any other ward who wished to come for one hour from 1 PM to 2 PM.
It was generally agreed that it was well worth the time to attend. The aldermen answered any and all questions and others generally contributed to the conversation. A great comfortable atmosphere to brainstorm ideas for the city and to field concerns by residents.
This was not a formal meeting and was held in the community room at city hall. They hope in the future others will attend to have questions answered, to offer their opinions and feel comfortable talking about what you think the city is doing right or wrong. Ald. Ferrari is the only other alderman who came for a short while but the offer had been extended to all of them.
Today some of the topics were the ambulance service, garbage cans are not in the parks, why?, the ice skating rink and why is it not centrally located within the city?, the new fire dept. vehicle purchase, park district, is it a good idea?
If you were there, what did you think?
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Peru committee to meet with PSI ambulance service « AM1220 WLPO News
Peru committee to meet with PSI ambulance service « AM1220 WLPO News
All of this activity and I had to stay home with the sniffles. Sounds like it was a busy meeting.
At last a discussion and the residents will even be allowed to be informed, I am impressed. Mark this one on your calendar!
Gold store allowed to open in Peru but a city ordinance is likely to follow « AM1220 WLPO News
Gold store allowed to open in Peru but a city ordinance is likely to follow « AM1220 WLPO News
JUST IN TIME FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
And our asst bldg inspector wants to treat it as a jewelry store? Anyone else wonder why this person is still a Peru city employee. I guess he is encouraging a fast track to further destruction in whats left of downtown Peru.
Note from the Safety Committee meeting of 11/7/11
The Committee also discussed the possibility of the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service losing the contract for transfer’s from I.V.C.H. on December 1st.
And Part II
Aldermen Ferrari and Perez along with Mayor Harl to discuss getting facts and figures about the Fire Department and possibly having their own ambulance.
A year ago I would have been impressed with the possibility but now I have serious doubts due to so many allegations that have been lodged against the Peru FD and I have heard of nothing showing the community they have changed anything.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Monday, November 07, 2011
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Job Descriptions Ignored When Hiring
What is the point of writing up job descriptions if you do not use them?. The city found it necessary to write up job descriptions for department heads when they were audited under the new system within the last year. The Clifton Gunderson auditing company evidently required that we utilize a system where job descriptions must be present.
I have the job description for both the Supt. of Public Works and the Zoning and Bldg. Inspector.
Without a doubt we are ignoring both the qualification aspect and also what they should be required to do because they are not doing it. Why would the city put themselves into such a position by ignoring rules they have established for very important jobs within this city. Many residents have become aware of the discrepancies and even city employees realize this situation and again we all know where "the buck stops". When government at any level is not functioning at its best level, it is up to those who head this city to take hold of the reins and do what is right for the city and not for those who while drawing a good salary are not doing what they should be doing. There is enough blame to cover all those involved in the top level of the city government and please start running the city as the business that it is.
Old Brewery Tunnels on Lower Pike Street
On Oct. 20, the N.T. did an article titled Sinkholes reveal old brewery tunnels. According to the story, "Two sinkholes on the lower end of Pike Street in Peru revealed an old stone arch tunnel that once was used by the Star Union brewery which closed in 1966."
According to records, The company brewed beer from 1893 until it was shut down in 1966.
I went down to get my first look at the sinkhole today after talking to a local couple about what they might possibly have been used for. Is this what a sewer system would have looked like circa 1893? It doesn't seem practical that Star Union Brewery that was a very small brewery at that time would have required something the size of those tunnels to transport sewage into the river. These tunnels were definitely meant to last a very long time. If the tunnels extended in all directions from the current sinkhole, why? Anyone heard stories through the years through families about these tunnels? Is it history that should be further explored?.
What is on top of the tunnels looks like tons of fill. Definitely fascinating to see and wonder about.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Halloween on Marquette Road Trick or Treat
On Halloween evening between 5 and 7 somewhere around three to four hundred treats per household were handed out to the little trick or treaters and even some not so little ones, I was told. There was so much traffic that ESDA and several Peru Police cars came out to attempt to manage the traffic. Keep in mind that this street is one of the busiest streets in Peru on a normal traffic day and now throw in all the extra cars because so many people decided that this was the place to be on Halloween.
Although this is not new and started years ago when families decided that better treats could be obtained in the newer additions of town. This year it seemed to have reached the exploding point. If it had been necessary to get an ambulance through, I am told it would be difficult. Cars parked along the sides of Marquette Rd. and children running back and forth and on the roadway and I hope that adult supervision was present.
The topic was presented to the Peru Police chief but he really did not have an answer.
Do you?
Just wondering about the helicopters
We were wondering about the medic helicopters that used to fly over our house almost daily and sometimes more than that. During the construction period at IVCH, I know they changed the way transfers were handled and ambulances brought the patient to the airport.
Is this a permanent change? There was an open house at IVCH on Sunday and I assume the new units are now open. Anyone know if helicopters will again be landing at the hospital or will it only be from the airport?
They are not landing at the hospital or we would be hearing them.
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
How Proud are you of our parks?
We hear periodically about things in our parks that need to be repaired, repainted or replaced. It is the people of Peru who see the problems and I would hope they mention them to their alderman who should go to the proper person. Is the Superintendent of Public Works Gary Bleck responsible for managing the department and the people who are responsible for maintaining our parks. If so from the looks of this bench, it appears he is not getting the job done.I know that Bleck and the Aldermen and the Mayor are aware of this particular bench because I was at the council mtg where the issue was brought to their attention and I believe that was in the summer. And as you can see nothing has been done. Is the city waiting for another lawsuit because a child insured himself on this broken piece of park equipment? I guess if Central States was going to be at that park, it might have been taken care of, do you think so?
I Thought the City was Responsible for Our Parks Was I Wrong?
-
Does anyone know who a citizen should approach when they see things that are questionable, broken, or in a sad state of disrepair or just a simple question on something they witnessed? Some time ago I mentioned a broken bench in one of our parks that could be dangerous for little children to be around. Several months later that bench is in worse shape. Is it the cities responsibility, public works department, recreation commission, aldermen, park board, who? Some of our park equipment is in dire need of restoring and a fresh coat of paint. Who should be responsible for that? Just asking where to seek answers?
Monday, October 31, 2011
Streator Manufacturer Adding Jobs « AM1220 WLPO News
Streator Manufacturer Adding Jobs « AM1220 WLPO News
A bright spot in a dim economy, this is a substantial amount of jobs added.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
News Tribune - News - Local - City has ways to use future sales tax dolllars
News Tribune - News - Local - City has ways to use future sales tax dolllars
Talking about Peru and the new committee formed by Mayor Harl which he called a super committee but now is labeled an infrastructure committee
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
To All Garage Sale People - Weekends Are OK
Just a short time back we had a discussion of garage sale signs that were being removed without notice and people were upset and understandably so as there was not a city announcement made, it just happened. Enforcement of this was given to the newly hired code officer because our building inspector did not have time.
Just last week while driving through the downtown area of Peru, I noticed a sign for a garage sale that was taped to a light post on 4th and while I usually don't pay any attention to garage sale signs because how else are people going to get the attention of those wanting to shop the sales, I thought this one was inappropriate and I know the area we consider "down town" Peru is raunchy looking at best, this just added to the mess.
Trying to clarify the signage issue last night, I asked that particular question about that particular sign and was told by the Mayor that we have no one to enforce this ordinance on weekends. The code officer is done for the year and the police will not enforce the ordinance because the Mayor said they are too busy doing other things.
So after the big eruption of a few weeks ago, I guess if you are planning a sale yet this year before spring, put your signs anywhere anytime because there will be no enforcement. Weekends are a for sure and most likely anytime because I doubt that our bldg inspector was going about town removing them during the week.
I guess we could now call this the WEEKEND ARE OK ORDINANCE.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Foreign Fire Fighter Fund - 2% Board
This is a rather complicated and dull read as all codes are but scan through it and some things will jump out at you. I am just learning about this funding to the fire department.
I think that the funding to the city has changed and it is money sent directly to the Liberty Fire Department which is only a fund raising not for profit even though they are not a part of the city technically.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Peru Halloween Parade
Today the Halloween parade was held in Peru but no Fire Truck in the parade. Doesn't this ask the question why? They were not at a fire call and evidently no one had volunteered time to travel in the parade. Along that line, did you get your request from Liberty Fire today. I did.
Friday, October 21, 2011
News Tribune - News - Local - Peru pool fundraising to kick up a notch after grant denied
News Tribune - News - Local - Peru pool fundraising to kick up a notch after grant denied
Anonymous said... Good morning Lois, just read in the News Trib that the Peru Pool Committee is going to apply for a 501(3)c, Non Profit Corporation. Please make this a heading, so the citizens can comment on this move. I for one, would like to see the money that has been raised put towards a splash pads in one of the parks for the kids by the start of next summer. No need to start a corporation to do that.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
La Salle Fire Chief says new ambulance service is making money « AM1220 WLPO News
La Salle Fire Chief says new ambulance service is making money « AM1220 WLPO News
Making money, perhaps they could consult with PVAS and offer suggestions.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Not All City Councils are the Same
Until last night, I only remember one other time when we went to a city council meeting that was not in Peru and that was in La Salle many years ago. So last night a friend and I decided to visit the La Salle city council meeting because I was told by another friend that the meetings in La Salle and the meetings in Peru were totally different.
She was right and it is probably because of people with different personalities holding the same jobs that we have in Peru but managing them in a totally different manner from the Mayor and the dept. heads down to their aldermen.
All the people present were welcomed by Mayor Grove and the meeting moved along without any glitches and all seemed knowledgable about their respective departments. We easily found answers to questions we had and I would like to thank those that we talked to for their graciousness in giving us the information that we wanted.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
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