Or will the ultimate end cost be more than our community including sales tax, motel tax and proceeds bring in to the city.
Is it one of those things that cost the city but it is done for the enjoyment of the people who live here? Perhaps people will be driving here in their RV's, like those written about in the N.T. who came with the living quarters with them, in an a RV. It would be nice if the city could somehow track this event.
Previously we talked about the car shows and the fact that the city donated $1000 to the group that donates proceeds to the ambulance service.
We need to think wisely about where our "donations" go and I am calling the amount of money spent at the airport to people who farm as a donation to give up their land for this concert.
59 comments:
To anyone who attends council meetings regularly was this cost ($10,000 plus engineering fees) brought up as part of the agreement with Ms. Noonan? Or, is this just something we learned about from the minutes of a committee meeting?
9:56 AM
It was NOT brought up at a council meeting. A friend brought it to my attention from reading the mtg minutes. Public Property minutes to be specific.
All committees only include what they want to in presenting their reports to the council.
After reading the last paragraph I am am somewhat confused.
I do not believe that the farmers are giving up the 37 acres as much as they are having it taken away.
I also do not believe that it is only being taken away for this year since the city is going to the expense of seeding it.
I also do not believe in calling poor business practices donations.
I do believe in term limitations of one four year term for Mayor because of recent political happenings in Peru.
11:15 AM
I don't know what the agreement is that the city has with the land management company who takes care of the rental properties and perhaps that is where this discussion needs to start.
If we rent to them at a cheap price, is there an understanding that we can "borrow" it back for any special use that we want. I will see if I can get any answers from our elected officials.
11:10 AM
To clarify the last sentence, I implied that if we are not going to get our rental cost from the farmer, it amounts to a donation to concert for a cause because we loose that x amt of rental dollars.
When is Merry going to announce the charity the money is going too.
Will there be an accounting if exactly how much money was made, against what was spent. I think the city should get an itemized statement. Just to see how much it costs us and the city. And how much merry puts in her pocket. Thank you
No, I will not be attending this concert. I'm curious as to how Peru can give their consent to proceed with this concert when no CAUSE has as of yet been given. Also, does Peru know how many tickets she's planning on selling? Can we accomodate the number of expected concert goers? What will be the total cost to Peru? Have these specifics been negotiated in a contract or agreement? What happens if we have heavy rains? Do we allow the cars to tear up the airport grounds? Does anyone know how Ms. Noonan determines how much goes to each cause? It seems to always be around the $25,000 mark. Surely some concerts draw much more interest and spectators that others. Surely the profit is much more that that.
This probably isn't the section put a comment, but I am anyway.
Do the people of Peru, know that the Mayor,didn't hire a personal secretary. Mayor Baker had one at $50, 000 a year plus benefits.
Mayor Harl has a secretay, "his wife" for no salary at all. I think I would like to commend both Mayor Harl and his wife. Good Job!
12:50 Thank you for telling us that Mrs. Harl.
I believe he has more than his wife as his secretary. Isn't Heidi also his secretary?
how about the girls that work in the city building. they are all his secretarys. hes the mayor if he wants something done then he asks them. are they going to say no?
Lois, I don't know if I'm wright or wrong but doesn't any proceeds from events at the airport have to go to the airport or we would lose funding for airport, I thought that there was a letter sent from the FAA stating such but I'm not sure. It seems we can't get a straight answer from the Mayor maybe he wants to kill airport like he did our pool.
Yes my family and I along with many of my friends will be attending this concert. Unlike some of you people I like to enjoy my life, and attend activities that are festive. I don't understand how people can have a problem with this, you have a choice. You can buy a ticket and attend, or you can stay at home.
I would go - but there are no chairs and you can't bring a chair.
Who is the representative or who are the representatives of the city who agreed to the fifty cent payment to the city per fifty eight dollar ticket to the Kid Rock Concert and the amount that will max out this total figure.
All advocates of having a city manager rather than a $32,000+ part time mayor and a $24,000+ budget director sincerely thank you as should the promoter of the concert. (If this person hasn't laughed themselves to death)
Don't forget the Clerk. A city manager can probably do the majority of that job also. What is the salery??? $60K+? When you add all that up you get about $116K. I think you can get a pretty good city manager for that. Add a few more dollars and you can get a top notch one.
The farmers are not loosing anything. They are getting the ground all these past years at highway robbery prices. GREAT MANAGING PERU!!!
Went by Washington Park tonight. Temporary fence fixing opening where car drove through is blown down and can now be walked over.
Also, noticed that quite a few mature trees have been chopped down. Does anyone know why this has happened?
Also heard the same thing happened at another park in Peru.
You want to go top shelf throw in the horticulturalist at $50,000 and you add up to $166,000. The building inspector at $28.50/hour for a minimum of 32 hours would be another $50,000 per year less a pension for a part time job and filled with a full time code enforcer at $10.00/hour. I'll stop at approximately $200,000 because this is so easy that there isn't a challenge. Do we need more, guarantees are that it wouldn't be tough to get.
Does anyone know what a acre of farm land leases out for?
Whats happening north of Interstate 80 that is going to consume a lot of concrete? Understanding is that low bidder, which incidentally was low bidder by a significant amount, is not getting the bid? Do Peru officials make the rules to break the rules? If anyone knows what is going on in reference to this concrete issue please inform the rest of us.
As long as we are at it... who is living in the house they city owns on the electric department property? How much is the rent?
RENT TODAY ON FARM GROUND IN THIS AREA AND IN GENERAL IS GOING FOR 400-500+ PER ACRE. 200 WAS AVERAGE WHEN CORN WAS 2.25-2.50 PER BUSHEL. YOUR NOW LOOKING AT 5.50-600 AND MAYBE HIGHER. THE CITY IS NOT GETTING THE RENT IT DESERVES OR ANYWHERE NEAR IT. WAKE UP!
Let's see, I could go enjoy Kid Rock and consider it pretty cool that an act like that is coming to Peru or I could sit around at my computer and whine constantly about how bad it is in Peru and do nothing about it.
I'm going to the concert and having fun. Ms. Noonan will make another great donation to another cause usually centered around kids and I hope she makes a good buck in the process.
And you people are freaking about making tracks in the grass at the airport? Posting pictures because no one from our terrible city straightened up the fence yet on the windiest day of the year? Oh, the shame!
Ever think of seeing the many good things going on and trying to make a difference?
No, you are a tiny fraction of the people in the community at large who see the good and actually do something to make the community better. But thanks for giving the rest of us good entertainment!
Or, maybe I will see you at the concert.
8:25 I don't read people's comments as whining or criticize. I read them as legitimate questions that concerned citizens are just seeking answers to. Here's an example: do you know who or what the CAUSE is this year? Do you know how or why tickets were on sale on EBay way before they were made available?
To 3:25 p.m. and 8:25 a.m. - Good for you. Thanks for pointing out what the majority of reasonable folks think about this situation.
The "tiny fraction" of individuals who are so quick to criticize and condemn anything and everything have nothing else to offer.
Making ignorant and unjustified comments while trying to create controversy must give them some sort of sick satisfaction they lack in their own lives.
Fortunately for the rest of us, we can be pretty certain these "Debbie Downers" will not be taking up valuable space as volunteers or concert-goers at any of the Concerts for a Cause.
They will be too busy being miserable and unhappy sitting at the keyboard waiting anxiously for another opportunity to bitch and complain. A never ending cycle of sadness.
8:25 PM
In answer to the fence you feel is unimportant, I have 2 word for you it is called SAFETY and LIABILITY if you don't maintain safety than you might find yourself in court due to your liability in not maintaining safety in your city. If someone got into the pool and suffered injuries, you would have lawyers lining up to SUE the city. Ask the mayor or the police chief about maintaining safety. Isn't that the reason the pool was closed in the first place?.
Steve: Asking questions, seeking answers, voicing an opinion does not make an individual unreasonable nor does it mean they're condemning the system. It just means they're involved or would like to become involved in the running of their city. Maybe if answers were given, explanations made, and the doors were opened to citizen-government interaction people would be more co-operative. No one seems to want to step forward and give answers or they don't have the answers themselves.
FACE THE FACTS STEVE!!!!
3:25 PM
I am not miserable or unhappy but totally disagree with everything you have written. Whomever is responsible for allowing this concert to be planned without bringing it to the full council with a total analysis of what and whom it would involve is totally at fault. Also the residents should have been given the total cost to the people of this city. Again the tax payers of Peru are being taken to the cleaners from irresponsible government.
Lois, Very well said. Irresponsible for sure.
As for the fence it was blowing yesterday until dark. Its not like they neglected it for two weeks. But hey your bloggers love that type of thing. Keeps them coming back for more. Yes it is a potential liability, but if you understood law you would also know that a fenced pool full of water is also a liability. Your front step is a liability. So is a pothole. People might take this more seriously if you actually discussed serious issues. Sorry the fence and the concert is not serious.
1:41 PM
Perhaps they are not important to you but then you did not tell us what is important in your estimation.
The problem is that so many of these little things have long legs and before you know it, it is major. At that point everyone is saying, How could this have happened, we should have taken care of it when it was only a blip on the radar.
my problem is like with most blos people who make nasty remarks about people on computers and the such always mark what they say as ANONYMOUS !! instead of their name SHAME ON YOU ! ITS EASY TO HID AND MAKE COMENT . JUST USE A REAL NAME ! then you and ma. noonan can be real pals .
I seriously have no idea what is wrong with most of you people. Even if it costs the city council something it brings enjoyment to it. Its something for the citizens of Peru and surrounding communities to attend and have fun. I'm glad some of my tax money is going to this, and while there are those of you out there who totally disagree I just have this to say to you; Do you get mad when the city can't recoup money that it puts into roads? Do you get mad when the city authorizes a Tiff district to bring in more jobs for the city? These things effectively better the community, and again may not be the best allocation of tax dollars.
There are plenty of people who want to go to this concert, and I'm sure most of them are not bloggers to this site. The people who post here are such a minority of the population of this community that just continue to rag on issues even when they are done with, and it sickens me.
So everyone, my family and I are going enjoy ourselves very much at this concert and are going to be happy that our city spent some money to bring it here. Everyone else I hope you have fun complaining and blogging that night!!
THE MUSIC IS TOO LOUD!!! PARKING WAS TERRIBLE!!! DRINKS COST TOO MUCH!!! THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH PORT-A-POTTIES!!! IT RAINED!!! HOW'S THAT FOR A START?
To contribute to the solution of the problem the problem first has to be identified. To me the problem is that the city does not belong being a business partner with a private citizen in a concert. If the individual wants to solely sponsor a concert and all laws are followed that is their business, but when government officials co-op with a private party in a business venture of this magnitude that they know nothing about and enhance the city to jeopardy it becomes a issue which concerns the citizens. These are the same citizens which you are asking what is wrong with most of you people.
4:55 p.m. WELL SAID! I'm there with you.
5:58 p.m. IT IS A ROCK CONCERT! If you don't like it don't go! Clearly you have never been around a real outdoor ROCK concert.
8:34 p.m. So government should not work with and create partnerships with private business? Wha...? Effective governments do this all of the time. You don't think the City of Chicago works with all of the private sponsors to put on Blues Fest, Lalapalooza or the Taste of Chicago? Really? They do it daily. And believe it or not they do not ask the anonymous bloggers what they think first.
Here's the benefit for the vast majority of you who truly have no clue how business or government works in this manner.
It's called bringing people to your community. People will come from many miles to see Kid Rock. They will stay at our hotels. They will eat at our restaurants. They might even shop a little. If they don't read this blog (ha ha), they might go back and tell their friends "Hey Peru is a nice little town on I-80 and they actually brought Kid Rock to do a fundraiser."
If Kid Rock or anyone like this were going to Spring Valley or Ottawa, you would be whining about why Peru didn't get them here. Well we did. I'm with the 90 plus percent who say, Go Peru! We want more things like this!
Thanks for letting me vent. Now please resume your regularly scheduled bitching.
I've heard through the grapevine that 15,000 tickets are being made available for this concert. (15,000 X $54 = $810,000) Is that a normal amount of people who attend these concerts? I personally cannot phantom that many people standing for hours shoulder to shoulder listening to a band.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - people asking questions and seeking answers is not bitching anon 8:32. If you enjoy this kind of entertainment that's your right as it is others rights to stay away. People, it appears, just don't think it's right for Peru to invest their tax dollar into someone's personal business venture. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and has a right to voice such.
11:41 when it is all said and done let's compare the number of people at the concert to the tiny fraction of the whiners on the blog, and at that point we will decide if the citizens have spoken.
I agree that you have every right to ask questions, but how many straight answers do you get here? Really? Unless there is proof, it is just rumors that feeds more rumors. Why don't you guys organize a meeting and see who shows up? Then you can really get something done, and you can see how effective the blog is for actually making something happen.
12:33 PM
I have a long list of things that have been done but evidently you don't keep track of them, like many of us do.
As I looked out my window this morning and saw huge trucks going to the next street to redo a road that had not originally been on the list but which is in very bad condition, I do know that people getting together and voicing their concerns can accomplish things.
I don't apologize for anything I have said on this blog or for letting others express their opinions even if I am not in agreement. As a citizen you need to be observant and express your concerns when needed. Pretending everything is always rainbows and roses in town does not help get anything done and it does not make this a better place to live. Nothing is static and changes keep occurring: neighborhoods can become rundown, streets and infrastructure deteriorate and just maybe the people who live at the other end of town don't see what you see doesn't mean it should be ignored.
12:33 There has been meetings and a group called the Peru Action Committee last meeting was at CentenniAL Park and many showed up.
Good! Then that is hopefully making a difference. Again I hope no one takes offense, I am just referring to the gossip.
I tried getting information about the land management at the airport tonight. It is true land will be taken out of production for the concert and that we will lose money and I was told to talk to the Mayor about any more information. Evidently we do have a land management company that negotiates with the farmers for an agreed upon price but that is as far as their dealings go, the city handles anything else involving the land. I asked 3 different officials about the loss to the city and each one told me to go and talk to the mayor.
PERU HAD BETTER GET A NEW LAND MANAGER. THERE IS SOMETHING SMELLEY SOMEWHERE! PRICES ARE NOT WHERE THEY SHOULD BE.
Lois: are you saying it appears that the mayor is the one and only go between regarding M. Noonan's concert for a cause? council approval is not needed?
When a city official tells someone to speak with the Mayor in regards to certain questions you can count on the fact that the Mayor is making the decision whether he is supposed to or not supposed to.
If the involvement of the city or any other circumstance of the concert is irritating to you I would suggest that you contact the FAA since they have still not given their approval of the location of the concert.
The 37 acres previously rented as farmland and now going to be seeded at our expense appears to be a attempt to get the FAA's approval. How many years is Peru going to lose this income and what is the maintenance of the grass going to cost over its lifetime? How would you like to have a business on that road on that particular day. Is the city going to reimburse these private business owners for all lost income and unnecessary expenses incurred on account of the concert?
Being as generous as Peru has been to Eakas it would only be fair to make sure that home owned long term business' are treated fairly.
The liquor commissioner of the City of Peru should obtain legal advise before a liquor license is issued for the concert.
In Peru a person under 21 is not to be present in a area selling alcoholic beverages unless they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. AMEN!
I was told by an alderman that the police chief was working out the "issues" for concert approval at the airport.
Kristy
What particular "issues" is the police chief working out for concert approval at the airport?
The first thing that comes to mind with 15,000 people in one place would be safety and certainly available alcohol either purchased or brought in and small amounts of drugs.
Does anyone else think the story about the lasalle county drug canine that "escaped" and found dead is hard to believe as an act of mother nature? White substances being sent to judges dead canine dogs 1/2 million in drug money on plane etc... Yeah like maybe we don't have a small problem
Easily answered! I suspect you are referring to illegal drugs which answers the question within itself - illegal! In reference to alcohol you realize that the promoter will not allow alcohol to be brought into the concert, not saying that some alcohol will not be brought in on the sneak. There should not be a liquor license issued if people under 21 years of age are going to be allowed without a parent or legal guardian in attendance with them per liquor ordinance. The Mayor will enforce the liquor laws as liquor commissioner, as he is well aware of the safety issues which will be encountered in having 15,000 people in attendance. There will be enough potential problems to encounter with crowd control and traffic flow as to add additional difficulties such as issuing a liquor license when it is so much easier not to.
To take away city property for private use is probably against the law. Should the Attorney General be called?
What is the Mayor paid to be liquor commissioner and what are his qualifications and experience to be automatically slotted into this position because he is elected Mayor. The majority of voters do not know or have ever been told that the person they are voting for for mayor is also running for liquor commissioner and is paid to be in this office also.
The Peru Liquor Commissioner is not the final step in liquor law because if a dispute or disagreement arises in a city the citizen has the legal right to appeal his case to the Illinois Liquor Commission. The Illinois Liquor Commission investigates all reported incidents and investigates each case thoroughly.
They have two offices, one of which is in Chicago and one in Springfield.
Anon 9:58 its the same right to be liquor commissioner as justice of the peace. He is the Mayor and can do what he wants. The State Liquor commission is more than likely underfunded and would not have staff to check out or investigate any cases. They probably rely on local authorities to handle all cases.
Anon 10:42 Everything which 9:58 has stated is true and factual. I would not contradict or disagree with someone unless I knew something about the subject which by your comment proves you don"t. When the Illinois Liquor Commission investigates they do not hand out band aids and excuses they dig deep into the investigation and enforce the law and severely punish those who haven't.
11:37 with all the State resources. Is that after the fact or before the event. I doubt the State has any resources to work weekends or check on a event. That is why you rely on local control. The question is that do your feel comfortable that the State will take the time to review a specific event in the fields of LaSalle County?
Cite the ordinance which will be abused to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission Chicago phone 312-814-2241 or Springfield 217-524-1911 and inform them you are calling because your local liquor commissioner is involved in your complaint. Timing will depend upon you and when you turn in your complaint.
Post a Comment