Council Meeting Video is ready for viewing.
Discussion on the abandoned gas stations. A bank asked the city if they were interested in purchasing the Marathon station on Fourth St that has been out of business for some time..
Casey's is requesting annexation of the property located at 2950 Fourth Street. No further information was given, but is this the location of the old quonset hut outside the city limits? Is Casey's interested in building something similar to the one in Spring Valley in west Peru? Would that be something to be excited about in the Fourth Ward?
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Ideas Floated Around For Ottawa Riverfront Development « AM1220 WLPO News
Ideas Floated Around For Ottawa Riverfront Development « AM1220 WLPO News
What an interesting idea, bring the people together and brainstorm ideas. An overflow crowd shows how well this was accepted by the city officials. Can you even imagine this happening in Peru? Asking people what they would like not telling them after the fact that this is the way it will be. No wonder Ottawa has become a model city because of their superb leadership and relationship with their residents. It means a lot for a resident to be proud of their community.
What an interesting idea, bring the people together and brainstorm ideas. An overflow crowd shows how well this was accepted by the city officials. Can you even imagine this happening in Peru? Asking people what they would like not telling them after the fact that this is the way it will be. No wonder Ottawa has become a model city because of their superb leadership and relationship with their residents. It means a lot for a resident to be proud of their community.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Public Property Meeting Concerns
One of the concerns before the Public Property Committee composed of Ald. Rodney Perez and Ald. Becky Mueller is the desire of the Soccer Teams to expand the number and size of the fields located in the Baker Lake Park. I believe that Peru is one of the first locations in which soccer fields were situated locally and I am told up to 500 kids participate. The problem seems to be that they have outgrown their current fields.
One of the promoters of this private organization is Larry Wiede who also happens to be a member of the Peru Recreation Board. He and another person that I don't know the name have requested from the Recreation Board the need to eliminate some trees at the park for the purpose of making more soccer fields and bigger fields.. Two of the trees marked for cutting down are very old oak trees that have been in their location for generations. As far as most of the Recreation Board is concerned it sounds like they have no objection to this tree elimination project. It will have to go before the city council for a vote.
It amazes me that a couple of people who privately have started a number of soccer teams for all ages can tell the city what they want done and up to tonight no objections were raised. There are a number of new soccer fields on the drawing board and I believe that La Salle will build 2 at their new Rotary Park and the LP Sports Complex will also some time in the future put in soccer fields. Peru also plans on building new restrooms in the western part of Baker Lake Park for the teams.
Each sport in the city has their season and that means that the baseball and soccer fields are not used all year round and yet these sports take up so much space and are scattered around the city in our parks. I don't believe children are allowed to use them for fun baseball without being on a approved league team. So we end up with a lot of land used for only approved league play and not for just being a kid. Do we as a city need to get together with La Salle and perhaps Oglesby to find out what plans they have for soccer fields and jointly take on soccer and coordinate the use of the soccer fields.
Does the city need to take a deep breath and take stock of our parks and their use and talk to our neighbors?
Don't forget we still have an ice skating rink in storage and we don't know where that will be placed either.
And the airport will host another concert this Saturday and if there is money to be donated it will go to the Peru Little League.
One of the promoters of this private organization is Larry Wiede who also happens to be a member of the Peru Recreation Board. He and another person that I don't know the name have requested from the Recreation Board the need to eliminate some trees at the park for the purpose of making more soccer fields and bigger fields.. Two of the trees marked for cutting down are very old oak trees that have been in their location for generations. As far as most of the Recreation Board is concerned it sounds like they have no objection to this tree elimination project. It will have to go before the city council for a vote.
It amazes me that a couple of people who privately have started a number of soccer teams for all ages can tell the city what they want done and up to tonight no objections were raised. There are a number of new soccer fields on the drawing board and I believe that La Salle will build 2 at their new Rotary Park and the LP Sports Complex will also some time in the future put in soccer fields. Peru also plans on building new restrooms in the western part of Baker Lake Park for the teams.
Each sport in the city has their season and that means that the baseball and soccer fields are not used all year round and yet these sports take up so much space and are scattered around the city in our parks. I don't believe children are allowed to use them for fun baseball without being on a approved league team. So we end up with a lot of land used for only approved league play and not for just being a kid. Do we as a city need to get together with La Salle and perhaps Oglesby to find out what plans they have for soccer fields and jointly take on soccer and coordinate the use of the soccer fields.
Does the city need to take a deep breath and take stock of our parks and their use and talk to our neighbors?
Don't forget we still have an ice skating rink in storage and we don't know where that will be placed either.
And the airport will host another concert this Saturday and if there is money to be donated it will go to the Peru Little League.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
Sidewalk chalk drawings and Canal Market planned for La Salle « AM1220 WLPO News
Sidewalk chalk drawings and Canal Market planned for La Salle « AM1220 WLPO News
If you kids need something to do tomorrow morning, this might help you keep them busy.
If you kids need something to do tomorrow morning, this might help you keep them busy.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Free Concerts in the Illinois Valley
Concerts for a Cause which is actually a misnomer have overtaken other sources of fun, enterntainment and yes there are concerts that are free to the general public. If you interested in a few hours of fun and music, it is not necessary to spend the big dollars of attending a LaGrotto concert at the airport and have to put up with not only the expense but the hassle as well.
Certainly not referring to the big time stars, Ms Noonan brings in but many times, families and retired people do not even have the funding for those events. I guess the problem is that most of the local events throughout this whole area don't get much publicity because publicity in the newsprint because it costs money. Every small to tiny town or village in the Illinois Valley has had a "summer event". Every weekend nearby cities have had an "event". Just a few days ago, I remember reading about Ladd Daze and last week it was Lostant and Oglesby had a week long festival the week before. This week is the Depue Boat Races which included a concert by the Guy Lombardo band at Lakeside Park last night and I will testify to the enjoyable evening and saw many local Peru people there.
The events on the whole are very family friendly, so if something is still to come in the next few months, feel free to post for the rest of us to know about and perhaps attend.
Certainly not referring to the big time stars, Ms Noonan brings in but many times, families and retired people do not even have the funding for those events. I guess the problem is that most of the local events throughout this whole area don't get much publicity because publicity in the newsprint because it costs money. Every small to tiny town or village in the Illinois Valley has had a "summer event". Every weekend nearby cities have had an "event". Just a few days ago, I remember reading about Ladd Daze and last week it was Lostant and Oglesby had a week long festival the week before. This week is the Depue Boat Races which included a concert by the Guy Lombardo band at Lakeside Park last night and I will testify to the enjoyable evening and saw many local Peru people there.
The events on the whole are very family friendly, so if something is still to come in the next few months, feel free to post for the rest of us to know about and perhaps attend.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Meet and greet McGraw passes raise money for the March of Dimes « AM1220 WLPO News
Meet and greet McGraw passes raise money for the March of Dimes « AM1220 WLPO News
Is this something the city of Peru should continue to be involved with? Thanks to the Miller Group the March of Dimes, the intended cause, did receive 10,000 after the concert failed to produce enough money.
Again for the next concert, it looks like bids will be taken for a chance to meet the concert performers before the concert.
Yes Peru Little League does get the cell tower money from the Washington Park tower.
Is this something the city of Peru should continue to be involved with? Thanks to the Miller Group the March of Dimes, the intended cause, did receive 10,000 after the concert failed to produce enough money.
Again for the next concert, it looks like bids will be taken for a chance to meet the concert performers before the concert.
Yes Peru Little League does get the cell tower money from the Washington Park tower.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Peru Pages: Harl War chest – Flush with funds, purpose unknown
Peru Pages: Harl War chest – Flush with funds, purpose unknown
All voters in Peru should be aware of the fund raising efforts of a man who was just re elected in April. I recently heard that the most successful mayor in La Salle Cty, Mayor Bob Eschbach of Ottawa has done no fund raising since his election and has done the best job of any mayor in the same county. Is there a correlation? I see one, he is concentrating on what is right for his town and working with the people who elected him.
When my source for this info, reads the blog, feel free to make any corrections.
All voters in Peru should be aware of the fund raising efforts of a man who was just re elected in April. I recently heard that the most successful mayor in La Salle Cty, Mayor Bob Eschbach of Ottawa has done no fund raising since his election and has done the best job of any mayor in the same county. Is there a correlation? I see one, he is concentrating on what is right for his town and working with the people who elected him.
When my source for this info, reads the blog, feel free to make any corrections.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Public Health and Safety Meeting July 15 Youth Center
A topic on the committee but nothing was brought to the council, perhaps something is in the works. Perhaps you know.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Qualifications for the Superintendent of Public Works Civil Engineer
These are the qualifications on the job description. Even more interesting are the job responsibilities required. The city is expecting so much more than our current employee could ever have possibly done. You can request a copy of all of this information through Kim Reese our Human Resources Person and sure it would be considered a FOIA.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Milton splash pad grand opening set for Friday - Milton Courier : Local
Milton splash pad grand opening set for Friday - Milton Courier : Local
City after city working for their residents,
City after city working for their residents,
Monday, July 15, 2013
The Lobbyist for Peru has been Hired and the Superintendent of Public Works Civil Engineer
The vote was 7 to 1 with Ald. Perez voting against the lobbyist for good reason. The gentleman has an office in Springfield and will work on unannounced projects for the city with attempts to get money from the state and/or federal government. Time will tell. The volunteer director of economic development will remain.
Sean Mikos is going to be hired as a Superintendent of Public Works Civil Engineer. I will seek a job description on that because I am not familiar with that job title. He will work with Gary Bleck starting in August. The mayor and council kept referring to him as a P.E. and not as a civil engineer, turns out that means Professional Engineer. This new person certainly has his work cut out for him. I understand he is currently employed by the city of Yorkville as a Civil Engineer.
Because I write this blog and express my opinions which are often not received well even though they are true, I must say I was not treated very courteously by some of the council members on the Public Works Committee and Ald. Radtke. I hope this video survives for viewing.
Sean Mikos is going to be hired as a Superintendent of Public Works Civil Engineer. I will seek a job description on that because I am not familiar with that job title. He will work with Gary Bleck starting in August. The mayor and council kept referring to him as a P.E. and not as a civil engineer, turns out that means Professional Engineer. This new person certainly has his work cut out for him. I understand he is currently employed by the city of Yorkville as a Civil Engineer.
Because I write this blog and express my opinions which are often not received well even though they are true, I must say I was not treated very courteously by some of the council members on the Public Works Committee and Ald. Radtke. I hope this video survives for viewing.
City Engineer and City Lobbyist Tonight at City Council Meeting
Will you be attending tonights city council meeting to listen to the mayors explanation of why we need this lobbyist who will be present I understand.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
IVAC, MCS, Director of Economic Development and Now We Need a Capital Lobbyist in Springfield
The city council last evening approved payment of $14,413 to Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce.
We also pay monthly to MCS $1,000 per month.
We also pay for the expenses generated by our volunteer economic director, Bob Vickery which consists of things like mileage, literature, phone expenses.
I don't know that any of the surrounding cities have a lobbyist in Springfield or not but I did find that the city of Naperville does have them. The comparison between Naperville and Peru is huge and not only in size. Perhaps we no longer no need the position of mayor.
We also pay monthly to MCS $1,000 per month.
We also pay for the expenses generated by our volunteer economic director, Bob Vickery which consists of things like mileage, literature, phone expenses.
I don't know that any of the surrounding cities have a lobbyist in Springfield or not but I did find that the city of Naperville does have them. The comparison between Naperville and Peru is huge and not only in size. Perhaps we no longer no need the position of mayor.
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Agenda July 10, 2013 Peru City Council Meeting
AGENDA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013
I checked the agenda for this meeting and it consists only of routine committee reports and nothing else indicated, other than a request by IVCH to hold a picnic in a park.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013
I checked the agenda for this meeting and it consists only of routine committee reports and nothing else indicated, other than a request by IVCH to hold a picnic in a park.
Monday, July 08, 2013
Concerts for a Cause in Peru One Down 2 to Go
As I have said before the concerts mean absolutely nothing to the majority of Peru residents because they don't go to it. We don't ever hear what really happens there and we residents don't know what the cost is to the city. The promoter and city are pretty tight lipped about it all.
As has been said before private business does not belong involved with municipal government in this manner. Too much chance of money being moved about without anyone knowing where it is going, maybe it is only "in kind" exchanges. 600 comp tickets is a pretty large number for an area this size.
As has been said before private business does not belong involved with municipal government in this manner. Too much chance of money being moved about without anyone knowing where it is going, maybe it is only "in kind" exchanges. 600 comp tickets is a pretty large number for an area this size.
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
IDOT Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program
This is the program through which Peru is seeking a grant for something they must be developing.
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
Tidbits from Last Evenings Council Meeting
The actual meeting was delayed for about 20 minutes as the Mayor immediately called for a closed session.
It appears according the the N.T. that the most important topic on the councils plate was seeking a grant from the state called Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program and it is all about bicycle trails within the city and possibly linking into the already in place Kaskaskia Alliance Trail.
A detailed explanation of roads and neighborhoods to be included is available in the News Tribune.
The city is also seeking a grant to extend Wenzel Road to the Plank Rd.
Also in the plan is a 3 million dollar bridge over Route 251 at Rte 251.
I did attend the meeting prior to the council meeting about the possible annexation of properties to the west of Peru. Atty Brandt was present as council to the owners of the Tou Rest Motel which is evidently having some issues with sewage and would benefit by hooking onto the city sewer system. At this time it would not include property along Terminal Road as there is no city sewer in place there as there evidently is along Route 6.
Further discussions will be held.
It appears according the the N.T. that the most important topic on the councils plate was seeking a grant from the state called Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program and it is all about bicycle trails within the city and possibly linking into the already in place Kaskaskia Alliance Trail.
A detailed explanation of roads and neighborhoods to be included is available in the News Tribune.
The city is also seeking a grant to extend Wenzel Road to the Plank Rd.
Also in the plan is a 3 million dollar bridge over Route 251 at Rte 251.
I did attend the meeting prior to the council meeting about the possible annexation of properties to the west of Peru. Atty Brandt was present as council to the owners of the Tou Rest Motel which is evidently having some issues with sewage and would benefit by hooking onto the city sewer system. At this time it would not include property along Terminal Road as there is no city sewer in place there as there evidently is along Route 6.
Further discussions will be held.
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