“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.”

Samuel Adams

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Streator school will receive nothing from benefit - The Times: Local

Streator school will receive nothing from benefit - The Times: Local

The jobs done by the volunteers look like they were hired help who worked for free. Now that we know what volunteers really do for the "charity" event, Peru should without a doubt end this "nonsense" and perhaps along with Ms Noonan give a public  apology because without the aid of our city this could not have taken place. since it required our Police, our Fire Dept, and our Public Works Dept. And yes even the aldermen parking cars at below minimum wage at our Municipal Airport.

We the residents of Peru are not proud of what you "our city government" have done once again. That is my Public Comment, what is yours?

86 comments:

Peru Town Forum said...

Anonymous said...
HomeNewsLocal
Streator school will receive nothing from benefit

Posted: Tuesday, September 9, 2014 11:50 pm
Derek Barichello, derekb@mywebtimes.com, 815-431-4073 | 0 comments


After being chosen as the beneficiary of a local charity rock concert, Centennial School in Streator learned recently it will not receive any money, after it provided 50 volunteers for the August event.

Proceeds from the Rock Star Energy Drink Uproar Festival, the latest event in the Concerts for a Cause series hosted by Lou's LaGrotto in Peru, were supposed to help Centennial purchase new technology.


At least, that was the plan.

The series has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars since 2005, according to past reports from its organizers. Merry Noonan, concert promoter and restaurant co-owner, had no comment Tuesday when she was contacted by The Times. She said she will release a statement at a later date.

Centennial staff learned in May they had been chosen as a beneficiary of the charitable series and would receive profits from the concert in exchange for help.

Centennial Principal Anne McDonnell was told that "everyone had received money" that participated in it, but following the concert, the school was sent a letter stating Concerts for a Cause had nothing to donate this time around.

"We had to provide 50 volunteers to help that day of the concert and the night before to set up," McDonnell wrote in an email response to The Times. "Some of our jobs started at 7:30 a.m. and ended well past midnight. They included set up and tear down of equipment, cooking and serving food and beverages, checking IDs, driving the musicians and crew around town in our cars, driving the chefs around to purchase meals for the crew, cleaning up garbage after the concert, and one volunteer did laundry for a band."

The situation has raised questions, concerns and emotions in the community, according to McDonnell, who says Centennial staff still is struggling with how to handle it.

"Our staff had a range of emotions with this news, but mostly we were devastated for our students," the principal said. "Some staff could not let that be the end and wrote letters and or contacted the bands to share our story. Several responses were received, which all included the same message: They had no idea that this situation had occurred, and they were looking into it."

The Aug. 16 show at Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru featured more than 10 hard-rock bands, including Godsmack, Seether, Buckcherry, Pop Evil, Escape the Fate, Redlight King, Three Years Hollow, Sons of Recovery and Suicide Girls.

Noonan has told Centennial staff that it could reapply, but as of now, there hasn't been a decision made in that regard, McDonnell said.

Anonymous said...

How can we allow something like this to continue to happen in our town? Hope our aldermen will finally wake up and stop this nonsense. It has been nothing but controversy and trouble since its onset. However, if our council doesn't act immediately she (Ms. Noonan) will soon be booking bands for next year. She has already told Streator they could re-apply next year which means she is planning ahead. So council - plan ahead. They are no longer concerts for a "Cause".

Anonymous said...

I don't think you can blame city government for the lack of donations to the most recent charity, and you can't credit them with the many donations to charities as a result of past successful concerts. Peru did what they were suppose to do. Peru was in charge of security and rented the airport for the concert. The promoter paid Peru for security, ticket sales, and parking. Many Peru officials parked cars at no cost. The airport manager reviewed all set-ups and donated many hours for the concert. The fire chief and police chief were not paid any more than their salary to spend many hours with the concert details and direct supervision.
I would think that local Peru officials will review the many pros and cons of hosting concerts in the future.
Its unfortunate that the concert was a bust for the school, that's the gamble with any out door event. Is it worth a gamble next time? Its high risk and high reward. Would you rather buy 5000 cookbooks and spend two years getting recipes and hope you can sell 2000 to breakeven? And if you sell the rest you may make $2000. Although it may take 4 years. I bet that other charities will continue to apply, I just worry that the city will soon tire of their charitable concert involvement.
As for the Promoter of the concert, I do feel for the loss of the profit from the concert. It was a lot of work, a big gamble and many headaches. To her credit she has a vision to bring live Big name entertainment to the Illinois Valley. And profit local charities. She has a chance to make a profit, nothing wrong with that! She put in a enormous amount of work and chance, we are sure she is disappointed in the bottom line. Many have enjoyed the local live concerts. Lets not post blame on her intentions or her creative vision.
Blame it on the economy, the act, the outside. Credit those who made a effort. The promoter, the city, the volunteers. They all made efforts on behalf of the charity. Especially, the Streator group who cares about the local school.

Anonymous said...

On a related note, I just reviewed the salary report for the Streator Elementary School District. As of this school year, the salaries and benefits for employees classified as Administration is OVER $1,200,000.
The District has 1,850 students. So, the administrative cost per student is $660.

Maybe it is just me, but I think administrative salaries are way overboard in this district and ALL the school districts in LaSalle County.

Anonymous said...

The next thing that will happen is that the City will "donate" the money that was collected for parking and will wave the charge for security, etc.

I can see this happening a mile away. Oh.... is anyone going to ask how much the drink and food sales brought in and if they are part of the overall P&L for the event. From what everyone is saying, the drinks and food are a separate pile of money.

Anonymous said...

11:00 am..

Your review of administration salaries has no involvement with the group of volunteers that are making a difference by working to provide more for the students.

As for salaries in schools? The level of education levels of all teachers much higher than those of the private sector. They have a very valuable commodity to educate, its your children. I know you want to compare the teacher to the local tradesman. Don't do that because you will find that local truck driver may be paid more than your child's 2nd grade teacher. Unless that teacher is employed by Ottawa high school.

Anonymous said...

11:00 you make a claim like that you should back it with more than I think.

Maybe call a local school and shadow what the admin does each day. I think you would find that they do quite a bit of good and more than you think.

And if you ask "you must be an administrator" the answer is yes I am

Anonymous said...

The reason people aren't attending these concerts are because you can't sit down! People can't expect to stand all day at an outdoor concert. Sure you can bring a blanket and sit on the hard blacktop, but that is not comfortable. The Beach Boys had a record sell out crowd and there were seats. I understand the risk the promoter takes, but because of her rules, she won't get big crowds.

Anonymous said...

Hey 10:59, I have a creative vision also: THE CITY SHOULD STOP ALLOWING THESE CONCERTS TO BE HELD. Wasn't it a couple years ago that a concert didn't produce any revenue to a charity cause, and then major landscaping was done over at a house in the sycamore lakes subdivision? Please correct me if I'm not remembering this correctly. Did I also read something on this forum regarding this a while back. Is age catching up with me? Nothing against persons owning a thriving business, but , if it were me, I would have taken away from my own wants and supported the cause out of my own pocketbook. This would show ones intensions and values were in the right place. Feel free to correct anything I mentioned in my comment.

Anonymous said...

12:15 & 12:23 - I gathered the administrator salary from the district web page. These are administrative salaries - not the front line teacher salaries. I have no problem paying a teacher an honest wage. My point is that if we need to evaluate the number of "administrators" across our region - I bet you would find several million dollars of waste that could be eliminated by combining the administration of our schools.
I also know that "administrators" tend to find things to do. I worked for the government (armed forces) for many years and I know that some people (civilians mostly) will go to great lengths to justify their position. They create processes and paperwork just to keep busy. I'm willing to bet it is the same in the school system.
So the way I'm looking at it, the school actually has about a half a million dollars that they can weed out of their individual budget. At a minimum, the administrative functions of our local school districts can be consolidated across the region and save millions of dollars across the entire county.
Concerning the level of education. I know a truck driver with a master's degree. He gets paid to drive a truck and the degree is irrelevant. I do not know of any occupation that pays you more just because you get an advanced degree. It is either a job requirement or not. In many cases, a degree beyond a BA or BS is worthless. If you are beyond college age, the BA or BS is often a non factor - job experience takes over. The compensation is based on the work performed not the education level achieved. It is opposite (for the most part) in the school system.
And finally - why don't some of those highly paid administrators chip in and purchase some computers for the school themselves. If they do it correctly, they could even get a significant tax benefit.

Anonymous said...

Teachers pensions are so high. I know a person who started teaching junior high students in 1981,
Retiring June 2015. Pension $78,000 a year.

Anonymous said...

A PhD gets paid the same amount to wash dishes as a high school drop out.

Anonymous said...

333 That's 30 plus years and they pay a portion of the retirement.

Compound interest really works, did you know that teacher is not eligible for social security at any time. They taught for 30 years at the jr.high level, they deserve that pension.

Anonymous said...

3:33 That teacher probably started with a $14,000 a year salary, because they had a interest in teaching kids. They paid into a retirement program along with the school district, for 33 years. They probably have touched on the lives of many of the children they taught. The teacher must have been good, they stayed teaching for more than 30 years. Some will argue that the pension is hardly enough. How does that compare to a concert for a cause.

Anonymous said...

Teachers do not pay into Social Security either. Nor does their employer.
Most people work 40 to 50 years before retiring at much less than a modern teach gets.
At one time teachers where underpaid. For the last 30 they have not been.

Anonymous said...

According to the NEA, the average wage for an elementary school teacher in 1981 was about $19,000. That is almost $50,000 in today's dollars.

Anonymous said...

Teachers who worked before becoming a teacher and who qualify can receive a social security check based on their earnings prior to teaching.

Anonymous said...

people if you want to talk about pensions what do you think the average Illinois state trooper's pension is after working 25 years and retiring heres your answer its north of a 100 grand that's why the state of Illinois is broke lets keep voting old frank mautino in hes laughing at us

Anonymous said...

10:59
The pension comment is a plant from the city or Noonans cronies to derail the blog. Lois lets this happen all the time.

You cannot call the concerts charity events if the promoter takes their share first. Period. If they can give a buck a ticket to the City, they can price and give three bucks a ticket to the charity.

Off the top.

The promoter NEEDS TO OPEN UP on the calculations of profit... or simply tell the consumers these are NOT CONCERTS FOR A CAUSE. The are the La Grotto Concert Series period. Businesses do not change there name every time they make a donation!

She is getting rich off the backs of "volunteers", claiming the events lose big money (hell the donations are outdone by boy scout walks). If you say these are big risks... why does she CONTINUE to have them if they are losing so much MONEY!

These things use massive amounts of public resource, and the creative vision is nothing more than CREATIVE finance. Its not creative to get strippers then get caught and back pedal. Bringing big name talent is great. Just do it without using everybody else and making tons of cash on your drinks.

There is a REASON that other places dont do this. The Citys are not stupid and the charities dont work their butts off for table scraps!

Anonymous said...

And the series has not raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. It has MADE hundreds of thousands in gross receipts.

It has barely cracked 130 k from my calculations and been stuck on zero since Kid Rock, except for one. You CANNOT count sponsors filling in the blank checks for you, or even pizza night sales. They are separate.

The labor value always equals or exceeds the 'donation".

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:57, how many PhD's do you know that wash dishes for a living, nice educated comment!

Anonymous said...

The Peru swimming pool fund received $27,000 from the Big Time Rush concert. BUT first the city had to make in kind donations amounting to approximately $22,000, (not including wages paid to city employees to set up and clean up) so net donation to the pool fund was maybe $3,000. But she has a nice plaque hanging on her restaurant wall saying that she donated $27,000 to the pool fund and $20,000 from the Alan Jackson concert to Easter Seals. FALSE ADVERTISING! And her house keeps getting bigger and better!

Anonymous said...

Private sponsors, i.e. Eculid Beverage, Miller Media Group are also part of this business process as well as the membership of the City of Peru elected officials. As of this date only the promoter has expressed herself about $0.00 donation to the cause. Does anyone realize that with many concert sponsorships certain monetary rewards are considered normal business practices?
Also are locations sold to vendors to advertise their products and possibly have a sales booth or tent at the concert site?
Frankly more than the school have been taken, so have the sponsors of the concert and they should publically account for the concerts results with more than a silent answer!
How is it that the airport initially became involved in the concerts? Don't city governments normally limit themseves to govern the city rather than utilizing government facillities for private business purposes? What we have here Luke is a failure to communicate!

Anonymous said...

7:15 AM, obviously the comment is above your head. So I will explain it. In the private sector, you don't get extra compensation for your level of education - you get paid commiserate with the work performed. In the public school system - you get paid extra for each level of higher education you obtain, even if that level of education is not necessary to perform your task. For example, do you really need a PhD to manage a few hundred employees? If that was the case, every business would have a PhD as a CEO. The truth in, a master's degree is sufficient to run any of our local school districts. That being said, the requirement should be a Master's Degree in Business - not in Education.
But - we keep paying for stuffed shirts that do nothing but continuously ask for more money - from the taxpayer and from charities. The fact is, I doubt any of our local superintendents could manage a Kool-Aid on a hot summer day.

Anonymous said...

8:51 The average state trooper pension is well below your figure.

The State rep salary is well below your $100,000 range. He won't retire with any thing close to $100,000.

5:15 Are you comparing apples to oranges? Your right most people work several jobs for several years, some get higher pensions some get smaller or no pensions. If you were delivering newspapers for 40 years and worked 10 hours a week, should you have the same pension as a teacher? Yes, if you believe in socialism. But lets be positive. If you put in a portion of your paper route money in a 401K, you may have a Nice pension like those darn teachers.

Anonymous said...

I know a garbage man - not from around here - that worked for the same company since 1980. He is getting ready to retire and has a multi-million dollar net worth. No pension plan, just 401K and non-sheltered investments. Hi wages topped out at just under $80K per year.

Anonymous said...

Putting all the public sector pay issues aside, the topic is the bogus charity concerts.
I believe the wages got brought up because it is quite possible that the schools don't really need to beg for money from charities or extra taxes if they managed their overhead better - most would agree that management is getting paid quite a bit more than they are worth.
Anyway, the bogus charity is a totally different issue. I am going to write a letter to Senator Rezin and Rep. Mautino tonight asking them to draft a law to prevent using misleading charity references in the advertising for concerts. This happens quite a bit - not just in the Illinois Valley. I would like to see the law clearly state what must be disclosed. If residuals such as drinks and food are not part of the fund raisin, it should clearly state this on advertising. If the promoter is not registered as a non-profit entity, this should be clearly stated also.
We need to prevent this from happening again - and it will unless Peru pulls the plug on the freebies or a law is created requiring full disclosure.

Anonymous said...

Would someone please explain to the bog exactly the business procedure upon which "Concerts for a Cause" operates under?
How can a private business advertise, not follow state law in employee payment, and conduct a majority of the business (sponsorship revenues, beverage and food sales etc.) at a government site under the disguise of a charitalbe event and legally get away with it. This person could not accomplish this and I emphasize COULD NOT get away with this without the assistance of elected and appointed officials of the city, state, and federal government. Are these the same government representatives who will enforce the laws of medical drugs?

Anonymous said...

Just went thru the latest disbursement sheets and found the following charges rather interesting:
1. $959.76 rental cost for lights for concert
2. $50 signs for concert
3. $204 parking forms for concert
Wonder if the city was reimbursed for these bills and wonder what other hidden charges the city paid for.

Anonymous said...

9.52 your so darn wrong its unbelievable research it are you a campaign worker for mautino trying to cloud the issue with un truths?

Anonymous said...

How does a private business draw the legal fine line for tax purposes when becoming involved in a so called charitable function such as the concert at the airport? By state stature what are the employees legally entitled to for working more than 17 hours a day?
Who trained the employees to the state health and county codes for dispensing food? If the school recieved no money who has the sponsorship fees that come from private sponsors paid to get their products on the grounds of the government owned land (airport)? It appears that this entire money making scheme is governed under the Wink Wink Laws of Peru, ruled by the recipes of the Pizza Planning Lady and even the professional hard rock bands have been decieved.

Anonymous said...

How is the city reinbursed for employees pay by the concert? Being that the city employees are hired for city jobs is all work time at the concerts overtime at overtime rates? If so why isn't this handled as private part time job in which she hires her own employees, giving the city employees a opportunity to work or not to work for her at their choice?

Anonymous said...

I don't believe that the "volunteers" could be considered to be an employee even if they where misled. This is still a free country and you are allowed to work for free - even if you are providing work to a for profit company. There is also no law against being naïve or, frankly, just plain dumb.
These concerts have been controversial for a few years. Several of the "causes" have been shorted. This is not the first time.

Anonymous said...

Report to the IRS, go to their website and fill out paperwork. Simple and annonoymous if you want to be. The IRS will do a business audit and a personal audit if they have creditable information, which may lead to other audits of people and businesses
Involved. Not a joke or false information. Take a minute and check it out. Whistleblower, I believe is what it's called. Businesses and people who cheat the gov should be caught and pay the penalities.

Anonymous said...

2:14 - you can also be charged with making a false statement unless you have actual facts to back it up.

People - stop trying to bring in various outside entities to investigate various issues. There is a difference between being legally wrong and morally wrong. I'm willing to bet the pizza lady has all the legal boxes checked. But, that doesn't make it morally correct.

The only thing to do is let her know through your lack of business and through voicing your opinion publicly. Let your school board know, let local charities know. Most of all, let the City of Peru know that you do not approve of these events being held on public property under using a charity as a disguise for a profit making venture.

If they can't get an organization that is willing to be "the cause" these events will stop.

Anonymous said...

Anon 2:02 PM Yes you are allowed to work for free, but if you appeal this specific case I believe she will be forced to pay the volunteers. She has misled them and also allowed them to work at her busineess. Every time you cheat you are closer to being caught.

Anonymous said...

Would this be a case which the American Civil Liberties Union would be interested in? What would it take to get the LaSalle County States Attorney interested? Also are there any local attorneys who have practiced labor law who would handle this case pro bono? Did I read correctly that 65% of the school are below the poverty level?
My first thoughts would be to parade the schoolchilren into the courtroom carrying a large picture of her home. Mama Mia! Mama Mia!

Anonymous said...

I think many people have already spoken or have commented on this forum to the city officials regarding these concerts. Only to have fallen on deaf ears. The one issue I have with these concerts is that people tend to get the word "cause," and "charity" confused. These concerts are booked, wonder if the contract states that a percentage of ticket sales is donated? Is there a follow up letter after the concert to the performer stating that zero dollars was donated due to low ticket sales? Does the performer give a discount for their fee under the contract because a portion is supposedly being donated? The city should not be involved, this last concert gave the city a bad name again.

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it be easier to stop buying her Pizza? Tell your friends and family. Stop buying her product and the problem will correct itself.

Anonymous said...

3:10 - which civil right was broken? The ACLU mission is to protect the individual rights guaranteed by the constitution. In particular, they concentrate on:

•Your First Amendment rights - freedom of speech, association and assembly; freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.

•Your right to equal protection under the law - protection against unlawful discrimination.

•Your right to due process - fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake.

•Your right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.

Please note that their mission is to protect individuals from the Government. Not each other.

Anonymous said...

Anon 7:34 Don't you consider the administration and city council of Peru government. I am no asking you if you consider them good or bad government just Government.

Anonymous said...

I beg to differ. You can have unpaid internships, but in these cases there are many other requirements that need to be met.

You cannot do quid pro quo. You cannot claim charity volunteers when there is no registered charity. These events manipulate to get whatever they can. They say they are like civic events to get free government service. They claim charity and fundraiser when they need entertainers and government approvals and workers. they say hey we are a risky private business when time to pay. They have not given much in recent years but still keep throwing them because they make a great deal on concessions with free labor.


The organizations that will go after them are legitimate concert venues who have to play by the rules.

Anonymous said...

One other point. The news media reported concern that a certain number of tix were pre sold. She was counting on a big walk up.

Even if she got a walkup similar to the previous concerts, she should have sold way more than the letter to the school. And what was the city car count for this one. Kristy was doing a pretty decent job comparing cars to reported attendance.

Anonymous said...

9:45 - yes, but again - no civil rights where infringed. People have the right to be stupid and work for free.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to know why the Ottawa newspaper reported on this concert, but the News Tribune did not????????

Anonymous said...

The NewsTirbune did. It is in today's paper.

Anonymous said...

8:33 - because MMG got a lot of advertising dollars out of it. More money that could have went to the "cause."

Anonymous said...

10:01 just read it. Ottawa did a much more thorough report. Plus how much did Noonan donate? You would think that would be a question a reporter would ask.

Anonymous said...

Would the news tribune have reported on the concert if the Ottawa paper had not?

Anonymous said...

Lou's also sent a check to the school.

Lets guess....$150,000 for the bands. $30,000 for the stage, $2000 for rain insurance, $5000 for advertising, $5000 for staff.

Total cost is about $200,000.

Lets call food beverage sales and souvenir cuts at $20000.

Ticket sales at 3000@$50= $150,000

Your looking at conservative loss of about $30,000 minimum.

Get off the concert promoter's case. Final tally is the concert lost money and a donation was made to the cause.

Anonymous said...

What I'm having a hard time understanding is that Ms. Noonan said she talked to Streator's principal last week and sent them money. How come it hasn't reached Streator as of yesterday? And, how come this wasn't reported in our paper until it appeared in Ottawa's? And, if Ms. Noonan sent a letter to Streator last week how come she refused to comment to the Times reporter?

Anonymous said...

except typically concessions run 20-30 a head, and there likely were more than 3000 there given the advance sales number quoted. Also the length of time for food and beverage sales was much longer than typical, since festivals generally have a captive audience, so at the profit margins normal at venues ( and they dont have free labor) the concessions should be way higher. You better hone that argument a bit if you face a real auditor, and also audits for the liquor and sales tax. All those round numbers of yours, well lets say that we can agree they didnt make as much as normal and had to double stage cost and security staff. So they need to start taking the donation off the top.

Nobody is on anyones case. It is NOT a case yet. But its getting closer.

Anonymous said...

12:56 who cares if she sent it what do you care?

Anonymous said...

12:58 Your estimate of the crowd spending may be greatly over. This was a crowd with lower age levels and less spending power. Estimate about $20.00 per person with a profit of about $10.00 per person. 11:03 is probably more accurate with revenue, they probably under estimated the expense side of this.

Anonymous said...

I do believe the Ottawa paper and the News Trib are one in the same. I think the NT bought the Ottawa paper

Anonymous said...

Let me say something. Money is usually no option to people who go to concerts or sporting events. The prices of alcohol is expensive. People who go are aware of expense and they bring money to purchase. Also, single shots in bottles are also brought in by some people who purchase a soda and plop in the shots. Kinda like sneaking in candy at the movie theater. I've done that many of times, who hasn't?

Anonymous said...

220 your simply not correct

Anonymous said...

1:17 They are not my estimates. They come directly from similar venues, with lower available hours and lower drink prices, as well as more choices for the disposable income. The age of the concert goer might factor, but it should be negated by the longer selling hours. The workers at the concerts , in their own words, worked much longer hours and sales were brisk?

A concert with under $20 per head is almost unheard of. If you want more information, there are several books published on how to be a concert promoter, and the midwest arenas will gladly share it with you. Also, there are IRS tables and business consultants who generally can get fairly close estimates.

There is also the matter of the gate number, and there were multiple reports that walk ups were as strong as the previous concert, which did ok. So if the pre sales were the same and the walk ups the same, and the event lasted longer...

Guess we will never know because our city does not audit them.

Anonymous said...

Can we please put this to rest? She is making a donation and she lost money this time. Everyone on the blog keeps saying these are charity concerts but that is not how it is promoted. It is promoted as being for a CAUSE! It is not the same. I wish she would stop doing that and just keep bringing the concerts to the Illinois Valley, but enough is enough on the topic.

The people will vote with their business. That's how it works! If you don't like it, don't eat her pizza. LET'S MOVE ON!

Anonymous said...

Bella's pizza is fantastic in LaSalle. Great weekly specials on a large pizza with a lot of ingredients and cheese, even if it's the special price.

Anonymous said...

4:50 Do you know how many times these events have been represented to the consumer as the following,(in public newspapers, and to government approval bodies.)

Charity Concert
Benefit Concert
FundRaiser

Proceeds from concert goes to....
Concerts for a Cause , A name used by charity concerts all over the country.

I DO know how many times. So do several others. Did you read the ordinance?

And consumers HAVE been given that impression for many years now. Why is that a problem? Because it has been promoted that way for many years, and because of that it HAS gotten free labor, volunteers, sponsors who believed they were donating for a cause, and even may have been given preferential treatment by entertainers.

For you to say you want it to just go away, be put to bed, well it makes me wonder why that is? What is it to you that people talk about it?

Publicity is not only always all nice and good. Since people have started complaining, the papers have been a little better at saying a portion of the proceeds, not implying its a benefit concert. But as this last one showed, it is NOT even a portion of proceeds. It is dependent on many other people getting paid first. The charity gets the scraps, and always for less than the market value of sales and on site labor they provide.

Be glad all this is going on here in a blog. Better here than at Northern District of Illinois.

Anonymous said...

Hey and 4:50 Check out the letter to the editor, from someone who apparently knows all about the concerts. Yet she turned into a charity pitch. Support the Charity. Over 400,000 raised.

Check the stats on that. Just a few years ago it was under 200,000. Now magically doubled with only one concert since Kid Rock making money?

So this in the KNOW person states that it is a charity. And that we should volunteer and support it. With friends like those, Noonan needs a better attorney.

She might send a letter saying if the concert makes money you get paid. But that aint how labor laws work. And the order of payment matters.

Anonymous said...

7:11 here

I stand corrected on one point. They did say they donated over 400 k. But that was before Kid Rock. I do not see how they came up with that estimate, but it does show that since Kid Rock, the biggest one, there have been many shows , many volunteers, and very little new donation.

Same city freebies, same effort, same volunteers same sponsors. But not much new money. How can she keep losing money for these efforts? Cmon people.

Anonymous said...

711 is very correct if this was the average business owner in peru with no connections they would be arrested for fraud trust me they would be bernabei would see to it

Anonymous said...

Lois: There is another open forum regarding the concert issue. Maybe you could put its' link on the blog. I've read it and there is some information on it that I find hard to believe and that I question. Would like to know others opinions. This article claims concert has donated over $400,000???

Anonymous said...

The same claim was made before Kid Rock. Many concerts since then, same vague claim. If 400 K was donated, imagine the receipts this "charity" has generated for themselves.

As the open forum stated, we must be grateful for this charity. Thankful. We must all support it. If La Grottos does not CLEARLY refute those staements made by the forum writer, we must assume they believe them and want that plea publicized.

I also wonder if Kristy ever saw from the schools the actual letter sating they may receive nothing if the concert is not profitable. If they get to see that before they 'volunteer', and get to see the booksafter.

Anonymous said...

I too would like to know if indeed she does send each "cause" a letter (prior to their accepting her offer) that no money will be given if she doesn't make a profit.

Anonymous said...

OFF TOPIC: I guess we can probably assume that the video for the last council meeting (the one where the mayor read his letter about the FBI results) will be one that will not be able to be posted! Isn't it amazing how the recording equipment always seems to break down when something interesting happens at a meeting?

Anonymous said...

Someone should write a letter to the editor, and include this blogsite into the letter. Wonder if the newspaper would print the letter?

Anonymous said...

Here's a shocker. You can have a "for profit" charity concert.

Anonymous said...

6:04 You can, no doubt. If you do it carefully. Do not mislead consumers, sponsors, and government decision makers.

You can be a professional fundraiser who keeps 99 cents of every dollar they make here in Illinois. But they have to be clear about it upfront, at every single step of the way, and file as a fundraiser.

Its a grey area that most businesses are very clear about when they fundraise. Very very clear. They like to avoid any appearance of profiting off a charity or the goodwill of consumers. But I believe a conscious effort to present these as pure fundraisers has occurred over the years. Just one commoners opinion.

Here in Peru they dont like common folk asking questions. Everything around here is about what you can get AWAY with legally. Used to be more trying to do whats right.

Anonymous said...

Lying is the root of all evils, unlike the quote of "money is the root of all evils." Not hard to discover the truth of a lie.

Anonymous said...

Annon 2:01 PM Many of us that have lived in Peru become as upset as you with the general attitude that it is better to ask for forgiveness if caught than to first ask for permission.
Recent decisons by a retired judge and the FBI condone this attitude. When leadership has this attitude how can you tell a young person that honesty is the best policy and sincerely ask them to believe and practice it.
Not only being caught and informed of wrongdoing this particular person immediately threatens a counter suit. Unbelieveable. In comparison to years ago when a politician who was told he did not have the authority to do what he did and would have been ashamed to present himself in public Peru has a individual in office who continues to threaten. Talk about a misplaced town bully.

Anonymous said...

This is a messed up world. Dishonest people raise dishonest children and they become dishonest adults. So, society as a whole are liars. My grandfather always said that people who are dishonest, liars, cheaters and thieves will have a rude awakening as time ticks by. And so, the popular word and phrase I have been told is KARMA. As a grandparent, I try and enforce what my grandfather taught me. Probably the best advise I can give anybody, is to be honest, and don't believe what a person always says, there are two sides to every story,

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:39, you name one politician in the past that wouldn't show his face to the public after doing something you think was wrong and don't think any they didn't bend the rules.

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:42 PM I could name several politicians from years ago, but I think it would be best to use a little tact today and leave begones be bygones.
In reading your comment I immediately thought that here is the perfect reason not to re-elect a incumbent. Thank You for making me realize that even the most honest going into office do not always leave that office untainted.

Anonymous said...

WLPO reported this morning that the Streator school received a check from Ms. Noonan in the amount of $3,300. In my opinion a small token for the quantity of free labor she received.

Anonymous said...

A news trib article written on Sept. 12th indicted that the promoter of the concert issued a statement Wed. Sept. 11th that "even though the show did not generate any profit and in fact lost money, Lou's LaGrotto talked to the principal last week and sent a donation for their hard work". Principal McDonnell said that as of Thurs. morning (Sept. 11th) the school had not yet received the donation. Noonan sent a letter to the school Aug. 28th expressing her disappointment. According to WLPO the check for $3,300 finally arrived September 16th. Was this check sent only because she was under fire?

Anonymous said...

Local news is broadcasting that the Streator school has recieved a check of $3300 from organizers of Concerts for a Cause. Reach your own conclusion of this business and all involved including Peru government officials, Euclid Beverage and MMG etc., etc., etc.

Anonymous said...

Kinda like when politicians and actors and actresses deny their marital behavior in cheating on their spouse and get caught. Then and only then they try and do some damage control by doing a press conference or make a statement on social media. Pathetic.

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:30 AM Concerts for a Cause is a source of entertainment that charges charity concerts less than normal because the revenue created from the concert is donated to the cause. I've understood that the Streator school volunteers were going to contact this source of entertainment which the promoter utiliizes and explain that they recieved zelch. What response did they get?

Anonymous said...

7:22 I don't understand you? The ticket prices are always near market compared to the other stops? Do you mean the entertainers provide discounts to make the donation greater?

Anonymous said...

8:48 That's what it sounds like to me and if that is indeed the case I wonder if the bands themselves are aware that lately there has been no money for the so called "causes"?

Anonymous said...

Yes there is a division of the Country Western organization that makes sure that performers perform so many charitable events/year at a lower price for projecting a goodwill image. This is the means by which the local promoter has been conducting airport performances. If countryt western artist were aware that Streator was going to get $0.00 (proof of which they were made aware of in a letter) and for some unknown reason rec'd $3300.00 would the organization feel fair compensation would be full charges for all past concerts or a complete discontinuation of performances?
They do not want to project a bad image anymore than the NFL, Budwieser, or Nike.
Past and present circumstances are evident proof that the Peru city officials are long overdue in admitting their mistakes by immediately taking their concert center and making a airport out of it and than concentrate strictly on what they were elected for - city government business which includes full reports brought to the council at open sessions of all expenses from and inforation of conventions, seminars and on and on. Also all ordinances relating to open competitive bidding must be obeyed and followed plus all occupations and job openings must be advertised at a communicative source which can provide the expertise needed for the job to be performed. Also all city representation, elected should take a ethics oath which if not followed calls for immediate loss of position and any city representation and job. A $50,000,000.00/year business should not be a training grounds for the inexperienced to conduct poor and/or questionable legal business practices.

Anonymous said...

6:57 Are you going to share examples of this behavior?

Anonymous said...

Another article in the trib about the concert for a cause and Ms. Noonan's contribution to Streator. Isn't it ironic that nothing was being said or done until Streator got upset, contacted the Ottawa Times, and an article appeared in their paper? Since then how many articles has the trib published?