Saturday, May 08, 2010
A call to attend the Peru council meeting on Monday May 10th
Please make an attempt to spread the word about the next meeting of the Peru city council on Monday, May 10th. If you can attend please do so and pass the word along to friends and family that it will likely be quite interesting to see the reaction of our aldermen to the report from Williams Aquatics detailing the current condition of our municipal pool. Remember, these aldermen voted unanimously recently to proceed with opening the pool in spite of the fact that Mayor Harl and City Attorney Schwieckert advised them to consider the possible liability of opening a facility with numerous safety and code violations. I think any resonable observer would agree that action by elected officials would constitute "Willful Negligence" if that pool is opened and someone is injured or worse. I think there is a good possibility we may be treated to a "special performance" by a few of our aldermen who typically behave as though they are not subject to rules, regulations, or even certain state and federal laws.
So pass the word and plan to attend.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
13 comments:
Steve, I would recommend that anyone planning to attend the Monday, May 10th meeting take the time to reread your blog on Friday, April 23 "The Politics of our Municipal Pool. It is quite an eye opener!!!!!
What a sad political situation for the City of Peru. We have elected aldermen who would be willing to risk lives rather than delay the opening of a pool to make sure it is safe for children. And, I am appalled that more than 1 alderman was willing to side step this inspection and go forward with the patching of the pool prior to receipt of the Williams Aquatic report. Sounds a little like Nero fiddling while Rome burned.
PLEASE CITIZENS OF PERU......TAKE THE TIME TO GO BACK AND READ THE BLOG WRITTEN ON FRIDAY, APRIL 23 "THE POLITICS OF OUR MUNICIPAL POOL".
According to the recreation brochure on the city of Peru web site. Swimming lessons are scheduled to begin on June 14.
I realize this brochure was put together some time ago but I would think they would have put a "maybe" on the pool information.
Please keep in mind if you are able to attend Monday nights council meeting that the vote to open the pool was unanimous.
Anon 5:10 You are exactly right about the sad political situation the city is in right now. I just do not understand why this swimming pool is so political. If anyone know the answer, please enlighten us. To me it is either safe to swim, or it is not!
Steve, how has this pool been able to open in the past if it has numerous safety and code violations? Those violations did not pop up over night. Is this the first time the pool was inspected by a reputable firm?
Just adding my comment on 10:27PM. When Williams Aquatics asked for records and past information on our pool, they were informed none could be found. This does leave me to wonder if any permits were given to the City and if they were did the people who actually gave the permit do any checking on the safety of the pool or did they just take the word of our City Government as in Mayor and City Council. Go back and read the initial assessment made by Williams on April 22 - Initial Survey of Peru Swimming Pool.
I have wondered much the same thing - was there never any permits or inspection done by the entities that approve pool openings - I am thinking like the EPA, etc. But then I think what is it going to achieve to find out who didn't do what. Thankfully no physical harm or liability occurred! We need to move on and that is where we can look back.
Really take a look at each and every elected alderman who will be campaigning for their seat. Ask yourself, did they represent you and your district to the best of their ability (and was their ability enough)? Did they use their personal expertise in making judgment calls or did they follow the group?
It is time to bring the City of Peru into the 21st Century. Notes, minutes, logs all must be taken and kept for future generations to track.
People must be held accountable for what they say, do or don't do. Laws and ordinances are in place to be followed or changed where necessary - but written accounts will allow for tracking. The tax dollars of the citizens of Peru must be a priority of this governing body - not considered a slush fund for their personal use or advantage.
People of Peru need to take an active role in watching this governing body, giving suggestions and yes, even criticism where warranted. But, if you take the time to criticize something then you would need a positive suggestion or change to offer.
Surely the ceo of the ymca would know if the city got the necessary permits for the pool - wouldn't he? He'd know what's required - woudn't he? Just asking?
To 10:27 - I have not confirmed if our pool has ever recieved a valid permit for operation or if any type of legitimate inspection by any regulating body has ever been done. But I feel very safe in saying this pool is not now, nor has it ever been properly "permitted" to operate other than perhaps an original document after its initial construction. That document, if it ever existed might have been signed by President Roosevelt during the depression. Your question is a very important one because it directs our attention to the individuals who would have to answer some very tough questions in the event of a tragic accident at that pool. We have a "Pool Manager" who is either not aware of the rules and regulations in place for access and safety at public pools or she is aware and has done nothing to encourage compliance of those regulations. Either way that is "unacceptable". This situation is just another in a long line of stumbles and bumbles by previous and current elected officials in Peru in terms of their inability, or out-right refusal to hire competent and professional people. Historically, the pool manager position has been a "political and or patronage appointment" by the aldermen on the Recreation Committee or by Mayor Baker. There was no process of advertising for and hiring a "qualified" pool manager who probably would have gone into shock after seeing the condition of our pool. The improper method of hiring the current pool manager was so wrong for so many reasons. I am not saying Linda Kasik is responsible for the problems with that pool. Violations existed well before she was hired. However, by accepting the position she accepted a load of responsibility and I will not be surprised to see certain aldermen attempt to "pass the buck" on this issue. These are some real genuine guys. The truth is there is a very slippery and wet trail of responsibility that leads directly to the city council chambers.
On the other hand, the issue of opening the Peru pool has become such a political nightmare that it makes one wonder "why". Is there any issues that would be exposed that would tend to incriminate anyone? Perhaps there is a pile of tax payer dollars buried deep under the 1st patch job? Ha! Ha! Don't we all wish?
As a citizen of Peru, I sincerely hope that more than the few participating in this blog, are paying attention to the conversations and questions being presented. I hope that everyone will be in attendance Monday night. Anddddddddd, I respectfully ask that you become an informed voter.
Thank you Steve. Now just one more question. Is it required by cities who have pools to be in compliance every year that they are opened? And does someone from the state inspect? Sorry two questions!
Steve - do you know if the two people who are in charge of the daily operation of the pool have job descriptions?
Surely Mr. Drennan (who has been in charge of the pool for many years) knows whether or not we have the permits necessary to open it. If not him, then who has been responsible? I'm sure our aldermen can answer that question and have probably made sure we've been in compliance. At least, as a citizen of Peru, I would hope someone has been responsible!
Post a Comment