In spite of the very hot humid weather, there was a good turnout for the 175th Peru Celebration History Day at Washington School Gym. I personally sat at a table for St. Mary's Church with a display of historical memorabilia and did not have an opportunity to wonder through all the other tables. Anyone care to share their impressions?
Taking a drive through Peru one would never know we were celebrating anything. No prominent flags or displays along the well traveled U.S.Route 6. Something appears to be missing?
20 comments:
I am sooooo glad you decided to add this "Celebration" to your blog. I, too, attended the memorabilia day at Washington School. And while I enjoyed the existing displays and the film of the past 125th and 150th years, it made me realize how little is being done for the 175th. A parade, a beer garden and fireworks (done every year),selling T shirts, DVD of previous celebrations and what else......I have to be missing something????? For crying out-loud, do we not have people in Peru who have interests in the past and would participate in making this a true birthday party. Is the planning a closed shop? The committee in charge of these events haven't even begun to highlight what has been accomplished in the 25 years since the last celebration. What a sad commentary we will leave our children for this 175th birthday.
Kay 4:53 PM
What you see here is a failure in leadership , Mayor and City Clerk.
What you may hear however is that Oh, its the committee fault. I say bull its Leadership plain and simple.
The mayor and city clerk can not get excited because that will send recognition to the previous mayor and to the current aldermen who will get credit.
Noone on the city council or past mayor will get a pat on the back today for where we have come nor where we should go to the future. That is Fact....
After all remember the election, "Its time for a change" You got it enjoy!!!! We now are living with the change and the early steps of the future. Happy 175 !
Are you for real?? Let the past mayor retire but let the existing mayor do his job. But he cannot do it without the cooperation of the aldermen and the citizens of Peru. This type of celebration cannot be planned in 3-4 months times - it cannot be done by 10 people. It takes a village of people. In fact, you would not have to create the wheel. All you needed for ideas was the film from past celebrations and then the people to implement each idea.
How sad when you can look at surrounding communities that are smaller than Peru and see what they do on a regular basis. Utica is a prime example of making things happen. Marseilles just had their birthday celebration - people returned and stayed for 3-4 days time. The celebration went on for a week.
The mayor and city clerk are not responsible for everything in this town.
Lois, I did not live here in 1985, so can you please tell me what was done then and compare it to what is planned for this week? Thank you.
7:29 PM
You are wrong, it is not the total responsibility of the Mayor to develop a celebration and it is none of the city clerk's responsibility. I distinctly remember the City Clerk telling the Finance Committee that he was getting requests from individuals coming in to the office and asking what they could do help with the 175th. In that committee sat Ald. Ankiewicz, Mikyska and Mertel. He was told that the CSO was taking care of it. End of story.
This was the time to involve young people to gain experience for the next when most of the curent members will not be able to do what they can now.
I am personally aware that some groups were told as recently as 6 weeks ago, that there was no need for their involvement and then all of a sudden several weeks later they decided that these groups were welcome. Wasting valuable time in researching and obtaining historical information.
The members of the CSO did not seem to realize they needed to involve the younger people of this community and to involve as many interested people as they could possibly get. Organizations that may have donated funds for the needed flags, banners etc. Involve everyone in the community if need be.
I brought this up in several postings as far back as Feb. 15 (Fourth of July Celebration and 175th Celebration) and in March (Looking Back to 125th) with no response. A post titled When Is Our City Going to Have a Family Day? on March 9 brought several posts.
We can't redo what was omitted this year but perhaps we can develop another celebration on a regular schedule that involves something beside beer gardens and fireworks.
How wonderful would it have been if committees were made months ago to plan for this celebration. The citizens involved, what a unique idea! If only the council would listen.
We have committees for almost everything in the city from Finance, Parks and Recreation, Sewer and Water, Electric, Design and Review and Planning and Zoning so why not have a Celebration committee so that finally Peru could have something that seems to be missing called family fun. Have leadership involve the community and PLAN AHEAD Didn't LaSalle emphasize Families in their LaSalle Days?
What La Salle did for there recent celebration was led by THE MAYOR OF LA SALLE. The mayors are leading ALL of the surrounding communities even resigning when necessary . Not Peru, our mayor is silent and you folks think he cannot do anything.
Remind me again, WHY ARE WE PAYING THE MAYOR AT LEAST $30,000 PER YEAR ? To keep the chair warm or get his street blacktopped !
7:28AM
Surely you realize that the work done on the street in front of the Mayors house was because of necessary sewer work that was in the works for sometime. Forget that mantra, it does not fly.
Maybe it is because LaSalle and other communities don't have a CSO and therefore the Mayors find it easier to propose community projects knowing that won't have to deal with an outside organization. Or deal with aldermen who have dual memberships meaning as elected officials and as members of the CSO.
It is one thing to have a volunteer organization that anyone can step forward and join regardless of sex versus one that is restricted.
How many of our aldermen are also members of the CSO and who's the president (Tim Perra - test)?
With all the complaining on here about things, I wanted to throw a positive out there. I took my daughter up to the park for Arts and Crafts today. There were 25-30 kids and parents doing some amazing crafts, all for $.50. I looked over to the tennis court and there were 20 or so young kids taking tennis lessons. I then looked over to the ball fields and there were 20-30 little kids doing Tball. Not to mention the kids playing on the playground. Those are some great things for kids in Peru and most anti-mayor folks on here only look at the negative. Look at the positives and be part of the solution of the problems. Don't just complain, join a group, run for alderman, start your own group to help the city of Peru. Quit complaining.
Peru Pool,
What is the specific date we are to get the final report from Williams ?
I think it has been a couple of weeks of which we were to received the report. Looks like the Mayor blew it again ?
Is someone keeping a running tally of all of the screwups ? This will be good data at the next election.
1:46PM
Thanks for the good news that the kids are busy and active within the summer programs offered by the city. I like to hear that!
1:45PM
Sounds like you are just looking for something to complain about. Please read the post following yours.
Williams will present the report when they have the material and solutions together and ready to take to the council. Pool is not opening so there is no big hurry.
As I said you are looking for something to blame the Mayor for and it is not a screwup as you state, we want things done right and correctly and not just in a hurry to satisfy people like you who would then complain that we did not take our time and do it correctly.
Lois 1:45PM
My you do have a very selective memory.
In this blog under the "June 11 subject "Pool comments closed will wait for final Williams report" , you have stated the report will be due in a week of two .
Like I said before , The Mayor cannot get anything right, even if it means to hold to an expected date for a report. How sad .
We don't have to make up blame but only need to be aware of the promises BROKEN AND NOT FULFILLED. Then blame the rightful person, guess who ?
Yes the mayor blew it again, no report.
1:18PM
Really what is the difference if it is 1,2 or 3 weeks. No hurry, is there?
Are you planning a pool party at the Peru Swimming Pool this summer?
How long has it been that we are waiting for the announcement on the buyers of the Mirror Building? Again it doesn't matter, just sell it.
My life does not revolve around the length of time it takes for unimportant matters. Maybe yours does.
ANON 1:18 How did the Mayor blow it? Would you please explain yourself? You can't possibly mean that it's the Mayors fault because
Williams Aquatics has not submitted their final report yet - COULD YOU? And please explain your statement "THE Mayor cannot get anything right". If he hadn't been handed such a mess maybe he could have spent more time focusing on our future. Instead, he first has to get us back on our feet and standing upright before we can move forward. And, all this has to be done with a shortage of money, a shortage of personnel, and a definite shortage of co-operation from his council. Do I agree with everything he has done and the way he's done it - NO - but, I respect the difficult task he has at hand and his attempt to rectify it.
And, so should you. He's your Mayor whether you like it or not.
To Anon 2:14Pm
Your are right he is my Mayor for now but I tell you I cannot wait till May 2012 to see the NEW MAYOR SWORN IN OFFICE.
Until then hang on to your bottom because this guy knows nothing but will get us in so much trouble that it will take an army to dig us out.. Mark my words !
Lets pray, that might help make the days go by faster. C,mon 2012.
Yes just wait till you see her sworn in...
11:09AM June 29
Sorry this is a late comment. I do believe that every alderman is a member of the CSO. This is a judgment I have made as an observer and I have not verified it with the organization.
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