News Tribune - Sound Off - Open Forum (Aug. 30): Why does Peru pay so much attention to Maud Powell?
Personally I have always thought the Maud Powell statue was in an inappropriate location. Should the veteran's memorial have been installed in a more prominent location instead of at Veteran's Park?.
17 comments:
The Veteran's Memorial, in my opinion, definitely deserves more attention and a more prominent location than the Maud Powell statue. Before Maud's statue was erected how many citizens of Peru even knew about her? I agree with the open forum - what did she do for Peru?
I agree. Maud Powell left Peru as soon as she could. Regarding the Veteran's Memorial, it should have been erected in the original Memorial Park... now called Rotary Park, next to the Cival War Memorial.
I agree with the issue re: the Maud Powell statue. Other than the fact that she was born in Peru and was the first American violinist to achieve international rank, I think most folks in Peru were unaware of her until the statue was erected in the downtown area.
Not that many shoppers visit downtown Peru. But for Peru residents, a Veteran's Memorial located where we drive by and walk by would be a constant reminder and better image to remind us of the service of so many men and women who dedicated their lives to our country.
The fact that you did not know who Maud Powell was is exactly why providing some history with a memorial is appropriate. No disrespect to veterans intended, but about every town has a veterans memorial, but few celebrate their cultural history. Maud Powell was born here, and she was an international musical icon. That is exactly the type of thing we should celebrate. Our city just worked with the local Rotary Club and many volunteers to make a very nice veterans memorial, and so of course the bloggers will criticize. Why do we have to compare? Why can't we be proud of the fact that our volunteers DID work so hard to make a veterans memorial, AND we also have a statue to celebrate Maud? If we didn't have a damn statue some of you would be wondering why we didn't. Give this a rest.
Does anyone know how long Maud actually lived in Peru? I heard it was a very short period of time and cannot find the information anywhere. I still don't quite understand the significance of a statue honoring her being located in the center of downtown. Isn't a statue usually erected to recognize an individual(s) who did something of significance for their country or town?
The Powell family left Peru when Maud was 6 months old. It did not make sense to erect a statue to someone who "just happened" to be born here and no one ever heard of but that is what has happened.
Lois,
Using that mentality, why would we mark the birthplace of any great person if they were only born there? A birthplace is still significant for a person who contributed to culture, music, arts, or community development. I'll bet you $100 if Maud was born in Naperville or Chicago, there would be something to indicate her history there. she is far more significant than any of the prfessional athletes that came from here, but they have a sign when you come into town.
Also, some people are misinformed. Maud returned to Peru and her first public performance was here. Her father was the superintendent of the Peru schools and her family was very prominent locally.
Are you suggesting that the statue should be removed? I think verbally disparaging this landmark validates what some people say about the community...no culture.
I hope you know a lot of people in the community volunteered to make this happen. Why are you putting energy into questioning an effort like this when you always seem to be looking for community involvement.
Oops, I forgot. Mayor Baker was involved, so it must be a bad thing.
One more thing...apparently the Maud Powell Society in North Carolina has heard of Maud Powell and the barriers she broke through as a woman in her day.
www.maudpowell.org
Here's more about her
www.maudpowell.org/home/MaudPowell/MaudPowellViolinPioneer/tabid/67/Default.aspx
Anon 12:53 You have got to be kidding!! This has nothing to do with Mayor Baker and never was his name mentioned regarding this issue until you brought it up. Obviously you are a Maud Powell supporter and that is your right but others also have their right to believe that our veterans should have a more prominent location for their memorial. After all, they risked their lives for our country. A memorial statue is one thing but closing a road to place it is quite another.
12:53 PM
It just so happens that I am entitled to my opinions just like you are and just because I manage this blog is no reason to disparage my views. My entire family and extended family is very much involved in music, such as playing in the San Antonio Symphony in TX and teaching music at George Mason University. My children were all involved in band and chorus and did very well at it and I am sure it made them better people for it.
I think the location was poorly chosen. Perhaps we could have had a band shell to showcase musicians actually providing us with music and named after Maud. Perhaps the auditorium at IVCC where musical events are commonly held would have been a better location but the east plaza with all the exhaust from passing cars does not provide an appropriate showcase to honor her. jmo
If you have been to a concert there, you should understand the extraneous noise certainly takes away from enjoying the music. Location Location
I cant't believe this conversation. You people can not leave a DEAD PERSON alone.
I think we have bigger issues to solve then worry about a dead person.
How about getting a Mayor and city council to work together to provide jobs to Peru!
Would that be worthwhile or should we worry about a statue ? How many jobs will the statue create ? Maybe a cleaning industry to keep the statue clean. how is that ?
We need jobs and businesses for tax revenue and that is what should be discussed, without either ALL ELSE is fruitless.
Lois don't get too upset but this is a dumb/stupid issue for this blog! Lets print credible issues !
1:57 and Lois,
I apologize if my tone was that negative, it just appears that sometimes it comes back to a dislike of Baker but you are correct, I am the one who brought that up.
For what it is worth I would not have closed a street either but I do think Maud is worthy of a "memorial" and it seems a waste of time to debate now what should have been done. For those who attended the veterans dedication and volunteered or were involved, I just don't think the comparison was necessary. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think most of both of these projects were private funds.
Here's hoping we have more cultural icons worthy of a statue in the future!
I am burning mad and furious.
Today as I drove on Pulaski street there I see 5 city employees(public works) working on a hole 4ft by 5 ft.
1 man was the backhoe operator and the other 4 men were working to fill the open hole . (The shovels from each man were hitting each other as they attempted to fill the hole)
This is a VERY POOR USE OF MANPOWER. Our Mayor says we need public works people but yet we have 5 people working on a project where 2 people would be more than enough. What kind of work assignments are going on?
Maybe we do not have enough work available for all of the 5 men? Then why do we need more new hires ?
GIVE ME A BREAK. WHERE ARE OUR TAX DOLLARS GOING , TO WASTE! Anybody looking for available money to pay city bills , look at the work assignments and the amount of men being used to complete each. Ask yourself the question ,What is going on ?
Lets have the finance committee take a daily tour of the work going on in the city and let them see for themselves.
10:21 - a.m. - You poor thing! What a traumatic experience that must have been for you. Please try to calm yourself with a cold beverage or perhaps a prescription medication. I hope you were able to maintain control of your vehicle after being subjected to such an awful sight. It's obvious you must have expansive knowledge of public works projects and years of experience in management also. How soon can you start?
Since you are apparently running surveillance operations on city employees why not have the Finance Committee ride along with you.
By the way. What does this have to do with Maud? Hey, are you trying to change the subject again? Damn, you fooled us again.
Steve you are ignorant with your comments. Truth really hurts don't it. This is what you support. Enjoy, next election you are out.
Give me a break Steve – that was a legitimate comment. Maybe it was off topic, but that is how new topics are created.
I believe that the appropriate utilization of resources is a problem. Not just for Peru, but for LaSalle, Oglesby, Spring Valley, LaSalle County, and the State of Illinois.
I don’t often drive around Peru during normal working hours, but when I do, especially in the summer, I see City workers doing things that make me wonder. I say “wonder” because I don’t know what they where doing before I happen to see them. But, the appearance of impropriety is inappropriate for any government employee. When I see five people doing a job that looks like it only requires two – I wonder. When I’m told we are going to offer early retirement – I wonder. Less than a year later, when I’m told we need to hire more people – I really wonder. And when I read the Treasurer’s report – I really, really, wonder.
Also – notice I post my last name also.
Brian - You and I will disagree that the comment form 10:21 was legitimate. We do agree on the importance of proper utilization of the workforce. Here's what I hope you will consider. What you and 10:21 immediately interpret as questionable or inefficient work activities "as you drive by" does not automatically qualify as such. If you are not aware of all the details of exactly what is being done you should not simply assume "you" know how it should be done. I ridiculed the comment of 10:21 because I believe she lacks any credentials, expertise, or hands-on knowledge of the taks or the manpower required to complete any of these activities she is so eager to criticize. And I suspect Brian that neither do you.
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