This is the second time we have gone to the JazzFest and we have thoroughly enjoyed it both times.. Lots of good food and great music. The weather even cooperated and gave them a nice warm evening.
So our thanks to all of the people who helped to plan and organize the event. It was so nice to see people of all ages together having an evening of good fun.
23 comments:
Lois , LaSalle appears to be doing many mini events during the year with the hopes of something happening with them similar to Utica and the Burgoo, Mardi Gras parade, and Saint Patricks event. All seem to be working well for families and everyone involved. Could you give a comparative cost analysis of each cities entire expense to Peru's Fourth of July fireworks (approximately $40,000). I believe Peru's one night event probably costs four times as much as the other cities total mini events.In fact the Burgoo has to be a huge moneymaker for Utica.
Once again La Salle provides entertainment for the community. Wasn't this in some way in connection with St. Margaret's Hospital and aren't they putting up a new building in PERU? And, didn't we give some kind of tax break to IVCH but not St. Margaret's?
Good For La Salle, that is what a good Mayor can do for you !
If you read the ad in the paper, it gives the web site to go to for further information. It sounds to me like it is that community thing again, very similar to what Steve just wrote about. Public And private sector working together.
If you need proof that events are taking place everywhere else, go to the News Tribune online and check out their event calendar. The only Peru event I found was the Monster Mash for adults at the Casino Bldg. In fact hardly any events listed for the entire Tri City area (LaSalle Peru and Oglesby). Of course LaSalle just had their big event and Oglesby had theirs last weekend.
While I agree that it would be wonderful to have more social events in Peru, may I point out,along with events come volunteers. There are oodles of possibilities, someone just needs to step up and make it happen. The city is very willing to work with you to make it happen.
10:57 a.m. - Determining the actual cost to the taxpayers of each city for these festive events depends on how well each municipality tracks and records their every expense. We can always ask.
11:15 a.m. - I believe St. Margaret's Hospital was listed as one of many sponsors for the Jazz event in LaSalle. There was no tax break that I know of for IVCH, but, the council did unanimously waive a number of building "fees" owed to the city associated with the huge expansion project going on there. The IVCH Board of Directors attended that meeting and said, Thank You. I do not recall the exact amount but it was well into the tens of thousands of dollars.
6:35 p.m. - I'm sure the mayors of Utica and LaSalle are fully supportive of these events, as they should be. But, if you had an opportunity to ask either one of them what the real driving force behind the effort was they would tell you the "People" in town made it happen. The people of Peru can and will make it happen too. You can get on board or you can get out of the way. Which will it be?
I agree with you Steve that the "real driving force" is the "people" but they also have to have the cooperation of their council. I don't feel that our present council is very willing to listen to the people or accept suggestions from them.
Steve, to directly address your response to 6:35 PM......you state that the Mayors of LaSalle and Utica when asked would tell you that the "People" made it happen. They were the driving force behind the events.
You then state that "the people of Peru can and will make it happen. You can get on board or you can get out of the way. Which will it be?" Steve, I sincerely wish you would be more specific as to who or what "can get on board or get out of the way." Specifically I would designate the Peru CSO (the people who comprise this group as being the biggest obstacle within our city). A perfect example is the 175th Celebration, totally controlled by the CSO and only the CSO. The CSO did not want nor would permit anyone else partaking in the organizing of the 175th Celebration. (Reference postings on the blog from Monday, June 28th)
The 175th Celebration would have been the perfect opportunity to encourage Peru citizens to volunteer. The Peru CSO (which is primarily aldermen and city officials from city sponsored corporations) wanted complete control and the results show that they got it.
The present CSO shows evidence of obtaining its philosophy from Peru's Home rule government. No one can participate unless they are connected. It surely has become the closed shop on volunteerism and the organized method of a political arm in the City of Peru.
9:46am
Name one, ONE, suggestion somebody, anybody, proposed that "The Council" shot down. As J said,"The city is very willing to work with you to make it happen". The CSO included.
6:53 -- This event was not the doing of the Mayor of LaSalle. Kudos should be directed to the LaSalle Business Association.
I had recently heard that so thanks to the LBA. Great website lasallebusiness.org for further information on the organization.
9:46PM
There were citizens that wished to work with the city on the 175th celebration and they were told the CSO was taking care of everything. End of story. The council never extended their hand and said anyone that is interested in working on this project, let us know.
I've also heard they pretty much control the 4th of July festivities. Is that true?
It is absolutely true. I have heard people ask for a smaller scale fireworks without all the very expensive aerials and they were literally snubbed by CSO aldermen. It is their "baby" and no matter the cost, they don't seem to want to change even if that is what residents want.
And, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't our aldermen members of the CSO?
As far as I know, yes they ALL belong to the CSO
In response to ANON 12:35 Oct. 12 -So,apparently suggestions have been presented to our aldermen and have gone unheeded or fallen upon deaf ears.
Things that make you go HMMMM!!
Comments being posted are reinforcing Anon 6:41 statement that no one can participate unless they are connected. The CSO has become the closed shop on volunteerism and the organized method of a political arm in the city of Peru. Amazing to have all this "HOME COOKING" in a closed organization - no female members. 2010?
Some of the reasons the CSO aldermen do not want to change, even if that is what residents want, are: They have had exclusive rights to a city owned piece of property to put their beer tent. A good question is how can you serve liquor at a open event such as the fireworks where their are many juveniles without parents or a legal guardian present in the surrounding area? Liquor laws state that you cannot utilize a liquor license within 100 feet of a church, school or city park. What liability does the city incur to allow the sale of alcohol on city property? The CSO dictates to the City Recreation Committee, but only donates approximately 50% of the $40,000 fireworks cost. The balance being paid by the city. The CSO's 50% actually does not completely pay for the difference between having very expensive aerials which is a must for their preferred water street location or a smaller scale fireworks which could be utilized at many other locations.
4:40 PM
Thank you for the well stated information and you have asked questions that need to be answered in the coming months.
4:40, So does that mean you can't serve beer in Centenial Park?
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