The mystery that is PVAS

The recent request by LaSalle to PVAS for an ambulance to be stationed in LaSalle "around the clock" is about to re-open a festering wound that had hardly begun to scab over since the issue was last brought up shortly before the last mayoral election in Peru. At that time LaSalle was simply trying to convince the PVAS Board of Directors to allow them a seat at the table. You have to remember who it is that makes up this PVAS Board. It is now and always has been comprised of Peru elected officials. That's how the by-laws of the corporation were written long ago. Don Baker designed it that way when the city of Peru took control of the previous ambulance service. In 2009 LaSalle was finally allowed a seat on the PVAS Board of Directors. Well, sort of. LaSalle was allowed to have one city official attend meetings as a "non-voting" member. At that time a compromise was reached to allow an ambulance to be stationed in LaSalle for a portion of every day and LaSalle would pay a specified amount to PVAS on a monthly basis. Baker decided to throw LaSalle a bone and they accepted. Flash forward to today and it's time to re-negotiate the deal and LaSalle wants more coverage. That sounds reasonable to me. Certainly the PVAS Board of Directors are reasonable men, aren't they? Who are these guys anyway? Let's see, there is Bob Ankiewicz, Joe Mikyska, and oh yes, my mentor and Mr. Reasonable himself Back Peddlin' Jack O'Beirne. If I am wrong about the roster of Board members I'm sure someone will correct me. The mystery that surrounds this "not for profit" corporation that is PVAS is something that I have never been able to figure out. I have a copy of the By-Laws of PVAS, Inc. that I have read and re-read that only leads you in circles in terms of what it actually is and how it is supposed to operate. The only thing you are sure of after reading the by-laws is that they were designed to give total control to the city of Peru. If you were to ask one of those Peru aldermen to explain "in detail" exactly what the PVAS is and how it is operated I believe they would be hard pressed to enlighten you. Who owns it? Who controls it's finances? Why can't LaSalle be included? Why is the city of Peru so intent on controlling the service? Why do the board of directors have to be Peru aldermen? What qualifies politicians to oversee an ambulance service? Why is there so much confusion about an ambulance service? Who is responsible for creating all the confusion and ill will between Peru and LaSalle in the first place? I want to make it clear that my comments have nothing to do with the individuals who work or volunteer at PVAS. I understand they are professionals who are doing excellent work and they have nothing to do with the political aspects of this issue. I understand the need for this vital service. However, as a citizen of Peru I hope to someday see the mystery of the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service revealed.