“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.”

Samuel Adams

Thursday, October 07, 2010

News Tribune - News - Local - Peru to seek grant to help build new pool

News Tribune - News - Local - Peru to seek grant to help build new pool The maximum amount available through this IDNR grant is 2.5 million and the possible pool cost at present is 3.5 million and that does not include demolition of the current structure.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

So, let me understand. If the pool costs 3.5 million + the cost of demolition we need to come up with that amount of money before work can begin. Is that correct? If so, I thought we were told that we were virtually broke. I assume we would have to apply for a loan to fund this project. Wasn't our Moody rating considered pretty bad? Why do our aldermen feel a pool is such a necessity in these hard economic times? Could someone please explain!

Anonymous said...

What is the total cost for all aspects of a new pool - demolition of the old pool, bathhouse, concession stand, parking lot, landscaping and all other costs which have not been stated? What is the design and square footage of this pool? Where is this money coming from? Was there any problems with citizens of Peru attending other city pools, i.e. LaSalle, Oglesby, Spring Valley, Mendota? With other pools being this close in proximity do we need a pool? Why is the swimming pool issue such a constant subject at every Peru City Council meeting when there are so many other critical issues not being addressed?

It appears that any city that can give $20,000.00 worth of playground equipment to Dalzell (instead of utilizing it in its own parks where the children's swings are duct taped and slides are rusted out) would have no difficulty in putting its citizens in debt for more besides the $40,000,000.00+ already created. This kind of excessive, unrealistic over indulgent spending must be stopped. PERU CITIZENS CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY WHILE THEIR PUBLIC OFFICIALS REFUSE TO LISTEN TO THEIR DIRECTIVES.

Anonymous said...

AMEN anon 3:37. We need people to start attending meetings and speaking up and calling their aldermen and voicing their opinions.

Anonymous said...

It cost La Salle $9,000,000 to recently redue there pool. Peru must be better then La Salle and we will get a BRAND NEW POOL FOR $3,500,000.

Who is kidding Who ?

Have anyone in this town seen a construction estimate dollar amount met for the project ? If the amount is over spent , who picks up the tab ?

The Mayor ? he only makes $30,000 a year . At that rate it might take a while to pay off the debt , unless The city clerk can help and also can kick in some/all of his $50,000 salary.

Peru Town Forum said...

2:58PM
I think maybe you have forgotten who is promoting a new pool....it is NOT THE MAYOR OR CITY CLERK, IT IS THE ALDERMEN.
So understanding that we throw in whatever payment they receive from the city for attending council meetings and leave other officials out. Let's just make it a private pool, not a city pool and then anyone in the city who is in favor of the new construction can pay also and be obliged to sign a pledge that they will need to fulfill.

Anonymous said...

Now that it has been determined to present the aldermen with Lois' 7;52 idea I would like to know what length of time to take the mortgage for. At $95.00 bi-weekly rather than weekly it will take twice as long to pay off the mortgage. As a cost saving factor the city council is going to bi-weekly meetings in the near future isn't it? Also to inform the citizens better I hear that they are going to make a determined effort to televise all city council meetings since the contract with Comcast has been signed.

Anonymous said...

OCTOBER 12 @ 6PM PUBLIC MEETING WITH WILLIAMS AQUATICS AT PERU CITY HALL. PLAN ON ATTENDING AND MAKE YOUR VIEWS HEARD PRO OR CON.

Peru Town Forum said...

9:36PM
I have done a lot of research on IL cities and how often their council meets and almost unanimously it is every other week but I would bet that we could not get that approved by our present council. In fact one of the aldermen kind of complained that they only make xxx amount of dollars per month. I won't embarrass him as it was not said at a public meeting.

Anonymous said...

Lois,as shown in the past, this city council will not discuss a simple 1/2 hour meeting time change with the Mayor so that the new calendars can be made. There is evidence that if the present Mayor expresses an idea, the council is not going to accept it.

Possibly this mind set has been created because, until recently, they were the new kids on the block either elected or appointed under the helm of a experienced Mayor who was in office for 44 years. One and a half years ago a new Mayor defeated the previous Mayor in an open democratic election. This election created many wounds which have not healed. Now the council possesses the seniority and want to control the Mayor, as they were controlled in the past. This is resulting in a city in which a tremendous amount of time and energy is being wasted to obtain a minimum amount of progress. It is now evident that the coming elections in April are going to decide the future of Peru.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to vote! But, also to vote with learned knowledge of past and present conditions within our city government, an understanding of financial conditions and willingness to participate. Peru should be a city governed by all the people - not a few.