Ok, so I have never seen one but just from listening to the discussion, I believe it is the wrong location for the event. Located along Airport Road with residences all along the road on the La Salle side and a few north in Peru and a Nursing Home adjacent to the park.
The 2 aldermen who voted against this were Ferrari and Potthoff.
Ald. Mikyska compared it to a game of euchre that some people like and others may not and said he would not judge the event because he was not familiar with it and others might enjoy it. Alderman elect Perez gave the best comment of the night when he said he did not believe the residents were ready to accept and endorse the event. His comments fell on deaf ears.
This is a "sport" unfamiliar to the area and would it not be wise for the council to set up some rules or guidelines that they expect the promoters to follow and to have it all in writing. Nope ain't gonna happen.
42 comments:
Will the City require a certificate of insurance from the event organizers? Who would be responsible if there was a problem with one of the dogs? P.S. Mr. Alderman that voted for this event, am I allowed to take my dog in the park now? As a RESIDENT of Peru, not LaSalle or Oglesby, but PERU, please explain to me why I can't take a family friendly pet to the park? Something just doesn't sound logical. I can't wait to see the faces on the families that live in that area. Such a wholesome event. Is that the best you can bring to Peru besides beer gardens? Every city in the Illinois Valley has beautiful summer events, farmers markets, craft shows, Riverfest, festivals, theatre events, holiday parades, car shows, etc. What do we bring to Peru. Pitbull dog shows. You should all be so proud.
PERU, YOU ARE MAKEING THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF YOUR LIVES. THIS IS NO MORE THAN TRAINING OF PIT BULLS TO FIGHT. WAKE UP BEFORE ITS TOO LATE.
We have no consistency on our council. Depending on who or what organization wants something our aldermen either oblige or reject. In my opinion they need to establish guide lines and abide by them in all instances. Just because your partner on the council votes "AYE" there is no need for you to follow. Be your own individual. Last week they were dead set against this dog pull. This week a total turn around. Don't understand.
Did the Mayor take a stance on this event or was he quiet and enjoyed sitting in the chair again?
Did any of these aldermen think to poll their constituents on their opinion? Where is the representation of the people? Of course, we did just have an election, didn't we? Are we getting what we voted for?
I heard this morning at the local coffee shop that the Mayor wants to change Peru government to a commissioner format? Does he need a referendum? Committess will be legaly able to meet without public notice? I thought that kingdoms only exsisted in the Middle East.
Ferrari voted NO
Didn't the Taste of Illinois Valley have a petting zoo at one time? Whats the big deal about a few dogs pulling tires around a park?
9:41AM
The Mayor read a letter written by a dog trainer from Marseilles that contained a list of requirements the city should require. Ald. Mikyska stated that he knew this woman and she was a knowledgeable individual but seemed to ignore the guidelines she said should be set in place when the vote was taken and he voted aye. Prior to the vote Mayor Harl stated that he believed there should be a printed list of rules to be followed and the council ignored him. Personally I believe he should have been adamant about requiring that regulations be in place before a vote was allowed.
9:47AM
Mayor Harl stated that committee meetings would remain open to the public.
The new committee design being set up by the Mayor would consolidate all the current committees into 4 which would be combined committees. The reasoning behind this is that many committees seldom if ever meet and this setup would make it easier for the elected council members to attend meetings.
I agree that there are way to many committees and some also seem useless.
Legally if a committee has 3 members it must be open to the public. The design as set up by the mayor would be for 2 members and yet be set up for the public to attend. My concern with the 2 members is not with the Harl administration but any to follow. But maybe each administration makes their committee arrangement in which case it does not matter but does require public scrutiny to make sure rules are followed.
He is not changing our system of government which would probably require a referendum but he used commission cities as Ottawa as a comparison only.
9:44AM
Whether you got what you voted for depends on who you voted for? Maybe Ald. Waldorf was trying to please everyone when he said, First I was going to vote Nay but after listening to Ald. Mikyska I will vote yes. This was on the dog pull issue.
Reminds me of the time that Ald. Mikyska decided to vote the same as Ald. O'Beirne because he was his friend. This was awhile ago and may have been about the swimming pool.
Regarding the dog pull: Did any council member ask the individual why he wants to host the pull in Peru and not in his home town (Oglesby) or the town where his business is (La Salle)? I question whether he approached these towns and was turned down.
9:44AM
I want to add that when you re elect the same people again, you get the same results!!
Why not make it a requirement of 3 on each committee, to make it legal? I also believe each Alderman was independent on the vote for the dog pull. Mayor Harl stated that committees will remain open to the public. That sounds like another decree from above. If you place 3 on the committee it has to remain open to the public. Thats the law and why would he attempt to do anything different? By limiting committees to 2 on each committee and you would be able to have less involvement from the city aldermen and the 2 chosen could meet anytime, anywhere for any purpose. Not a bad idea, get rid of the Democratic process. And if you only had 1 show up for the committee meeting than that is the ideal form of CONTROL. And your worried about a dog event?
9:44 my alderman never asked me how i felt about anything in my ward - ever. he never even came to my door this election.
Ferrari voted No
What was Potthoff's vote?
Why not have it at the Wiggley Field. It is already fenced. I will walk my two dogs at Baker Lake the day of this event and encourage all the residents of Peru to do the same.
1:26PM
Potthoff voted against the event
In a democracy anyone can get a petition and have it signed by others who also oppose the action if you are in opposition to something. Maybe that is the only way your alderman may hear your voice.
1:30 That is an excellent idea. Citizens are not allowed to bring their dogs to any park in Peru and then we let out of towners do it??? What are our aldermen thinking???
Alderman Mikyska, When have you ever heard of a deck of cards biteing you in the A--??? I'm surprised you are a teacher, with those comments.
At last night's council I brought up signs around town with alcohol advertised on them. I do know that in the past our aldermen were adamantly against this type of exposure of alcohol being served at city functions. I also remember that the next day someone had taken down all the signs on the corner of Shooting Park and 251 (even those that did not promote alcohol). Why then are we allowing the sign that's on that corner now? Is it because it involves the activity that will at some time sponsor an event for the pool? It is my feeling that rules should be established and followed regardless of who it is.
So did anyone actually check out what dog pulling is before they started the ranting here?
I will say that I was against it but after checking into it I don't really have a problem with it. I doubt if I would go watch it since it wouldn't interest me but to get all fanatical about it seems kind of stupid.
Here's a simple site that I found so that you all could have a little insight.
http://www.pulldoggies.com/101.htm
Let me see!!!!! Would I have rather had Boggio and a farmers market in town or would I like to have a dog pull?????? That dog pull will (I assume) probably last from late morning until late afternoon. Where are those dogs going to kept while they wait for their race. Where are they going to relieve themselves while they wait? Surely not in the park that I cannot take my dog. Boggio not only would have been a good tenant while he was here but look he is now going to build. Taxes, taxes people would have helped your tax base. Oh what a sorry group of aldermen you have voted to lead this city. AND CONTINUE TO DO SO!!!!!!
I think the problem is with the venue. A less public place and one that is not so widely used by the public would have been a better choice. Perhaps as an act of good faith considering the communities reaction, would be to change the location.
Also, the Aldermen should take into consideration what the people are telling them. There was much concern voiced about this before the vote.
Our aldermen do not seem to care what the citizens of Peru have to say on matters such as the dog pull, signs advertising with alcohol, etc. When was the last time your alderman called or knocked on your door and asked if you had any concerns or problems in your ward (and I don't mean at election time)? Mine never has and even when we have gone to him he has failed to support and back us.
It looks like after reading the comments on this blog and the comments on the News Tribune, Peru has become the laughing stock of the Illinois Valley for this decision.
If you are a Peru resident take a minute to call or email your alderman and express your displeasure with their decision last evening. If you are not a Peru resident, I suggest you call the Mayors office. All information is available on the Peru City website.
Anon 4:49 If I remember correctly Boggio's wanted to sell sweet corn in Mark Allen's parking lot a few years ago and was turned down by the city council. I don't blame them for going to LaSalle, do you?
Sorry 6:02, they will never call you back, or do anything for you. They just want the $100 bucks per meeting, then you won't see them for 4 years.
Just want the $100 a meeting? Grow up! Anyone who thinks the Aldermen, Mayor or Treasurer are overpaid isn't sane. Whether you agree with them or not they do it for the City of Peru and nothing else. $100 a week for this abuse?
I agree an alderman position along with Mayor and Treasurer can be a thankless job. But, these positions have been increased to weekly meetings (which are definitely unnecessary) and thus increasing the cost to the city. Don't forget we are a city of under 10,000 people. The mayor is a part time job and the Treasurer's position is all important - at least in this economic climate. Perhaps Treasurer and City Clerk should be combined - again due to economic situations. Although then this would not have the check and balance system that now is in place. When Judy was acting comptroller - only she really knew what was going on. We cannot go back to that!!!
11:18 They bought this abuse on themselves. How do you think turning down Boggio's selling sweet corn is a good thing for Peru? How can you think a dog pull is good for Peru when many people are expressing their disgust? The aldermen are supposed to represent the city of Peru as a whole - that includes the PEOPLE who make up Peru.
City of Peru has always had weekly meetings. The City has a hard working City Clerk and a Qualified Treasurer. Combining both jobs does eliminate checks and balances.
ANON 10:09 Check the 2010 census results, we are no longer under 10,000 people. To me PERU is still the Leader Of The Valley. You always talk about how towns around the Illinois Valley do things so much better than PERU does. If that was the case people would be leaving PERU to live in those communities. The census proves that we still are and will always be THE LEADER OF THE VALLEY.
11:36 AM
Words come easy but it is how you present yourself to the world that determines your status. With all that bragging you surely should have put on your name in giant size letters.
La Salle is also over 10,000 and just a few hundred short of the Peru population. Haven't you noticed all the FOR SALE signs in both cities?
My suggestion is to open your eyes and see what is really happening in the city and definitely keep your eyes open while traveling along our city streets so you don't fall into one of those craters on our streets.
LOIS PLEASE CHECK THE CENSUS FIGURES AGAIN AND GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT. LASALLE'S 2010 CENSUS FIGURES ARE WELL UNDER 10,000 PEOPLE. THEY LOST APPROXIMATLEY 300 PEOPLE. THEY ARE NOT AND NEVER WILL BE THE LEADER OF THE VALLEY
12:43PM
You are correct on the census figures. And do you realize how much I dislike the term leader of the valley. The arrogance associated with it frankly irritates me more than you can imagine. We are 2 cities that happened to be located next to each other and we should respect and work with each other as much as we can. But then I don't like braggers either.
Having a larger population does not make you the leader of anything. 12:43 you think and act with the same mentality as our aldermen. Can't we all get along and move forward together and make the Illinois Valley a community to be proud of. I detest arrogance and a pompous personality.
Maybe it should be brought up that the twin cities be combined and have a full time mayor or city manager. We could have one well staffed Police and Fire Dept. I think money could be saved and taxes better spent.
Why would LaSalle and Peru have to combine governments to have one city manager? The two towns could hire one city manager and split the cost of his position. A positive attitude and willingness to work together with the city manager from the decision makers of the two cities would be a must.
Hiring an independent, professional city manager with the responsibilities of surveying the data to see if it would be advantageous for a combination of the two cities or what would be the proper direction for each to explore independently would be money wisely spent for future area progress. Maybe the city manager would develop a plan in which the two cities would stay independent but would combine police and fire departments, street and alleys, water treatment, purchasing, legal consultation, engineering and equipment etc. Just a thought, but a thought worth looking at.
As an addendum to my previous entry, I would also question Spring Valley, Oglesby, Utica, Mendota and other surrounding towns to get their feelings on doing co-operative projects. Our area is very fortunate to have Interstate 80 & 39 intersect and an airport plus the Illinois River. Peru sits directly in the hub of all the major cities of Illinois - and 60 miles away from Peoria, Bloomington, Rockford, Aurora, Freeport, Elgin, etc.
We have great motels and restaurants which are very inexpensive in comparison to other localities.
My question would be, does the Chamber of Commerce have a brochure circulating to inform people of our area and if so how big a geographic area does it cover? What is its method of distribution (to whom, where and when).
Also does the City of Peru have a brochure of its own and if it does then I would ask the same questions as I did for the Chamber of Commerce.
Remember that by having a co-op functioning with other surrounding cities, all of the cities involved increase their buying power. It is surprising how much strength increases with numbers and efficiency.
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