There were a lot of eye witnesses to this scene because of the many people who came in to see the swearing in of Sherry Mayszak. You opinion is?
Thursday, June 30, 2011
News Tribune - News - Local - Alderman, mayor clash — this time on time cards
News Tribune - News - Local - Alderman, mayor clash — this time on time cards
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Peru and La Salle Road Repairs this Summer
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According to the News Tribune La Salle awarded Len Trovero their street project. Peru has also awarded Len Trovero their street project. The thing I found interesting was that according to La Salle's city engineer they will get roughly 3 miles of road paved at a cost of $502,278.05. According to the minutes of Peru's 6-1-11 council meeting the Peru's mayor stated that we would get roughly 2 miles of road done at a cost of $884,000. Why a difference of over $300,000 for less road?
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Should Peru Take a Proactive Stance to Avoid Rental Problems
Cleaning Up Run Down Rental Property
Many of the Chicago suburban communities have become proactive and joined Crime Free Rental Associations. Its nice to be close to Chicago for the fun things but not so nice when communities in the suburban and metro area decide to set down strict rules enforced by the law and we find the people moving from there to here and yes it is happening slowly but surely.
Part 2 Cities that are stepping up to the plate
Each city name is a link to take you to their web site and rental programs.
city of O'Fallon
Our sister city of LaSalle has begun the process by registering landlords with a $30 fee per unit and inspections.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Please Take A Minute to Click on the Links
Peru Fire Department
On the Peru F.D., you will see a well organized web site with pictures and information on the firemen who protect our homes, families and businesses.
Now take a minute and try to found some content on the ambulance web site that gives you the same assured feeling that they have it all together. It states it is under construction and it has not changed one bit in the last 3 years that I have been writing about the city. It is always just the same eerie music and nothing of importance about this organization that is providing emergency health services to our community. To me it says something that I am not too comfortable with, does it give you safe feeling?
What Do You Think about all of this?
Concrete benches and tables from the swimming pool. Ald. Ankiewicz stated they had been scattered all around Peru but residents have looked in the parks and none can be seen. I have seen one at the back of City Hall but the rest seem to have vanished. Anyone else seen them?
ESDA - Will Peru disband the organization to save money and turn the duties to the Peru F.D.?
1/2 % sales tax increase, will it become reality? Does the Mayor have enough votes to pass it? First he said we could sunset it by going through a referendum and then said no way will it ever be taken off.
How do you feel about it under those circumstances?
Do you or your family plan on attending the circus or the Big Time Rush Concert? Are they within your budget?
July 3 events coming up. Sounds like fun at Washington Park, will you be attending? And then going to Water Street for the Fireworks? Are you enjoying the use of our parks this summer and if so which is your favorite and why? How often do you go there?
The summer movies started June 20 at Maud Powell Plaza.Did you go or not ? Does location matter to you? Is Monday a good night to have them? How can the city improve on this family event?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Splashing and Wishful Thinking
Brought this to the cities attention last year to please plan ahead and just maybe your kids could be cooling off now if the city had planned ahead.
Sometimes it is smart to think small and with the money you have or might be able to accrue you are able to offer something to your residents instead of always aiming for the biggest and the best that you know is years down the road leaving us with nothing for the children of today. You know the Leader of the Valley Syndrome.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Where Do You Stand on Pay Increases as Requested for Select City Employees
This is a requested topic that does need to be discussed.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
CLOSED FOR COMMENTS Comments on the Demolition of the Old City Power Plant
Since Kristy brought this topic up last night at the council meeting and it was written up in the News Trib, I thought that you might like to post your comments on this. Evidently an unreliable company that is short of cash that legally owns this old power plant until the demolition is complete is in charge until they transfer the property back to the city for $1.00 when the project is finished.. It seems that we have a half razed building with asbestos that was not removed because the company ran out of funding and no barriers in place . They misjudged the value of the contents according the news coverage and it sounds like financial problem occurred that supposedly are now remedied.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
City Meetings Week of June 13-17
Last night Health and Safety had a meeting
Rodney Perez posted toRodney Perez 2nd Ward Alderman (FB)
6-13 Public Health and Safety Meeting.
Present was: Alderman Perez, Ferrari, Chief King and Deputy Chief Pyszka.
Discussed; Safety concerns of residents within the city... Coyote and Fox running within city limits and residential areas. Code violations.
Chief King spoke a bit on safety incentives for city workers. The City Safety record for loss time injuries is commendable.
Fire Hydrant flushing resumes this week.
Next Committee Meeting: Monday, July 11th 6:30.
Tuesday June 14 @6:30PM Recreation Commission Meeting @ City Hall Finance committee meeting Wed. June 15 @3:30PM Peru City Council meeting Wed. June 15 @7:30PM
Monday, June 13, 2011
YouTube - La Salle Idol
YouTube - La Salle Idol
Listen to all the young talent here in case you did not get the opportunity to visit La Salle
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
News Tribune - News - Local - Cooperation key as La Salle goals set
News Tribune - News - Local - Cooperation key as La Salle goals set
We wish La Salle the very best in all their endeavors to improve their city while not forgetting their proud history and also to retain a spirit of community among their citizens. Also a pat on the back to the volunteers who are stepping forward to be a part of this journey.
Can We Develop a Walk with Your Alderman Program
Recently the mayor of Ottawa hosted a Walk with your Mayor program where on each walk he went to a different part of the city and walked with residents through their neighborhood and discussed problems that might exist or maybe give possible solutions.
I suggest instead that Peru develop a Walk with your Alderman program. Walk and talk and show him where the problems exist in your neighborhood. Point out to him problems with anything you are bothered about. Could be streets, alleys, unkept property or abandoned property, ordinance violations and anything you have in mind. The best thing about all this is that they would show a physical presence in their ward.
Each alderman knows people in his ward that could help coordinate such a program. Something like this would help to develop a community awareness and when problems were pointed out by residents, the alderman could take them to the council or to the right department to be solved.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Streator starts demolition process on 3 properties - MyWebTimes.com
Streator starts demolition process on 3 properties - MyWebTimes.com
You may wonder why I would post an article about Streator property in a blog that concerns itself with Peru primarily. It is because due to lack of ordinances and/or enforcement with regard to rental or abandoned properties right here in Peru. I see them in my neighborhood and I would assume that some of you do also.
This could be a very lengthy post but not today but I will come back to it in the future. Most cities that seriously address this issue are adequately staffed with people that are knowledgeable about enforcement regarding buildings and property.
Do you as a resident of Peru feel this is an issue worthy of a discussion?
At the present time, the city employs Frank Taylor as assistant building inspector but we do not even have a full time building inspector. Hard to believe, isn't it? There are usually enought things to do to employ several people as it involves both business and residential. Foreclosures have increased in all cities including Peru and that is more property without care. The inspector must track down who should be taking care of property and sometimes it can be banks states away from Illinois who don't even know they own property here in Peru.
I think it is time to get serious about rental properties in Peru and abandoned property and make our city look respectable in all areas of the city.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
New committee format allows for better access and accountability
The new council format initiated by Mayor Harl allows aldermen to focus more on their respective committee assignments. No overlap in committee duties should allow each alderman ample opportunity to research and initiate action pertaining to the "single" committee to which they are assigned. But perhaps even more important is the fact that each and every alderman will be easily identified and accountable for all actions or in-action of that committee.
As citizens we must have a clear understanding of who to approach if we have a specific question or comment regrding our city and the new committee format will make it easier for all of us to do just that. More importantly, it will allow us to hold specific aldermen more accountable on the issues at hand and holding our elected officials accountable is our priveledge and our right.
Interesting FACTS about SUMMER HELP IN PERU
Three years ago there were plenty of complaints about the number of people on the payroll during the summer months and the administration was accused of padding the payroll for votes. It was time to make the city more accountable for the extra help they hired, so you may be interested in knowing that did not happen. Stay tuned, the results will be posted for your information on this year hires.
Monday, June 06, 2011
How Did the Main Street of Peru Become What It is?
I may offend some people of this town with this post but I am personally offended by what has happened to downtown Peru. Tonight on the agenda was a request for a body piercing and tattoo business to open up shop in downtown Peru. This was not discussed but sent to the planning and zoning commission and we can only wait and see what will happen with this. It was also brought up that some businesses in the area have marijauna pipes and other smoking apparatus on the front counter for sale.
I can't help but think what type of town are we presenting to the youth of this community but maybe I shouldn't worry about it because there is no longer really anything to bring them to the downtown anyway other than a pizza. I am all for free enterprise but somewhere along the line we have lost our way. The downtown redevelopment committee makes sure the businesses have the right decor that will match what was set up in the 1990's. But what have all the rules and regulations brought into downtown that is truly an asset to this town and something we can all be proud of? I was born in Peru and grew up in Peru and we raised our family here and I am very saddened when I see what the town was allowed to become. We may have more big box stores than any other town in the Illinois Valley but there are no prizes given for that. I am not sure we are not at the bottom of the ladder when I look at other towns in the Illinois Valley that have managed to keep a better image that we have. Maud Powell must surely be embarrased looking down at the city that erected her image in their town.
On The June 6 City Council Agenda
ITEM NO. 1 Communication from Cadillac Customs Tattoos requesting a special use permit
text amendment for a body piercing establishment
Location 4th and Peoria according to newspaper reports
Approve construction of gun range at the landfill. Previous location?
A downtown facelift - MyWebTimes.com
A downtown facelift - MyWebTimes.com
A must read, not new construction but resurrecting the old. Peru still has a few old buildings, can they get the message at this late date.
Saturday, June 04, 2011
How Long Will It Take for 1/2% Increase to Help Us
Thinking about the possible 1/2% increase would sound good if we were planning something down the road. For instance at one time this was considered for the construction of a swimming pool. Fine we could save that percentage and one day we would have money for it many years from now.
So we are asking for the tax increase so that we can now borrow money for the infrastructure improvements being visualized. The figure I have heard is that we would need to borrow something like 7 million dollars which we will need to pay back plus interest.
If it is true that our debt has been reduced to 38 million within the past 2 years, that would mean that we would being it back up to the original 45 million of 2 years ago.
Originally there was talk of a sunset after a number of years on the tax but now I hear that the present administration will not take that into consideration.
Do you believe that our current economy will improve enough to allow us to take on this gamble, hoping that we will continue to generate enough sales tax to enable this to take place We have heard no plan.
What roads will be repaired first and then last? What other parts of our infrastructure will come next? Don't just put a tax in place without telling us what you will do with the money and when you will do it?
Is it true that we have businesses that are so desirable to the average consumer that they will always travel to the Illinois Valley to make their purchases to produce that needed tax revenue?
At the present time, this is an aging area with the average rising every couple of years and we do not have enough white collar jobs or even blue collar to have families with large yearly incomes that can be counted on to buy and buy and buy.
Friday, June 03, 2011
Last-minute additions to Ottawa wine fest - MyWebTimes.com
Possibly a fun event for the weekend since it will be pretty quiet in the Illinois Valley
Thursday, June 02, 2011
The Ugly Face of Home Rule
If Home Rule had not been allowed to be approved in Peru years ago, we would not be faced with allowing our politicians, the Mayor and those who sit on the city council to institute a sales tax increase. Sure it is only 1/2% but the residents of this town should have the right to decide about that. And our Mayor and City Council are taking advantage of Home Rule. Since a referendum will not be taking place, only a survey inserted in your utility bill, make sure you do get your opinion to the city. This will not be binding but it should encourage them to do what you believe is right for Peru, pro or con.
Our infrastructure is aging and needs repair, there is no question about that but our population is also aging and for most of them that means less money for them to live on and with reduced incomes you will be asking them to give the city more money again. This also hits the families in town with children who are now counting their pennies in order to give their children a little bit extra.
And please don't compare Peru to Ottawa that has a higher sales tax as they also have a larger population, they are a county seat and look at their downtown. Sometimes esthetics do matter.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Thank you Mark Cross For The School Location
Good Morning!
Someone pointed me to the Peru Town Forum blog indicating a question about the location of Jefferson School. According to our records, Jefferson School was located at 517 Calhoun, which I believe is near Calhoun and Second Streets. I actually have a book in my office with many details about the history of Peru Public Schools, including the old school buildings.
Please feel free to contact me any time you have questions about the school district. I am more than happy to help. Have a great day!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
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