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.
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.
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I am not going to apologize for my 2 cents worth on this topic. I believe the character of a city's downtown is representative of the City. I am a frequent traveler and I like to go to places with historic and well kept downtown areas. I like to see a few antique stores, maybe a coffee shop or a small sit down deli. Any type of retail stores keep my attention and makes me form an opinion on the town as a whole. I, also, like to see a quaint little park possibly utilized for farmers markets in the summer. Norman Rockwell? Yes. And that is where I will spend my money. If I see a tattoo parlor, gun shop, or smoking pipe shop, I drive right on through. I think it will be a huge mistake for the City to allow a tattoo parlor in full view of such a highly utilized traffic area for everyone to see. Time to clean up the downtown and make it appealing, not scare everyone away. Don't think I'm right? Look at some of the areas in Lasalle that host these types of business. Want to get out of your car and go for a stroll in the afternoon to these places? I think not!
Another excellent post Lois. I thought this might be a good place for me to express my thoughts and feelings on things that are going on. I cannot understand how we can get excited about receiving grants and other financial assistance from governments whose debt is growing rapidly by the minute. Yet, we seem thrilled because maybe we can do some additional work at our airport or another town can improve their park, etc. Don't people realize that no matter what level of government this money is coming from it is coming out of our pockets AND, THAT GOVERNMENT'S AT ALL LEVELS ARE BROKE? I just cannot understand how we can keep spending and taking when there is nothing left and we're going deeper and deeper in debt. One minute government officials say we need to make cuts and watch our pennies and the next minute they're spending (and acting proud of it). I think it's time government tightens it belt just like we have to do in our own homes.
Visited La Salle today and was surprised that within a block area there were 3 "NIFTY" things to do - go swimming, get an ice cream treat, or attend the farmers market. Now, those are nifty things to do!
Great article Lois, I agree with you. There is really no place to shop, other than if your a man, you can go to Vlasniks. What kind of people are you going to attract with a tatoo parlor. Not the right kind. I thought Mayor Harl would be a better mayor, and lay down some new ideas. Its too bad he isn't a stronger man. I voted for him because we needed change, but a lot of the same baloney is going on.
8:28PM
It seems that that is what has happened.
I was going to keep an open mind when I heard about the "nifty fifty" things to do pamphlet before I commented. Unfortunately, when it came in the paper, I was very disappointed and almost embarrassed that the community development program would put this out to the public. The businesses listed on this brochure were not places that I would consider nifty things to see or do. Also, I do not like the profile pics in these ads of Vickrey and the Mayor. I know that another car business in town runs similiar ads and I personally think they are tacky and cheap looking. I hope we did not spend alot of money on these brochures. I also hope that our community development director is going to bring more skill to the table than this idea. The summer help in our office could have created a more exciting brochure to distribute to the community.
Good points 9:21 6/7/11....I wud like to add to those comments. Where has the man and his platform, that he ran for mayor on, gone? He has joined the "gang" rather than trying to infuse some common sense. In the beginning, he fought them but I believe he has given up. This last bit of giving raises is beyond comprehension. HOW DO YOU GIVE A RAISE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ANY EXTRA MONEY......FORGET EXTRA..YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO PAY THE BILLS!!!!! Perhaps Mayor Harl and City Clerk Bartley are going to offer to pay these raises from their salaries!!!!!
Peru governance is pathetic! Peru Mall is in a real downturn. Downtown Peru claims 1 Mexican grocery store, 2 attorneys, 3 taverns, 1 mens retail store, 2 pizzia/restaurant, 1 bike shop (open part time), 1 gun shop, 1 smoke shop, 1 tatoo parlor (coming), 1 nonconforming church, 1 hardware store, 1 insurance office, 1 photographer (open part-time), an empty bank bldg they cannot give away, 2 empty store fronts ( the Mirror bldg main floor and the former Treasures), a Bridal Shop in the former Boot shop with the goodies stuffed in the boot toes), 1 financial office w/an empty city clerk office next door....all this within the 2 blocks of 4th and Peoria Street. (makes you want to take a walk doesn't it - right out of town)
This winter the street was not cleared of snow (State thought the City took care of this because they gave them money to do so - but "general fund" swallowed this up and only the Treasurer knew it was there.) Ice was allowed to accumulate 3 feet from the curb and the cars were parked directly next to the highway and you had to slide on the ice to get to the sidewalk. Take note this summer there will be more garbage in the street than in the garbage cans.) And, lets not go into the quality of people not only buying the buildings but their tenants. Better yet ask the police how many times they are called out.
Our Aldermen keep promoting water street but they forget that Peru moved north because of the flooding conditions due to location near a river. This is like throwing money into the old swimming pool - it just keeps leaking out underground.
Foresight, we have none. Leaders...we definitely voted poorly. Only 1 way to go and that is up or move. Moving ain't bad!!!!!
During the last election, we elected 2 new aldermen one in the first ward and one in the second. And with one new appointee in the fourth and another to come soon in the second, I'm hoping this may swing the pendulum forward. At the present time they are the only hope we have for improvement and it won't come easily. I gurantee they will answer your emails or phone calls.
I am still very concerned about "downtown Peru" and the direction it has taken and which you stated so very well. There are so many things that Peru needs desparately to become proactive about. Perhaps instead of a TIF in north Peru, we need one in downtown Peru as LaSalle and Ottawa have already done and you can see the improvements in their towns, in fact you can't miss it. just like you can't miss the "unwelcome" look of our downtown. It would be interesting to have a traffic count on the number of cars that go through the downtown on Route 6. Some of the first impressions of a town are derived from a ride through their main street of a town.
I was told that the daily count of cars on route 6 is over 12,000.
Looks like everyone can agree Mayor Harl does not have the citizens of Peru as the first priority. His direction is to those that give him a vote and the HxxL with those that pay his and their wages.
I am glad to see how the next election is taking shape TODAY, increase in sewer rates, electric rates , increase ,increase and more increase.
Remember folks VOTE DOWN THE SUGGESTED SALES TAX INCREASE TO PAY FOR ROADS of which the money is already available within the budget.
The problem as you all see is that spending money recklessly for things like wage increases, hiring summer help, etc is WHERE THE TAX INCREASE WILL BE GOING . Just say NO NO NO NO NO NO NO . PERIOD.
I cannot for the life of me understand why those Nifty Fifty pamphlets were distributed in Peru or LaSalle for that matter. If we live here we should certainly know everyone of the businesses listed.
As I read over the various messages in this blog, I have to agree we must vote down the sales tax increase. But, I think my thought process wud be different. I would consider a tax increase buttttttttttttttttt only after all efforts have been made to cut, cut, cut costs. Peru has not cut costs but increased them. Peru has not reduced staff - whether by early retirement (which they don't seem to understand you only gain when you don't replace), freezing wages, looking for wastes and eliminating frivolous expenditures, etc. Do vote no to sales tax increase but do take that active interest in city government - at least until our council understand fully what the taxpayers want. Then and only then should a "tax" increase be considered. At this point a sales tax would decrease our viability as a local shopping mecca.
The following quote was taken from the Web Times story about rehabing several old buildings in downtown Ottawa. I hope our city fathers are getting the clue that its residents wish them to clean up down town and stop allowing whatever to set up shop as long as maroon is in the decor scheme.
"I don't know what kind of business is going to be here. On La Salle Street ... the city has restrictions on the type of businesses you can have," Godfrey said. "There's no more offices, which is fine. I'm a believer in La Salle Street being a premiere shopping street.
"It's going to be an upscale retailer, hopefully," he said."
The full story was posted on 6/06/11
Keep in mind that Ottawa has been working on their vision for many years. It takes time and money to bring about any change and even more difficult when so many in the community are resistant to change. Ottawa has many restaurants and retail stores to stop. Ottawa's building and business owners have seen the opportunity that comes about with change and they are willing to participate as a group to make it better. I don't believe all of the downtown Peru business owners are willing to take the time and money to make our downtown grow. Peru has had a downtown redevelopment committee for how many years and now someone wants to blame the current mayor for Peru downtown's problem? Lack of growth in the downtown is not the mayor's problem, it is the unwillingness of the property owners to move forward. Quit blaming others. If Peru business want a "downtown", then merge forces and go get it. No free handouts folks.
I don't think anyone wants a free handout but would you want to invest your own money in your own business but be told what to do and how to do it and what color you have to use?
I was trying to make the point that Ottawa has ordinances that would prevent the likes and look of downtown Peru from happening and yes our city fathers have something to do with that. I get tired of hearing "there is nothing we can do" which I heard when the smoke shop set up for business. Get some ordinances in place as to the type of business you would like to see in town and the kind you would like to see prevented from being there. We all can see what is happening. In other words, have a vision.
Along with a vision, it is imperative that the citizens of Peru understand that volunteerism has to become a big part of that vision. Unless people have an interest and are willing to work freely to achieve goals very little can be done. We do not have the $'s to get it all done with pay. All of downtown Ottawa plantings were done with volunteer hours. Lots of volunteer hours went into the growth and visions and results you see today. From the development of Washington Park, to the weekly Farmer's Market, to the Friendship Days which is a week long event, Xmas Parade, etc. It took a lot of people volunteering their time and efforts. And, today you can see the results. It takes more than just city officials to make it happen (think back to our 175th celebration - no one was able to be apart of that planning - at least not until the last wk or two. It was not something to be proud of - watch the CD showing past and present!) If we want to complain then we need to walk the walk!
1:32PM
Volunteerism has been pretty well stifled here in Peru due to the overwhelming influence of the CSO. Whenever anything was brought up, for instance the 175th, the answer always has been the CSO is taking care of it. Since citizens have hardly ever been involved, how and where do we begin. I do believe the desire to volunteer is there but someone to initiate it is not. And we do need to work in conjunction with the city officials to a certain extent. I guess we need a starting point and this needs to be encouraged by our city council and mayor. Perhaps the Peru firemen will lead the way beginning with their July 3 funfest at Washington Park.
Clubs and associations can play a big part. Look at Rotary Park in South Ottawa. Yes it originally was a school but the Rotarians took a big part in its planning, funding and implementing. The Lions Park on the Central East...again their baby. Granted City officials need to want to do events but they need not run it totally. It takes a village to make a village prosper. The more people you have the more ideas.
Nifty 50 was nothing more than a paid political advertisement. When are you going to understand that the job of the mayor and the small band of yes men have one thing in common. They will go to any extreme to get reelected and retain the office space they hold on 4th street. Public relations is their real calling.....golf outings, employee raises, local news articles, dinners, photo opportunities, titles like community director. It looks like a pathetic part of political patronage with a new twist. They call it CHANGE and taxpayers beware. The change is taking shape in the form of higher taxes and jobs for the loyal band of yes men.
I agree with you post 3:24 PM
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