Thursday, July 14, 2011
"New ideas" make old guard very uncomfortable
Bob Ankiewicz was visibly aggravated by the continuing discussion of changes to the way Peru celebrates Independence Day. Ankiewicz has always been the driving force behind the heavy handed tactics the Peru CSO has used for years to maintain control of the Water Street festivities. As the number of CSO members on the city council has diminished, so too has Bob's stranglehold on everything 4th of July in Peru. With new council members asking questions about the the actual cost to the city as well as asking if there may be other options worth looking into.
Ankiewicz was not pleased at the council meeting last night when Rodney Perez informed the council that he and fellow council members Lukosus and Mayszak attended a recent Recreation Commission meeting to discuss moving forward with researching other options for the celebration that would be cost effective as well as more family oriented. Alderman Perez indicated the Rec Commission was very receptive to looking into "new ideas".
True to form, Alderman Ankiewicz did what he so often does when an issue outside his control arises in open meeting. He made a poorly veiled insult aimed at those who would challenge the status quo by saying "new ideas not well thought out may not actually be good ideas".
While there may be some truth to what Ankiewicz says, the most encouraging aspect of the entire situation is the simple fact that there are now challenges to the long-standing attitude that there are no other ways to do things other than the way they have always been done in Peru.
Bob Ankiewicz and a few other current aldermen will continue to think that their way is the only way, but a window of opportunity has been forced open and fresh air is pouring in to city hall.
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14 comments:
Not to make fun of a very serious issue that has hampered fresh ideas and change in the City for years, but maybe we should ask a few of the Alderman if they ever read the book "Who moved my Cheese?" Great little lesson book. Let's allow the next generation to get more involved. Quit slamming the door in our face and stop saying "we've done it that way for years!" Nobody is saying that Waterstreet was a horrible idea, we are just wondering if there is a better opportunity to host the event that is more pleasing to the majority. Why would anybody want to hold back making something better. Not everyone in this town loves your beer gardens boys! And we are finally speaking out! Honestly, I don't mind the Waterstreet location, it might be the safest distance from the fireworks harming anyone, but the drunken, puking, fighting, mosquito invested, foul mouthed fiasco of an event hosted by the CSO has got to stop. In my "voting" opinion.
10:17 AM
"Let's allow the next generation to get more involved. Quit slamming the door in our face and stop saying "we've done it that way for years!"
I'm with you 100% so keep saying it loudly and often and eventually you will make a difference, so many of us are counting on you. Get involved in our city.
Its a simple fireworks display nothing more. Let the Rec. department work to improve the event. Why would you place the blame game on the CSO?
If it is what you believe, let's set the fireworks off across the river and do not allow the beer gardens on Water Street. Should take about 20 minutes.
You are not aware that the CSO has total control of what is brought to Water Street. The Rec Dept. had a hard time getting approval for the childrens bouncie toys to be allowed.
Five minutes at most. Elimination of the beer garden only eliminates the CSO, the alcohol question remains the same. How do you eliminate business from selling or coolers from carrying to water street or anywhere else. The voices of change have all said that alcohol consumption is the problem. You still have the majority of alcohol that is either carried or purchased(not CSO related) to water street. Police that patrol and not allow any beverages on water street may be the solution. Is the voice of change ready for a dry town?
Perhaps signs indicating NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED ON PUBLIC STREET OR PROPERTY and enforced. Private businesses would be responsible for keeping it on their property. Those who had too much to drink would be arrested for public intoxication. Underage drinking also a reason to be arrested. Not much difference than when the police break up drinking teens almost everywhere.
Here we go again. More discussions , more waste of money, and he said she said conversation. What we need in the city of peru is Jobs. Where is that discussion?
We don't need increase of sales tax , where is that discussion ?
When are we going to discuss or resolve important issues of the city ?
12:28PM
The sales tax discussion took place about a week ago.....
And 98% of the residents Ald.Perez represents want a tax increase. I wonder whats next? Its makes you wonder about the fresh air we have now.
Too many named anonymous posting on this blog. I don't see any in the phone book. But if anyone is inferring Ald. Ankiewicz was responsible for moving the fireworks to Water St. they are dead wrong. I was on the rec board when we almost burned down a couple of houses near Washington Park. The mortars were advancing in size at the time to thrill the spectators and hence too dangerous for that area. I, at first, was against moving to the river because I had small kids and was worried about kids falling into the river. But, in the end, that was the venue we chose. The CSO had no contact with us at all at the time. I guess they figured it was an opportunity to raise money for many of the worthwhile projects they perform around Peru. We really shouldn't be knocking them for something that can easily be controlled. And, as a side note, I can't recall how many kids ever fell into the river. Just kidding! And please don't knock the rec board volunteers they are a hard working group doing a thankless job.
12:28 We surely need jobs in the city of Peru, in LaSalle County, in the State of Illinois and in the United States and I believe that this is being discussed continuously. Peru has a Director of Economic Development and also belongs to the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce. If you do not feel they are worth their salt please contact the Mayor and inform him and share some of your ideas.
This blog has done a great job of discussing and trying to make evident all important and controversial issues of the city as well as offering suggestions on how to resolve them. You can rest assured that ALL constructive criticism will be appreciated.
Some of the topics and answers submitted by this blog are not always the most popular since it will not lower its integrity.
Cecil - Thanks for the background about the re-location of the celebration to Water Street.
Regardless of who or why the venue is what it is, the CSO with political muscle from Bob Ankiewicz has assumed far to much control over the festivities. If the CSO and the city were equal partners in terms of expenses and profits I believe the celebration might just pay for itself. As it is now, the city's expenses do not justify the current arrangement. Just my opinion.
10:17 AM July 14 - first comment
I just finished reading Who Moved My Cheese and now I will recommend it to all department heads in the city, the city council and even the Mayor and other elected officials.
"Who Moved My Cheese" was required reading when I became a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy. Change within any orginzation does not need to be difficult.
I wonder who Hem and Haw and Sniff and Scurry can be compaired to within the Peru organazation. :)
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