What else would you like to see along with the fireworks? Would it be fun to extend the celebration to 2 or maybe 3 days at different locations in town?
Friday, July 29, 2011
News Tribune - News - Local - Baker Lake might host Peru fireworks in two years
News Tribune - News - Local - Baker Lake might host Peru fireworks in two years
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27 comments:
Pathetic: "And several times officials brought up people falling into Baker Lake". I do not know the difference in depth of Baker Lake in comparison to the Illinois River but don't these officials know that the Illinois River has a tremendous UNDERCURRENT along Water Street where the fireworks crowd gathers. Who was this official?
do you not remember why they were moved from washington park? i cannot believe the people that own homes around that area would be ok with firecrackers going off the remains landing on their roof/yards be serious what a waste of time talking about this. leave them on water street, you dont think the same thing would happen at baker lake-open your eyes people
8:37PM
I did go to Baker Lake to listen to the pyrotechnic experts. I did ask the question "have you done a fireworks event in areas like this before and was it dons successfully?" The answer was yes and that any debris would be something like shred of paper and nothing more. There is ample room and would not endanger nearby property because they would be using lower level fireworks and not the high power ones that are used across the river. I think it should be given a chance after a continued study of the pros and cons over the next year.
Other cities in the area do fireworks in more enclosed areas every year without incident.
Also possible that low level fireworks that would be contained in the park could be done again at Washington Park. Just think about all the things we now do in the name of safety and fireworks may be one that also has reached the time of reducing the huge displays. The cost will be less and locations easier to find.
The only thing held at Baker Lake would be the firework, no beer garden or anything else.
Back to the major question for next year's fireworks if held on Water Street. Will the CSO have a beer garden and where?
9:24PM
Hopefully NO as alternatives are being suggested to the members. You do know that the organization has major clout within the city of Peru and they have it just because they take it without asking if it is OK and then expect everybody to do as they say.
I don't know about others but I have fireworks going off in my neightborhood weeks before the 4th. And yes, there is left over pieces found in my yard and in neightboring areas. The location of Baker Lake is not that close to homes and has been determined acceptable by the experts.
Isn't it a shame that the blog at times appears only to be a bitch session to vent anger? I said appears to be but realistticly I do not believe it is. Instead I believe it has become a avenue in which the reactive Dept. Heads of the city jump to what has been emphasized in the blog to do next instead of having a proactive plan of their own. They do not determine what should be done on their own but wait for others to determine it for them. This may be one of the reasons summer help is hired in such numbers - so that the PWD can be ready for all situations that are brought up. The fireworks are sponsored by the city so that people will not set them off at home at all hours and weeks before July 4th and a week after which by the way is illegal and has been done for years. If you don't think the PPD is reactive on this than I have to ask you how many arrests did you see in the paper, hear on the radio or find being discussed. The Peru City Alderen Committee Members and dept Heads must become proactive and stop letting devices such as the blog manage the city.
Lois, I know that this organization had major clout within the City of Peru and I also know that this organization is being challenged because it has been a extension of city government which has not had to open its books to anyone who has asked it to. For instance with all the controversy created by having a beer tent on city property and not opening this property for use by others I would like to know what % of the cost of fireworks the CSO paid and what was the gross and the net dollars for the beer tent this year? What is the city's liability in having a beer tent on its property?
10:12PM
This year the CSO paid for NO fireworks. I believe they paid some toward the 175th celebration but not before that either. I will get the figures on that also. I have no way of knowing anything about the finances of the CSO.
This suggestion to have fireworks in Baker Lake is the most ridiculous yet contrived.
NO NO NO NO NO IS THE ANSWER.
Once again we have new aldermen trying to make their name public that the past 30 years were no good (on the river)and we should change only for the sake of change. Stupid Idea.. Stupid position.
Folks , take a look at Ottawa. They are having "riverfest". Instead of Peru running down water street and the river , why can we not be like Ottawa or other cities on the river (Henry, Peoria as a few others) and use the river to our advantage as a draw to the city not looking at it as a downfall.
Why can't we have aldermen (or even the city development director) look with an open mind to the future and BUILD THE CITY OF PERU FOR THE PEOPLE. EXPAND YOUR HORIZON AND USE THE RIVER AS AN ATTRACTION.
Where are the idea's for water shows (like Wisc. Dells) , boat races on the water, duck rides on the river,fishing tournaments, water sports of all sorts,parasailing etc.......Refurbish the old buildings on the street , make Apt's. resturants, business, art shows, open markets, farmers markets, railroad cars, dining cars,locomotove museums etc. etc. re-enact the early days, use brick roads, gas lights, old time dressed police patrol officers.
(Has anyone been to Naperville, Ill; St. Charles, Mo., Minneapolis, Minn., just to name a few and I am certain there are more places that are successfull today )
Bottom line, I am certain that someone who has intent to help the city could coordinate such activities. Ask Ottawa ! Where is Peru's long term plan to improve the river front ??????????
WAKE UP PERU THE WORLD IS TURNING AND YOU ARE BEING LEFT STANDING WONDERING WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE FUTURE BECAUSE WE ARE STANDING STILL TODAY.
This blog and others need to get off of the Petty issues and get on with tommorrow as the world turns.
I want you to know that the new aldermen and woman are very sincere people who are all acting in the best interests of the citizens of Peru. They may look at all issues in an unbiased way because they have not been a part of all the "corruption" of the past years. They are coming in with a clean slate with no past votes on any issues. Give them a chance and we will have a better city in the long run. They are new voices and that is exactly what this city needs.
To 8:56 a.m. - I understand where you're coming from in regards to thinking and researching ways to promote new and exciting ventures. It takes elected officials with the imagination and the ability to research the successes of other cities and the energy and drive to push for citizen businesses and volunteers to make it happen. You are absolutely correct about the potential of Water Street.
I know that little if anything has been done for many years to initiate the type of development you describe. I know there has been little or no energy or enthusiasm by past elected officials to attempt to achieve what you describe.
I also know that is why there is a need to replace certain elected officials who have proven incapable of the vision you describe so well.
Permission to get on board?
Anon 8:56 What specific old buildings do you want refurbished that are on Water Street? There is no way you can compare Ottawa where the Fox meets the Illinois to Peru's riverfront were Water Street which is in need of over $750,000 road reclamation, were a railroad track and a street separate the riverfront from the buildings which are leaning or caving in.
In ending please inform all of us to how you are going to stop the flooding of this development. The flooding issue is one of the reasons Water Street future was discontinued and business activity was moved up the hill to Fourth Street. Good luck in getting the tremendous amount of money you would need to raise for this type of development because I know my tax dollars are not going to support it.
The new aldermen and alderwoman are not trying to change the location of the fireworks but are trying to create improvement and expand upon the 4th as a family night. Their main topic appears to be the separation of the fire works and the CSO beer tent. Maybe the fireworks could be held on Water Street and the CSO could take its beer tent to a different location or the fireworks could be held on the 3d with the 4th as a rain date and the CSO could have its beer tent on some other date than these two.
To 11:41 a.m. - Where are you going to get the money? If you do get it how far down the bucket list is Water Street in Peru's needs?
Anon 8:56 a.m. states "Once again we have new aldermen trying to make their name public that the past 30 years (were no good) on the river and we should change only for the sake of change. Stupid idea...Stupid position".
11:41 a.m. to 8:56 a.m. "I understand where you're coming from in regards to thinking and researching ways to promote new and exciting ventures. It takes elected officials with the imagination and the ability to research the successes of other cities and the energy and drive to push for citizen businesses and volunteers to make it happen."
8:56 and 11:41 - Please read each of your quotes and than explain how one of you can compliment the other when you are saying the direct opposite of one another. The only goal that the newly elected alderwoman and alderman appear to want is a family friendly environment for the fireworks. A environment which would be a change from the surroundings of the last number of years. Congratulations to the younger group of alder people for taking a step off the old beaten path and a step forward into the unknown. It's about time some common sense was brought into our local government after all we were promised change in 2009.
Back to the major question for next years fireworks if held on Water Street. Will the CSO have a beer garden and where and when? It has now been disclosed that they did not contribute any finances to this years fireworks.
Why not build on the fireworks on water street and make festivities of sorts to go about 2-3 days long.
Can anybody visualize such a successsful event! Can anybody visualize revenue brought to the city of Peru !
Why does everyone have a closed mind and want to move the location of the fireworks , to create problems in other parts of the city as well as for the citizens ?
I don't understand to give the new aldermen a chance to discuss frivilous ideas , wasting alot of time and dollars just to get some visibility to the public.
If the suggestions were sound and beneficial to the city , the aldermen will get all kind of pats on the back.
But , serving as aldermen or Mayor is not to get pats on the back but it is all about doing the RIGHT THING FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF PERU.
I don't like to spend money ($7,000-$14,000) for an outside org. looking into an idea that is not worth the time of day but goes back word.
Those of you who are old enough should remember that fireworks were in the past held at Washington Park UNTIL WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH SAFETY ISSUES.
Those of you also can remember that Baker Lake also was considered in the past and rejected for similar reasons. Thus , water street on the river. (No problems for 30 years)
Why create problems that will or could cost the city undue money ?
To have fireworks at Baker Lake we need to remember not only do we have many neighbors around the lake that should be concerned BUT / AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WE HAVE A NURSING HOME AT BAKER LAKE WHICH COULD BE VERY DISTURBING AND DISTRUPTIVE FOR OUR ELDER CITIZENS.
THE NURSING HOME PATIENTS (OUR CITIZENS) MOSTLY NEEDS HELP AND THEY ARE NOT VERY WELL ARE PUT TO BED BETWEEN 6 TO 7 PM .
(Fireworks would frighten them and keep them awake. Does anyone have a relative in the nursing home to support this comment ?)
Mr. Perez can you relate ?
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND MONEY FOOLISHLY.
10:21 Although I disagree with you on most of your comments I do agree that the nursing home and its residents which are located next to Baker Lake have to be the No. 1 consideration in locating the fireworks at Baker Lake. I could picture the fear created in the residents of this home. Specifically in combat veterans of our wars. Thank you for sighting your concern on the blog and I do not believe that the residents of Turtle Creek should be exposed to fireworks without the OK of the management of the home and the proper authorities of the State of Illinois.
8:58AM
The nursing home is no longer Turtle Creek as it has changed hands several times and just recently became Heritage Manor LaSalle.
The people who came from the fireworks company were aware of all regulations with regard to being close to a nursing home and addressed them at the meeting. We have someone there and have not objections to the fireworks in that location.
Actually some of the people working at the N.H. would like a sidewalk so they could get residents to the park to enjoy the park but since many are in w.c. and there is no walkway, it is not possible.
Lois thank you for touching all the bases. I have to say that Peru would be a even greater city to live in if 1 out of 20 (5%) of the citizens were as concerned as you are. Also thank you for all the time and effort you into Peru Town Forum - In The Illinois Valley. If anyone deserves a monetary reward from the city, you do.
the fireworks were moved from Washington Park because they hired a company that year that was a couple hundred dollars cheaper than the normal company we always hired in the past and the embers got too close to the crowd , which was too close by law anyway . If the fireworks stay at the river , the alcohol needs to stay in a fenced off area . None of this drunks walking around drinking amongst our children !
And none of the children walking around drinking amongst our drunks!
12:46 PM
Thank you.
I am hoping that the blog will help people to become more involved with their city government and to give our residents a voice that we hope the elected officials are reading and listening to.
obviously annon 3:11 you were not around when the fireworks were in washinton park, it wasnt one year it was several years that there were problems-i have never missed a firework in peru and i have seen it all, and washington park was no better as far as people drinking either, drinking is ok if you can control yourself, will not be any better at baker lake.
7:30PM
We used to go to Washington Park and never had a problem with drunks. The worst that I remember was someone stumbling in a chuck hole and spilling their SODA on us. We went as a family and I would have remembered dealing with unsavory people when the kids were small.
To Anon 7:30 pm I was around when the fireworks were in Washington Park. So much around that I can remember going year after year as a young child, Playing in the Little League City Championship Game on the big diamond and than staying for the fireworks and years later walking up to the park with my own children. Had a great time at every fireworks display.
I never saw any drinking at Washington Park nor did I see any disturbances as a result of drinking. As for Baker Lake I nor you can prove if it will be any better or any worse until a fireworks display is held there. With the effort being made to change present conditions no matter where it is held I hope it is better or Peru will not have any on the taxpayers dollar every year or at all.. Their are many taxpayers who feel fireworks are a waste of money, the only ones making money on them is China, they are a nuisance and also the noise is cruel to animals.
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