“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.”

Samuel Adams

Friday, September 30, 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Monday, September 26, 2011

In Somerville, Massachusetts, a Census Asks, Are You Happy? - NYTimes.com

In Somerville, Massachusetts, a Census Asks, Are You Happy? - NYTimes.com

Do people leave a town because of unhappiness? If Peru is in crisis, is it because they are unhappy and why?

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Two Housing Markets and Two Directions

Very interesting article and who can afford to buy and the dire situation of many home owners. If you don't get the N.T. or just missed this, take a minute and read. Is our economy that bad and how will it be affecting our town. I did overhear a comment the other night that only one building permit was given this year in Peru

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Western End of Water Street

The large open area where a few cars are seen on the edge is the empty lot formerly National Sheet Metal which was taken down because of extreme contamination of the area on which it sat and this is where the "beer garden and band" are situated and beyond that is an active RR line.

Profile of Water Street

Since many of the readers of the blog have no idea of what Water Street looks like but read all the discussions, almost passion about the area I drove there today camera in hand and this is what it looks like on an average day. Most of the usual traffic is industrial as cement mixers and city trucks. At the western end are several areas where the road is dropping and small cave ins have been occurring in recent years.

Who really holds the "High Ground" in this debate?

If you look closely at the debate surrounding venues for Fourth of July festivities and Fun Fairs for families, either with or without a Fireworks display, it's not terribly difficult to determine the intentions of the key players involved. Take a step back and ask yourself a couple of simple questions that can help you determine which of our elected officials truly have the best "overall" interest of the city of Peru in mind. Look at the cast of characters involved and make a point to understand exactly what transpired at the city council meeting last night. Ask yourself why a particular alderman/alderwoman chose to vote the way they did. Be sure that you are very clear about the issue that was on the agenda and how it all played out last night. The question on the agenda last night was a simple one, Approve or disapprove a family oriented event at Baker Lake park complete with low level aerial displays. The aerial display at Baker Lake would be funded with a portion of the budeted amount for the Water Street display. I believe I have a good understanding of what Rodney Perez and Sherry Mayszak were hoping to accomplish. I am also aware of the monumental organizing effort that would have been in store for them and the scores of volunteers it would have taken to make the proposed event a success. Most of all, I'm aware of the reason Perez, Mayszak, Lukosus and a number of Peru citizens supported this proposal. Simply put, it was all about providing a venue for families and children. That's all. So what influenced those on the other side of the issue? You have to cut through the posturing from a few select CSO members and all the mis-information about "Prohibition" coming back to Peru. What then is the primary motiviation of those people, elected officials and otherwise, who spoke out and acted out against the Baker Lake venue? Self-interest....Self interest as opposed to supporting the interests and well being of others. We all have self-interests. We're all entitled and it's nothing to feel guilty about. All I ask is that we all take a close look at all the details of who wants what and then ask ourselves, "Why is it they want it that way"? There is moral and ethical "High Ground" in the real debate of encouraging a family friendly venue complete with fireworks in Peru. Last night a "minority" of of Peru elected officials held the high ground.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

My Thoughts on the Vote Tonight

It almost happened, the people of Peru were almost allowed to have some fun with their children in a beautiful park and end the day with a small fireworks event that would be non threatening to any of the home owners in the area. Any debris that accidently blew into their yards or streets would be less than the trash we residents encounter daily throughout this town.

Almost all new members voted yes and all the CSO members voted No. Conflict of interest sure but that doesn't matter in Peru because "that's the way we always did it" the phrase left with us by former Ald. Jack O'Beirne.

Looking ahead to 2013 when I hope to hear some members singing "They are breaking up that old gang of mine"

News Tribune - News - Columns - Column: Getting drunk not a blast

News Tribune - News - Columns - Column: Getting drunk not a blast

News Tribune - News - Local - Petitioner wants Peru fireworks on Water Street

News Tribune - News - Local - Petitioner wants Peru fireworks on Water Street

Monday, September 19, 2011

1923 Westclox Employee Handbook

I came across an interesting old handbook for Westclox employees and one paragraph caught my eye and many of you will agree we should hang it somewhere for all to see.

"We expect you to work hard, and the pay is accordingly large. Our motto is "Better Than Average Pay for Better than Average work" If you do not expect to work hard and carefully you are in the wrong place".

Flashlight has a nose for drunken drivers - CNN

Flashlight has a nose for drunken drivers - CNN

For some this could help solve the alcohol problem.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Law and Open Containers with Link

I asked about open alcohol on the streets and sidewalks of our Police Chief and he said no open alcohol outside an establishment. Permission seems to be granted at various times for events in our city parks and that means drinking in the park not on the street.

Law allows anyone over 21 to drink to drunkeness and walk the street but don't drive a vehicle. But in many instances someone who is drunk is then charged with disorderly conduct for his behavior.

I don't make the law!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Fireworks Discussion Hijacked by Peru CSO

The meeting last night it seems was hijacked by long standing CSO members: Bob Ankiewicz, Jack O'Beirne, Don Piano, Jack Landgraf, Joe Witczak and Tony Ferrari. When Ald. Rodney Perez decided to open the discussion to the residents of Peru, it was going to be a discussion about future July 3 fireworks events, it was to discuss the pros and cons of having 2 events, one for families that don't want to go to Water Street because of the various problems associated with that location and the other to remain on Water Street and to continue in the same manner as has been done for many many years.

Upon opening the forum, Ald. Ankiewicz immediately made the announcement that the Recreation Commission had met the night before and decided that everything would remain on Water Street. He then began speaking from numerous papers he had in front of him that turned out to be more than anyone there was one bit interested. He immediately brought up the CSO and how much the city benefits from their Water Street beer garden as in Christmas Decorations (what year were they last replaced?). I honestly believe that the CSO aldermen and former Alderman are only speaking for themselves and as someone wrote on the blog some time ago, they do not speak for the entire CSO organization but they sure know how to give it a bad name. I honestly wish that some of the younger and less dominant members would stand up against them and present themselves to the public because the ones I have mentioned are giving the organization a very bad name.

Public opinion was not encouraged and those that spoke were always put down. My apologies to the representative from the Ottawa fund raising organization and to the pyro tech gentleman who were present.

I also believe that members of the CSO who are also council members need to abstain from voting on any event of which they will be a part of because they do have a conflict of interest, maybe not financially but definitely a self interest.

It turns out that the Ankiewicz announcement was premature and the Recreation Commission has discussed but not voted and will take up the matter at a later date.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Rodney Perez ATTENTION!!! The public is invited tomorrow ( Wednesday ) to the Peru City Hall at 6:30 for a forum to discuss the 2012 FIREWORKS Celebration. A fair and balanced plan is put together that will be "FUN for EVERYONE" Yes Fireworks would be held on Water Street with a CSO Beer Garden, and YES Fireworks and a family fun day would be held at BAKER LAKE. (two venues proposed.) THE KEY is.. " WE NEED PUBLIC INPUT" so please take an hour and stop in to see us and listen to the detailed plan, Thank You!

Yes, It's that time of year again!

It's here again. The Illinois Municipal League Conference begins this week in Chicago. Peru elected officials who are signed up for the festivities as of yesterday are as follows, Mayor Harl, Treasurer Hylla, Aldermen Potthoff, Ferrari, Waldorf, and Radtke. You can check out the conference website at www.conference.iml.org. I believe there are some very informative sessions for elected officials to learn new ideas for improving their respective communities. I also believe we should not be allowing any elected officials who attended last year to return again this year at taxpayer expense. I'm all for any newly elected official attending. Mayor Harl and Treasurer Hylla have not attended before and my personal opinion is the Mayor should always attend this conference. Regardless of economic conditions, there should never be an open invitiation for every elected official to attend every year. Certainly no more than four elected officials per year is necessary in my opinion. I think a mayor should always attend to represent his or her city. I am confident that Alderman Radtke and Treasurer Hylla have the best intentions to use the opportunity to attend informational sessions in order to help the city of Peru. There have been numerous taxpayer funded IML conference visits for all of our "multi-term" aldermen and I have yet to hear any of them present a thought or idea they carried back with them from this conference. This year I am confident there will be a few elected officials who are going with the best interests of the city of Peru. Sadly, there will also be some who are there at taxpayer expense in order to be entertained by contractors and consultants or because of the Billy Joel impersonator on Saturday night. It will be interesting to see who comes home with a brain full of ideas and knowledge from informational seminars and who comes home with a belly full of beer and Prime Rib courtesy of Chamlin and Associates and TEST, Inc.

Yes, It's that Time of year again

News Tribune - News - Local - La Salle council hears plans for wastewater treatment plant dike

News Tribune - News - Local - La Salle council hears plans for wastewater treatment plant dike

Interesting to hear plans from multiple engineering firms. Have we in Peru ever done this? I don't know just asking.

News Tribune - News - Local - Valley bans synthetic cannabis

News Tribune - News - Local - Valley bans synthetic cannabis

And what are Peru and La Salle doing about this problem? I would like to hear not only from our citizens but particularly from law enforcement. Is is a problem or not? Spring Valley and Princeton have proactively passed ordinances. Is this unnecessary?

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Your Tax Dollars at Work in Peru

News clipping removed at the request of the News Tribune:...... I am assuming both Mr Vickery and Mayor Harl had asked for this news coverage of the second edition of the Nifty Fifty Things to do in Peru, so here it is for your viewing. The Mayor already knows what I think of this and now I am turning it over to my readers. Is this a good way to spend our tax dollars?

They were sent to us in our local newspaper. You can follow the link given in the article to see a copy of it.

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Blogging Rules Strict or Permissive ?

Cassandra said... Lois, The entire point of my post was missed. It is stated multiple times that offensive, rude and off-topic comments are not being posted. Of the 92 comments on here- only 19 have to do with the topic and at least 20 of these are disrespectful and slanderous. I truthfully just stopped counting the name-calling and slander. How is this a fair and unbiased blog if these rules that are stated are not being enforced? By selectively following the stated rules, you are ruining the credibility and integrity of the blog. I never said or implied to stifle Mr. Riordan or any individual's comments. All I asked was that you please follow your own rules when approving comments. No offensive or off topic posts means none at all, not the ones selectively chosen.

I repeat, again, to make it clear what I am saying. This discussion is about whether Peru would benefit from joint fire and EMS services.

19 posts are relevant. Do the math and tell me how this is a fair, unbiased discussion?

11:15 PM, September 07, 2011

This seems like a good time to get some opinions from my other blog readers. I usually try to be open minded and flexible and if someone has a concern they wish to express and they place it under a topic that is not what the concern is about, I don't have a problem with that but as expressed by the reader above, she does.

This is actually the way some of the most intense discussions have taken place and again I don't have a problem with it and I just wonder how others feel.

As numerous posters have stated they are happy to have found this blog to express their opinions and I am glad to be able to offer you the place to do it

I guess I feel that a lot in life is not pretty and I have no intention of covering it up to make anyone feel good about the blog. The blog does not exist to present a rosey picture but merely an honest one in my opinion and offer others the chance to disagree with me. Since I happen to read the posts and make the decisions as to whether they are posted or not, I will just say "the buck stops here" I have a few friends I will read a post to and say I am thinking of not putting this up and they generally will say, you need to put it up, people need to be aware of this and they will tell me in their opinion why it needs to be posted. Again sometimes I agree and sometimes I do not.

As far as integrity again it is up to each individual to make that judgement.

Monday, September 05, 2011

According to Law Who is Responsible?

A question was recently asked about who has the power to appoint in a city and which appointment needs approval of the city council. I have a busy day but most information is available in the link I have just posted.

The title of this post is a link which will take you to the Illinois Municipal Code which is rule in Illinois.

Saturday, September 03, 2011

News Tribune - News - Local - Business association to landscape tiny plaza

News Tribune - News - Local - Business association to landscape tiny plaza

Happens to be in LaSalle and perhaps Peru might catch the bug if the bank downtown is demolished. Love this idea for a green downtown area.

Friday, September 02, 2011

Ambulance Response Time PVAS

A discussion of ambulance response time came up on the previous ambulance vs fire department ems service postings under the U Tube video. The answer seemed to be that if they were at Hyvee they would be closer to Rte 80 and the Mall but of course we all realize that they would be further from Water Street and Peru areas on Rte 251 south of the bridge or SW Peru residential area. Now I have another question. It has come to my attention that PVAS puts a standby ambulance at the La Salle Speedway when there is an event taking place. Yet La Salle does the transport if needed. OK if there is a need for several ambulances in Peru, is the ambulance at the Speedway unneeded is it one of those who would normally be on duty at the PVAS building? If it is also taking calls in Peru, can you imagine the response time? If they were not getting money from the city and did not have several city aldermen on their board, I would not be asking these questions. But they do both. Question 2: why does PVAS station an ambulance at the Speedway? Is this part of the ambulance directors private business and is he using the not for profit corp. vehicles? Is the Speedway paying for standby service to PVAS?