Thursday, September 22, 2011
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.
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16 comments:
A family fun day around July 4 sounds like a good idea. But, fireworks (low level or high level) is a very bad idea at Baker Lake. A few years back I was at a fireworks display at a lake in Indiana and it was a large lake compared to Baker Lake. The trash from the fireworks ended up all over the lake, especially the windward side. So, on a smaller lake it will be more concentrated on the water and surrounding area. If you asked the pyro people to choose between Baker Lake or the river, I'll bet they would say the river.
No Cecil they did not say they preferred Water Street, 2 different companies said they could put together an appropriate format for both venues and in fact do so in some places and even mentioned some of the small towns where they have successfully put together firework performances. The pyro technicians are professionals in what they do and they are aware they are dealing with explosives and know their facts and that is more than I can see about the no votes. Neither Ald. Potthoff or Ald. Waldorf attended either of the meetings to discuss fireworks. Wonder where they got there information. Ald. Ankiewicz was asking people who came into the deli to sign a petition to keep an event from taking place at Baker Lake and Ferrari wanted his annual showoff picnic.
Ald. Radtke was the only surprise.
From my understanding a representative of the Better Fishing Association forewarned last nights meeting that they stretch the parking facilities as far as possible and that there is not enough parking for twice as many people. Also it was said that the local residents did not care for fireworks in the area.
What do you expect a salesman to say? They'll sell you a display in your back yard. It may only be sparklers and tell you not to burn your fingers. There's too much hatred going on now. Everyone should have an opinion without being being castigated.
Lois said...
Yes everyone can have an opinion but making sure it is the truth is better. Being in a very volatile business where people can get hurt if not done properly, these people are not telling lies and do give you not only proof of insurance but also will direct you to towns that they service for you to check for yourself.
If this city council had been truly concerned about fireworks and possible dangers or other problems, they would have had an expert or two in their field of pyrotechnics come before the city council where the members could have asked questions and concerns. At that kind of meeting it is a possibility that the public would have been able to ask questions or make comments in a non threatening atmosphere.
It is true that several committee meetings were held, the first at Baker Lake for some committee members and a few citizens and then the sham of a meeting held last Wednesday that was predominated by Ankiewicz, Witczak and Don Piano, hardly a public forum I would not have encouraged anyone to attend had I known what it would be like and be shouted down when giving with your opinion.
Our council did not take the high road but chose to remain loyal members of the opposition, to stick together for their own personal self interest and those of people that they have influence upon.
I believe there is a good possibility that some political futures were put on the funeral pyre last night.
It is reality that where you live and who you are does matter.
I really hope that now that the vote was cast this issue can be put to rest. We are the laughingstock of the area....thanks!
So when Ald. Radtke went door to door campaigning it was a great thing. Now that he went door to door about this issue, which differs from your opinion, it's a bad thing. I think he voted the way he thought his constituents wanted him to. Where you live does matter, you wanted fireworks in peoples back yards.
My problem was not Ald. Radtke, it was his companion. If you think that Tony Ferrari was able to ask impartially what the residents thought, I can tell you don't know Ald. Ferrari.
Lois, although it was Ald. Perezs topic, Did he first approach the two aldermen of the 1st ward and ask them if they would go to their constituents in regards to their acceptance of fireworks at Bakers Lake before he went.
I find no problem with the two alderman doing their own survey of their own ward and also with a citizen circulating a petition. In fact I am impressed and thrilled to see such involvement, wish to thank you fellas.
Why did Mayor Harl want a so called town meeting at 6:00 next Monday before the city council meeting to discuss the issue of a fun day at Baker Lake when it was already on the agenda? It appears that two votes are a sure thing whenever he wants them.
Both Ald. Ferrari and Radtke have been present at all meetings concerning the fireworks and I was under the impression that all aldermen including Mayszak, Lukosus, Perez and Radtke were on the same page as I remember Ald. Radtke saying at the last meeting that he felt they were very close to a solution for having both events. Ferrari gave an angry response and called the Baker Lake event "suicide" and walked out. At that point, it seemed like all were in agreement except Ferrari who I don't believe ever agreed with the proposal. You need to remember that Tony is part of the "old guard" and that will not change.
anon 4:30 I would imagine by the sounds of things that this event had been in the works for at least a month and the 1st. ward Aldermen decided the night before the vote they were going door to door? Aldermen Perez probably figured if going door to door was going to get done in a timely manner that he would have to do it himself. I guess that would have to be a question for him.
In my life experience if you take on a task or project you better plan on having to do some things yourself.
Curious to know if Perez never went knocking on doors if Ferrari and Radtke would have done that. Guess they only know that.
No way would Ferrari and Radtke have gone knocking on doors if Perez had not. Ferrari accused Perez of lying at the public meeting about the fireworks. Such a pathetic shame.
Ferrari, is an idiot!
Anon 9:37 If he indeed accused a fellow alderman of lying, then I agree with your statement. If he went door to door to make a fellow alderman look like a liar, then I agree with your statement. Looks like I agree with your statement.
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