Monday, October 10, 2011
Let's Talk Fireworks Again
On Saturday, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Jazz'n the Street event on First Street in La Salle for several hours. I had gone in years past but never had stayed for the fireworks but this year we did.
We were sitting at a table very near to the wine and beer tasting tent located at First and Gooding St and the fireworks were shot off from Canal Street about a short block away. So for about 30 minutes some of the best fireworks I have ever seen were going off over the buildings and sometimes directly over our heads. No ash, no debris.
After all the complaints and worry about Baker Lake Park, here we were literally beneath the shower of fireworks and nothing was raining down on us. Was it the company doing the fireworks? Was it the manner in which it was done? There has to be an answer.
I don't even pretend to understand why it went off without a hitch on First Street in La Salle and Peru has not even attempted to use Baker and people were crying "The sky is going to fall"
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20 comments:
I too witnessed La Salle's fireworks display and commented often that it seemed as though the ashes from them dissolved much quicker that Peru's does. Could it be the company or the type of firework used? Also, while we're on the topic has Peru decided to change to the same fireworks company Hennepin uses because it has been mentioned often that we could get the same display for $6,000 less? This, to me, should be a no brainer yet I haven't heard if we've made a decision to save money or not.
WHere would everyone park at Baker lake for fireworks??
2:56 Well, let's see: 1. on the grass where everybody parks for other functions 2. around the corner in grocery store parking lots and get bussed to Baker Lake (sound familiar?) 3. on the other side of the park where they park every night for soccer. What is the difference between parking in the Baker Lake area or the Water Street area - (more expensive homes)? Where there's a will, there's a way!
Lois, it is called politics. Nothing more, nothing less.
Where does everyone park for Water Street? And while were on the fireworks subject and Water Street, there should be no cars allowed on that street while the celebration is going on. NO CARS!
After extensive negotiation and open arbitration the decision was made to keep the fireworks on Water Street. Also open to discussion was the question of two separate firework displays which I feel would only dilute the original and major display and in my estimation the correct decision was made to keep it one and only one.
These decisions were made in a fair and open manner and should be followed. The issue of fireworks has been finalized for the current times and should be accepted as such.
Congratulations to both Peru and LaSalle for outstanding firework displays. City government has many issues too manage, two of them being swimming pools and fireworks, but these are only two of them. Lets all give them a breather and a opportunity to donate the majority of time to the rest.
6:52PM
Since you have proclaimed and finalized the Peru fireworks, you might have given us you name to give some credibility to your post. As it stands now, you are just another anon poster with no credibility to the rest of our blog readers.
6:52 Since you state that the issue of the fireworks has been finalized can we then conclude that we won't be looking into getting the same display for $6,000 less? Is that correct? Sounds like another problem solved in a brilliant manner!
Lois,
Thanks for posting what took place in La Salle this past weekend. It was very nicely ran and well organized. As far as the alcohol served? it was done in a very subtle way, more of a beer and wine tasting tent. most people i observed walking around and sitting at tables had mostly water and soft drinks in hand, in fact.. at first I didn't think they were serving alcohol.
I'm in the process of gathering information so we can look forward to festivities at Baker Lake for next summer. I will be asking the city to look into having a stage with electricity built somewhere in the park so we could have concerts such as: The Municipal Band ( which he liked the idea because downtown Maud Powell can be a bit noisy do to traffic etc), Maud Powell concerts, talent shows, etc.
This could either be built with Park and Recreation funds or perhaps we can get this donated.
I am looking at Sunday, July 1st for the First Annual "Festival at the Lake" which would consist of vendors, Ethnic food tents, petting zoo, Face painting, Arts in the park, Jazz Band,Polka Band,Bingo,Talent show, Car show, Kids activities,movies at the lake, Etc.
This will be a huge success!!! and all proceeds will go to fund recreation events and wants within the City, including funding the annual Fireworks.
This new committee restructure will bring a whole new Image to the City of Peru:-)
Peru is on the move!!
Note: We will be seeking Volunteers!!
Thank you,
Rodney Perez
9:23
The City has asked the Park and Recreation Committee to seek bids for the 2012 Fireworks display. The Rec meeting is this Tuesday, October 11th. Their are two companies that I know of that claim they can put on a wonderful, if not a better show for 5-6,000.00 less than the current company.. The company that does Hennepin and the company that does Utica. To my knowledge these two companies have not yet been notified to bid.
Of course if the city waits to long to receive bids they may already be booked for July 3rd.
If that is the case the City should consider changing the date to save 5-$6,000.00
Thanks, Rodney
Thanks Rodney. I'm 9:23 and have been having a difficult time understanding why we haven't moved forward on this issue and the possibility of saving money. That money could be used for your Baker Lake festivities. Hopefully we haven't postponed this issue too long.
The advantages of competitive bidding is a concept that is completely foriegn to a select few council members. It is irresponsible for an elected official to discourage competition for services. If the Rec Commission decides not to allow competitive bidding from Pyro-Tech providers they are literally sending our tax dollars "up in smoke".
Steve: I'm under the impression that the Rec Commission is totally in charge of the fireworks. Wouldn't it therefore be their responsibility for the bidding and not the council members? It appears that we apparently alot them a certain amount of money each year to use as they see fit.
This a way that a way same old story every day if I belonged to the Peru City Council I'd make a motion to abolish the fireworks. At least that would make the group who do not want fireworks pleased. Presently it seems Peru has a group who personally don't go to the fireworks but are not going to be happy with them no matter what. Abolish the fireworks, keep the beer tent, open liquor and the band July 3rd and the majority will be happy and it wouldn't cost your old city a dime.
Lets face it La Salle is well run ; a excellant mayor and good city council. Peru mayor and the new city council members need to grow up and smell what a good city looks like when run effectively. We need to get these folks out of office and let them go fishing at Baker Lake.
I Will.. Maybe run for office !
Lois you put in writing that Anon 6:52 has no credibility to their post with the rest of the blog readers. First please read your blog mission statement. Who follows your blogs mission statement closer you or Anon 6:52? Come on now just because the person disagrees with you dose not make them wrong anymore than it makes you wrong strictly because you disagree with someone.
Secondly Lois, besides yourself, Steve and approximately two others over eighty per cent of your blogs comments are from ANONYMOUS, which means that over eighty per cent of your bloggers have no credibility in your estimation.
To directly quote you "You might have given us your name to give some credibility to your post. As it stands now, you are just another anon poster with no credibility to the rest of our blog readers".
Your quote is clearly explanation enough no further explanation is needed. Respectfully a member of the over eighty per cent.
9:10 PM
I made that comment because he said it was final and that he was making the last word on the topic and I said that since he was solving the problem unless he was willing to put a name on the post, it had no validity. I will always post anon posts but unless there is a name attached we cannot accept their comment as the absolute truth or the last word on the topic. If the Mayor wrote that and signed his name, I would have to accept his final decision but I don't know who wrote that comment. Perhaps he was a resident of another city or state, who knows?
Festival at Baker Lake sound wonderful. But make sure the CSO has nothing to do with it. They would ruin it with a beer tent. The wine tasteing tent in LaSalle last week was done with class. No drunks, no noise very quite and refined adults haveing a drink.
Lets see... grassy, flat, quiet, LARGE, park, with no street traffic Vs. confined, gravel, rr tracks, broken glass, traffic jam.
With or without the drunks, there seems to be only one answer.
Unless, of course, you are the owner of a bar or a house in that very non-family friendly area..
You could fit twice as many people in Baker Lake, and everyone could have a nice grassy spot to lay out a blanket and let the small ones run around without having to worry about getting smashed by a car or anything.
Many fantastic ideas now lets get down to the real decision maker - money. Being that many adults do not want fireworks make them a private supported venture. I can see many positives created by this idea. The ability to select a location without any interference - but there is always the possibility of paying for the location. It appears that some of the possible sponsors have already contacted vendors for prices. Being private they could charge at each entrance. Crowd control and parking are not a difficulty as their are always people who will volunteer a way which the location may also be obtained.
I personally would welcome someone or some group to take this on as a private enterprise and get it off the taxpayers and the cities back. Good Luck.
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