"Historic Peru", someone has quite an imagination.
Those who know me realize how numerous people and myself attempted to persuade the city when they did the remake of Peru to save what was left of the most historic part of our downtown but as you can see we have the Peru City Hall instead. And now to have the audacity to say Historic Peru is beyond words, the history of Peru is buried in the landfill.
Beside numerous private home, we could site our remaining historic buildings on one hand and a few extra fingers. LaSalle could proudly use this not Peru. Have we no humility in this city?
Since we often say we are the shopping mecca of LaSalle County, that wording would have been appropriate.
18 comments:
What I don't understand is why the need for all these Peru signs all over town? It's beginning to look like an election year when signs pop up all over town. Whose idea was this logo and how much did these signs cost the taxpayers? Don't remember reading anything about them being discussed at any council meeting. Who approved them? Does this sign have anything to do with the open forum letter in Thursdays paper? Seems too coincidental if it doesn't.
I saw it today. I’m surprised it does not say “brought to you by Mayor Scott Harl.” This must have been an oversight, or maybe he did not attend that meeting.
The "Historic Peru" signs were approved by the Public Property Committee consisting of Alderman Ankiewicz and Mayszak. They cost approximately $5,500 for 5 signs, and I do believe they were approved by the full council even though their cost was under $20,000. Two will read "Welcome to Historic Peru, Settled in 1835" two will read "Shop & Dine Historic Peru, Settled in 1835" and one will read "Come Home to Historic Peru, Settled in 1835".
The billboard on Route 6 by the Peru Greehouse will have "Welcome" on the west side and "Shop & Dine" on the east side as you're heading to Spring Valley. The billboard south of the river will have "Welcome". The billboard on North Peoria Street will have "Come Home" on the north side and "Shop & Dine" on the south side as you're heading towards the mall area. There are 2 x 16 areas under each billboard. Three of these sides (there are 5 in total) will be rented out for $1,100 per year. Rental income will be $3,300 per year which will pay off the cost of the city signs in 2 years. The other two 2 x 16 areas will be reserved to be used to advertise community events. All 5 large signs will be taken down for Cops for Cancer for one month prior to their event, and then the City signs will go back up. Personally I think the signs look great, and yes Peru is historic. After all we were founded in 1835 and that fact alone makes Peru historic. Mayor Harl had nothing to do with these billboard signs.
I saw the sign today on route 6. My god, it's huge!!!
6:49 PM
Ald. Mayszak
Thanks for your information. I do remember a vote on the signs but I'm sure no resident attendee at that meeting had any idea of what was being voted on. I thought they were the same signs that had been in several locations for many years. In fact this is what people complain about in that the council has information that anyone coming to the meeting does not and consequently they are in the dark.
I do disagree with you on the signs because if being old qualified for being historic, most cities of any vintage would be historic and that is not true.
I am going to give you a for instance. Someone traveling into Peru sees the signs and decides they wish to see this historic city and they get off at Rte 6 and heads into our downtown. Once they got to downtown Peru, they would probably turn around and leave town. But that is only my personal opinion and how it would feel if I ran into a sign advertising a town trying to retain a historic character and looked at our downtown. I would think the city was being disingenuous.
To make my point, I see we have a new business in town, Korean Karate.
Alderman Mayszak: Why did your committee deem it necessary to spend more taxpayers money on signs when we already have "welcome of Peru" signs in the same locations as these new monstrosities? I don't understand the need for advertising who we are. The mayor already has signs all over town.
Someone reminded me tonight that the signs are like the "nifty fifty" and if you missed that, there is a huge stack of them sitting down at city hall, . Do you think the same person had input into both of these ways to spend city bucks.
Utica is historical---Take the Peru taxpayers money and do something beneficial with it. Let's see--Oh yeah PAY DOWN DEBT!!! Don't throw it away on such useless things.
@ 9:09 p.m. The old Welcome to Peru signs were worn out. As I explained, these signs will be paid for with advertising money made on the smaller signs below the billboards, so taxpayer money was spent upfront, but will be replaced. I like the signs, and since there is no cost to the taxpayers, I think it's a good thing!
Ald. Mayszak - thank you for replacing the old signs. They were worn to the point of being an embarrassment.
...ironic as one of the oldest buildings with great history in Peru is being demolished on Water Street.
Kristy
Alderwoman Mayszak; thank you for the FACTS
People they are not signs. They are BILLBOARDS. I personally just don't understand why we need billboards announcing Peru, signs announcing Peru, and signs telling people Peru is fixing its' streets. I think there should have been some discussion, some communication between our city council and our mayor before they both had signs and or billboards erected. Maybe we could have made it fun and had a contest where people came up with slogans or designs for these billboards. Just a little way of letting citizens take part in their community and how their money is being spent.
I guess what bothers me the most is they are billboards. I do agree that the other signs needed to be replaced, but not with those monstrosities. They belong on the interstate.
The city spends money on signs promoting Peru as being a historical city. Has anybody been on historical waterstreet in Peru. Only drive about 5 mph because that whole street is in terrible shape!!!! Absolutely an embarrassment for the city of Peru!!!!! Make sure you have a spare tire. I hope no tickets are issued on that street for swerving
Because you have to to avoid ripples. Potholes. No lines either!!!
I think the discussion was on the signs promoting Peru's asphalt repairs. Please remember that this was made possible by the generous gifts of Mayor Harl and your City Council.
I got my first glimpse of the front and back of the sign on north Peoria street and I have not changed my mind and in fact looking at this clutter simply reinforces my view. Welcome Home to Historic Peru ! which I will see everytime I return from the Mall or Hyvee.
Perez for Mayor !!!!!
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