I paraphrase from this paper which originated in Cottage Grove MN.
Cottage Grove's aging city pool will go dry for good this fall but those looking to splash around likely won't have to leave town. The city is set to move forward on plans for a splash pad with spray nozzles and water guns to help keep cool on hot summer days. With no standing water, maintenance on a splash pad is far cheaper than Cottage Grove's municipal pool and a splash area at the old pool, could offer more fun for the city's kids. Our current pool, for lack of a better term is basically a big bath tub. It's not very interactive, now the splash pad has room for kids to run, splash and play. The Mayor states "Every city we talk to who has put these in they've blown away their projections of how many would use it
About a month ago I brought up the subject once again to the public property committee consisting of Ald. Ankiewicz and Ald. Mayszak and Mayor Harl who was also in attendance. The Mayor said "no money"
I would like to add the waste that I have seen in the last few months and feel free to add to my list.
New truck for the fire department approximately 30,000. Where is it? Bought for the asst. and after the purchase it was decided he would use a different used one.
Approximately 1,500 plus for the Mayors signs announcing who is fixing the roads.
Who knows or who will admit how much the Concerts for a Cause will cost us. 5.500 for new Peru signs
35,000 to Chamlin so Mike Perry, a Chamlin employee, can tell us about our infrastructure of which Chamlin and Associates was contracted through the years.
Fees to locate an engineer and then we pick Chamlin.
New truck for department of public works.
20,000 for 20-30 minutes of oohs and ahs on July 4.
3,000 for pickleball equipment for adults
3.000 for Chamlin to do a work up for a possible additional ball diamond at Veterans Park.
This is the last summer before the election next April, so you might want to remember who thought of your family this summer when you cast your vote. There will be no splashing water in our city. Eng. Mike Perry mentioned at one of the Public Property meetings I attended that if the city wants to have a Splash Pad next year, they need to get going and have some plans drawn up. I have not heard one of your elected Peru officials even bring up the subject. In fact they can't even bring themselves to hire for the demolition of the old pool. They are nickel and diming us with the constant expenditures and most we would be happy to do without.
I think our next purchase for the Mayor and council should be a calculator for each so they can add up the money they are spending.
14 comments:
WELL SAID, LOIS. WITH ALL THE PROMISES THAT NEVER HAPPENED OR EVEN ATTEMPTED I KNOW THAT I WILL NO LONGER BE SUPPORTING MAYOR HARL AND HIS UNION BUDDIES.
LOIS , ITS ALL ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT ! NOT WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT ! YOU SHOULD INCLUDE CLASSES AT THE COLLAGE ON HOW TO USE THE CALCULATORS ! THIS IS FROM A VERY UNHAPPY PERU TAX PAYER !
I have some questions to add to the once again discussion of the swimming pool. Approximately one week ago there was a 6:00 A.M. meeting at the pool to discuss its' demolition. It was stated that Mr. Michelini would offer his equipment and manpower to demolish the pool but that we needed to go out for bid to haul away the remains. I believe Mr. Perez mentioned to Ms. Mayszak that he had someone who would volunteer to haul away the remains at no cost to the city. The topic was to be discussed at the last council meeting and the project was to go out for bids. IT WAS TABLED. WHY.
Lois: Didn't we also purchase a new truck for the public works department because they were going to give an old one to the cemetery?
Just checked back to the original city of Cottage Grove and yes one year later the splash will be opening.
Splash Pad Grand Opening
Where is the new summer destination in Cottage Grove? Highlands Park Splash Pad! The splash pad will be constructed this spring/summer at Highlands Park. The grand opening will feature classic summer music, contests, treats, and plenty of WATER!
Date - July 13, 2012
Time - 6:00-8:00 pm
Park - Highlands
Cost - FREE
Also, anxiously awaiting how many kids will be hired for our summer work program. That is another big cost to the city.
about the pool demolition - there seems to be a problem and it might costs more than the $50K in the budget. Asbestos removal, liabilities, and such might get in the way. There is also resistance from "somebody" to using a volunteer.
who would resist volunteers (union people)? as far as the asbestos that has already been supposedly removed or at least we have a cost for it.
Did we know that there would be asbestos issues? Will this be another Peru Power Plant?
Gary Bleck had a cost for asbestos removal from some company but what next, how long before they act on the issue? They stated that the PFD has already done their training in the bath house.
I think the asbestos removal was originally estimated at $10K - but it was not based on an engineering estimate - I think Bleck just "eye balled" it.
Peru has had a great run. In the last 50 yrs leadership has taken it from an act of "little sister" to the stage play of "big brother". It has been a city where distractions have been pushed to the side and a vision of making this the town that we want to be part of, as the main focus.
For certain, Peru has had failures in the last 50 yrs but a great number of huge success' have far outnumbered those failures.
There are many reasons for Peru's tremendous winning attitude - one of which has been the ability of its leadership to listen to fellow Peruvians (their constituents).
The recent attitude of city government spending without fiscal responsibility whenever it wants (as stated by the blog) and the constant answer of "we have no money by its leaders whenever it is something that they do not want, has completely eroded the confidence between city government and its citizens. The end result being that this attitude must change for the future success of Peru.
The example of comparing roads to schools, purchasing 25 road signs for false publicity, creating an infrastructure committee to only completely dominate it with the desires of 1 persons intentions, increasing taxes without a referendum, rumours of excessive union influence and intermixing city government with a private business venture at a financial loss to the government body are just recent examples of the cause of instability in the confidence of this leadership.
The term long demolition of the power plant, the non demolition of the swimming pool and the long existing fence in front of the dilapicating closed bank on U.S. Six are physical evidence of the lack of progress in present Peru.
Peru needs a reoccurence of traditional common sense direction and does not need to spend another $3,000 for future plans of a unneeded $100,000 ball diamond for a travelling team or a new fleet of pick-ups. Peru needs administrators who are willing to give the citizen what he/she desires not what the administator wants.
The last thing Peru deserves is a government furfilling its wants and a answer from its Mayor of "no Money" when it has a need!
WELL SAID ANONYMOUS 5/7/12 7:46 PM
VERY WELL SAID ANONYMOUS 5/7/12 7:46PM
Perez for Mayor !!!!
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