It sounds like the residents of the La Salle Peru area have discovered a great treasure in their midst that unfortunately was not cared for as it should have been. I certainly would make a small donation in order to restore this organ and hopefully people from this area and beyond will step up to help restore it to its original glory and playable condition.
Compared to the figures I hear tossed about here in Peru, $450,000 sounds like a bargain.
19 comments:
Who is responsible and in charge of LPHS? Who is the steward of the entire picture called LPHS - students , teachers buildings and equipment plus insurance etc.
Superintendent Wrobleski is paid the big buck and it is his job to make sure everything in that school is efficient. Since this organ has endured water damage during his watch I feel that he should be paying for the neglect the organ has received. The community has paid Wrobleski and the best he is doing is to push the cost back onto the community.
Anon 2:40 PM
I completely agree with you. For what these school administrators are paid they should be able to play An "A" Game as well as talk it.
Is Harry Truman the last man in charge to say "The buck stops here"? In a sole proprietorship you have to pay for your own losses that you cannot cover, in school administration you simply collect your big fat check, if the heat gets a little too hot in the kitchen you take a buy out and move on or start collecting your pension.
It is a shame that this musical instrument was not properly taken care of. I am more interested in why it was not taken care of than I am about hearing of a community campaign to pay for its repairs. How much do you promise to contribute Steve?
Did the G.P.A. go up or down when you were the curriculum administrator?
The organ has not functioned in a decade or more. If it is truly of historic significance, it should be donated to an institution that has the mandate and the money to properly restore and maintain it – such as the Smithsonian. If it stays in the school, the general public will only have access to it on special occasions. Give it a proper home with proper care and use our educational funds for their intended purpose. But wait – an institution like the Smithsonian has its own staff of restoration experts and would not need to pay this “organ expert.” I’m sorry – I think the guy is just looking for a buck.
Ridiculous comments. The superintendent has been in charge for one year and the damage to the organ took place many years ago. Kudos to him for bring the problem to light when no one before him did. Seriously.
Before giving this organ away, far away it would be wise to take a look at what few historical treasures that our area has. our area needs to preserve what little we have left for our own to enjoy.
9:17 PM
I agree with you 100%.
The organ belongs to the district aka the tax payers and if a value for repair has been obtained an estimated value from an auction house should also be obtained.
Priceless pieces of art are to be shared for their beauty and history not hidden or stored away to accumulated dust and possible destruction. We are fortunate to have discovered the masterpiece yet it is unfortunate the beauty is not bestowed to the rest of the world.
Kristy
To blame the condition of the organ on the administration is purely stupid. NOBODY knew of it's value. Education is utmost in a school district not an organ!! I fully understand the historical nature of the organ as many of you have been made aware! As far as preserving it, have a L-P annual Ball like St. Bede has and see how much money is raised, then go from there. If I were a superintendent the last thing I would prioritize would be an organ. Don't like the organ issue bash the administration for other issues that surfaced! EDUCATION PEOPLE, NOT AN ORGAN!!!!
It is evident that this priceless piece of Illinois Valley and LPHS history's value is in the eyes of the beholder. Is the value of this organ so diminished because it was donated or because our area is not big on fine arts, humanities or preservation of the past?
Most areas would consider this organ as a major tool of education. How much is the proposed athletic complex that LPHS's Administration and Board has in its bucket list going to cost?
5:01 PM
Sports is always on the to of the list here in the valley and everything else comes in second.
Before everyone gets on me for my comment. Everything should be considered and accept that there are people hee in the valley who would appreciate the fine arts as much as much as others enjoy a football or baseball game..
Yes we should try to preserve this piece of our past if possible imho
Excuse Me, but in taking a inspection of the LaSalle- Peru area what has been preserved?
Looking at the lack of historical sites besides the LP Auditorium, the LP Football Stadium, and the Monument in Rotary Park what has been preserved?
No wonder the lack of upkeep for the organ is of very little concern in our area. Upkeep of historical subjects is not part of our education or tradition. When you have a Mayor who sells the need of new roads by comparing them with the need of a school as was done at a Peru City Council meeting what do you expect!
The Saint Patrick's Cemetery is another example. Here is a cemetery that how many people know of and never said a word about or cared if a new building was put on top of the graves.
Speaking of cemeteries how many cars have been parked on top of graves during ball games and nothing has been done about it at the City of Peru cemetery?
YES, IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGING OF THE GUARD IN PERU
I do agree and I keep hoping the city will give us something we can point to with pride...and not the city hall.
Lois, you're negative comments regarding our new and beautiful city hall are getting stale and have nothing to do with the organ. We all know by now you have an axe to grind with Mayor Baker and no matter how much you complain it will not be torn down. The city did give you something to be proud of but of course you disagree.
Cecil, everyone has their own concept of what is beautiful to them and I personally don't think our city hall is beautiful. It is clean and spacious and has everything it needs to be a functioning city hall and I certainly would not expect the city to tear it down, that would be crazy after all the money spent to construct the building. Please don't bring Mayor Baker into this as I am not grinding any axes and I am actually surprised that you would bring something like that into this conversation.
Last of historical sites? How many people enjoy the Maud Powell statue in downtown Peru? Not me. How many know the reason for it.
I cannot believe city hall has been brought back into the mix. It's here, we have it, it works. Was it necessary - NO. Is it beautiful - not in my opinion. Does it serve its' purpose - I suppose. But, we already had a building that did all that and more. It was not, in my opinion, money well spent. Nor was it money that needed to be spent on another city hall. However, it's a topic that over, done, move on. We have more important things to work on today.
IMHO Rotary Park previously know as City Park or Veterans Park is the most historical thing we have in Peru and also the least talked about. The solider statue is soooo impressive, the park is peaceful and nicely done and the city pretty much doesn't talk about it.
so we are supposed to take their word for it that it is worth something? Why don't they get an independent opinion from somebody that does not have something to gain. The organ guy stands to get alot of monay if he restores this thing. Are the board memebers geting a cut?
I doubt very much if people will come from around the world to hear a two-manual Aeolian organ. The entire project is being over-inflated by the organ technician. Organs from this era - in theatres, homes, schools, etc. - were used and enjoyed for a while and then went out of style. If the school has an active organ instruction program, then restore the instrument, but if it will only be played 2 or 3 times a year by an organist who wants a paycheck, then give or sell the organ to a place where it will be in use.
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