This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.” Samuel Adams
Aldermen, Mayor: Please view and enjoy video labeled "Pickleball in Peru - BBJK". Get the message that the ambassador is obviously proposing with this video - THAT PICKLEBALL CAN BE PLAYED ANYWHERE? Please take special notice of the PORTABLE net used in each location. Obviously the 4 high school girls in this video were enjoying the game where ever they played. So, why then does the ambassador have to permanently attach these portable nets? Does the equipment that these girls were using belong to the city? I would think so because the ambassador is in the picture with them.
Isn't this activity supposedly being sponsored by the rec commission? Why then is all we keep seeing and hearing regarding this game is being done by Mr. Grabowski? Is he a member of the commission? I didn't think he was.
Once and for all, what you people OBVIOUSLY need is an alderman/woman who will bring this up DURING a city council meeting. Nothing more, nothing less.
What the aldermen need to realize is that if they don't get some backbone and speak up, next year there may be replacements sitting in those council seats. Defending the establishment is not going to get them re elected. Politicians who do not respond respectively and with some understanding of their constituents problems generally find themselves outside looking in after the next election.
I cannot believe what I just saw, and I saw it and cannot believe it. After all these weeks of the ambassador pushing to turn 28th St. Park into a permanent pickle ball court, he has the nerve to make a video like this. It is obvious that this game was created to be played anywhere and in each video the nets were portable. This appears to be the ambassador sticking it to everyone who questioned this silly idea at 28th St. Will someone on the council, or the mayor put a stop to this nonsense!
8:16 The ambassador is able to do what he wants, when he wants, and where he wants because the aldermen and mayor REFUSE to do anything to stop him. They are allowing him to take over a frequently used tennis court because that is what he wants. And 10:49 it may be the obvious solution but there is not one alderman/alderwoman who will listen. They have made it perfectly clear that the rec commission has the final say and they will not challenge their decision.
Lois @ 7:59 I am sure the mayor is very aware of what the ambassador is doing and obviously supports him. Why was only one business used in this video? Seems to me that all the other businesses in Peru should be afforded the same luxury.
IF PICKLE BALL CAN BE PLAYED ANYWHERE WHY DO THEY NEED TO COMPLETELY ELIMINATE A TENNIS COURT? I AM SORRY BUT THIS VIDEO MAKES NO SENSE!!! I COMPLETELY LAUGHED AT THIS VIDEO!! AND THE "CLOWN" THAT SAID TENNIS IS A DYING SPORT OBVIOUSLY HAS NO CLUE.. THE FRENCH OPEN WAS JUST PLAYED ON ESPN.. PICKLEBALL ONLY GETS YOUTUBE AIRTIME BY CLOWNS WHO MAKE VIDEOS LIKE THIS....
Want to know what I find really funny? Found this article about pickle ball in other cities and here is what they wrote.
"Pickleball courts are sprouting up throughout the United States, and the first ones in Sonoma County recently popped up at Finley Park in Santa Rosa and Lewis Park in Windsor. More precisely, the Parks and Recreation departments in both cities striped dimension lines on existing tennis courts. The tennis lines are in white, pickleball in yellow."
They were able to use both sports on one court. WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM PERU GOVT???
What they don't get is that the people here are NOT against pickle ball, rather it is the total elimination of a sport that is still occupying the court.
12:42 That was another alternative that was supposed to happen but for some reason that wasn't good enough for the ambassador (using different color lines). And once again nobody on our council will speak up!!!
It is my opinion, that having it striped for dual use might interfere with the ambassadors personal schedule. Someone might be playing tennis when he wants to play pickleball and he does not want to have to share that court, even though he could go down to any little used parking lot or vacant property or street and set up the portable nets. He could actually take the game to different parts of Peru and La Salle and play and attract new players because he would be showing the game everywhere. That would be if his real interest is in attracting new players to the sport.
10:01: just wait, i know of a few people who are interested in running for alderman, these people are intelligent and will listen. This next election is going to be very intersting to say the least. Remember, it is YOU, all of you who read and comment on this blog that put the people in office. Stay tuned, change in a good way is coming.
Please call your alderman and the mayor. If everyone who comments on here would just make one phone call it will send the message on what is right for 28th St.
With the 4th of July fireworks rapidly approaching and approximately two years of debate have all legalities been answered? (1) Can a private source or social club have a open bar in Peru on city owned property after obtaining a special liquor license? (2) Who is liable? (3) What time does a event have to closed which is held on outdoor city property? City parks must be vacated by 10P.M. This past week-end all activities conducted by the City of LaSalle were ended at 11:P.M. How can the city issue a special license for the fireworks with similar year round establishments in the same area when it would not promote a Farmers Market or allow Bojo to sell fresh vegetables or fruit in Peru because Peru had people who made their living all year round selling vegetables and fruit.
Fireworks will take place. Legalities are another thing, seems that Foia has been unable to find records and possibly contracts for the fireworks of 2009 and 2010 and possbly other years. The search goes on.
Looks like ping pong on a court - if they think tennis is a dying sport this looks even more boring - won't be long and we will have a parking lot in the middle of a park!
That is an interesting question and I will do some research.
For Peru, from their website:
The City of Peru's mission is to provide top-quality, fiscally responsible municipal services in a manner that promotes the high standards of our City.
Kind of like Big Brother looking over you and telling you what you need and what is good for you by ignoring community problems. Remember the 3 monkeys, "Do no evil, see no evil and hear no evil" so lets just change the wording. "Do nothing, see nothing and hear nothing"
9:07 Your exactly right. Why then does the ambassador need to take over a frequently used tennis court? Everyone but the rec commission, the city council and the mayor can see that this sport was meant to be played anywhere and not set up permanently.
You know poeple complained about wasting money on soccer fields when it started they said it was a waste of tax payers money because nobody played soccer now look soccer is almost as big as baseball. Atleast the park board and council is willing to try something different. I say give it a chance, be open minded and maybe give it a try you might like it, but you will never know if you just condemn it before you even give it a chance. It's not like you can never play tennis there again if it doesn't work out. joe witczak
The place used for soccer was just unused park land and nothing was displaced. No one is objecting to the game of pickleball, they are objecting to the location.
After looking at the video, we definitely believe that it can be played elsewhere and it just reinforces the truth, that the pickleball ambassador wants it located in 28th street park for his convenience and no other reason. This is easy to see and the neighbors definitely know it. It should remain a multi use court.
What is so complicated about simply understanding that pickle ball is not the problem, but that the location is the problem? The location is the problem because someone wants the location to be convenient for themselves in such a manner that he is being selfish with many who already use the same facility ALOT. Why doesn't everyone understand that tennis is working out in this park and that pickle ball could be played anywhere and everywhere as the video proved. I hate to say it because it sounds wise guyish but all this pickleball debate has proven is that you can't fix STUPID!
Joe, I live right next to the tennis court and am very opened minded about pickle ball. I see how much tennis is played here on a regular basis and all I asked is that the nets not be placed permanently. Therefore the all could use the court. The ambassador is the closed minded one. Jill Bernal
I would like to be able to tell you that you are right but you are wrong. At city hall council meetings all you will get is silence and then "anybody else". But I would really like everyone who reads the blog to see if they have better results than I have seen at council meetings. They don't like to discuss comments and I don't now where else people can go for some feedback.
Anon 8:05 Three to four years ago the city council chambers were so crowded that there were nights that people were standing if additional chairs were not brought in. Because of the attitude that has been expressed by the Mayor and a few others the numbers in attendance have steadily dwindled until there is no longer anyone attending council meetings. These same people know well the nights of council meetings but since their voice was not heard they have chosen to no longer be a part of this administration. You will see them in the coming election a little wiser and working a lot harder for candidates who truthfully want to work for Peru. "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice same on me"
Anon 11:22 Why are you trying to use someone else? Do you have something to say and either don't have the know how or are too big a coward? Get off your dead behind and stand on your own two feet! Kristie can and does express herself very intelligently, why don't you try the same?
In the "positive in peru" website, I noticed Jim Grabowski is having a pickle ball video contest... whatever this may be, and whatever the prize is for the contest. There has only been one video, and it has Jim Grabowski in it. I find it funny that he had to convince some young girls to make a video for his contest.
Seems to me that this is getting handled like Washington politics in that one party refuses to compromise. It doesn't seem like rocket science to me that a dual purpose court would be the way to go and would be cheaper. If all that has to be done is paint different color lines then what it would save on 28th street could be used to paint the rest of the courts in the city for pickleball also.
Just makes more sense to me but then again I'm not a rocket scientist.
Ordinarily private citizens in Peru are not discussed here but it seems that Jim Grabowski does not mind being in the center of the public eye and this morning has placed himself in the 28th St. Park to direct the formation of the pickleball courts which are being placed upon the tennis courts he has claimed for his own use. In spite of much opposition by people in the area whom the city has blatantly ignored, the transformation will evidently take place. Jim is neither an elected official and or an an appointed committee member (but the husband of a rec com member)and he is doing as he pleases.
The first ward aldermen had absolutely no courage to take this one on and neither did the mayor.
It is an election year and Remember Pickleball Next April!
It is not only what has happened to the park, it is the why it happened.
Not only has Mr. Grabowski got his pickle ball courts and equipment that your tax dollar paid for but he used a great deal of city workers today to get everything lined up. As it is we don't have enough workers (or so we're constantly told) yet they spend hours on the pickle court today. (again your tax dollar at work) Wonder who's paying for the porta pottie? Haven't had one in years at this park. Another feather in Grabowski's cap. I thought this park was first and foremost for the kids. It's too bad we can't pay half as much attention to their equipment as we have to the notorious pickle ball court. I have nothing against pickle ball it self but I do have a problem with the city catering to the desires and wants of one individual. An individual who is neither an elected or an appointed official on any committee in Peru.
I understand. We have not had a meeting for a while and nobody has made an official statement. Since a committee chairman was never appointed I would assume it would have to be the mayor choice to dissolve it.
54 comments:
This video makes it look like the city of Peru is supporting TME, a local business, doesn't it? Is the Mayor of aware of this video?
Aldermen, Mayor: Please view and enjoy video labeled "Pickleball in Peru - BBJK". Get the message that the ambassador is obviously proposing with this video - THAT PICKLEBALL CAN BE PLAYED ANYWHERE? Please take special notice of the PORTABLE net used in each location. Obviously the 4 high school girls in this video were enjoying the game where ever they played. So, why then does the ambassador have to permanently attach these portable nets? Does the equipment that these girls were using belong to the city? I would think so because the ambassador is in the picture with them.
Isn't this activity supposedly being sponsored by the rec commission? Why then is all we keep seeing and hearing regarding this game is being done by Mr. Grabowski? Is he a member of the commission? I didn't think he was.
He has a personal connection as his wife is on the rec commission.
Once and for all, what you people OBVIOUSLY need is an alderman/woman who will bring this up DURING a city council meeting. Nothing more, nothing less.
What the aldermen need to realize is that if they don't get some backbone and speak up, next year there may be replacements sitting in those council seats. Defending the establishment is not going to get them re elected. Politicians who do not respond respectively and with some understanding of their constituents problems generally find themselves outside looking in after the next election.
I cannot believe what I just saw, and I saw it and cannot believe it. After all these weeks of the ambassador pushing to turn 28th St. Park into a permanent pickle ball court, he has the nerve to make a video like this. It is obvious that this game was created to be played anywhere and in each video the nets were portable. This appears to be the ambassador sticking it to everyone who questioned this silly idea at 28th St. Will someone on the council, or the mayor put a stop to this nonsense!
8:16 The ambassador is able to do what he wants, when he wants, and where he wants because the aldermen and mayor REFUSE to do anything to stop him. They are allowing him to take over a frequently used tennis court because that is what he wants. And 10:49 it may be the obvious solution but there is not one alderman/alderwoman who will listen. They have made it perfectly clear that the rec commission has the final say and they will not challenge their decision.
Lois @ 7:59 I am sure the mayor is very aware of what the ambassador is doing and obviously supports him. Why was only one business used in this video? Seems to me that all the other businesses in Peru should be afforded the same luxury.
Wow! ! What a joke Peru has become!
IF PICKLE BALL CAN BE PLAYED ANYWHERE WHY DO THEY NEED TO COMPLETELY ELIMINATE A TENNIS COURT? I AM SORRY BUT THIS VIDEO MAKES NO SENSE!!! I COMPLETELY LAUGHED AT THIS VIDEO!! AND THE "CLOWN" THAT SAID TENNIS IS A DYING SPORT OBVIOUSLY HAS NO CLUE.. THE FRENCH OPEN WAS JUST PLAYED ON ESPN.. PICKLEBALL ONLY GETS YOUTUBE AIRTIME BY CLOWNS WHO MAKE VIDEOS LIKE THIS....
10:49 You are right but could you tell us where to find an alderman who will listen and help. There are none in Peru and that includes our Mayor.
Want to know what I find really funny? Found this article about pickle ball in other cities and here is what they wrote.
"Pickleball courts are sprouting up throughout the United States, and the first ones in Sonoma County recently popped up at Finley Park in Santa Rosa and Lewis Park in Windsor.
More precisely, the Parks and Recreation departments in both cities striped dimension lines on existing tennis courts. The tennis lines are in white, pickleball in yellow."
They were able to use both sports on one court. WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM PERU GOVT???
What they don't get is that the people here are NOT against pickle ball, rather it is the total elimination of a sport that is still occupying the court.
I wanna leave this town.
Source:
http://windsor.towns.pressdemocrat.com/2011/09/news/pickleball-is-fastest-growing-sport-in-america/
12:42 That was another alternative that was supposed to happen but for some reason that wasn't good enough for the ambassador (using different color lines). And once again nobody on our council will speak up!!!
It is my opinion, that having it striped for dual use might interfere with the ambassadors personal schedule. Someone might be playing tennis when he wants to play pickleball and he does not want to have to share that court, even though he could go down to any little used parking lot or vacant property or street and set up the portable nets. He could actually take the game to different parts of Peru and La Salle and play and attract new players because he would be showing the game everywhere. That would be if his real interest is in attracting new players to the sport.
I think right now his one and only goal is to get his way and have the 28th street park tennis court eliminated even if it sits idle.
10:01: just wait, i know of a few people who are interested in running for alderman, these people are intelligent and will listen. This next election is going to be very intersting to say the least. Remember, it is YOU, all of you who read and comment on this blog that put the people in office. Stay tuned, change in a good way is coming.
Please call your alderman and the mayor. If everyone who comments on here would just make one phone call it will send the message on what is right for 28th St.
What's next a Salsa video.
looks to me like they are playing tennis !
With the 4th of July fireworks rapidly approaching and approximately two years of debate have all legalities been answered?
(1) Can a private source or social club have a open bar in Peru on city owned property after obtaining a special liquor license?
(2) Who is liable?
(3) What time does a event have to closed which is held on outdoor city property? City parks must be vacated by 10P.M.
This past week-end all activities conducted by the City of LaSalle were ended at 11:P.M.
How can the city issue a special license for the fireworks with similar year round establishments in the same area when it would not promote a Farmers Market or allow Bojo to sell fresh vegetables or fruit in Peru because Peru had people who made their living all year round selling vegetables and fruit.
3:44PM
Fireworks will take place. Legalities are another thing, seems that Foia has been unable to find records and possibly contracts for the fireworks of 2009 and 2010 and possbly other years. The search goes on.
Looks like ping pong on a court - if they think tennis is a dying sport this looks even more boring - won't be long and we will have a parking lot in the middle of a park!
What is the mission of city government?
That is an interesting question and I will do some research.
For Peru, from their website:
The City of Peru's mission is to provide top-quality, fiscally responsible municipal services in a manner that promotes the high standards of our City.
To provide outstanding services that meet the community's needs.
To govern responsibly by effectively managing and protecting public resources.
To build trust in government through openness, diverse leadership and communication.
To strategically focus on enhancing Yakima's quality of life.
I like this one
6:49 Their mission is to not listen to the people.
10:19 PM
Kind of like Big Brother looking over you and telling you what you need and what is good for you by ignoring community problems.
Remember the 3 monkeys, "Do no evil, see no evil and hear no evil" so lets just change the wording.
"Do nothing, see nothing and hear nothing"
Looks like a sport you could play in your driveway or on your couch.
LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE IS RUNNING THE CITY OF PERU BUT ( THE CITY ITS SELF ) !
9:07 Your exactly right. Why then does the ambassador need to take over a frequently used tennis court? Everyone but the rec commission, the city council and the mayor can see that this sport was meant to be played anywhere and not set up permanently.
MISSION OF PERU --- UNION -UNION UNION- TAKE-TAKE-TAKE AND NEVER GIVE BACK!
You know poeple complained about wasting money on soccer fields when it started they said it was a waste of tax payers money because nobody played soccer now look soccer is almost as big as baseball. Atleast the park board and council is willing to try something different. I say give it a chance, be open minded and maybe give it a try you might like it, but you will never know if you just condemn it before you even give it a chance. It's not like you can never play tennis there again if it doesn't work out.
joe witczak
Joe, thanks for your comment.
The place used for soccer was just unused park land and nothing was displaced. No one is objecting to the game of pickleball, they are objecting to the location.
After looking at the video, we definitely believe that it can be played elsewhere and it just reinforces the truth, that the pickleball ambassador wants it located in 28th street park for his convenience and no other reason. This is easy to see and the neighbors definitely know it. It should remain a multi use court.
What is so complicated about simply understanding that pickle ball is not the problem, but that the location is the problem?
The location is the problem because someone wants the location to be convenient for themselves in such a manner that he is being selfish with many who already use the same facility ALOT.
Why doesn't everyone understand that tennis is working out in this park and that pickle ball could be played anywhere and everywhere as the video proved.
I hate to say it because it sounds wise guyish but all this pickleball debate has proven is that you can't fix STUPID!
You are so right, one of my favorites too.
Stupid is, Stupid does.
Joe, I live right next to the tennis court and am very opened minded about pickle ball. I see how much tennis is played here on a regular basis and all I asked is that the nets not be placed permanently. Therefore the all could use the court. The ambassador is the closed minded one. Jill Bernal
The old saying is ( YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID ) I guess that just about covers the peru city governing body !
The only thing i can tell you all is the regular council meeting is at city hall this wednesday, 730 pm. Voice your opinion there, not here.
8:05 PM
I would like to be able to tell you that you are right but you are wrong. At city hall council meetings all you will get is silence and then "anybody else". But I would really like everyone who reads the blog to see if they have better results than I have seen at council meetings. They don't like to discuss comments and I don't now where else people can go for some feedback.
Anon 8:05 Three to four years ago the city council chambers were so crowded that there were nights that people were standing if additional chairs were not brought in.
Because of the attitude that has been expressed by the Mayor and a few others the numbers in attendance have steadily dwindled until there is no longer anyone attending council meetings. These same people know well the nights of council meetings but since their voice was not heard they have chosen to no longer be a part of this administration. You will see them in the coming election a little wiser and working a lot harder for candidates who truthfully want to work for Peru. "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice same on me"
8:05 I thought that was the purpose of this blog.
Where is Kristie, she has been quiet and is over due to stir things up before the election?
Anon 11:22 Why are you trying to use someone else? Do you have something to say and either don't have the know how or are too big a coward? Get off your dead behind and stand on your own two feet!
Kristie can and does express herself very intelligently, why don't you try the same?
In the "positive in peru" website, I noticed Jim Grabowski is having a pickle ball video contest... whatever this may be, and whatever the prize is for the contest. There has only been one video, and it has Jim Grabowski in it. I find it funny that he had to convince some young girls to make a video for his contest.
Yikes to that video.
Seems to me that this is getting handled like Washington politics in that one party refuses to compromise.
It doesn't seem like rocket science to me that a dual purpose court would be the way to go and would be cheaper. If all that has to be done is paint different color lines then what it would save on 28th street could be used to paint the rest of the courts in the city for pickleball also.
Just makes more sense to me but then again I'm not a rocket scientist.
Ordinarily private citizens in Peru are not discussed here but it seems that Jim Grabowski does not mind being in the center of the public eye and this morning has placed himself in the 28th St. Park to direct the formation of the pickleball courts which are being placed upon the tennis courts he has claimed for his own use. In spite of much opposition by people in the area whom the city has blatantly ignored, the transformation will evidently take place.
Jim is neither an elected official and or an an appointed committee member (but the husband of a rec com member)and he is doing as he pleases.
The first ward aldermen had absolutely no courage to take this one on and neither did the mayor.
It is an election year and Remember Pickleball Next April!
It is not only what has happened to the park, it is the why it happened.
Hi diddle diddle the mayor is in a pickle and Jimmy boy jumped over the moon.
Not only has Mr. Grabowski got his pickle ball courts and equipment that your tax dollar paid for but he used a great deal of city workers today to get everything lined up. As it is we don't have enough workers (or so we're constantly told) yet they spend hours on the pickle court today. (again your tax dollar at work) Wonder who's paying for the porta pottie? Haven't had one in years at this park. Another feather in Grabowski's cap. I thought this park was first and foremost for the kids. It's too bad we can't pay half as much attention to their equipment as we have to the notorious pickle ball court. I have nothing against pickle ball it self but I do have a problem with the city catering to the desires and wants of one individual. An individual who is neither an elected or an appointed official on any committee in Peru.
Anon 804He is an appointed member on the infrastructure committee, but that doesnt justify these actions.
Justin: I believe that committee has been dissolved and no longer exists.
That's funny, I'm the recording secretary and I never received that memo.
That's what I was told by former members Justin. Sorry if I was misinformed and made a false statement.
I understand. We have not had a meeting for a while and nobody has made an official statement. Since a committee chairman was never appointed I would assume it would have to be the mayor choice to dissolve it.
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