Excerpt from:http://www.angelfire.com/id/clare/News.htm
Proof of the portability of the equipment was shown by Jim Grabowski himself, when he made a video to advertise pickleball
With that in mind why did the Recreation Commission quickly and I must say illegally (vote on the go ahead without placement on the agenda) not once but twice. Why did the Recreation Commission headed by President Bryan Hartman and Secretary Janice Grabowski quickly give the go ahead to Jim Grabowski, the husband of Janice Grabowski to change the tennis court to a pickleball court.And the city said nothing. And yes other members gave the go ahead also but other than Janice and Jim, I don't know that they were aware of the implications it would cause. Since the Grabowskis live close to that park, in the name of good citizenship, why did they not talk to the people who would be more seriously impacted by this decision. Doing that they would have shown that they wanted this to be done with all options on the table and maintaining the community of the neighborhood.
Now the people who are a part of the problem, don't live in the neighborhood and some don't even live in the city. The mayors answer to that was we welcome people from all cities to Peru.
The size of the court is 120 ft x 36 ft and it is located only 20 feet from 3 residences. Number one mistake by the city sometime in the 1990s.
Sound travels 1130 feet per second. In one millisecond, sounds travels 1 foot and that means in 20 milliseconds, the sound is in their yards and homes. And now the mayor has told the residents "You don't have the numbers", meaning there were only 7 people asking for changes at the recent Recreation Commission meeting on 8/13. He also said that my husband and I did count because we don't live next to it and if he had that would have been 9 people. I would like to ask the Mayor "how many homes can you put in the length of one city block"? Perhaps he had a cut off number of 7. Mayor how many homes are in your city block?
Maybe we should ask the Recreation Commission to provide a Salsa Dancing Pavilion? Don't ask me to explain, just ask a few people about town.
34 comments:
I think you should explain what you mean by the remarks about salsa dancing, I hope it is not mean spirited. If not you better explain because it could be interpreted in that fashion.
12:51 PM
It just was a comment of someone trying to take advantage of someone until they were called on it.
I like the response from the Mayor "You don't you have the numbers". Its funny he now has sample groups and poll numbers.
Just wondering, is there a basketball court around? or a volleyball court that isn't sand? I've lived here my whole life and someone was just asking about a basketball court that just moved here, I couldn't think of one. Where could they move this to? Isn't it just as much of as "nuisance" as a tennis court? Or is it a problem cause the park is finally getting some use. Aren't these mostly adults playing, how troublesome can that get?
2 basketball courts in the 28th street park, one in bad condition at McKinley Park and 1 at Sunset Park. Kids also play in the evening at the old Roosevelt School where there are hoops. They removed the ones at Washington Park so it could be used as a parking lot.
2:31 PM
The tennis court was frequently used by local neighbors and they still try to play even with all those nets in the way. But when it is pickleball time, they are told to leave. Mr Grabowski has the right to tell anyone to leave that court when he comes with his pickleball equipment. In Peru it is all about who you know and the Grabowskis have proven that.
2:31
According to the preliminary db measurements taken a minimum 25 ft from the property line, the activity in question is violating the Illinois Pollution Control board sound pollution regulations very often. If and when forensic sound meters get installed and that data holds up, then I would guess those sound deadening baffles they discussed on 7/10 would need to be installed asap. Hope they work. They are ugly as hell.
SOUNDS LIKE THE CITY AND COMMITTEE'S GOALS ARE TO PISS EVERYONE OF THAT THEY CAN !
If someone came when I was using the court and told me to leave there would be war. First come first served. Get bent Garbo.
Does LaSalle have a blog?
There is no reason to explain anything that has association with the Peru Recreation Board.
This Board does not have the ability to perform the obligations which it has been created for and should be forced to follow the ordinance which has enacted it. Recently many infractions of board members have been revealed and nothing has been done about them such as number of board members and length of service.
To be kind it is best to evaluate location of the pickle ball courts and the time frame utilized in seeking a fire works company by the board as very poor judgement and bad business practices. You can reach further conclusions on your own. Most have!
To keep accepting inadequate board membership because it is a lifelong volunteer commitment is foolish. The last opening had three applicants and the oldest members over the set number of years of service should have had to step aside to be replaced by the new volunteers.
If you can't achieve the goals that you have set for yourself in five years step aside and let someone take over who can. A few new ideas on handling of finances and general maintenance would be a welcome sight in the City of Peru and in our sorry looking parks. Washington Park which at one time was a beautiful city park now appears as a old beat up field with dialaped playground equipment, a unsafe hole in the ground collecting rainwater and baseball fields. At $75,000 per year unaccounted funding the citizens are being cheated. Peru should have much lower taxes as it is giving nothing back for them.
If the Mayor truthfully believes that only seven people are affected and are considering the pickle ball courts location unacceptable he will have a lesson in politics and math next April that will surprise only him. Those he consults with should inform him of what is going on and prepare him for the upcoming election results. The voters are presently seeking a candidate who says what he/she means and means what he/she says now and in the future.
Those who have keep track of this pickle ball debacle and those who will be informed of it will realize they could be next in line to have a debacle of their own and will realize that their power will only be recognized if they are considered be be of great numbers. One organization which was a huge believer of this number theory has been the unions. "Together we stand united we fall" AFL-CIO. This has been a great lifeline to live by and it seems to have been borrowed by the entire 28th street neighborhood and surrounding area. Good Luck to the 28th street neighborhood were in support of you "Together we stand united we fall".
Good for mayor Harl standing up to the handful of people in this town that always find something to complain about. I for one will be happy to cast a vote for Harl this next election.
Lois how can this be your fight? You live several miles away from the park. Is the sound carrying to seventh street?
The only time that Mr. Garbowski can reserve the courts are the three days a week from 6-8 that the Rec commission set for a clinic to be put on. These clinics are designed to teach people with an interest in the game how to play. According to a few posts on this blog you believe he can reserve the court on a whim, which is not true. It not like he can walk over on Sunday afternoon and force people off the court so he can play.
12:45 PM
I explained that early on, when Peru residents are treated like "complainers", insulted by their aldermen and a volunteer Peru committee, then it is time for all of us to stand up for them. When our mayor says "you don't have the numbers", I want to know if he thinks these private residences are apartment buildings that house many instead on one family homes. These are Peru residents who are buying a nice tax bill to live in that subdivision and they are being labeled as complainers. You could be next and unless you are one of the privileged you would get the same treatment and I would give you the same public space, if need be.
Lou's they are treated like complainers because that is what they are. It's the same 3 or 4 different families. So let's say 10 people, this represents .1% of the population. Should the city spend $50,000 to erect a pickle ball court to appease .1% of the Population, or should the mayor look out for the interest of the other 99.9% of the population?
And your comment about those people paying high tax bills, does that make their complaints any more important than those of us pay lower taxes. If that's the case then everyone should bring there tax bill with them when they have something to complain about, that way the city will know how much effert they need to put into fixing there problem.
You can make most of the people happy all of the time, but you can't make all of the people happy any of the time.
12:51 I don't care when Mr. Grabowski has the 28th st. park court reserved my question is - does the rec commission have the authority to do this? If so, ask them if you can reserve it. You will be told NO! If you want to reserve a shelter at Washington or Centennial Park you have to go to the police. Why? Why not the rec commission? You may think the court is only reserved 3 days a week but you are once again wrong. It's reserved all the time for PICKLE BALL AND PICKLE BALL ONLY. And only those who play the game use this court. The neighborhood kids who used to play tennis now have to cross 251 (considered a hazardous crossing) to play tennis.
2:00 PM
And to add to your comment, you can only play pickleball if you purchase your own equipment and for 2 people that might be close to $100. Or if you are a "friend", then you can maybe obtain them from the ambassador which the city bought for HIM with your money. How do you like that?
1:56 Where do you get your information? 99.9% of the population of Peru likes pickleball? Are you serious? I would be willing to bet that most don't even know what the game is. The 1% of the people you reference are not complaining. Get your information straight. They are asking for a compromise. Maybe you'd like the game played in your backyard. That can be arranged. Unless you know all the facts regarding this issue (from beginning until today) I don't think you can intelligently comment. Like, are you aware that the decisions made by the rec commission were done in a manner that violated the OPA? Lois, thank you for letting me vent my frustration with people who are obviously ill-informed.
1:56
That reasoning, if you could call it that is so flawed I barely want to respond. But I will try. First, if the activity in question is a nuisance to even one family, at a minimum they should be heard and other alternatives at least researched. The matter should be properly placed on an agenda and different opinions and suggestions heard. None of that occurred.
Secondly, you are treating this as if it is a great benefit to the 99 per cent, as if it is a critical city service. It is NOT. It is a new game. Thats all. A new game. It is not a proud symbol of the great leader of the valley. It is a game.
Yes the needs of the many often supersedes the needs of a few, but it is the governments responsibility to protect he few because, guess what, just like the rude college dorm kids or the crazy frat down the street- the butt heads always think it is their right to party. It is usually because they always got their way before. You can't count on them to give a crap about neighbors, so you appeal to the city.
This is a game that could have been located many other places without massive investment. It was located for the convenience of one connected family. You can dress up the pig all you want but it still is an ugly, festering example of narcissism being enabled by the city. Stop trying to blame the victims for simply asking for some justice. Oh , and enjoy your next game. Seems like the neighborly thing to say.
12:51 it's the rec comission that set up the clinics and they chose Mr Garbowski to give these clinics. So it's not him that is reserving the pickle ball courts but the rec comission.
Lois there are plenty of sports that require expensive equipment. Last I checked tennis rackets and balls were pretty expensive. Your figure of $100 is not right. MC sports sells a set of two paddles and balls for $50. If you read all the minutes of the Rec comission they bought the equipment to leave in a locker for residents to use.
When it was determined that would not work they SOLD the equipment to Mr. Garbowski for the cost they paid and then ask him to conduct the clinics.
Linda I have been following this very very closely and I do know the facts.
I never stated that 99.9% of the people supported pickle ball. What I said was .1% (not 1%) of Peru's population have been complaining about the courts. Which means that 99.9% of Peru's population are not unhappy with the courts and complained. I have no way of knowing how many people know of the courts or don't have a problem of the courts being where they are at.
If, as you have stated want a compromise, please let us know what it is. As I understand it you want the courts moved period. Doesnt sound like a compromise to me, sounds more like a demand.
Hey 2:00. The tennis courts at Washington park are reserved for tennis and tennis only and I don't see anyone complaining. The Rec commission does have the right to reserve the court for events. They have done so for special events at Washington tennis courts before.
My neighborhood kids have to travel to play tennis. Does that mean the city should build a tennis court on every corner?
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Quit playing with the city administration! If the Recreation Board as a agent of the city has performed a illegal act in changing the tennis court into a pickle ball court, or if the pickle ball court is illegally located and it cannot be grandfathered in because it has been a tennis court all these years and now a new intention for the property has been introduced.
Also to be considered is the laws of noise pollution, public disturbance and public nuisance. If your wishes are to reach a compromise wake up it is evident you are not being fairly acknowledged and should be seeking legal advise through either public or private sources.
I wouldn't care if I had to ride that ridiculously insulting bike to get to a attorneys office I'd already have been there the night the Ladies were so poorly treated and laughed at by the Rec Board and the alderman. If not that night surely by the meeting when the Mayor said you didn't have the numbers. If you do not have the personal funds please just ask for donations, I'll contribute as will many others to seek justice. Are there any agencies similar to the ACLU which function to represent private citizens in similar cases such as this. If this situation was presented to a university law school would they take it on as a case study sort of like a work in process?
If the city can provide private homes with noise of pickle ball and the vocalizing of the he men who play it why can't they be recorded during their games and the recording brought to Wednesday nights city council meeting and played for the entire meeting after all what is fair for a few is fair for all whether they have the numbers or not.
One positive aspect of dying is that if people lived forever Peru, which originated in 1835, would possibly have some of the same representation, city officials, committee and township board members for the last 177 years.
Linda some people are so narrow minded that they truthfully believe that 99.9% of the population like pickle ball. Of course this same group also thinks they are 99.9% of the population.
Enough is enough. The rec commission did not set up the clinic times nor did they select Mr. Grabowski to conduct them. He made a presentation, asked for the necessary equipment and court and was granted such. As far as a compromise - how about taking the supposed portable nets and relocating them from time to time between Washington, Sunset, and 28th street parks? That way no one particular neighborhood has to put up with the irritating sound and noise created by this game. Or, better yet, how about permanently establishing a court at Veterans Park. How's that for another compromise? That way no neighbors would be disturbed.ANON 3:40 I've given you several suggestions for compromise now why don't you give your name? Thank you!
Raising money for an attorney should be easy enough, I have been involved in several fund raisers And the citizen advocacy group has many tips and attorney references.
The Rockford couple that recently sued for an injunction against pickleball would also be able to help. I think the case in Peru is much stronger than the Rockford one.
It is very hard for three or four households to sue their city if they fear retaliation, so we have to make sure we galvanize support in the community. If people do not stand with them and realize they may be next, it will be a hard go. Their cause must be publicized, and very few people know just how many lawsuits are popping up all over the country regarding noise with this sport. The noise is loud but also a specific type of repetitive sound that has some medical evidence of being more damaging. Attorneys are picking up effective strategies.
4:22 We have been going to meetings since May(when we read in the minutes that pickle ball would be permanent) to try and voice our opposition to the loss of the frequently used tennis court. At this time we did not know that there was a possibility of 16 players on the court with four balls. The ambassador did not say a word about the noise when he made his presentation in May before the council. Needless to say when the games began we found out quickly how much of a nuisance this was going to be. We are unable to get any support from the aldermen, mayor, or rec commission, and it is not because we have not asked. So you may be right, I might have to ride my bike to the attorney's office. The other issue is the three year experiment with this game. Why? This game belongs somewhere away from homes. And please be aware that this court is 20 feet from our property line. The court case in Rockford states the court is 250 feet from the homes. The arrogance that has been shown during this ordeal is beyond belief. Today the ball started at noon, and four hours later they were done. This was probably done because we showed up at the rec commission meeting on Tuesday night, and told them we would be back next month. They taught us a lesson .jb
4:22
Recordings have already been made. They are not forensic evidence (yet) but they do get the point across. I had not considered bringing them for a demo to the city council meeting, but it is a great idea. Especially if the meeting is broadcast. My focus has been on preparing evidence but I did not think how powerful they might be in educating the public so they can judge how they might feel with that next to their house. Might drop the the 99 percent massive pickleball support down a few tics.
I apologize if my question comes across as pre-mature, or ignorant regarding the Pickleball issue but I just breezed through some of these comments and found a need to post my thoughts.
It seems as though several residents who reside next to this court are bothered by the noise of that sport? Does Peru have a noise, nuisance Ordinance in place? If so, all you need to do is file a nuisance complaint with city code enforcement. Once that is done Peru must take action! If for some political reason no action is taken, send a registered complaint to your mayor. If still no action then you must go to your States Atty.
to force the action against Peru for not enforcing an ordinance complaint.
It's that easy folks.
You are so right 6:06. Don't complain on here because it's falling on deaf ears. complain to the atty general or states atty. They need to see how the officials of Peru ignore the citizen complaints when there are city rules being broken.
Anon 6:06 AM Thank You! Good thought.
How times have changed. Turning from campaigners to complainers?
The bike is back!!! How childish is that??? Does anyone realize that the rec commission has established a permanent pickle ball court for a private citizen? If you recall, Mr. Grabowski supposedly purchased the paddle and balls so he could conduct his clinics. The problem - he had no where to play the game so he went to his wife's committee and asked them for a place to conduct his clinics. They transformed the 28th street tennis court into 4 permanent pickle ball courts. Now remember that at this time most citizens had not heard of this game nor did they have the equipment to play it. He was allowed to post a sign on the court, reserve the court, and advertise with his bicycle sign. All this was done for 1 individual citizen not for the rec commission. Remember the rec commission no longer owned the equipment!!!! Neither did the city!!!! This was all done because no one could come up with a way to distribute the equipment to all the citizens of Peru.
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