I was unable to be at the Public Property Meeting last evening and it turns out to have been controlled by the pickle ball players without any prompts by the aldermen to be courteous to the residents of the 28th street park as it is you who are disrupting their neighborhood. A reminder that you don't live there and don't understand what it sounds like to the people next door to the pickle ball court would have been advisable and should have been given to them by the aldermen or the mayor who was in attendance. Ald. Mayszak who was told that it was all her fault.
It sounds like we have "bully residents" who think it is all right to go outside their immediate neighborhood into another and cause disruptions and it is OK with many of our elected officials. I will get a list of the attendees so that you will understand the connections.
The mayor wants no disruptive activity while he sits at city council meeting but it is perfectly ok at committee meetings which he attends also. The other aldermen who sat silently by were Ferrari, Lukosus, Ankiewicz, Waldorf, and Radtke. Recreation members were Jan Grabowski with husband Jim and Park Board President Bryan Hartman. I say again people in the First Ward have no representation at this time. Ald. Ankiewicz, the chairman of the Public Property Committee allowed this meeting to be taken over by the pickle ball players and he showed no Leadership either, this city has None.
175 comments:
I keep asking myself "How would it feel to be a long time resident of the city of Peru with a problem and to be totally ignored by the Mayor and both of my Aldermen? They were all elected to serve and to be public servants and yet they are ignoring them and unable to solve a problem before them.
Ald. Ferrari has a brother who is one of the pickle ball players, do you think he is going to give you some help...No he is not. Ald. Radtke seems to have answers to nothing, imo. Mayor Harl forget it, this is election year and that is where he is at. It is very sad when not one of the elected officials involved with this problem has neither the ability, knowledge or caring to get involved and help. Inside it has become the job of Ald. Sherry Mayszak who has become one stand up woman to be admired, an alderman who serves the second ward well. And just for your information, the other aldermen appear to have joined forces against her. All except Ald. Perez who also serves the second ward.
I was told to "shut up" by Dan Ferrari. I was speaking at a Public Property Meeting of which I am a member of that committee. We all have our own opinions, but I don't think being rude serves anybody well. This meeting should have been a time when civil citizens could voice their opinions, but it turned into an ugly argument.
Lois
I am sorry to hear this but it is not unexpected. Over the past few months, we have been preparing to take the matter to the only place it could possibly end up. It really has only been a matter of time , so this dispute will likely follow the course of the many others around the country. The court neighbors really have been far to patient and gracious, and the city really has always maintained the stance of bring it on. Hopefully, the neighbors will have the courage and carry it through to logical conclusion, where they may find more community support than they realize.
Ald. Mayszak is at fault. Ald. Mayszak changed the ordinance to take control of city park changes to her Public Property committee in August. Why did she not handle these neighbors’ complaints and solve their problem? Why does she promote resident versus resident debates? Is she looking for publicity? Does she want voters to notice her? April can’t come soon enough. Peru residents deserve better.
Many in attendance have empathy for neighbors of 28th street park and their plea to move the game of Pickleball to a different location. However Peru Town Forum, and Alderwoman Sherry Mayszak seem to want this to be neighbor versus neighbor debate. Lois and this website have tried making this personal and now Lois and Alderwoman have their way. Citizen against Citizen. Shameful!
11:46 PM
I have been aware of this situation since day 1 and have not heard one bit of empathy from the Park Board or anyone else who plays the game. Please don't make this we are innocent comment. Ald. Sherry Mayszak is the only who had enough character to get involved and she tried working with other members of this city both elected and volunteer but has received no support. Remember the First Ward aldermen are mine also and I am very aware of how they treated the residents. I also have attended enough city committee and council meetings to be aware of how this city now functions.
Interesting that last night, there was not an attendance sheet passed around so that all could sign their name. Ald. Ankiewicz stated that was because they were guests. How are accurate minutes going to be taken when you do not account for the discussion that took place? Will they be called Person No. 1 and Person No. 2, etc. This is a public meeting and there should be no expectation of privacy. I have signed many attendance sheets where I was no more than a guest and if you check through the minutes, you see my name on some of them. Who was being protected at this meeting? Will they write into this forum and sign their name? When the names become public, you will indeed see the connections. I am looking forward to the minutes of this meeting taken by Ald. Ankiewicz.
Lois, you will never hear anything from any City Official directly or on your Blog other than 2 alderman. You have a well deserved reputation of making all debates personal. Well you have done it again. Spread half truths, mock people playing in a public park, and created a debate that has become toxic. Not your first time but and I hope it is your last.
Why ll:28 do you put the blame of the ordinance change on alderman Mayszak. If I understand Peru politics right this has to be voted on and approved by the entire city council. And 11:46 why do you blame others for a mistake that was made by the Rec Commission. When a known noisy game is introduced common sense would indicate not to implement it in the one tennis court that is the closest to resident's homes. This was never a neighbor vs. neighbor debate but it appears as though someone has informed the pickle ball players otherwise.
Peru is greedy. They need to share the pickle balls with Oglesby.
This government has become one in which, if it doesn't directly affect them they are not going to do anything about it. Sad to say the personnel that make up local government realize that many of the citizens of Peru have the same attitude.
Therefore, realize that the number of neighbors affected are limited in comparison to the number of pickle ball players. The neighbors are seeing a definite hindrance to the enjoyment of their homes resulting in a financial devaluation caused initially by the city government.
Neighbors of the pickle ball courts being unjustly treated by city officials have been left few avenues to seek assistance. A strong possibility would be to set up ghetto blasters directed toward the pickle ball courts to drown out the constant bang, bang bang. Another would be to make sure there landscaping is well watered especially on a windy day. After tactics such as this there is the legal system. Most people hate to take the city they live in to court but in this particular situation it is the most sensible conclusion to a very unnecessary problem which strong leadership should have handled before it became such a monster.
This is just another example of not being able to reach a conclusion to a problem by the person in charge of the city. It would not be surprising to witness this person becoming the first Mayor of Peru to accomlish a complete 360 degree of his head. That way all bases would be covered.
11;46 Why do people always have to blame others for their own short comings? I don't recall anyone having any empathy or showing any real concern or solution to the apparent problem that this game causes for the 28th street residents.
This issue never has been personal. This is a classic case of several households vs the City of Peru. The sooner it is resolved in a court of law the better. There may be some actions taken by a private citizen that would warrant suits between neighbors, but as of now it is a clear case. There are experienced attorneys, some not far away that have dealt with similar situations with this very sport, and a ready willing and able forensic sound lab that is prepared to set up and begin formal measurements. Do not over complicate this. It is the city that is being stubborn and uncompromising, and the sooner it is publicized far and wide the better for the plaintiffs. They need to stop clinging to the belief that this is a small town and these people and officials are their neighbors and will somehow give a damn about their rights. They are self centered bullies and jerks and it is NOT going to change.
Change it.
Does anyone remember the song "They'll be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight". There has been a overabundance of agitation over this pickle ball court and Sherry, Lois, Linda and Jill are not the cause.
None of the four above mentioned ladies has parked the "Vickery Bike " out from the curb or invaded others neighborhoods.
I compliment Sherry for outstanding representation and continuing her march forward. Lois has given all a medium in which everyone can voice their opinion whether she believes they are correct or wrong. Linda and Jill are defending their American rights to maintain the quality of their life before the pickle ball courts.
It is shameful to see the direction this is going and where it appears to evidently going to end but who can see any other choice of a fair decision for them. Politicians, Rec Bd. and pickle ball supporters you had best find out where these girls got what they are made of because you are going to need a lot of it. "They'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight"
I am still waiting for the first Signed Posting with a real honest to goodness legal name from a pickle ball player who attended last nights meeting. Remember I said signed not signed Anon.
To the individual who stated I as making this personal, do you mean I am actually using the names of the people involved and were the most vocal at the meeting? Do you mean the people who have actually been involved in setting up and encouraging this game in its location when they were offered other choices? We can't talk about this without talking about people because that is the problem, something created by poor decision making by people. You can easily turn that around by saying it was me or the neighbors or Ald. Mayszak but none of us would be making comments if this had been handled right back in January when Jim Grabowski presented it to the Recreation Board and that is where the long chain of mistakes began.
First off people have said that Dan Ferrari thinks
He's a know it all, and can be a hot head. Secondly, people have said that he works for a
Company that gets city contracts, third ? Brother an alderman. Dan, head up a shuffle board group in Peru
, senior citizens would love that mire than pickleball. And why is it a shock to anybody that Alderman Tony Ferrari was mum. How in the heck did he ever become a alderman??? Hang it up Aldrrman Ferrari, you haven't been a representative (good) for the citizens of your ward! TO ALL OF THE ALDERMAN OF PERU, IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO BE A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE FOR YOUR WARD OR ARE
TOO OLD, DO THE CITIZENS AND YOURSELF A FAVOR AND HEAD FOR THE HILLS!!!
Anon 12:59 Share nothing Peru will give you the pickle ball courts along with a double beaked hat instructor and his home which has to be located nearby. Promises are in a couple of years he will want to make a tennis court out of the pickle ball court.
Is the pickle ball equipment still stored in the garage where the big bike with the sign on it was parked?
SPEAKING OF THE "VICKERY BIKE.". ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON MARQUETTE. I WAS AT THE STOP SIGN AT 28th STREET, STOPPED. THE BIKE WITH A MAN RIDING IT WAS APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN GOING SOUTH. I WAS GETTING READY TO PROCEED NORTH THROUGH INTERSECTION. AS THE HIGHER UP AS MY WITNESS THE MAN ON THE
BIKE DIDN'T STOP AT STOP SIGN AND KEPT RIDING TO THE PARK! I HAVE AND STILL HAVE SOME
WORDS FOR THE GUY ON BIKE. WHO IN THE HECK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE??? YOU WERE WRONG AND DISRESPETFUL TO DRIVERS
OF VEHICLES. P.S. ALSO, THERE WAS
ANOTHE CAR APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN GOING WEST ON 28th! IT WOULDN'T
SURPRISE ME IF THE GUY ON THE BIKE TRIES TO GET RID OF STOP SIGNS GOING NORTH AND
SOUTH AT 28th STREET. THIS WAS AT 8:47 a.m. On a weekday that this incident happen. Also, that
Sign with bike is tacky in my opinion!!!
Neither Lois nor Sherry are responsible if this has become a neighbor versus neighbor debate. Whoever invited the pickle ball club to last night's meeting is the person responsible for the ugly situation that occurred.
There you go! I guess Dan Ferrari proved himself a "hot head," like the blogger blogged above by being disrespectful to an alderwoman by telling her to "shut up.". Wow! THERE YOU HAVE IT IN BLACK AND WHITE. Alderwoman- We citizens appreciate that you have taken your oath as an alderwoman to represent we
Citizens with intregity, and haven't gotten buried in the quicksand. Thank You.
Its ok for the opposition of pickleball at 28th street Park to be at the meeting, but not those who support pickleball to attend? Whoever placed the item on the agenda for discussion should explain why. Who is responsible for the neighbor vs neighbor debate? Were all the neighbors happy and jolly before the change of sports. Were all the neighbors such good friends before the arrival of pickleball? It sounds like the opponents of the pickleball courts got surprised or caught off gaurd by the pro-pickleball response? Maybe some residents or alderman thought they would get a quick vote to eliminate the pickleball courts? The meeting had much many more supporters of pickleball than non supporters. A vote was not taken at the meeting, the Mayor has yet to close the courts. The meeting did accomplish something, it caused further divisions of the neighborhood. Was that the intended goal of those that represent us?
Didn't the mayor or any of her fellow aldermen come to her defense? I also heard through the grapevine that a Peru business owner also verbally attacked Ald. Mayszak. Is this true?
THE PROBLEM ISOUR MAYOR SUCKS ! AND AS FAR AS FERRARI THE LITTLRE SNOT NOSED KID . WELLYOU KNOW .
I STILL THINK THE ALDERMEN AND MAYOR SHOULD BE LIMITED TO A TWO YEAR TERM . THAT SHOULD GO FOR ALL CITY DEPARTMENT HEADS .
THATS THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT THE CITY OF PERU .
3:50 yes much many more supporters. Much much many.
And how does that change the imposition and injustice. Everyone invited to the party ALWAYS wants to party some more. But most people grow up, think before they impose and take their fun at others expense. When they are young, parents and teachers and landlords tell them to stop making noise and bothering others. But then they get older, and sometimes it is up to the city to tell them they are not playing fair and are making too much noise, no matter how many people they bring to the party.
Unfortunately, the City of Peru leadership always seems to side with the party crowd.
Personally I didn't know nor do I still know many of the people that were there and that seemed to attack me and those of us who would just like some compromise regarding this disturbing issue. And for the record 3:50 we do not oppose pickle ball we oppose the location of the court. As far as a vote is concerned there was never one taken by the city council or the public property committee to begin with. The decision to convert the tennis court to a pickle ball court was made by the rec commission with no input from anyone except Mr. Grabowski. And, by the way, Mrs. Grabowski is a member of that committee.
@4:45. I just burst a blood vessel on my eyeball from laughing so hard. I like the way you blogged that out and didn't sugar coat it, unlike a--kissers. However, I like the idea of 4 years. That way, they really have digged a deep hole for themselves some (most) politicians. And some
Department heads as we taxpayers and citizens can attest too.
To tell anyone to shut up is the utmost of disrespectfulness. Turn the tables and
If he was told to shut up, how would he respond? No class!
A incident such as took place at the committee meeting last night in which a individual told the alderwoman and council committee member to shut-up should be taken under review by the Mayor , city attorney, and the committee members and some disciplinary action taken.
To obtain loyalty and respect of council members the Mayor has to maintain order in these situations and has to take steps to assure the council members this will not happen again.
How would you feel if a person addressed your Mother, Wife, Daughter, Sister or some other loved one in this manner?
There was also a business owner present at the meeting last night that was very disrespectful to Alderwoman Mayzak last night.
Recall the Mayor asked a resident to "move out of Peru" during public comment section of a meeting when the sales tax issue was being discussed several months ago and an audience member requested the Mayor apologize to the woman who was speaking. It appears the administration does not like strong minded women.
Alderwomen Sherry Mayszak is the committee chairperson and did
NOT PRESENT A PLAN nor did she not handle these neighbors’ complaints and solve their problem?
Ald. Sherry Mayszak has NO PLAN TO PRESENT. Well we could do this and we could do that with no cost estimates, no time frame, NO NOTHING!
Why does she schedule these public meetings where she announces neighbors of 28th St. park " have changed the park in the past" and promote resident versus resident debates? What is her motive. She is totally unprepared and I repeat, has NO PLAN. NONE!
That man should have been escorted from the room by the chief of police. Anyone else who has that explosive of a temper probably would have been arrested.
8:47 PM
Bingo! you are so right and you might include most of the aldermen in that list. It appears that only Ald Perez has any respect for them. I have not forgotten and will not forget the way I was treated by Ald. Ferrari and Ald. Waldorf when I brought up the subject of people on the Recreation Commission not attending their meeting which is only once a month. It was not the Mayor who suggested their comments were out of place, it was Ald. Potthoff and Perez.
8:48 PM
Ald. Mayszak is NOT the chair person, that is Ald. Ankiewicz.
It is not her job to present a plan, that is the job of the Park Board. Please get your facts straight before you comment and post fabrications. I don't believe you would have listened to any plan anyway. This is not the first meeting, it will be the third or fourth since it was put in place and numerous and I repeat numerous plans and alternate plans have been suggested to people who do not hear.
8:41 I used that business owner as an example of how one person's voice can get something changed. I said he got it changed so kids couldn't play baseball at 28th St. Park. He corrected me and said he got it so the kids would play softball, which is what that field was made for. The tennis courts were made for tennis, but these residents who complain are not getting tennis courts. All they're getting is grief.
Why was that business owner there?
I was not in attendance during this meeting but heard the owner of the Pizza House and Ann from the Bagel shop were in attendance and voiced up in a very rude and dis-respectful manner towards alderman Mayszak. Well Ann, you can take your whole grain and pumpkin bagels, along with the Teds ham and cheese sandwiches our family frequently "GOT" and forget us as your customers. we will not patronize your, or the Pizza House any longer. Our decision is not due to your presence at the meeting, it's due to the dis-respect you two owners displayed during the meeting. As far as Ferrari, That behavior of a Ferrari is typical. the incompetance, and wild behavior runs throughout their family so that can be justified as plain ignorance. As far as the officials with arrogant attitudes who would not defend one of your own is shameful, but your time is numbered!
Who was the name of the business owner that told Sheri to shut up?
Ann from the bagel shop asked one of the residents what fantasy world he was living in! If they had sold tickets to this meeting they could have paid for the swimming pool.
The pizza man informed the entire room that there have been drug deals going on under the shelter at the park!
The Ferrari's even had the nerve to accuse the neighbors that their dogs barked.
OMG, a Ferrari plays pickleball,shows up at a meeting, and has a different opinion than the bloggers, so lets tar and feather him, and drag the rest of his family with him. I happen to be a Ferrari and proud of it. I was trilled when Tony became a part of the council, as we always worked toward the betterment of the town we were raised in and wanted to raise our families in. Now because of this blog, you want to run us out of town. Dan may have publically voiced his opinion in the wrong manner, but you bloggers show a lot more disrespect in your everyday anger. When someone stands with you, they are heroes, but go against your thinking and face the wrath of hell. After the April election, you will all get your wish, because Perez and Mayszak will be your representatives according to the redistricting of the wards. Maybe in the mean time, you can look into your own families and see if there is any dirty laundry you need to hide before someone finds out all of your last names. As for now, I hope no one, that is planning on moving to Peru, reads this blog because if you people are a sample of what my neighbors would be like, I'd run as fast as I could in the opposite direction. Ignorant I am not and never will be, but as for the rest of you, don't plan on getting into the express line on judgement day.
Attention all pickel ballers! Come to Oglesby. We wont tell you to shut up. Maybe you can bring other Peru businesses to Oglesby to.
11:39 PM
The bloggers are not attempting to disparage the family name but unfortunately 2 people with that last name have been publicly abusing other residents and now an elected official. Elected officials are responsible for their own behavior as are public citizens at a public meeting. We should all realize that. This has been building for a long time and I don't know your relationship with the others and perhaps one brother was taking advantage of his relationship with a city official,his brother. Tony has known what was happening and he chose to "not get involved". Perhaps he could have helped with a solution before all this blew up like it did. I know he had plenty of opportunities to do so.
If the pickle ball story, the intersection story,, the LP situation, all went away, what would be the topic of discussion in Peru?
11:39 It was not that he had a different opinion, it was the way he expressed his different opinion. At a public meeting everyone should be given the chance to speak when recognized by the chairman. The trouble started when the first person was given permission he did not let her finish, actually she did not get two words out and he cut her off and continued to do so. That is why the meeting started off so badly and continued downhill from there. The rules of a public meeting should have been adhered to from the beginning, that way you have some control. Just my opinion as to why there were problems. jb
Again no local news paper to cover the issues and why blogs are important in our community. No coverage of the rec meeting, no coverage of the rat/right-to-work/police call out-these are issues we all should all be aware of.
Our Country is extremely divided at this moment in time and perhaps it is apparent more than ever in Peru a shift is occuring?
"When you reach the end of your rope tie a knot in it and hang on" - Thomas Jefferson
11:39
Dan may have publically voiced his opinion in the wrong manner.
Look carefully at that statement. It is called enabling. With multiple witneses Dan did behave inappropriately and disrespectfully. Try simply admitting mistakes and apologizing for them, then correcting them. Like the pickleball courts.
I agree that people should NOT be disparaging an entire family name and should focus on this one single example of behavior. He should not be run out of town. He should simply and clearly apologize.
As far as disparaging an alderman on a blog, that comes with the territory. Elected officials do get roughed up a bit on blogs, not just here but everywhere. But there are rules of respect and order at public meetings, and they must be enforced.
The entire ploy of importing pickleball players to pump up support and drown reason was bush league and irrelevant. A judge would not allow it, which is why the matter needs resolution in court , violating nuisance laws and the state sound pollution statutes on a regular and consistent basis. Get it over with.
It all boils down that Harl has no backbone to stand up for what us citizens want unless you contribute to his campaign!
He should've taken charge of that meeting!
Instead he sat back and smirked!
Anon 11:51 The pickle ball groupies were not told to shut up. It was one of them that rudely told Alderwoman Mayszak to shut up.
Certain Peru pickle ballers have been in Oglesby seeking out your public parks for their best location already and a Peru Boarder Patrol has been established to not allow them back within Peru city limits. If you hear a constant bock, bock, bock you know they are nearby. Most likely you will see them at night near a tennis court. Be very careful of what you wish for as they are very difficult to eradicate and remind people of cockroaches in that if you see one and turn off the lights and upon turning the lights back on the room is full of them. This is caused by the fact that no one wants them in their neighborhood and they are constantly migrating. The worst of the breed is led by a double billed "Ambassador" who rides the "Vickery Bike". Very similar to termites in that they have a way of gnawing at your home environment and in their disturbance they lower the value of the neighborhood. Beware of their ability to work the system and obtain the financing of their endeavors thru inner political maneuvering. Best Peru location would be at a park on the edge of town where the smell of manure is the greatest and this should be in pickle ball city planning for when the three year agreement is completed.
11:39 Mr. Ferarri, whether a relative of yours or not, was way out of line. Nobody has to agree with anybody else but they don't need to get obnoxious about it. Being verbally abusive to an official should not have been allowed anywhere let alone during a public meeting. Nobody is judging Mr. Ferarri they're just stating what they witnessed.
Yes, 8:27 you are right. I forget that it was mentioned that the rec commission decided that pickle ball would be tested in the same location for a 3 YEAR PERIOD. Who ever heard of something so absurd?
Another personal attack on those who disagree with those who want pickelball removed from the 28th street park. You attack business owners and encourage boycotts on their business, because they enjoy a game. You attack a family, because they enjoy pickelball. You attack a neighbor, because he wanted to protect his family from hardballs hitting his home. And you attack volunteer park board members with names, for no reason but they disagree with your views. I guess its fair game when some of you put up personal attacks on elected officials. After all they ran for office, it was their choice. But look in the mirror before you attack famalies, business owners, volunteer members or those that enjoy a leisure activity.
9:50 You have your facts and your stories all wrong. Obviously someone misinformed you. The individuals you mentioned in your post (business owners, etc.) are the ones who did the attacking. The sad part about this whole situation is that apparently someone has filled the players with misinformation about the 28th street neighbors. These neighbors do not want pickle ball dissolved, have nothing personal against any of the players, nor have they in any way shape or form made contact with them. They went to that meeting because president Hartman informed them (at the last rec commission meeting) that the public property committee now has control of the court. They went there to once again try and get someone to listen to their plea for relief from the noise. And, as the pizza place owner got the baseball diamond put back to its' original intention, get the tennis court back to its'original intention.
Sherry...I think you were told you were wrong about making a assumption about 28th Park and what has happened in the past. Why create more contoversy?
9:50
Please be accurate as you call fouls.
People are not encouraging attacks on anyone.
Boycotts are encouraged by one blogger because they felt the business owners were rude. Not because they enjoy pickleball.
No one is attacking a family because they enjoy pickleball. They are pointing out that family has operated in their own interests to establish a public nuisance close to a residence.
They publicize volunteer park board members names and decisions because those members have taken a civic responsibility that was discharged to them in a very unusual city arrangement and then made poor decisions that violate laws and create nuisance. In making the decisions they have violated OMA, and they have refused all compromise positions. You cannot hide behind being a volunteer while also enjoying the decision making power so poorly executed by your mandate and missing meetings. Many on that Board have abused their position, and as such they will be challenged and exposed. It is not attacking anyone.
I believe that the issue about hardballs was brought up to show how when one influential individual points out a misuse of a park, action is quickly taken to correct the nuisance and threat to property values. That is not an attack.
It seems that whenever you are presented with factual issues showing that you or those you referenced are in the wrong, you perceive it as a personal attack, crying foul that you are all just good and decent volunteers and as such should be exempt from criticism. Perhaps that alone is good reason to take governmental decision making out of the hands of the volunteer group. It has too much lack of voter accountability with too much fiscal responsibility.
Anonymous said...
Peru has turned into a bad episode of the Flintstones Cartoon
Fred Flintstone-Scot Harl (qualified to operate a crane/dinosaur but not a City)
Barney-Doug Beiderstedt Fred's partner in destruction of Bedrock/Peru
Whole cast of characters for mens only "Royal Order of Water Buffalos"
Dino-Doug Schweickert b/c he wouldn't exist in THIS series without Fred
Bam-Bamm-anyone from Chamlin because they get anything they want from the City
Arnold-Alderman Potthoff b/c he outsmarts Fred and Barney
The Great Gazoo-Alderman Perez or Alderwoman Mayszak...many "elders" in the "stone-age" look at these two like they are alien for taking a stance on issues to improve Bedrock.
Kristy
Ya ba da ba do this is Peru!
6:57. I imagine that the Mayor sat back and smirked during the meeting because his plan is comming together. Get the people all worked up over non-issues while he steadily increases the City pay roll while decreasing services, increases taxes, wastes money on Mayor's Dinners, pretends to upgrade infrastructure while only putting a top coat of paint over the real problems under our streets. Yes, nobody cares about the "boaring" parts of governement. Like what is the long term plan for Peru? Are we going to take advantage of renegotiating the garbage contract by joining forces with other cities, or just cave in and accept the rate increas? What about that Gold Plated Health Insurance coverage for City Workers? Why do we have an "Insurance Consultant" that acutally is an insurance salesman? Why can't we get Stop Lights at critical intersections? Why does it take multiple contractors and many years to tear down the old power plant? Why wont the City enforce the law regarding dangerous buildings - namely the Westclox pile of rubble? Why can't we tear down the pool and prep the site for a new one? Why do we need to rent a building for to store equipment we don't need and don't use? And on and on and on and on.
From what I am reading it sounds as if the Pizza Man is on the wrong side of the issue. He himself got the baseball at 28th St. turned to softball because of damage to his home??? Well he better start doing some research on property values where there are pickle ball courts, because his home is not that much farther from the homes that Alderwoman Mayzak is supporting and that he so rudely treated.
Mr. Pizza man in 2006 I believe cause a rukus at council meeting over Junior High School Boys playing baseball in this park. It's a park pizza man, what did you expect. Many parents of these boys went to council meeting to defend their children. Baseballs were going into pizza mans yard. Mr. Pizza mans children didn't play league baseball if I remember correctly. Also, in 2006, I believe it was an older man who lives next to the pickleball court was mad about these same boys playing stick ball inside tennis court! These kids couldn't win for losing! These boys were in no shape vandalizing anything! So, loud pickleball now, how in the heck this came to be. Some of the same council now who witnesses that than! Several of these parents of these boys have yet to give business to Mr. Pizza man. Sour taste ! Mr. Pizza man maybe like to be negative on alot of issues. Doesn't he have anything better to do??? This court in my opinion should be tennis! This council and mayor need a brain scan!
2:37 Good point about it being a park "what do you expect". At least that's what's being told to the 28th street people today. Apparently back in 2006 or whenever the incident occurred it wasn't a park. And what about the drug deals that were supposedly being done in the park shelter? Did anyone call the police? Did the police inform the neighbors to be careful and be on the watch for suspicious activity? This whole situation seems to be another prime example of who you are in this small town.
Turn that court back to what is was built for....TENNIS. Come on city council use some common sense once in awhile.
The Dixie Chicks sang a song, "wide open spaces.". Out west is the place to live so there would be nothing to complain about except snow! Here is tip: Don't build or purchase a house where a park is or could be if all you're going to do is complain. When 28th street park was zoned to be a park with tennis court. That's simple! It should be tennis. I would be willing to bet that a majority of those boys in 2006 (college boys now) will not pursue their career in Peru after their college. Also, wouldn't a shuffle board court entertained our senior citizens whose money made Peru what it is rather than pickleball. Within a 1/2 square mile of this park there is Liberty village, senior homes in back of BECKS!
Sixty one comments on this issue since yesterday. Mayor and council you better be paying attention to the score. Neighbors 54 Pickle Ball 7
Have you ever heard a serious tennis player playing the game? The grunting sounds like water buffalos mating.
What the devil! City of Peru can't even take
care of park equipment and lawn maintenance at all it's parks, but spent the money to convert this tennis
Court into pickleball . Absolutely TERRIBLE MANAGEMENT! And to tell you the honest truth the Mr. Guy who rides the famous bike looks stupid! Peru- fix the
Parks!!! That's where our tax money should be spent. Can I reserve this court for a family picnic??? I plan on renting tables for an eating area?? What's the procedure for this? And no, I don't want my family
Picnic at Washington or Veterans park or any other park! My family attendees who are
Seniors need a smooth surface for their feet!!! I'll be waiting for a answer. Thank You! And I would like to have a few kegs! Any yes, I will use plastic! Do I need a alcohol permit. Can I have kid games and running races? Will that distrub Mr. Pizza man?? I could go on and on and on!!!
The point being, that the Pizza Man got his way, because he is a business man and so are the majority of the pickle ball players. The neighbors whose homes are affected are nobodies in the minds of the mayor and council. The complaints are falling on deaf ears.
4:07 Read the signs on the court. It is reserved for pickle ball. No bikes, no skate boards, athletic shoes only. Big sign on the south side of court, small signs on east and west side, all put up in June for pickle ball. Then take notice of the yellow tubing that was put up recently for pickle ball, then you can use the porta pottie that was hauled in for pickle ball. The tennis players never had these luxuries. You will have to ask the ambassador for permission to use his court.
So is the ice skating rink going to be installed correctly this year? Last year, the person that volunteered to install and maintain it got a bunch of grief from the "Stuper" of Public Works because his union boys did not want volunteers taking up their valuable over time. Then, when the "shovel-holder-uppers" tried to set it up, they Royally botched the job.
3:25 That kind of post is the most confusing to me, because I never know what side of the argument the poster is supporting? Lol. Is anybody with me on these types of posts. It seems like they are arguing with themselves within the post. Maybe I am reading it wrong.
4:57 Why do you think the ambassador gets so many privileges and all the things he wants? Is it true that his wife is a prominent member of the committee that makes these decisions? Why is it that it seems that citizens who own businesses in Peru get special treatment?
10:39 M
When I first met the Ambassador he was more concerned about the debt of the city and our inability to handle more of it. He was concerned about our bond rating and openly spoke at council meetings about it. Now spending our money for a small number of people, many not even from Peru does not seem to be on his agenda. Perhaps he could come to the blog in an open and honest manner and tell us why the change. Doesn't even seem like the same person these days.
He is the same person you met. What you fail to see is that you mistook this person when you first met him for someone else and finally ,now you are meeting the real ambassador.
He, after barn storming the city, has been rewarded with his bag of golden coins (most recently pickle ball courts and equipment). Now properly trained as any other puppy be he will react faithfully until he wants more biscuits (maybe a big wheel bike of his own or a four beaked ball cap for the winter)).
Lois --- Is anything happening to fix the big mess by Dairy Queen or is Reverend Harl still being bullheaded?
No 4:20 the pizza man got his way because there were irresponsible parents letting there kids hit hard balls AT his house causing physical damage and possibly injuring someone if they got hit with the hard balls.
6:04 AM
I was told by someone that yesterday they saw a car coming down Venture drive that wanted to turn left and lo and behold there was just enough room between the pylons where some had been knocked down to make the left turn. Made a left turn with no problems. As far as the mayor is concerned, the issue is over with done and he doesn't wish to hear anything more.
7:15 AM
Physical damage (baseball) vs mental anguish (pickleball).
A court of law awards damages for pain & suffering right along with physical damage.
It still remains a fact that it took only 1 voice to get baseball stopped.
7:15 so you are stating that the city stopped an activity that was not appropriate for that park , an activity causing nuisance and loss of property value while being injurious to health and welfare of a resident next to the park. Its good to hear that the city has prior experience handling an issue like Pickleball and has established precedence. Should make the next actions a no brainer.
7:15 Were there any police reports made or windows broken? If I remember correctly he told the council he had a dent in his gutter and that is all it took. The point being that if anyone else complained of a dented gutter they would be laughed out of the meeting. You can say what you want and believe what you want, but if you are a business owner or a prominent person in the community things get done. The four neighbors that live next to that court should be listened to like the pizza man was, but are they? NO! You can bet your rain gutter is the pizza man lived where they do this court would not have been converted to what it is today. He would have made sure of that. He is probably the reason this court is where it is today, and not by his house.
Back in June there was an engineer from Chamlin measuring to get an estimated cost of a new pickleball court, with lights, at the northeast corner of 28th street park. If this were to happen how would the residents on 30th street respond to that? Beware residents, this could happen!!!
Now that this topic has been brought up and attention has been given to 28th street park can someone explain why all the activity and equipment is in the southern half of the park while the northern half sits vacant? Is this because of the pizza man's complaint? If that baseball field was supposed to be a softball one how come no one used it before or is using it now? As a matter of fact I seem to recall some time ago that the petite girls used to practice softball in the field up north but that too stopped. WHY? And now those residents that have everything in their back yards can get no co-operation what-so-ever from the city?
8:23 You are right, but the fact remains he is a business owner. Things get done when you are considered someone in the community. The folks that live closest to the court are not considered important enough to get help from the city.
Ok....I have been reading these comments since Thursday, and it appears to me that this is not a matter of tennis vs pickle ball, or business owners vs residents. This is a matter of right vs wrong. A decision was made without any investigation of the noise this game would make, by the rec commission or by the city council. So city council...right the wrong.
Anon 10:44 From the pot to the frying pan. Enough said!
City Attorney Doug Schweickert was also present at the meeting and sat with the guests. I know he plays pickle-ball along with his family.
The Pizza Man was not the only compainant about the baseballs. The former Superintendent of Peru Power lives on 30th and he along with others were getting errant baseballs on his property. That's when hardball was shut down and the Rec Commission promised a neighborhood diamond for hard ball.
What became of that PROMISE ?
The Ambassador lied to the neighborhood. "The court will be lined for tennis" LIE "The nets will be portable" LIE "Tennis will still be played on the court" LIE 28th Street Park is the most visible" LIE "We want something for the residents of Liberty Village" LIE
How many lies did he tell to get this personal playground?
The strangeest thing is that "This is the hill the politicians have chosen to die on" whereby they are committing political suicide to their terms because of something that can so easily be rectified. Change the court back to tennis & move prickleball to a remote location where the Ambassador and his gang of rude associates can cavort and annoy only themselves.
Rumor has it that the 28th street neighbors might be at the next council meeting.
I wish I could invest in Doug Schweickert Inc. The only thing I am sure of is he is going to get rich defending this city.
you need to read the new article on Brian Foster's blog. It makes sense.
Brian as Lois have always made sense. From reading the blog I have cone to the conclusion that the city paying Chamlain as consultants for a ball field is ridiculous when a unused, unheard of softball field is already in the 28th st. park. Home plate included.
It was a beautiful afternoon for pickleball. Thank you City of Peru for your thoughtfulness. After all - city government is for the good of ALL citizens...not just a few neighbors who think that they deserve an empty park that they can pretend is an extension of their own back yards. Hooray!
Barkie
It is too loud and too close to a residence. I think you and the pickleballers should accept that and find somewhere else to play.
Or you can keep pretending you are not immature narcissists. That would be harder in the long run but I am sure it will seem more familiar.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Ever hear that one? You need to hear those words in the quiet. Too loud with all the pickleballing.
Yes Barkie it was a beautiful afternoon but obviously you do not understand the complete and total situation regarding pickle ball and the 28th street park. And yes, city government is for the good ALL citizens and that includes the neighbors. Why should their peace and quiet be disturbed for the enjoyment of others? And yes, this game can be played anywhere not just in its' present location. And, in reality the park is an extension of our back yards we just don't own it. Did you play Barkie?
Barkie, there is no pretending about it being an extension. That is exactly what it is. There is not a road, sidewalk, alley, trail, dirt, gravel, dust, rock, sand, trees, bushes, fence, flowers or anything else you can think of that separates this park from the backyards of the neighbors. Now Barkie, when you get done playing pickle ball please put yourself in our shoes. Remember this court was not here when any of us moved in. The ambassador petitioned for that court six years later. So please do not make the comment that the court was here and we should just shut up. The court should have remained what is was...TENNIS!
These courts are physically much closer than any of the dozen or so extreme nuisance outdoor pickleball locations discussed in newspapers around the country and available from simple google searches. Several of these locations have resulted in legal action.
In short, those who favor pickleball at this location rank up there as some of the most insensitive, impractical, and stubborn citizens not only here but anywhere in the nation! Peru, leader of not only the valley , but leader of the whole country in allowing favored citizens to impose upon less important ones. And all without a whisper of coverage in the alleged local newspaper. I have seen more critical investigative reporting on the stall walls in a strip club bathroom.
A great day for pickleball everywhere.
Thank you 10:25 for your wonderful post. It's nice to know that there are people in this world who are willing to listen and understand where the average Joe is coming from. Society today has become filled with the privileged who think the world belongs to them and owes them. Even if it means trampling of the toes of the less important.
Barkie - I think your comment is arrogant and, unfortunately, many of us are starting to think the same way about the rest of your pickle ball mod squad. We are remembering names and businesses that are associated with this extremely unacceptable changeover that has occurred against the wishes of the majority over the "back door handshake of a given few." Remember, what goes up, must come down. After reading this blog, I sense that more and more people are frustrated with our city leaders. Enjoy your court while you can. Hopefully, the majority (kind of basis for how this country was built) will win it back again.
The pickleballers feel that the majority is behind them. But many good people simply need to be informed of the entire situation. I was one who at first glance thought what a nice new game and use for a park. But then I was directed to the blog, and read and listened to the individuals involved. Then I became interested, and I discovered the activity has caused similar problems in other cities. I noticed the lack of news coverage here in the paper, saw only arrogant and childish arguments from those in favor of the court. Then I contacted some professionals and began sound measurements, just me as an average citizen with no real horse in the race.
Why? Because I don't like bullies. I don't like them in any way shape or form.
Now my firm is interested, and I cannot guarantee that all the uninformed citizens will get as involved as me, but I think a good many will begin to question just how things work under this administration.
If you we're at the meeting the police cheif stated that the noise ordinance does not pertain to parks. So you can take all the noise readings you want, it's not going to make a difference.
No the city noise ordinance does not, but civil suits and documentation of pain and suffering operate under different types of liability than simple fines and parking tickets. If you would like the chief to represent the city in court you might want to take it up with the City Attorney. Perhaps he could weigh in on the matter. The court of public opinion also is much larger than this small speck of geography called Peru that you think rules the world. Bullies usually end up running into bigger bullies if they avoid compromise.
3:49 Thank you so much for continuing to show your true colors.
2:10 and 2:46 Thank you for your support. The folks here at 28th St. Park really appreciate your comments. We have tried since May to talk with city officials and have had not one bit of luck with any of them.. have met with resistance without any offers of assistance with the exception of Alderwoman Mayzak and for that we thank her.
This all stems from Harl's incompetent in not removing Chamlin, and Schweikert like he promised. He has no backbone and doesn't care about us unless we give him money!
Let's bring 5 boomboxes playing country, rap, heavy metal, pop, and rock music, various sizes of cowbells, a couple of airhorns and some bongos to 28th Street Park since the noise ordinance doesn't pertain to parks. I'm sure the pickleball players will enjoy all the additional activity.
APRIL WILL COME SOON -- HOPEFULLY WITH A LOT OF NEW CHANGES.
I was thinking about some bass instruments. Bass drum, tuba, we could have a parade practice marching around the park.
Lois, what I believe would be most effective is our recorded pickleball sounds at 25 feet, amplified to exactly the same decibel level and played for several hours in front of their homes. Of course, we would be prepared to be arrested for violating city noise ordinance, so it would need to be covered by appropriate news outlets. I am not going to be taken into that Police station unless every news outlet in Illinois knows it.
You see, if we played it in from of the Mayors House, it would be considered a nuisance, but a few feet from other residences it is not... because it is a park. Right. That makes sense. We will see how the voters feel.
That is a park, not a stadium, conducting an unusual and extremely loud activity on an ongoing basis and as such is not exempted from sound pollution laws in Illinois. Home rule might allow civic celebrations or more restrictive sound regulations, but it is doubtful less restrictive regulations will hold up, especially in civil court. We are researching as we speak, all Pro Bono, and I am sure the city is preparing its rock solid defense as well. If common sense and compromise are ignored then things can get as ugly as the mayor wants it to get in this election year. We will see at the next council meeting if the Mayor finds common ground and shows his compromise and diplomacy skills.
All of your above suggestions are terrific, but this will only anger the players more...and we all know what happens when they get angry, they get LOUDER! That is our punishment for trying to go about this the proper way. We know, they have been doing this all summer and now into fall. But maybe we should all do what the player suggested at the meeting, close your windows and doors until they are done playing. With that statement I hope you all can see what kind of people we are dealing with. And again thanks for the support. We need all the help we can get. We seem to be up against some very powerful people.
6:58
Have you ever been to a council meeting? Harl has no compromise or diplomacy skills.
10:46 that's what I am counting on.
11:01 - agreed. Plan your strategies carefully. WE CAN'T CONTINUE THIS SPIRAL DOWNWARD ANY LONGER!! We are the laughing stock of the surrounding towns anymore.
Speaking of compromise 10:46 here's what the pickle ball players and others we have talked to have suggested as a compromise:
1. we move 2. we close our windows and doors while they play 3. we leave while they play 4. we join them. Here's what we've been offered from everyone we've gone to - NOTHING! Thanks to all on this blog who are supporting us.
6:58 you forget that going in front of the Mayors house with noise disturbance is much different than a public park! Be prepared to be arrested and spend time in a looney bin. Your right about the news coverage. Typically news won't cover a comical sight like a person going to jail with a boom box blasting in front of the Mayor's house. The comment about powerful people behind the scenes? Its a game of pickleball, not a United Nations treaty.
Lois please do bring the band to the park. It would be great to have some background music while getting some exercise.
11:23 Actually, the only difference is that one is covered by ordinance and one is not. However it does not mean the sound is not covered by law, just not Peru Ordinance.
I doubt anyone would spend any time in a looney bin for mounting a protest to galvanize people outside the issue to take a look. And before you decide what news organizations will cover, you may want to understand just how many of these types of issues my associates and I have been involved in. It really has taken you pickleballers to even get me interested in Peru politics. I believe someone once said on these blogs, the six dumbest words in the English Language are, " I dare you to sue me.". For some reason that stuck with me. You guys need to put that on your pickleball uniforms, right over the muffin tops.
Powerful people from the City of Peru - business owners. I wonder if anybody south of 4th Street has ever played pickleball. Seems to be a game intended for Peru's elite. True, it's a game, a game that can be played in other parks, but not one of the pickleball players or rec board members will budge an inch from 28th Street Park. Powerful people behaving horribly, mocking their neighbors, belittling the people who complain about the noise, and being rude and disrespectful. Shameful is what it is. If what Pizza Man said is true and the drug gang stopped hanging out at 28th Street Park because of pickleball, then I think the pickleball crime stoppers should go to Washington Park and Sunset Park. Maybe they can stop the crime there too. One of the reasons the rec board wouldn't consider putting it at Sunset Park was because "there is too much vandalizm" there. Well I'm sure with their newfound crime fighting skills, the pickleballers would stop all of the vandalism down there too. I think the powerful pickleball players need to grow up and learn some manners.
The only way i see to settle this pickle ball controversy for once and for all is a pickle ball grudge match. It will be the ambassador (Jim Garbowski) and the president of the rec board(Bryan Hartmann) anganist Jill and Linda. Winner takes all. Jill and Linda should have the advantage since the courts are in their backyard . We could even charge admission to raise some money for the park fund.
1:38.
The only way I see to settle this is in a court of law.
1:38 You seem to forget. Mr. Grabowski owns and has the equipment.
Jim is quick on his feet and Bryan being a aviation mechanic would have very good hand eye coordination. I would not under estimate the Jill/Linda team, they do have experience in competitive sports and have the home court advantage. Team Jim/Bryan over Jill/Linda in three sets, beers and brats afterwards. Who will referee the match? That is the next question.
1:07 Thanks so much again for showing all that read this blog your true colors. It gives the neighbors more credibility when you make statements like that. Keep them coming!
1. The pizza man objected to having hard balls hitting his home.
2. The pizza man has very good pizza and a downtown business anchor.
3. The more a park is utilized the less crime opportunities is the point of the statement made by the neighbor and pizza man.
4. Not all neighbors object to pickleball at the 28th street park.
5. A park is for the entire community.
6. Who are the bullies? Did any pickleball players threaten legal action?
7. If it was a real problem the town Mayor would be involved and eliminate the game. This has not been done and at the last meeting he did not intervene.
8. Its nice to see the park with people in it.
3:01 And the Mayor won't intervene because it's an election year.
3:01 In response to your post.
#8. There was always people in the park.
#7. The mayor hardly steps in on any topic unless he's proposed it.
#4. Nobody said all neighbors object to pickle ball.
#3. No, the pizza man said there were drug deals occurring in your park. Weren't you as a neighbor of it aware of that problem? Did you call the police regarding the drug deals?
3:01
1. It was an park activity that was injurious to a neighbor so it was stopped. So is pickleball. What is your point?
2. Agreed . Irrelevant to the egregious and persistent activity located mere feet from a residence, but definitely true. I won't go there anymore and am asking every one of my friends not to as well due to his behavior in this matter, not the quality of his pizza or his desire to play a sport.
3. Also irrelevant. It is the usage that is opposed and in my opinion illegal and injurious. You are replacing one illegal activity with another one. Crime should be stopped with neighborhood watch and cooperation within the neighborhood. no single decision or activity has been as detrimental to neighborhood cooperation as this illegally effected decision to have pickleball.
4. You do not need to have any more than one neighbor object to an abusive and detrimental activity to ask for police help, protection from your representatives, and eventually representation from a qualified law firm.
5. Yes and by saying that you prove the oppositions point. They are members of the community , as we all are. Decisions made in violation of the open meetings act, that benefit a few select individuals, that harm neighbors and are unheard of even in the worst pickleball locations nationwide, need to be discussed and presented to the community at large prior to implementation. Pickleball may be the greatest thing in the world, but this location is ridiculous and one of the worst decisions made in recent history in this town.
6. The opposition has been rebuffed in every attempt to compromise and has been extremely patient. Hiring an attorney to protect your property and quality of life is hardly being a bully. They were minding there own business when a single individual fell in love with his own idea and drove it through without any consideration to the downside. Now it will fall on qualified attorneys and media consultants to take up the battle for a few residents.
7. You are serious with this one? This is a weak mayor with a weaker ego, not your Dad breaking up a fight over the last donut. He has his own agenda, always has, and has in no decision defended any oppressed minority. He is in constant campaign mode, siding with the popular kids. Compromise is weakness to him. I agree that one of the loneliest and most difficult jobs of a leader is to make unpopular decisions and stand up for individuals. I disagree with his choices. I believe he has no character.
8. There were people there before. You just didn't see them because they were not important to you. Just like rights of others.
Leslie Knope would kick Hartman's butt.
Did anyone see proof of the balls hitting his house? I have tasted better pizza from Oglesby. No neighbors said there were drug deals only the pizza man. There are neighbors that object to pickle ball, the ones that live the closest. The entire community has always used the park. The pickle ball players are the bullies as they demonstrate on a nightly basis and really tried to bully the neighbors at the meeting. Why would they take legal action, no one is stopping them from playing. It is a real problem but the mayor has not even been to the park to witness what goes on. The park has always been used and so was the tennis court by tennis players! Any other questions or comments to show your true colors.
The ambassador should have taken control of his players at the meeting, after all he is the ambassador of his sport which means he is the authorized representative. He did not speak one word, even when two members of his club verbally abused Alderwoman Mayzak. And when he did not put a stop to it, one of the other men in that room should have defended her.
The corner house right by the court I believe a police officer has lived for many years! And I heard he is next in the list for police chief eventually
Anyway- maybe if drugs were being sold in park as pizza man supposedly said, cameras should have been set up! We love cameras!!
9:14 drugs being sold regularly right under his nose? And he will be the next chief? That does not sound right.
11:08 You're right the ambassador should have taken control of his players but why would he when they were doing the dirty work for him? All he, his wife, and president Hartman had to do was sit back and reap the benefits. The sad part is that those who behaved like children are now the talk of the town. And, some of them are prominent business owners.
They are not " his" players or "his club" they are a group of citizens who enjoy the game of pickle ball. They wanted to have their opinions heared. They have the right to do that just the same as the two who are complaining about the game.
11:04 You see. That's the problem. You must be a player who was misinformed by someone. We who live by this park are not complaining about the game but about the location of the court, the noise the game itself creates, and the boisterous voices of those who play. What we cannot understand is that if you enjoy the game so much the location of the court should not be an issue for you. It is an issue for us because it is a very irritating noise.
11:04 actually there are more than just two people who have issues with the noise this game creates. But if you want to put the blame on two that is fine also, because the more you comment the more your true colors come out. Instead of being gracious to the neighbors that listen to this nightly you become more arrogant. Not one person has ever approached the four homes that this affects the most and asked what could be done, not one!
I say we all run to Sammy's pizza in Oglesby for real pizza. Peru has already "given" too many perks to a few of the pizza parlors in Peru via our tax dollars and back door actions. Sammy's - $10 for a pizza. LaGrotto's - $20,000.
Hey - I want free pizza then! I've already paid for it!
To 8:28 p.m. 9/20/12
I did present a plan. My plan is that if Pickleball proves to be popular enough to bring back next year (to be determined by the Rec Comm at their October meeting) then the Rec Comm and any interested Pickleball players should raise funds to build a dedicated Pickleball court at Veterans Park. There are some people who want to build a new softball diamond at Veterans Park for $100,000 and they are trying for grants to fund that project and volunteers will be helping. There are some people who want a new swimming pool and/or splash pad and they are trying for grants and doing fundraisers. Because of the noise created by Pickleball, it shouldn't be at 28th St. Park, Washington Park or Sunset Park because those courts are too close to homes.
Unfortunately they didn't like that idea.
Seriously team Jill and Linda would win hands down!
Simply for the fact "Hell have no fury like a woman scorned"(x 2) in this situation. Two scorned women against a self proclaimed pickleball aficionado and a "Giligan" airplane mechanic? Who in town is running the board - put me down for $100 and a Team Jill and Linda t-shirt please.
I see that the minutes of the Aug. rec commission have finally been posted. If I'm not mistaken (and I'm pretty sure I'm not) that's another violation by that committee of the OMA. The act states that minutes of meetings have to be posted within 7 days after approval. Today is 15 days after approval. I'd also like to know why Janice Grabowski submitted a list to alderman Ankiewicz as a representative of Danny Ferrari. He's is not a committee member nor an alderman.
Sherry,
Do the minutes from the meeting reflect the truth and actions that truly occurred at the meeting?
The minutes need to provide sufficient detail and be presented within 7 days. The matter should be presented to the attorney general and states attorney, and there responses noted. It is important to establish a pattern for future legal action, whether the city is sanctioned or not. Judges consider these things when ruling on civil suits for damages incurred by decisions taken by ruling bodies.
It is apparent certain individuals have suffered substantial damages due to the activity sanctioned by the city, and the matter in which the original decision was reached will be relevant, as well as remedies, procedures and meetings taken by the defendant to discuss reasonable solutions to mitigate those damages. If these meetings are deemed illegal on procedural grounds, it may affect a judge's ruling on whether the activity is protected under any sound or nuisance exemption due to the location ( a park).
Why continue with this hassle of pickle ball? The Rec. Bd. and the city have surely proven themselves to have taken a stand. This stand has not given any restitution to the neighborhood homeowners. One summer of pickle ball twenty feet from backyards has shown that it unfair and inconsiderate to homeowners.
The manner in which the homeowners have been addressed at more than one meeting with city representation present supports their next step available - which is a court of law.
The odds have changed from 6-1 favorites to 3-1 favorites for the team of JimBryan over jilllinda. Somebody knows something about the bets placed. Maybe a run on the Jillinda team? Maybe the Jimbryan team is taking a fall? Who knows. I did hear that a concession contract has been signed by the neighbor that owns a pizza business and pay per view will be available.
Good news the Chicago Occupy protestors charges were dropped by the courts. You can display or picket any public avenue!
145 responses to this particular comment on pickle ball plus all the other responses to the same topic in the past.
In traveling thru out the surrounding states this summer I have found Peru to be the king of pickle ball as it has the only pickle ball court I have seen.
I have seen several tennis courts being resurfaced but no interest in pickle ball.
7:39 We here are also blessed with a radio station that felt music was perfected in the 70 's, along with hair styles and clothing styles. 4 way stops frighten and confuse us. Smoking is mandatory. We are kind of like the Amish, frozen in time and thought, only we drink much more and speak worser English.
I have to laugh at these blogs referring to a game of competition with Jill/Linda verus the others. Jill should run for mayor! For peru's city council and mayor not to LISTEN to Jill's recommendations seriously regarding this court (being as Jill's backyard is on property line within feet
of court), makes me believe the alderman (most of
them) are stupid or deaf. I would assume that property taxes surrounding this park are between $6 THOUSAND TO 10 THOUSAND A YEAR. DOESN't THAT ALONE BE A REASON NOT TO LISTEN TO THE MAJORITY
OF HOMEOWNERS SURROUNDING THIS AREA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am reposting this because it got lost in the Spam folder of the blog.
Anonymous said...
The Pizza Man was not the only compainant about the baseballs. The former Superintendent of Peru Power lives on 30th and he along with others were getting errant baseballs on his property. That's when hardball was shut down and the Rec Commission promised a neighborhood diamond for hard ball.
What became of that PROMISE ?
The Ambassador lied to the neighborhood. "The court will be lined for tennis" LIE "The nets will be portable" LIE "Tennis will still be played on the court" LIE 28th Street Park is the most visible" LIE "We want something for the residents of Liberty Village" LIE
How many lies did he tell to get this personal playground?
The strangeest thing is that "This is the hill the politicians have chosen to die on" whereby they are committing political suicide to their terms because of something that can so easily be rectified. Change the court back to tennis & move prickleball to a remote location where the Ambassador and his gang of rude associates can cavort and annoy only themselves.
2:36 PM, September 23, 2012
Thank you 8:35. You have hit the proverbial nail on the head with reference to all the "LIES" we were fed. Of course we did not even find out about these "LIES" until one month later when the minutes of the rec commission were posted. And, unless you read those minutes you would not even be aware of their decisions because they did not need council approval no matter what they did.
9:04 That is an unusual arrangement. The city gives complete authority and power to a volunteer unelected group, without oversight. You say that group can do ANYTHING it wants without council approval. So if they do something wrong, something that needs to be resolved in a court of law, who gets sued?
The answer : everybody.
10:45 It most certainly was an unusual arrangement. According to their ordinance (which I believe was established in 1957) they had soul authority to make decisions regarding all our parks without anyone's approval. As a matter of fact I don't believe the council (from what we've been told) could even override their decision. Today the ordinance has been altered somewhat. Correct me if I'm wrong Lois.
Attn: 11:08 It doesn't sound like there wasn't any man attending in that group at the meeting. Just a bunch of -------s. They wouldn't know the meaning of standing up for a woman, who was told to shut up. The man that did that is probably as stupid as hiw brother the alderman.
Anon 10:45 The city would be sued as the rec. bd. is acting as a agent for the city and the city has foolishly and knowingly allowed them to be so. Therefore the city is responsible for the rec. bd.'s actions.
3:04
I do respect your opinion and you may be correct, but as we have been researching the best ways to proceed with litigation, there have been some opinions proffered that recommend suing the actual individuals of the committee as they are acting independently of the governing body, thereby eliminating some of the inherent difficulties of suing the city itself. That is why documentation of the OMA violations and procedures as they specifically apply to this particular group may be important. There may even be an argument that they are somehow not subject to OMA. I would love for the city attorney to weigh in on the matter on the blog- as the expert opinion on such matters. Maybe he could put this all to rest, at least from a legal perspective. Might save us all lots of time, embarrassment, and money. Especially during the election.
9:56 Good thought but don't forget that the city attorney and his family are involved with pickle ball and the ambassador. I therefore think it would be a conflict of interest for him to offer legal advice to either side. Wasn't it even indicated that he and his family were at the last public property meeting on the pickle ball side?
10:05 I would think the attorney could give his opinion on the available avenues for citizens to petition and challenge municipal decisions. He represents the legal interests of the whole city, not one segment of it. No one is asking for a legal opinion or defense strategy, just simple statement of facts. Citizens can ask questions of anyone, of course they do not have to respond. The city attorney is hired by the city, not elected. With his experience in municipal law, he might circumvent destructive and divisive actions simply by stating a few facts.
The creation of the Recreation Board is made up by a ordinance of the city,individuals appointed by the Mayor and approved by the council. Next question please.
3:50 PM
Your comment is exactly why we as a city need to elect fresh thinking people willing to take a look at the way things have been handled in the past and realize that the old way is no longer the way this city wants to take care of business. If ordinances are outdated as the world marches on, than remove them from the books and enact new ones that are appropriate for NOW.
3:50 That does not give any breakdown of the committee's scope of power and responsibilities, liability for illegal actions, indemnification of the committee by the city, automatic paid representation of the committee by the city attorney in any suits?
Most volunteer committees can present items to the municipal authorities and take activity directives from the municipal authorities. But apparently this committee operates autonomously, has its own budgeted funds, and it's directives are irrevocable even by the municipal authority. Is it a sub contractor or a part of the government? How are it's funds accounted for? Have the members been limited in terms by ordinance, and has the ordinance been followed since it's inception? Considering the impact of citizen health and safety of almost every decision and responsibility of the group, what is their training in those areas? Do they report to the health and safety committee in anyway? A majority of their decisions impact the children of the city, and are the parks being maintained in a safe manner in compliance with all applicable codes, best practices, and environmental laws?
I guess those are some of the next questions. If you are the city attorney, you are not wordy I'll give you that.
7:46 According to ordinance one member is to be replaced every year unless no replacement can be found. There was supposed to be 5 members but there has been 7 for quite some time. Until the ordinance was revisited this year they had the soul authority and control of all our parks and equipment and answered to no one. Until the 28th street tennis court was converted to a pickleball court that park was virtually neglected by this committee. Today the court is being taken care of, protective covering was added to the fence, and a porta potty was added for the players. As of today the playground equipment still has not received any replacement or care (and some of it is in sad disrepair and broken). And, one of the committee members visits this park frequently to play pickle ball.
7:46 The decision, by this committee, to convert the tennis court into its' present usage was made in January when an individual attended a meeting and made a presentation. I personally believe that some of the members of this board had no idea how close this court was to houses, nor did they check it out. And I'm sure they were not aware of the irritating noise this game created. The decision was made immediately because the presenter was a board members relative. So, if you live anywhere near a park beware. This or something worse could happen to you neighborhood.
This particular topic was initiated on September 20, 2012 and has had 162 responses as of October 1, 2012. Yesterday was the first day that no one has responded so it is probably coming to a conclusion and is time to evaluate the the amount of good achieved for Peru against the amount of bad. No matter what amount of importance converting the tennis court to a prickle ball court has to you personally it has to be historically recorded as one of the dumbest decisions ever made in Peru. Congratulations to all prickle ball decision makers in exhausting the dictionary of negative adjectives for those to describe each of you and than some, especially the Mayor who says this decision has come to a conclusion and he does not want to hear anymore about it. There will not have to be anymore said about it. It will have a way of taking care of itself next April in a secret ballot.
[X] Anybody [] Harl
11:54 Believe you me this topic is not over by a long shot. Too many illegal and secretive things were done to just drop it. Someone, someplace, sometime soon has to answer for all the wrong that was done to the 28th street neighbors.
This matter if FAR from over. Just being patient.........
11:54 Unfortunately for the mayor, issues do not go away simply because he is tired of hearing about them. What he will learn is that issues really only begin when he tires of dealing with them.
Prickleball and Adventure Drive.
Straw Ballot count update:
[ 4 ] ANYBODY [ 0 ] HARL
I would like to know why the pizza man has such a vested interest in this pickle ball mess. Have never seen him with a racket in his hand. But he sure made his way over to the court last night. He sure must have a dog in this race!
Yes he has a dog in the race. Its the annoying neighbors he lives by.
Webster definition of the word Irony-
Pickleballers calling any other creature on the planet annoying. That includes mosquitoes, flies, and the Kardashians.
I wonder why the tennis court was built where it currently is. It wasn't supposed to be there originally. Did pizza man complain back then that he didn't want tennis balls hitting his house?
2:13 I'm not sure if the relocation of this court was a direct result of the pizza man or not but I have just recently verified that the present location is not the location that was listed on the petition that was passed around by a 28th street neighbor.
This has Conspiracy written all over it anon 2:43! Does it matter? What if it said the location was Mars? End of story....Enjoy pickleball.
3:42 WHAT!!!!!
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