This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.” Samuel Adams
Is this where you want the money you pay for schools to go?
35 comments:
Anonymous
said...
This facility is not needed. From what I've been observing that's been moving in and out of the area- don't seem to be interested so much in athletics. The Illinois Valley isn't growing in population enough to support this. Too many people put too much emphasis into sports, when the emphasis should be on education. Transportation to this facility will be a problem for families. A facility such as this should be attached to school grounds anyway. We taxpayers can't afford this! We can't afford the outrageous property taxes as the are now. BE REALISTIC, how many high school athletics become professional athletics??? Also. This facility isn't going to give Illinois valley L-P any more scholarship for college than it does now. That's in the hands of the high school athlete themselves. If this area had growth like the aurora and Plainfield area did years ago then I might see things differently but not in this economy and not in this area. Have common sense with this one.
It makes no sense to build a facility removed from the campus which cannot be used in the day-to-day physical ed program. The track should be built on campus. The PE facilities are of poor quality. The East gym is decrepit at best, the "walking track" is a joke. These people are as near-sighted as Mr Magoo.
The only reason to want this is for SHOW! To be able to say NEW! There is absolutely no legimate reasons to build this facility! And it's location is the worst of worst and Makes no sense!
I think the desire of a few to build this project in todays economy is a slap in the face to every tax paying citizen. When the entire world is cutting back and being more responsible, what does LP do? Spend, Spend, Spend, Spend!!!!You think this is bad now? Wait until the state shifts the teacher pension funding to the local schools. You won't be able to live in your home in this town. Peru is raising taxes, LP will need more taxes, county wants a sales tax for all the schools.... Wake up folks. They are trying to shove in these little taxes a bit at a time until you get to the point you have to leave. Then property values will plummet! Then guess what moves in. Not high quality tax paying citizens! Don't believe it? Wait ten years and take a look at this town, if anybody is left yet.
A school board is elected by the people (taxpayers) and should be responsible to the people. In the case of the sports complex have they surveyed anyone in making this decision? It looks like they are jumping to the wishes of the new athletic director and the superintendent. Sad to say but we really shouldn't even have a school board if they don't represent us.
Anon 7:01 is telling you the true facts people no matter how hard it is to take. As many as possible must become involved and active to maintain our present living standards.
7:21 Cecil, it seems that the school board is not the only board not representing the taxpayers, the City of Peru has the same problem. No representation for the citizens.
The towns will be empty in time if there isn't something to draw in more people. It all takes time, one step at a time for improvement. The location is excellent -- what would you suggest buying block after block of homes, knocking them down and then put in a park?
Very puzzling why the superintendent wants a new sports complex and a new school. Is he and the board being sold a bill of goods by the new athletic director? Did the displaced athletic director refuse to go along with these plans? Answer this: do we need a new sports complex? NO! Do we need a new school? Enrollment has dropped dramatically the past 50 years even though two new buildings have been added. And, as far as sports, we used to play the Aurora's, the Rockford's, the Elgins's, the Freeport's, etc. And look at who we play now. Also, many are able to walk to school now. The superintendent and board should lay out their reasons right now and let the public get involved with the decision process.
7:48 - you are correct, the town will be empty if somthing is not found to bring in more people. What is the best way to bring in more people? Good jobs is how - not a high school sports complex. All efforts should be toward attracting small to medium sized manufacturers, distribution and warehousing centeres, and various other service industries.
Would someone expalin how a school board starts out by wanting to build a sports comlex of $10,000,000, upon encountering opposition from the community it represents which has a 11.1% unemploument rate can reduce its projected figure by $7,000,000 down to a round figure of $3,000,000 and still believe that this will be a adequate facility? Presently the sports complex is a go and now no one knows what the cost will be? I doubt that a bank gives out loans on a unknown or you could get your furniture moved without specifics. Why should these same people handle our money differently than they handle their own. Why should any politician handle our money differently than he handles his own.
Jobs just do not do it alltogeter. A town or in this case towns need to have a draw for the whole family. Education should be at the top. When it comes to the high school that we have now, it was old when I went to it 50 years ago! I can't imagine the maintenance that is needed to keep it safe and operating.
Peru has a new grade school, a new city hall and what has it brought to town to make it a better city. We still have the same old problems. The high school has always been a proud symbol of towns, La Salle and Peru learning together. I personally would be opposed to a new school for the high school.Not one person in this area would work to increase our taxes to build new. It will be interesting to watch and see if the referendum passes for Hall H.S.
Anon 12:39 Yes education should be among the top of needed standards of a community. Reading, writing, arithmatic, science, fine arts, humanities etc. and all other strong basic subjects taught by the finest that your money can afford make for a strong community foundation. Now when you have the recipe for great gingerbread cooking expand into the bells and whistles needed for these programs. Unfortunely sports complexes, P.E., drivers education teachers and coaches are held in higher esteem than outstanding Science, Music, Math, History, English, Language and the balance of the basic solids instructors and are paid much higher also.
On this discussion of the H. S. led me to seek some information and give some contrast in communities. On our way to Evanston to visit family, we always pass Maine Twp East in Park Ridge. This school was built around the same time as our LP. Built in 1929 and still a very active well respected school. Check out this site for schools throughout Illinois.
It is disturbing to find that sports play such an important part of LP H.S. They are important but what is more important is the value put on a well rounded education and it appears that this school is not doing as well as they should be and moving further away from that goal by spending more tax dollars for a Sports Complex.
No sports complex! AS A PARENT OF TWO COLLEGE Graduates and another one in the making, in which all three children played sports since the age of 5 and also in high school with the sporting facilities that exist now. This being said, if there would have been a new complex then would have not made any difference than where they are now with their careers. THESE KIDS TODAY CAN'T EVEN SPELL WORDS CORRECTLY DUE TO SPELL CHECK ON TECH DEVICES, LET ALONE WRITE A GRAMMER CORRECT LETTER, OR MAKE THE CORRECT CHANGE WHEN MAKING PURCHASES. Understandably this is their parents negligence because they emphasized sports. These life skills should begin at home when children are small. BEING A TOP ATHLETE OR LIVING IN THE LIMELIGHT OF SPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOL ISN'T GOING TO PAY ONES PROPERTY TAXES WHEN STUDENTS BECOME FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE ADULTS. Not relying on their parents retirement money. EDUCATION FIRST!!! NEW DOESN'T MEAN BETTER. L-P has adequate facilities as they are now.
Not being from this area originally, I can tell you that in comparison to suburban high schools, LP is a beautiful school. I sit in awe every time I have the opportunity to be in the auditorium. When I drove thru town the day I moved here, I saw the spires and went to investigate what type of building it was. I couldn't believe it was a high school. I had graduated high school the year before I moved here, so I never had the opportunity to go to school there, but my 3 kids did. I hope that they never build a new school to replace the magnificent school that we already have. New is not always better.
some misguided individuals believe that they must create work for local contractors by building unnecessary government buildings. The contractors like this because, for the most part, they can get away with charging more to the public body than a commercial development. Our public officials need to concentrate more on attracting commercial and light industrial development. The high school also needs to put a bit more emphasis on the trades. We still need electricians, plumbers, carpenters, auto mechanics, etc. Another trade is truck driving. The college has a program, but why not the vocational center - that way some of the kids can get a good job right out of high school. Just a few thoughts.
How to create work in Peru. 1. Place heavy equipment legs on the curb for balance. 2. Break up sidewalk and load concrete in truck 3. Drive over curb with loaded construction trucks. 4. Rock heavy equipment from leg to leg with bucket full of sidewalk concerete to break up curb. 5. Lay new sidewalk, wait until fall let contract on new curb. 6. Following spring replace broken curb from last summer. 7. For additional bonus when laying new curb break up sidewalk.
Today I observed our "Patching Crew" driving aimlessly around Peru. Perhaps we citizens should go out on our blocks with a can of spray paint & mark the holes in need of patching. For starters, the could fill the tiger trap at Marquette & Wenzel. Then the can work their way south.
What is the cost of leaf vacuuming for this year in the city? Is this a necessary expense or should people do it themseves or pay individually by hiring a private source? Would the boy scouts or high school athletes do it as a fundraiser or spending money. Cities are continuously claiming they do not have enough tax supported employees but they are performing many tasks which should be done privately, and should be done at a lot less cost.
For all of you unhappy taxpayers out there: There is a facebook page with the name "Destroy the Vision. Take Back Our School". Feel free to stop by and voice your opinion. Elections are right around the corner and changes must be made!
35 comments:
This facility is not needed. From what I've been observing that's been moving in and out of the area- don't seem to be interested so much in athletics. The Illinois Valley isn't growing in population enough to support this. Too many people put too much emphasis into sports, when the emphasis should be on education. Transportation to this facility will be a problem for families. A facility such as this should be attached to school grounds anyway. We taxpayers can't afford this! We can't afford the outrageous property taxes as the are now. BE REALISTIC, how many high school athletics become professional athletics??? Also. This facility isn't going to give Illinois valley L-P any more scholarship for college than it does now. That's in the hands of the high school athlete themselves. If this area had growth like the aurora and Plainfield area
did years ago then I might see things differently but not in this economy and not in this area. Have common sense with this one.
It makes no sense to build a facility removed from the campus which cannot be used in the day-to-day physical ed program. The track should be built on campus. The PE facilities are of poor quality. The East gym is decrepit at best, the "walking track" is a joke. These people are as near-sighted as Mr Magoo.
BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME!!!!!!!
This is a joke. We don't need this !!!
Times are tough use what you have and be happy!
Waste of money! !
In time build a new school by the new park. THATS THE PLAN.
The only reason to want this is for SHOW! To be able to say NEW! There is absolutely no legimate reasons to build this facility! And it's location is the worst of worst and
Makes no sense!
I think the desire of a few to build this project in todays economy is a slap in the face to every tax paying citizen. When the entire world is cutting back and being more responsible, what does LP do? Spend, Spend, Spend, Spend!!!!You think this is bad now? Wait until the state shifts the teacher pension funding to the local schools. You won't be able to live in your home in this town. Peru is raising taxes, LP will need more taxes, county wants a sales tax for all the schools.... Wake up folks. They are trying to shove in these little taxes a bit at a time until you get to the point you have to leave. Then property values will plummet! Then guess what moves in. Not high quality tax paying citizens! Don't believe it? Wait ten years and take a look at this town, if anybody is left yet.
A school board is elected by the people (taxpayers) and should be responsible to the people. In the case of the sports complex have they surveyed anyone in making this decision? It looks like they are jumping to the wishes of the new athletic director and the superintendent. Sad to say but we really shouldn't even have a school board if they don't represent us.
Anon 7:01 is telling you the true facts people no matter how hard it is to take. As many as possible must become involved and active to maintain our present living standards.
7:21 Cecil, it seems that the school board is not the only board not representing the taxpayers, the City of Peru has the same problem. No representation for the citizens.
The towns will be empty in time if there isn't something to draw in more people. It all takes time, one step at a time for improvement. The location is excellent -- what would you suggest buying block after block of homes, knocking them down and then put in a park?
7:48 AM
The location of the high school in its present location is very good. Are you suggesting the current high school should be demolished?
Very puzzling why the superintendent wants a new sports complex and a new school. Is he and the board being sold a bill of goods by the new athletic director? Did the displaced athletic director refuse to go along with these plans? Answer this: do we need a new sports complex? NO! Do we need a new school? Enrollment has dropped dramatically the past 50 years even though two new buildings have been added. And, as far as sports, we used to play the Aurora's, the Rockford's, the Elgins's, the Freeport's, etc. And look at who we play now. Also, many are able to walk to school now. The superintendent and board should lay out their reasons right now and let the public get involved with the decision process.
7:48 - you are correct, the town will be empty if somthing is not found to bring in more people. What is the best way to bring in more people? Good jobs is how - not a high school sports complex. All efforts should be toward attracting small to medium sized manufacturers, distribution and warehousing centeres, and various other service industries.
Would someone expalin how a school board starts out by wanting to build a sports comlex of $10,000,000, upon encountering opposition from the community it represents which has a 11.1% unemploument rate can reduce its projected figure by $7,000,000 down to a round figure of $3,000,000 and still believe that this will be a adequate facility?
Presently the sports complex is a go and now no one knows what the cost will be?
I doubt that a bank gives out loans on a unknown or you could get your furniture moved without specifics. Why should these same people handle our money differently than they handle their own.
Why should any politician handle our money differently than he handles his own.
Sure they do see who operates the banks and on the bank boards!
Jobs just do not do it alltogeter. A town or in this case towns need to have a draw for the whole family. Education should be at the top. When it comes to the high school that we have now, it was old when I went to it 50 years ago! I can't imagine the maintenance that is needed to keep it safe and operating.
12:39 PM
Peru has a new grade school, a new city hall and what has it brought to town to make it a better city. We still have the same old problems. The high school has always been a proud symbol of towns, La Salle and Peru learning together.
I personally would be opposed to a new school for the high school.Not one person in this area would work to increase our taxes to build new.
It will be interesting to watch and see if the referendum passes for Hall H.S.
Anon 12:39 Yes education should be among the top of needed standards of a community. Reading, writing, arithmatic, science, fine arts, humanities etc. and all other strong basic subjects taught by the finest that your money can afford make for a strong community foundation.
Now when you have the recipe for great gingerbread cooking expand into the bells and whistles needed for these programs.
Unfortunely sports complexes, P.E., drivers education teachers and coaches are held in higher esteem than outstanding Science, Music, Math, History, English, Language and the balance of the basic solids instructors and are paid much higher also.
On this discussion of the H. S. led me to seek some information and give some contrast in communities.
On our way to Evanston to visit family, we always pass Maine Twp East in Park Ridge. This school was built around the same time as our LP. Built in 1929 and still a very active well respected school.
Check out this site for schools throughout Illinois.
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/illinois/rankings/county+613
It is disturbing to find that sports play such an important part of LP H.S. They are important but what is more important is the value put on a well rounded education and it appears that this school is not doing as well as they should be and moving further away from that goal by spending more tax dollars for a Sports Complex.
No sports complex! AS A PARENT OF TWO COLLEGE Graduates and another one in the making, in which all three children played sports since the age of 5 and also in high school with the sporting facilities that exist now. This being said, if there would have been a new complex then would have not made any difference than where they are now with their careers. THESE KIDS TODAY CAN'T EVEN SPELL WORDS CORRECTLY DUE TO SPELL CHECK ON TECH DEVICES, LET ALONE WRITE A GRAMMER CORRECT LETTER, OR MAKE THE CORRECT CHANGE WHEN MAKING PURCHASES. Understandably this is their parents negligence because they emphasized sports. These life skills should begin at home when children are small. BEING A TOP ATHLETE OR LIVING IN THE LIMELIGHT OF SPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOL ISN'T GOING TO PAY ONES PROPERTY TAXES WHEN STUDENTS BECOME FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE ADULTS. Not relying on their parents retirement money. EDUCATION FIRST!!! NEW DOESN'T MEAN BETTER. L-P has adequate facilities as they are now.
Not being from this area originally, I can tell you that in comparison to suburban high schools, LP is a beautiful school. I sit in awe every time I have the opportunity to be in the auditorium. When I drove thru town the day I moved here, I saw the spires and went to investigate what type of building it was. I couldn't believe it was a high school. I had graduated high school the year before I moved here, so I never had the opportunity to go to school there, but my 3 kids did. I hope that they never build a new school to replace the magnificent school that we already have. New is not always better.
thank you, Sherry, I don't believe some people realize what a treasure we have in that building.
Dear 5:43
Remember: You'll "mar" your paper when you misspell "grammar".
some misguided individuals believe that they must create work for local contractors by building unnecessary government buildings. The contractors like this because, for the most part, they can get away with charging more to the public body than a commercial development. Our public officials need to concentrate more on attracting commercial and light industrial development. The high school also needs to put a bit more emphasis on the trades. We still need electricians, plumbers, carpenters, auto mechanics, etc. Another trade is truck driving. The college has a program, but why not the vocational center - that way some of the kids can get a good job right out of high school. Just a few thoughts.
How to create work in Peru.
1. Place heavy equipment legs on the curb for balance.
2. Break up sidewalk and load concrete in truck
3. Drive over curb with loaded construction trucks.
4. Rock heavy equipment from leg to leg with bucket full of sidewalk concerete to break up curb.
5. Lay new sidewalk, wait until fall let contract on new curb.
6. Following spring replace broken curb from last summer.
7. For additional bonus when laying new curb break up sidewalk.
Today I observed our "Patching Crew" driving aimlessly around Peru. Perhaps we citizens should go out on our blocks with a can of spray paint & mark the holes in need of patching. For starters, the could fill the tiger trap at Marquette & Wenzel. Then the can work their way south.
On a daily basis not only the "patching crew" but a number of other city vehicles can be spotted roaming aimlessly. Could they be lost?
Does anyone know when the last day for leaf vacuuming and waste bag pick up is?
9:40 Call city hall and find out.
What is the cost of leaf vacuuming for this year in the city? Is this a necessary expense or should people do it themseves or pay individually by hiring a private source? Would the boy scouts or high school athletes do it as a fundraiser or spending money. Cities are continuously claiming they do not have enough tax supported employees but they are performing many tasks which should be done privately, and should be done at a lot less cost.
For all of you unhappy taxpayers out there: There is a facebook page with the name "Destroy the Vision. Take Back Our School". Feel free to stop by and voice your opinion. Elections are right around the corner and changes must be made!
Your right 11:42 but has anyone taken out petitions to run for the school board.
I believe one person has, and there are others who have expressed interest.
Thanks for the info 9:04. Hopefully those who are expressing an interest will take out a petition and get their name on the ballot.
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