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
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Video of Pickleball Discussion by Peru City Council 11/14/2012
85 comments:
H. Tom
said...
I said it before its who you are and who you know that gets you what you want and how much your willing to kiss to keep it ! PICKLEBALL THAT IS !!!
When the discussion first began months ago, Alderman Potthoff stated that Sunset Park had very few tennis players and It would have been a good choice for pickleball. Now they have many? I would also like to remind Ald. Ferrari that when he was a part of the Park Board during the first 2 years of this Harl administration that he would comment when he returned from one of their meetings of that same Rec Board and say "they need to go" and now they are wonderful volunteers who spend hours at meetings. Pretty inconsistent.
It is apparent that the Ferrari brothers have issues with women who challenge them. I will remind everyone the way Alderman Mayzak was verbally abused after a public property meeting and no one stopped him either.
Video Recording those meetings came just in time for elections. Now these need to hit the public so the people can see that Peru is being ran without a mayor and aldermen such as Ferrari along with his yes man counter part ( not sure of his name ) aren't for the people of Peru. By watching this video I didn't see any reason to keep it at the present location. It's clear to me most of this administration has other agendas then to do what's right for the tax payers.
12:05 PM Why should 11:42 AM be ashamed, they just stated a fact, a truism of conduct that was observed by many. Isn't the truth what we are all looking for?
Not in Peru Lois. We only seek to satisfy and listen to the so called influential people of our town. The ordinary citizen who fights for right against wrong is looked down upon.
Sure looks clear to me that official made a complete A$$ of himself. It appears politics is to much for him to handle. Does the city have an Anger Management Doctor he can see. Needs to grow up and thick up his skin if he gets his feelings hurt that bad. He may want to look in the mirror and might see the reason other officials are doing his job? He's probably feeling guilty because he's not. I applaud those two officials for standing up to the rest on behalf of the people.
When was a traffic study done that warranted another stop sign on north Pulaski Street ? I've never in 20 years seen an accident or even a squad car doing a radar check. Who requested it and why was it erected ?
"I am also elected by the pickleball players" is the equivalent of "I am also in bed with the pickleball players." Peru: its who ya know or who ya blow - everyone else is an afterthought.
2:13PM You might direct your question to Ald. Lukosus of the 4th ward as he is the one who requested that stop sign in the first. I don't remember Ald. Ferrari telling him that the First is his ward and why would the alderman from the 4th be asking for a stop sign in that ward. Do you remember that is what Ald. Ferrari said to Ald. Mayszak and Perez last night? Double standard?
@2:13 I do know this much, Pulaski Street is not Mayzak or Perez' district and those two are the only two officials I've ever seen post on here. So good luck getting your answer from here unless one of those two break the Ferarri rule of order and stick their noses in another district.
I think alderman ferrari is an inmature brat that likes running with the big boys . sence he can't act like on ! won't be seeing much of him i hope in 2013 !!!!
Does anyone know Mr Harts position on pickleball? I believe the Pickleball supporters hope that the issue is trivialized, pointing out they are providing some great new sport for Peru that is only bothering a few spoiled sports who live by a park and should not be upset. I am sure that they are counting on their status as influential business people in the community and do not believe that a candidate would side with such a small minority. I would hope that a mayoral candidate would see past that ruse, and would maintain a positive attitude toward the SPORT of pickleball and idea of bringing it to the area, while having serious problems with the site selection process , OMA violations, misrepresentations and abuse of individual citizens. I would think a serious minded candidate would be shocked that such decisions seem to be made illegally or without diligence, with high risk of litigation and damaged city reputation. These frivolous pursuits and careless decisions are just not worth it. I hope his campaign focuses on this pattern , while Harls simply continues arrogance and mocking the little guy. In the end, the city may find that many, many "little guys" consider themselves neighbors of this park. We are thinking up the support buttons now. Slogans are welcome.
Ferrari is a jerk-off who thinks that being an alderman in Peru is some kind of special service to the country. Sorry Tony, you are way out of line with your conduct and should make a public apology for saying and acting the way you did. Mayor Harl can go next for not speaking up about it. Seems he has joined the "Good Old Boys Club". What a letdown and disapointment he turned out to be.
I see why ald. woman M. took to finding out all about pickleball, Ald. Jerk Ferrari, wouldn't do anything for his constituents. No need to call him, if you have a need in the first ward. Its useless. And Ald. Radtke, whom I worked to get elected, and voted for, what a big disappointment. I hope Alderwoman M. beats his butt in the April election. If I need anything in the first ward, I would call Perez or the alderwoman. Keep up the good work you two. g
Alderman Ferrari is done. His big mouth is all over the blog, facebook, and now the news tribune. Open Mouth-Insert Boot. I have news for alderman Ferrari-If Park Board Members are appointed, they must have expressed an interest to be on that board which would then be a city board. The people elected you to represent the PEOPLE first not the special interests within city government. your comment about they are voters too was silly. You were elected to look outside of the box.
Did I understand this right? there were two separate votes taken? I was a bit confused. This is how I took it so please correct me if i'm off base. The majority voted NO to move that sport. Then the mayor read another, explaining if the council passes it then the Board would get the approval to review it and decide if they want to move it? This was also a Majority NO vote? This is what confuses me because through that whole crazy debate the officials didnt want anything to do with making changes, so why was that a majority NO vote? wern't they saying the decision was up to the board to make? It seems to me these officials had no idea what they said NO to. I think the two officials made a great case to move that sport. were those board members at that meeting? what if they see this same video and were prusueded to move it now. Did the officials vote NOT to give them the right to choose after they said it was the boards choice? Sorry I'm lost on this one.
Aldermen Ferrari and Radtke made the request for the stop sign. Alderman Ferrari told the council a survey was taken by the PD.
10:26- I understand your confusion of the two motions. Although the second motion didn't seem to make sense, it was going to allow an opportunity for the recreation committee to reconsider after hearing the plea, and new discovery made by Sherry and I.
You made a great point, and glad you caught the remarks made by the other aldermen that decisions to move Pickleball needs to be left up to the Park Committee; but they voted Nay on the motion which would have gave the committee that decision making power those aldermen said they should have.
Alderwoman Mayszak states "according to Mr. Loveland's figures, the pickle ball court is idle for 98.7% of the time. So why didn't the rec board have it painted for tennis and add Pickleball lines, so it could be used for both tennis and Pickleball. It is a down right shame that nobody can use that court for the 98.7% of the time it is idle. And that 1.3% is not considered a special interest group? Explain that to the judge. Can't wait to see this end up in court where an unbiased, impartial judge will decide instead of a few people who are worried about getting re- elected.
Being that my only contact with Peru, Illinois is the blog I would appreciate someone to verify the following:
* A tennis court was constructed illegally, twenty feet from tax paying citizens homes in a public park owned by the city. This court was allowed to exist for a number of years as a tennis court at this same site without any neighborhood complaints. Also when the diagram of the park was presented the proposed site of the tennis court was not near the location it was constructed at.
Recently, a much used tennis court was replaced by a pickle ball court which has created a neighborhood noise nuisance. This nuisance has been admitted at committee and council meetings and it has been stated that one of the reasons the court will not be moved is because of this nuisance by the president of the park board in front of six alderman and by a alderman at a council committee meeting and at a city council meeting by more than one alderman.
*The Rec Bd. has also not followed the OMA legislation in regards to the creation of the pickle ball court and the Mayor of Peru has stated this is "no biggie".
*The President of the Rec. Bd. stated at a Rec. Bd. meeting that this issue was no longer in that boards hands and refused to answer any further questions responding several times it was out of their hands.
Would someone please tell me how this amounts to justice.
Isn't it ironic that none of the pickleball players who have attended the public property and city council meetings have felt it necessary to attend any of the Rec Board meetings where pickle ball was discussed. Could it possibly be because 3 of the Rec Board members are also pickle ball players? These members even sit with the players at all the other meetings. Shouldn't they be there to represent ALL involved? Isn't this a conflict of interest and an obvious display of favoritism towards the players?
By the way aldermen F. facial expressions are quite common among those of you who sit on those council chairs. Especially when either aldermen Perez or Mayszak have the floor and are expressing their point of view on a topic that you do not agree with.
10:34 I believe the point Mr. Loveland was trying to make is that the neighbors should not be complaining, because they are only there 1.3% of the time. To answer your question about painting it for both was brought up many months ago before the court was changed to only pickball. That is where the OMA was violated again in April, it was not on their agenda and they voted on it that night. That is why I went to the meeting in May because I felt the court should stay tennis and if they wanted to play pickle ball set up the portable nets and play but do not take a much used court away from the neighborhood. I was told at that meeting to tell the tennis players to go somewhere else. Keep in mind that the noise issue was never brought up at any of those meetings. Thank you for asking those questions. Any others I questions I would be happy to answer from the neighbors "side of the fence." Jill Bernal
After reading last nights paper I am appalled that an elected official would act like that in public. I would like to give kudos to Mr. Dzierzynski for coming to not only his wife's defense, but I feel women in general. I wonder if the alderman would have said that to a man in the audience. Again thank you Mr. Dzierzynski for women everywhere. You are a true gentleman.
I heard on the radio Mike Radke is running against Sherry M? Was it not reported in the Trib Mike told the reporter he wouldn't run against her? That guy can't be trusted with his word. I would imagine either this is his way of hanging up politics or the HBC Harl Boys Club is so threatened by The Alderwoman they think she can be taken out by Mike. Mr. Mike. What have you done for Peru lately besides defend the status quo and lie to the people who elected you?
Anon 11:04 There has also been a ordinance pertaining to the Recreation Board and city council made after the fact. Also some council members keep referring to the Recreation Board as having the responsibility of making decisions and the President of the Recreation Board responds with the thought that the same responsibility has been shoved up above to the city council when questioned. Now if you are not confused please answer a question I have of you. How could the YMCA find pickle ball equipment so much cheaper than The Ambassador of Pickle Ball could find when he was spending the cities money to obtain paddles, balls and nets? Or is the Y only going to have one court whereas the city had four? The more that pickle ball is bounced around it becomes a private venue for a few rather than a public venue and therefore the expenses of the sport should be supplied by those who are participants as should be the location and court.
I agree with you totally 11:31. The favoritism continues in the video posted on the News Tribune twitter web page. One of the players is also a rec board member. The 28th street neighbors didn't have a snowball's chance in you know where.
1:35 Prove your false statement. That court was used almost daily for tennis. And many times from morning to night. Unless you live on top of that court like the 28th street neighbors do don't make such stupid statements.
Alderman Ferrari: I think you should be made aware that you made a big mistake at this meeting. Not only did you behave in an inappropriate manner but you made a false statement. You commented to aldermen Perez that the pickle ball players also vote for you. Well, guess again. Come election time I believe that the only people involved in this fiasco who COULD vote for you are the 28th street neighbors. I'm pretty sure the majority, if not all, the pickle balls players live either in a different ward or out of town. Food for thought!!!
Maybe it's time to put in another video camera. Another one could be used to see these smirks. It could also be used to show how rude the audience can be. Throughout the video, all you hear is people whispering to one another. How can you be listening and talking at the same time?
12:12 There seem to no end of people like Mr. Loveland who are willing to decide what percentage of time a nuisance activity should be permitted. I hope the neighbors let him know how grateful they are that he has taken the time to analyze and quantify how much noise irritation he has deemed they should accept for his personal enjoyment.
Perhaps we should all visIt his house for approximately 30 seconds around 4 AM and play a boom box at 60 db. That would be a much lower percentage of time even than pickleball.
The ridiculous and irrelevant analysis does not take into account that it ruins nearly 100 per cent of their weekends. I believe violent criminals only kill people about .003 per cent of the time they are out and about, perhaps we should disband that expensive police force or get rid of those pricey guns. Give me a break.
8:23 People tend to make comments when they are hearing blatant lies and witnessing arrogance and injustice. I know the old guard would like it so much better if the lowly just kissed their rings and waited for their blessed pronouncements. Crap happens. You wanna wear the big boy city father cap, deal. Last I looked , the people spending their time at these meetings are not getting a paycheck like the alder folk are. You want the crowd to quiet down... Try holding a meeting where the results are not canned and tabulated before the votes. Might be a little suspense. People might listen then. Hell Ripleys might even cover it.
Alderman A went public assuring that the court could be used for tennis and the equipment was portable for pickleball. Obviously he was wrong. Did he lie to us ? Was he first lied to by the Ambassador ? In spite of this deceit, Alderman A was the one who made the motion to keep the status quo. Has he no shame or humility ? An apology is in order.
As for Mr Loveland's defense, What a waste of time for nonsense.
What I find to be truly disturbing is these so called white collar Pickleball players have turned friends into enemies, ruined their reputations as upstanding Peru business people, made themselves look very selfish, and ruined a tennis court and made it playable for 1.3% of the time and all because of a game. Disgraceful! In addition to that, you have an entire Rec Board and a majority of council members who go along with this bullying mentality. I think Mayor Baker would have found a compromise long before it ever reached this point. Let's hope a new mayor will be elected and will reverse this decision before the next Pickleball season begins! You think that can't be done? Think back to the swimming pool vote. All 8 aldermen voted to keep it open, and the mayor ordered it closed. The pool is still closed to this day.
8:23 Are you kidding me? A so called smirk never hurt anyone but the way the alderman reacted is unacceptable. Smirk or no smirk do you really think anyone would sit there and not respond to that kind of behavior by the alderman? Obviously you don't attend meetings because if you did you would witness much more than smirks coming from the aldermen toward one of their own.
What we have been hearing from the city officials who favor pickle ball is that the game has brought more activity to 28th street park. According to Mr. Loveland's calculations which he presented at the council meeting the court remains idle 98.7% of the time. Doesn't that mean that for only 1.3% of the time there is activity on the court? From now until next spring there will be 0% activity because the gates remain locked.
6:41 Yes, let's all ignore everything that does not negatively affect us personally UNLESS it is solving the world hunger problem. That is a good cut off. I cannot believe you were the first person to come up with this great plan.
We can cancel all the city meetings from now on too. They won't fix the hunger problem. And we can send congress home, problems are not big enough.
Maybe you would be kind enough to volunteer your yard as a court 6:41, or at least let us know where you live so we can make sure to act on IMPORTANT things that affect you personally.
The pickle ball sport has been sold to the rec. bd. and council as a activity for the older. Knowing that the group that it has been brought in for all have drivers licenses and are mobile or they could not play pickle ball and willing to have a home court. Also knowing that everyone, including the aldermen, rec. bd., pickle ball participants and the neighborhood of 28th street realize and have vocally admitted that pickle ball is a sport which is associated with a irritating noise that at its least could be termed a nuisance. Knowing all the above and the historical background of pickle ball my suggestion is to place it at the airport in the area where the concerts are held. The rec. bd. ,council, and Mayor believe that the airport is a tremendous site for concerts and they bother no one there. Pickle ball should not create any problems at the airport either, and the proper surface is already available.
I am so sick of the bashing of Tony Ferrari.I am also sick of Lois & Carrol. They are ruining our town with this STUPID BLOG! You are ruining our town. I think you 2 should put your big girl panties on,& GROW-UP!!!!!!!
8:59 Thank You!! You are absolutely right about this blog ruining the city. This Blog is waking up the sleeping giant of the dirty politics that have played out in Peru for many years. Councilman Ferrari is not the type of official the City of Peru needs representing the citizens of this town. It's obvious he had an anger management problem. The way he treated the lady in the meeting and alderman Perez was uncalled for. I was told about this blog during the fireworks debate and have read it since then. There is allot of things brought to light here. This blog must be a threat to politicians of Peru because they hate it. If you are that fed up with it turn the page and move on. Obviously you are either alderman Ferrari or a relative because it clearly hit a nerve. What about the public humiliation the alderman put that citizen through when he humiliated her. If I was her husband I would've met him outside and whooped his ass!
Please keep this Blog going, it's what Peru needs to keep these politicians honest. In fact it should be advertised more.
Now just a doggone minute 8:59. The only ones ruining our town are some of the elected officials. What is forgotten is that once you are elected you become the employee of the taxpayer, it is our money and they are the stewards. They should be respectful to the citizens first of all. Secondly, they should represent all the people, not just influential people of the community. When you are sitting up there in one of those chairs you should choose your words carefully. From watching the video I feel if the alderman would have apologized immediately after he said it, there could have been a better outcome. This blog is by no means ruining the city, it is just exposing what is happening at city hall. Another thing that is puzzling is they know that there is a camera on them and they still cannot act properly.
9:31 They do hate this blog, that is a fact. And they also hate the two ladies who take the time to go to the meetings every week. And you know what, I am glad they hate them. They are a thorn in their sides and I love it, and am grateful to Lois and Carrol for doing what maybe all of us should take the time to do, and that is take an interest in what the h e double hockey sticks is going on at city hall.
It is just as important what is not going on in city hall because of this blog and politically active citizens such Lois and Linda hinder and stop or assure-ably Peru would be a catastrophe much worse than it presently is. PRESENTLY THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT OF PERU IS NOT POSITIVE, HEALTHY OR BENEFITING ITS CITIZENSHIP.
@ 8:59 That Councilman Ferrari dug his own hole. He didn't need this blog to help him. Just his mouth and that meeting room video camera to assist in his bring down. You can't blame the blog on this one.
"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain
The quote above is copied from Brians blog, and certainly applies to the ladies in question. You need to ask yourself why they are so active in Peru? What is in it for them? Nothing. The pickleball players fight so they can play a game. Everyone who is fighting against them are fighting for compromise, civility and principle.
This blog may actually be saving the city, not destroying it.
I think what people need to realize is that this blog is not bashing anyone. It is displaying the thoughts and ideas of concerned and opinionated citizens. Mr. Ferrari has no one to blame but himself. The meetings are now video taped and made available to everyone on the city web-site. If he and the rest of the aldermen put in as much effort and investigative research as aldermen Mayszak and Perez do they would be much more informed and able to vote and respond more intelligently.
You only put the bad things on this damn blog. Why not some good things. You think Sherry walks on water. So not true. She takes on what she gets credit for. Likes the LIMELIGHT. As I was told it's her way or the highway!
OF COURSE THE ALDERMAN AND MAYOR AND DEPARTMENT HEADS HATE THIS PUBLIC TOWN FORUM BLOG SITE, because the jack in the box clown has been springing and popping up. I imagine that the U.S. FORMER CIA DIRECTOR DAVID PETRAEUS , his biographer(Bronwell aka mistress), and his party planner Jill Kelly(what a joke) HATE SOCIAL MEDIA. I applaud all those who participate on this blog and Attend council meetings. The aldermen and mayor of any city should encourage community involvement. There is only one reason why they don't like it. Figure that!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any intelligent person can see and read that alot of people are interested, , not just Lois and Carroll. And anybody who has a problem with them are probably covering something up. Interesting how those who are blaming Lois and Carroll sign anonymous. Which is ones right to do so. My opinion. APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS!
Body language and angry verbal tones and comments can be an automatic defensive mechanism of the brain. It's up to the person themselves to be able to control themselves. Especially when one is an elected official who is suppose to be representing the taxpayers. I'm surprised this behavior of representatives (some) didn't come to light years ago.
It appears that you get treated with more respect by the city of Peru if you behave in a disrespectful and arrogant manner which has been displayed at meetings by some of the pickle ball representatives. The 28th street neighbors have been given the shaft even though they have behaved in the utmost professional manner. It has now become more evident after Wednesday's council meeting. Minds were obviously already made up because they were no questions asked by any of the aldermen besides Mayszak and Perez. Also, you have to be made aware that with the exception of the 2 aldermen listed above none of the other 6 have even visited the neighbors of the 28th street park. However, alderman Ankiewicz and Radke have participated in the game.
Normally Tony F. would not be bashed as severely as he has been and many would have sympathy for him but he was so far out of line there is thought about if this is the type of person who is supposed to represent others. His most recent outburst is a example that he is not and he was deserving of a immediate reprimand. This council has members who are much more savvy and cunning than Ferrari and who have taken a leadership role over the other four followers of which Ferrari is a member. Eventually this leadership will be displayed as soon as the cameras are no longer a evident threat to them and all will see why this tainted council majority wise should be replaced. In the upcoming election Alderman Mayszak is the only incumbent who has taken it upon herself to fairly represent the citizens, to approach and openly communicate their wishes and to investigate issues and be fully prepared in all of her presentations. The rapid growth in political maturity she has exhibited not only makes her re-electable in the April election but also creates promise of a much higher city office in the future.
Technically the "smirk" from an audience member did not stop or impede the business of the council; but it was the action of Alderman Ferrari that disrupted the City business and maybe Peru's administration needs to be controlled instead of public participation and community resolution.
Alderman Ferrari you state in the video above that you met with us and we couldn't come up with an agreement. Could you please tell me what compromise was offered to us? I honestly don't remember anything positive coming out of that meeting. It was in my mind quite the opposite.
9:27. Your blog as I read it sounds as if you are a very angry person. You have that freedom to blog as you wish. Feel free to blog positive things. I disagree that only negativity comes from these blogs. Evidently you don't read all of them, please feel free to do so and you may be enlightened. As far as you comment In reference to Alderman Mayzak "walking on water," - so be it/ good description. At least she takes her position as alderman seriously and brings issues to the table(not under)to be discussed in a professional manner unlike other alderman. Keep up the great job you are doing Alderman Alderman Mayzak, you deserve another term in office. And thank you for planting flowers for the city last spring, volunteering your time. To: 9:27- That's a positive thing. How do you like that?
9:27 Write it up. Share the positive. Have the Mayor or Ferrari posted here. No one is censoring them. The only censorship occurred when private citizens were bashed. Elected officials GET HEAT! It happens.
I have been reading since the end of summer and I RARELY see any logical opposition post. Occasionally someone posts that the blog is bad or people are mean here... Then nothing. No debate. No solid rational positions. They whine that they won't respond to anonymous critics. What does it matter? Content is what matters.
Where is the research or backup when pro administration people post? I remember the intersection posts, the ones in favor of the way the city handled it kept saying business was down due to the economy only and the city had lots of research and approval from the IDOT. Both ridiculous and indefensible positions. The "charity" for profit concerts are defended irrationally, the environmental disasters get no response from qualified officials. Why not? Why don't they send someone to post the official positions instead of just complaining about the blog?
In the end, they simply do not want to hear about the problems, like always.
I would like to add to your comment by referencing this last city council meeting. Mayor Harl decided that he would have a closed session take place immediately after the regular city council meeting went into session. That left a room full of people sitting and waiting for the regular meeting to resume. His "important" closed session kept all those people waiting for at least 30 to 40 minutes. What was so important and why did he disrupt the regular council mtg with a closed session. We all know that closed sessions are exactly that and whatever the discussion was is not referenced at the council mtg that followed and that means even if a vote is scheduled to take place, no discussion on the topic can take place because the discussion already took place in the closed session. I believe that is exactly what happened and the vote that no one could discuss was about the demolition of the power plant on Water St and the bids that the city had received. The aldermen then could not ask any questions in public and therefore all the information that might have been available to the residents of the city has to be kept secret. I guess this is Mayor Harl's transparent government. IMHO this was not only bad manners it was wrong.
9:27,9:27,9:27,9:27,9:27,9:27--------my opinion in likeing the "LIMELIGHT" is being a celebrity waiter and hocas pokas having a picture in the paper, and wanting to perform marriage ceremonies, and using taxpayers money for a mayorals dinner at olive garden, and taxpayers money ads in newspaper in which names are on, and using taxpayers money for sign for road improvements with names on it. Now that's free advertisement. NOW, THAT'S JUST SOME OF MY THOUGHTS ABOUT "LIMELIGHT.". And I don't mean a green lime and a lightbulb.
Lois If it is decided to request a review from the state for charge of violating the OMA in this meeting, I believe one component of that will be to review these closed executive sessions and determine if the session was in fact required and subject to exemption. The minutes of closed sessions should be requested, along with the audio recordings if violation is suspected.
Wake up city officials or it may be too late. This pickle ball issue has awakened a sleeping giant....the VOTERS! It may be a silly and trivial matter to some but look what it has brought to light.
I am of the understanding that the mayor and council determine when a closed session can be released. We all are aware of the tremendous number of closed sessions during the last 3 1/2 years and yet only 2 have been released. The last ones released were from 6-6-10 and that was about the sale of the Mirror Building.
Even the excessive number of closed sessions and timing of the sessions can be included in a review. They are to be the exception, not the rule, and are never to be used to prohibit later votes or discourage citizen involvement. Excessive combining of open and closed at the same meeting is not appropriate. These are salaried representatives, and separate closed door sessions could be scheduled easily enough. You correctly pointed out the tactic of unusual scheduling open ended periods of closed discussion as a way of discouraging citizen attendance.
The paper said Perez voted No on the power plant and couldn't explain due to that closed session? The vote was 7-1 with Alderman Perez voting No. That seems strange. What was discussed in that closed session that would've made him vote that way? Something seems wrong. Rodney seems to be the one to do what's right. We should demand answers.
I believe there are very serious issues with the power plant demolition, worse than the possible bid rigging. What are the reasons that two separate demolition companies left the job? What did they discover? What were they being asked to do? Was it all about money? If the city will now pay nearly 200k to complete the work, why would they not pay that to the second company, a company who specializes in power plant deconstruction and who has a stellar environmental record? The questions we need to ask are where are the manifests for hazardous fill waste shipments off site? If anything shipped out, where did it end up? Where are the permits? Was there any pending litigation discussed in the closed session? Thats what needs to be on FOIA requests.
Word out on the street is that the other six aldermen were going to vote no to moving the pickle ball no matter what because of Lois and Carrol. They do not like them at meetings and they HATE the blog. If this is true how much lower could this administration stoop? I would hate to believe this, but after watching the video of the meeting it certainly may be true.
"Alderman Tony Ferrari said the council acts in the best interest of citizens and should stand behind the park and recreation commission’s decision.WashingtonPark’s Little League baseball games are loud with lights on late at night and complaints don’t rival those around pickleball, he said."
Above was taken from Newstribune
From our initial readings in front of the neighbors house, the Db readings exceed the Illinois Pollution control board standards for property line noise pollution based on LBCS function code for each property. Curiously, single match tennis here often peaks over the code as well, due to the courts being placed in exceptionally close proximity to residential. Single pickleball events average about 3 db more (61 to 59), which is approximately TWICE as loud. However , it is even worse if multiple matches are occurring. These tests were taken with hand meters, not official forensics for the court case.
Washington Park would likely peak its crowd noise crossing property lines at a lower level, but that would need to be measured. I am sure Mr. Ferrari has taken the sound measurements and researched it well, before bringing such an interesting comparison to the public record. As he said, the council wants to act in the best interest of the citizens, and so making certain the Rec board followed OMA rules and researched all the options would be his top priority. I still find amazing that the best location was so close to the Ambassadors residence. Quite a lucky and convenient coincidence.
Baseball fields and football stadiums are also exempt (during actual games only, due to crowd cheering).
Regardless of existing community standards for noise levels, proving a case is often more than measuring the volume, duration and intensity of sound coming into the property. It's proving how the noise is impacting the use and enjoyment of the property itself, such as being able to open a window, sit in the backyard, and to sleep at night. Contrary to the opinion of the Chief of Police, and many blog commentators , the issue has nothing to do with the fact that it is a park. Noises can be a nuisance at a park. It has to do with the fact that it was an illegally sanctioned activity, has noise generated at unacceptable level at teaching clinics, and has caused possibly irreparable physical and emotional damages to the neighbors.
Mayor Harl and the 6 members of the city council do hate the blog and yet not one of them has ever attempted to make it a vehicle for their own agendas and as a way to develop effective communication with the residents of this city.
8:12. It's true. Their vote was decided before the meeting. You will notice, except for Ferrari, not one of them voiced a reason why they were voting to keep it at 28th Street park. They just said they wanted to go along with the rec board. No more details were provided. It was retaliation against Linda because of her involvement with the blog. And some wonder why people post as anon. I applaud Lois and Linda for what they do. It's women like these two ladies who fought for women to have the right to vote. We've come a long way, baby!
8:49 I'm sure you're right when you suggest that alderman Ferrari did his homework with regards to the pickle ball supposed "PROBLEM'. As I am sure that the remaining "NO" voters also did their investigative work. And, don't forget all the work the rec commission did before they voted to keep it at 28th street park. And then we have the pickle ball players themselves who measured the courts only apparently they used a faulty tape measure.
Alderman Ferrari, you should take some anger management classes. A person sitting at the meeting can make any face they want. As long as they are not interrupting the meeting. You interruped the meeting. I also believe you do not do a good job as alderman in your ward. If I had a problem, I would call Mayzak or Perez, not you and not Radtke, he sits on the seat looking like hes ready to fall asleep. First ward needs 2 new aldermen or women.
It is so sad that something as simple as a game has caused all this controversy. But maybe it was meant to expose the huge amount of politics that goes on in Peru. Things happen for a reason. I am so disappointed in the aldermen who are suppose to be there for the first ward residents. Mr. Ferrari speaks up at the meeting, but only makes a comparison to Washington Park. Why say anything at all! Mr. Ferrari and Mr. Radtke you have forgotten why you were elected. You do not have to agree with the rec board if you feel they made a mistake. Admit the fact that it is the people who play the game that you are the most afraid of. Real men would. Do your homework next time! Do not go along with the rest of your cohorts, be a independent thinker. You will get more respect. And one more, stop being bullies.
85 comments:
I said it before its who you are and who you know that gets you what you want and how much your willing to kiss to keep it ! PICKLEBALL THAT IS !!!
When the discussion first began months ago, Alderman Potthoff stated that Sunset Park had very few tennis players and It would have been a good choice for pickleball. Now they have many?
I would also like to remind Ald. Ferrari that when he was a part of the Park Board during the first 2 years of this Harl administration that he would comment when he returned from one of their meetings of that same Rec Board and say "they need to go" and now they are wonderful volunteers who spend hours at meetings. Pretty inconsistent.
It is apparent that the Ferrari brothers have issues with women who challenge them. I will remind everyone the way Alderman Mayzak was verbally abused after a public property meeting and no one stopped him either.
Video Recording those meetings came just in time for elections. Now these need to hit the public so the people can see that Peru is being ran without a mayor and aldermen such as Ferrari along with his yes man counter part ( not sure of his name ) aren't for the people of Peru.
By watching this video I didn't see any reason to keep it at the present location. It's clear to me most of this administration has other agendas then to do what's right for the tax payers.
11:42, you should be ashamed of yourself.
12:05 PM
Why should 11:42 AM be ashamed, they just stated a fact, a truism of conduct that was observed by many. Isn't the truth what we are all looking for?
Not in Peru Lois. We only seek to satisfy and listen to the so called influential people of our town. The ordinary citizen who fights for right against wrong is looked down upon.
Sure looks clear to me that official made a complete A$$ of himself. It appears politics is to much for him to handle. Does the city have an Anger Management Doctor he can see. Needs to grow up and thick up his skin if he gets his feelings hurt that bad. He may want to look in the mirror and might see the reason other officials are doing his job? He's probably feeling guilty because he's not.
I applaud those two officials for standing up to the rest on behalf of the people.
When was a traffic study done that warranted another stop sign on north Pulaski Street ? I've never in 20 years seen an accident or even a squad car doing a radar check. Who requested it and why was it erected ?
"I am also elected by the pickleball players" is the equivalent of "I am also in bed with the pickleball players." Peru: its who ya know or who ya blow - everyone else is an afterthought.
Ferrari is on a power trip and needs to go.
2:13PM You might direct your question to Ald. Lukosus of the 4th ward as he is the one who requested that stop sign in the first. I don't remember Ald. Ferrari telling him that the First is his ward and why would the alderman from the 4th be asking for a stop sign in that ward. Do you remember that is what Ald. Ferrari said to Ald. Mayszak and Perez last night? Double standard?
@2:13 I do know this much, Pulaski Street is not Mayzak or Perez' district and those two are the only two officials I've ever seen post on here. So good luck getting your answer from here unless one of those two break the Ferarri rule of order and stick their noses in another district.
I think alderman ferrari is an inmature brat that likes running with the big boys . sence he can't act like on ! won't be seeing much of him i hope in 2013 !!!!
Lois, isn't funny how the news trib has a video of the pickle ball on their web site. Hmmm wonder who gave them that?
Does anyone know Mr Harts position on pickleball? I believe the Pickleball supporters hope that the issue is trivialized, pointing out they are providing some great new sport for Peru that is only bothering a few spoiled sports who live by a park and should not be upset. I am sure that they are counting on their status as influential business people in the community and do not believe that a candidate would side with such a small minority.
I would hope that a mayoral candidate would see past that ruse, and would maintain a positive attitude toward the SPORT of pickleball and idea of bringing it to the area, while having serious problems with the site selection process , OMA violations, misrepresentations and abuse of individual citizens. I would think a serious minded candidate would be shocked that such decisions seem to be made illegally or without diligence, with high risk of litigation and damaged city reputation. These frivolous pursuits and careless decisions are just not worth it.
I hope his campaign focuses on this pattern , while Harls simply continues arrogance and mocking the little guy. In the end, the city may find that many, many "little guys" consider themselves neighbors of this park. We are thinking up the support buttons now. Slogans are welcome.
Signed
An Honorary 28th Street Park Neighbor
(maybe yard signs saying that would be good too)
Ferrari is a jerk-off who thinks that being an alderman in Peru is some kind of special service to the country. Sorry Tony, you are way out of line with your conduct and should make a public apology for saying and acting the way you did. Mayor Harl can go next for not speaking up about it. Seems he has joined the "Good Old Boys Club". What a letdown and disapointment he turned out to be.
I see why ald. woman M. took to finding out all about pickleball, Ald. Jerk Ferrari, wouldn't do anything for his constituents. No need to call him, if you have a need in the first ward. Its useless. And Ald. Radtke, whom I worked to get elected, and voted for, what a big disappointment. I hope Alderwoman M. beats his butt in the April election. If I need anything in the first ward, I would call Perez or the alderwoman. Keep up the good work you two. g
Alderman Ferrari is done. His big mouth is all over the blog, facebook, and now the news tribune. Open Mouth-Insert Boot. I have news for alderman Ferrari-If Park Board Members are appointed, they must have expressed an interest to be on that board which would then be a city board. The people elected you to represent the PEOPLE first not the special interests within city government.
your comment about they are voters too was silly. You were elected to look outside of the box.
Did I understand this right? there were two separate votes taken? I was a bit confused. This is how I took it so please correct me if i'm off base.
The majority voted NO to move that sport.
Then the mayor read another, explaining if the council passes it then the Board would get the approval to review it and decide if they want to move it?
This was also a Majority NO vote?
This is what confuses me because through that whole crazy debate the officials didnt want anything to do with making changes, so why was that a majority NO vote? wern't they saying the decision was up to the board to make? It seems to me these officials had no idea what they said NO to. I think the two officials made a great case to move that sport. were those board members at that meeting? what if they see this same video and were prusueded to move it now. Did the officials vote NOT to give them the right to choose after they said it was the boards choice?
Sorry I'm lost on this one.
BB
There were rec board members there last night . They play pickle ball
BB,
You are not lost. You have it exactly correct.
To: 2:13 & 10:26
From: Rodney Perez
Aldermen Ferrari and Radtke made the request for the stop sign. Alderman Ferrari told the council a survey was taken by the PD.
10:26- I understand your confusion of the two motions.
Although the second motion didn't seem to make sense, it was going to allow an opportunity
for the recreation committee to reconsider after hearing the plea, and new discovery made by Sherry and I.
You made a great point, and glad you caught the remarks made by the other aldermen that decisions to move Pickleball needs to be left up to the Park Committee; but they voted Nay on the motion which would have gave the committee that decision making power those aldermen said they should have.
Thank You,
Rodney Perez
Alderwoman Mayszak states "according to Mr. Loveland's figures, the pickle ball court is idle for 98.7% of the time. So why didn't the rec board have it painted for tennis and add Pickleball lines, so it could be used for both tennis and Pickleball. It is a down right shame that nobody can use that court for the 98.7% of the time it is idle. And that 1.3% is not considered a special interest group? Explain that to the judge. Can't wait to see this end up in court where an unbiased, impartial judge will decide instead of a few people who are worried about getting re- elected.
Being that my only contact with Peru, Illinois is the blog I would appreciate someone to verify the following:
* A tennis court was constructed illegally, twenty feet from tax paying citizens homes in a public park owned by the city. This court was allowed to exist for a number of years as a tennis court at this same site without any neighborhood complaints. Also when the diagram of the park was presented the proposed site of the tennis court was not near the location it was constructed at.
Recently, a much used tennis court was replaced by a pickle ball court which has created a neighborhood noise nuisance. This nuisance has been admitted at committee and council meetings and it has been stated that one of the reasons the court will not be moved is because of this nuisance by the president of the park board in front of six alderman and by a alderman at a council committee meeting and at a city council meeting by more than one alderman.
*The Rec Bd. has also not followed the OMA legislation in regards to the creation of the pickle ball court and the Mayor of Peru has stated this is "no biggie".
*The President of the Rec. Bd. stated at a Rec. Bd. meeting that this issue was no longer in that boards hands and refused to answer any further questions responding several times it was out of their hands.
Would someone please tell me how this amounts to justice.
Isn't it ironic that none of the pickleball players who have attended the public property and city council meetings have felt it necessary to attend any of the Rec Board meetings where pickle ball was discussed. Could it possibly be because 3 of the Rec Board members are also pickle ball players? These members even sit with the players at all the other meetings. Shouldn't they be there to represent ALL involved? Isn't this a conflict of interest and an obvious display of favoritism towards the players?
By the way aldermen F. facial expressions are quite common among those of you who sit on those council chairs. Especially when either aldermen Perez or Mayszak have the floor and are expressing their point of view on a topic that you do not agree with.
11:04 Correct.
10:34 I believe the point Mr. Loveland was trying to make is that the neighbors should not be complaining, because they are only there 1.3% of the time. To answer your question about painting it for both was brought up many months ago before the court was changed to only pickball. That is where the OMA was violated again in April, it was not on their agenda and they voted on it that night. That is why I went to the meeting in May because I felt the court should stay tennis and if they wanted to play pickle ball set up the portable nets and play but do not take a much used court away from the neighborhood. I was told at that meeting to tell the tennis players to go somewhere else. Keep in mind that the noise issue was never brought up at any of those meetings. Thank you for asking those questions. Any others I questions I would be happy to answer from the neighbors "side of the fence." Jill Bernal
After reading last nights paper I am appalled that an elected official would act like that in public. I would like to give kudos to Mr. Dzierzynski for coming to not only his wife's defense, but I feel women in general. I wonder if the alderman would have said that to a man in the audience. Again thank you Mr. Dzierzynski for women everywhere. You are a true gentleman.
I heard on the radio Mike Radke is running against Sherry M? Was it not reported in the Trib Mike told the reporter he wouldn't run against her? That guy can't be trusted with his word. I would imagine either this is his way of hanging up politics or the HBC Harl Boys Club is so threatened by The Alderwoman they think she can be taken out by Mike.
Mr. Mike. What have you done for Peru lately besides defend the status quo and lie to the people who elected you?
That tennis court was used even less for tennis
Anon 11:04 There has also been a ordinance pertaining to the Recreation Board and city council made after the fact. Also some council members keep referring to the Recreation Board as having the responsibility of making decisions and the President of the Recreation Board responds with the thought that the same responsibility has been shoved up above to the city council when questioned.
Now if you are not confused please answer a question I have of you. How could the YMCA find pickle ball equipment so much cheaper than The Ambassador of Pickle Ball could find when he was spending the cities money to obtain paddles, balls and nets? Or is the Y only going to have one court whereas the city had four? The more that pickle ball is bounced around it becomes a private venue for a few rather than a public venue and therefore the expenses of the sport should be supplied by those who are participants as should be the location and court.
It must run in the Ferrari family, being rude, didn't Tonys' brother tell alderwoman Mayzack to shut up and a diffent meeting?
I agree with you totally 11:31. The favoritism continues in the video posted on the News Tribune twitter web page. One of the players is also a rec board member. The 28th street neighbors didn't have a snowball's chance in you know where.
1:35 Prove your false statement. That court was used almost daily for tennis. And many times from morning to night. Unless you live on top of that court like the 28th street neighbors do don't make such stupid statements.
Alderman Ferrari: I think you should be made aware that you made a big mistake at this meeting. Not only did you behave in an inappropriate manner but you made a false statement. You commented to aldermen Perez that the pickle ball players also vote for you. Well, guess again. Come election time I believe that the only people involved in this fiasco who COULD vote for you are the 28th street neighbors. I'm pretty sure the majority, if not all, the pickle balls players live either in a different ward or out of town. Food for thought!!!
Maybe it's time to put in another video camera. Another one could be used to see these smirks. It could also be used to show how rude the audience can be. Throughout the video, all you hear is people whispering to one another. How can you be listening and talking at the same time?
12:12 There seem to no end of people like Mr. Loveland who are willing to decide what percentage of time a nuisance activity should be permitted. I hope the neighbors let him know how grateful they are that he has taken the time to analyze and quantify how much noise irritation he has deemed they should accept for his personal enjoyment.
Perhaps we should all visIt his house for approximately 30 seconds around 4 AM and play a boom box at 60 db. That would be a much lower percentage of time even than pickleball.
The ridiculous and irrelevant analysis does not take into account that it ruins nearly 100 per cent of their weekends. I believe violent criminals only kill people about .003 per cent of the time they are out and about, perhaps we should disband that expensive police force or get rid of those pricey guns. Give me a break.
8:23 People tend to make comments when they are hearing blatant lies and witnessing arrogance and injustice. I know the old guard would like it so much better if the lowly just kissed their rings and waited for their blessed pronouncements. Crap happens. You wanna wear the big boy city father cap, deal.
Last I looked , the people spending their time at these meetings are not getting a paycheck like the alder folk are. You want the crowd to quiet down... Try holding a meeting where the results are not canned and tabulated before the votes. Might be a little suspense. People might listen then. Hell Ripleys might even cover it.
Alderman A went public assuring that the court could be used for tennis and the equipment was portable for pickleball. Obviously he was wrong. Did he lie to us ? Was he first lied to by the Ambassador ? In spite of this deceit, Alderman A was the one who made the motion to keep the status quo. Has he no shame or humility ? An apology is in order.
As for Mr Loveland's defense, What a waste of time for nonsense.
all this over pickle ball lol and people are starving in the world.
What I find to be truly disturbing is these so called white collar Pickleball players have turned friends into enemies, ruined their reputations as upstanding Peru business people, made themselves look very selfish, and ruined a tennis court and made it playable for 1.3% of the time and all because of a game. Disgraceful! In addition to that, you have an entire Rec Board and a majority of council members who go along with this bullying mentality. I think Mayor Baker would have found a compromise long before it ever reached this point. Let's hope a new mayor will be elected and will reverse this decision before the next Pickleball season begins! You think that can't be done? Think back to the swimming pool vote. All 8 aldermen voted to keep it open, and the mayor ordered it closed. The pool is still closed to this day.
8:23 Are you kidding me? A so called smirk never hurt anyone but the way the alderman reacted is unacceptable. Smirk or no smirk do you really think anyone would sit there and not respond to that kind of behavior by the alderman? Obviously you don't attend meetings because if you did you would witness much more than smirks coming from the aldermen toward one of their own.
What we have been hearing from the city officials who favor pickle ball is that the game has brought more activity to 28th street park. According to Mr. Loveland's calculations which he presented at the council meeting the court remains idle 98.7% of the time. Doesn't that mean that for only 1.3% of the time there is activity on the court? From now until next spring there will be 0% activity because the gates remain locked.
6:41 Yes, let's all ignore everything that does not negatively affect us personally UNLESS it is solving the world hunger problem. That is a good cut off. I cannot believe you were the first person to come up with this great plan.
We can cancel all the city meetings from now on too. They won't fix the hunger problem. And we can send congress home, problems are not big enough.
Maybe you would be kind enough to volunteer your yard as a court 6:41, or at least let us know where you live so we can make sure to act on IMPORTANT things that affect you personally.
6:41..
Please don't try and pull that card.
"and there are people starving in the world"..
As you sit and type at your Dell computer with 2gb of RAM.. probably drinking coffee.
Keep your 2 cents on a more educated level please.
The pickle ball sport has been sold to the rec. bd. and council as a activity for the older. Knowing that the group that it has been brought in for all have drivers licenses and are mobile or they could not play pickle ball and willing to have a home court. Also knowing that everyone, including the aldermen, rec. bd., pickle ball participants and the neighborhood of 28th street realize and have vocally admitted that pickle ball is a sport which is associated with a irritating noise that at its least could be termed a nuisance. Knowing all the above and the historical background of pickle ball my suggestion is to place it at the airport in the area where the concerts are held. The rec. bd. ,council, and Mayor believe that the airport is a tremendous site for concerts and they bother no one there. Pickle ball should not create any problems at the airport either, and the proper surface is already available.
I am so sick of the bashing of Tony Ferrari.I am also sick of Lois & Carrol. They are ruining our town with this STUPID BLOG! You are ruining our town. I think you 2 should put your big girl panties on,& GROW-UP!!!!!!!
8:59 Thank You!! You are absolutely right about this blog ruining the city. This Blog is waking up the sleeping giant of the dirty politics that have played out in Peru for many years. Councilman Ferrari is not the type of official the City of Peru needs representing the citizens of this town. It's obvious he had an anger management problem. The way he treated the lady in the meeting and alderman Perez was uncalled for. I was told about this blog during the fireworks debate and have read it since then. There is allot of things brought to light here. This blog must be a threat to politicians of Peru because they hate it. If you are that fed up with it turn the page and move on. Obviously you are either alderman Ferrari or a relative because it clearly hit a nerve. What about the public humiliation the alderman put that citizen through when he humiliated her. If I was her husband I would've met him outside and whooped his ass!
Please keep this Blog going, it's what Peru needs to keep these politicians honest. In fact it should be advertised more.
Now just a doggone minute 8:59. The only ones ruining our town are some of the elected officials. What is forgotten is that once you are elected you become the employee of the taxpayer, it is our money and they are the stewards. They should be respectful to the citizens first of all. Secondly, they should represent all the people, not just influential people of the community. When you are sitting up there in one of those chairs you should choose your words carefully. From watching the video I feel if the alderman would have apologized immediately after he said it, there could have been a better outcome. This blog is by no means ruining the city, it is just exposing what is happening at city hall. Another thing that is puzzling is they know that there is a camera on them and they still cannot act properly.
9:31 They do hate this blog, that is a fact. And they also hate the two ladies who take the time to go to the meetings every week. And you know what, I am glad they hate them. They are a thorn in their sides and I love it, and am grateful to Lois and Carrol for doing what maybe all of us should take the time to do, and that is take an interest in what the h e double hockey sticks is going on at city hall.
It is just as important what is not going on in city hall because of this blog and politically active citizens such Lois and Linda hinder and stop or assure-ably Peru would be a catastrophe much worse than it presently is.
PRESENTLY THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT OF PERU IS NOT POSITIVE, HEALTHY OR BENEFITING ITS CITIZENSHIP.
@ 8:59 That Councilman Ferrari dug his own hole. He didn't need this blog to help him. Just his mouth and that meeting room video camera to assist in his bring down.
You can't blame the blog on this one.
8:59
"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain
The quote above is copied from Brians blog, and certainly applies to the ladies in question. You need to ask yourself why they are so active in Peru? What is in it for them? Nothing. The pickleball players fight so they can play a game. Everyone who is fighting against them are fighting for compromise, civility and principle.
This blog may actually be saving the city, not destroying it.
Keep up the great work!!! Thank you for letting us see these morons true colors.
I think what people need to realize is that this blog is not bashing anyone. It is displaying the thoughts and ideas of concerned and opinionated citizens. Mr. Ferrari has no one to blame but himself. The meetings are now video taped and made available to everyone on the city web-site. If he and the rest of the aldermen put in as much effort and investigative research as aldermen Mayszak and Perez do they would be much more informed
and able to vote and respond more intelligently.
You only put the bad things on this damn blog. Why not some good
things. You think Sherry walks on
water. So not true. She takes on what she gets credit for. Likes the LIMELIGHT. As I was told it's
her way or the highway!
OF COURSE THE ALDERMAN AND MAYOR AND DEPARTMENT HEADS HATE THIS PUBLIC TOWN FORUM BLOG SITE, because the jack in the box clown has been springing and popping up. I imagine that the U.S. FORMER CIA DIRECTOR DAVID PETRAEUS , his biographer(Bronwell aka mistress), and his party planner Jill Kelly(what a joke) HATE SOCIAL MEDIA. I applaud all those who participate on this blog and
Attend council meetings. The aldermen and mayor of any city should encourage community involvement. There is only one reason why they don't like it. Figure that!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any intelligent person can see and read that alot of people are interested, , not just Lois and Carroll. And anybody who has a problem with them are probably covering something up. Interesting how those who are blaming Lois and Carroll sign anonymous. Which is ones right to do so. My opinion. APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS!
Body language and angry verbal tones and comments can be an automatic defensive mechanism of the brain. It's up to the person themselves to be able to control themselves. Especially when one is an elected official who is suppose to be representing the taxpayers. I'm surprised this behavior of representatives (some) didn't come to light years ago.
It appears that you get treated with more respect by the city of Peru if you behave in a disrespectful and arrogant manner which has been displayed at meetings by some of the pickle ball representatives. The 28th street neighbors have been given the shaft even though they have behaved in the utmost professional manner. It has now become more evident after Wednesday's council meeting. Minds were obviously already made up because they were no questions asked by any of the aldermen besides Mayszak and Perez. Also, you have to be made aware that with the exception of the 2 aldermen listed above none of the other 6 have even visited the neighbors of the 28th street
park. However, alderman Ankiewicz and Radke have participated in the game.
Normally Tony F. would not be bashed as severely as he has been and many would have sympathy for him but he was so far out of line there is thought about if this is the type of person who is supposed to represent others. His most recent outburst is a example that he is not and he was deserving of a immediate reprimand.
This council has members who are much more savvy and cunning than Ferrari and who have taken a leadership role over the other four followers of which Ferrari is a member.
Eventually this leadership will be displayed as soon as the cameras are no longer a evident threat to them and all will see why this tainted council majority wise should be replaced.
In the upcoming election Alderman Mayszak is the only incumbent who has taken it upon herself to fairly represent the citizens, to approach and openly communicate their wishes and to investigate issues and be fully prepared in all of her presentations. The rapid growth in political maturity she has exhibited not only makes her re-electable in the April election but also creates promise of a much higher city office in the future.
Technically the "smirk" from an audience member did not stop or impede the business of the council; but it was the action of Alderman Ferrari that disrupted the City business and maybe Peru's administration needs to be controlled instead of public participation and community resolution.
Alderman Ferrari you state in the video above that you met with us and we couldn't come up with an agreement. Could you please tell me what compromise was offered to us? I honestly don't remember anything positive coming out of that meeting. It was in my mind quite the opposite.
9:27. Your blog as I read it sounds as if you are a very angry person. You have that freedom to blog as you wish. Feel free to blog positive things. I disagree that only negativity comes from these blogs. Evidently you don't read all of them, please feel free to do so and you may be enlightened. As far as you comment In reference to Alderman Mayzak "walking on water," - so be it/ good description. At least she takes her position as alderman seriously and brings issues to the table(not under)to be discussed in a professional manner unlike other alderman. Keep up the great job you are doing Alderman Alderman Mayzak, you deserve another term in office. And thank you for planting flowers for the city last spring, volunteering your time. To: 9:27- That's a positive thing. How do you like that?
9:27
Write it up. Share the positive. Have the Mayor or Ferrari posted here. No one is censoring them. The only censorship occurred when private citizens were bashed. Elected officials GET HEAT! It happens.
I have been reading since the end of summer and I RARELY see any logical opposition post. Occasionally someone posts that the blog is bad or people are mean here... Then nothing. No debate. No solid rational positions. They whine that they won't respond to anonymous critics. What does it matter? Content is what matters.
Where is the research or backup when pro administration people post? I remember the intersection posts, the ones in favor of the way the city handled it kept saying business was down due to the economy only and the city had lots of research and approval from the IDOT. Both ridiculous and indefensible positions. The "charity" for profit concerts are defended irrationally, the environmental disasters get no response from qualified officials. Why not? Why don't they send someone to post the official positions instead of just complaining about the blog?
In the end, they simply do not want to hear about the problems, like always.
12:08 PM
I would like to add to your comment by referencing this last city council meeting. Mayor Harl decided that he would have a closed session take place immediately after the regular city council meeting went into session. That left a room full of people sitting and waiting for the regular meeting to resume. His "important" closed session kept all those people waiting for at least 30 to 40 minutes.
What was so important and why did he disrupt the regular council mtg with a closed session. We all know that closed sessions are exactly that and whatever the discussion was is not referenced at the council mtg that followed and that means even if a vote is scheduled to take place, no discussion on the topic can take place because the discussion already took place in the closed session.
I believe that is exactly what happened and the vote that no one could discuss was about the demolition of the power plant on Water St and the bids that the city had received. The aldermen then could not ask any questions in public and therefore all the information that might have been available to the residents of the city has to be kept secret. I guess this is Mayor Harl's transparent government. IMHO this was not only bad manners it was wrong.
9:27,9:27,9:27,9:27,9:27,9:27--------my opinion in likeing the "LIMELIGHT" is being a celebrity waiter and hocas pokas having a picture in the paper, and wanting to perform marriage ceremonies, and using taxpayers money for a mayorals dinner at olive garden, and taxpayers money ads in newspaper in which names are on, and using taxpayers money for sign for road improvements with names on it. Now that's free advertisement. NOW, THAT'S JUST SOME OF MY THOUGHTS ABOUT "LIMELIGHT.". And I don't mean a green lime and a lightbulb.
Reading these blogs, PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH 9:27. I didn't read any positivity in your blog.
Lois
If it is decided to request a review from the state for charge of violating the OMA in this meeting, I believe one component of that will be to review these closed executive sessions and determine if the session was in fact required and subject to exemption. The minutes of closed sessions should be requested, along with the audio recordings if violation is suspected.
Wake up city officials or it may be too late. This pickle ball issue has awakened a sleeping giant....the VOTERS! It may be a silly and trivial matter to some but look what it has brought to light.
1:11 PM
I am of the understanding that the mayor and council determine when a closed session can be released. We all are aware of the tremendous number of closed sessions during the last 3 1/2 years and yet only 2 have been released. The last ones released were from 6-6-10 and that was about the sale of the Mirror Building.
Lois 2:34
Even the excessive number of closed sessions and timing of the sessions can be included in a review. They are to be the exception, not the rule, and are never to be used to prohibit later votes or discourage citizen involvement.
Excessive combining of open and closed at the same meeting is not appropriate. These are salaried representatives, and separate closed door sessions could be scheduled easily enough.
You correctly pointed out the tactic of unusual scheduling open ended periods of closed discussion as a way of discouraging citizen attendance.
Lois, doesn't the attorney review the minutes and advise the council what can be released?
The paper said Perez voted No on the power plant and couldn't explain due to that closed session? The vote was 7-1 with Alderman Perez voting No. That seems strange. What was discussed in that closed session that would've made him vote that way? Something seems wrong. Rodney seems to be the one to do what's right. We should demand answers.
Closed sessions or backroom deals --- NO DIFFERENCE.
3:44 PM
I don't know but will find out.
5:37 PM
I am beginning to believe exactly that.
I believe there are very serious issues with the power plant demolition, worse than the possible bid rigging. What are the reasons that two separate demolition companies left the job? What did they discover? What were they being asked to do? Was it all about money? If the city will now pay nearly 200k to complete the work, why would they not pay that to the second company, a company who specializes in power plant deconstruction and who has a stellar environmental record?
The questions we need to ask are where are the manifests for hazardous fill waste shipments off site? If anything shipped out, where did it end up? Where are the permits? Was there any pending litigation discussed in the closed session?
Thats what needs to be on FOIA requests.
Word out on the street is that the other six aldermen were going to vote no to moving the pickle ball no matter what because of Lois and Carrol. They do not like them at meetings and they HATE the blog. If this is true how much lower could this administration stoop? I would hate to believe this, but after watching the video of the meeting it certainly may be true.
"Alderman Tony Ferrari said the council acts in the best interest of citizens and should stand behind the park and recreation commission’s decision.WashingtonPark’s Little League baseball games are loud with lights on late at night and complaints don’t rival those around pickleball, he said."
Above was taken from Newstribune
From our initial readings in front of the neighbors house, the Db readings exceed the Illinois Pollution control board standards for property line noise pollution based on LBCS function code for each property.
Curiously, single match tennis here often peaks over the code as well, due to the courts being placed in exceptionally close proximity to residential. Single pickleball events average about 3 db more (61 to 59), which is approximately TWICE as loud. However , it is even worse if multiple matches are occurring.
These tests were taken with hand meters, not official forensics for the court case.
Washington Park would likely peak its crowd noise crossing property lines at a lower level, but that would need to be measured. I am sure Mr. Ferrari has taken the sound measurements and researched it well, before bringing such an interesting comparison to the public record. As he said, the council wants to act in the best interest of the citizens, and so making certain the Rec board followed OMA rules and researched all the options would be his top priority. I still find amazing that the best location was so close to the Ambassadors residence. Quite a lucky and convenient coincidence.
Baseball fields and football stadiums are also exempt (during actual games only, due to crowd cheering).
Regardless of existing community standards for noise levels, proving a case is often more than measuring the volume, duration and intensity of sound coming into the property. It's proving how the noise is impacting the use and enjoyment of the property itself, such as being able to open a window, sit in the backyard, and to sleep at night. Contrary to the opinion of the Chief of Police, and many blog commentators , the issue has nothing to do with the fact that it is a park. Noises can be a nuisance at a park. It has to do with the fact that it was an illegally sanctioned activity, has noise generated at unacceptable level at teaching clinics, and has caused possibly irreparable physical and emotional damages to the neighbors.
8:12 PM
Mayor Harl and the 6 members of the city council do hate the blog and yet not one of them has ever attempted to make it a vehicle for their own agendas and as a way to develop effective communication with the residents of this city.
8:12. It's true. Their vote was decided before the meeting. You will notice, except for Ferrari, not one of them voiced a reason why they were voting to keep it at 28th Street park. They just said they wanted to go along with the rec board. No more details were provided. It was retaliation against Linda because of her involvement with the blog. And some wonder why people post as anon. I applaud Lois and Linda for what they do. It's women like these two ladies who fought for women to have the right to vote. We've come a long way, baby!
Correction on db difference. 61 to 58 was the correct figure. A 3 db difference is approximately twice as loud.
8:49 I'm sure you're right when you suggest that alderman Ferrari did his homework with regards to the pickle ball supposed "PROBLEM'. As I am sure that the remaining "NO" voters also did their investigative work. And, don't forget all the work the rec commission did before they voted to keep it at 28th street park. And then we have the pickle ball players themselves who measured the courts only apparently they used a faulty tape measure.
Alderman Ferrari, you should take some anger management classes. A person sitting at the meeting can make any face they want. As long as they are not interrupting the meeting. You interruped the meeting. I also believe you do not do a good job as alderman in your ward. If I had a problem, I would call Mayzak or Perez, not you and not Radtke, he sits on the seat looking like hes ready to fall asleep. First ward needs 2 new aldermen or women.
It is so sad that something as simple as a game has caused all this controversy. But maybe it was meant to expose the huge amount of politics that goes on in Peru. Things happen for a reason. I am so disappointed in the aldermen who are suppose to be there for the first ward residents. Mr. Ferrari speaks up at the meeting, but only makes a comparison to Washington Park. Why say anything at all! Mr. Ferrari and Mr. Radtke you have forgotten why you were elected. You do not have to agree with the rec board if you feel they made a mistake. Admit the fact that it is the people who play the game that you are the most afraid of. Real men would. Do your homework next time! Do not go along with the rest of your cohorts, be a independent thinker. You will get more respect. And one more, stop being bullies.
Radke does not look like he is ready to fall asleep. He is asleep and already falling.
SHERRY MAYSZAK FOR ALDERMAN SHE IS ALERT AND RISING
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