The city has new parts for an ice skating rink but it probably won’t go up in time this year, said Gary Bleck, superintendent of public works. A site for the new rink could be Washington or McKinley parks, Bleck said.
Rodney Perez said he wanted to “bring closure” following the vigorous council debate last month about Operation Prom-ise, an every-other-year program held before prom time to educate teenagers and the community about drinking and driving involving La Salle-Peru, St. Bede, Hall and Putnam County high schools. Perez is its lead organizer. Perez said Wednesday that he found an attorney to help organize the effort as a non-profit and that planning is underway for to stage the program’s mock crash for a video at Starved Rock and to hold the community program in Utica.
Jeff Dankert can be reached at (815) 220-6977 or perureporter@newstrib.com.
One more program is leaving Peru and it is not surprising considering the difficulty that Ald. Perez had with Mayor Scott Harl and Ald Dave Potthoff and Ald. Mike Radtke of the Finance Committee Consider this another closure that has found the climate in Peru inhospitable to operate in. Maybe even a little less sales tax will be generated since all those people who will work on OP may very well do some shopping and eating in Utica. I have to hand it to Utica, they know how to attract volunteer events and now a very well appreciated program against drinking and driving aimed at our young people will find its new home there.
And yes the ice skating rink,,not sure where it will eventually find a home within the city as they can't seem to decide upon the location. $7,000 in storage for the summer, $3.000 for the bike path (Baker admin) and a possible lawsuit re: pickleball this year. Undeveloped recreation is costly here in Peru. For 3 years we have been asking the city to put up a splash pad for the children and no one even wants to talk about it. Ald Perez found a company that could do a splash pad for the summer which we could turn into an ice skating rink for the winter. But the unpacked rink and equipment again shows we don't know how to organize and plan ahead to develop recreational activities for the residents. We do baseball very well but .....
17 comments:
I guess any Elected Official can set up a cause and run it thru the taxpayer supported coffers of the City. Finally, he got the right idea and set up his own system. He can be chief, take donations, spend it how he pleases, and have total control without those idiots on the City Council asking for stupid receipts.
Don't forget the Nickeloid Park equipment that's been in storage all winter and that we're still not sure if it will fit.
The Bike Path study did not happen in the Baker Administration. The issue was brought up by Alderman Ferrari in July of 2010 - well in to the Harl Administration. Here is the report from the NT:
"The city will pursue plans for a bike path throughout the city that will connect schools and towns and dovetail with bike path plans by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The council authorized Chamlin & Associates, engineering consultant for the city, to coordinate the path for $3,000.
Roger Chamlin said coordination mainly involves cooperating with schools, cities and the DNR and making arrangements to apply for grants.
"The trail would connect with the state's proposed Kaskaskia-Alliance Trail from the Illinois & Michigan Canal west to Wyanet and the Hennepin Canal trail, Chamlin said.
"I've received more calls on this than anything in the last months," Mayor Scott Harl said."
You are right Brian, I just remember Ald Mertel being involved in the committee
I did attend that Bike Path meeting and did have a copy of that $3000 map. Those of us attending knew from the scope of it that it would never happen, too many other problems and that pleasantry was way down at the bottom of the list of to do's.
4:30 You got it a little twisted round there. Mr Perez left when the city got mad AND said we want to run all that money through our Very Own Vatican Approved, super duper ultra audited personal charitable organization designed for accepting and hiding donations from the FOIA, Liberty.
How can anyone not trust something called LIBERTY fer golly sakes. LIBERTY, a charity that goes above and beyond, making personnel decisions and buying neat stuff without all the red tape associated with a city. Most charities don't do that. Seems like all our charities around here go rogue. Palin would be proud.
Thank you Rodney for moving forward and helping our kids
THAT BIKE PATH FIASCO WAS BROUGHT UP DURING BAKERS REIN. JAMEY MERTEL IS THE ONE WHO GOT IT GOING. MAYBE THATS WHY HES NO LONGER THERE.
After watching Ald. Perez's valiant efforts to promote the worthy Operation Promise at a cost of $13,000 donated money which will benefit every student,Mother, Father etc. of our locality I compared it to Concert for a Cause which cost the City of Peru way more in finances and is prodominately attended by people who live outside the area. I don't understand the Mayors, Treasurers, Councils unfair path of injustice toward another alderman. Treasurer, snow ball is a incorrect termnology black ball is what you, the Mayor and council are conducting and are a insult to the term democrary in the United States. Isn't it a shame not everyone is a accountant as is the Treasurer. Congratulations Rod, although you didn't get cooperation in Peru you still got the job done.
1:19 pm, Jamey Mertel is not there because he had nothing to offer as an elected official. He was routed by a political novice who was supported by a small group who despised Mertel because of his lack of ability as well as his arrogant personality. How soon some of you forget.
But 1:19 who brought that idea to Mertel?
3:34 PM
I remember that both Tony Ferrari and Jamey Mertel were on the same aldermanic Recreation Committee which is now defunct. Do you remember someone beside Jamey being so enthused about it? The minutes from this meeting ar no longer available online and would need a FOIA.
I am sure you will be welcome with open arms in Utica Rodney. And thank you for your valiant effort here in Peru. Seems you can't fight city hall even when you are part of city hall. Good luck to you and your program.
3;34 I heard it was the pickleball ambassador.
looks like rodney just wanted control of the money. The city was recomended bay the auditor not to run this not for profit group. look what happened in dixon i know it was more money but thats what happens when there isn't enough checks and balances on those types of funds rodney be careful have those checks and balances or you could end up like the clerk in dixon
@11:43
The story of the auditor was proven to be a lie . Potthoff and Radkte were once again proven to be liars like Hurl!
Is it possible that everybody is telling a lie and Ald.Perez is telling the truth? Maybe Utica will let him use their checkbook without any checks, balances, committees, control or taxpayer input. Even transfer funds if needed. I think not will be the final conclusion. The high school will say the same.
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