Friday, February 01, 2013
The Most Impressive Thing Happening in Peru
Country star on way to Concert for a CauseThe ninth year for Concerts for a Cause is starting to take shape.
One fundraising concert for charity is planned for July 6 at Illinois Valley Regional Airport, Peru, and a second benefit show, headlined by up-and-coming country music star Brantley Gilbert, is set for Aug. 3, according to the founder of Lou’s LaGrotto Concerts for a Cause.
Concert organizer and Lou’s LaGrotto co-owner Merry Noonan said the act for July 6 will be announced later this winter.
Concerts for a Cause and Noonan have brought in several established musicians such as Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson and Blues Traveler and also have caught some big-name country acts while they were on their way to stardom, such as Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown, Sugarland and Eric Church.
“We’ve been really lucky,” Noonan said.
She likens Brantley Gilbert’s style and music to Eric Church, who appeared at the airport while on tour with Trace Adkins.
That 2011 show raised $25,000, which was donated to Van Orin School to buy textbooks.
Gilbert has had two No. 1 hits, “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” and “Country Must Be Country Wide,” and has written songs recorded by Jason Aldean and Colt Ford. They also joined forces to write the hit, “Dirt Road Anthem.” He toured part of last year with Toby Keith.
The second group to appear with Gilbert at the airport Aug. 3 has not yet been announced.
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48 comments:
When I saw this headline posted on FB this morning by the N.T., it added nothing to my good morning. In view of the conflict last year that the city had by sinking big bucks into helping MS Noonan and then the proceeds went to a private school not even located in Peru. Why is this article front and center in our local news, is there not anything more positive in our city? Or should I just consider the source and move on?
Sounds good to me. Love going to Concerts for a Cause.
Thanks city of Peru and Merry Noonan.
You really need to lighten up Lois.
10:31 am
You missed my point completely. Peru has very important issues on their plate and this article makes it sound like this is what Peru is all about. Glad that you enjoy it, but hopefully the election will put new people in charge of our money and that the city will not be donating $$$ again.
Well Lois , looks to me like more freebees for our leaders of peru and ms noonans pockets as usual . Can't believe they let this contune ! MY tax dollars and i have no say unless i fill out a 3x5 card and then be told to keep my mouth shut ! GOD BLESS PERU CITIZENS !!!!!!!
Don't forget it's election year. Advertising these concerts so early puts a feather in mayor Harl's hat by some people. Don't you think that's why it's on the front paper of the tribune?
I don't think it puts a feather in his cap considering that most people that I have talked to are not happy that this is the best Peru can offer. Of course we have never seen an analysis of where the people who go to the concert live. Do the taxpayers in Peru get the short end of the stick while those who live elsewhere get to go to the concert and then go back to their own towns.
Noticed that Peru has 2 names for civil defense director. What's that title all about? When I read that I was thinking that their must be alot of military experience with having that title. How much military experience does both those names listed as "civil defense director?" salary by by who? What 's the salary for this? Sorry. Didn't know where to put this ?. Maybe transfer this to a blog title of it's own. Never hears of this position.
Never heard of that position or title of a department in Peru. Maybe President Obama is seeking to do a
speech at the airport in Peru. Now, that would be worthy of front page headline news in the wonderful news tribune paper.
I'm sorry, but these comments are ridiculous. A small town getting reasonably big musical acts is news for many people, and many people like Concerts for a Cause. Just because Peru has more "important" things going on does not mean this is not news. Far more people will read about this online than an article about a city council meeting.
Seriously, grow up. Some people appreciate things like this.
Now let all of the conspiracy theorists start in with all of the problems with the concert.
Is Liberty going to handle the fundraising money for this event too ?
My only comment is that this is a privately sponsored concert and the city of Peru should not be financially involved at any dollar amount. I don't know why it was written up unless the mayor gave his approval because this has not even been brought up in committee yet, let alone be approved by the city council.
2:04 Conspiracy theorists? What are they claiming is being conspired lol?
There are many opinions about Concerts for a Profit, but I do not think there are any Conspiracy theories. Throw one out there, its cold and I am bored.
As a taxpayer of the City of Peru I often question where my civic resposibilities to the city start and end and where I am simply interfering. I do think that elected officials have a obligation to respond to their sturartship of taxpayers monies.
I moved to Peru a number of years ago because of its appearence as a hub of LaSalle County, its retail appeal, its concern for the senior citizen and low property taxes.
This concert seems to be a movement away from these above listed facts i.e. the present Mayor was supposed to write off more than $25,000 that the promoter of the concert did not have to cover and the city did. Would someone give details of this write off if it is true and why it was done and who approved it by name. I am not against the concert I just don't have enough money to help finance it and my own obligations.
What Peru City Aldermen Committee will this concert be discussed before it is brought to the full council?
For ones own financially personal gain using an event as the mastermind for gain.
I think we're bringing in a country star as a means of promoting HORSESHOES !
If it's already advertised in the paper obviously Ms. Noonan has already been given permission by someone. I don't recall it being mentioned at any council meeting lately unless it's a standing approval for her to have them whenever she chooses.
Personally I think fundraisers for charity causes are wonderful. However being as concerts are held in Peru if all revenue after expenses of event were donated. Meaning food, soda. alcohol, etc.. And also, 50% to charity, the other 50% to a Peru fund(ex:pool), Any person that coordinates such events that would donate accordingly to my mention above would be doing it for a purpose other than also benefitting themselves financially. If this happened there wouldn't be criticism of the event.
Does anyone know if all city employees, administration, committee members get comp tickets?
3:23 I do not think anyone is against the purpose of the concert, or is questioning Ms. Noonans intentions(which seems to be wanting to help others in the area). I believe, and correct me if I am wrong, it is the city being involved to the extent that they seem to be, and using taxpayers money.
Anon 3:23 Forget it, it ain't going to happen. This not the realistic goal of those who are in any line of management of Concert for a Cause.
Interesting thought: Is there a record of approval for concerts at the airport for the year 2013? If there is who has given it and do they have the authority. Wouldn't such approval have to be given at a public meeting? A subject is normally brought to the floor at one meeting for discussion and never voted upon for approval or disapproval until at least the next meeting.
Would the voters of Peru be influenced by the Mayors decision to financially back up the concert with their taxpayers money in the upcoming Mayors election? Does the individual presently holding the office of Mayor of Peru want to be re-elected? To be considered for the position again by now he must realize that he has to close small problems with swiftness and be able to face major problems. In four years he has not accomplished this so what makes him think he deserves another term!
The major problem with the involvement of the city in a private venue is improper fiscal responsibility by city officials of those they are elected to represent. Also who has given a private business the legal authority to utillize a government facility for a private business venture?
Most benefits, fundraisers, and "charity" concerts raise a substantially higher percentage of their proceeds than these so called Concerts for a Cause. The facts that other businesses sponsor them and the city subsidizes them, that the ordinance states all proceeds are to go to charity, and that the FAA application implies that these are truly benefit concerts all point to consumers and citizens being lead to believe these are non profit events.
Over the years they have been presented to consumers and media outlets as benefit concerts, charity concerts, fundraisers. They do not seem to be fundamentally charitable events, although they give some money to charity. It would be like Target stating each business day in their ads that they are Target for the Children, or Target for the Schools, because they donate 5 percent of after tax profits to communities and schools.
And that is why many people have a problem with them. It is misleading at best and fraudulent at worst. No city should be involved with this type of venture, unless they are charging the private business reasonable market rates for security services and land rental, something they were FORCED to do by outside government agencies and questioning by citizens.
And that is why every citizen should have a cautionary view and demand hard accounting from the city, even if they support the entertainment and the charitable donation aspect. Suspicion always surrounds "charitable" events that do not have complete accountability and transparency. This could only happen in the Illinois Valley, the land of drawdowns, bake sales, and fundraisers for everything from schools to personal medical bills- where the good churchgoing people just assume everything goes to charity and the business can rake in goodwill.
Bryan announced that Janice had prepared and will send a letter to Merry Noonan submitting the
Peru Recreation Board’s name as a possible recipient of funding from a Concert for a Cause.
This was taken from the minutes of the Peru Volunteer Recreation Board from their meeting on 12/13/2012. Is it legal for a volunteer board to speak for Peru with regard to the request for a donation from Merry Noonan when no concert has technically been approved by the city council. Was a tacit approval given by our Mayor last year that as long as he is in office she may have a concert whenever she wants one on city property known as the Peru Municipal Airport?
What cause could the Recreation Board possibly submit - A NEW PICKLEBALL COURT??
Hey Dalzell, wake up and get off your butts and give the goahead for Noonan to use your venue. Then, thank God, this nit picking will come to an end.
8:04 PM
I believe Dalzell has already answered you and the answer was NO.
The rec board could use the swimming pool as a cause, but oh yeah, they don't support the pool.
Who is the government official or who are the government officials who are giving the go ahead to Cancer for a Cause to use government property?
What donations given from the airport concert will be minimal in comparision to the TAKE in Peru throughout the year and especially Super Bowl Sunday. Peru is a small town which enforces the laws which it wants to and does not enforce the laws which it does not want to. A perfect example of this is one of its long term aldermen.
10:44. Not sure what you mean. There are no term limits.
Justin Loger came to my door today to introduce himself. I can say he is extremely intelligent and a very respectable individual. Can't wait for him to organize a meet and greet, I think several people would be very impressed. Happy Voting!
10: 44 The expression long term or longstanding has nothing to do with term limit. IE, "The city of Peru has a long term reputation for autocratic rule, illegal gambling, union activists, and cronyism."
Definitions always are more clear when used in a sample sentence.
It is easy to understand what Anon 10:44 means by one of Perus long term aldermen being a perfect example of using the government for self gain by his past actions.
Are you talking about P or A. I can see it with A, but I thought you were referring to the most senior P.
Anon 2:51 Referring to A, the backroom firecracker.
Anon 5:04 hopefully he will no longer be an alderman in just over 2 months! His back room firecracker days are over.
why is it when someone tries to do something people want to kick them. ms.noonan might make a few bucks on the deal but she is investing a big chunk of her own money to get it to happen win or lose. these concerts draw people from all over which come to peru and spend money which we recieve tax dollars, whether it be food/fuel or one of our stores peru also gains and the charity selected also wins. for the simple reason people don't like/wasn't their idea don't suport things around here si the reason people don't get involved. you have an idea/money/time go for it, don't complain how someone rows the boat row it yourself
Because no city should be involved in a private venture of this type. No taxpayer funds should be used. She needs her own private property with everything paid for by Ms Noonan. No freebees.
No one has every proven that the city makes money and I really doubt it. That is just a ploy. I have not seen anyone else receive those type of benefits with only perceived benefits to the city.
Approximately 8 weeks before election time and Mayor Harl's campaign seems to be in full swing.
1. Power house demolition and clean up under way (wonder how much the total cost of that project is)
2. Today the swimming pool house is finally coming down. (wonder how much that will cost when over and done)
3. Horseshoes may be coming to Peru for Tonica residents.
4. A new ice rink and bambini machine have been ordered for the ice skaters who requested it. ($6700)
5. Concerts for a Cause seem to be on the mayor's agenda as proposed Aug. 3rd and June 6th dates are already being put into motion. Heard that on the radio put not presented or talked about at a council meeting.
6. Wonder if the new intersection, a new pickleball location and the Westclox wreck will be discussed next?
Other candidates beware the games have begun!
lois somewhat i do agree with you, but when a local business invests in the city which will reap some benefits i don't have an issue. because we don't see an imediate impact in numbers does not mean this is a bad deal for the city. you have to plant a seed to get a plant to produce a crop and if that seed don't produce it is her loss not the citys, small price for the dividends it could/may produce for all the residents of peru. i don't see anyone else trying to get a band together, just those griping about the music
2:31 PM
All I can say is read the blog posts from last year May and June. When you keep doing the same thing year after year and expect different results, it won't happen until you have different people in control of the city.
When the city is determined to do something, they will irregardless. I would like to bring up the fact that the ice skating rink was purchased from the Mayor's Budget and that way it did not go through the committee and city council. Was it necessary this year, I guess Mayor Harl thought it was very important. It arrived damaged and I very much doubt it will be set up now, so into storage and I only hope they put it someplace safely.
2:31
This is not an "investment" in the city providing jobs and growth. It is PR. This is a questionable activity for profit that has high "leakage" of funds out of the area (cut for the entertainer and the Chicago based security/stage services). It has enormous risks of downside for the city.
High end entertainment is great, but if it were handled as a real charity event with open books, people like you and I, and even the city, could donate time and money freely.
The issue people have is that it is being PRESENTED as a charity benefit and uses free labor and government services and taxes. That is NOT nit picking. It is a big deal and should be handled very differently. Hopefully the new leaders will find a compromise position that allows real charity concerts to continue in a more open way.
Anon 2:31 If you fully believe in your comment why don't you back it up with approximately $25,0000 to Peru. This is approximately the amount that the city wrote off in losses because of the concert last year. This money was covered by the taxpayers of Peru whether they wanted it this way or not.
And just think of the votes it will get the mayor, as it appears that he has already made the decision that the show will go on, according to the news trib. No matter her cause this year it should not involve the city.
Ms. Noonan make a few bucks off a charity event?? Have you seen the projects she has done the last few years after those "no profit" concerts? Damn, wish I could make those few bucks. This concert cover up crap is the exact reason I won't vote for Harl. Once again, shoved down our throats, like it or leave it. Oh, don't talk either. write it down on our new note cards if you have something to say. Noonan was asked to leave everywhere she held the concerts. But Peru will take her, they take anything that slithers/crawls in.
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