Illinois Valley Area Fireworks

June 30 Oglesby Fireworks for its Funfest @ 9:30 PM

July 3rd:
♦Morris: July 3, Grundy County Fairgrounds
♦Peru: July 3, Illinois River at Water Street
Spring Valley: July 3, Hall High School

July 4th:
♦Dwight: July 4, Dwight Elem. School
♦Henry: July 4, Illinois River waterfront
♦Leland: July 4, behind school
♦Mendota: July 4, Tri-County Fairgrounds
♦Minonk: July 4, Sutton's Park
♦Ottawa: July 4, King Field at Ottawa HS
♦Pontiac: July 4, Elks Country Club
♦Sheridan: July 4, Sheridan Elementary School
Princeton
July 5th:
♦Utica: July 5, Danny Carey Memorial Park

July 6th:
♦Streator: July 6, Streator HS football field


There will also be fireworks in  Hennepin,  and probably other Bureau County and Putnam County cities

Special Meeting with Mayor Harl July 1

If anyone has a catch basin like this on your street please call your alderman, how is rain water going to run into this???

 

Picture of a catch basin somewhere in Peru, is this in your ward?

One More Time Pickleball in Peru for Whom?

Last year the pickleball controversy went on and on with absolutely no effort by the city of Peru to reach an equitable compromise and even toward the end of the season they hired someone to bring in a porta potty for those unable to play without facilities nearby.

Last fall the YMCA set up a pickleball court and the players were able to keep up as much as they wanted with their sport. Ald. Potthoff the Y directory actually showed me the invoice for purchasing the nets etc.  OK it is now warm weather we now find out that not only do these people have access to the former tennis court at the 28 th Street Park at will and the courts do sit empty for many days of the week. Maybe in use at the most 50% of the time.

Today I received information that in the latest Y brochure, a listing for pickleball remains with days and times listed as shown below.

The Recreation Board insisted on a 3 year trial and were able to convince Mayor Harl and most of the alderman to go along with their whims.  My point is that this small group of people have been able to accomplish in less than one year what most people would only dream about. Now they can play indoors or outdoors without interference by the general public and the neighborhood has had their tennis courts destroyed by this small group of people. I  have never heard one good reason "why".  And to top it off the Porta Potty has returned with threats of enclosures and landscaping. We have 10,300 people in Peru who ask for no special treatment, favors or even a thank you. But a few for reasons unknown to many of us get special treatment and the rest get an in your face treatment.

Just thought that those of you who took an interest in this last year might appreciate an update.

Seeing a Pickleball Court in Your Backyard and Now an Outhouse!!

Looking from my friends backyard you can still see the former tennis court aka pickleball court and hear the shouts and yells of the pickleball players some times but the outhouse that was moved is now right smack dab in the middle of the park and close to the childrens slide once again and you can see it all day everyday. With talk of putting plants around it, I guess it might be called the Beautification of the 28th Street Park by the City of Peru.  No the volunteers are not involved in this project but the Public Works Department with the advice and consent of several members of the Recreation Board and possibly one spouse. And who knows maybe even the mayorl

Dont't we all wish we could live in such a beautiful area with such consideration for the neighborhood?

Special interests have not diminished and no sounds of disapproval from the top.

Welcome to Music Suite 408

Welcome to Music Suite 408

This is  new enterprise in Peru located  in the old Westclox building. I'm sure many Peru residents are not aware of this awesome outreach to local residents. I do plan a visit.

There is also a Facebook page for up to date information and schedules of upcoming events.

La Salle developing downtown momentum - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

La Salle developing downtown momentum - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

I know many of you will not be able to read this because the NT blocks you after several reads if you are a non paying customer. Just take a ride through downtown LaSalle and you will get the idea and then stop at one of the libraries and read this article.

I personally have been watching this happen in LaSalle as have many of my friends and while many of the Peru residents poked and prodded Peru and got no where.

 Orsingers is probably one of the first places I remember as a child as I had an older sister who worked there.  It was a beautiful place then and so happy to see some of the original work and design will once again be seen by locals in the area.

Kudos to all those working TOGETHER for improvement in our twin city of LaSalle. May you be an inspiration to others.

Peru Events in July

There will be a concert in Centennial Park on July 3 from 6 to 8 PM put on by the Air Force Midwest Band from Peoria. I understand there is no charge to the city. This sounds like it will be a great concert......

July 3 is also the day for Fireworks on Water Street that takes place at dusk to dark of the evening. I am not aware of anything different being done there this year than is traditionally done. Talked to City Hall and they do not know that a family, no alcohol area will be put in place.

Last fall an ordinance was passed by the City Council that put all events in the hands of the Recreation Board and as far as I have heard, it will be the CSO in charge with their beer tent, a band and several local vendor locations with unknown products or displays.


Sounds like there will NOT be an alcohol free area for families.

I have decided to share the rest of the photos I took of the Civil War Soldier at Rotary Park. It does look like next week with the help of volunteer help and the Rotary, there will be some justice to this beautiful and very historic figure.

It looks as if something might have been removed from the concrete next to the cannon, anyone know? Or of the anchors in front of the statue?

The name of 4 Civil War Battles are engraved upon the sides, I remember seeing Lookout Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Fort D....... on the front and I don't believe i was able to see the fourth one.

Do any local historians have any history as to who may have made this structure? How about Civil War buffs, can you help us with information.

All the years of growing up in Peru, I don't recall any special significance attached to this park and I hope I am wrong. I feel in absolute awe looking up at this piece of art that we have right in our midst and mostly ignored.

Grand Army of the Republic Figure at Rotary Park

I have heard complaints for years about how poorly many of our parks are maintained, particularly neighborhood parks.  Certainly would like to think that volunteers for the city could make a difference.  The planters and baskets were a beginning and those that I have seen mostly along RTE 6 on the east side of town, are really starting to look good and I think some of the merchants are doing their share of helping with them.

These are a few pictures of the soldier of the Grand Army of the Republic located in what was formerly City Park and is now called Rotary Park. Bushes are overgrown and really need to be replaced or at least for the time being trimmed way down so you can at the very least read the wording on the impressive figure located at the south side of the park. The city must be short a weed whipper or 2 considering the lack of care around poles.

If you are interested in helping to volunteer to work around the statue, contact Ald. Perez of the public property committee.

There was a City Council Meeting Tonite and also a Public Property Meeting

Any comments welcome as I had other plans for the evening and did not attend either meeting.

In bankruptcy, many Applebee’s may close - Joliet Herald News

In bankruptcy, many Applebee’s may close - Joliet Herald News

This may help answer questions about Appleebees.  I had heard previously that the franchises in  Illinois restaurants was in bankruptcy but the franchise was looking for buyers. Evidently this does not include many locations in other states. I don't know if someone purchased the Peru location.

Public Square - Veterans Park - Rotary Park - Grand Army of the Republic Soldier- 1902 Dedication

The history of this lovely little park located between 2nd and 3rd streets and Pike and Schuyler Streets seems to be forgotten and unknown to many in our city.  Proudly built by the early residents of Peru and funded by early volunteer organizations. The following information was obtained from a 1935 souvenir booklet of the Peru Centennial of that year. The pictures are mine.

The first postcard is postmarked 1907 and the second from 1908.

Dimmick Responds to Peru Allegations on the North Peru TIF

First make sure you have watched the latest video of the Peru city council meeting on June 3, 2013 and listen carefully to Ald. Potthoff's words directed to Dimmick Twp and La Salle County.

In todays News Tribune you will find an article and a letter written to Peru.  The letterhead indicates it is from Dimmick Consolidated School District#175.

"Dimmick C.C. School District #175 and La Salle County filed this lawsuit on April 26, 2011, over 2 years ago and complete the necessary paperwork for the lawsuit nearly a year ago in the summer of 2012" Dimmick states that the city's atty (meaning their TIF atty) never responded.

Who is right? Has Peru been negligent in following procedure or is it the fault of Dimmick? Evidently Ald Potthoff was speaking for the entire city government as no one objected.I have opinions I will keep to myself for the present but evidently someone has dropped the ball or forgot where they put it.

Residents in Southwest Peru around Sunset Park, Prepare For More Traffice and Parking Problems

There has been talk on the Recreation Board about increasing the size of the girls softball diamond located at Sunset Park so it would meet regulation requirements and would be able to be used for tournaments. The idea is great but if you live in the area just might feel differently about the increased number of vehicles this will bring to your area and associated parking issues.

I have heard from a resident that already parking is an issue causing problems there. If you have concerns I suggest you contact Ald. Potthoff or Ald. Lukosus and talk to them before it reaches the city council.

Are you made for ALDI?

Are you made for ALDI?

Hiring cashiers today between 3 PM and 8 PM in Peru.

City of Sterling, Illinois - - Arts, Culture, and Events

City of Sterling, Illinois - - Arts, Culture, and Events

How would you like to see something located on our city web site.  These could be things to bring the city into the area called vision.

Evidently the Mayor Wants to take over the Public Property Committee

For the last 2 years I have watched the actions of the Public Property Committee many times and even before that when the swimming pool was being discussed, the closure and going out for estimates on building again. The aldermen who were on the committee had frequent discussions about what needed to be done on anything relative to Public Property owned by the city of Peru. The mayor always kept his distance when Ald. Ankiewicz was the chairman during the last 2 years but with persistence and without any help from the mayor things were accomplished in spite of the off balance way in which Mayor Harl set up the committees in 2011 and by that I mean only 2 aldermen per committee.

This year, it appears that Mayor Harl without announcement is taking over projects from the Public Property Committee chaired by Ald. Rodney Perez. Several weeks ago the mayor through Gary Bleck hired Peru Greenhouse to plant flowers in 4 city parks and kept the dollar amount low enough that it did not require council approval. He did this without consulting the chairman but I suspect that the other member Ald Mueller was sometimes aware of what was going on. And then Ald. Perez evidently did not please the mayor by gathering together a group of volunteers to make baskets of flowers and planters along Route 6, it looks great but evidently totally unappreciated by the powers that be, sitting at city hall.

I said privately to friends that the mayor would bite this off in chunks and hire someone to do the landscaping work in small bits, small billings and that is exactly what has taken place. Evidently last Friday Peru Greenhouse began working on the landscaping around city hall. I thought that the city hall was considered public property and that committee should make decisions about it. I don't know if this went the same route Mayor Harl through Gary Bleck but I suspect so.

So Mayor Harl, take the next step and disband the committee and take over all of the decisions that are delegated to them. Make this city rule by one person. Maybe we don't even need aldermen any longer.

Consider this my public comment forum where opinion counts. Don't me surprised if the video of this meeting doesn't make it online either.