As I have said before the concerts mean absolutely nothing to the majority of Peru residents because they don't go to it. We don't ever hear what really happens there and we residents don't know what the cost is to the city. The promoter and city are pretty tight lipped about it all.
As has been said before private business does not belong involved with municipal government in this manner. Too much chance of money being moved about without anyone knowing where it is going, maybe it is only "in kind" exchanges. 600 comp tickets is a pretty large number for an area this size.
81 comments:
600 comp tickets = 600 parasites too cheap to pay their own way leeching off their position, political, corporate etc. Maybe the price of a ticket would be less if they payed their own way in.
C'mon, lighten up on the concerts. Even you could arrange one and keep the proceeds. Peru makes a couple of bucks and a charity gets a couple of bucks and a lot of people get to enjoy the shows.
Thank you 6:56! And what do you mean Lois "not all of perus citizens go to them?" Let's rule out the elderly and children since they won't be going, what is the percentage of people 18-35 attending? Probably more than you think
7:35 PM
If you know please tell us, I want to know from Peru versus from other cities or states. I am also thinking that many might want to go but could not afford the price of a ticket or 2 if they have a low paying job. There are so many if's. The city should have a way to monitor the location of ticket buyers. What about after they buy the ticket, drinks and food. How much did it cost you total for the evening?
I think you can also find stats that will tell you that the 18-35 age group is the smallest demographic in cities around here like Peru.
6:56
Actually, you can't do this and keep the proceeds. Especially when in a majority of advertising, news stories, and phone scripts the concerts are presented as giving all proceeds to charity. And the very name of the concerts imply the PRIMARY purpose of the concert is to raise money for a cause.
The number of articles and news blurbs suggesting only a portion of proceeds go to a charity have increased in the oast year, as scrutiny has increased. I would recommend if Lois threw a concert to raise money, she would clearly state exactly what portion of the ticket is going to charity, and what the value of services provided by that charity were, as well as donated city services. You can't say you are operating as a fund raiser without saying how much money is going to the charity, especially when you imply that all of it is.
If you can do that Lois, you can throw your concert.
Or you can have enough political connections to keep everyone who should be cleaning it up just looking the other way. Maybe they are happy a charity is gettin a couple bucks, and the city is getting a couple bucks, and everyone gets a party.
Just as long as nobody in elected office is not getting a couple of unreported bucks. Don't go there Lois. There are ways to track that. Everybody talks in small towns.
Monitor location of ticket buyers?!?!?! And here I thought this blog wanted smaller government!!!
Peru's city officials should be out recruiting for jobs for people of the area rather than wasting their time with concerts and all the other things they have wasted their time on. What these guys have cost the people of the area Peru could have 10 city managers and 10 directors of economic development. How many cities of 10,000 collect over 5 million in sales tax with nothing to show for it but huge amounts of waste. I agree with the person who has commented on the Mayors war chest "if the mayor was as efficient and agressive in his stewartship of Peru as he is in raising money for his war chest this town would be a role model. Presently it is the rich kid on the block with a bloody nose and a black eye. Surrounding towns hate Perus' present attitude and swagger and still cannot believe that Mayor Baker was not reelected 5 years ago or the last election. He led a progressive Peru..
Lois the 18-35 age group is the smallest demographic in the area because they need a job which isn't here. Things have been so bad for so long that L-P no longer has a state employment office. The entire area is upside down.
Downtown Peru turned away a million dollar building LaSalle has been developing the Hotel Kaskaskia for 10 years. Would you want to stay to this area if you were a young person? It is evident that the rich are only concerned with becoming richer and not the future development of the area if it does not profit them directly. A sure sign of failure.
What an embarrassment it is for Peru's elected officials to suck up those free tickets "bribes" from the concert promoter. Those Peru officials who held their hands out to recieve a stack of tickets to distribute to friends and family are a disgrace. I understand the airport "hanger parties" for all the "beautiful and important people" with "Comped" tickets was the social event of the season. Sucking up free beverages and scarfing down free food and acting like royalty.
What a bunch of phonys.
Donating all proceeds from the legalized gambling slots machines from a business to a cause/charity would be from the heart of a business owner! The state would be able to confirm exact figures!
8:51 What "hangar parties" are you referring to? Who sponsored them and who paid for them (if indeed they existed)? The more stories that come out about this town the more disturbed the average citizen becomes. I thought our present mayor campaigned on an "open, honest, and transparent" government. It seems as though we are going in the opposite direction and that unless you belong to the "elite in" group you don't deserve to know the truth. A sad state of affairs we have become!
He went to the Obama school of "Open, Honest, and transparent Government."
To 11:18 am, Don't you know about the Hangar Parties? Some of Peru's most infamous Big-Shots like to Booze and Schmooze the ethically challenged Peru elected officials and spouses by hosting Hangar Parties.
Free concert tickets as well as free food and beverages is something our elected officials are very partial to.
Top shelf liquor for certain aldermen is the secret to Chamlin's good fortune you know.
12:13 where are these hangar parties? Or, hang out events and parties? We know that conventions are parties on taxpayers.
1:57 PM
Perhaps at the "airport hangers" at the Peru Airport?
1776 - 2013 237 years How do you start all over?
1835 - 2013 178 years How do you
start all over?
HANGAR PARTIES!
THANK YOU, ALL OF THE CITY OF PERUS REPRSENTATION WHICH ATTENDS THESE PARTIES. YOU HAVE GIVEN THE CITIZEN SOMETHING TO BE REAL PROUD OF. EVERYONE OF YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HIMSELF/HERSELF.
WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE SEND THE NAMES OF THOSE IN ATTENDENCE SO I KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS.
Need a blog titled specifically for "Hangar hangout at airport." who from city hangs out at this special club. We can call it the "hangar club.". Kinda like the pickleball and bb gun club.
If any honest citizen could disclose the names of those in attendance at the hangar parties it would be honorary for those offended to confront the attendees about their lack of ethics. It appears that the only means of stopping this ignorance is to get in a few peoples faces and let them know what you think of them in front of others.
Many should be reminded that the only reason to get down on your knees is to pray.
There is no way Ms. Noonan gave away 600 tickets. You must not know her very well if you think that is true.
Don't you know that most people who are in the wrong don't want to be confronted in front of others because it would blow their cover. That's why one purposely avoid situations and events and certain people so things stay hush. Because that person doesn't want to be accosted with truths where others in the room or area take note. Note how some people get nervous when one walks through the door or room in a public forum. referencing to 3:06's blog. Blogger is right on with this one.
Whose name is on the special liquior license and dram shop policy taken out for the hangar party. If any city officials or airport management approved by the city are in attendence or aware of this party they are making the city liable for any injurys or deaths as a result of anyone at the party.
The Mayor, who is also liquior commissioner of the City of Peru has the responsibility to and should and now must conduct a investigation into these actions and proceed with all means of rectifying the sitation.
This corrective procedure should include all past, present and future actions.
This is a federally funded airport which should be accounting to the Homeland Security Agency by log and reports of all actions which are conducted. Is there a log in and log out of everyone who has been on the airport property in the last week as well as since 9/11/01.
3:06 and 5:25 bloggers are both right on. What security measures have been implimented as the Peru Airport has been expanded. This is the same airport which $500,000 was found on a airplane which no knew how it got there or claimed. It is only minutes away by flight
from a nuc plant.
What are the safety precautions taken at this airport which is capable of jet landings and take offs? How many people are allowed in and out of this airport without a identifying history. Does anyone have a list of each person who was at this airport last Saturday? If this blog "Peru Town Forum" is not satisfactorly and truthfully answered on the above questions they will be taken further until a answer is recieved.
@5:25
How can the mayor investigate this when he was allowed a special parking spot on the tarmack away from everyone else so he didn't have to waddle too far to the festivities? Come on, get real!! Peru is more corrupt than ever. And we reelected the leader!!
Anon 4:44 No I do not know Ms. Noonan but I do know many of the political leeches who would be standing in line to grab comp tickets by the handfull. To limit it to 600 she must have keep the tickets under lock and key. There are also sponsors and contributors to account for. These people do not havwe a conscious when it comes to taking advantage of freebies.
There were no hangar parties at this concert. I was an invited guest of the couple who own the Avenger. They had a motorhome near the hangar where the Avenger is stored. There were about 10 people at this "party". There was no free food and no free alcohol. We did not have comped tickets to the concert.
The aldermen and city clerk voluntarily worked all day in the heat. They did not attend the concert.
849. You don't need an "identifying history". It's an airport, no different than a highway
9:58 You state that there were no hangar parties "at this concert". To your knowledge were there at previous concerts?
What part does the airport manager chuck studer play in all this?
9:27 AM
Studer is not a Peru employee and runs the airport as an employee of Avtech. Don't know what input he would have. A long time ago, Chuck gave a detailed posting of his job at the airport.
Thanks Sherry, that should shut up all the know-it-all-whiners who waste everyone's time with the junk they throw at the blog.
9:10 am. Yes last year there was a hangar party. I was not invited to that party so I know no details about it.
9:27 am. Chuck Studer works his ass off plus pays his employees to work to set up and clean up these concerts, and he gets nothing for it. Not even comped tickets. It's a goodwill gesture to promote the airport. He is the reason the airport got "airport of the year" this year.
The aldermen, city clerk, police and fire personnel all worked hard for this concert. Hopefully it will bring some revenue to the airport. They certainly don't deserve all of the negative comments.
I volunteered for the last 3 fun fairs, plus did some planting for the city. Let me tell you, it's not easy work. Before you complain, make up blatant lies or say negative comments about anybody, walk a mile in their shoes and try to do something worthwhile for our community.
Sherry - Please elaborate as to which elected officials volunteered and what they did and which elected officials attended the Hangar events. I suspect you know more than you are telling us about free food and beverages. I also know for a fact that elected officials recieved comped tickets for friends and family. You can confirm this or deny it if you wish. I cannot understand how you could defend any of those mopes after the way they treated you.
WOW! Volunteered ALL DAY for a concert. How about volunteering ALL DAY on city beautification for the city. That probably wouldn't go over so well. NOT MUCH TO LOOK AT. However, alot of sightseeing at a concert. Get the drift? I'd volunteer at bike week in Sturgis. Imagine the sights there. Lol.
I thought he owned or was Avtech?
As far as comped tickets goes: very hard to believe those who volunteered didn't get any comped tickets to give to friends. Are you 100% serious that Harl had a special parking spot on the tarmac? Did I read your blog right? If so, maybe a emergency exit might be in order to perform a wedding ceremony. Did Harl get his picture taken with Mr. McGraw? That would be a Photo Op at its finest.
volunteering for the city is one thing but volunteering for a private person who is making plenty of money and can afford to pay for the help and cleanup of her own event is ridiculous! and the money studer pays his employees with is that in any way coming from the city?
10:25 He most certainly did get his picture take with Mc Graw. Did you expect anything different?
10:13. I saw Bartley, Potthoff, Ferrari, Lukosus (and his wife), Radtke, Perez (and his wife and son), and Mueller. I did not see Waldorf or Sapienza, but that's not to say they weren't there. I just didn't see them. You may be surprised to know that Bob Ankiewicz also volunteered. They all spent the day parking cars. They were parking cars far enough away from the stage to not hear the music very well.
I don't know anything about comped tickets. The only thing I can say is when I was alderman, no free tickets were offered to me or my family.
Yes, Mayor Harl and his wife got their picture taken with Tim McGraw, and again you may be surprised to know that I am the one who made that happen! No good comes from holding grudges.
I am not defending anybody, I'm merely stating what I saw. They all worked very hard and deserve some credit.
I always said in city of Peru its not who you are ,but who you know and who you ---- ! Sherry must of went too the dark side ! Harl must love that .
Bronze statues need to be made of all those who volunteered for nothing in return now or any such sort of kickbacks in the future. Dont believe it for a minute. So police /security volunteered(no pay), fireman volunteered(no pay)? Wasn't it mentioned a year or so ago about parades and fireman wanted to get paid for parades? But they volunteer for free at concert? How sad. This is just one example off the top of my head. And this is why this is questionable by many bloggers. Maybe all the alderman can take turns volunteering to drive the city bus on Saturday's. Kindness of the heart to taxpayers. That's true volunteerism, no kickbacks here, maybe a quarter tip though.
The biggest comp of all would be getting a picture taken with Mr. Sexy McGraw. Now, that would be worth paying $50-$60 bucks for. I'd even run and get it developed into a 10x13 picture, run back and get a big fat signature of Mr. Sexy McGraw. Lol! Hope everybody got a laugh for the day.
Sherry - You did not answer the question of who which aldermen were at this Hangar Party and what was on the menu in terms of food and beverages.
Also Sherry I happen to know that the firemen were paid $10.00 per hour for parking cars etc. Don't forget that every cop on the force was working last Saturday. So, if you were to add up all the expense the city put out for this event you would be lucky to break even. Of course we will never know the true numbers because the city treasurer will fudge them up to create the illusion of a profit.
Bottom line...waste of time. And money!
I personally think we need to get our city under control instead of putting all our efforts into a concert that will definitely benefit the sponsor. There have been many complaints about city workers and summer helpers riding around wasting time and taxpayer money. Not to mention the wear and tear on the vehicles they use. Someone needs to take control of the reins and take care of our city first and foremost.
Sherry may have gone off the deep end with all this humidity. My thought is that maybe she can try and get all those city bigshots that have taken advantage of taxpayers money that have been wined and dined and spending extea nights at conventions to refund the taxpayers of eccessive charges. Admirable to help with a photo op. R U kidding me?
Who paid firemen? Liberty Fire Company(taxpayers donations)?, City of Peru? Concert promotor? Police officers on clock? Who paid them? City? Concert promoters? Paid cash? Taxes taken out of hourly rate?
Surly hope concert promotor paid for all those receiving pay for this concert. WE DEMAND THE TRUTH FROM THE CITY.
Suggestion: cease all donations to any organization, club, or person since we are and have been mislead numerous times over the last several years.
2:19. There was no hangar party this year. I was not invited to the hangar party last year so I can't answer who was there. I never said the police or firemen volunteered. I said they worked hard. I only listed the city clerk, aldermen and family members as volunteers.
This year the outer circle learn that the inner circle had a hangar party at the airport. Possibly by next year it will come out what happened this year.
The following April of 2015 the majority of incimbents will be reelected. Who is really to blame.
Oh, that's ok these people volunteer at the concert. If you dress a gorilla up in a fur coat you know what you still have - a gorilla. In other words lets quit beating around the bush and for once tell the truth. There has been way too much treating city politics in Peru as a childs game played by children. Either you are or you arn't, but at least make up your minds as to what you are. Presently the more that people learn the more they label Perus' representation as disguisting.
9:26 PM
After all, since they all gave their approval for the concert, they then found out that the only volunteers that would be there would have to be themselves. Will we get an honest accounting for the concert?
I still fail to see the benefit to the city even at 5.00 per car. Did we put Peru on the map that will make the city look better, a more desirable location for a business to locate that will provide jobs for our residents at a good wage. I don't believe that is the criteria that they would be seeking.
Nobody has answered the question as to the $10 a hour for firemans pay at concert. So, we must assume our taxdollars or donations are paying that. Unbelievable! And yes, assumptions can be made when nobody will answer this truthfully. Question was asked about police officers at concert also. The city of Peru aka;Taxpayers should not have to pay ONE SINGLE PENNY ON THESE CONCERTS. Period!
12:23 PM
Seeing as many of the Peru police officers were officially on duty and many of them were involved directing traffic after the concert, were they receiving their regular pay? Were they working as the firemen at 10 per hour and who set that pay schedule for the firemen.
WHAT A WASTE . CONCERTS FOR A CAUSE ! THAT MEANS THAT ALL THE MONEY MADE SHOULD BE DONATED !!! THE ONLY CAUSE HERE IS NOONANNS POCKET !!!!!! YOUR NOT B S ING ME !!!!!
Anon 4:42 These people are not BS'ing anyone but their self success continues. Everyone by now has to realize that the airport entertainment is country and western because the music describes Peru so well.Maybe the Reverend will perform a wedding or two at the next family reunion at the airport.
Every police officer except one was on overtime or double time for the concert. Which is $80-$100 an hour. The fireman were paid just like a fire call. $35 for the first hour and then $10 an hour after that. Most of these guys worked a 12 hour shift.
Once again 12:07 is your statement fact or fiction and if indeed it is fact is the city footing the bill or is the concert promoter? Once that becomes clear and if and only if the city is footing the bill then citizens should be upset and speak up.
By now hasn't anyone thought of paying out of the "WINK WINK ACCOUNT". This procedure would be very economical as there is nothing ($0.00) left in it from overuse.
Police and fire personnel are being paid thru the money collected from parking fees.
Am I mistaken in believing that parking fees were to be pure profit to the city as was the $1.00per ticket sold. Just change the name of Peru for the next 46 months to WINK, Illinois. The present Mayor is compling a history similar to Swifts, Guliver Travels. In baseball the manager has a hit and run play in Wink, Il. our leader is the master of the hidden ball trick.
Anon 8:30 Yes Lilliput and Wink have similarities both being a story within a story. Voyage to Lilliput is history put into a fairy tale for the purpose of a political cover up. Wink is the direct opposite but also for the purpose of a political cover up.
What a bunch of pathetic comments. 8:20 what the heck are you talking about? How sad. Kudos to our city for putting this on. Kudos to the promoter if a local business made some money and she has donated a lot of money to some good local causes over the years. I love Peru!
Anon 9:28 PM Don't know what you have had too much of or where you got it but get off it immediately. The bunch of pathetic comments of 8:20 are your hallucination. Asking what someone is talking about when that someone is not really there (8:20) is a srong indication that you had best go see a "talkin man". Good luck!
LOOKS TO ME LIKE NOONAN MADE LOTS OF MONEY AND THE CITY SPENT MONEY WE DON'T HAVE FOR NOONAN'S CAUSE !!!!!!
I FEEL SORRY FOR ALL THE KISS --- PEOPLE WHO JUSTIFY THIS DEAL !!!
The parking revenue should go to the city. The concert promotors should pay out of her own pocket for the police and fire personnel. Their pay shouldn't be paid from parking. Once again, where are people's brains.
@ 9:28
You must not be born raised in the Illinois valley. Everybody that has knows that you can only cheer for someone to fail.
Anon 9:28 PM there is no 8:20 comment.
So its safe to say that one police man made over $1000 that night? And a fireman made over $150? Pretty big wage difference! But still I know the parking didn't bring in the over $15,000 + to cover the security and parking attendants. Not to mention the set up and take down by city workers on overtime! That's about $10,000 + also!
Yhe city must of paid to rent spot lights at north peoria and where ever else they were needed for traffic . another expense to help noonan pockets !!!
Yes you can add the dozen spot lights that were rented at a rate of $500 each for the weekend plus all the signs painted by city employees for parking to the cities tab.
I think since the city took over parking Noonan lost a lot of debt on that end too. There's no way the city made enough to cover payroll and all the extras . Especially since attendance was half of what they expected.
Once again the average taxpayers of Peru get the short end of the stick while Hurl gets a photo op for his upcoming senatorial campaign along with his free parking in a special spot on the tarmac , and all the free nuggets and pizza his big belly can hold!
We will have to watch the disbursements very closely to see what was spent on this concert and how much was made from parking cars and ticket sales. I wonder if the aldermen and city clerk are looking forward to another long hot day of parking cars for the next concert???
If attendances downward trend continues they wouldn't have as many cars to park.
True, most likely there will be fewer cars to park with the next concert, but they will still have to be out in the heat most of the day. Will see if this idea continues for next year's concerts or if its too much work for a few volunteers.
How many buses, trailers, etc. were parked and was there a different fee schedule? One bus is 4 or 5 parking spaces-was the parking fee $20.00?
When one thinks of unpaid volunteers for the city they think a group which is adding something for the city. Normally a few parking attendents for a private business concert is not considered volunteers for the city even if they are involved with area politics.
Yes, the parking fee was $20 for busses.
How much money did the city lose out on with Michelini shuttling people from his property to the airport on ATVs and in the back of his truck. I was told by someone there that he made dozens of trips back and forth without any fee. If there's a way to cheat peru, people will find it!
Anon 11:28 AM Isn't there a Michelini on the City Recreation Board. Surely could not be the same person.
Oh yes it can 7:07
Some people feel like big shots when they have their hands in everything.
Does anyone remember what dogs do to BIG WHEELS? Thats why they are smarter than the normal human being.
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