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
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
July 4
32 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I'm absolutely outraged at the freight train traveling through water street last night. This has happened before in the past. I never really realized how insanely dangerous it actually is until now. Is the city just waiting for someone or multiple people to get killed? This event hosts children and adults with alcohol, then comes a train traveling right through the middle. Prevent this from happening next year, please, before someone's child or loved one ends up in the newspaper. #totallyirrational
Stefan the RR company was called to give us information as to what time the train would come through and to try not to come through until the fireworks were done. The police at least wanted to make sure there were no people on the tracks. It has never been any different and I suppose the RR company says this is our business and our tracks and we can't stop because you want to have fireworks. We need a new location.
6:49 must be a CSO member. Several were crying months ago when the city decided to change Pyro companies. The party I was with agreed it was an Awesome Show. Huge difference than years past. Thanks Peru
Great show, but not a family night as intended. A massive amount of drinking underage and of age. It will be interesting to read how many warnings, tickets and arrests were made on Water Street on July 3d. The PPD has to have sore fingers from making out the arrest paperwork. I could not believe what I was seeing. If the fireworks are intended for a family night the CSO should be stopped from having a beer tent on the same date. They do not know how to control the drunkfest they have turned this into. People from out of town commented that Peru is the only town that has fireworks that has such conditions and they will not be back with their children.
After talking to those that were in the family area, I believe that they are agreeing with you. Family area was treated as second rate while the drinkers got it all including the piped in music to go with the fireworks. Is it time for Peru to invest in a 2 day event around this time of year and both on Water Street. Day one, let the CSO set up their beer tent and host a band and while not discouraging anyone from going there, have activities geared to adults of any age and party all you want but no fireworks that night. Make the next night family night all over Water Street. No alcohol served on the street and no walking alcohol drinkers allowed. Provide activities for children from food, soda, popcorn, ice cream, icees and etc. Ask LaSalle and Oglesby, they have already done it this year. End the day of fun with the fireworks for families as it is time they got a fair piece of the pie that is called our Peru celebration.
I had mentioned it in the past about the train going through during the fireworks, and suggested the fireworks to be moved to the weekend. For some it could be convenient, since not all of us have off on the fourth, and we would reduce the frequency of this situation. In the past the train usually came before the fireworks (around 9:15) so I was surprised to see it roll through at 9:45. After speaking to a retired individual who worked for the railroad, I was surprised to find out that if the train was ahead of schedule, it wasn't an inconvenience to contact the engineer of the locomotive and request it stopped before it reached the municipality or area of festivities, apparently you could sweeten the deal if you provided the engineer with a meal as well. In any case, I'm sure we'll find a solution to this issue if it is urgent enough.
My understanding is that someone was to call and ask the exact thing you are talking about to delay the train coming through until the fireworks were over. I can only assume that the message did not get to the right person.
The train is a issue which has been and should be addressed, along with many other issues. The two night approach, having the CSO on the 4th and the fireworks and family night on the 3rd is a very good idea. It must be remembered that the CSO is not giving any thing directly back to the fireworks display financely which makes it expendable.
Numerous residents are playing games with local law enforcement in the area and I will call it Catch Me If You Can. Many residents are calling in with complaints of loud fireworks as late as 11 and 12 oclock at night. Very difficult to pin down location and only warnings are given when actually found. This year it has been especially bad and without any regard for those who might be disturbed by them and with legitimate reason. It is now after 11 and I still hear them in the distance. I would suggest talking to your aldermen if the issue is an issue for you.
Unbelievable!!! My neighbor just called the Peru police because of loud fireworks being lit by our crazy neighbor boy. It came across the scanner the officer told the dispatcher the 12 year old was lighting them off but he's done for the night???!!!! Huh!!! Fireworks are illegal especially with a 12 year old trouble maker . Come on Peru PD
I believe that those who are shooting off the fireworks know they are only going to get a verbal to stop and as a result no one is worried that they might be fined for using and doing something illegal. I am still hearing them outside and it is almost midnight.
Saw Perus fireworks, they were good, not any different than other years. Went and saw Hennepins-----a unbelievable display and long in duration. The best I've ever seen other then in New York. Very impressed.
Beat place is to have fireworks at the airport. This would solve alot of underage drinking. Have a fenced in area that sells alcohol. No alcohol allowed outside fenced area.
Why can't Water Street have a fenced in beer garden area? Why would that work at the airport but not on Water Street? The only way it would work would be to handle it like the concerts and nobody can bring anything to eat or drink. If they want to drink beer, they pay for it once inside the beer garden area.
The beer being sold on waterstreet is a very small percentage of the alcohol consumed. A fenced in area would not solve any minor drinking on the 4th of July. Its not the beer garden selling to minors. Drive through Peru on the 3rd of july and you will see a party on every block, coolers on water street and fireworks displays all over town.
really guys what's the problem? do you want city council to come to the rescue and start micro managing the residents??? can you say dictatorship???? communism??? that is going to make us one friendly municipality. gimme a break
There are so many answers to the problems being discussed that it is embarrassing to have them come back year after year after year. MAYOR and CITY COUNCIL enforce the ordinances that have been put in place to handle the annual drinking problem that exists on the day, eve and night of the fireworks for example public intoxication and underage drinking etc. The real problem is that Peru has a conflict of interest in having a beer tent on Water Street on the night of the fireworks. The beer tent is the SQUATTING RIGHTS of the Peru CSO. How many city administrators, council members, appointed officials are members of the Peru CSO? Now do you understand why Peru Fireworks have remained status quo all these years? The idea of the night of the fireworks being a family night and the CSO beer tent being held on a later date is a win win situation for ALL.
You understand exactly what is going on but unless the majority feels like you do and make their wishes known to those who govern this city, nothing will change. It would be in the best interests of this city to make the changes for families and for the long term benefit and growth of this town. How many council members currently belong to the CSO, I don't know. I do know at one time it was almost all of them. I and many of my friends understand exactly what you are talking about but also know that our voices are lost amidst the most favored of residents who control things in this town.
What is the amount of money in Hatls war chest? Word is that he is promoting another golf outing for himself. Normally a political candidate takes the amount of money in his war chest with him upon leaving political life. What intentions does Harl have with the funds he will possess at the end of his domain. At the end of this 4 year term he will have 8 years in office which should be long enough for someone who has never put forth a short and long range program for his administration to achieve his goals. Is there a possibility that these goals are to build a war chest to take home. I know of no other Mayor in the history of our locality that has set the precedent of creating a war chest. Would someone who is in the inner circle of Peru Politics explain what this "war chest" is all about. It surely cannot be for a higher office in the future.
Lois, who are these so called favored residents? Will you be listing who of our elected officials are members of the NRA, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Church affiliations, favorite beverage? Your making alot of a imaginary conspiracy.
The law was changed a number of years ago. The only money he can get out of his "war chest" is the money he put in himself as a loan ($3K). If he does not run again he can donate the unused funds to a charity or to another political campaign.
Anon 1:50 Thank you for stating the law but you must realize that this is Peru and city politics here is strictly "home cookin". How extensive is your knowledge of home rule and the general fund? To keep things to a short list ask which laws are not broken rather than which are adhered to.
4:24 - Essentially, everything is funneled through the General Fund, restricted funds are frowned upon. That way, once the money is co-mingled, it is hard to track down. That way, you can get away with no bid jobs like the BB Gun Club House, etc.
Lois, As to your comment that possibly we no longer need the position of Mayor I do believe there is a need of that position but it and a lobbyist are not needed near as much as a City Manager is needed. Do not confuse the NEED of any position or the RESPECT of the position with the person who occupies it.
32 comments:
I'm absolutely outraged at the freight train traveling through water street last night. This has happened before in the past. I never really realized how insanely dangerous it actually is until now. Is the city just waiting for someone or multiple people to get killed? This event hosts children and adults with alcohol, then comes a train traveling right through the middle. Prevent this from happening next year, please, before someone's child or loved one ends up in the newspaper.
#totallyirrational
Stefan Bernal
Perus fireworks were a pathetic waste. Very unimpressed
HAPPY 4TH TO ONE AND ALL AND THANK YOU LOIS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO OUR COUNTRY.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL VIDEO.
Stefan the RR company was called to give us information as to what time the train would come through and to try not to come through until the fireworks were done. The police at least wanted to make sure there were no people on the tracks.
It has never been any different and I suppose the RR company says this is our business and our tracks and we can't stop because you want to have fireworks.
We need a new location.
Are you serious 6:49? Please explain what was so "pathetic" about them?
6:49 must be a CSO member. Several were crying months ago when the city decided to change Pyro companies.
The party I was with agreed it was an Awesome Show.
Huge difference than years past.
Thanks Peru
Great show, but not a family night as intended. A massive amount of drinking underage and of age. It will be interesting to read how many warnings, tickets and arrests were made on Water Street on July 3d.
The PPD has to have sore fingers from making out the arrest paperwork. I could not believe what I was seeing. If the fireworks are intended for a family night the CSO should be stopped from having a beer tent on the same date. They do not know how to control the drunkfest they have turned this into. People from out of town commented that Peru is the only town that has fireworks that has such conditions and they will not be back with their children.
1:29 PM
After talking to those that were in the family area, I believe that they are agreeing with you. Family area was treated as second rate while the drinkers got it all including the piped in music to go with the fireworks.
Is it time for Peru to invest in a 2 day event around this time of year and both on Water Street.
Day one, let the CSO set up their beer tent and host a band and while not discouraging anyone from going there, have activities geared to adults of any age and party all you want but no fireworks that night.
Make the next night family night all over Water Street. No alcohol served on the street and no walking alcohol drinkers allowed. Provide activities for children from food, soda, popcorn, ice cream, icees and etc. Ask LaSalle and Oglesby, they have already done it this year. End the day of fun with the fireworks for families as it is time they got a fair piece of the pie that is called our Peru celebration.
I had mentioned it in the past about the train going through during the fireworks, and suggested the fireworks to be moved to the weekend. For some it could be convenient, since not all of us have off on the fourth, and we would reduce the frequency of this situation. In the past the train usually came before the fireworks (around 9:15) so I was surprised to see it roll through at 9:45. After speaking to a retired individual who worked for the railroad, I was surprised to find out that if the train was ahead of schedule, it wasn't an inconvenience to contact the engineer of the locomotive and request it stopped before it reached the municipality or area of festivities, apparently you could sweeten the deal if you provided the engineer with a meal as well. In any case, I'm sure we'll find a solution to this issue if it is urgent enough.
4:32 PM
My understanding is that someone was to call and ask the exact thing you are talking about to delay the train coming through until the fireworks were over. I can only assume that the message did not get to the right person.
Best fireworks show in many years!!
Best fireworks show in many years!!
The train is a issue which has been and should be addressed, along with many other issues. The two night approach, having the CSO on the 4th and the fireworks and family night on the 3rd is a very good idea. It must be remembered that the CSO is not giving any thing directly back to the fireworks display financely which makes it expendable.
Numerous residents are playing games with local law enforcement in the area and I will call it Catch Me If You Can.
Many residents are calling in with complaints of loud fireworks as late as 11 and 12 oclock at night. Very difficult to pin down location and only warnings are given when actually found. This year it has been especially bad and without any regard for those who might be disturbed by them and with legitimate reason. It is now after 11 and I still hear them in the distance. I would suggest talking to your aldermen if the issue is an issue for you.
Unbelievable!!! My neighbor just called the Peru police because of loud fireworks being lit by our crazy neighbor boy. It came across the scanner the officer told the dispatcher the 12 year old was lighting them off but he's done for the night???!!!! Huh!!! Fireworks are illegal especially with a 12 year old trouble maker .
Come on Peru PD
I believe that those who are shooting off the fireworks know they are only going to get a verbal to stop and as a result no one is worried that they might be fined for using and doing something illegal. I am still hearing them outside and it is almost midnight.
Justin, trains move on weekends!
Saw Perus fireworks, they were good, not any different than other years. Went and saw Hennepins-----a unbelievable display and long in duration. The best I've ever seen other then in New York. Very impressed.
Beat place is to have fireworks at the airport. This would solve alot of underage drinking. Have a fenced in area that sells alcohol. No alcohol allowed outside fenced area.
Why can't Water Street have a fenced in beer garden area? Why would that work at the airport but not on Water Street? The only way it would work would be to handle it like the concerts and nobody can bring anything to eat or drink. If they want to drink beer, they pay for it once inside the beer garden area.
The beer being sold on waterstreet is a very small percentage of the alcohol consumed. A fenced in area would not solve any minor drinking on the 4th of July. Its not the beer garden selling to minors. Drive through Peru on the 3rd of july and you will see a party on every block, coolers on water street and fireworks displays all over town.
really guys what's the problem? do you want city council to come to the rescue and start micro managing the residents??? can you say dictatorship???? communism??? that is going to make us one friendly municipality. gimme a break
There are so many answers to the problems being discussed that it is embarrassing to have them come back year after year after year.
MAYOR and CITY COUNCIL enforce the ordinances that have been put in place to handle the annual drinking problem that exists on the day, eve and night of the fireworks for example public intoxication and underage drinking etc.
The real problem is that Peru has a conflict of interest in having a beer tent on Water Street on the night of the fireworks.
The beer tent is the SQUATTING RIGHTS of the Peru CSO. How many city administrators, council members, appointed officials are members of the Peru CSO?
Now do you understand why Peru Fireworks have remained status quo all these years?
The idea of the night of the fireworks being a family night and the CSO beer tent being held on a later date is a win win situation for ALL.
7:31 PM
You understand exactly what is going on but unless the majority feels like you do and make their wishes known to those who govern this city, nothing will change. It would be in the best interests of this city to make the changes for families and for the long term benefit and growth of this town. How many council members currently belong to the CSO, I don't know. I do know at one time it was almost all of them.
I and many of my friends understand exactly what you are talking about but also know that our voices are lost amidst the most favored of residents who control things in this town.
What is the amount of money in Hatls war chest? Word is that he is promoting another golf outing for himself. Normally a political candidate takes the amount of money in his war chest with him upon leaving political life.
What intentions does Harl have with the funds he will possess at the end of his domain.
At the end of this 4 year term he will have 8 years in office which should be long enough for someone who has never put forth a short and long range program for his administration to achieve his goals. Is there a possibility that these goals are to build a war chest to take home. I know of no other Mayor in the history of our locality that has set the precedent of creating a war chest.
Would someone who is in the inner circle of Peru Politics explain what this "war chest" is all about.
It surely cannot be for a higher office in the future.
Lois, who are these so called favored residents? Will you be listing who of our elected officials are members of the NRA, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Church affiliations, favorite beverage? Your making alot of a imaginary conspiracy.
The law was changed a number of years ago. The only money he can get out of his "war chest" is the money he put in himself as a loan ($3K). If he does not run again he can donate the unused funds to a charity or to another political campaign.
The NRA does not publish its membership list.
Anon 1:50 Thank you for stating the law but you must realize that this is Peru and city politics here is strictly "home cookin". How extensive is your knowledge of home rule and the general fund?
To keep things to a short list ask which laws are not broken rather than which are adhered to.
4:24 - Essentially, everything is funneled through the General Fund, restricted funds are frowned upon. That way, once the money is co-mingled, it is hard to track down. That way, you can get away with no bid jobs like the BB Gun Club House, etc.
Lois, As to your comment that possibly we no longer need the position of Mayor I do believe there is a need of that position but it and a lobbyist are not needed near as much as a City Manager is needed.
Do not confuse the NEED of any position or the RESPECT of the position with the person who occupies it.
Post a Comment